"Dear Lilac. I have a suggestion.

"Shall we listen to ......? Just in case.

"Today's game. --I'm going to tell you something about my past.














　--The arena spectacle.

　Right in the middle of the cheers. One on one facing the battlefield.
　The referee, Mion, had no intention of signaling the start of the match, and the two fighters were still holding their conches at their waists.

　Lilac, who had been staring at Futa, suddenly looked around.
　The crowd was cheering 3:7 in favor of Lilac.
　It was a natural favoring of the princess, but still, winning 30% against Lilac was a great achievement.

　The audience was already in a state of excitement.
　They are waiting for the sword to meet the sword.

　Even though Lilac sensed this atmosphere, she did not draw her sword, but looked back at Futa and said.


...... I still don't like it.


　As if muttering. But clearly.
　This is the first time I've ever seen such a thing.
　This is probably the first time Lilac has ever said anything negative to Futa so clearly.

　Leaving the ever-smiling Mion behind, Futa still looked straight at Lilac.

　I don't like it.
　Lilac continued to explain the true meaning of her words.

"Was your past so light that you could offer it as entertainment?
"......
At least, I thought it wasn't, which is why I was with ...... you.

　Lilac's words really hit the nail on the head.
　Futa was now offering his past as entertainment to the public.

　The words he had sworn that night. The man who said he would give his life that night.
　His words, the "past" that he thought held his hand because he had experienced the same pain, albeit in a different form.

　For him, the darkness was not something to be used lightly as a tool to liven up the public.

　Cold eyes pierce Futa's.
　Clearly, she was now angry at Futa.

...... Lilac-sama is right.

　The answer was affirmative.
　Lilac's eyebrows twitched slightly.

I've now made a spectacle of my past, if you will. You are right, Lilac, it is an irreversible fact. I don't blame you for thinking I'm a lightweight to that extent.
"...... you.

　Mion held out his arm to protect his face.
　In the moment, the cold fighting air of lilac blowing in the air.

I'm not sure if you're... Do you want to make me angry?

　Even with that fighting air all over his body, Futa's body is unshaken.

No, sir.
If ......, then why?
I'm not sure what you mean by that. But ......1 you are off by one thing.

　What?" The sharp eyes pierced Futa.
　Shaking his head lazily, he continued.

It's Lilac-sama who lightened me up.

　There was not a single lie in the eyes that looked straight back at him.
　The first thing you should do is to look at your eyes.
　In the event that you're not sure what to do, you'll be able to find out what to do.


　I wonder if the past is light for Futa.
　It is foolish to measure the weight of something by comparing it to someone else. But still, Futa was so devastated that he was willing to die, and he gave up all hope.

　Not even the thought that someone had entrusted to him. Even the heart he swore to show.
　He had reached the limit of what he could do on his own.

　It's hard to say that such a man's past is light.

　But...

I'm not saying it doesn't matter. But I'm happy now. So if using my past makes me happier now, ...... then so be it.

　That's right.
　For Futa, too. The lightness or heaviness of his past had nothing to do with it.
　Light or heavy, it didn't matter.
　For the happiness of the present. For the wish you want to reach now. For that purpose, I am so happy now that I don't care about the past.

　It doesn't hurt or itch if the past is brought up again.
　Because that's about it.

"Mr. Lilac helped me get over it.
"......

　Futa said with a smile that even seemed to be troubled.

　The past is the past. You can't wipe it out, you can't hide it.


　Even if I didn't tell anyone, someone would have revealed something about Futa's past.
　This is a big stage. The arena.
　Futa, Prim, Izuna and Arawn. Since they came from the Colosseum of the Principality to this capital, there's no guarantee that someone who knows the Principality won't show up in this capital.
　If a person who likes sword fighting has seen the two arenas, there is no way that he would not know this man Futa.

　They would loudly denounce him with scandalous accusations.

　I don't need to tell you which is better.

　I don't have to tell you which is better.

　And Futa had made up his mind enough to make that choice.
　That's all.

I know.

　That's why.
　The muttering was surprising to Futa.
　The referee next to him loosened the corners of his mouth with a knowing look.

　When you think about it, it's obvious.



　This much is obvious. How could Lilac not notice?

　There's no way Lilac wouldn't have noticed. There's no way he would have disgraced his methods just because he didn't like them.

　In fact, she'd go so far as to praise Futa for overcoming his past and rightfully reigning as champion.

　--if it's self-initiated.







　Hey. Where were you looking before the fight? What were you looking at?







　I was looking forward to it.

I got you through, huh?

　I've been waiting for this my whole life.

　You look up.

　The sharp eyes pressured you slightly.

　I've been waiting for this moment for a long time.
　It's probably because he doesn't know the name of the emotion being directed at him.

　I've been looking forward to this.
　I've been waiting for this moment.
　How long do you think it's been?

　--Ever since that night you got over it.

　And yet.

Then why? Then why did you reveal it to me, face to face?

　Then why... Why do I have to feel this way?

Because...

　I know.
　Overcoming the past, yeah, that's progress, I guess, in his own way. I know I should admire it.
　So is revealing his past. I know it's the result of him devoting himself to doing what he can.


　...... For whom?


　For himself, at least.
　And it's not even for me, who was looking forward to this fight.


　I took my eyes off Huta.

　Lilac M. Fangini is a warrior.
　He has no trouble looking at ordinary people without them noticing.
　You're looking at a normal person. There is no need to worry about it.

　I caught a glimpse of a woman in the stands watching the game.

　We've been enemies ever since I learned of her existence. They used each other, beat each other up. And still they wouldn't break each other. We've always been on guard, never knowing when someone might threaten our backs.

　It doesn't matter that we're sisters. But I do know that we were annoying partners who were smart enough to conspire against each other.
　I am one, she is another.
　We both want to crush each other when we have the chance. And I knew that the thought process of that twisted "manager" would be to see her suffer if possible.

　And yet...

　The way she was looking at me made me want to kill her right now.
　Oh, I see, maybe she's been feeling this way about me all along. The calm part of me analyzes that.

　Because...
　Because the girl I'm looking at right now...

　She's not even looking at Lilac.

"Lilac, I...
"I've been looking forward to it.
"What?

　He exhaled.

　I don't know what I'm feeling.
　Of all the feelings I've ever known by name, yes. More like hatred.

　But this lingering feeling doesn't allow me to hate. I just can't bring myself to kill the man in front of me. Clearly, the growing desire to be next to him gets in the way.



　But I don't like him now.

　I wonder if I was the only one who was looking forward to it.

I wanted to be a champion. After meeting you, making this spectacle, and all the while. I've been looking forward to crossing swords with you in this hall for a long time.
That goes for me, too.
Oh, yeah?　I'm glad to hear that.

　Her reply was too hollow.
　Her reply was so hollow that Futa was at a loss for words.

But it seems that my feelings are not what they should be.

　How much?
　A woman who compares such things is troublesome. The onlooker referee thought about it, but Lilac had the right to say it as she stopped Futa from opening his mouth.

　But Lilac had the right to say it, because she could see it in Futa's face.

I came here to enjoy the game. That's what I do best. If that's what you want, too, then shake your head. But.

　Yes. But.

　Your best right now is not to enjoy sword fighting with me.

The moment you do, my sword will be as much a beast as Arawn.
"...... I will not lie to Master Lilac.

　Shaking his head, Huta was right. But he was wrong.
　Not being lied to is desirable for Lilac.
　Not being affirmed is undesirable for Lilac.

"Is.

　That's why I'm angry.
　What is this painful irritation in my heart?
　Does she feel betrayed? I think I'm close.

　But I can't help but know.
　If Lilac were to throw a tantrum right now and order him to die, he'd do it.
　The look in his eyes, the trust that he won't do anything to your detriment, makes her hesitate.

　None of this.

　And this.

　I know why.

Huta.
Yes.
I don't like the fact that you've been so naughty revealing your past.
Yes.
I don't like the way I feel about this sword fight with you.
Yes.
"I don't like that you think you are right.
Yes.
"I don't like that you still think you're on my side.
Yes.
I...

　I turn over and mutter.

"I don't like that you put your personal feelings before the future of Spectacular.
Yes.
But...

　I don't like that I'm putting my personal feelings before the future of Spectacular.

I don't feel like that's enough!　I'm annoyed, pissed off, pissed off!　I'm frustrated, I'm disgusted, I'm angry!
"No. I've been looking forward to this opportunity for Lilac-sama, and it's my own fault that it's come to this.

　I meant it.
　I was bonded to someone else.
　To put it another way, the revelation of my past was fine in the final.

　But I gave it to Lilac. There's only one answer to why.

　I looked up and she was looking at me the whole time.
　She had never won, and the easiest way for her to win was to win from the sister in front of her.

　It was Futa's choice not to make a discovery about Lilac.
　He could not say that he was not at fault. 　


　Futa looked up from his seat and heard Lilac's voice.


I know why you revealed your past.


　I know why you revealed your past, and for whom.

　If it was just pity, I would have been fine with it.
　But I never thought that woman could get inside him so easily.

　--That's a lie.

　I didn't think she'd be able to get that far.


So, yeah. So, yes. If after all this, I can't get a clear position on you, I'll 'get rid of' you."


　I'm not saying who. I'm not saying how.
　But logically, it's not wrong.


　The question is: Whose fault is it if Futa can't get the results he wants after revealing so much about his past?
　The answer goes without saying.

"............ Mr. Lilac.
What is it?

　He looked up and his smile remained calm.

　I am aware that I stepped on Lilac's fun. But still, he was determined to repay the debt to those who had helped him reach his dream. And.

"Then I'll give you one. Not only when we lose, but also when we win, please accept my offer.

　--He couldn't go on like this.

　Eyes with a sense of mission.


　I never thought I'd be pressured.
　Lilac shook her head once and exhaled.

............ is good. I'm not a big fan of gambling.

　I'm not much of a gambler," he said, holding up a contessa.

I've never lost a bet.
"I see. I'm not much of a gambler, but... I'm not good at gambling, but I can't lose just today.

　I don't like gambling very much.
　I don't really like gambling, though I would enjoy it if I didn't have to bet anything.

　But it's fundamentally different.
　For Lilac, it might be a gamble.
　But for Futa, this is... well...

　It's about the princess.
　It's about popularity.

　It's also an "it" to victory.

　"It's called a challenge.


　The referee slowly raises his hand.

　The referee slowly waved his hand, signaling the start of the match.


"First Princess Lilac M. Fangini.
"The royal guest, Futa Pomo Do-Ro.


"Second semifinal match-- Lilac M. Fangini versus Futa Pomodoro!　Let the match begin!



"Six flowers in mourning, blow away.
I challenge you, ......!


　--As the curtain rises on the story, the swordsman comes to challenge the master.