Show Assistant
Help me just this once, please? My whole life depends on it!
When you ask someone for a favor, you should do so more politely.
And my answer will not change no matter how many times you ask. Please leave now.
Hey, come on! Don't be like that!
When I went to the lobby to meet Claire, she was in the middle of an argument with Luna.
Ah, Captain. You're here.
Captain! Perfect timing!
I need your help to convince this heartless woman! She won't listen to me at all!
...If you keep slandering me like that, I will ban you from entering Candle Square.
What's going on?
She asked me to be her assistant for a magic show.
A magic show?
Yeah. I got grabbed by a debt collector on the street recently.
And the magician he hired for his festival show got injured, so...
What? You're stepping in?
Hmm... It is hard to find someone on such short notice.
Fine. If your performance goes well, I'll waive next month's interest.
Pardon me, but isn't your actual job being an oracle?
It's fine, it's fine. What matters is putting on a flashy performance.
But to really catch the audience's attention, I need a skilled assistant!
Your intention to abandon your indulgent lifestyle and pay off your debts through honest work is commendable, but...
I have my duties as Senior Maid, and those come first.
Ugh... So cold...
Why not help her out?
What?
This might be her chance to turn over a new leaf.
I see... You may have a point.
Our mission is to support the Saviors so they can help as many people as possible.
Assisting Luna in leading a healthier life follows that same principle.
Very well. I'll do my best to ensure the show ends successfully.
But this is a one-time exception.
I knew it! I knew you'd say that!
Oh, since we're at it, what if the Captain joins too?
I'm happy just watching from the audience.
Some time later, I received an invitation to the performance.
The organizer kindly arranged a seat with a clear view of the stage for me.
Allow me to introduce today's assistant!
W-what...?! What is this shameless outfit supposed to be?!
What else was I supposed to do?! It's my first time putting together a magic show!
If I want people to look away from me for even a moment, I'll have to rely on that impressive chest of yours!
Is that what you had in mind when you asked for my help?!
Don't be shy! Show everyone what you've got!
Show off your own!!
Captain! Are you just going to stand there and watch?
Say something to knock some sense into her!
But...
The outfit does suit you, though.
Oh? Sounds like the Captain likes it too.
Y-you must have misheard because the audience is making so much noise!
Okay, okay! I get it, so let's focus on the show! People are watching!
Do you really want to disappoint the people who came to enjoy themselves?
Kgh...! Just wait until this is over!
And just like that, the show began...
Now, while the hat slips behind the cape for just a moment, the dove inside...
Ta-da! It's turned into a full-grown bunny!
...Yeah.
Come on! Give me a bigger reaction than that!
I believe I am already doing more than enough.
Nope! Not acceptable!
Maybe you can put your hands up like bunny ears and hop around a bit!
What, do you have a death wish?
Eek! Put that spear away! Now!
It's better than I expected...
Even though the show was put together in a rush, the audience seemed to like it.
In fact, they seemed more entertained by the two arguing than the magic show itself...
Now for the highlight of today's show! The water tank escape!
Will our assistant make it out in time before the giant slime crushes her?!
Hold on!
What's this? You never mentioned anything like this during the rehearsal!
Huh? I didn't?
You absolutely did not!
Oh, don't worry about it.
There's an escape hatch at the bottom of the tank. Trust me, I paid good money to rent this thing.
That's not the point! You're just—
You got this, Claire!
If this performance succeeds, maybe Luna will finally quit gambling...
And if Claire can help rehabilitate a gambling addict, that would be quite the accomplishment for a maid!
Captain... Why are you looking at me with such eager eyes?
Aren't you going in? The Captain looks eager to see it!
Is it...
Is it really safe?
Of course! Have I ever said anything untrustworthy?
If you don't believe me, I'll promise as an oracle that you'll make a perfect escape!
I trust that slime more than I trust you.
Hey, that hurts a little...
What's going on? Is something wrong?
Hey! Let's get on with it!
...Kgh.
I don't like this, but I must see through what I started.
All right. I'm going in.
Once Claire entered the tank, a large cloth was draped over it.
Now, everyone, count down with me from three!
Three!
Two!
One!
When the cloth was lifted, the only thing left inside the tank was the slime.
Did she fail to escape?!
Kgh...?!
What are you doing, Claire? Hurry and get out!
It won't open! The hatch you mentioned isn't working!
No way! The junkyard guy said it would work just fine!
You got it from a junkyard?!
You really are—ngh!
As Claire shouted at Luna, the slime pressed her against the glass.
Because of that, certain parts of her body were left in a rather embarrassing position.
...C-Captain? What are you looking at?
I'm in danger, and yet you stare at me like some kind of pervert...!
You're the one pushing yourself against the glass!
With how much pressure you're applying, it would be weirder not to notice!
Who said I was pushing myself?!
W-what's that sound?
Oh. That's the sound of the slime dissolving your outfit.
If you stay in there, it might melt away completely.
You should have told me that earlier!
Heh... You sure this is the right time to get angry?
What?
You're pinned down by a slime, completely immobilized.
And eventually, you're going to end up naked in front of all these people.
Well? Who's the one in trouble now?
Y-you impudent, brazen-faced—
Kgh...! W-wait...!
As the slime twisted around inside the cramped tank, Claire's face flushed red.
The sight of her, with her body pressed flat against the glass, squirming in desperation to find even a bit of space was...
S-stop fooling around and let me out! Now!
Hmm? What was that?
When you ask someone for help, you should be a lot more polite, my sweet little assistant.
Heh heh... And you thought an idiot who can't even play her own hand belongs at a gambling table?
I'll use this opportunity to teach you a lesson you won't forget!
Y-you... you are truly...
As Claire pressed her hands against the glass, cracks began to spread across the surface!
Huh?
W-what's happening? The tank is about to break!
This is impossible! The glass was coated with special magic!
All it takes is grit... to break some cheap glass!
The glass shattered, spilling the slime onto the audience!
Ugh...
Swept up in the chaos, I fell, and something heavy landed on top of me.
I opened my eyes expecting a slime, but Claire's face was so close I could feel her breath.
And as my gaze lowered, her pale skin came into view, delicately flushed a soft shade of pink—
KYAAAAH!
A sharp scream rang in my ears, and my vision went white as I lost consciousness.
...In the end, the performance was canceled for being too indecent.
However...
Claire! Come on, just one more show. Please?
Unbelievable...
Do you truly never learn?
Every man in NOA is waiting for you, you know!
They want the amazing assistant who stole the show that day to return!
And I'll arrange that emotional reunion in exchange for a tiny commission.
I'm waiting too.
CAPTAAAIN!!