Published: September 10, 2025
This is a side story during Chapter 13’s stay in the Royal Capital (a bit shorter).
“The Boy from Labyrinth City” will take a little break.
“Master, I want you to read a picture book to me!”
Pochi came over carrying her favorite picture book.
Reading aloud the picture books recommended by the younger kids before bed had become a nightly habit.
“The same book again? Didn’t a bunch of new ones arrive recently?”
Arisa, now in her pajamas and tucking her hair into a nightcap, asked.
“There wasn’t a story better than this picture book.”
“Were the illustrations cute?”
“That’s something even Pochi agrees with! The illustrations scored 300 points out of 100!”
...A perfect score, huh.
I was about to make a sarcastic remark, but since it was so like Pochi, I smiled and just watched fondly.
“Pochi-chan really loves that book.”
“Yes, Master! It’s a Dendo-san!”
Dendo-san?
Maybe that means it’s a hall of fame?
“Hehe.”
Listening to Pochi, Lulu tied her long black hair into a single bunch with a scrunchie.
Apparently, if she slept like that, other kids turning over might step on her and it would hurt.
“By the way, have you heard about the reading contest in the Royal Capital?”
“A road tournament?”
“Road troubles?”
“No, no, it’s a contest for reading books aloud.”
“That sounds super, super great!”
When Arisa explained, Pochi and Tama’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Arisa, I request more details.”
“I’m interested too. Can we also go listen to the readings?”
Nana and Liza asked Arisa eagerly.
Surprisingly, these two also liked listening to picture book readings.
“You can.”
“Thanks, Mia! Please give us more info.”
Under Nana’s push, Mia shared the details about the reading contest.
“The performance is the day after tomorrow. Tickets available at the door.”
“I’m sure Master will be the best!”
“Tama thinks so too~”
“I won’t participate, though.”
I felt bad looking at the hopeful gazes of the two, but I wasn’t planning to enter.
“Gah~n.”
“Indeed.”
Before the two could sulk, Arisa stood in front of them with a daring expression.
—No way.
“Just in case this happened!”
Arisa struck a strange pose and raised her voice.
“I already submitted Master’s application for the contest!”
She gave me a thumbs-up with a smug face.
So like Arisa. But—
“You should ask me before deciding something like that!”
I lightly rapped her on the head for going ahead on her own.
Arisa shouted dramatically, “Nooooooo!” acting as if it hurt, but I ignored it and took the reading contest flyer from Mia to glance over it.
“With these required books, it might just work?”
The picture book Pochi requested was among the required reading.
I had read it dozens of times aloud, so no need to practice now.
“Hehe, Arisa-chan’s work was flawless!”
Arisa stopped pretending to be hurt and smiled wickedly, triumphant.
“Arisa, reflect on your actions.”
“Sorry.”
Showing my fist, Arisa obediently struck a remorseful pose.
Maybe it really did hurt her.
◇
Then, on the day of the reading contest—
“Wonderful!”
“What an immersive reading!”
When I began reading aloud, surprised murmurs started trickling from the audience.
The judges listened intently with serious expressions.
Getting such praise made me a little embarrassed.
Pochi and Tama in the audience clenched their fists and watched supportively.
“…Huh? What’s this?”
By the middle of the reading, the initially enthusiastic audience began showing doubtful looks.
—What could it be?
Still, I focused to finish the reading without distraction.
My friends, including Pochi and Tama, gave a standing ovation.
But the result was elimination in the preliminaries.
One judge explained why.
“The beginning was really good, but it got monotonous in the middle, and the ending felt rushed. You should practice balancing the pace better. Practice and effort never betray you.”
“Thank you for your advice.”
I thanked the judges heading to the finals and went back to my friends in the audience.