--Before the sun goes down. Spectacula, the arena.

　After leaving Prim, Futa was looking around the interior of the Spectacle.
　The field is empty, lit by a red slanting sun.
　The hallway, silent and echoing with the sound of footsteps.
　The Prims who had been in the closed information booths and stores were nowhere to be seen.

　But, strangely, Futa didn't feel sad as he walked through them.

　He had thought that an arena without spectators would bring back a few more memories and hurt his heart.
　The pain in my chest from the Colosseum, the rumbling headache that tormented me, the unanswerable darkness that drowned me even though I could not die.

　It's not wiped away. Just healed.
　So I thought I'd feel a little more gloomy, but I don't know why.

　I can't wait for tomorrow.
　The only thing in the arena I can look forward to tomorrow is...


"I've been looking for you.


　A voice from behind me.
　I turn around to see a tiny little cauldron with a hood over its head.

"Is my sister okay?
There's no one here. She's closed, she's closed. My heart is dying.
Oh, yeah. Good night.
You.

　She lets out a small sigh, and Futa's gaze wanders to the spectacle.

　A few days ago, on the way back from a call from Lilac, I walked down a corridor inside the general seating area. From this high vantage point, he could see the entire battlefield.

　It was beautiful, casting a large shadow against the soon-to-be setting sun.

Let's go home.

　It was her order to look around the arena.
　We talked about it on the way home, preparing for the main competition tomorrow. Such a roadmap had already been constructed in Futa's mind.

　But Pasta shook his head.

"Sorry about that. You're wanted. Lilac's calling you in the waiting room.
Go ahead.
You're the one who started the conversation.
It's my fault?
Yeah.

　--It's your fault.
　He smirks.
　I was just trying to be funny so you wouldn't fly off the handle when you heard Lilac was calling. That's all.

　So I figured he'd run right over.

"So, we can talk about what you saw today at night?
"...... Sure. When you get back.
I'm not coming back?
You'd like that.
What do you mean?

　--What do you mean? - The big body in front of you, not turning away from you.

Why don't you go?　Normally you'd run like a dog.
What do you think of me?　I don't want to keep you waiting, Lilac-sama.
"But what?

　I really didn't understand why he stopped, so I tilted my head in an unusually pure way.

　There was no way he was going to say something so auspicious as seeing me off. Every day, I'm alone on my way home from Lilac's call. Partly because I don't want to stand out.

　But it's not like he's going with her. Lilac is calling Hooter alone. He's not a disobedient man.

　So, you want to talk about what you saw today right away?
　Child.
　Pasta snickers and dismisses the idea, but... surprisingly. His answer was actually spot on.

"Thanks.
What?　What?

　I looked him in the eye and saw that he wasn't looking at Pasta, but at someone else in the vicinity of the Spectacula's preferential seats. What you see is not the pasta, but the spectacle of the seats.

I never would have thought of that on my own.
Of course not. I'm going to make more money off of you than the Spectacle itself. Leave the thinking to me and work as hard as you can.
Right.
You're so naive. That's disgusting.
You really do need to say something. ......



　A dumbfounded look came over Pasta's face. Pasta crossed his arms, saying that it was we who wanted to be taken aback.
　In the first place, this is my job. It's my job to see how well I can take the material that is Futa and turn it into a popular product. There is no compromise in that. For the sake of making money, for the sake of the Orba Trading Company, I need you to continue to be a money tree at all costs.

　This is not the kind of relationship where you should be thanking me.
　Aren't you putting too much emphasis on a business partner who is working on a mutual interest?
　Just when I was about to say that and shun him once again.

"For the first time, I'm surrounded by people.

　The weight of his murmur was transmitted to me.
　The past that I had heard. I knew what he was thinking about this spectacle. Because I knew.

I couldn't handle it the way I thought I could, and I thought, "Wow, Prim's amazing. No, that's okay. It's just that you made me feel like I was one step closer. I'll try to explain better.　I'll try my best to explain it better. ...... That's all I'm saying.
"......

　I guess I really want to hurry to Lilac's place.
　He turned on his heel and said, "I'll see you at night," apparently not caring about our reply.

　He exhaled as if to let out what was rising in his chest.

What do you owe me?　I'm not on the side of that b*tc* you love so much. If you feel indebted to me, you'll regret it.

　It was the best I could do.
　But he turned his back on me and ran off waving his hands in the air as if he didn't care, not even looking back.

　Oh, I want to kick him. That back.

　Taking a deep breath, she shouted.

"Futa!

　Forcing her usual irreverent expression, she says confidently.

"You're going to be busy tomorrow!

　The man who hadn't been looking at her earlier turned around and stuck his thumb in the air.

He turns and sticks his thumb in the air. What is that?

　He's too unattractive to be a champion.
　As she walked home, she thought about how she should behave.


　Within a few minites, she was being hunted.













"Lilac-sama. I'm Futa.
Come in.

　Lilac was in one of the players' waiting rooms.
　Futa didn't know why he had chosen this place. But that didn't mean he had any reason to ask.

　The silence in the waiting room was not as tense as it had been before the fight.
　Like the relaxed arena at the end of a fight, the atmosphere was lonely, with just a hint of the setting sun.
　Sitting on a long, comfortable couch, she turned and greeted Futa as usual.

　The cup in her hand was empty.

Would you like me to make you some tea?
No, thank you. No, thank you.

　She shook her head, which was unusual for her, and said no.

Have a seat.
"Well?

　Then..." "Then..." She showed me the one next to her. I didn't want to close the gap too tightly, but it would be rude to open it too wide. After some hesitation, Futa sat down in a compromise position.

I feel like it's been a long time.
"Hmm. It's been a while since I've been here. Both of us.
That's true. ...... At first, when you asked me to work with Pasta, I didn't know what to do.
It wasn't a bad idea, was it?
Yes. ...... Really.

　It's not a bad idea.
　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not.
　In the beginning, it was terrible, and there were often times when their disagreements caused trouble.

　But now that they knew each other's efforts...

"What do you think? What do you think?

　His gaze turned to Futa.

　I wonder why.
　It was supposed to be an ordinary conversation, but without realizing it, Futa gasped.
　This tense atmosphere, as if he was being confronted with a choice that he could not make, was not something that would be out of place in a spectacle after the show.

"Do you think you can make it on your own?

　For a moment, I didn't know what that question meant.



　I'll do it alone, that is, if I don't need pasta next to me.

It's...

　As a matter of fact.
　Futa didn't quite understand the value of Pasta's position as a "live commentator".
　When he was asked to give an explanation, he just replied as he was told.
　Maybe if one person, or someone other than Pasta, was sitting in that seat, he could have done the same thing.

　It would be fun to have Corona next to me.
　To the extent that I dreamed of such a thing, I can say that I kind of disregarded the position of the actual situation.

　It can't be helped, though.
　No matter how hard Pasta tries, he can't feel the greatness of a warrior, just as he can't understand the acrobatics of a "manager" in her domain.

　In that sense, it would have been a different story if there was someone who could "explain" to me how her actual performance was superior, but that's all it is.

　I'm sure Futa would have been fine with anyone but pasta in the play-by-play seat.

　So...




"No. If it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't be able to do anything.




　I told him honestly.

　Lilac's narrowed eyes widened slightly.

"Shall we listen?
To be honest, I don't know much about the situation. To be honest, I don't know much about live action.

　I know she's fighting in a realm Futa doesn't understand.
　He knows that she is fighting in a realm that Futa does not understand.
　He knows that she is cheekily trying to make the dream that Futa told her about come true.

But if it weren't for him, I wouldn't be good enough. She's the one who's really trying to get me to the top, so I'm finally standing.

　The first time I got cheered by people was because of his quick thinking.
　The first time I found out that I could win money as a fighter was with him.
　I'm sure the first time I was surrounded by people was because I was made to stand where I was told.

　I'm sorry.
　Futa doesn't know the logic that led to this, and he doesn't know what will happen next.

　I'm not just relying on you.
　She said. She said we're equal as business partners.
　From now on, Futa has to respond to her arrangement with everything he has accumulated so far.
　If you've set me on a path I couldn't even begin to follow... I'm the one running. I'm proud to say. I'm the one who's running.

　But I can only be proud of... Only that.

　Not in front of Lilac, not in front of Corona.

"Now that I'm teamed up with him, I can prove that I can do it without a job." It's all thanks to Lilac-sama.
"Really?

　Lilac furrowed her brow in slight displeasure.

If I'm being honest, yes. I'm a little sad about .......
"What?
I feel like you're only getting along with her.
Oh, no. ...... I mean...

　I'm not sure if I'd be able to handle you with the same ease as a pasta partner.
　I'm not sure what to make of that.

It would be too disrespectful to Lilac-sama to lump her in with that.
"Sisters?
How can you say that?

　Lilac gave a small sigh of sorrow at the twisted tilt of her head and stood up.

I understand. Shall we go then?
"Yes, where to?

　--Her words seemed to come out of nowhere.
　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

I was just thinking about what I would do depending on your opinion. I think it would be better if you came with me.

　Before you can say what, she continues.

Before you can say anything else, she continued, "I've asked her to act as bait for a little trap.
"Decoy--oh, pasta?
"Yes. I was hoping she'd die, but... But if it's necessary for you, let's hurry.
Hey, Lilac!

　Decoy. You look like you don't care if you die.
　It's just like the other day.

　In the end, what Lilac is doing hasn't changed.

"What is it?


　--Now I'm going to make my half-sister suffer.
　--I don't care what happens to strangers who share my blood.


　I know.
　I know. I know. I'll bite my teeth.

"...... No. Let's hurry. Where are you going?


"Section 12, Church of Itail. Well, it's an abandoned church now, but it's the stronghold of ...... Aylons.





















　--Near the Church of Itail. Alleyway.

　Dragging. The woman was dragging something.

It's a little early in the day for a night stroll,......, but it's a little early in the day for an elegant sightseeing party.

　I'm not sure what to make of it. I'm not sure what to make of it.

"Aria ......!"

　The men in the group, with Conrad in the lead, are also bracing themselves.
　It was probably because they were called "Aria" that they looked at her with such an impatient look, as if they were judging her.

I've heard there's some fun stuff going on around the church today, but ...... this isn't it.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　It's a great way to get a feel for what's going on in the world.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.
"Oh, this?"

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

"Beck!
Were you friends?　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's had it.
How many knights have you ...... killed before you've had your fill?
Yes?　Knights?

　She tilts her head and laughs under her parasol.

"Oh ...... I don't distinguish between warriors. I'm sure you'll agree that knights and mercenaries are ...... boring categories.　We are all different.

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

There is no one who is the same, no one who uses a sword, no one who uses a sword, no one who uses a fist, no one who has a strong heart, no one who has a weak heart. Isn't it arrogant to give special treatment only to those who are labeled as knights?
"Shut up!　I'll kill you and you're mine!

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

By the way.
...... What?

　She was trying to get away if she could.
　But it seems that this woman has not come to save her.

　The way she stood there blocking his escape route, she seemed to be saying that she would not let him escape.

I'd like to ask you something, if that's okay.
"...... here?
Yes. It's very convenient that you're here.
What's ......?

　Pasta looked up to see what he was talking about. Yes, even Pasta's voice was strained.

"What ......?
You ............ said you were Futa's sister.
Of course you're lying. ......!

　You take a step back.
　But she won't allow it.

"So you're with your girlfriend?
Can you please stop joking about that ......?

　You'll be able to see the insanity in the way she stares at you.
　The eyes are dark and lightless, as if they are about to be swallowed up.
　I'm not sure what to make of it.

She tilted her head sadly, "...... not so close?

　She tilted her head sadly.

"Yes, we are.
........................ can't help it.
"What?

　A resigned sigh.
　I'm not sure if I should have told her I was Futa's sister.　I'm sure you'll be able to understand that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this. And her instincts were right.

I thought it would be a good idea to kill you here if you were a dear friend, but ...... I'm not interested in you.

　In a blink of an eye, she was out of Pasta's sight.
　It was a good thing that she had unexpectedly stepped in between Pasta and Conrad.

"Don't be silly. There's no way my death is going to help him.

　I spit that out and took a step back. I thought about running away from here as fast as I could, but it would be worse this time if they split up and chased me. I'm not so naive that I can escape with my wounded legs.

　I'll judge her by the way she fights.

　If it is true that she slaughtered 10 knights, how much more can she do against this many? There is a limit to the number of people who can pass through the narrow alley at once, but they are already coming around from all sides.
　Conrad is very good at that.

"You there, blondie. Are you Conrad?
Indeed. That's the name of the man who's going to kill you!


That's good spirit. So long as I don't have to kill you, I don't care what else I have to do... so let's chant together. Until we sink and fizzle.

　She was still holding the umbrella, and in an instant, she disappeared.