Case 117: Crushing the hopes and dreams of young girls.

Case 117: Crushing the hopes and dreams of young girls.

''And the winner is...!''

''Sylvie!!!''

'''' WOAHHH!!! ''''

Immediately, thunderous cheers erupt from the hundreds of observers around the stage.

'''' SYLVIE! SYLVIE! SYLVIE! ''''

A woman walks up to me, in her arms is a shiny gold trophy.

''Congratulations, Miss Sylvie!'' She hands me the trophy.

''Thanks...'' I reply awkwardly.

Nervously looking to the side, my eyes finally met hers. Her cute little face is crumpled, near crying, and she hisses at me like I'm her nemesis who just killed her whole family.

''Ahahah...''

How did I get myself into this...?

''-Would you like to put your giant breasts to good use?!''

'''' ... ''''

What the fuck??

Is she trying to recruit me into a brothel or something...?

''Hey, kiddo.'' Liana immediately grabs the girl's collar and lifts her off the ground. ''Fuck off, or I'll beat your ass.''

That's a killer stare. I would be scared.

''Wait, wait! I misspoke!'' The girl struggles, but can't escape Liana's grasp. ''It's a misunderstanding...!''

Wait, now that I think about it, they speak English here too? Whatever.

''Okay, calm down, Liana.'' I pat Liana's hand a few times. ''Let's hear what she has to say first.''

She hesitates for a moment but eventually releases the girl with a frustrated sigh.

''...Speak.''

''Um... Would you be interested in participating in a beauty contest?'' She regains her smile and pulls out a poster.

''Ranka's Miss Beauty...'' Anna ponders. ''I think I've heard this before...''

''Of course, Miss Cat! If you're a citizen of Ranka, then there's no way you wouldn't know this contest!''

''And what does that have to do with her chest?'' Tina chimes in, frowning slightly.

''Ah, I have a habit of speaking confusingly when I am excited, forgive me.'' The girl scratches her cheek, embarrassed. ''It's just that I saw Miss Elf here has such divine beauty and body, so I wanted her on stage...''

How? The window is tinted... Whatever, maybe her eyes are just good.

''Are you an organizer?'' I ask.

''Yes, Miss Elf! So would you like to participate right away? It'll only take an hour at most as the show is just about to start.'' She points to a stage in the distance where a crowd has already formed. ''Aside from the cash prize, the 'Miss Ranka' title is also extremely prestigious!''

Eh, I don't think it's more prestigious than my Saint title, or the Crown Princess title.

''What's going on here?'' Fox Saint approaches from the side.

''Ah, forgive me for intruding, I was just trying to invite Miss Elf here to a friendly competition!'' The bear girl hurriedly explains. ''Actually, any of these misses would make a fantastic candidate, if you're interested.''

Nah, I'm good.

''Sorr-''

''Go ahead then.'' Fox Saint interrupts me. ''Our driver, and it looks like your driver too, needs a break. I heard the conversation from earlier. An hour is good.''

Why bother asking then?

But looking at Justia, she does seem a bit tired... Sorry, Justia, for not realizing. I'll give you lots of sweets later.

''Alright then, do any of you want to do it with me?'' I turn to my fiancés.

''Nope.''

''Nah.''

There were quite a lot of girls singing from the beginning though, like this bunny girl... Maybe I'll do something different.

''Coming up is Number 24, the First Lady of the cat-kin clan, Sara Felidae!''

CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP

Oh, there she is.

The applause for her this time is noticeably louder than for any of the contestants before, and I can hear some whistles mixed in there as well.

''Hello everyone.'' Sara bows her head lightly. ''I'm going to perform my clan's traditional dance.''

Another applause. This traditional dance must be popular.

Sara snaps her finger, and music starts to play.

Damn, the music is fire though.

''Hm, hm.'' I nod my head along the beats, feeling kinda similar...

Wait. Isn't this 'Billie Jean'?! Their 'traditional' dance is pop dance??

I didn't think I would be hearing Michael Jackson's music here, you go, girl...!

Look at that moonwalk, damn.

The 'traditional' dance session was expectedly, well received. It was easily the most heated segment of this entire show. I thoroughly enjoyed it as well, but Sara gave me quite a smug face when she came back, so there's that.

''And now, the final contestant! Please welcome Number 25, the fairest elf, my personal favorite, Miss Sylvie!''

It is now my turn, and I need to top that performance earlier, though...

'''' ... ''''

Where's my applause?? Why are you all just staring at me?

Whatever, let's just do it. If Sara did pop, then rightfully, I can do rap too, right?

So I begin playing my music and raise my index finger in the air.

Look, if you had

one shot

or one opportunity

To seize everything you ever wanted

in one moment

Would you capture it

or just let it slip?

You better lose yourself in the music, am I right?

Okay, so I won the contest whole, but maybe I shouldn't have, these girls look like they're about to murder me any moment. And I made Sara upset as well.

''Um, Miss Sara.'' I speak up, enduring the glare from her. ''Can I have a moment?''

Cindy said earlier that she's the First Lady of the cat-kin clan, right? So I'll definitely have to talk to her now, information gathering is important.

''Hah... Excuse me.'' She immediately turns around and stomps to the exit.

...Okay, let's change the tactic. Worst, I'll just kidnap her for a moment.

''Good job, wifey.'' Emy plants her face in my neck, kissing and inhaling vigorously, while Tina and Liana are playing with the trophy.

Emy just woke up and chose to do this, and I love her for that. But what with the 'wifey' thing?

Oh, well.

''Anna, can you go talk to the silver cat for me? She seems mad at me.''

''You want me to go?'' Anna points at herself.

''Yeah.'' I reply.

''Sure, I actually wanted to talk to her since earlier too.'' Anna smiles lightly.

Go, agent Anna...!