Chapter 716 - Let's Hang Out
"Uh… how should I put this… They're pretty fanatical, huh?"
"Ufufu… They're the type who attracts a high percentage of what you'd call… hardcore fans."
The moment I stepped onto the stage for the third time today, I immediately noticed that the "color" of the immense cheers battering my virtual eardrums was slightly different.
It was a matter of the volume and fervor of the words being mixed in.
The dramatic circumstances of having left once only to return likely had a lot to do with it. Fans, on the verge of sobbing with joy at their return, were all chanting one name…
And the one in question—he, or perhaps she—stood there without bothering to hide the utterly annoyed expression on their face.
Fundamentally, being a Ranker isn't an idol business, but for someone in the public eye in this information age, it was an outrageous act.
Still, I get it.
"There are probably tons of people who are into that, after all…"
That's the logic behind why a powerhouse who flaunts behavior you could never pull off yourself is so eye-catching.
Usually, that kind of attitude endlessly fuels loud opinions, both for and against… but Arcadia is, at its core, a world of entertainment.
As long as you're not committing any vile, malicious acts, you can justify it with a simple, "It's just my style of role-playing," which probably gives the fans free rein to stan as they please.
So, I guess the only sad part is…
"Tch… Damn, it's ringing in my head…"
"Haha… Easy now, you're looking pretty scary."
…that the person at the center of it all finds the treatment nothing but regrettable. Exposed to the fervent cheers, [Screen]-dono seemed to be in such a foul mood that Tonic-san next to them felt compelled to try and calm them down.
However, taking that into account as well…
"Man, that's Yurayura-shi for you."
"Yes, that's Yura-san, alright."
Their character is perfectly established by the fact that they still dutifully show up on a stage like this.
They don't even bother arguing with the messages of support, just saying things like, "Do whatever you want." Their inability to completely cast aside the affection directed at them is probably their charm.
A perfect tsundere, through and through.
"…Oi, you bastards. Stop thinking such stupid shit."
That judgment was probably based on not just my gaze but hearing my voice as well. A pair of silver eyes glared at me along with a menacing tone, but…
"You don't pull any punches with Hina-san either, do you? You're so consistent."
"Well, we're peers. If anything, I find it endearing and I'm happy for it, you know?"
"Endearing…"
"Haru-kun, you can drop the formal speech with me anytime you feel like it, you know."
"Please, let's just stick with 'Hina-san.' I already granted your request."
"Oh, you're so cold. And yet you act like you're friends with Goldow."
"That's due to the General Commander's unique personality, I'd say. Besides, I'm the type of person who finds it almost impossible to drop polite speech with my superiors…"
"You know, I might actually be younger than you, Haru-kun."
"If someone like you was younger than me, my emotions would be a complete wreck. Please stop—"
As I was joking around with my big-sister-like partner, I felt a surge of killing intent.
"…………Think we should just crush 'em already?"
"Oh, surprising. You actually feel like winning?"
"I don't have the motivation, but my irritation just went through the roof."
Some rather dangerous conversation reached my ears, and when I looked over again… perhaps aided by the stress of being on a stage they disliked, I saw a face that looked about sixty percent more annoyed than usual.
Hahaha… Excellent. Get angrier.
Anger, or whatever it is, is a hundred times better than apathy.
"Alright, looks like we've lit a fire under them. Shall we turn up the heat on our end, too?"
"Yes, let's—I'll be sure to drag you into it."
Ever since they returned to the ranks, I've said it to them bluntly, time and time again. It's my identity, after all.
To say it out loud means I had someone to say it to.
And who was that? None other than the Eastern Faction rankers, who told me stories of their 'senpai,' 'kouhai,' and 'peers'… which means Hina-san has known since before the Triangle Duo that this is what I wanted to do.
That's why she must have sensed my intentions without needing a meeting beforehand. Probably from the very moment we won the first round and our matchup was decided.
And so, the conclusion. I have absolutely no intention of fighting that senior with the nasty glare.
Just like that time with the 'Princess' who was stewing in her own loneliness, I have no intention of caring about winning or losing. Because—
"Senpai."
"Huh?"
Leaving my partner at my back, I stepped forward. My call was met with an intimidating response.
Their reaction was so predictable I almost laughed, but I didn't want to give them any unpleasant anger, so I swallowed it with a poker face.
And so, while recalling [Samidorizuki] with Recall, I sheathed it in the belt of my [El-Gran Stasia]… and as I prepared, I sharpened my focus.
The curtain has, at some point, already risen. The signal to begin will be our fighting spirit, or the closing of a single distance. Therefore, just before, a step away from entering their territory, I stopped.
—To reiterate, I have no intention of fighting [Screen]. Because they have publicly stated they are the type of person who has no interest in 'battle' and cannot enjoy it.
In that case, yes. There is only one taunt to use.
"Come on, let's play. And if a veteran title holder like yourself doesn't put on a good show, your cute junior is going to mock you relentlessly afterward."
"…Who the hell said you were a cute junior, you bastard?"
First Nacchan-senpai, now this. Such harsh words.
Well, setting that aside, one more thing. This, too, was a line I once threw at a 'Princess' who looked so utterly bored all by herself.
"Here I come, senpai. Brace yourself—I'm gonna make you say you had the time of your life."
I'll throw that in as a bonus. Now, let's begin.
Do whatever you want, but if everyone is smiling in the end, all's well that ends well.