Chapter 18: Member Introduction
Inside the theater.
The group leader begins introducing the next person.
The one standing beside the Fraudster, dressed in a fancy suit.
“This is also one of our group members. You can call him the Gentleman. He doesn’t have particularly outstanding performing talents. His main job is to maintain order during performances, making troublemakers behave themselves.”
The Gentleman nodded to Night Star, keeping a polite smile, which indeed easily won over the audience’s affection.
Night Star, on the other hand, thought about something else.
So, like security?
But this Gentleman didn’t seem to have any intimidating presence at all. Could he really control a situation?
“Mm…”
Moreover, with such a friendly and beautiful smile, they must be trying to teach troublemakers the old adage “don’t hit a smiling face.”
Night Star instantly got it.
Even at the risk of getting beat up, he would maintain order.
Gentleman, my superhero!
“Hmm?” The Gentleman smiled at Night Star who seemed to be daydreaming, sensing she was perhaps thinking about some impolite things.
After the group leader introduced both, Night Star finally couldn’t resist asking, “Mr. Fraudster, Mr. Gentleman, we’ve met before, right?”
The Gentleman nodded and squinted his eyes. “Yes, you bumped into me, but very politely. It made a great impression on me.”
Night Star pondered for a moment, then said, “Hmm… I had no idea you guys were part of the same theater group as the group leader.”
“Perhaps this is the arrangement of fate,” the Gentleman said, looking at the group leader as if to ask why he brought along the silver-haired loli.
The group leader understood his meaning and said, “She’s a rare audience member who appreciates and respects my shows. She feels joy, which isn’t common. So, I brought her here hoping you all will bring her joy too.”
The Fraudster and Gentleman nodded, showing some interest.
“So she likes watching shows?”
“Just a little interest…”
Actually, Night Star was an easily satisfied little loli.
If people thought she knew a lot about these shows, and asked for explanations, she would probably just say, “Wow! Cool!” and leave it at that.
The Fraudster laughed lightly, “Since that’s the case, allow me to give you an impromptu performance.”
He took out a huge black cloth from behind and casually threw it over the Gentleman’s head, covering his silhouette.
“Uh-huh…”
Once the Fraudster started performing, Night Star focused intently on the black cloth, not blinking even once.
Since this masked man called himself a Fraudster, he must be good at fooling people.
Maybe by using words or gestures, he would divert the audience’s attention and perform something clever.
Night Star thought she had seen through everything!
Whatever the Fraudster did, she wouldn’t get pulled in; she’d keep staring at the black cloth!
“What dedication, worthy of being the group leader’s chosen audience.” The Fraudster laughed mysteriously and removed the black cloth from the Gentleman.
“Gazing —”
Night Star’s eyes widened slightly as she looked under the cloth to see who it was.
Stunned!
The Gentleman had turned into the group leader!
“Oh my god, so impressive!”
Night Star clapped involuntarily, her eyes sparkling.
Watching this kind of performance that lacked any trickery had quite an impact.
Several seconds later, Night Star realized something was wrong.
“Hold it.”
She glanced at the group leader beside her and the group leader with the Fraudster, wondering in confusion.
“Why are there two group leaders?”
Logical error.
Then she noticed that the person next to the Fraudster had changed back to the Gentleman.
The Gentleman shook his head wistfully.
“It’s impolite to use someone as a prop without their consent,” he sighed.
“Sorry, I’ll be more careful.” The Fraudster chuckled and took back the black cloth.
Then he looked at Night Star, still lost in thought, with a joyful smile.
Indeed, she’s rare.
“Uh…” Night Star was still doubtful.
What happened just now?
Was she fooled?
Or tricked by illusions?
When did this happen?
So impressive!
Then the Fraudster bowed slightly to Night Star.
“Thank you for watching my show, what do you think?”
“That was amazing! Super cool.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
“Can you tell me how it was done?”
“Sorry, it’s an industry secret, and you got tricked.”
“Uh… So I really got tricked…” Night Star looked disappointed.
Despite staying focused and trying hard, she still got fooled.
The Fraudster is indeed a dangerous guy!
Night Star was already on high alert for him.
“Wait a minute,”
Night Star noticed another thing.
“Group Leader, you said there are five members in the troupe, where are the other two?”
“They are not in the best state, but let me introduce them to you anyway.”
Not in the best state?
Are they sick?
Night Star followed, puzzled.
“That’s the Puppet Master.”
Night Star followed the group leader’s gaze to a small figure sitting in a corner.
A closer look revealed it was a little girl about her age, holding something, lost in thought.
“What’s wrong with her?” Night Star asked, confused.
“Her favorite puppet was broken, she’s in a terrible mood. We can’t fix it, so she’s been like this. Previously, she could have performed amazing puppet shows, but now… You’d better not go near her.”
“Uh-huh…”
Night Star stared at the Puppet Master, feeling a voice inside telling her to cheer up the little loli.
But without knowing how to comfort girls, could she actually pull it off?
Then Night Star followed the group leader to another place.
There was a towering object, probably necessary for a stage show, with light shining down on a delicate shadow at the top.
The girl sat at the top, looking at the light source, occasionally opening her mouth, seemingly preparing to sing.
The group leader introduced, “I found her outside and brought her in. You can call her the Singer. Back then, she wandered the city, forgetting everything. But I liked her voice, so I took her in, hoping she would become our stage singer. However, it hasn’t gone smoothly.”
The teen at the top didn’t seem to notice the group leader or Night Star, almost ignoring them completely.
“She’s…”
Night Star felt something was off about the girl, like a phantom about to disappear.
If not for the group leader saying she’s a real member, she might have assumed it was a virtual projection.
Night Star felt this Rising Sun Theater Group had members stranger than strange.
