--That day. In the vastness of the Colosseum, I just stared.

　The blade wielded to reap a life.

　The spirit of the clash is the intensity of trying to defeat the opponent.

　And yet, for some reason...

　He didn't seem afraid.

　On the contrary, he seemed to be enjoying himself.

　I had a vague feeling that I didn't want it to end, though my heart was not yet mature enough to put it into words.

　I wanted neither of them to lose.


"Meido.


　I guess that's why.

　After it was over, I ran towards the other person instead of the young man I knew.

　I didn't know why.
　But I thought his sword was saying something. I thought he was lamenting.

　I don't want it to end. I don't want it to end. --You don't want it to end here.

Oh. I want to. I want to do it.
"Well...

　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few things to do.
　But the still boiling emotions in the back of his eyes could not be hidden.

　Ruri couldn't understand most of the feelings that went into that fighting sword.

　I can't allow myself to be even halfway close to her. I know.

　But...

　I think of the heat rising in his eyes.

　The only thing Ruri could think of in her short life experience that would make them pop was a fireplace.
　I wonder if a fireplace that's been filled with pine cones for a long time would do that. Or so she thought.

　The fire hasn't gone out yet. And yet, a strong feeling of sadness fills me, as if the festival is over.

　Only his eyes were telling me that it couldn't end like this.

　So...

"You did your best.

　I told him.

　It's over. It's over. But it was great.

　It's not the best way to say it, but I'm sure it got through to him.

　--It's over, it's true.

　It's true that it's over. But one ending doesn't mean the whole thing is over.

　I'm sure that's what Ruri wanted to tell him.


　What do you want most?

　For him, it's something to look forward to.

　Then let's continue this fight. Next time, we'll win.

Ruri, I'm waiting. I'll wait for you. Let's beat Brother Foo together.
"Haha!　That's great!


　I don't know why Ruri was so invested in this young man.
　I don't know why she wanted to take down her close friend Futa with her.

　But...

　I'm sure that's what Futa, the Barrier Reef and Ruri want.

　I'm sure that's the future Futa, the Barrier Reef and Ruri want.















　--King's castle, Futa's private room.

"Hey, Brother Fuu.
"Hmm?

　I'm not sure what to make of this.
　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation.

　In both hands, she is holding a familiar ...... sign.

I'm not sure what to do.

......

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.

Who taught you that?

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.
　She thought for a moment.

"Well, a woman has a secret ...... boy .......

　I see.

I'm pretty sure it's her.
"That's ridiculous. ......

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

　It's been a while since Barrier Reef's return.

　His promise to Wind was over, and he had no reason to keep Ruri.
　However, that doesn't mean that the relationship has been severed, and there are still times when I show up to play, like today.

　On such days, Corona and Wind usually drop her off and pick her up, but lately she has been coming by herself more and more often.

　According to Pasta, it is a wonder that a six-year-old cannot walk alone in the capital.

　Even though Pasta was a Spartan, Futa thought that was a bit of a stretch, but later he found out that he had a proper escort.



　I'm not sure what to make of that.

　I remember letting out a sigh of dismay at the same old pasta.

"So, what do you want me to do?
"Well... I'd like to talk to you.
Okay. If it's okay with you.

　Talk.
　He sat her down on the bed, holding her by the sides, and she sat down on the side chair.

　He sat down on the side chair and wondered what was wrong with Corona.
　She's usually playing with Ruri - or should I say, playing with Ruri - but she's not here.
　Concluding that she would be back soon, Futa turned to face Ruri.

"So, what's the story?
"Well, ......, do you fall in love?
That's the story. ....... A girl would be more suitable than me.

　I'm sure you're not the only one.

　Maid. Short torso. That's it.

I'm sure you'll be able to talk to her better if she has a maid or a chambermaid to take care of her.

　I'm sure you're not the only one.

"Hmm, I want you.
"That's... I don't know why.
I want my brother!
All right, all right.

　After being told that much, Futa could not deny it.
　It was a great honor to have been chosen as the one to talk to.

"So, why don't you tell me?
"Hmm. Well... Ruri, when your brother Fou and that brother were fighting... It was so much fun.
That brother-- Oh, Ocean.
Ocean?　Not the barrier reef?

　Huta nodded, recognizing that he was probably talking about the Barrier Reef.

"Ah, ......, yes, Bariin Bariin.
I'm not sure what to say. You went to Bari's brother rather than Fuu's brother, right?
Yeah. ...... It's a little sad to hear you say that, but I was happy at that time.
What?　....... And I wondered why.
Oh.
Is this love?
Hmm... ...... wait.
Okay.

　He held his head.

　For the time being, the option of love had quickly disappeared from Futa's mind.

　At the same time, he understood. It was because of the barrier reef that he wanted to ask Futa about it.

　Ruri quietly put her hands on her knees and waited for Futa to say something, and Futa looked her in the eye and said.

"Are you more happy with ...... love?
"Hmm. It's more mature.
That's right.

　I'm not sure if she's going to grow up to be a bit of a wuss.　I wondered.
　You wonder if he's going to grow up to be a bit of a baby, and you wonder how you're going to talk to the six-year-old in front of you.

"Do you like him more than your father?
"Hmm.
"Yes.

　You're getting more and more wrong. In the first place, she's only six.
　Even Hootsuite knows that. She's a little young for that.

"Not in love?

　Ruri tilts her head adorably.
　It's easy to deny it here, but it's also hard to say whether it's in line with Wind's educational policy.

　But...

"Ruri... Why did you go to Bari's brother?
It's ...... hard to say.

　Ruri crossed her small arms.

　A brief moment of silence passes.
　The wood in the fireplace exploded with a small crack.

I didn't want ...... to end.
"I didn't want ...... to end?　That's me and him?


Yeah. Brother Fou was like, "It's over!　He was like, "It's over! But my brother was like, "It's over, ......!
"...... I see.

　This is where Futa's expression relaxed.

　At the same time, he felt a little self-conscious.

　I didn't speak to the barrier leaf after the game, and I didn't think I should have.
　I still don't think I was wrong to do so.

　But that day, Barrier Reef was different from the usual Barrier Reef.

　He always stood there alone after a loss.
　That's why Huta left him alone. Because it was the last time.

　But it wasn't.
　Because it was the last time, he must have had different feelings than usual.
　I'm a little embarrassed that I didn't catch his last sentiment.

So, Ruri was kind to you.
"Hmm. ...... I'm not sure about that.
Is that so?
Yeah. I didn't feel like I had to be nice to her. --But I wanted to tell her she did a great job. I don't know.
I wonder why. ......

　I think about it a little.

Is it love?
"No, I don't think so.

　I think not." With a light chuckle, Futa gently stroked Ruri's cheek.
　It's soft and warm. I'm not sure if it's a love thing or not.

　But from that moment on, she was no longer just an idol to be protected. 　

I'll laugh at you a lot. I'll give you lots of laughs. Help me, Daddy.

　There was a great manager there who could save someone's heart.

"I'm sure Ruri...

　Ruri still doesn't know he's her blood relative.
　But... No, that's why her feelings are real.

　It's not pity. Not pity, not repayment.

　It's just that when she saw Barrier Reef at that time, she must have thought.

I think she wanted to do something with her brother, Balian.
"......?
If that's what it takes to beat me, then so be it.

　If you saw him like that and you wanted to do something with him...

　That's what Hooter would want.


"Hmm. Then you need to be taught the harshness of reality, don't you?


　Voice.
　I turned around and saw a girl leaning against the wall and sneezing.
　Her long, flaming red hair was up two sides. Dressed inconspicuously as usual, playing with the cloak she had just removed, she looked at Ruri.

　She had probably come for Ruri, and Ruri tilted her head.

　There was no more trepidation there.

"The harshness of reality, huh?
"If Barrier Reef and Ruri are going to challenge you, who do you think they're going to be fighting? By then, you'd have to be so popular as champion that these guys would come in with boos.
Well, that may be so.
So.

　She walks straight up to Ruri and looks down at her as she sits down.

I'll twist you.
"I'll--

　Ruri looked straight back into the eyes that were fixed on her.

I can't lose!
"Yes.

　For a moment.
　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I've seen it before.
　But then she quickly changed her expression back to her usual stern one and looked at Futa.

The next time you play him, it'll be at the Colosseum. You don't think ...... that the outcome of the game is the only justice, do you?
Yeah. ...... Yeah.
"......?

　She rolled her eyes a little.
　I'm sure you're not the only one.

I know what you mean. Thank you for your guidance.
"...... Well, okay. We'll resume tomorrow. ...... Come on, Ruri's leaving too.


"Hmm. Beato, what's for dinner today?
Don't ask me. You can just order whatever you want.

　Ruri jumped off the bed with a plop and started walking alongside her.
　He turned around and waved with a big smile on his face.

"See you later, Brother Fuu. It was nice talking to you!
"Yeah, see you.

　As they walked side by side, Futa saw her off.

　I'm sure she already sees Ruri as an equal.
　As an up and coming manager, she would never underestimate a child.

　If you think she's too mature for a child, that's fine. But I'm sure that she herself has killed the adults who thought that way, and has come this far.

　That's why she was so strict with Ruri - she was the forerunner.



What did you talk to him about?
"...... Love?
.................. No, you can't.