"Now, before the qualifying round begins. I would like to begin the opening ceremony.

　At Lilac's words, Futa glanced at her neighbor.

　She poked at the pasta with a bitter look on her face, a look that no child should have. Even if you have the excuse of being a fake nursery school girl, even if you are 14, this is not good.

Looks like you're on.
Shut up.
Shut up." "Tough.

　But as soon as she put on her "pasta-chan" look, she was a businesswoman.

　She took a breath as if she had given up, and stood up.

I'm going to go now.
You look like a man on his way to war.
Shut up.
Tough.

　His back gently descended the back stairs to the field.
　It was just like a warrior on his way to battle, as Futa had described it.


　The thumping sound of a powerful explosion seemed to reach deep into his chest.

　Not only Futa, but also the spectators who were taken by surprise were probably more upset than the others.
　All the people who had been excitedly anticipating the opening of the show looked up at the shock as if a cannon had been fired.

　It was a fireworks display. There were columns of fire and smoke billowing across the field.

　Long before they could understand what was happening, the sky above them shimmered with a confetti of flowers. The color of the petals was red - no, garnet with a glow.

　The smoke that enveloped the cobblestone pavement cleared as if to match the excitement of the crowd.

　There were no more figures of fighting swordsmen standing in line.

　Instead, there was a single flower in the center of the field.

"Hey everyone!　Thank you for coming to Spectacular today!

　It's Pasta-chan!　I'm sure the children were both happy and excited at the unexpected appearance.

"Well then, for the sake of everyone who came!　I've been assigned to the opening ceremony, so I'll do my best!

　With the four girls behind Pasta-chan as back-up dancers, she took a deep breath, trying to ride the music that had suddenly flooded the arena.

　--The management's plan was to create several synergies.

　One was, of course, to make a big impact from the opening ceremony to show that "this is not the first time.

　For example, the first lilac speech was mixed with pasta and futa.
　Of course, it was Pasta's idea to have the champion declare the second tournament.
　Another difference is that, unlike last time, he showed the preferential quota as a card from the beginning.

　Unlike last time, the audience had trust and expectation in the "main contestants" from the beginning. I have made good use of that up to this point.

　But now comes the "preliminary round". It's not a bad thing to start the qualifiers right after showing the preferential quota, but it's not a positive thing.

　That's true, memories are fresh. It is a natural order of things in any world that something brand-new can be expected to be interesting and fun.

　For example. Let's say there is a minstrel who comes every day and tells interesting stories in the tavern.
　What if the minstrel tells a story once a month? Your memory would wear out, and you might get confused with another bard's story, and lose hope for the rest.

　This is especially true if the stories are similar in quality.

　In a similar story, you are waiting for the bard to write his charm for tomorrow. The next day the poet tells a story that doesn't quite reach the point of attraction, or tells another story altogether.

　You can't help but be more confused than happy to hear the rest of the story.

　It's a similar story of "qualifying" after building anticipation in the "preferential quota".

　That's why Pasta - no, the "manager" Beatrix M. Orba - decided to save only the "fun" of the expectation and overwrite the memory with another one at once.

　It doesn't matter if it doesn't last, as long as the moment is enjoyable.
　I'm sure you've been expecting "sword fighting" from Spectacula, but it's okay if something else interesting comes out of nowhere.

　That's what the opening ceremony is for, and that's what this stage is for.

　--There are more reasons.

　Beatrix M. Orba then tried to turn the audience who had come to enjoy "Swordfighting" into the audience for "Pasta Chan on Stage," a strategy that would mutually expand the fan base.

　Those who had heard of "Pasta-chan on Stage" and were not interested in it. Once they heard about "Pasta-chan on Stage," those who were not interested in the event, or those who were interested but did not visit the event. And those who were hesitant to go to the stage of a girl, even if it was a sword fight.

　I would force them to see the fever and bring them into the circle.

　So, naturally, I planned to have someone demonstrate sword fighting at the next "Pasta-chan on Stage".

　This was a stepping stone for the mutual expansion of the fan bases of shows with different audiences.

　It was also a stepping stone for that.

　...... Most of all.

Why was the second stage decided unanimously ......!!!!

　Needless to say, there was a very unpleasant situation in the background for the manager himself.



　However.


I'm not sure what to say. He really is.

　The corners of Futa's mouth loosened involuntarily as he watched from the commentary table with his cheekbones.

　She couldn't even run a short distance, and now she's dancing around with a smile on her face for the audience.

　It's the first time I've seen her on stage.

She's a hard worker. ......

　To make money, she says.
　But you can tell by watching her life that it's not selfishness.

　I'm sure I'll want to hear about her strong attachment to the Chamber of Commerce someday, but then I'll have to tell her about my past first, I thought to myself.

I guess so.

　It's not that I want to talk about myself.



　It might be time for you to at least answer the question that was asked of you.


　Futa thought honestly as he looked at his fake sister who had made this project a huge success with the crowd.



　The first day of the martial arts tournament went without a hitch.
　With Futa's commentary and Pasta's play-by-play, the day ended on a high note.












　--Pasta's home.

I can't .................. do this. I want to die.

　I'm going to die," said Pasta, slumped on the bed, his face buried in the pillow, moaning, and Futa put his hands on his hips.

Today is the opening ceremony, and from now on you're Pasta-chan. Try a little harder.
"Yeah, but...

　She rolled over onto her back. She looks very unhappy as she stares at the ceiling.
　Or perhaps she's swearing to balance out her affection.

　She says that her mind is going to go crazy if she continues like this.

"......, but...

　If you glance at Futa, he has already grabbed Randy on his own and is throwing him up in the air, grabbing him, throwing him, grabbing him.

　How dare he do so much with his favorite stuffed animal? A normal person would have killed him two or three times already.

　Even leaving aside the fact that normal people don't have access to private rooms and don't know about Randy in the first place.

"It's that life again, isn't it?
"Corona's complaining. Corona's been complaining about the house not being clean enough.
It's the housemates' fault.
Poor Leafy. He's ...... going to meet this guy.

　Yeah.
　During the tournament, Futa and Lilac are rivals.
　Futa was wondering what to do this time, but Lilac approached him.
　She herself wanted to concentrate on the fight during the tournament.

　Futa understands this feeling.

　But there's a problem.
　But if there was a problem, it was the one that had arisen last time.

"............

　Pasta looked at Futa, who was lost in thought, thinking about the past for a moment, and gave him a blank stare, saying, 'He's probably thinking about that anyway.

　If Lilac had given her permission, she should have just followed it.
　Even if Futa didn't bother to care, a certain amount of "contract" had been made between Pasta and Lilac.

　To put it bluntly, it forbids her from coercing Futa.

　Pasta accepted it with open arms.
　From Lilac's point of view, that was a step in the right direction, but from Pasta's point of view, it was laughable.

　Because.

"You're thinking that ...... might be taken, aren't you?

　Pasta smiles wickedly.

　Just the thought of it is a card to Pasta.
　Pasta knows that Futa would never betray Lilac. But it's more convenient for Lilac to think that she can take him at any time.

　And future negotiations... and...

　He thought about it and shook his head.
　There was no need to reach out to her.
　I'll just do what I can, one thing at a time.

　Surprisingly, she was the kind of girl who was reserved.

　What she wants for the business community, she gets with her money. For the sake of the Chamber of Commerce, no matter what they think of her.
　But it's a different story when what she wants is hers. But if it's yours, it's yours.

Futa.
What the hell?
Randy, will you stop picking on me?
What?　What, are you trying to interrupt our lovemaking?
How can you be so attached to a stuffed animal?

　I threw the pillow away.
　Just as I threw Randy into the air, he grabbed me and threw me back.
　It hit him directly in the face.

"Ouch!
"Huh. You'd be better off with a pillow ...... or a bed sheet.
Don't name your pillow after me!　You can't even name a pillow! What's a pillow and a sheet, it's so complicated!

　I don't want to name my pillow after you!

　The two siblings have been getting along just fine as usual, but an intruder appears at the door.

"Meido!
"Wow, what a surprise!
Okay, okay, okay, okay. What's wrong?

　What's going on?" "What's going on?" Futa was a little defensive because he was near the door, but Pasta let it slide.
　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've.

I'm done cleaning. I'm free.
Too strong. ......
It's funny, ...... it took Leafy three days to finish.
"Well, the weed...


"Don't say weed.

　The maid nodded her head, as if she had no choice.

"But you know what? Nice to meet you again, Noodle!
"Don't say noodles. Well, yeah. It's going to be lively again.

　Pasta smiles a dumbfounded smile, as if he can't help it.

　Seeing that smile, Futa thinks...

　This was another change from the first tournament.

The maids are to prepare dinner for tomorrow!　Come and get me when you're done!
Oh, thank you. ...... Pasta. We'll have to wrap things up a bit.
Yeah. We need to talk to Robinson about tomorrow's preliminaries and what's coming up. And we need to talk to Robinson.
Yeah, I know.

　But it won't be smooth sailing.

　We've got a lot of problems to deal with, not to mention trouble.

　First things first. Huta breaks one finger.
　Pasta's suggestion that we bring Robinson into the house.
　There's still a lot we don't know about his character.
　Pasta is too stoic to put her own personal safety before her own, as they work together to win a championship they can be proud of.

　And one more thing.
　Futa looks down at tomorrow's roster on the scroll in her hand and snaps her fingers.

　Problem number two. That is.

　The tag-team players coming out tomorrow.


　Draza Greisinger & Henrietta Sikorsky.
　Team name: The Kuro Cat Thieves.



　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.