That day. The venue was packed for the first time since the first day of the tournament.

　On the outside of the hall, there was a banner that read, "The Final.

　Aylan B. Smiles vs. Futa Pomodoro

　With tickets in their hands, the crowd rushed to the entrance gate.
　The staff who handle them are also busy. Shouts of abuse echoed everywhere, and from the crowded plaza, people were digested into the entrance gate one after another like an hourglass.
　Once inside the arena, the crowd spread out again in search of a seat, and it really was like a beehive.

There are 20 gates!　Please enter according to the numbers on your tickets!
"Hey, who do you think will win?
I've seen all of Arawn's fights.
I can't believe the princess is going to lose.
Avenge Master Richter, please ...... please ......!

　Buzzing. No, woo-hoo-hoo.
　The noise was so loud that I couldn't even hear my friend next to me.

　The flames shoot up with a bang.

　The flag of the kingdom and a banner with swords and blades indicating a martial arts tournament. Between the banners on the outer wall of the arena, a magical pillar of fire rises.

　With the crowded spectators, the spectacle hall, which should have been able to hold over five thousand people, was now overcrowded.
　There must be so many people standing in the aisles that you can hardly walk.

　It can't be helped. Today is the "final".
　It's the day when all the games they've seen - the paths they've taken - come to an end.

　There were so many people inside and outside the spectacle that the square and the main street were almost empty.
　A carriage pushed its way through the crowd.
　The guard shouted at them to get out of the way, and they somehow made their way toward the spectacle.

　Inside the carriage, the curtains were closed and two men and a woman were sitting side by side.

Don't open the window, please.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry, I was just wondering.
If you do, you won't even be able to make it to the game.

　His gaze is piercing.
　If it weren't for the large stuffed bear on her lap, she'd have a very good idea of what the manager was looking at.

　At her suggestion - and almost by force - we had taken a carriage to Spectacula today.
　Until yesterday, they had entered the spectacle in separate groups or from the officials' seats before the start of the show, so their time never coincided with that of the audience.

　Today was the final. Just one game.

　There were not so many things to prepare, so naturally the officials would arrive late.
　It was easy to imagine the panic that would ensue if the two of us walked in here together without a care in the world.
　Pasta, for example, would not only be drowned by people and not be able to reach the spectacle, but would also be grabbed by children and be unable to move.

　You're dealing with customers. You can't just blow them up or push them away.

　So, Fouta was convinced that it was the right decision to come by carriage.

I can't believe so many people showed up for a game between ...... me and Aylan.

　He muttered to himself.
　There are no other matches.
　There were no other games going on, they had come to watch the final game.

　Futa couldn't help but wonder why.

　No, he already knew that. They've done it. We did it.
　We were able to reach our dreams.

　But when they appeared in front of me in reality, I couldn't help but feel strange.

You're one of the best ever, aren't you?
That's true, but...

　Futa crosses his arms in the carriage.
　The girl next to him tilted her head to peer at Futa.
　Half of her cheeks are buried in a stuffed animal head, making her look like a mere child.

Isn't that so?
In terms of popularity, I'd say she was probably second to last. Of course, that doesn't include me, does it?
I don't need your self-deprecation right now. You're seventh out of eight. Seventh in rank, seventh in popularity. That's easy to remember.
I don't think I'm going to remember that. ....... Of course, if you consider that you were the seventh most popular person at the Colosseum, you're quite a guy.

　In the case of the major classes of the Tenka Hassen, the Shakunotachi and Urushinotachi are swapped every season.
　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　However, considering that minor league games are also held at the Colosseum, even if they are treated as preliminaries, it can be said that their popularity has remained stagnant.

"To be honest, girls are usually popular just because they're girls.
Well, I suppose so.
The popularity of Prim and the other female player was incredible. The popularity of Prim and the other female player was so great that Aylin was a step down.
"That's true.

　The corner of Pasta's mouth quirked up.
　I want to ask what kind of violent colosseum is this, where Prim and Aylin are equally popular.



"Well, I guess you know what I mean. Popularity doesn't equal crowd support.
I suppose that's true.

　For example, let's say the third most popular player and the fourth most popular player are playing a match.

　The first cheer is overwhelmingly for the former.

　It's not a percentage versus a percentage.
　That's true. As long as there is a clear rating of who is the favorite in the crowd, you can only compare them to today's opponent.

　One difference in popularity, and the cheers go up in one color.
　The Colosseum was such a place.

　The only exception was the Lezard Blade Kid vs. Here, the cheers were clearly "split.

　But even with those two, the cheering was all over the place when it came to the San-no-Taito, so the status of popularity in sword fighting was tremendous.

　So what I'm trying to say is this.
　Aylin was the one who was not cheered in most of the matches (away from home), and with her and Futa's card, it was understandable that the audience would be filled to the brim, making Futa wonder if it was a dream or an illusion.

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"You mean like yesterday?

　Pasta nodded, "Hmm.
　Yesterday. That game where I outperformed the less popular Lilac.
　The first ...... victory of my life.

".......
What's wrong?
It's nothing.

　She found herself pressing her face into a stuffed animal.
　I can't help it. Just thinking about it fills my heart with joy, because it happened yesterday, so vivid in my memory.

　But then again, she's not equipped to forget.

At ....... You think it's funny that a final with two people of relatively low popularity is so popular?
"It's not that it's strange. Besides, we know that it's not just our popularity that attracts people.
Hmm. I see you've got that right.
It's a convention. ...... Just...

　Yeah. This is a tournament. It's not just a fight card.
　It's a trail of matches that they've seen before. That's the goal, and that's why everyone is coming to watch.
　Not for this game, but for the end of this tournament.

　But he also wanted to say that the turnout was beyond his imagination.

"Just what?
"I think I heard something about this before. I was wondering if someone like Aylin was the villain or the heel.
What makes you think that?
Didn't you say Aylin doesn't get much support in his matches?
Yeah.
In fact, they cheer for the other side more. "Don't let Aylin beat you.
I see.
That's why I think it's people like him who are the villains.

　Heel.

　I've been thinking that since he marketed himself as a commentary brother, his role was no longer necessary.
　But Pasta argued against it.
　I don't have a problem with his current achievements as a commentator. But that doesn't mean that his position and his characterization is strong enough to rely on that alone.

　The reason why he was able to surpass Lilac's popularity this time was because he was able to put in all the heat he had for one time only.
　Just as Lilac used a once-in-a-lifetime move, Futa and the others who opposed her popularity also used a once-in-a-lifetime move.

　The past is not a card that can be played over and over again.

　That being the case, Pasta was still thinking about Futa's characterization, and concluded that a villain (heel) would be the best choice.

　So, you know.

　Futa thought back to the image of Arawn, who used his dirty play to antagonize the audience and make himself popular with them.
　She may not have intended to do so, but he thought that a person like her would be the best choice for a villain (heel).

　But.
　Pasta sighs in exasperation.

"Huh... Just 'unemployed' after all."
I'm sorry.
I told you. I told you that wasn't helpful. It's not a villain, it's a heel.

　Pasta did not answer the question, "Then what is it?
　Instead, she told me.

"I'm not asking you to do anything bad. You're the wall of all fighters. I'd like to say that you're the absolute, the strongest of them all, but you're still too young to know better, so you'll just have to be irreverent.
...... Is that the guy you were talking about in your room sometime?
I think you remember.

　Hmm," sniffed Pasta.

　She seemed rather sure of it.


　Then Futa has no reason to doubt her.
　But what I didn't expect was... Arawn is not a villain.
　She's a villain, no matter how you look at it.

　But still.

　However, as long as Pasta's policy is the same, there is no reason for Futa to disagree.
　Just be irreverent.

　Seeing that the carriage had arrived in front of the entrance, Futa opened the door. He took one look at the gentleman and said.

"Hmm, thank you.
"I'm not asking you to behave like an important person, you idiot.

　He slapped me. 　　














　--The arena spectacle.

　The seats were filled to the brim, and it was truly spectacular.
　I hugged my stuffed animal tightly and looked around from the live seat.

　The taste of victory still lingers.
　But the heat was already gone from the spectacle, and it felt as if a wave of anticipation for today was gradually surging in.

"Hey, Pasta!

　A child of no more than ten years old waved widely at me, and I smiled and waved back.

"Pasta-chan!

　I wave back at the voice of the old man. I cover my mouth with a stuffed animal so that no one can see the corners of my mouth.

　Her position as my sister would be just right as a listener.
　It was such a simple idea, but it turned out to be an unexpected miscalculation.

　I don't want the rumor to spread.
　Maybe I should just retire. As for a replacement, well.
　Put Leafy in charge.

But is he going back to the country?

　He said something about an engagement.
　I'll at least give him a congratulatory gift.

　I guess he's not busy until the game starts.
　Because everyone is having a good time, the only toy they have is the pasta already in their seats.
　She thought about it as she responded to the incessant voices with a wave of her hand.

　She thinks back to the parting conversation with Futa.

"......1, there's something I don't understand.
"What?
"Why did Arawn quit the Colosseum?
"Isn't that the same as Prim and Izna?
"No.

　No,' said Futa, putting his hand over his mouth.

"To be honest, I've had the least amount of contact with Aylin. We've never even had a match.
'Oh, really?

　That was surprising.

So maybe he just stopped by during his trip.
That's ridiculous. ...... No, that's not why it matters to me. I don't think so.　I don't know.
I'm sure you'll agree.

　I've heard that Aylin quit quite early on in the process. 　
　If anything, the theory that he quit because of the flow of events should have emerged in the last Ocean.

If the story "I quit because everyone else quit. Wouldn't it hurt Ocean to hear that?
"I heard he retired after a proper send-off game. ......

　Anyway.

Well, if you're too embarrassed to ask me outright, I'll ask you.

　In any case, it's Pasta's style to ask before the game and include it in his entrance.

　Why did you quit the Colosseum?　Did I come after you?　It was certainly a hesitant thing to ask, considering Futa's personality.

　So she accepted.

　And the answer she got in Arawn's waiting room.

"......

　That's what bothered Pasta.

"Futa. You're really ...... guilty of a lot of things. ......

　Sigh.
　The story she told him was not something that should be introduced.
　I'll let them digest their fate on their own. ...... For introductions, let's talk about this tournament.

　So, as she lightly contemplated, a voice came from behind her.

It is true that the karma may be deep.

　She looks back.
　I think it was a bad idea for me to turn around with the stuffed bear," the voice said, holding her mouth to stifle a laugh.

　However, Pasta tilted his head, not feeling particularly moved by her.
　He stood up with the stuffed animal and made a token gesture of courtesy.

　I'm sure she knows what that means.

　The cheer that erupted was probably due to the fact that he could see her in the commentary section.

　I waved lightly, watched her take her seat, and sat back down in my seat.

You make such a lovely sister.


"I don't get it, Pasta-chan. You don't have much time, do you, princess?
Room? I'm not sure about ....... I didn't expect you to suggest such a thing.
Maybe. I'm surprised too. I wonder what he's up to?

　A nine year old with a cute smile.
　A pretty smiling nine-year-old and a beautiful young woman laughing at each other.

"How did defeat taste?

　"How did defeat taste? But the girdle melted and disappeared.
　The princess furrows her brow in displeasure, but the cold air soon takes over.

"How did your first victory taste?


I sucked. Well, you won't get to taste it again.
I was great, so I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't bother me.


Interrupting?　That's true. I'll be back soon.
Oh, you can keep your hand. I mean, your hand?
What is it?
They're not attached to your body, are they?　It's a glove anyway. Give it to me. My sister has enough on her hands.
Unfortunately, it's attached to your arm as well. Are you going to cut off my sister's arm?
Huh. Sis ......, you're not even going to apologize to your sister?


"Hey!


　The one who pulled off the dexterity of yelling in a whisper.
　The blonde hair came out from behind the two.

　The red-haired one blinking her eyes in surprise.
　The silver hair sighing in resignation.

　In front of Pasta, who was puzzled as to what was going on, the maid put her finger in front of the princess's face.

"Meh.
"...... in public.
It looks like the maid is giving the princess a message!　I mean, come on!　You can't rub your face like that in public!
Her face was made up, as was mine. You'd have to look closer to see it.
You're a child!

　You're a child!　And the crazy maid.

"Well... What is it, Corona?
"Noodles don't have to be on the warpath so soon. Mmm. Yes, Princess, apologize.
Apologize?　This guy?

　Lilac brushed away her hair, annoyed at Pasta's unintentional outcry.
　But when the maid took one look at her, she gave a small shake of her head at her angry appearance.

You said you were going to apologize. I'm not going to apologize for my actions, but I'm just going to go along with your actual situation or your business. Here.

　He pulled out a scroll from his pocket.
　There's a "contract" engraved on it.

　I will not go out with this woman without a contract.
　But... Yes, but...

　I'm sure you're not the only one.

"...... You can take it home once, like you usually do.
You can read it once, you can read it a hundred times, it doesn't make a difference. ...... If you really wanted to apologize to people. You wouldn't have put a trap here.
"......
"......?　You planted it?
No, I didn't. ...... I'm just puzzled by your suspiciousness.
"You're not going to apologize, are you?

　"You're not going to apologize, are you?" The tone of Pasta's voice was unintentionally Leafy.

　However.

　Pasta was the one who had started the fight.
　As long as he had prepared a "contract", Lilac might indeed have had something on her mind this time.

　Then we'll return the favor in good faith. That's all.


　It's business. It's not hard to shake hands with someone with a smile, even if you hate them enough to kill them.

　And strangely enough, I wasn't afraid of this woman anymore.
　Because...

"I can't let you harm my little sister, can I?
What?　...... Hey. Yeah, that's it.

　Lilac seems to get it. She's as quick-witted as ever.

　No wonder she clucked her tongue. Because this is...
　I don't mean Lilac's sister. The point is.

　You can't harm her family anymore, can you?

　Because it's a complete incentive.

"I'll let you off the hook as long as you're my sister.
"Fine. Pasta-chan, you can say whatever you want.

　But a shadow intervenes between the sparks flying between them.

"Please be nice.

　The angry maid was there.

　I have no intention of getting into a fight with her, basically.

　Pasta smiles at Lilac, who seems to have given up.

"Well, okay.

　From the commentator's seat, he could see a crowd of people waiting for the match.

"Good luck today, commentator?
"Yes, sir. I'll take care of the audience.

　For the first time, the sisters worked together.