--Pasta's Home.

　The sun is setting and the stars are beginning to appear in the night sky.

　The dinner time, when we saw the strange picture of Leafy excited about the sumptuous dinner prepared by the maids and Futa sympathizing with her, had long passed and everyone went back to their rooms.

　Leafy, who was helping Corona with the washing up, seemed to be unaccustomed to working with cold water, though it could be said that she was dragging her feet.

　However, it seems that the noisy cleaning maid is doing a good job of following her.

　Such a gentle scene on the first floor.



　And on the second floor. 　

"......?

　When the man opened the door, the girl furrowed her brow in displeasure.

"What's with the creepy greeting?
"Oh, no. ...... Well, you know. What is it, a flirt?

　I'm not sure what you're talking about. You'll be able to get a lot more than just a few of these. She's only interested in talking about her work, of course.

"Are you stupid?

　She sniffs and closes the book.

　This was the girl's private room.
　Her room, which was neither a parlor nor a guest room, had a soft canopy bed, a dresser, and a closet.
　There was a cherry blossom-colored carpet and a pale cherry blossom-colored sofa for one person, a luxury item.

　The desk she was sitting at was the only thing that seemed rather stuffy and rude in the layout of a pretty girl's room.

...... Don't stare at people's rooms.
What's with the sheets on the couch?
Don't stare at my room!

　Couch for one. Private room. Then she's the only one who uses it.
　Then it's certainly not surprising that she keeps something in there for storage.
　It would be absurd to tell her not to worry about the fact that the sofa is covered with a sheet, as if to hide it, while the rest of the room is neat and tidy.

I'll get on with it. I don't have time for this.
I know, I know.

　I don't think she's bored at her desk, where she's still writing something on her scroll.

　Okay, it's done.
　She muttered, fanning the scroll she had just finished writing, and looked at Futa with her cheekbones.

I've been thinking a lot.
"What is it?
I've been thinking a lot.　It's like you're hating everything in the world.
What do you mean?

　There was no answer to Futa's question.
　Her sharp gaze is telling me to just do it.

　Today is just another day of practicing the role that Futa has been given.
　The girl in front of him has submitted a proposal to produce him, saying that a mere Futa would not be popular.

　The girl in front of him submitted a plan to produce him because he would not be popular as just a futa.

　But, she says.
　The first one is the most important, so she was determined to finish it before the tournament.
　Futa doesn't know about most of her efforts, and doesn't know what she's thinking.

　But he does know that from the day she was brought to him by Lilac until today, she has been diligent in her preparations. She had given me several thick books, and had placed bookmarks everywhere.
　Futa was not so dumb as to not notice the meaning of the lines drawn and the effort she had put in.

"Mm.

　For now, I'll try to be silent.
　And then -- did he say that he hated everything in the world?

　The request was not so difficult for Futa.

　Many times, I thought so.

　Most recently, when he'd been kicked out of the Colosseum and was too sick to even live. A past I don't want to remember.

　But when it reaches Futa's dream... I'm sure that even if you're unemployed, you can still reach your wish.
　Now that I'm thinking about it, it's not so hard.

　Right after I was kicked out. The time before I left the country was miserable.
　The people who knew the Colosseum treated me like a bandit.
　A boring champion who couldn't win in any way, and who in the end defiled the feelings of even the most popular players, was roundly rejected.

　More than once, I was so desperate that I wanted to kill them all.
　But I didn't have the energy to do so, and I didn't have anything to gain by doing so.

　So, what should I do? My mind is being driven further and further into a corner.

　I'm getting further and further away from the right answer, which I didn't know when I was in the Colosseum.
　I can't accomplish anything on my own.

　After all, I'm just an unemployed man...

"Hey, Futa!　Futa!

　That's when I came to my senses.
　I felt a sticky tap on my abdomen. She was at her desk, but she was nowhere to be found. At my feet.
　A sad effect of the height difference.

"What?
"What's wrong with you? It's good that you're so deep into your meditation.


Yeah. I'm a lost cause. I'm a piece of trash.
"Futa!

　She slapped him on the abdomen and brushed her hand away in pain.

Yours is something ...... different!
I told you it was different. You're supposed to hate everything in this world.
It's not a grudge, it's a resignation!　I was looking for more of a glaring hatred or something like that!　Yours is more like ...... there's no tomorrow for me, haha. It's like that!
There's no tomorrow for me, haha!
Come back here!

　She stomped on Futa's shoes with her heels vigorously.
　She stomps on his shoes with her heels and stares at him with a tearful expression.

I'm not sure what to say.　...... Oh my God!

　After a tremendous struggle, she shouted.

"You're here now, aren't you, in both hands!
"......?
I really wish he'd die.

　When she came to her senses, she turned away and walked back to her desk, as if she couldn't do it anymore.

　She sat down on the desk chair with a thud and looked at Futa again.

So, I'm going to quit asking you for anything.
"So what do you mean by 'so'?
I'll quit asking for anything from you." "What do you mean by 'anything'?" "I can't read my lines, I can't express my emotions, I'm a terrible actor, and I don't remember well. That's what you get in a theater company. You'll only get roles like Tree A.
"Tree A ......

　You can't even be a mob extra.
　Seeing Futa's shoulders drop, she sniffed and picked up the scroll in her hand.
　She looked over the scroll that had just dried and looked at Futa again.

"No matter how much you win, no matter how much you beat up your opponent, just act like you're not interested. That's all I ask.
Disinterested?
Yes. That's a fact, right?
You're a fact.

　If you think I'm not interested in fighting, of course I'm not.
　Sword fighting is more fun now than it used to be.
　There are people who watch me. I know that there are people who want to fight.

　So it's not that I'm not interested--

For you, sword fighting is a means to an end.
"......
The most important thing is to prove you can fight without a job. You don't have to make it up.
That's true.
So just focus on that. Don't think about looking good in a fight.

　She waved her hand away, and Futa frowned.
　I'm fighting to prove I can fight without a job.
　Don't think about looking good. It's like...

It's just like what I used to do in the Colosseum.
It will.

　She points to Futa's chest.

　Futa gulped at the conviction in her blue eyes.

"Why?
I told you not to think about it.
"......
Don't hesitate or worry about popularity. Don't try to flatter people. Don't try to flatter people. Don't try to care about the person in front of you. Just be the strongest.
...... So, you're telling me to look uninterested?
Yes.

　That day. That day in the hot sand colosseum, I kept thinking.

　What should I do?
　How do I act like I'm popular?
　How do I get people to look at me?
　How do I make the game more exciting?
　How can I be recognized as a champion?

　This hesitation is seen as pettiness.
　A pathetic "unemployed" guy who doesn't look like much is just strong.
　That scene would certainly be too boring for the audience.

"Why is that a 'heel'?"
Are you stupid?
"Why do you have to be cursed?


"You know what?

　She lets out a sigh and shakes her head.

It's just first aid, okay?
First aid?
Yeah. It's a compromise I made because you couldn't finish it before the tournament. You still have a lot of practicing to do. It's the least you can do for me right now. ...... and one more thing.

　With a snap of her fingers, the girl continued.

　The words that followed were a shock to Futa.

I'm not sure what to make of it.
"...... What?
It's no fun to be the strongest that no one can beat. It may be good for idly watching, but people go to the venue because they don't know whether they will win or lose. There is a fine line between everything and nothing.

　The strongest person in the world can't win even if everyone in the world unites.
　There may be many who wish they could be.

　But if there were such a person, many would feel antipathy and exclusivity.

　Especially if they are in the world of sword fighting.
　How can you enjoy a fight when you know that he will win anyway?

"So, ......, what I've been doing...
I'm not saying it's useless. But I will say it was shallow.
"......

　The words were bearable because they were said by a girl right in front of me.

　In the book she had brought for Futa, there were many references to sword fighting. What kind of players were there, what kind of battles were memorable.
　Futa's heart was filled with excitement as he read these stories.

　The fact that she had brought so many books to Futa meant that she had read many more. 　
　If you add her talent to that, her views on sword fighting are highly reliable.

That's why we all support Ocean.
"Huh?

　The reality has not changed since the Colosseum.
　But I don't want to play a hundred games.
　I don't know what to do," she tells him, her eyes downcast.

It's okay.
What?
We're all rooting for Ocean. We have to. So you're going to be an absolute wall.

　The woman who called the fight between Hooter and Ocean a "gold mine".

"An absolute wall is the enemy of all swordsmen. The absolute wall is the enemy of every fighter. Do you understand ......?

　The woman's face twisted into a grimace, and Futa's thoughts failed to catch up with her words.

It's not her Colosseum. It's not the Colosseum of the woman, it's the entertainment that everyone is trying to get over you.
I'm saying we should turn it into an event where everyone's trying to get over you.
I'll set it up.

　She picks up the scroll and continues.

"I'm going to set you up. I'm going to set you up." "A martial arts festival where everyone challenges the most powerful villain. It's the new tourist attraction in King's Landing.
"...... will make me look good.
That's what it's all about.

　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

　But it's with her back to you.
　She begins to look around the room, as if she and Futa are surrounded by others.

　Then she sucks in a breath.


"Come on, come on, come on, come on!　Nobody can win after all!　If you've won the right to challenge the champion, that means you're the second best, right?　I'm not kidding, this is not funny. This is no way to prepare Futa for this!

What?

I'm not sure what to say.　If you're not in King's Landing, shout to the world, someone help me!　Somebody stop him! Somebody beat him!　I don't think so, you cowards!　I don't think so, you cowards! You think I'm strong, but you won't challenge me!

　I'm sure you're not the only one.
　As she circled around Futa, she rained words down on him as if she were shouting to the entire audience.

"Keep your eyes peeled, ladies!　Promising boy!　You know, all those big-headed bastards around you, they're all smaller than ...... Huta!　Disgusted?　Are you pissed off?　If you're pissed off, come and get me!　The top of the world is always here!

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


　He slammed his hand down on the back of the couch directly in front of him, clenched his fist, and barked.

If you're feeling even a little frustrated, why don't you come at me with that stupid weapon in your hand, you little bastards!　I'll show you the difference in the next fight. No matter who you're up against!

　A moment of silence.

A moment of silence. "...... and that's about it.

　She looked back at me, her eyes half-lidded as usual.
　She looked back at him, her eyes half-lidded as usual, and Futa gulped.

　I see, with all this agitation, surely many fierce people will challenge Futa.
　I'm enough of a "villain" just because I'm not interested.

　Defying popularity.
　That, she said, was the way of life for the strongest and most isolated.

But what's the big deal?
Why are you being so aggressive?
"Well, ...... what?

　And then Futa realized.

...... So you're going to be in public?
I'll wear a disguise, of course. I'll keep my hood up.
But my voice is ......
Yeah. Well, I can't change my voice, so I'm still thinking about that.

　Hmm, cross your arms.

I don't mind if you hire someone to do that.
But?
It's not so much about good acting as it is about striking a balance without making the audience really hate you.
Okay, so if you're just a good actor, you're ......
Yeah. There's a chance that the audience's emotions will go up in flames and they'll say, "I'm never coming back.

　I guess it's only really recently that she came up with the answer of giving a talk herself.
　However, it is really risky for her survival to be exposed.

　As people were coming from all over the world, it was quite possible that her survival would be exposed.

But will she be okay?
"Live or die?　It's too late for that. I've been crossing bridges like this for a long time before you started worrying about me. Don't be ridiculous.
You're right.
Besides, if I can't do business, I'm dead anyway. I'm a weak creature to that extent. I win to survive. Of course.
......

　I'm sure you're not the only one who has a problem with this.

　But what can be done with food alone?
　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your money.

"...... Hey, pasta.
What?
I thought we were talking about the importance of character.
Yes, I did. Character is very important in selling a person.

　I'm sure you're beginning to get the idea," said Pasta, holding up one finger and closing his eyes as if to preach.

That's why you have to go against the popular trend. There are several patterns of what is popular, but in your case, it's the opposite. You're dealing with people who are popular, so you go against the grain and make them the villains. That's what characterization is all about.

　That's when I realized I had something shoved in my face.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing. He looked down at something that was pressed against him.

"What?
"Because my leg was sticking out.
What do you mean it was sticking out?

　You'll find a pale cherry-colored sofa that Futa points to.
　The sheets on the couch have been removed by Futa's hand.

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.
　The leg of the thing that Pasta is holding right now.
　Perhaps the sheet had been dislodged when Pasta struck it during his speech earlier.

Does anyone know that the former president of the Orba Chamber of Commerce has one of those?
No, of course not!
Then it's a good camouflage.
Die!

　With a thud, Futa was struck.
　It's only when she hits you with it that it feels soft.

"Character," I read in the book you gave me. Maybe you'd be more of a character if you had one?
"Huh, ...... this ......!

　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's a fan of your work.

"Get out of here! ！！！！!　

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.