Chapter 10: Persuasion
“Star Yoon is going too! Watching a performance is just another way to slack off.”
It seemed like Star Yoon finally got it, raising her little hand and agreeing to head to Qi Yuan City for the show.
She slightly broadened her definition of slacking off.
As long as it brought her joy and relaxation, it counted as slacking off!
Night Lan nodded in secret.
Just as White Fish had said, Neko Shinna and Star Yoon were indeed easy to deal with.
If she brought them into the theater, they would definitely keep the secret.
Now, only Zero Meow remained.
“Zero Meow, come with us! We’re not official Night Watchers anyway, so we don’t have to work. When we get to Qi Yuan City, we can stay at the Night Watcher Base there. I heard it has lots of fun entertainment areas—super fun!”
“Hmm, meow~ Since it’s Night Lan’s invitation, I’ll go with you. But I still have to keep my distance during the Grand Performance! We absolutely cannot get close to those dangerous Star Eclipses! My experience is greater than yours, so I’ll be in charge of keeping you safe!”
Well, it seems Zero Meow is pretty cautious at heart.
On the surface, she likes to hang around the scene of star eclipse incidents, but if she ever bumped into one face-to-face, she’d probably freak out and run for the hills.
This scrappy cat only dares to linger on the outskirts.
Thinking of this, Night Lan muttered to herself.
“Oh~ I really want to be friends with the members of the Rising Sun Theater Group~”
Hearing this, Zero Meow looked confused.
“Dummy Night Lan, why do you have such a strange thought? That’s a Star Eclipse! Even if they have a legal operating license, they’re still a Star Eclipse, a terrifying existence tainted by Star Eclipse Pollution! Getting too close could be harmful!”
“But… it seems the Audience Performers can handle it? Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to gain legal rights from the Night Watchers.”
“Hmm, meow… the Audience Performers are indeed impressive. They look just like us little Lolis.”
Even Zero Meow can’t deny their strength.
She remembers during the last Grand Performance, she was totally smitten by the Audience Performer’s dashing executioner look.
After that, she couldn’t help but draw fan art of them.
But unfortunately, the Audience Performer wears a mask that hides their face, so whenever Zero Meow wanted to draw a face reveal, she just sewed Night Lan’s face on instead.
It turned out pretty well, honestly, and there was no sense of incongruity.
Since the Audience Performers are confirmed humans by the official site, Zero Meow didn’t feel any aversion.
How awesome is it that a little Loli is mingling among the Star Eclipses?
Honestly, Zero Meow wants to know her too!
At this moment, Night Lan bragged a little. “The Audience Performers are indeed amazing, and those Star Eclipse members who have been ‘influenced’ by them have undeniable strengths too, don’t you think? Like the Singer! Her voice is so beautiful, and she seems really gentle. She’d never hurt anyone.”
“The Singer’s voice is indeed lovely, meow…”
“And the Puppet Master! What a cute little Loli! I just want to hug her; she definitely won’t resist.”
“The Puppet Master is really cute, meow…”
Zero Meow is starting to waver.
Night Lan kept pushing her luck.
“And there’s the Gentleman! As long as you’re polite in front of him, he definitely won’t hurt you and might even protect you. The Fraudster might use their tricks on you, but as long as you don’t show hostility or make him mad, he won’t do anything too outrageous. And the Group Leader! He welcomes everyone who comes to see the performance. As long as you’re an audience member, he won’t dislike you. How about that? These Star Eclipses are really charming, right? They’re friendly beings!”
Night Lan excitedly spilled out her words, as if saying them might change Zero Meow’s mind.
But when Zero Meow looked back at her with a skeptical expression, Night Lan’s face froze.
Uh-oh!
Said too much!
“Eh-heh~” Night Lan tried to play it cute to smooth things over.
But Zero Meow didn’t seem to be having any of it.
Zero Meow stood up, grabbed Night Lan by the head, and leaned in close to her ear.
“Mmm, meow… why do I feel like you really know a lot about the Star Eclipses in the Rising Sun Theater Group? Is there something I don’t know?”
White Fish in the passenger seat smiled silently.
Night Lan seemed to have inadvertently said too much.
After all, her words made it sound like she’d been hanging out with the Rising Sun Theater Group for a while—how could anyone not be suspicious?
Especially someone as sharp as Zero Meow.
Night Lan forced a smile.
Time to showcase some textbook-level acting!
“Not at all! I just analyzed what I read on the Night Watcher’s official website. If you observe closely, you could analyze it too, right? I just think the Star Eclipses in the Rising Sun Theater Group are a bit different. Under the guidance of the Audience Performers, there’s no reason to fear them.”
Zero Meow squinted her eyes slightly.
“Why do I feel like you’re defending them, meow? Aren’t you a Night Watcher?”
“Exactly because I’m a Night Watcher that I hope the Star Eclipse situation can be resolved perfectly! Helping them integrate into society without harming anyone is a kind of solution, isn’t it?”
Night Lan said with a smile that made her look like a sweet little Loli.
Seeing this, Zero Meow didn’t pick up on anything suspicious and sat back down.
“Well… some things you only know once you see them. If you really want to be friends with them, I’ll give it a shot, too.”
Zero Meow seemed to have given up on persuading Night Lan, wearing an expression of defeat.
“Is that so?”
“Mmm, meow, probably. Even if Night Lan, you secretly became friends with them, I will be understanding. If you want me to interact with them, I’ll try to do that too.”
Now Zero Meow didn’t look so scornful. She spoke earnestly, and her credibility was through the roof!
Night Lan almost spilled the beans about her little secret right then and there.
But then Zero Meow’s tone suddenly changed.
“Speaking of which… you’re not actually hiding the fact that you’re in contact with the Rising Sun Theater Group, are you? That’s considered treason for the Night Watcher organization, you know.”
“Of course not! I’m super honest!”
“Your tone makes it really hard for me to believe that!”
“It’s not true!”
“Clear it up for me!”
“Wah! Don’t pinch my face, I might crash!”
“Who are you fooling, meow! This is clearly on auto-pilot!”
Hmm, this little joyride is still somewhat enjoyable.
…
Time slowly passed by.
The Rising Sun Theater Group’s third outing performance in Qi Yuan City arrived as scheduled.
This performance went off without a hitch, with no unexpected incidents, culminating in a perfect finale after all the group members showcased their talents.
In another week, the Grand Performance in Qi Yuan City will take place.
It looks like the playwright has also finished the stage play script, preparations are thorough.
Inside the Rising Sun Theater.
Night Star held the script in her hands and had already read its contents.
Although she wasn’t a professional, it really looked interesting!
“Just as expected of the playwright!”
“I’m glad you like it.”
