"Match is over!　In game three, the winner of the preliminary round is...



The match is over!　Game six, the qualifier...



Matches are over!　The final match of the second round, the qualifier is...







　--In the evening.

　After all the games of the day, the spectators are leaving the spectacle hall after the second round.
　They are going to their homes, their inns, their tents, or their neighborhoods.

　The sun is shining orange, and the flow of spectators returning home has become sparse.
　Leafy Lean Glide, who had watched all the games, was also heading home alone.

I made it to the third round of the ...... qualifiers.

　The one word he muttered to himself was a clear fact.
　For Leafy, who only had an abstract measure of whether she was strong or weak, what she gained from this martial arts tournament had more weight than experience.

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it.

I wonder how far I can go with .......

　Through one of the outer gates of the Spectacula, the Fountain Square before the street.
　In the mornings, it's packed with spectators before they enter, but there are only a few people here and there. Backlit by the setting sun, I couldn't even see what kind of people were there.

　Sitting on the stone wall of the fountain, Leafy vaguely touched the sword at his waist.

　I've come to a point where I'm not worthy.
　That's what Leafy was thinking right now.

　Before the martial arts tournament started, she had thought that she would be able to claim to be strong enough to win the tournament.

　Then I was miserably beaten in the first round, and to my chagrin, I wouldn't even be here if I hadn't been beaten so badly by that red-haired guy.

　And the second round. For the first time, I wielded a sword properly and jumped into the fray--Izuna Sienzan was really strong as she challenged me to a fight with that double-sword user.

　He was an opponent that I could not hope to defeat on my own.
　And so is Izuna Sisienzan. So is Arawn B. Smiles.
　And most of all, Izuna said.

"This is going to be fun!　But I'm going to the finals. But I'm going to the finals. I gotta go. ...... Sorry, but I'm gonna push my way through, no matter how many people are coming at me!
I'm going to the finals.
You can't. The right to challenge him is not cheap.

　There's an opponent waiting in the finals who's worthy of a challenge.

　There's a long way to go.

　The more you want to achieve results in a martial arts tournament, the more their strength will weigh on you.

"Hey. You're in a funk.
.........

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

　He was the one who had attacked Izuna all morning and was determined to defeat him. He was also the one who gave Leafy the courage to stand up again.

What the hell, we don't even have anything to fight with anymore.
Well... It's a tough battlefield from here on out, even in a battle royale only one can survive. Besides, ...... the next tournament is the finals. From here on out, it's only one on one.

　Putting his hands on his hips, he put his cowboy hat back on and raised the corners of his mouth.

　It's only been until today that more than one winner has emerged from the same battlefield.
　From here on out, we're all going to have to fight for our survival no matter what.

But that doesn't mean we can't keep bickering.
We've got time before the qualifiers.
Oops, if you're trying to push back on my words in the waiting room, ...... I'm sorry, but you're not ready for the fight.
"......
"What?

　I was just responding to a provocation.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this, but I'm going to try.
I'm sure you'll agree. I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've seen it. ...... I need to win a martial arts tournament.
"Then why don't you just win?

　I'm not a fan of this kind of thing.

Just because you think you can't compete doesn't mean you can't win. Sometimes you have to fight a clearly superior opponent with someone's life on your shoulders. That's what hunting hexenbiests is all about. It's a pain in the ass, and I'd rather just retire. It's not that you can't win because it looks like you can't win.
I'm sure it's the ......'s fault.
I'm sure it's bad for . I know you're smart, but...

　I know you're a smart guy, but..." That's all the double-edged sword wielder said, and turned away.

"Well, I'm going to eat and sleep and get ready for tomorrow. See you later, girl.

　I don't have the heart to go along with a troubled girl.
　As he turned away, Leafy looked up at him.

"Oh, hey. Name!



　I didn't even say my name.
　Leafy says to the double-edged sword wielder, who looks back at him with suspicious eyes.

I'm Leafy. We fought together once. You should remember me.
"Arrows. Well, you don't have to remember. We won't be fighting anymore.

　The two swordsman laughed as if to retaliate for Leafy's earlier comment.
　Leafy looked annoyed for a moment, but then shook his head.

"No, Arrows. Thanks.
"Well, yeah. I'll see you at the finals.

　As he watched Arrows walk away, Leafy let out a big sigh once again.

　He knew that even Arrows would not be an easy opponent to face head on.
　I'm sure the other players who passed the qualifying round will be the same.

　Don't get your head in the wrong place, Arrows said.
　You're right. Leafy now has a very good head on his shoulders as a swordsman.
　She has quickly learned and swallowed the essentials, which is why she has the Sakuraba Itto Ryu.

　But on the other hand. But on the other hand, she can't help but think and ponder.

Leafy, you're still here?　
"...... Futa.

　The more I think about tomorrow, the more depressed I get.
　The more I thought about tomorrow, the more depressed I became. But I couldn't stop thinking about it, and I wondered how long I had been thinking about it.
　It was almost sundown when Futa called out to me.

"You ...... pasta?
"He's ...... no, I'll tell you that. Master Lilac sent me.
"Oh, from the princess.

　Corona had told me about Futa's situation.
　She said that he was the princess's pimp.
　He's not bad looking, tall and skinny, and seems to be well toned. The fact that he naturally mentions the princess's name indicates that they are very close.

　If I had been told that he was a nobleman, I might have been fooled.

　However, I didn't care about that right now.
　Whether he was a nobleman or a pimp, it didn't matter that he had lent me a place to stay.
　It didn't matter because there was no damage.

Let's go home. There's no point in us going our separate ways, right?
"......, right. I'm hired to protect you.

　She said bluntly, and stood up.
　Then the two of them walked off into the sunset towards the mansion.

I watched the second round. I thought you'd do better than I expected.
"Heh. I'm not happy. I thought it would be much ...... easier to get through the qualifiers.

　I've been traveling around imagining myself getting through the qualifying rounds with ease and putting up a reasonably good fight in the finals. The fact that she can't imagine herself winning there completely shows her strange pragmatism, but that's about it.
　Nevertheless, she believed that she could do more, that she could fight. I believed that.
　And yet, this is the result.
　If I had played badly, I would have run home after the first round. In the second round, I couldn't beat anyone.

That's why. I thought I was going to be able to do it because I was able to fight that much against Izuna right after he broke my arm.
"...... "That" Izuna?　Do you know that guy?
Yeah. He's originally a fighter from a faraway land. Top-notch.
"What?

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

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.
　The Colosseum, the largest arena in the world, is a sacred place for swordsmen, and there are many swordsmen who have come because they believe in their skills.

　Each and every one of them has his own pride and "title" and comes to the arena to prove himself and his school.
　In the Colosseum, where there are nearly 10,000 fighting swordsmen, there are a handful of "flower" festivals that can only be reached by crossing the barrier from the beginner league to the under league, normal league, and minor league, in that order - the "eight flashes under heaven".

...... Eight Flashes Under Heaven
I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not. That's where he was originally from.
There's still five guys stronger than him?
If you include the ...... champion, then yes. Yeah.
Why don't you include them?

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

I'm not sure what to say.
What?　I'm not sure if it's a good idea.


...... That's Arawn B. Smiles.
I'm not sure if he's one of those. Why are the dukes coming to storm King's Landing? ...... Why don't you just stay in the Colosseum and be pampered? ......
"Ah ......, well, yes. Haha.
"What's wrong with your head?

　What's wrong with your head?" Futa scratched his cheek at the harsh comment.

I'm not sure what to say. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that Leafy made it this far against those guys. The fact that Leafy went this far against such people means that he was able to take on the world's best swordsmen, even if it took two of them. I didn't expect it to be that bad.
"......, I see.

　Eight of the top 10,000. Eight of the top 10,000.
　I didn't think I was dealing with those guys.

　I'm not sure what to make of it. No, but...

I guess I'm not as weak as I think I am.
Isn't that what Izuna said? You're strong.
...... said I was weak at first.
That's the answer. They said I was weak because I turned my back on myself. Now I'm strong.
I don't know, man.
Well, I don't really feel it either. I was the type of person who could only see myself.
Huh. ......
It's the same. You'll get stronger when you see more. I'm getting stronger.
Is that how it works?
That's the way it is, I think. At least you don't seem to be overwhelmed by your sword now.
"...... self-consciousness, huh?

　Gently touch the scabbard.
　You can't lose. I have to win. I'm not sure what to do.
　But certainly, there was no urgency about what to do.

　How can I win? How can I win against Izuna, against Arawn, against enemies I haven't seen yet?

　That's what's troubling you, isn't it?

At least until yesterday, you wouldn't have said anything to admit you were weak.
Shut up. I don't want to say it.

　I don't want to say it." Leafy put his cap back on, and Futa gave a small laugh.

A lot of people watching around me are looking forward to your match. Good luck, Leafy.
"Oh. ...... I wonder. I could hear them cheering.

　So I swallowed my words of shame that my time was up without beating Izuna.

　--Next time, you don't have to worry about running out of time or external factors.
　All I had to do was be the last one standing. That's what I decided. 　

"Okay. Keep an eye on that customer. Watch Leafy Lean Glide's fighting sword.
"Oh. I'll enjoy it.
"Heh.

　She rubbed the bridge of her nose and smiled happily like a young girl of her age.

　I'm sure you'll enjoy it.


"Izuna wanted a challenge. I heard there's someone in the finals that even he's planning on challenging. I wonder if it's the Nino Tachi?　I wonder if it's something like that.
He's not that good. He's a champion at best.
What are you really talking about?













　--Night. Pasta house.


　Fascinating. In front of Futa's eyes, "red" scattered.

　After dinner, Pasta summoned me to come over and I saw a scene unfolding in front of me.
　A set of furniture arranged in the center of the room.
　In the center of the room is a high legged chair with her sitting on it.
　And then.

"Mmm. Mmmm. Mmmm. Mmmm~ ......



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

"...... What's going on?
"Can't you see?　I'm cutting your hair.
Oh, because it was sore?
I'm gonna beat the shit out of you.

　She shook her head and her silhouette had changed dramatically.
　Her hair, which used to grow to her waist and even longer when tied at the back of her head, had been cut off and was now short enough to expose the nape of her neck.

　Thanks to this, her feet are bright red. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to use the site, you can call us at our own web site.

...... You're so light-headed.
I don't really know what that feels like.
Well, you don't seem to be full of it.
Oh, you little shit. ...... What?
What?
...... is getting a little more f*cked up?
It's annoying, but it's subtle.

　Unconsciously, I try to play with the hair in my hand as usual, and then I realize it's not there, so I play with the hair in my ear.

Corona, can you just do that?
Hi there.

　What is that? For a moment, Futa didn't know what "that" was, but when he saw Corona's hand, he understood.
　It was the hair clip that Pasta always wore in her hair.
　It didn't take long for him to wonder if this was necessary for her short hair.
　The ribbons of the hair clip were quickly tied on both sides of her head.

"...... pasta.
What?
You're even more of a little shit now?　I don't know, maybe I'm just a kid.　Do you want to play with Luli?
I'll beat the shit out of you.

　It's called a pigtail.
　Her hair popped out from both sides, giving her a very childish appearance. Her eyes are as wild as a ditch, but that's about it.

"Well, there you have it. I'd like to wash it off, but let's just talk about it first.
"Wow, wow!　Pasta-chan is cute!　Aww!
I'll get you out, you f*cking maid.
"Well, Mr. Futa, Mr. Futa, Mr. Futa, maid, you did your best, but this is hurtful.
You've got to get over yourself, pasta.
You're really ......!

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do with your time.

　He probably didn't cut it because he thought it would look good on him.
　He clicks his tongue, showing more annoyance than shame, and looks at Korona once.
　If I were to tell you the truth, I'd want her to leave, but she'd have to clean her hair, too, and I let out a sigh, thinking it's nothing to hide now.
　Just think of them as props.

......How's this?
"......What do you mean?

　Pasta was holding his favorite stuffed bear.
　Futa grunts as he succumbs to Pasta's gaze, which continues to silently seek his opinion.

You look like nothing more than a child, except for your rotten eyes.
It's not just one word, it's an afterthought, but it's okay. Well, as long as your eyes don't rot, I guess.
"What?

　He coughed and Pasta said in a sweet, flirtatious tone.





"Big brother, I love big brother.





I can't.
What do you mean you can't?
No, I can't. ......
"No, I can't accept it!

　Pasta touched her lips and was troubled.
　Your cover was perfect. I'm confident in my acting ability.
　So why...

"Futa-sama, Futa-sama, Futa-sama!
"Yes, yes, what's wrong?

　I felt a tug on my sleeve. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

I love you, big brother!　I love you, big brother!

　Futa first closes his eyes and slowly enjoys the residue in his ears.
　And then, slowly, the smile of the girl holding the stuffed animal and blooming like the sun was captured in his mind by self-recording technique.

　He turned to the pasta and said.


"That's it.
You can only see what's inside.
What's wrong with that?
I'm not talking about your opinion, I'm talking about how it looks to the public!
What?　The public ......?



　What the hell does that mean?
　When Futa tilted his head, Pasta continued.

I've gotten Lilac's permission.


　She didn't explain what she was talking about.
　She didn't explain what she was talking about, but he could tell now that it was some kind of answer to something that had been bothering her for a while.


"You'll be busy tomorrow, Futa.


　That fierce smile seemed to suit her much better than her earlier act. I won't say it.