--I'd be lying if I said those days weren't fun.

　We played hand to hand many times.
　Blade to blade, sword to sword. Eye to eye. We had many sword conversations.

　It was the only thing I could look forward to more than any other schedule, and I was excited just thinking about how I was going to get around next time.

　Ever since I was a child, I've lived alone. Everyone I saw around me was afraid of him, and at a moment's notice, he was an enemy who could harm me.
　That's why I learned swordsmanship to defend myself.
　Fortunately, he had talent. I had the time to refine it.

　But I couldn't let anyone see my efforts.

　Ready for assassination. Prepared for a surprise attack. To stay alive, he reached for the title of "strongest."
　He wielded his sword to survive, no matter how powerful the opponent.

　Lilac M. Fangini's swordplay was a combination of the Royal Court's swordplay and his own style.
　At the time, she was hailed as a genius, but she was not.

　The only swordsmanship she could reach out to without being suspected was court swordsmanship.
　That's where she learned the "basics.

　But only court swordsmanship was known in King's Landing, even to the guards of the castle. It would be foolish to stand up to them in a time of need with the swordplay they knew so well.

　What the young wicked man realized was that his situation was closer to death than he had imagined.
　What he realized was that he was closer to death than he thought.

　--The court's own style of swordsmanship. It is a style of swordsmanship disguised as court swordsmanship that specializes in defeating the swordsmen of the capital.

　The sword art that he had worked so hard to perfect without anyone knowing about it.
　The people in the castle were ignorant of it and proclaimed her a genius. She, too, acted innocently as if she had made little effort.

　It was more convenient for her to be an innocent genius with a sword.

　So.

I told the princess that all that could be imitated was the trail of her past training. I can't ...... understand your feelings. But I can tell you what kind of training she's had. ......

"The princess's training is unusual in her protection of her back and legs. It's as if she's always prepared for betrayal. She was much more aware of fighting alone than a swordsman.

I knew I wasn't just longing to be the strongest.

　That day was a real shock.

　In order to reach the title of the strongest himself. I knew that I was still inexperienced, so I sought out a training ground in the form of a gourmand, who saw through my sword to an unexpected degree.

　--A while later...

　Oh, so many things have happened.
　We've crossed swords, we've talked about dreams of the future.
　We've gotten excited about the prospects ahead of us, and we've made a new goal, Spectacular.

　And this day. I wish I could have danced with you on this field with a little more pleasure in my heart.

　Just like that night.

　The battle I've been waiting for turned out to be a slap in the face to this helpless feeling.

　That's all I really regret.

　But... Crossing swords, no matter how hard I try to hide it, I can't help but rejoice in this moment.
　It's like a sulking child who's slowly losing her mind over getting her wish.

　I didn't want to come this far and end up feeling bad about my first time.


　--I'd be lying if I said those days weren't fun.


　I crossed swords with him many times.
　If I'd been honest with myself, I'd have admitted it was fun.
　But... But that's not all.

　I've been preparing for this day. To fight and beat you on the Spectacular stage.
　I don't think I can beat you at this. But...

　As much as, if not more than, I enjoyed it.

　A feeling that grows every time we meet.
　The blade that always confronts me at the end of every match.

　As a warrior, there was a natural feeling that smoldered in my heart for a long, long time.



　It was frustrating.



　--Arena Spectacula.

　Futa was aware that Lilac was aiming for something.

　She was swinging her contessa farther than usual.
　Her stance was different than usual.
　And above all, her sword flashes were strangely dull.

　Futa's mimicry does not mean that she imitates the movement in front of her.
　He mimics the trajectory.

　That is why Lilac knew very well that she would not be able to adjust to the "moderation".

　Although it was more than a little annoying that she learned this fact not by her own hand, but in a match between someone else and Futa.

　The beginning of the fight, which had made Izuna Sienzan say "wait and see".
　Futa's thoughts turned to her sword.

　Now, what is she aiming for?

　Every time they cross swords, the sparks that fly between them explode as they look at each other.


　Is the fire in her blue eyes just a reflection, or is it her innermost thoughts?

　She was looking forward to fighting Futa in Spectacular, and Futa knew it.

　It was the first time, and Futa was looking forward to it in his own way.
　However, it was true that he and Lilac had different feelings.

　Spectacula is the name of an arena. It's not the name of a martial arts tournament. 　
　After all, you'll have many opportunities to cross swords with her here in the future.

　So, Futa thought that he had a stronger desire for this match than she did.

　Now he realized that he was mistaken.

　Lilac's desire to defeat Futa.

　It seems...

　Lilac's desire to overthrow Lilac M. Fangini was just as powerful.

　Lilac's biggest miscalculation was that it was not Futa but Futa Pomodoro who was in front of her.

　But as they crossed blades, that feeling faded away.

　The person in front of me is still Futa.

　As they clashed swords, the feelings they had for their opponent grew stronger than the black feelings that had been building in their hearts.



　--That's why it's a hidden gem.



　I knew that he was aiming for something.
　I knew that he was going for something. Lilac thrusts at Futa with a posture as if she were going to hit him from the shoulder.
　Futa's eyebrows shot up slightly at the unseen movement.
　But that's nothing to be surprised about. He dealt with it calmly.

　At that moment, Lilac raised the corner of her mouth at an angle that Futa couldn't see.

　You can't be losing over and over again and have zero success each time.

　Futa was not surprised when she acted on the spur of the moment.
　He just goes about dealing with it calmly... but what is this "calmly dealing with it"?

　Each time he has a different weapon.
　His moves are just tricks.

　So what does he mean by "calmly"?

"Yes, that's what I would do.

"What?

　The flash of the sword is quick. You'll be able to use your own weapon to strike down Huta's contessa.

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

I'm not sure what to do.

　The blade flew through the air with a light crisp sound.

　The corner of Lilac's mouth rises as she immediately readies her contessa.

I'm not sure I want to use it. It's a technique that I've never had the desire to use and have only read about in books. It's not cool, and it's not very efficient, is it?
"...... I see.

　So.
　If you're looking to mimic the trajectory of your training, you'll want to look at the techniques you knew before the Court's own style of swordsmanship became your own.

　In the face of the blade that was pointed at him, Futa had no choice but to reposition the Konzesh, which was still half broken.

　The girl in front of him had no chance.
　If he was not careful, the contessa would fly at him.

　Apparently, this is where it all begins for her today.

"I won't give you time to change your ...... weapon.

　She said.
　Lilac glanced at Huta's waist.

　A few swords have been on his hip since that day.

　But Futa gave a small shake of his head.

I'm fine.

　That could be pride, depending on how you look at it.

For example, if I had made a deal with Ocean before I met Lilac-sama, I don't know if I would have been able to contain my weakness to wield this power as my own.

　Many of the spectators here don't know any heroes who know how to use Soukai Hato Ryu.
　So when Futa uses this technique, it will seem "original" to them.

　In the past, I would have been drowning in the power I craved to look good.

But I'm different now.

　He pointed the broken end of his contessa at Lilac.

But I'm different now. That's why I'm stuck.
"......

　Lilac gritted her teeth.

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

　That's right.
　I'm not sure what to make of that.

I'm not going to let you get away with this.
Yes.

　At that moment, Lilac unleashed her full contessa.



I don't understand.

　At the commentary table, one of the commentators had abandoned his commentary.

　I thought the odds of winning were 100 percent Futa Pomodoro.
　I still understand that Kontse was broken. But.

"Why doesn't he draw his sword?

　I don't understand. The moment he grasped the sword, the game would have been won.
　I'm not sure what to do.

I'm not sure what to say. I've got a very important ...... promise to make. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.



　The pasta knew.
　He doesn't draw his sword. You don't use a sword in a fight. He knew why.
　That's why the gentle, kind tone fills the spectacle.

　I dare you. She said these words on purpose.
　That's what she said when she first introduced Futa, and that's what she said when she said, "I'm glad to see you, big brother.

　He is trying to dominate the audience and is trying to inflame their emotions towards Futa in this way. The only problem with ...... is that you can't tell if he's acting or if he really means it.

　However, the "problem" doesn't affect many people.
　However, Pasta will do its best to make this place more exciting.

　That's what Motisuke is for, and that's what Izuna is for.

　He knew that Motisuke was a human being with little understanding of human emotions. Therefore, the plan to use her is as you can see.

　The fact that Izuna was doing a decent job with the commentary, and that his charisma as a fighting swordsman was still intact in the commentary, was both unexpected and more than expected.

"You're cutting corners for a promise?
"I'm not cutting corners!

　In fact, some audience members may feel the same way as Mochisuke.
　But in Pasta's opinion, they're not our customers. But Pasta says they are not his customers.
　Pasta's job is to minimize the number of spectators who are indifferent to the fight and get them emotionally invested in one side or the other.
　And if possible, get as many people on Futa's side as possible.

　To do that, he needed the help of this commentator, not Pasta alone.

Mochisuke, you are a fool.
"Why is that, Master?
Hahahaha!

　Izuna is watching the game with a big smile on his face.

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

　In the event that you've got any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, we're here to help.

　However, his frustrated words were good news for the audience.

You can't tell when you don't have a real weapon.
"Hahahaha!

　It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has a problem with this.

　--So far, so good, just as Pasta had calculated.
　In contrast to Motisuke's emotionless words, Izuna dominates the scene with her emotions. Pasta's understanding as a "manager" was that this would contribute the most to the excitement.
　It was a natural answer, considering that the match between Futa and Izuna had been so exciting. But.

"That's fine, sword fighting is... Hey--

　Izuna breathed in and shouted to the crowd, as if he was introducing the players with pasta.

You think so too, don't you?

　The loud cheers that seemed to come from the crowd had nothing to do with the game on the field.
　But the tremendous anticipation that was concentrated on the field quickly made the audience captive to the "fighting sword.

...... Hey, what's up pasta. What's wrong, Pasta? Are you unhappy that you weren't told that your brother would win?
"No, no, not at all!　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
Is that so?　That's normal. Don't take your eyes off the game. --I'm talking to you, too!　Leave the toilet for later!　This fight will probably be over sooner than you think.

　The crowd cheers again.

No, it's actually awesome.

　Pasta mutters quietly, squinting.

　The match is still tightly contested.

　If what Izuna says is true, this match will end sooner rather than later.

　But then again, is this really a victory?

　I think back to the match between Lilac and Bob.
　That was a shocker for Pasta.
　A mere guard. At first he had been booed, but then the crowd, with the princess in front of them, had pushed him back.
　She didn't know much about Bob's feelings.
　She doesn't know much about Bob's feelings, but the feeling of unity in the audience is vivid.
　The heat that swelled beyond Pasta's intentions was welcome, but it was a situation that logic could not analyze.

　I thought that Izuna was the best solution to create that heat, and that is why I had arranged it so well.

　In fact, thanks to Izuna and Mochisuke, the fever was on the rise.

　However, the excitement that Pasta sees in his mind's eye is a fever for the sword fighting, not a fever for the match between Lilac and Futa.

　The ratio of cheers for Futa and Lilac, which at one point had fallen to 1:9, is slowly turning in Futa's favor as the odds become unpredictable.

　The tide is definitely in our favor. You can be sure of that.

　But if it ends here, it won't change.

　It's a battle you just can't lose.

　In the past, I might have been satisfied with this, might have been able to take home a good result.

　But...

It's your fault. ......!



　There's a dirty slumming "red-haired" man in rags who tells you from the bottom of his heart that it's not enough. Soaking wet and alone in the rain. Soaking wet in the rain, alone, hungry and crying, biting down on nothing but helplessness.

　Ever since then, I've never had the taste of victory.

　So worn out I'd forgotten. I forgot that I was even hungry.

　But now, for some reason, I suddenly remember.

　It's not over yet.
　It's not over.

Please.

　All that's left is to hope that Futa can take this fever and make it his own.

"What's your win?"

　Hey, if you can do it...

"If I can do it, I will do it.

　I want my dream to come true.