Shione Higurashi
Tactician| Park Security Officer's Office | Everyone in the Club
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Shione had been impatiently staring at the monitors that laid out before her as she waited in anticipation for the couple candidates to enter the park. She had faith that her comrades would be able to steer the couple in the right direction but it does seem like they are taking some time to make this arrangement. Without the actual clients, she could not make use of any of her various preparations.
"Hmm... maybe I should have contacted the traffic bureau to get access to additional cameras around the area. That way i could have monitored the vicinity around the park and closely kept an eye on the route those two took. Probably could have set up a few roadblocks too like a marching band or a parade. Well I can't help it now. Besides, I'm sure those guys would pull through." She mused.
Just as she was beginning to get even more anxious from anticipating the couple's arrival, something caught the corner of her eye on the screen. Upon closer inspection of an area of the park between the main entrance and Route C, she could see Fumiya and Sakura being held up by the antics of a certain stereotypically dressed tourist that was probably Akiyama-kun. She had completely missed them entering the park and they could have slipped through her watchful eye if it weren't for the guy's impromptu roadblock.
"Guess I owe him this time around. Since they're near Route C they would most likely head over to Route B or D once they're stopped by Events Security. Well then... "
After clearing her throat, Shione began issuing her commands to the rest of the "Cicada Supervisors" she had assigned for each Route.
"Cicada Supervisors, this is Cicada Overseer. The targets are inside the premises. Standby in your respective areas and be prepared to intercept them on my command. Right now they are near Route C so Picnic Cicada should be on high alert for their arrival. However there is a chance that they would go to either Routes B or D once they are rerouted from Route C so Film Cicada and Maintenance Cicada should also get ready. The rest of you, prepare yourselves."
"Idol Cicada reads you loud and clear." An absurdly cheerful voice greeted belonging to the supervisor from Route A
"Film Cicada is ready to roll." A more serious and exasperated voice followed next coming from the supervisor of Route B
"Picnic Cicada saying this is going to be a picnic... literally." It sounded like the supervisor of Route C was trying to lighten up the mood by making puns but Shione was too serious to even notice.
"Maintenance Cicada working on it." Route D's supervisor said in a no-nonsense tone.
"Inspection Cicada is keeping a close eye on things over here." it seems that even Route E's leader has jumped on the pun wagon.
"Wildcard Cicada is ready to do whatever it takes to stop them."
With all the leaders checking in, it was now Shione's turn to call the shots and guide the direction the couple would take in order to get to Team C.
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"That guy earlier was really strange though. I just can't shake the feeling that we've met before." Fumiya wondered out loud catching Sakura's attention.
"Really? Do you meet eccentric tourists often then, Fumiya-kun?" Sakura jested.
Hearing her comment made Fumiya's face flush in embarrassment though he made sure to turn away in order to avoid Sakura seeing him in such a state.
"Not exactly. i don't know how to explain this but it's kinda like déjà vu. In any case it's weird how that guy didn't even ask us whether or not we're a couple before he started taking photos of us. I guess each person really has their own quirks." Fumiya replied.
"Well, for the record, if I was going to be paired off with someone without my consent then I wouldn't mind it if it was with Fumiya-kun".
Realizing what she had just said, Sakura's cheeks turned beet red and this time it was her turn to look away in embarrassment from Fumiya. The poor lad on the other hand felt like his heart was going faster than a dragster when he heard what the girl had said.
The two walked in awkward silence for a while until Fumiya spotted multiple branching paths and a sign in the middle that detailed the layout of the park.
"Hmm... it seems that there are multiple ways we could take to exit the park but right now, Route C seems to be the nearest one so I think we should take this path."
"Yeah, we wouldn't want to keep everyone waiting, right?"
Unknown to the potential couple, they had already fallen to the One Eyed Cupid's trap. By the time they reached the clearing that Route C led them, they discovered that the area was completely closed off for some sort of company event.
A mountain of a man wearing a black suit approached them upon noticing the dumbfounded expressions on the couple's face.
"I'm sorry you kids. This area is closed off for a private event. Only Employees and their family members may pass. I suggest you find another route." The bulky bodyguard said in such a deep voice that they were unsure if he was being apologetic or demanding.
That said, Fumiya and Sakura had no choice but to turn back and return to the area with the branching paths.
"Well that didn't work out. How about going to Route D next?" Fumiya suggested.
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"This is Cicada Overseer. Maintenance Cicada, you're up. It seems they are heading your way."
"Copy that Cicada Overseer. We're gonna stop the lovebirds dead in their tracks."
Shione watched the spectacle from the security officer's room. As an added means of surveillance, she had also placed various hidden microphones near the area of her supervisors so she could observe the exchange more properly.
A devious smile appeared on her face when the Maintenance crew she had placed told the couple that "the route is closed due to a routine maintenance being performed on the foliage in the park."
"We wouldn't want any large branches falling on your heads and giving you concussions so it would be better if you took another path." The lead maintenance officer said in a serious tone.
As expected, Fumiya and Sakura would go to Route E and this time someone wearing a police officer's uniform stood in their way.
"We're currently conducting an inspection of this area of the park after park management reported several disturbances and cases of vandalism in this area for the past few days. We cannot let you through here I'm afraid."
Forced to turn back, the two headed to Route F afterwards but they were also barred from passing through this area since the path itself seemed to be under construction forcing them to return to the clearing with the branching paths.
It was evident that the couple was starting to get frustrated after getting held up time and time again but in Shione's point of view, they had taken the absolute best series of paths.
"If they continue this pattern then they should happen around Route A last. Things are going smoothly than I imagined. Well I can't complain." Shione mused enthusiastically.
And as she had predicted the couple now arrived at Route B where the commercial was being shot.
"Film Cicada, it's your turn. Get em good for me."
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When Fumiya and Sakura reached the end of Route B, they saw a large number of people moving what seemed to be equipment to and fro. Some were dressed in costumes and some were operating the equipment. Even though it seemed like the path was blocked, Fumiya decided to just casually go through the set anyways having none of the ridiculous circumstances they've been experiencing until now.
"Hey you youngsters over there. We can't have you snooping around the area while we're filming. Go someplace else." A middle aged guy addressed them in a grumpy manner whilst being seated in those stereotypical seats commonly used by directors in a film.
"Oh come on! Not this one too! Seriously, what's up with this park today." Fumiya said in frustration.
One or two paths being closed off would have been fine. Three would even be considered normal. But having all 5 of the 6 paths being blocked off by either an event or maintenance services was crazy altogether.
"Hey, it's okay Fumiya-kun. Calm down. We still haven't looked at that last route right? I think it's definitely worth a shot going there!" Sakura said in a reassuring voice which substantially eased Fumiya's anxiousness.
"Alright but if I had to guess...."
When they reached a wide open area in route A, just as Fumiya expected, something blocked their path once again, but this time it seemed to be some sort of concert and by the looks of it, it was just about to begin. Dozens of people, mostly males in that manner, had already gathered around the stage excitedly chattering among themselves while holding colorful light sticks in their hands.
"... it's also blocked."
"A concert? And are those idols? This certainly beats all the other "roadblocks" we've come across. What do you say we watch for a bit, Fumiya-kun?" Sakura said with a glint of excitement in her eyes.
In Fumiya's point of view, this was not a request but rather than an absolute demand imposed by Sakura. Like, hey how could he refuse her after seeing her pleading for him like a child asking her mother for permission. He didn't have the heart to refuse such a sincere request.
"Well, we could really use a break from all that walking so I'm up for it. Let's go ahead and have a closer look shall we?" Fumiya replied
Taking a seat at a bench near the stage, Fumiya and Sakura waited in anticipation for the idols' performance to begin. If this was designed to be another roadblock in their path then Fumiya thought he'd get back at whoever set this up, whether it was coincidence, fate, or some crazy chick watching them with a camera from the shadows.
Finally after the idols addressed their audience and introduced themselves, they finally began their performance.
The idols performed two more songs before the couple decided to leave. The entire time, the couple could see their audience, specially their dedicated fans chanting with them and genuinely having fun. If it weren't for the detours they took, they would not have been able to enjoy such an amazing experience. If everything had gone according to their way until now, it would have been simply an errand to get snacks rather than an experience they will never forget any time soon.
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Just as the couple was about to leave, a white haired girl their age approached them. She had a distinctive eye patch which already gave away her identity to the couple but it looked like she paid no heed to it. The only reason why she was this confident of approaching them up close without any manner of disguise to hide her identity was that she wasn't included in the list of people that would participate in the study group to begin with.
"Excuse me, you two seem to be having trouble navigating the park earlier." Shione asked?
"Well we were trying to get to the other side of the park in order to buy some snacks at a convenience store." Sakura replied hesitantly.
"Hmm, but isn't there a convenience store near the park entrance over there?"
"Trust me, you do not want to know what happened there." Fumiya stated in a grave manner.
"Well then, you could buy some snacks near the pavilion. Some vendors have set up shop there due to all the events scheduled today. They have a wide selection of products from your usual junk food to even traditional Japanese snacks and delicacies. I suggest you buy what you need there instead of trying to cut through this crowd. These fans can be quite passionate when supporting their idols as you can see." Shione explained.
Learning of the food stalls near the pavilion, a look of relief washed over Fumiya and Sakura's faces. They were thanking Shione profusely with nothing but smiles on their faces before they headed with renewed determination towards the pavilion.
After Shione saw them off, a huge grin could be seen on her face once the fact that all her efforts weren't in vain had set in.
"Team C, this is Shione reporting in. The couple are now en route your way. I made sure of it. They're going to the pavilion where I organized some food stalls to act as a substitute goal for them instead of cutting through the park to another convenience store. They should pass through you beforehand so everything's up to you now. Knock this one out of the park fellas! Tactician Shione over and out!"
She had done her part and the success or failure of this mission now lies on the members of Team C. The rest was up to them now.
