kscans

Chapter 745 - A Final Match in Name Only

Arcadia began service three years ago... no, to be precise, it was December 23rd, four years ago from today. So, from the dawn of the player's history in the virtual world, it has now been about three years and nine months, as it is currently September.

Setting aside the ridiculous density of the stories that have been built up, it goes without saying that its history is still shallow. Even if you say it amounts to five and a half years in the faster-flowing time of that virtual world, the perspective and facts from reality remain unchanged.

What am I talking about? In short, the history of its associated events is also shallow. The 'Triangle Duo,' which is being held for the third time, is no different. It's not as if there are any established customs that can be called 'the usual' every time.

However, there is one shared understanding that all participants and spectators have agreed upon since the first event, calling it 'the usual.' That is, the stage of the final match, the championship, is—

"Aaaand we've finally arrived at the FINAL MATCH! From the first to the second! And from the second to this time, as the champions grow, the evolution of the stage knows no bounds!"

"Especially this year, with someone's entry, it's been a huge storm."

"Good for them, from the bottom of my heart."

"It was very fun. It will surely be fun from now on too."

"Hehe."

"There is not a single doubt about everyone's excitement! As the one entrusted with the great role of hosting, I am very, very, VERY relieved and at ease, and I think I can sleep well tonight, but that's not important!"

"It sounds like it's very much 'important' to you, though."

"It's a great role, you know. We can't sleep with our feet pointed in your direction either."

"And yet, this year's 'eye of the storm'—not in some cool or smug way, but the person at the center of it all, making the biggest fuss himself! The one everyone's paying attention to has climbed to the top with his big sis, and now we're at the peak! The final! Yay!"

"...What kind of mood are you in?"

"This is her last job, so she's trying to burn out without holding back."

"I see, so she's going all out because it's the tail end. She's a pro."

"And she's retired."

"Whether she's former or not, the idol spirit is immortal... I could stan Mikan-chan for life..."

"What are you saying, Ricky-san? That's what's wrong with you."

"Ah, no, that's, eh, wait, that wasn't picked up, was it...?!"

"—Ah, well, it seems I can leave it to everyone, so Nonomi-chan will now be making a stealthy fade-out! To all our visitors, today has been truly—wow, the great cheers of regret at my departure are nourishment for the soul! Thank you!"

"""""Good work!""""""

"Ah, ah, ah, thank you all so much for your kind words, I am truly honored...! —And so, once again, if you'll excuse me! Please enjoy the guaranteed-to-be-heated final match, and the finale that will follow, to the very, very end!"

—...

—...

—...

And so, like that.

As Nono-san's presence vanished, replaced by us as we entered the stage, the MC booth was still filled with the presence of many others coming through the speakers.

With all the ranked players except for the two finalist teams chattering away as they pleased as a BGM, this chaotic stage is what has become 'the usual.'

"............Well, I guess it's impossible to get seriously focused with this, huh."

"Fufu, I suppose so."

I knew it, but there's a limit, even for me, who prides myself on my intense focus in battle. When not only the cheers from the audience but also the heckling of acquaintances and friends are coming through the speakers, there's no way I can get into the match.

The final of the Tra-Duo is truly a 'festival'—the information I had gathered beforehand seems to have been accurate.

"I think it's the same for any of us ranked players. This year had a lot of serious matches thanks to Ui-chan and the others, but... there's no changing the atmosphere here."

"So, as is tradition, the best thing to do is to enjoy it casually?"

"Yes. Let's relax a bit, and hit them with everything we've got."

"You ask for something difficult."

And so, while we're relaxed over here, the other side seems to be in the same state. Our conversation time earlier ended up being just idle chatter, and we haven't had a single meeting about the match. We're here after being extremely laid-back.

...This is definitely the first time I've been this relaxed while facing Irori.

"What is it? I see a stupidly relaxed face. Am I imagining things?"

"Huh?"

Just as I was thinking that, the guy who had class-changed from a beautiful priestess back to a handsome samurai after undoing his transformation, completely provoked me.

What's with you? You in top form today?

"No matter how chaotic it is, a stage is a stage. Prepare yourself if you make a fool of yourself."

"Ah, ah, my senior is being noisy as usual today. If you keep spouting such brave words, you'll be embarrassed when you lose, you [Peerless] blonde samurai."

"You've gotten quite cheeky, [Acrobat]—...no, you were always all talk from the start. Thinking about it that way, it seems you haven't changed much."

"That's a massive boomerang coming right back at you, you bastard. Before we were friends and after, you were always spouting off whatever you pleased and stringing people along."

"Oh? Do you admit you can't win with words? That's rare for you, who is so absurdly competitive. I wonder if spears will fall from the sky tomorrow."

"How did you interpret it that way? I don't admit it, and no spears are falling. You're the one who's absurdly competitive, you embodiment of a stoic battle junkie."

"Hmph..."

"Hah..."

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

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

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

Uh, um, what, well—

"...Wh-what? Why are they getting so worked up?"

"How should I know?"

The audience seats, which started to get rowdy over my and Irori's light-hearted squabble, are a mystery.

I have no idea what value there was in that childish war of words just now, but for now, it's embarrassing, so I'd appreciate it if you'd stop the unnecessary cheers.

"Should Mei-chan and I excuse ourselves?"

"Why would you do that? Please don't. I refuse to solo a physical and mental stamina monster with no weaknesses while I'm exhausted. Please help me."

"You're really cute when you're like that, you know."

"I'd appreciate it if you'd stop teasing me too."

And so, after receiving a bit of teasing from my partner.

"Well then, shall we fight... —Let's get fired up for the last one."

"Yes, let's. ...Haru-kun."

"Yes?"

"Third time's the charm. It was fun, you know."

"Ah... haha."

For now, I summon two short swords. Beside me, two pistols appear.

And facing us, a 'katana' and a 'castle'.

"I had a blast too, from the bottom of my heart."

Let's color the finale of the tournament to our hearts' content.

And so, the final match of the third 'Triangle Duo' was... without a winner.

The fierce battle, with all four of us in a chaotic brawl, layering heat upon heat until the very last second of the time limit, reached its conclusion. The deciding move of the match was the [Castle Lord]'s all-out castle drop.

A self-sacrificing move that took her own partner, the [Peerless], along with the [Acrobat & Heat Gaze], who had barely secured a win by points, and flattened them all—

...and so it concluded with a愉快痛快 dramatic 'draw.'

---

The tournament ends with this, but the stage is not over.