Living Normally In An Abnormal World - Chapter 75: Inspection

Chapter 75: Inspection

My activities as Grauzer include appearing on the Paradise Escape show, being a guest of a certain video poster, voice acting in the original game, and occasionally attending handshake and autograph sessions. So far, these are the only four things I’ve been doing.

Currently, as part of my preparation for appearing on Paradise Escape, I’m confirming and inspecting the escape location maps. It’s important to actually see things with your own eyes.

“This is the escape location for this time, three times the size of Tokyo Dome.”

“How big is that? Is it about three times the size of a baseball field?”

“Well, I can’t say for sure in numbers… but why are you even here, Satoru-kun?”

“I came to record a show where we visit famous shopping districts! But I sensed that Grauzer was nearby, so I came here.”

Oh no, shotas these days are scary.

“Inspection?”

“Yeah, first, I want to confirm the hiding spots and escape routes that I’ve marked on the map. Once that’s done, I plan to spend time exploring new escape routes and hiding places.”

“Do you really have to go that far?”

“Well, for example, that building over there.”

“Yeah.”

“What if we ran around that building non-stop and managed to escape?”

“That would be a broadcast accident!”

“And one more thing.”

“What?”

“I’ll try escaping while keeping the Hunter in my sight the whole time.”

“Whoa…”

Satoru-kun must’ve realized how demoralizing that would be.

“Inspections are important, right?”

“Important, very important, incredibly important!”

“You’re standing out too much right now. Go back to Haruki-san immediately.”

I’m in disguise—wearing women’s clothes, sunglasses, a mask, and a soft hat, so my face is hidden. Meanwhile, Satoru-kun is out in the open with his typical handsome shota face, attracting attention.

People gather around him, and I can feel their jealousy. It’s quite a scene.

“Yeah, thank you for teaching me directions, Onee-san!!!”

“Yes, I’m really looking forward to today’s recording!”

The fact that they’re still jealous means that my disguise is probably not exposed. Let’s move on quickly.

The venue is about two stations away from the nearest train station. It’s not far, and I don’t want to drag everyone into this, so I’ve hired bodyguards to stay nearby in plain clothes for today.

Let’s get going.

It’s all for the sake of victory.

“Okay, the morning recording is over. We’ll take a break for about an hour.”

“Mother, Mother! I want to eat lunch at that restaurant over there!”

“But, Satoru, there’s a high-end sushi place called Sakimori-ya over there. Wouldn’t you prefer that?”

“No, I want to go to that place!”

The morning recording is over, and Satori and Haruki are taking a break.

They try to enter a restaurant to eat lunch, but Satoru suggests going to a regular family restaurant, which is unusual for him as he usually only wants to go to high-class places when going out.

Haruki feels something is off, but she follows Satoru into the restaurant. It doesn’t seem busy, and she expects a server to come over soon, but Satori walks straight into the restaurant.

The other customers and staff see Satoru and react in various ways: some scream, others faint, and some took photos with their smartphones.

Haruki, confused and shaken by the abnormal situation, watches as Satoru walks in without caring about the stares. He sits at a certain table, across from a woman with long black hair. She also wears a navy soft hat, black sunglasses, and a white mask, making her look suspicious. However, Satoru seems happy, opening the menu.

“Grauzer-san?”

“Yes. Please excuse me for replying in this form, Haruki-san.”

Haruki was speechless.

Everyone around them stares at the woman who replied, shocked to see another famous man in front of them.

“Mother, Mother. Sit next to me!”

“But, Satoru, I’m surprised you knew.”

“Yeah, I felt that he was here!”

Haruki wants to say something about him having some kind of GPS device, but she decides to ask Grauzer why he’s alone first. She holds the menu in her hand.

“So, Grauzer…”

“What is it?”

“Since you’re always being tracked, doesn’t it mean that finding a hiding place is pointless?”

“It’s for the Hunters. During the hard mode, I can’t use such convenient items.”

The man explains. Although he is participating as an escapee this time, the organizers are not necessarily on his side, so he will likely have to become a Hunter eventually. He’s preparing for that time.

“So, what did you find out?”

“Let me show you the map and explain. First, I confirmed the hiding spots and escape routes this morning. Three of the hiding spots were under construction, so I couldn’t check them. I was told the work would finish the day before, so I’ll confirm them then. As for the escape routes, the fences everywhere were over 10 meters high. If anyone fell, it wouldn’t be a simple ‘that was dangerous,’ so we’ll have to avoid using fences this time. Thus, it’s turned into a simple path route.”

“But isn’t it normal to escape by just running along the path?”

“No, I thought it would be cool to run on the roof.”

“Fufufu, what’s with that?”

“Please don’t laugh, I’m starting to feel embarrassed saying it. I’ll just sleep on the roof.”

“Stay away from the roof.”

“Your o-or-orders are ready!”

In the middle of their conversation, the server brings their food. The server seems emotionally unstable, but the three of them don’t seem to care. The man puts away the map and accepts the food.

Satoru takes out a white card the size of a deck of cards and a pen from his pocket and writes his signature on it.

“Here, Grauzer, you should too.”

“Hmm, sure. By the way, server, what’s your name?”

“M-m-m-m-Mikan!!”

“That’s a nice name.”

Following Satori’s lead, he signs the paper that was given to him.

“Here you go.”

“Hieeee! I’ll treasure it forever!”

The server bowed and quickly left. In the distance, they could hear a wild scream, but the three paid no mind to it.

“You’re pretty used to fan service, huh?”

“Hehe, I heard that giving it like this makes people happier! Grauzer, you’re pretty used to it too!”

“I’ve been doing it a bit longer than you.”

“Then let’s sign a few dozen more!”

“Whoa, hey!”

Before even touching the meal, he started signing more cards. By the time he finished, his warm food had gone cold, leaving him slightly downhearted.

A few days later…

“Unbelievable! Off-duty Grauzer! His appearance—just like that of a female pervert!”

“I’m about to lose it.”

“Nii-cha, you dummy.”

“Huh?”

“You could’ve invited me! I was free that day! We could’ve gone on a date!! Dummy!”

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry! Please cheer up!”

“You jerk! Womanizer! Philandering, hypocritical goody-goody! Selfish, loved-by-all narcissist!”

“Jeez, harsh words.”

Once again, people complained, asking why he didn’t invite them when they were free, and like Yuuna, he was lightly insulted. She stopped talking to him for a while, although she still came over as usual.

Next time, I’ll ask them first for sure.

That’s what he thought.