--Morning. Pasta's home.

　Futa woke up a little later than usual.

　No wonder. He had been talking all night and hadn't fallen asleep until it was almost dawn.

　After a sneeze, I changed my clothes and left the room.

　As he walked to the bathroom to wash his face, he suddenly saw a girl pretending to be outside.

　She had a short, pale green bob. A distinctive cap with a brim. Charming freckles.

　She was wielding a warped sword just like Futa's. In other words, a sword.

　Leafy Lean Glide.

　I waved at her with a smile, and she came running up to me, happy to see me.

"Good morning!
"Good morning. You're looking good this morning.
Yeah!　Well, I've been working out, so I'm wide awake!
It's good to be healthy.
I've chopped all the wood I can find, and I'm sure the dreadful maid won't be too hard on me when I work out.
"What do you think you're doing with Corona?

　The light disappears from his eyes.

No, no, I'm really scared!　You may not be the master, but come on!　When I was cracking eggs, all I got was a shell, and he just stared at me with a blank expression!　Just because I made a mistake and tipped over the bucket, he started laughing at me!　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you'll be able to do it.
"...... I see.

　Futa stroked his chin and agreed.

　This girl is being teased like crazy.

But that's not the point, Futa!
"Hmm?

　He sheathed his sword and stared straight at Futa, his eyes shining brighter than before.
　You'll be able to see her eyes like a child nearing his birthday, and if you tilt your head.


"Do you know what tomorrow is?
Is it your birthday?
No, it's not!　You're too annoying to make me guess your birthday when you haven't even told me!
Were you aware of that?
I told you it's not!

　I see, you're giving me tsukkomi as if you were breathing.
　This must have been a lot of fun for Corona.

"This is my debut in a fighting tournament!

　She pointed at herself with her thumb.
　Her confident smile was dazzling, and Futa couldn't help but clap his hands.

I'll be there to cheer you on. I'll be there to cheer you on.
"Really?

　Hehe, don't be shy, said Leafy, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

I'll show you how good I am!

　I'll show you how good I am!
　In fact, this is how they met.
　As for Futa, he had high hopes for Leafy's performance.

　The martial arts tournament starts tomorrow.

　The Colosseum that was built in the capital will be unveiled for the first time.
　The Colosseum, built in the capital, will be unveiled for the first time.

　The symbol of two swords proposed by Lilac, who looked slightly disappointed.
　It was a sign of a martial arts tournament.

Has the format of the tournament been announced yet?

　Because he was not participating in the preliminary rounds, Futa had not received any information about the events immediately after they were held.
　When asked, Leafy nodded vigorously.

"Oh. It's a battle royale with about thirty people. Whoever stays until the end wins. If you get pushed off the field you lose, so you have to think about your position first.
"I see. ...... I see.
What's the matter, Futa? What's the matter, Futa?
Oh no.

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.
　I've just given you a spirited explanation of the game format, and now this.
　I've been trying to explain the format of the game to you, and now you're telling me that you don't even know what's bothering you.

　Shaking his head, Futa said.

"That ...... disqualifies you from killing people, doesn't it?
Yeah, that's what I heard. Yeah, I've heard that. Well, it wouldn't be awkward to accidentally kill someone at a fun event like this, would it?
Yeah, right. ...... No, be careful.
Hmm?　I know, I know. I'm a very strong man, even if I look like this!



　He takes a step back from Futa and pulls out his signature sword.

　He holds it in the middle and swings down.
　Side cleave. Thrust.

　--Futa's eyes turn gold.

　Futa nodded his head, mimicking the trajectory.

　I see, you have a solid foundation.
　There is no blurring of the blade, and the center of gravity moves with the hips.
　This would not be possible with my own methods. I was convinced that he must have trained under a good master.

　In the sense that they came from a proper school, they are the same as Ocean Big Wave and Prim Lancaster.

　It's not a good comparison, though, because the former is a master of his art and has made arrangements, while the latter is the leader of his school.

"How's ......?
"Yeah, it's great.
You know?　After the qualifying round, I'm going to teach Futa how to do it.
Oh, yeah?

　He nodded vaguely at the carefree smile on Futa's face.
　I'm praying for you to pass the qualifying round, of course.

　But when he heard that the game format was a battle royale, with 30 players starting at the same time, he felt a twinge of anxiety.

　If the rumors about the "killer" were true...

"I hate that guy.

　Thinking back on Prim's expression, it came back to me vividly.

　The image of the girl who had rampaged through the Colosseum with all the foulness she could muster.

"What? What's wrong with me?　...... Are you saying that rich people don't like to have someone like the Commander-in-Chief telling them what to do?
"What?　Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

　I was thinking, and Leafy had a pout on his lips.
　He smiles loosely, shakes his head, and says.

I'm sorry. If you win the qualifying round, let's face each other sword to sword.
"Oh, you cheeky bastard!

　I'm not sure if I'll be able to do it, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.
　Hopefully this girl will be able to qualify with a big smile on her face.














　As breakfast was about to be served, a loud maid came into the bathroom, clanging a ladle and pan.

　Futa, who was washing his face, smiled and Leafy recoiled.

The baking oven is new!
That's good to know.
With all the new equipment, the maid thought she might burn the house down.
"Call me if it burns down.
"Heck.

　I was about to nod, when a sneeze popped out of my mouth, causing Corona to stain her cheeks awkwardly.
　Reefy could only tilt his head and wonder why there was any shame in this conversation.

　Anyway, breakfast was served.

　Leafy, hungry after his morning workout, was already excited and was walking fast in the hallway.

　As he took a step forward to catch up with Leafy, he noticed that the owner of the house was not there.
　He realized that the owner of the house was not there, or that he might still be asleep.
　He wondered if he should wake her up. He stopped to see if he should wake him up.

"Master Futa?
"Corona. Pasta, are you awake?
He answered when I called him.
"I see. Good.

　Then she'll come to the dining room soon.
　The maid looked up at Futa's face.

"Are you sure you want to go to ......?
"Hmm?　What do you mean?

　For a moment, I did not know what you were asking me.
　I'm not sure what you mean," she said, shaking her head.

Thank you so much. Thanks to you, I was able to talk a little.
"Oh, really? I'm glad to hear that.

　Corona fires a left-right one-two into Futa's abdomen with a grunt.
　The complete joke did not cause much damage at all.
　They looked at each other and laughed.

　And that was when it happened.

　The girl seemed to have already changed her clothes, and was dressed as usual, not in pajamas like last night.

　However, she may not be fully dressed yet.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

"...... Good morning.
Good morning.

　I'm not sure what to make of this.

　She looked at Corona once, muttered "I'll thank you for breakfast," and walked away.

　Futa called out to her on her small back.

"Are you sure you can handle such a short sleep?


I told you it was none of your business. I'm used to it.
I don't have to worry about it.
You don't have to worry about me. I don't have to worry about you.
"This guy.

　Huta sniffed and followed him.

I'm being summoned by that woman today.
Can you please stop calling my significant other "she"?
You're disgusting. It's not important. I'll finish it in a few days.

　The conversation that goes on without looking at each other is kind of crude and random.
　I don't know, I just...

"I know, I know. I got it.
I don't know. I'm not gonna let you swallow my spit.
Oh. Here's the thing. It's called determination.
"Preparedness" in everyday speech is too much for me in the morning.
Shut up. It's no different from spitting.

　We exchanged glances for once.
　The two of them smiled at each other like they were making fun of each other.

"I wonder if it's ......... Something like ......!

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

What's wrong?　What's wrong?
I don't know!
"What's that squeal?

　The frustration on her face was obvious.
　I'm not sure if you can understand this, but I'm sure you can.

　--You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.

　And Pasta, who took one look at Corona, sighed loudly.
　Well, well, well. I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

"......, huh. I'm going to go ahead and buy the witch's jealousy.
"So don't call me a witch, dude.

　As well as calling Lilac that woman earlier, Futa gave her a reproachful look.
　But her expression did not change. I'm not sure what to call you.

What do you want me to call you then?

　After a pause, Futa's eyes widened at Pasta's words.

I've never been called by my name before.
"What?

　I'm sure you've heard of it, but I don't think I've ever heard of it.
　I forgot!　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've.

The maid is Corona, the noisy cleaning maid.
"Oh yeah. Well, I don't really care. It's just an extra for that unemployed guy.
The extra is the extra!
Corona, is that a bad thing to say about me?

　I'm not sure if that's a bad thing to say about me, Corona." Leaving the shocked Futa behind, Pasta looks at Corona coldly and tells her.

I'm happy for you. I'm glad you got what you wanted.
"Yes. I don't want to give it away.
I don't want it.
I don't even want to give it away!

　Pasta snickers at the maid, who smiles broadly.

If you've got a reason to live, don't let it go again. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
...... I'm sorry about that.
I don't know why you're apologizing.

　I don't know why you're apologizing." She poked the back of her cheek with her tongue and turned her back on Corona.

I'm going to go see Leafy first.
No, we can go together.
I said get out of my seat, you idiot.
I'm sorry!

　I'm sorry!" With that, Pasta slips away.

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I'm here.

It seems that he has forgiven me.
What?　You can't say that Corona is forgiven or not forgiven by Pasta.
Hmm...

　The fact that she asked me my name is proof of that.

　I'm sure that the fact that you asked me my name is a sign that I've paid you back for what you did last night.

　From this point on, though, it's none of Corona's business.


　That's how happy I was about the lemonade.

　For once, Corona closes her eyes.


"You can do whatever you want.

...... So you don't care what they do to you when you could die?

"Well, I don't have much reason to want to live.

"...... Oh, yeah. Then I'll sell it.


　Forgiven or not forgiven. That's not what this is about.
　It's just that we're incompatible.


I don't know what a witch thinks.


　"I don't know what witches think." She muttered, because she had fought so hard just to live.

　I felt as if my words had melted just a little.
　That's all she said, "I'm forgiven".

　A reason to live.

　She opened her eyes and muttered to the small back at the end of the corridor.

"Thanks.

　It was loud enough for her to hear.

　I'm sure she pretended not to hear me, and disappeared into the cafeteria.











"Leafy, I have a question for you.
For me?
Yes. You're from Baron Leangride of Eastwood. Have you heard of a serial killer?

　Leafy's face twisted into a blatant expression at Pasta's boring question.