In the soaking rain.
　A little red-haired girl in a small slum crying.
　Hungry, she cried.

　She cried and cried and cried all the way.

　She got cold and wet from the rain. She couldn't feel her skin.
　Wild dogs swarmed and chased her away.
　I'm exhausted, I'm sleepy.

　Before you know it, you've forgotten you're hungry.

　You don't even know what you want anymore.

　Before you know it.
　I was just desperate to live.









　-Arena Spectacula.


　Futa wields a broken sword with no hesitation.

　The reach is too short to function as a thrusting sword, yet his fighting spirit remains undiminished.

　That's why Lilac raised the corner of her mouth slightly and wielded the Konzesh.

　Of course, there are few players who would cut corners in a game against Huta.

　Each of the players put forth their best effort in a different way, but by playing all of their cards, they found a small chance to win.

　The experience of having one's weapon destroyed was one that Futa had experienced many times.
　What made Lilac superior was that she was able to achieve this result using a weapon of the same strength.

　For example, Ocean Big Wave's world's most powerful sword, the "Seven Seas Conqueror", could more than likely be broken by a few blunt blows.

　However, the swordsmen who aimed to destroy the weapon first brought better weapons than what Futa could provide.

　Lilac may have been the first person to succeed in overcoming the challenge with skill alone.

　But... if we focus on the one point that his weapon was destroyed. For Futa, it wasn't that unusual.

I'll go.

　He struck and repelled all of Lilac's thrusts.

　You can find a lot of people who are interested in this kind of thing.

I'm not sure what to say.　I'm not sure what to do.
What?　Seriously? That's more than I expected.
Is that so?
I thought Futa was going to be pushed around a bit more, but...

　I was expecting Futa to be pushed back a little more, but Izuna's voice stroking her chin drew cheers for Futa, who was fighting better than expected.
　But Lilac, for her part, brushed off her long hair and spun around on her left foot. She filled her body with gorgeous kinetic energy and then thrust out a sharp blow.

Courtly Sword Art: Gryjumod

　That tremendous blow is like a purple lightning with wind, a stunning feat.
　The colorless cheers of the crowd turned lilac as they realized that she was the strongest in the kingdom.

　You can find a lot of people who are interested in this kind of thing.

　--But Futa kept her cool.

　So it's important to keep her from unleashing the technique?
　Not really. The audience would be excited to see her give it her all. What I have to do does not change even in this disadvantageous situation.

　All you have to do is swing your sword.

"Why did you think you'd be cornered?
'Hmm?　Yeah, that's why.

　Izuna's explanation did not reach Futa.
　But Futa himself was slightly surprised.

　He was dealing with Lilac with a broken sword.
　And yet, his mimicry of her worked, and he was able to follow her path.

　As soon as her eyes turned golden, the corners of her mouth lifted.

"You're an amazing person, you know that?
The first time I thought of it, I hated myself for it.

　Crossing swords.
　There is no doubt that he is at a disadvantage.
　But Futa's body remembered.

"Normal people don't train for breakage.

　That's not true.
　The girl in front of him had been training even when her own sword was broken.

　If you think about it, it's not surprising. There is no way that she, who had prepared so much for the unexpected, would not have imagined that her own sword would be useless.

But...

　But..." The sword was sharp.

"I don't know--maybe this will be more to my advantage?

"I don't know.

　I'm not sure.

　I'm not sure what to do.
　I can handle it. But this...

One. Even if you've been training, you'll never be able to compare to me.

　Futa's contessa was flicked up.
　Lilac's next move comes as Futa's eyes widen.

"One. The fact that you can half-heartedly imitate me makes it easier for me to read.

　Lilac's imitation. This is the reason why Futa's weapon is broken.


　Likewise, her imitation could be a setback.

　A blow to the empty torso.

One. Since I met you, I don't practice defending myself alone. That is...

"Gryjumod.

　The same time Futa was bracing himself for trouble.

It's only the past me!

　With all his might, he unleashed a strike that was even more powerful and beautiful than the previous one.

　It was only because Futa's response was delayed.

　The basics of fighting swords -- the basics of fighting against others is to prevent your opponent from doing what they are good at.
　"Don't let them go all out.

　The more you neglect to deal with your opponent, the more he is free to move and perform his best moves in a near perfect condition. This is how a winning pattern is constructed.

　The thunderbolt struck Huta in the torso from the waist, sending a powerful wind through the air.

　Dust flew across the field, and the crowd let out a collective "aha".

　The roar of the wind originated in the center of the field.

"Is that it?

　Even Izuna muttered involuntarily.
　Even Pasta swallowed his breath.

　He knew Lilac's skill as he knew it.
　But he didn't know the extent to which it would work against Futa.

　He clenched his fists.

　The word "lose" flashed through my mind.

　Strategic retreat is the norm for managers. Normally, it would be natural for her to back off now and think of a recovery plan.

　And yet...

　Why?

　Why does my heart scream "no" so loudly?

"No.

　There was still no sign of the two of them in the cloud of dust, a time of waiting for the audience.
　A child's voice that does not read the air in a venue that is filled with heat but eerily quiet.

　The smoke clears.

　The princess, the corners of her mouth twisted in amusement, shakes her outstretched arm and looks at the tip of the thunderbolt she failed to fire.

　A purple lightning bolt that should have been a perfect shot. It never made it to Futa's throat.

"If this is how it ends...

　The tip of the short contessa met Lilac's sword head-on.

The Master is not defeated.

　The crowd erupted in cheers, as if all the heat had been released.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha!

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

I told you!　I told you so!　I told you that you can be a bit stupid, but you can also be sharp sometimes!

　I'm not sure what to make of this.

I'm sure you'll agree.

　A sigh of admiration escapes.

　It's true. Konzesh is a fine sword. It's a sharp-edged weapon that specializes in stabbing.

　How many. Yes, no matter how half-broken and shortened and thickened the tip is.

"I don't think I can take it this perfectly.

　The blade and the blade are at odds with each other.
　You can understand why she smiled.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing. 　

You'll be able to find a lot more information on this topic in the following article.
"Master Lilac folded it so neatly. I'm grateful that Master Lilac folded so neatly.
You really are ......!

　Lilac's sword is slowly distorting as their power struggle breaks down.
　For a moment, you think it's a bad idea. In a moment, you think it's a bad idea. You pull back slightly and unleash a surprise stab at Futa.

　Futa, knowingly, sways to avoid it.
　Lilac moves out of the way in the momentary void.

"A sword fight only takes a moment. I thought the princess could have won this one.
"Oh, I see. ......
"Hahahahaha!　Don't be so blatantly relieved. You love your brother!
That's not why.
"Well, I envy you. Hey you guys!　It's not that I don't like him... but I don't care if it's a girl, a mother, a daughter, a sister, or anyone else. If you're a boy with a girl, you know what I'm talking about.　You can't lose this one, Futa!

　Pasta's face turned red for a moment, but he regained his composure, desperately telling himself that this was the right role for him to play.
　And then he felt Izuna tugging on his sleeve.

'Master. Where's the girl?


"And the girl!

　Izuna Sienzan was sometimes very messy.

　Someone you want to show off your cool side.
　Someone you want to show off your cool side.

　If you can think of someone like that, you can probably understand how Futa is feeling right now.

　Yeah, I know," said Izuna, lowering his eyes for a moment.

　The reason I was too cool was because I didn't want to show my uncool side.

　It was Izuna Sienzan, of all people, who was stung the most by what he had just said.

The reason why the game wasn't decided might be the feelings.
"What?
The cross-section of a broken sword is, of course, rickety. You don't think about using it to catch it. If you don't think about it, you won't be able to use it in a moment's notice.

　There is a saying that the body moves on its own in times of emergency.
　But that's the hand that your unconscious plays for survival. There is no good move or bad move, it is the ultimate in desperation.

　That is why your body, your eyes, and your unconscious think, "I can do this somehow," and the cards appear in front of you. It's called the body moving on its own.

　One wrong move and he could have lost, but he made that move and won the bet.

　Why did he win? Izuna attributes it to feelings.

I'm sorry, but... Oh, d*mn it. I can feel you wanting to win more than I did. I'm sure the princess is quite proud of herself for making Futa feel that way.
"Big brother ......
I'm not sure if it's for the princess, but for my sister!　I'm not sure.
"Izuna-san: ！！！！！！！

　Who is it for?

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　Futa didn't hear the explanation, and no one but Futa would know the reason for his spur-of-the-moment response.

　How did he know that the cross section was beautiful?
　Because he was checking the cross-section to make sure he didn't hurt Lilac in any way. If the fragment turned out to be a flying object, it would not be an accident.

　My body moved because I wanted to win.

　For example, if this was just a mock battle. If he hadn't done so well, he might have gotten a blow from Lilac and handed her the victory with a smile that said, "Well done.

　That's because she wasn't really fighting, of course, but also because she was admiring the way Lilac had combined a brand new strategy with a technique she had never seen before. And above all, it's a one-shot deal after all. Once you've seen it, it won't work on Futa anymore.

　Lilac knew that. She used a move here that would never work in the future. And I'm sure she doesn't understand the significance of being defeated.

　I don't want her to lose.
　I don't want her to lose, but it's frustrating, and most of all.

　If the reason I was able to move on the spur of the moment was because of Lilac.
　It's another thing to say who that victory is for.

But not yet!

　Even breaking the sword will be dealt with next time.
　If that's the case, I'll use the advantage of the broken sword, which I won't have in the future, to make sure I get this victory.

　With that in mind, Lilac unleashed another Konzesh!


　The outpouring of cheers pushed the spectacle to its largest ever level of excitement.
　Lilac uses the advantage of having broken the sword to hunt him down thoroughly.

"Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah!

　Izuna's emotions are mixed as she shouts with joy.

　The victory over Futa, which she could not have achieved on her own.
　The victory over the champions, the victory we could not achieve ourselves.

　The girl who is about to jump over that, even if it's only a one-shot performance, is the swordsman wielding the sword in front of her.

　There is a part of me that is glad that it was she who picked up Futa.

　But still, somewhere in the back of his mind, the swordsman's heart cries out that he wants to be the one to give her the first black star.

　I don't want you to lose. I want to defeat him. I want the taste of victory so badly that it burns and rumbles through my chest that I am the one who will rise to the top.

　And yet, you still feel the need to cheer for the princess, because you trust that Futa can't lose.

I know how you feel, princess!

　Because the aspiration to surpass him is the same.

　I'll wield the Konzesh, once or twice.
　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.

　You're a master of your craft, and you've won before, no matter what your weapon.
　The shortness of the sword makes it possible for him to defend himself with ease, and the fact that his opponent's weapon is a light kontzesh makes it even better.

　However, their swordsmanship was definitely even.

　Lilac saw a chance to win because her assumptions were correct.
　That is to say, even if he was more skilled than he had been in the past, he would still be able to compete with his current self.

"Go!　Your Highness!
Princess!
Please, win!
You're the strongest!

　The crowd cheered and cheered and cheered for the spectacle.
　The fans who rushed to the venue, hoping to catch a glimpse of Princess Lilac, really showed their feelings in their boisterous cheers. 　




　But -- and the girl clenched her fists.


"d*mn it, this is the end, Futa!
Don't make Pasta cry!
Don't make Pasta cry!
Shut up and win!
I don't want to listen to a loser's commentary on the final!

　I wonder if most of the people yelling and screaming are from people who are used to the arena and the rough stuff.

　No, no.

"Good luck, Pasta-chan's brother!
Go!
Don't lose to Pinto!

　"Don't lose to Pinny!" Do they see her as a hero, fighting even after her sword is broken?
　Does Pasta-chan's big brother, who has become a familiar idol, seem like her own big brother?

　The children's cheering is gradually gaining strength.

　In terms of numbers, the ratio is still a good 3:7.
　But it's clear, it's clear, it's clear, it's clear.

　I gulped.

　Their voices.
　If, for example, the calls for Princess Lilac were outweighed by the cheers for Futa. That's a "what"?

　It's...

　Victory.

"Futa. ......

　The force in her clenched fist is so strong that her nails could bite through the skin, or they could crack and crack - she doesn't even realize what's happening to her body.

　What she sees are two people dancing on a field. A large battlefield. Spectators. Spectacle.

　A wide-angle view is the essence of a "manager".
　She tries her best to find the flow of this venue from the two people in the center, who are easily distracted.

　This is where it's going to happen. My instincts tell me so. A whisper is enough, but she raises her voice like a heated audience.


　The man who wields the conch at the center of this world has done what he had to do.

　All you have to do is fight. It was a sword with a strong conviction that made even an expert swordsman say it was a technique of "feeling.

　I'm not stupid enough to know what it's for.


　--One day, in my room, we talked about our goals.

　"One day, in his room, they discussed their goals. After some "heel" talk, they decided to turn the arena into an event where all swordsmen would try to surpass Huta. 　

　--One day, he was caught napping in his study.

　One day, he was caught napping in his study. He thought he had made a lifelong mistake, but what he was told in return was a wish he could not ignore. It gave me even more motivation to devote myself to my work.

　--One day, in the cafeteria, I made a list of things I hated.

　One day, in the cafeteria, I made a list of things I hated. He didn't know at the time how much the words "I'm going to win" meant to him.

　--One day, he found hope in the audience.

　One day, in the audience, he found hope. His turn of phrase, which had started as a silly argument in the middle of the night, was filled with certainty.

　--one day, he cut the hair he'd shared for years.

　One day, I cut my hair after many years.

　--One day, for the first time, I made a splash in the arena.

　I'll never forget that sunny "thank you" in the evening.


　--It's raining.

　Warmth is not for scoundrels. Soaking wet suits you, I thought back to the past. I was miserable in front of a man with his hands full.



　--One day, I acted like I was trying to get the bad guy back.

　One day, I tried to get the bad guy back, but it was too late, and his game made me feel like I couldn't control myself.



　--And then one day...



"Don't make lemonade by yourself.



"Let me ask you something.



"What's your win?"




　I gave you a dream.




"Mine.



　My trembling lips moved of their own accord.
　The only thing I could do was to take my hand off the magic weapon.



"Winning."




　--I don't know. I've only ever experienced defeat.




You win!　You win. ！！！！！！　Hoota ！！！！！



　Ours. Ours.




　Win.




　That's why you're swinging that sword, isn't it?





"Oh!

　It's not like my voice was heard.

　--It's my turn to make your dreams come true.

　But the feeling that fills their hearts is the same.

　I'm going to make your dream come true.
　He is the strongest swordsman in the kingdom with his amazing skill.

　But with a broken and dull body on the receiving end, it's hard to find a way to win.



　Still, now he's a futa-pomodoro .

"Master Lilac.

　He says to his relative, the most powerful sword in the kingdom.

"Indeed. I'm sure you're not the only one. I think it's easy to read. But...

　The way you point your short, useless stabbing blade straight at me is truly 'unbreakable heart'.

"My mimicry will bring out the best in you that you once had. There is no reason to lose.
"......, huh?

　Stance.
　Our eyes intertwine.

　--First move.

　Swords clashing with swords.
　A sharp concussion binds each and every one of Futa's actions.

"--
"Well said. But I'm not going to let this opportunity pass me by!

　His eyes widen at the roar.

　A cheer erupts.

　Izuna, Motosuke. And I don't know what he's talking about.
　I don't know what he's talking about, but he's decided that this is his best chance to win.


　He can do it. There was a note that said.


　"When a person who does not usually show his emotions shows them for the sake of someone else, he can gain the attention and sympathy of a large public."

　Futa remembered that sentence carefully.


"I can't lose, either!


　Howl.
　At the same time, swords clashed against swords for what seemed like the millionth time. 　


　And yet, you stay focused. I'm going for the win head on.

　Even with this unreliable sword, I will go on the offensive.

　Because I...


　--I'm betting on you, aren't I?


　Because he bet on me.







　Even though I kept losing, I had no one else to bet against.

　I've felt so helpless so many times.
　And still there was no one on my side.

　Even if I had someone to lend a hand, I couldn't trust them with my wish.

　Always holding the wager, you keep betting on yourself.

　I'm 14 years old and I've never known victory.


　Hey, God. I don't need you.

　What if I wished... I'd trust you. If I had to bet, I'd bet on one person.


　Just once.

　Just once. Just once.

"Just once, let me win. ......!!!


　She squeezed out her voice, not even caring about anything spilling from her eyes.

　The sword of the man who entrusted his heart to you is just beyond your gaze.
　The sword she wields doesn't have the appearance to be called "gorgeous", but it is.

　It's a torrent of fighting spirit that everyone can see. 　


I'm not sure what to say.


　The commentator slammed the table and shouted excitedly.
　The commentators pounded the table and shouted excitedly, wondering what was going on.

　Because now, the offense and defense have clearly switched.

"The strongest in the kingdom!　Will you surpass the strongest in the kingdom with your broken sword?

　The speed at which the two fighters are cutting across each other below their eyes has been heating up since the start of the match.
　It's not as long as the semifinals, and even though it's a short battle as Izuna said it would be, the tireless acceleration is no ordinary battle.

What's going to happen now?
Can you do it?
Futa.

　The audience's fever was rising as well.

Don't lose.
Come on.
You're gonna win.

　Their cheers are like waves. The cheers are thrown onto the field like a slam.

　It's hard to tell who they're cheering for.
　The cheers for Lilac, the cheers for Futa.
　The combined sound of 5,000 souls.

　It was better than any music, but Futa was too focused to hear it.

　So all I could understand was the pasta.

　Obviously.
　The wish. That roar. And that fighting spirit of not wanting to lose.



　You've definitely got the crowd on your side.

　The heat was now 5:5, evenly matched.

"Futa, good luck!

　He seemed to be surprised, but he dared to call him a name.

"What the hell!　You call me by my name at home?
"I've been found out ......, but I can't keep up the pretense anymore!　I can't pretend to be something I'm not when I'm under the spell of this thing!
You're the best in the kingdom.　The best in the kingdom or the former champion, whoever wins!　Oh, sword fighting is so much fun. ！！！！！！

　Live commentary is "fuel".

　I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not.
　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

　The song is a spectacle of a naked heart that has nothing to hide.

"Futa!
"Futa!
Hoota!

Princess!
Princess!
"Your Highness!

　The heat of the chorus was now directed at the only two swordsmen.

　The song of the fighting swords continues to resonate as if they were striking iron from a furnace with great care.

　That's why.

"I'll decide on this, Lilac-sama--!

　As Izuna said, victory is fleeting.

"Come on!

　Futa's technique mimicked his former self.
　If that was all, he could have handled it as a backward compatible of himself.
　I know that even a mere imitation is superior to me, so even if it's the old me, I'll be up against it.

　But that's why I thought that I could get even with the old me.
　In fact, he was right, and up to this point, the fight was evenly matched.

　That's why Futa was forced to go on the offensive.
　He had trained himself to be defensive. No matter how much he trained the self of that day, when his first priority was to save lives, his offensive skills were inferior to the self of today, who wanted to become a sword fighter.

　Hoping to win, Futa twisted his body and unleashed a stab.

Imitation: Lilac M. Fangini, Court Martial Arts: Gryjumod.

"That's what I've been waiting for!

　Lilac waited with her stabbing sword for Futa to attack.
　The difference in reach is the difference in stabbing.

　Even if you start out slow, the length of your sword can make up for it.

　That's why the biggest trap is to stab with all your might.

You can't do that, Futa!

　So even Izuna raised his voice.

　The lilac contessa looms over Futa's abdomen.
　His own is still in the process of being released.

　I knew I couldn't reach him at this rate.

　There was a scream from the side that had been cheering Futa on.

　This was the moment when Lilac's contessa was about to go underneath Futa and pierce him.

(Imitation: Lilac M. Fangini = Royal Court Swordsmanship: Snow)

　From the flapping down.

　Kicking and punching.

　As if time had stopped, a moment of silence reigned over the spectacle.


　It's a move that will bring you back to life after you thought you were doomed.


"What?
"Excuse me, Miss Lilac.


　You can't do this. Lilac's mind goes blank.

　But she's brilliant, isn't she? She immediately found the answer to why this was happening.


　--So far, they were evenly matched, because Futa was an imitation of his former self.

　That's what Futa had made him think.

　Why on earth did I assume that Futa wouldn't play any tricks on me?


"This is my 'all-out' effort."


　Thinking about it.
　"This is my 'full power'." Looking back, I've had many 'fights' with him.

　But this is the first time I've ever had a full-on fight with him.



"Aaaaahhhhhh!




　The crowd erupted in cheers.

"Madge? Oh, shit, I was fooled too!　I've been fooled! He's been hiding this from me!

"I see. I didn't see that coming.

　If the commentators are in an uproar, it is impossible for the audience not to get even more excited from the momentary heat.

　The fever of excitement is the fever for the current attack and defense.

　In other words.

　The girl in the stands was the only one who noticed.

"Oh, .......



　Huta thrusts his broken sword at Lilac and points it at her.

　The referee, Mion, raised his hand and shouted a declaration.

"The winner--Futa Pomodoro!




Oh, yeah!
We won!
Hooter!


　The cheers directed at him were indeed .


"Sixty percent. ......
No, no. Pasta Pomodoro.

　She muttered to herself. She turns fearfully to see the commentator staring at her.

The crowd cheered. I'd say the audience cheered for Futa Pomodoro slightly more than 70 percent of the time.
"What?


　Amidst the incessant calls for Futa.

　In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a few things you can do.

I'm not sure what to say.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　He looked up and made eye contact.


　He looked up and made eye contact with me. I guess he was honestly following the rule of not showing emotion even if you win.
　A small gesture he makes with no expression on his face.


"It's so dumb. ...... What is that?


　Remembering one day, she laughed at Futa.

　This time they kept eye contact with each other.

　He wiped his eyes and jabbed his thumbs together in response.














　In the soaking rain.
　A little slum girl with red hair was crying.
　Hungry, she cried.

　She cried and cried and cried all the way.

　Suddenly, raindrops were blocked by a shelter.
　She looked up and saw a young man holding out an umbrella.

　He gently offered me a piece of bread from his pocket.

"Can I have some ......?

　He said as he slowly pulled his chin back.

　I hope I can repay you at least.

　The little girl shook her head, "Not at all.

　It's enough.

　She hugged the warm bread carefully.

...... Thanks.

　The little girl, who had only laughed, laughed, laughed, and threw a pact.

　--I'm not sure what to say.



　I'll be back in a few days.