After the fourth round of matches, me and Rustyala's team - and Rowen, in turn, won.
　In the next semi-final, me and Rustiala would face each other, and Rowen would face the national team of the Valtics.

　The first thing I did when I met up with Rustiala and the others was to find out if Snow was alive.

　The first thing we heard was that Snow was not dead, but he was seriously injured and had been sent to the hospital.
　In the ship with the hospital facility, he grasped for a moment with the 《Dimension》 to find her lying on the bed after being ravaged.
　It seems that even with recovery magic, the injury will not be completely healed overnight.

　However, it's good for us that Snow can't move until tomorrow. I'm not going to be able to get away with it. If he's in his current condition, he might try something, even if it's dragging his badly injured body.

　When I was wondering whether I should take some action against the motionless Snow, Rustyala, walking next to me, spoke to me.

''--Hmm ......, it looks like the guardian (guardian) has revealed his identity. What are they thinking?

　Before meeting up with me, I think he heard about the south area from someone on the street.

'Rowen's on ......?'
''After his victory over 'Sword Saint' Fenrir Arrais, he proudly declared.
'Declaration?　Didn't you almost die and turn into a monster?
'Yes. Declaration.
Why would you do that? ......

　I don't know why I'm revealing at this time what I've been able to keep under wraps for so long.

''Of course, it seems that he was captured by the tournament administrators after that. Of course, after that, the tournament administrators caught him in the act, but as long as the 'dance tournament' claims that no one is rejected, they won't cancel Rowen's participation.
'Captured ....... Why ......

　My vision darkens as I try to predict Rowen's intentions.
　A sudden dizziness hits me, my knees snap and I nearly fall over.

'Kanami, are you okay!'

　Dia, who was walking right next to me, supports me.

...... Oh, yeah, I'm fine. ...... hey, I think I'm a bit tired from the game.

　I squeezed out a voice as Dia supported me.
　I was no longer able to move or think.

'And for now, let's get back to our room!　Hurry up, Rastiara!
Yeah. Let's go back to the room first. We'll meet up with the Reapers and we'll be safe.

　I can hear Dia and Rustyala's voices in the distance.
　I stay supported and force my weak legs to move forward.

　I don't even know where I'm walking, but I keep walking as I'm led.
　Then I enter a room somewhere and am made to sit in a chair.
　Soon I hear a voice behind me.

'Good job, brother. I'm glad to see everything is going well for you.
'Reaper, or ......?　If you can, please keep an eye on Snow or Rowen: ....... If Snow gets in touch with me, I'll talk to him. Maybe a cold-headed Snow will understand. ......

　Reaper put a cold towel on my head with words of exertion.
　I told her what I'd been thinking before the game.

'Hmmm, I don't think you should talk to your sister Snow, do you?　I can't even speak well with my brother right now. Besides, with the persuasion of big sister Rastiara, he's pretty quiet, ......?　You're so convincing that you're about to solve your own problems if you let it go. ...... so let's focus on getting your memory back now. It's better for your sister Snow that way than half-heartedly helping her.
...... I see. Rastiala convinced you to do it during the game?

　I was fighting Elmirado, so I had no idea how Rastiara and the others fought.
　Even though she was stern with her mouth, she seemed to have done her own persuasion to Snow.

'If you're ......, where's Rowen?　I'm also worried about Rowen--
And don't worry about Rowen. She can't move, anyway.
Oh, so the Reapers know.

　If what Lastiara told me earlier is true, then Rowen is being held by the tournament administrators.

''Rowen won over the 'strongest' and even surpassed the 'Sword Saint'. You know that, right?
'Oh, ah, ......'

　Thanks to the tournament table, Rowen hit the two 'strongest' and 'sword saint' early on. And he has successfully beaten both of them and won.

Then, isn't the 'glory' that Rowen wants to achieve enough?　Maybe that's why he's not messing with me at all.
But I heard Rowen gave up her identity. That's because--
'I'm sure Rowen has his own ideas about Rowen. So, even without your brother, Rowen will be fine. You don't have to worry about anything. All you have to think about is tomorrow's semifinals - and you have to think about getting your memory back.

　The Reaper was in denial about contacting Snow and Rowen.

'That's right, Kanami. Anyway, right now I'm more concerned with getting ready for tomorrow than Snow and this Rowen guy.

　Dea seems to agree with you.
　Apparently, I'm the only one who wants to talk to Snow and the others right now.

　Maybe I'm too hot headed to make a sound judgment.
　But I knew beforehand that this was going to happen. I had already decided in advance what I would do if this happened.

I'm not going to be able to do anything. Should I not do anything ......?

　Ask Rastiala.
　Of all the members present now, she is the one who is the most calm and aware of the situation. It would be most solid to surrender to that decision.

...... That's right. Let's try not to ...... do anything. I'm sure it's important to get my memory back first.

　Rastiara replied slowly, after a sufficient pause.
　His eyes were on me and the Reaper.

　Me and the Reaper--.

'All right. If Rastiara says so, I will.

　I'm more than a little disappointed, but I can't help it.
　In the first place, I don't have the time to argue or the energy to move.

　--I've reached my limit.

　I'm not going to be able to get any more thoughts out of it.
　But I can't allow myself to sleep while I'm drifting in and out of consciousness. I'm also stripping away what little energy I have left.

　As even my sense of time fades, I hear Rustyala's final instructions.

'Kanami, all you need to do now is maintain that physical condition. I'll call you before the match, just sit there until then.

　I'm sure I can handle it.
　I think I can handle it if I'm just sitting there.

　If I fall asleep, I'm sure someone will wake me up. ......
　I just have to wait for the time to come: .......
　There's nothing else--I can't think of anything else to do--

Yeah. You get your memory back, big brother. And then...

　I hear the reaper's voice.
　She was relieved to see that I had stopped moving (・・・・・・).

'--and my wish is granted,'

　It seems my wish is coming true.
　I felt that word as if it were someone else's business.

　I need to think more about the meaning of those words, but I can't.
　I need to rejoice in its fulfillment as if it were my own, but I can't.

　All I could think of was the information that the Reaper's wish would be fulfilled.
　And then I fell into a deep, deep darkness.

　My consciousness is cut off from reality.
　In a world where I couldn't even feel the passage of time, I kept waiting for it to pass.
　Just on and on, in the darkness...


◆◆◆◆◆


　It feels as if years have passed.
　In the midst of such fuzzy perceptions, I sense that my situation has changed.

　It's already the next day - it should be the next day.
　It's as if someone has taken me by the hand and brought me to a room somewhere.

　And then you hear a voice that sounds like noise.

'--Well, you'll have to wait in this waiting room. When the attendant arrives, if the attendant walks you into the arena, then the plan will be successful, so ......, do you hear this?　Hmmm, Reaper, please take care of the rest.
I'll take care of him. I'll make sure my brother gets to you.
Yeah, I'm on it. Okay, we'll enter from the opposite side, bye.
Have a nice day.

　The sound of someone talking disappears and there are fewer people around.
　There's only one little girl next to me.

　The girl is fluffy and flitting around nearby, completely unsettled.
　I follow the girl with my eyes from the deep darkness. It was strangely calming, as if I were chasing a butterfly flying in the evening darkness.

　Time passes and people enter the room.
　However, I don't know if a few seconds or hours have passed in the few moments now.

　The person who entered the room calls out his name.

'-- It's time for Aikawa Kanami to enter ....... Are you okay though?　You're really going to join us, aren't you?

　Aikawa Kanami......?
　Yeah, that's my name.

　Apparently, it's asking me a question.
　But I'm not sure I understand the question.

"Kanami!　Answer me!　If you don't answer, I'll force you to abstain!

　Abstain--?
　I feel like that was a bad idea. That's the only thing that shouldn't have been, but I can't remember why.
　No, I should be able to remember, but not right away - I can't.

Hey, wait a minute, officer!

　A girl shouted between the attendant and me.
　Then she came up to me and whispered in my ear.

'Brother, we're almost there, okay?　So, good luck. You have to give it everything you've got left. If you don't play here, you're not going to get your memory back.　You can't go back to your world, okay?　Are you sure?　I need to get back to my--

　I feel like I'm being told something very important.
　Memory. The original world. Back.
　It's a very important--

"-- What's going to happen to your precious, precious (・・・・・・) sister (・・・・) (・・・・・)?

　--Reminds me of something important.

　My sister.
　Her name-- I can't remember her name.

　But she's more important to me than life.
　That's the one thing I can remember, no matter what I'm going through.

　And if my sister is in danger if I don't go to the game here, I won't go.

"--......sorry, I'm sorry. ...... I'm a little sleep-deprived. The game is no problem. I'll get it. I'll fight.

　I moved my mouth, as if I were dying.
　I stood up and opened my eyes.

　I looked around, gathering information.
　It was a familiar waiting room.
　I realize just in the nick of time that the semi-finals of the 'Dance Tournament' are about to begin.

''Then it's fine, but ....... Aikawa Kanami, please remember that you can always abstain from the tournament if you can't. ...... Then, here we go. It's the semifinals: ......

　The person who was questioning me seemed to be the attendant running the convention.
　I follow behind the attendant leading the way.

　The girl next to me - the 'Grim Reaper (...)' was waving her hand.

It looks like you're awake, big brother. Well then, have a good day. It's not for anyone (・・・・・・・・), it's for your sister. Don't forget that.
...... Yeah, I'm off. The Reaper.

　I understand the situation and step forward.

　I can't shake the feeling that I'm still walking in darkness.
　But it's different than before.
　I've acquired an unshakable will.

　In order not to make a mistake in my wish, in order to get back all my memories, I have to fight.

　I'm about to fall into the depths of darkness, but I grit my teeth and bear it.
　Just hang on to it for a few more minutes.
　After that, I don't care if you pass out.

　I walk down the long corridor and enter the arena.
　I walk quickly to the center of the arena, ignoring all the announcements from the MC, the loud cheers from the crowd, and everything else.
　It sounds like my ears are already ringing in my ears anyway.

　In the center of the arena, my collaborators, Rustyala and the others, were in the center of the arena. They seemed to be relieved to see me walking up to this point for the time being.
　However, it's not surprising that I might lose consciousness at any moment. I need to start playing the game as soon as possible.

'Le, the rules at ......'

　He squeezes out a voice to squeeze it out.
　Rustyala at the front replies hastily to that.

''Moderator. It's time to start the game. Can I make the rules on my own?　Is that okay?　If I say no, I'll already make up my mind.

　Then he walks up to me and speaks to me in a whisper.

'Kanami, will you answer me as we discussed?'
...... Yeah, I'm fine.

　Thanks to the reaper, I'm getting back to thinking a little more.
　I picture in my mind the rules we discussed and decided on a few days ago.

　Rastiara sees me nod and lets out a loud voice, loud enough for the moderator to hear.

I'm going to propose a rule that is neither a 'weapon drop' nor a 'chest flower drop'. It's not a good idea to have a good idea of what to do with it, but it's a good idea to have a good idea of what to do with it. It's not really fair.

　It's a proposal right on schedule.
　I reply with a pre-determined line, too.

"What rules would ...... have to follow?
I just put a bracelet on here. Kanami also wears a similar bracelet. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. How about this?

　In an empty tone, Rustyala acts out.
　Hearing this, the host, after a little thought, announces.

''-- It's a precedent-setting rule. That kind of thing is called 'symbolic (symbol) drop'. The tournament management has no problem with it, but is it okay for the Aikawa-Kanami team to do it too?
"...... I don't mind. Let's make it a 'bracelet' breaking contest. Then we're even.

　I nodded.
　'That's the end of the preparations for the eighteenth century.

' - Both parties have agreed. It's decided. The rules are 'symbolic drop' and the destruction of each other's bracelet!

　The vibrations that shake the ears get louder.
　The excitement of the crowd grows ever louder. It no longer bothers me because I don't recognize the cheers. However, Rastiara at the front holds one ear down and laughs bitterly.

''Well, the rules are set!　So what will they fight for!　I've been a Kanami moderator all my life, and I'm very curious!

　And ask what you are betting on in the fight.
　This is the real issue, you might say. But--

I'm not betting anything.
I wonder if we have anything to bet on.

　We shake our heads easily.

'Yeah, yeah!　You don't bet anything on it!　In the semifinals of the "Dance Tournament"?　After all those crazy bets you've made?　I'm not betting anything here!　Are you insane, Kanami-san!
...... No, I'm insane.

　As usual, he's strangely familiar with ...... only with me.

　I would like to complain bitterly, but I gingerly hold back and prioritize progress.

''Rastiara-sama, too!　You bet on Kanami to win the last match, so you can demand some kind of reward here!　It's natural to have a reward. In fact, it's unnatural not to have it. Now, Kanami-san is in an atmosphere where she can't say no, so you can say whatever you want!　Please do something!　The whole audience is waiting for it, I'm sure!
'No, I don't want it. ...... If there's something you want Kanami to do, you don't have to ask her to do it here, you can ask her privately. Hey, Dia?

　After being abruptly dismissed from the conversation, Dia-chan, after a bit of contemplation, agrees with Rustyala.

'We're going to be together from now on ....... There's no need to rush anymore.''

　Rastiara smiled and exclaimed at that.

'So that's it!　I wouldn't bet anything on it!

　The cries seemed to reach the audience as well.
　Complaining voices mingled with cheers.

'd*mn it ......!　I'm very, very, very sorry!　If both sides don't want it this bad, you can't force it. I had high hopes for Kanami, who has many women up his sleeve and has shown a bare minimum of inclination ......, but I had no choice. I was expecting further gaffes since she's strangely familiar with the Las Tiaras team, but ......, kuuuuuut--!

　Even in my fuzzy consciousness, I can clearly see it.
　This moderator (this guy) is the enemy.

　The host, noticing the angry expression on my face, looks impatient and continues to speak.

''--But!　It seems pointless to discuss this any further. So let's get started!　'Ichinotsuki United Kingdom General Knight's Seed Ball' semifinal match in the Northern Area West Area has begun!

　It is declared to begin.

　I drag my heavy body and approach Rustiala with empty hands.
　Rustiala, in contrast, approaches me with a light step, sword in hand.

　I'm still a long way away.
　When the sword is almost within reach, Rastiara says

''--Let's go, Kanami!　In the meantime, I'll break both of your arms and legs, so don't move!
Oh, come on!　Rastiara!

　I decide that I won't move no matter what happens.
　And then we get to within sword's reach of each other.

　A moment later, Rustiala's sword nearly stabs my left thigh - and it bounces off the hard metal.

　My body had reacted on its own. Before I knew it, I took out the 'Crescent Pectrazuli's Straight Sword' from my 'possessions' and paid off Rustiala's flash.

　I know that Rastiara's goal is to destroy the 'bracelet'. Therefore, it seems that the 'curse' reacted early on.

　I immediately tucked the sword into my "possessions" and refocused my will.
　I put all my strength into my body so that no matter what happens, I won't move.

　But even so, Rastiara's attack cannot reach me.
　In the next moment, the Crescent Pectrazi's straight sword is in my hand again.

　I play off the approaching Lastiara's slash, receive the blow and dispel the grip. Even though I didn't use any auxiliary magic, it was a brilliant defense.

　I bite my teeth and scramble to somehow stop my body from moving.
　But in contrast, Rastiara was cool.

　I guess this degree is within the scope of expectation.

''-- 《Growth》!

　Rustiala strengthens his body and picks up the pace a bit.
　My defenses slowly crumble, and eventually I am thrown off my stance by a powerful blow from Rustiala.

　Then Rustiala's spinning kick is slammed into my torso.

''--Uh, uu!

　All the air in his lungs is expelled and he floats in the air.
　I'm completely unable to move. Then, Dia-chan's magic, which has been waiting for a long time, is released.

''-- 《Shunposion Noah》!

　A huge sphere of light falls from above.
　All of its mass hits the defenseless body, slamming it to the ground and crushing it.

　My entire body is struck and white sparks fly in my vision.
　A sharp pain runs through his brain and his entire body goes rigid.

　Rustyala was aiming for that rigidity.
　She grabs one of my arms and bends it in the opposite direction without hesitation.

''Guh, ugh--!

　A sound like the breaking of a bamboo echoes in my head, and this time a dull ache runs through me.

'Okay, I broke one!　Next!

　My elbow is feverish and continues to emit excruciating pain.
　It's probably near my elbow that it's broken.

　I try to bite down on that pain as best I can, but my body chases the pain out of my consciousness on its own.

　Rustyala tries to chase after it further - I grab her wrist and use a technique I don't remember. Sinking my body to the limit, I draw in Rustiala's strength and break my stance.

　It's a technique similar to the aikido used on Franlure in the third round.
　The perfection of the 'curse' is surprising. You are using a technique that you have only seen once as your own. I'm not even aware of it.

　Rustyala rolls haphazardly, but quickly adjusts his stance with a somersault.
　Then he follows me, having lost one arm.

　However, my body handles Rastiara's attack with great dexterity.

''Already, you're so stubborn!　--Growth!

　Rastiara consumes magic power and raises one more gear.
　He squirms in at a ridiculous speed that leaves an afterimage, and tries to overpower me with his overwhelming physical strength.

　I'm grabbed by the hand.
　I immediately try to destroy that power with the technique I just used. However, Rustyala had read it. He uses his physical strength to crush the technique. And then a merciless fist is driven into my stomach.

　The 'curse' that would have determined that there was no way to accomplish this, chooses magic as a last resort.
　The magic power is concocted from the depths of the belly and converted into cold air. He releases it out of his body and tries to build the "Di Winter".

　--all of which fizzles out.

　The head, which was slow to turn due to ill health, failed to process the composition of the 《Dimensional Winter (Di Winter)》.

　A cool breeze that couldn't be called cold air in a flattering way only caressed Rustyala's cheek.
　Rustyala's bangs fluffed up, revealing a taut face with a smile.

　It's a smile that gained the confidence of victory after seeing my magic failure.

　There is no way to prevent Rastiara's attack now.
　I laugh with confidence of defeat too.

　Rastiara's sword flicks the 'Clencent Pectrazi's Straight Sword' and it leaves my hand. The return blade looms, and I dodge it by crouching down, but Rustiala's toes close in front of me.

　With the impact of the kick, the scenery in my eyes bounces into the sky and my feet leave the ground.
　I'm stuck in the air again, and Rustiala's fist is coming at me right in front of my eyes and nose.

　-- Checkmate.

　If this one hits me directly, I'll be unable to act for a long time.
　And there's no way for me to avoid this fist.

　Little by little, Rastiara's hand is being sucked into my face. Gazing at the hand that moves like slow motion, I am relieved that the match is over.
　I loosen the reins of my barely connected consciousness, thinking that I'll be released from the long struggle of the past few days.

　That loosened awareness falls at an accelerated rate into the darkest depths of my mind, and I am no longer able to choose my thoughts at will.
　The final thought reads the facts that are in front of me now.
　From now on, I will be defeated by this fist.
　I will be defeated, and I will lose the bracelet.
　I will regain my memory.
　That's it.
　It's over.

　Oiwari......?

　At that time, an unearthly (・・・・), unearthly magic power crawled on my back.

　It was a magical power that was neither dimensional nor freezing.
　It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you can't get to know each other.

　--Can it really be over ......?

　I ask myself.

　I lose my footing, and fear sets in as if I were falling from a height.
　I have the illusion that if I don't, there will be terrible consequences.

　--Is this 'bracelet' really good enough to be broken ......?

　I try not to think about it, but a number of questions come to mind.
　I can't resist them.

　-- Wasn't this 'bracelet' more important than anything else: ......?

　In the midst of the darkness, I remember only that the 'bracelet' is important.
　Everything else is missing, but that's the only thing I remember clearly.

　Then I hear the sound of the lock falling.
　At the same time, my consciousness faded away.

　The "Curse" of "The Bracelet" reaches its end point.
　In the depths of darkness, my parallel thoughts converged and I was able to think of only one thing.

　Only one thing.
　Aikawa Uzumi could only think of the one thing that was the most non-negotiable for him.

　That is, 'to protect what is important'.
　It's a simple thought form that specializes in just that.

　Protect.
　Yeah, that's a given.
　A long time ago, I swore an oath to protect--
　In the past?　When was the last time that happened?　As a child?
　This was back when my hands were so small and my eyes were so low.
　The smell of disinfectant on my nose. I would have sworn in front of my beloved lying in bed.

　Protecting her is the only reason for my existence.

　My precious--?

　Your precious bracelet...


The final defense technique, the dark magic, "Variable and Pure Heart" has been activated.
　The entire procedure is devoted to cognitive disorientation.


　The depths of darkness.
　The edge of darkness.
　The words of the announcement appeared on my retina.　

　I'm going to be able to feel a crack in the bracelet that was unbreakable no matter what I did.
　I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what I'm looking for.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world.
　I'm not saying that they are similar, but they are exactly the same. I'm sure it's exactly the same.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time in the future.

　Therefore, it is unstoppable.
　Even if it's "Dimensional Winter (Di Winter)," it's unstoppable.


[Dark Magic [Variable, Pure Heart (Versac)] activated.
　A correction of +10.00 is applied to "Acknowledgement Inhibition.


"--Ah, now the conditions are met. Let's defeat the enemy in front of us for the sake of our beloved sister, the precious one.

　I hear a strange, joyful voice.
　It's an irritating but slightly nostalgic voice.

　I respond to that voice.

　Yes, of course.
　I will protect the bracelet for sure. I will protect it.

　I will eliminate any enemy that tries to harm the Imperative.
　If that's all you know, you don't need to know anything else.

　I open my eyes and recognize the enemy reflected in my field of vision.
　In front of you are three enemies who are trying to break the bracelet.

　I know.
　These guys are planning to destroy the bracelet by rendering me unable to fight.
　An opponent that must not be defeated--

'Now, can you recreate the old days?　Let's sacrifice everything for the one person who matters most!　Even the world, if need be!　That way, Kanami's brother will be closer to the 'Kanami he once was'!

　The joyful voice turns to darkness and fills my mind.
　Naturally, that darkness covers the enemy's form.

　Now I don't even know who the enemy is anymore.

　But I know what I have to do.
　For me, the 'bracelet' is important.
　And the enemy in front of me is trying to destroy the bracelet.
　That's all you need to know.

　Then I will protect it.
　Then I will protect the bracelet from the enemy.

　I will sacrifice anything for that.
　I will kill it.
　That's the real me.

　In the darkness, I chant my magic.
　No, I'm going to scream--

Die Overwinter in the Overcrowded Dimension


[Status]
　HP152/303 0/751
[Status]
　HP147/298 0/751
[Status]
　HP142/293 0/751--


　-- in the depths of darkness, burning life.