Chapter 745 - A Final Match in Name Only
[Arcadia] launched its service three years ago… no, to be precise, it was December 23rd, four years ago from today. Which means that since the history of players began in the virtual world, about three years and nine months have passed as of the current month of September.
Setting aside the ridiculous density of the stories that have been built up, it goes without saying that it's still a shallow history. Even if you convert it to the faster flow of time in the virtual world, which amounts to five and a half years, the perspective and reality from the real world don't change.
What am I getting at? In short, the history of its associated events is also shallow. This also applies to the `Triangle Duo`, being held for the third time now. It's not as if there are established customs that everyone would naturally call 'the usual' every time.
However, since the very first event, there has been one common understanding that participants and spectators alike agree is 'the usual thing.' And that is, the stage for none other than the final match, the finals, is—
"Aaaand we've finally made it to the FINALS!!! From the first time to the second! And from the second time to this one, as our champions grow, the evolution of the stage knows no bounds!"
"This year's been a real tempest, especially with a certain someone's entry."
"Couldn't be better, from the bottom of my heart."
"It was very fun. And I'm sure it will continue to be fun."
"Hehe."
"There's not a shred of doubt about everyone's excitement! This gives me, entrusted with the great responsibility of hosting, such great, greaaaaat peace of mind that I might actually sleep tonight—but that doesn't matter!!!!!"
"It sounds an awful lot like it does matter, though."
"It's a huge role, just as you said. We can't afford to be disrespectful either."
"And yet, this year's 'eye of the storm'—not in some cool or composed way, but the person at the center of it all who's making the biggest fuss herself! The one everyone's watching has climbed her way up with her sister to be here, right now, at the absolute peak, the FINAL!!! Woohoo!!!!!"
"…What's with that energy level?"
"This is her last job, so she's trying to burn out completely instead of holding back."
"I see, she's giving it her all because it's the tail end. A true pro."
"Who is now retired."
"Retired or not, an idol's spirit is eternal… Mikan-chan, I could support you for life…"
"What are you saying, Ricky-san? That's the kind of thing you do."
"Ah, no, that's not, wait, that wasn't picked up on mic, was it…!?"
"────Ah, well, it seems I can leave it to all of you, so Nonomi-chan will be making a quiet fade-out right about now! To everyone in attendance, thank you so much for—woah, the roar of applause as you mourn my departure is nourishment for the soul! Thank youuuu!!"
"""""Good work!"""""
"Ahhh, everyone, thank you so much, truly, for your undeservedly kind words, I am overjoyed…! —Well then, once again, I'll be taking my leave! Please enjoy the guaranteed-to-be-epic finals, and the FINALE that follows, right down to the very, very end!"
————……
———……
—……
And so, just like that.
As if swapping places with us as we entered the stage, Nono-san vanished, yet I could still sense the multitude of presences clashing over the speakers from the broadcast booth.
The 'usual thing' was this chaotic stage, where all the rankers except for the two finalist teams chattered away as they pleased, their voices serving as the BGM.
"…………Yeah, well, there's no way I can get seriously focused with this, is there?"
"Ufufu, you're right."
I knew it, but even with the pride I take in my intense combat focus, there are limits. It's impossible to get into the zone when, on top of the cheers from the audience, the heckling of friends and acquaintances is pouring in from the speakers.
It seems the information I learned from my prep was correct—the `Triangle Duo` finals are truly a 'festival'.
"I think it's pretty much the same for any of us rankers. This year had a lot of serious matches, influenced by Ui-chan and the others, but… there's no changing the atmosphere here anymore."
"So, like previous years, it's best to just enjoy it casually?"
"Yes. Let's relax a little, and give it our all."
"You ask for difficult things."
And so it went. We were relaxed, but the team across from us seemed to be in the same state. Our preceding interview time ended up being just a bunch of idle chatter, and we hadn't managed even a millimeter of a meeting about the match. We were here as a result of being utterly unprepared.
…This is definitely the first time I've been this relaxed facing Irori—
"What's this? I see a foolish face, more relaxed than necessary. Is it my imagination?"
"Huh?"
Just as I was thinking that, the guy who had class-changed from a beautiful priestess back to a handsome samurai just like me, masterfully provoked me.
What's with you? You in top form or something?
"No matter how chaotic it is, the stage is still the stage. If you make a fool of yourself, be prepared."
"Ah, ah, my senior is as noisy as ever today. If you keep spouting such bold words, you'll be embarrassed when you lose, you Blonde Samurai of [Peerless]."
"My, how you've learned to talk, [Acrobat]—…no, you've always had a sharp tongue from the start. Thinking about it, you haven't changed much at all, it seems."
"That's a massive boomerang you're throwing, you bastard. Before we were friends and after, you were always spouting off whatever you pleased and messing with people."
"Oh? Do you admit you cannot win with words? That's rare for you, who is so absurdly competitive. I wonder if it will rain spears tomorrow."
"How on earth did you interpret it that way? I don't admit it, and no spears are gonna fall. You're the one who's absurdly competitive, you incarnation of a stoic battle junkie."
"Hmph…"
"Hah…"
"………………"
"………………"
""…………………………""
Uhm, well, what's, uh—
"…Wh-what? Why is the crowd getting so worked up?"
"How should I know?"
This is a mystery. The audience seats started getting rowdy over my and Irori's verbal sparring.
I have absolutely no idea what value there was in that childish war of words just now, but for now, I'd appreciate it if you'd stop the unnecessary cheering because it's embarrassing.
"Should Mei-chan and I step aside?"
"Why would you do that? Please don't. I refuse to solo an opponent who's a physical and mental stamina monster with no weaknesses while I'm exhausted. Help me out here."
"You're really cute when you're like that."
"I'd appreciate it if you'd stop teasing me, too."
As I received a bit of teasing from my partner.
"Well then, shall we get to it…—Last one, let's fire it up."
"Yes, let's. …Haru-kun."
"Yeah?"
"Third time's the charm. I had fun."
"Ah… haha."
For now, I summon a pair of short swords, and beside me, a pair of pistols appear.
And facing us, a 'sword' and a 'castle'—
"I had fun too, from the bottom of my heart."
Let's adorn the tournament's finale to our hearts' content.
And so, the final match of the third `Triangle Duo` had… no winner.
The fierce battle, where the four of them clashed in a frenzy of explosive heat, went down to the last second of the time limit. The deciding move of the match was the [Castle Lord]'s all-out castle drop.
That self-sacrificing move, a mutual takedown, crushed the team of [Acrobat & Scorching Gaze], who had been narrowly pulling ahead towards a victory by decision, along with her own partner, [Peerless]—
And with a thrilling and dramatic 'draw,' the matter was settled.
The tournament is over with this, but the show isn't.