--cheers erupt.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!　A victory!　The Prayer of Dedication, with Bob on the honor roll, is eliminated!
"Every time I hear your name, it makes me angry, really.
"This is not the time to talk about it!　For the first time in this tournament, the number of qualifiers exceeded the number of preferences!

　For the first time in this tournament, the qualifiers have surpassed the waiting list!
　Next to her, Futa is giving a leisurely commentary as she instructs.
　The Pomodoro siblings' taste has not wavered as the tournament moves on to the main event.

　The words they spun through the cheers of the crowd also caught the attention of the drawers after the game.

'Well, that's true. To be honest, I'd say they won the game.
"Strategy?　It's not a contest of strength or power, is it?
Of course, I'm not denying the Kuro Cat Thieves' abilities or favoring the preferential treatment. On the contrary. In particular, Droza was able to get through the first round without revealing his cards.

　The room erupted in laughter.
　I hope you're not trying to reveal your hidden hand here," said D'Loza, putting his hat back on with a wry smile.

　Even with all the attention in the arena, this commentary was unconcerned.
　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
I'm sure you'll find a lot of people who'd like to know more about it. I'm not sure.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you out.

　Because, of course, it's a threat that could strike next.

　If he doesn't know what D'Rosa has in store for him, he'll be the one in trouble.

　And yet, the way things are going as usual, it's as if nothing is wrong with Futa. 　

It's no laughing matter!　It's not funny!　Are you okay, big brother?
"If you're asking if I'm okay or not, I'm okay, but... Well, if I had to say.

　In the eyes of the public, this margin was strong and reassuring.
　And it was fun for Pasta, just as he had planned.

"I'm looking forward to it.

　Steadily, he was gaining the air of a champion.














　--Pasta's home.

　It's a Red Season tradition.
　After sunset, after a pleasant dinner, beautiful stars twinkled in the sky.

　The sound of cool insects gently playing in the night, not disturbing people's sleep, is surprisingly comfortable.

　As he walked out into the garden, Futa absentmindedly enjoyed the sky with his eyes and the sound with his ears, and thought a little about the sword fight ahead.

　The first round had gone smoothly.
　However, Futa himself predicted that the real battle lay ahead.

　It wasn't that he was worried about his pairing with Libra, but he had seen a lot of "preferential" matches today and had some thoughts.

　That is, the know-how in tag team matches.

　It's not that Futa has a lot of experience. In fact, this is the first time for him to play this type of match.
　If one of them is eliminated, they lose, and that's all there is to it. The strategy of the match is much more than that of a single match.

　A style that forces you to fight on the ground by creating two one-on-one fights.
　There are styles that play around with combinations, and there are styles that create two-on-ones and hunt them down.
　There are many others -- just today, I could see that everyone was thinking of different strategies.

　Futa and Libra, on the other hand, are just pushing hard.
　And that's fine, because that's how they win. But there was one thing that I was definitely feeling right now.

　The effort to win. The desire to win the championship. The heart to win.

　A strange feeling that all of these things were surpassing Futa.

　Strangely, it was not painful.
　He knew he was not without impatience, but he was also aware that he was looking forward to it.

It's not that I want to lose .......

　Still, the words Pasta had said to him one day came back to haunt him.
　I'm not trying to lose.
　Winning is never the right answer.

　That's what she told me, and I was shocked by her words.

　I was at a loss for words, wondering what my efforts were all about.
　Of course, my bitterness was erased by the fact that I was able to achieve true victory in terms of both ability and popularity through her subsequent production.

　But, yes.

　That's why.

　It's also true that I'm looking forward to the threats to my strength much more than I did in the Colosseum.

I don't want you to lose yet.
You're awake.
Most people sleep later than you do.

　The sound of stomping on the grass.
　The footsteps from the house were light and narrow.
　I knew who it belonged to before he called out to me.

"The bugs are getting louder.


I don't know.　It's very pleasant to listen to, and it feels like an arena at night, with all the sounds coming from ...... around you.
You have no taste. And it's kind of gross.
"Why not?

　I'm standing next to her giggling.
　Two people in a garden at night. I don't even know how long it's been since I've seen her.


"I'll never be a burden to you.


　The day I learned about beautiful flowers.

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've seen it before.

What?
"No, nothing. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
...... Well, yeah. It was surprisingly boring, but that's the way it usually is.
I don't want a bunch of Aylons popping up like that.

　The only ones who survived the qualifiers were D'Loza and the others, and to my surprise, Bill and Ben.
　It's not that I don't like it, but I do.

　That's why I cited Aylan - and then Futa suddenly clammed up as if a small bone was stuck in his throat.

　When Pasta looked at him to see what was wrong, he shook his head loosely.

No, I knew a guy at .......
Oh, Flux, right?
Yeah. I didn't think so.
I didn't expect that.
Well, you're never short of money, are you?
No?

　I used to work with the Lord Treasurer.
　Pasta had been thinking about the possibility that Richter had given him favors, just as Huta had been given many from Lilac.

　From Futa's point of view, it didn't seem so strange.

He always seemed to be a pretty solid guy. I've never really talked to him.
...... Well, yeah. It's true that there were too many unprincipled fighters.
You can't deny that.

　Prim, Izna, Aylin.

But when it comes to being well-dressed, isn't Aylin one of them?
I can tell by the way she's dressed that she made it herself. Flux's clothes are made of pretty good fabric.
Didn't you just withdraw money from the bank?
..................

　A probing look pierced Hooter.
　I'm not sure what's wrong with it," she said, shaking her head.

No, nothing. I'm just curious about something.
Tell me.
If you need me.

　Futa's shoulders slumped at the lighthearted remark.
　He turned his attention back to the conversation he had originally intended to have.

I haven't had any contact with Flux, but...
Yeah.
I've never really had a connection with Flux. I mean, I never talked to him, but he never tried to talk to me.
...... So?
So?" "So that didn't change at Spectacular. So maybe I'm not the reason he came to this town.
I'm not sure what to make of ............, but it's a possibility. It's a possibility.
I used to be self-conscious, but then Prim and Izuna made me over-conscious.
No, it's your own fault.
You're saying that?

　You're right, but..." muttered Huta as if distressed.
　I'm not sure what to say. However, this is due to Futa's actions, so we can't blame them.

　However, this is not the point.

I heard about it from Prim at ....... "I've been hearing about this from Prim at , and now that I look at it this way, I have some thoughts.
"What do you think?
"I'm wondering what's going on with ...... Colosseum.

　He gazes at the sky with narrowed eyes, as if thinking about it.

I'm not sure what to think. ...... All but one of the major classes that had the right to challenge the champion - the Eight Flashes of Heaven - have quit the Colosseum, including myself.
"Seven?
That's right. Right now, the Colosseum's box office is taking a fatal hit.

　The words of the Princess of the Brightening suddenly came back to me.

　I didn't think she was lying, but I didn't think it was real either. 　
　But when it was shown to me like this, I could not help but think.

"There must be a guy ...... who supports the Colosseum by himself.
"I see. I see. So you're not surprised that the place you abandoned is still haunting you?


"I didn't dump him, he just kicked me out. It's more like ...... nostalgia, I guess?

　When asked if he has any regrets, Futa shakes his head.
　I have a lot of regrets, but I don't want to go back.
　For Futa, the Colosseum is such a place.

I think about it sometimes.
About what?
I wonder what would've happened if you'd run the place.
............ Wow. That's a cruel thing to say.
Cruel?
No, I'm talking about me.

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

...... Well, yeah, but...
Hmm?
At least there was no spectacle, right?
...... I see. That's true, too. Well, I guess we don't have to.
Selfish.

　She sniffs.

　If Pasta--Beatrix M. Orba--had been the manager of the Colosseum during Huta's time.
　All the trajectories we've spun so far would not have existed.
　That's right, from Huta's exile - from Huta's being an unpopular king.

　So what if...
　And Beatrix M. Orba is not interested in what ifs. She doesn't want to be interested. 　


Well, the least you can do for now is make it more interesting. ...... Well, maybe you could do that sometime.
Do what?
If the Colosseum is failing, we have an opportunity. If the Colosseum is failing, it's a good time to put it on par with the Colosseum's tradition and prestige.
"...... on a par?
Why don't we just have an exchange or something? No?

　I'm sure you're not the only one.

That sounds like a good deal. At the end of the day, it would be proof that Spectacula is number one in both name and reality. And well, ...... wouldn't that make you feel better?
Pasta, dude.
Well, I'm not going to let you beat me in the future.

　With a fluttering wave of her hand, she turned her back to the night sky.
　I've still got a lot of work to do.
　I'm not going to take any more time off than I have to," he tells her as he walks away.

Thank you.
"What?　I'm not going to let some petty sentimentality ruin the game.
Yes, yes. You might be right.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.
　The two of them face each other for a while, with pasta that seems to have caught them off guard.

　Then, out of nowhere, she blurts out, laughing and wiping her hands away.

You should get some sleep. You'll be sick tomorrow.
"Oh, ...... good night.
Good night.

　That simple greeting made me feel a bit nervous.