The moment Futa's kick pierced Arawn's abdomen.
　The cheers of the spectacle club were the loudest of the day.

It's decided, isn't it?

　Mochisuke nodded to Izuna, who crossed her arms.

Yes. Yes, it went as expected.
"Well, yeah.

　He put his hand on her head with a pop. You'll need to have a good idea of what you're doing.

"Master, where to?
The closing ceremony is just making me sleepy. I'm going home.
Roger that. I'm in command.

　She follows him.
　Izuna smiled once at the field, or rather at the man standing there.

"Now I'm going to challenge the champion of this spectacle, ...... as the city's fighting swordsman. ...... Good for you, Futa.





"Huh.

　In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us.
　The two men who had created the heat of this fierce match were a flawed man and a murderer.
　The latter would be completely unconscious. But it didn't even matter.
　It sounds a little like Futa is the more skilled fighter, and that's not quite right. Nevertheless, they did indeed bring the audience to their feet with their skills.

　You are the sword that kills, and your opponent is the sword that kills.
　That's why I can't do sword fighting. I thought I couldn't act like my own bodyguard, but...

In fact, even if you and I had played the final, the outcome might not have been any different.

　That thought made me a little impatient.
　And I clenched my fists.

　If I could have a fighting sword...
　I wondered if there was something I could have done to reach the idiot who had come to watch the game yesterday.




I'm in.
I got it!

　Wind muttered, and Leafy's voice.
　It was the warriors who noticed first, after all.
　The weight of the perfectly caught blow was strikingly different from the previous attacks between the two.
　Corona, who was holding Ruri in her arms, was not sure what was going on, but she still smiled as if she was sure of Futa's victory.

It's a victory celebration today, isn't it?



　The spectacle club cheered loudly.
　The spectators are in a festive mood.

　The spectacle of the arena spectacle.

　The first combat tournament has come to a close.


"That's it!　The winner is Futa Pomodoro!


　The referee declares.
　The referee declared, "The winner is Futa Pomodoro!" The cheers literally exploded as she raised her hand, dressed in her butler's uniform.

"Yes!

　The princess, who was commentating, calmly spun her words as the emotions of the audience were revealed.

It's no surprise, but Futa's kick, which was timed to coincide with the release of the "Air Aria," was brilliant. Every musician knows the difficulty of improvising a solo afterwards, but it is also something that can be done with practice. The same piece may have turned out differently with just one change in the arrangement.
Thank you for your explanation!　Thank you for your explanation! Your explanation is very poetic!
"Is that so? I hadn't really thought about it.
"Do you do this on a daily basis?
What do you mean by that?

　For a moment, their smiles seemed to be overshadowed, but that was about it.

I thought that if I didn't have a lot of poetry on my mind, it wouldn't come out so easily!
'Yes, well. Yes, well, just for fun. --But in retrospect, it was a short game. But in retrospect, it was a short match, and in this frenzy, it's easy to forget.

　In the middle of the battlefield, there was a large crowd of people cheering for the Princess.

　In the middle of the battlefield, Mion grabbed Futa's arm and raised it to the sky.

　If the girl in the live audience glances at you, you will see that she is still obeying what she says and has a stern expression on her face. It's just.

It's just... it's like she's having fun.
"Yes, it does. You look like you're trying not to laugh.

　A voice from an unexpected place muttered.
　If you look at him, you'll see that he's looking at you annoyingly closely - he's staring at you with his lips pursed in thought.

I'm so glad we got to this point.
"...... today.
"Yeah, what?

　Her whisper was hard to make out over the din.
　In addition, they are the center of attention. In addition, they are in the center of attention, so they can't talk too loudly or express their emotions.
　So naturally, it's hard to hear what they're saying.

　I'm right next to them, and yet, here they are.



　It's nothing when you think about it, it's just the usual.

　Just so. Today.

Today, I'm sending you home. The end of the tournament is the end of the story. I'll at least allow you to celebrate.
Wow. I thought you were going to say something like, "......, it's over, you can't have it.
No, it's not trivial. It's just that we have a contractual relationship, and the words we say should be done in this arena. ...... So this is just to pay back one debt.
"...... owes," he said.

　I understand what you're trying to say.
　This "debt" is for the day a few days ago when she was chased out of her life.
　So - in a roundabout way - she's admitting fault for the first time.

　I don't want her to apologize.
　I'd like to see her face as she cries and begs for forgiveness, but it's a relationship (connection) you should have with someone, no matter how much you hate them.

　Then, if she admits her fault and says she will repay the debt, so be it.

　I look into the eyes of the princess.
　I can see the smoldering embers of regret behind her pretense of calm.

　Oh, really.

"That's--that's a lot of money, isn't it?
"Yeah, really. I hope this is the last one.
That's what I'm saying. Wouldn't it be better for you if you just forgot?
I'll tell you what, I'll tell you what.
I don't get it, Pasta.

　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them in the market.

I'm not sure what to say.

　Many voices were given to the winner, Futa.
　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

　Let's decorate the blue sky with a clean victory that will wash away all the things that have accumulated so far.

"The first champion is born!

　A sign of the pinnacle of this spectacle.


　The golden banner of victory where sword meets sword.


　










　The flag fluttered in the blue sky.

"Since ancient times.

　The princess standing on the battlefield, magic weapon in hand, spun her words as if to speak.

"Battle has been the power of life for people. To show that you are stronger than your opponent, to hunt your prey, and to defeat foreign enemies.

　It was the same phrase used at the start of the fighting tournament.
　As white petals were fluttered by the mages all over the arena, she was on the stage - and one other person.

　Children are flying around trying to grab the petals, finding amusement in their touch and disappearance.
　While the warriors are recalling the trajectory of this tournament and are excited by the difficulty and joy of reaching that place.
　As the spectators quietly realized the end of the tournament, they were sad but hopeful for the future.

　The young man was alone, watching the girl from behind.

"Changing weapons. Changing forms. A lineage that has been handed down from generation to generation, spun by people connected to the concept of battle.

　She waved her hands away as she sang, and turned around.
　The way she was excited about fighting was not that of a wicked man, but that of a warrior who also wanted to be a champion.

"This is where it ends.

　She turned to the young man and gently placed the magical device at his feet.

　It's a great way to get the most out of your business.

"Congratulations on your victory, Futa. After all - your dream is still far away.

　I want to be a champion in the arena.
　The dream was real, and the effort to achieve it was real.
　But I couldn't reach it. I didn't reach it, and I have a lot to regret.
　She never gave up.

　I'm sure she'll reach for this flag again with some secret plan that Futa never thought of.

　So Futa took it with a smile.

"I will never let go of this flag until you make your dreams come true.
"What?

　She looked up as if she was confused.
　Then she nodded, her cheeks tinting slightly.

"Yes, I will. You've got some ...... good lines now. --I'd like you to pledge to the champion, not to the flag, though that takes a little more practice.
Is that so?
Because I'm sure there will be other tournaments in the future that you won't participate in. Anyway, would you like to come along for a lesson sometime?
Please give me a break.

　I'm sure there will be other competitions in the future that you don't participate in.
　She picked up her magical device again and shouted over the thunderous applause.

"Here is your first champion!　His name is Futa Pomodoro!　Please give me a big round of applause!



　Once again, I let the loud cheers envelop me, and thought.





　I've been trained.
　I've been trained.
　Trained and trained.

　No one could beat Futa anymore.
　The audience became frustrated.
　His fights became less and less watchable.

　I'm not saying I've forgotten the past, nor am I carrying it.

　But I think again.

I am.

　I heard her murmur, and she turned around.

　I'm the first champion," she says, waving a flag so that no one can see her.

I'm a champion for the first time.




　That's not true.
　Not even him.


　It was the first time he had ever cried tears of joy.




　She smiled at him, and raised her voice to the masses once more.




"Here we are at the spectacle in King's Landing, Eisenhart.



　Now, the whole program is finished.



"I hereby declare the end of the First Annual Combat Games!





　The fighting tournament is over.


















　--At dusk.

　That was fun. I wonder when we'll do it again. I'll come back.

　With the family I came with. With friends who met up with us.
　And the friends I met this day.

　For them, this day has come to an end.

　Like a flower falling from its trunk. The frenzy of full bloom is over, and each one of them is going home.

　I wonder what the arena spectacle was like for them.

　It might have been a day's entertainment to console their daily infallibility.
　Maybe it was a newfound pleasure that they waited for every day.
　Or it may have been a reason for living since he became fascinated with the sword.

　Everyone has their own thoughts and feelings.

　Some talk with calm expressions. Some argue passionately.
　Others huddle and continue to call.

　However, there was one thing in common on everyone's face.

　Some were looking up at the spectacle of the sunset with regret, some were heading straight home with renewed spirits, and some were so absorbed in talking with friends and loved ones that they could see nothing but each other.

　None of these faces are ever looking down.


　That's why this show was such a success.


"A good manager. A good manager makes his customers feel good about paying.

　Spectacle's exterior escape stairs.
　She was at the highest point in the restricted section.

　Her face was half buried in her arms against the fence due to her lack of height, but the satisfied expression on her face could be seen from a distance.

　Likewise, her eyes could clearly see the expressions on the faces of the people on their way home.

I don't care if they're not customers.
"I see. Such as business partners?
Of course. We're in a mutually beneficial relationship, so there's no need for any kind of casual friendship.
I see. Well, I think there's nothing wrong with working in a good mood even if that's the case.
Huh. Amateur wisdom.
You're rude. I'm speaking from experience.
...... is annoying.

　Finally, with half an eye, she looked back.
　Futa, who was also watching the crowd on their way home, cowered lightly behind her.

"How did it go with Lilac-sama?
"How'd it go with Lilac-sama?" "She didn't even congratulate you on your win?
I thought you didn't care about people who weren't your customers.
You're not my business partner anymore. You're not my business partner anymore. Spectacla is over.
............ So be it.
What are you waiting for?
Shut the f*ck up.

　I'm not a business partner.
　She snickered at him.
　We're not business partners. He was not a business partner, much less a customer.
　So what kind of relationship is that? There's no need to delve into that.

"How was it with Lilac? That's a very vague question.
I just hope they get back together.
Can you please not say anything you don't mean?
I don't think so!　I know it's hopeless, but it's a wish!


Then it's a good thing you're not too disappointed when your dreams come true.
"So easy.

　Futa's shoulders slumped.
　It was something he could have imagined when the two of them were doing the commentary with masks on.
　He knew that this kind of shallow thinking would never bring them closer together.

"...... Just so.

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

At least I'm a little less inclined to tear you to pieces in front of me right now.
"Special disturbance.
"Isn't that better than hitting on perverts?
Now that you mention it, I can only rack up so many unpleasantness points.
You're still saving those?　Throw it away right now into a ditch or something ！！！！.

　"Huh," he exhaled.

"...... At least it's in the lending and borrowing category. At least we're in the lending/borrowing category, thanks to your shallow thinking.
"Oh, yeah?
But.

　Stick your finger in the air and say.

"My relationship with him will never be better than it is now. It's partly chemistry, partly past fate, but... ...... You know that, don't you?
"...... is...
"Occupation."

　I knew that.
　She bit her teeth and was at a loss for words.

　She finally said with colorless eyes.

"A career is the salvation of mankind. It's the only thing that keeps us hopeful about life even when we're forced to live alone. You know that, don't you?　"You know how hard it was for me to have my profession taken away.

　Futa nodded at the appealing look.
　That's right. Futa lost his job too. Although it is arbitrary to say that it was taken away from him. I can't deny the fact that I've lived a life of jumping into the mud as a result of the transfer.

　Just. Futa shakes his head.

I know what it's like to be tormented by your profession. Corona is fine now, but I'm sure her past is unimaginable to us. Mr. Lilac wants to change that. I know what you're going through, but being unemployed is a profession. We can't leave the suffering of those who were unemployed behind.
"......

　So.
　Futa can understand both sides of the argument very well.
　That's because he's an acquired "unemployed".
　The pain of total darkness, and the pain of having a job.

　You can't have one without the other.
　I don't think you can have it both ways. But somehow.
　Futa clutched his chest, wondering if there was anything he could do.

I didn't know. I don't know. But I'm hoping that the two of you are smart enough to figure something out. ......
...... That's not fair.

　I'm not sure there was time for such an intricate conversation in today's final.
　But... I don't know.

　You can't help but wish that you could have at least made some kind of a start.

All of this is your fault, Pasta.
You're shifting the blame too much. What are you talking about?
If you were just a scoundrel, I wouldn't be so worried.
What?

　Evil face for a girl of your age.
　It's not that she doesn't understand his tone of voice, as if to say, "If only I hadn't been bonded to this guy, I wouldn't have been troubled.

　But if you ask me...

"What are you talking about?

　He muttered as if to throw up.
　Why do you think I'm so upset about this?
　It's just that... I can't get you involved in a plot against the princess anymore.
　I wouldn't have bothered if I hadn't fallen for him.

What did you say?
It's nothing.
"That's what he said, isn't it?

　The next thing I know, the place is completely deserted. The main street is deserted, the sun is setting, a few ore lamps and stars illuminate the spectacle of the night.

　Finally, I began to descend the stairs.
　I walked a few steps away from Futa, whose face was usually far away from mine.
　It's too dark to see clearly, but if you can see too much, the loss wins.



Congratulations on your championship.
What's the matter with you?
I didn't tell you.
Oh, well. I'm not too happy about ...... being told by you.
What's that?

　It doesn't matter who said it to you.
　I'm not sure if you've seen this before.
　It was dark, so he couldn't see much, but he could hear the barbs in her voice.

　Futa scratched his head once.

I don't want to tell you.
Say it. You hurt me, so say it.
"What, did I hurt you?

　I'm sure you're not the only one.
　However, she was not a girl who could be hurt so easily. More to the point, she wasn't the kind of girl who would say "I'm hurt" so easily.

　It must have been.

　I stepped up from the landing and walked back the same few paces as before.
　I could see her clearly, biting her lip, a pouting expression on her face.

　You never know until you get close, as the saying goes.

You make me feel like I'm talking to someone else.
You make it sound like it's someone else's problem.
Let me ask you this, are you saying that my winning is someone else's problem?
...... That's...

　Oh, that hurts. This is hurtful. And then she'll disappear.
　It's nothing, it's just that she went down first.

Oh, hey.
I'm leaving you.

　I'm leaving you," she says, her face half peeking out from the wall of the landing as she switches positions.

"Oh.
Oh?

　A hesitant sigh.

You win that ......, I win. ...... For once.

　He quickly pulled his face back, as if to say.
　The sound of running down the stairs echoed in the air.

　Futa blew out a little and muttered, "What the hell?

　But not bad.
　If I win, you win.
　If my victory is your victory, then you've truly achieved total victory.

Don't think you'll get off before I do!
Oh, my God, I'm dashing all the way.
I can go from landing to landing in seconds. I'm not a nine-year-old like you.
You're not just jumping!　Oh, my God, I'm behind you!
Ha-ha-ha, I'm faster than you!
Yeah, fall down!　Oh, my God, Corona's in disguise!

　Dungarees.

That's not fair!
Oh, my feet are so lame, my head is so lame, my head is so lame.

　Pasta slid down the stairs beside Futa, who was collapsing on the landing.

I'll never forgive you. I can't take it anymore, pasta pot.
What's with the pot?
It's just a slip of the tongue. The secret is to jump to the entrance.
Aah!
I'm on the third floor, I can jump this far!

　He literally leapt off the landing and landed three stories high, and killing his momentum was no problem for him.

　But...

　But that's when he found his landing spot.

"...... Ho?
"What?
Oh, it's my brother Fou!

　There's a fountain in this Spectacula square.
　This is where Leafy and Arrows used to talk to each other.

　The two girls began to play there, taking advantage of the fact that no one was around.
　Ruri was in comfortable clothes, but she was wearing a maid's uniform.

　Inevitably, her unusual bare legs and her skirt, which had been pulled up to keep it dry, would have been difficult to see from the low position in which Futa had landed.

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

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

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.

　I'm not sure what to do.

I'm really sorry. I never dreamed you'd be waiting for us here. I'll do anything to make it up to you. Please forgive me.



　Futa continued in a calm, unhurried tone.

"......
"Coro sister, your face is red.
"............ Master Futa.
Oh.

　He believed that he was not allowed to open his eyes, so he kept them closed. The expressionless face waiting for sin is serious.

　But that's about it.

Why aren't you embarrassed to the bone?
"Embarrassed?　Why--

　He didn't let her finish, and splashed her with water from the bucket he was using for fun.


I'm sure you're not the only one.

　It was then that Pasta, who knew nothing about the situation, caught up with him.







　Apparently, he had been waiting for Futa and Pasta.
　The maid, who was half in a pouting state, said that she had to prepare for the victory party and that everyone should go home.
　After some searching, Leafy and Wind were later found, and Futa was happy to receive their praise for winning.

　The combination of Leafy, who was sweating like a monster, and Wind, who was holding the iron knife with a smile on his face, was a page that made me look forward to the future of sword fighting.

　As everyone hurries ahead, Futa wrings water out of his jacket and brushes his hair.
　Pasta was waiting next to him, looking as if she wanted to say something.

What are you doing?　Let's go.
"Right. It's a victory celebration.

　She nodded, squinting at everyone as if she were looking at something bright.

"Hey.

　She nodded, narrowed her eyes as if to see something dazzling, and muttered a question.

"Hmm?

　But... But when Futa reacted and looked at her, she shook her head loosely.

"...... No. It's nothing. Let's go. You don't want to keep the maid waiting in that state, do you?
That's true, but... That's disgusting. Tell me.
You're really ......

　The difference in treatment is too great. The difference in treatment is too much, but it's not so much that it's unpleasant. I blew out a little at the strange tickle and shook my head.

I don't mind that you're still creepy, because it's fun.
Oh, come on.

　His small frame moves easily ahead of Futa.

　I'm not sure why Wind and Ruri are standing next to Leafy, who is hurrying to get hungry.
　Corona is beckoning with both hands, and she joins the circle.

　Futa smiled loosely and took his first step.

　It's a shame that the silver girl isn't here, but...

　--Tonight is a victory celebration.