By Chidori Hama and Wan Hachipisu. Released in Japan as “Akuyaku Reijō, Brocon ni Job Change Shimasu” by Kadokawa Beans Bunko. Released in North America by J-Novel Heart. Translated by Rymane Tsouria.
This is a relatively plot-lite book. Apart from introducing the next presumed antagonist (who shows up to be menacing and then goes away until the next book), the main thrust is that, as much as Ekaterina would like to just quietly work behind the scenes and let other people shine instead of her, that’s simply not going to fly. Not only is she gorgeous, smart, compelling, etc, but everyone around her also sees her as if… well, as if she’s the main character in a light novel. When she tries to deflect, people interpret it in the best possible light. Especially her brother. Yes, it’s another volume of Goodbye Overtime so we get a lot more of Alexei and Ekaterina talking about how devoted they are to each other, though thankfully it’s as sexless as always. And for all that she’s trying to do her best to avoid getting a bad end/executed, I think she may have more trouble NOT marrying the crown prince. The universe wants her to be Queen.
This does take place at a magic academy, and even though it’s not Japan and there are nobility and commoners, all that is irrelevant as it’s School Festival time. Ekaterina is worried as she vaguely recalls the game has their class doing a play where she’s cast as the wicked villainess, and she’s like to avoid that, thank you. She wants to do a choir, seeing as they now have classmates beloved by the God of Music. Unfortunately, her classmates have other ideas, and want a play. But it’s OK. She can write it, and, well, direct it, produce it, and stage manage it, but she doesn’t have to BE in it, she can cast everyone else! Flora is the heroine, of course. And Olga is the villain, and will get the big weepy song, as sung by Susan Boyle on Britain’s Got Talent! Nothing could POSSIBLY go wrong!
The highlight of the book is the performance, because of course, something goes wrong. In a world where you have Gods who can literally whisk people away to Valhalla for concert performances, casting their new talent in your play is perhaps not the best idea. So Ekaterina has to play the villain after all, and try to fit into a dress that’s far too tight for her more voluptuous figure, sing a song that requires hitting a few high notes she’d rather not, and also try to remember her lines. She succeeds at two of these, but fortunately not only does everyone adore her, but her desperation fits the character she’s playing anyway. And she’s as oblivious as ever, not realizing the danger she’s in in the student council room, and also not realizing the song she’s ripping off from Les Mis could also describe her own childhood. Let’s just say the sister complex is not getting smaller anytime soon.
The next volume only came out in Japan a few months ago, but seems to continue the festival. Fans of the series should enjoy this new volume.
