Liar Liar Volume 3 Chapter 4

Chapter 4: The Demon of One-Strike Kills

♯

[May Inter-District Tournament《Astral》Day 2 Concluded]

[Team with the Most Controlled Areas: Third Ward Ouka Academy (642 Squares)]

[Eimei Academy Resources: 12 Bases, 401 Controlled Areas, 322 Spells]

In the end, the second half of《Astral》’s second day was dominated by agitation and confusion, leaving us with little choice but to expand our areas on autopilot.

Released from the AR world at the same time as last night, we step into the restaurant hall of the Shikishima Grand Hotel. …But the atmosphere here is quite different from yesterday’s.

“As expected, it’s pretty stirred up…”

I mutter softly while scanning the floor.

Well, that’s only natural—after the incident that just happened, the sudden change in《Doppelgänger》and their confident declaration of war. After witnessing something like that, no one can stay calm. Faced with such an obvious “threat,” everyone is seriously strategizing.

“Hey, Hiroto-kun, over there…”

Prompted by Akizuki, I glance toward a table in the back and see the Tokoyo Academy group from the footage, slumping in their chairs with lifeless expressions. Among them, one guy is frantically apologizing, “I’m really sorry, everyone! I mean, it’s not like I betrayed anyone or anything!” But after watching that video, few would blame him. If anything, he’s the biggest victim.

“S-Something unbelievable is happening, nya!”

Amid the murmurs, a clear voice catches my attention. On the hall’s screen, Kazami is presenting “Today’s Highlights.” As expected, it’s almost entirely about《Doppelgänger》. The suppression scenes we saw during the《Duel》replay multiple times, with Kazami narrating in an exaggerated tone.

However,

Huh… that’s odd. This footage feels slightly different from before…?

I tilt my head slightly. …When I saw it during the《Duel》, there was no《Libra》commentary at all, and Kazami’s shaken voice was audible. But the footage now playing is cleanly edited, as if none of that ever happened.

It might just be them avoiding a broadcast mishap, but…

What’s with Kazami today? Her energy feels a bit low. Her voice sounds normal, but… she’s not laughing much, is she?

Noticing these inconsistencies, I quietly bring my right hand to my mouth. …Sorry, Kazami, but I don’t have the luxury to worry about anything other than the main event right now. As《Libra》’s coverage makes clear,《Doppelgänger》is an undeniable threat and obstacle. We need to devise countermeasures urgently.

Anyway—cutting my observations short, we move to a rented meeting room on the second floor for a strategy session. A glass table for six. Himeji sits next to me, just like yesterday, but Enomoto and Asamiya take the ends of the three-person bench across from us, leaving Akizuki momentarily lost before she circles around to sit on my left.

“……”

As a result, despite me sitting in the middle, there’s oddly no one directly across from me—a slightly awkward setup. Clearing my throat to gather everyone’s attention, I speak calmly.

“That guy who suddenly revealed their true colors this afternoon—《Doppelgänger》. Before we talk countermeasures, we need to understand how they work.”

“Yeah, yeah, that! I was super curious about it too! What’s up with that? How does it even work?? A bug or something???”

“No. …Listen, Asamiya. First off, that guy’s an outlier who barged into this event claiming to be the original Sarasa Saionji—《Empress》. They’ve got a《??? (unknown)》account, and they look exactly like《Empress》… but think about it logically. That’s impossible, right? They’re not some Saionji lookalike. They’re just replicating ‘Sarasa Saionji’s’ voice and appearance through visuals. The quality is insanely high, but with cutting-edge AR tech, it’s not entirely impossible.”

“Got it~… Wait, huh? …And then?”

“So, basically, in the AR world,《Doppelgänger》can make themselves look indistinguishable from the real thing. And it’s not just limited to《Empress》. In extreme cases, they could ‘become’ any player in this《Duel》.”

“Oh, I get it… So, like, they could turn into me or Yukirin or something? Ugh, that’s totally bad news!”

Asamiya slams her hands on the table and half-rises from her seat. Enomoto, watching her, mutters with a hint of exasperation, “That’s why every team is so rattled…” Either Asamiya didn’t hear or ignored him, as she sits back down after a moment and continues.

“Hmm… But from what you’re saying, it sounds like they’re just copying appearances, right? It’s not like they’re hijacking our devices or anything?”

“Correct, Asamiya-sama.”

Himeji nods in response to Asamiya’s surprisingly sharp question.

“《Doppelgänger》is merely disguising their appearance, so methods beyond visual—like information-sensing abilities—should immediately reveal them as fakes. …Also, unless certain conditions are met, such ‘swapping’ is likely impossible.”

“? What do you mean, Yukirin?”

“To impersonate someone, the real person needs to be out of the way. For example, if a fake Master appeared here, none of you would be fooled, right? Because the real Master is sitting right beside us.”

“Uh-huh.”

“But suppose Master stepped out for a moment, and a perfect fake returned in his place? …I’d notice instantly because I get goosebumps around men other than Master, but most people wouldn’t have a way to tell.”

“I don’t know why you’re suddenly bringing up complicated stuff, but… okay, I think I get what you’re saying, Yukirin. Basically, we can’t give them any openings to swap with us, right?”

“Yes, exactly.”

Himeji nods again, her silver hair swaying lightly. …Right, no matter how identical a fake looks, the real person can never be fooled. In other words,《Doppelgänger》can only attempt a swap when the real person isn’t present.

“So—Eimei Academy’s policy is simple: ‘Never leave your teammates’ sight.’ Since everyone is undeniably real until the AR app starts, avoiding solo actions ensures《Doppelgänger》has no chance to infiltrate. When moving in the《Duel》, always pair up and never take your eyes off each other.”

“Ehehe, that’s easy♪ Noa will keep watching Hiroto-kun the whole time, so Hiroto-kun, make sure you watch Noa too, okay? ♡”

“…Hmph. A reasonable approach. Staying constantly vigilant is a bit troublesome, but as long as no one runs off alone, there’s no issue.”

As Akizuki responds with a sugary, affirmative tone, Enomoto, sitting diagonally across, crosses his arms and speaks in a prickly tone. His words, which could be taken as sarcasm or provocation, prompt Asamiya, two seats away, to let out an irritated “Mmph…”

“What’s that supposed to mean, beating around the bush like that? You’re just itching to complain about me, aren’t you? Like, ‘Don’t go off on your own like this morning.’”

“I didn’t say that. You’re the one bringing it up now, Nanase.”

“Total lie. Your tone was dripping with sarcasm. That’s how you sound when you’re seriously pissed.”

“…Is that so? If you think that, maybe you should reflect a little.”

“Tch… Hmph.”

Hit with Enomoto’s blunt logic, Asamiya turns her gaze away, propping her cheek on one hand. She stays silent for a while but eventually lets out a small sigh.

“I get it, okay? …I don’t care about Shinji, but I don’t wanna cause trouble for everyone else.”

Her tone is reluctant, but she mutters that much. …She’s at least on board, I suppose. Probably.

In actual combat, keeping everyone ‘in sight at all times’ is probably tough…

That thought crosses my mind, but there’s no better plan than this for now.

With a temporary conclusion reached, we head back to the first-floor restaurant to avoid missing dinner. It’s just past 8 p.m. Scanning the now-sparser crowd, I let out a held breath—when suddenly,

“Hey, hey, Hiro-kyun.”

“…?”

“It’s probably not a big deal, but… we’re being watched again. That ponytail girl we shouldn’t run into. She’s staring at you guys like she’s observing you.”

What?

Kagaya-san’s warning makes me freeze mid-breath.

Glancing over a moment later, I see exactly what she described. Senri Kururugi, a second-year from Sixteenth Ward Tsuyuri Girls’ Institute, known as《Demon God Shrine Maiden》. A one-hit-kill specialist, feared in multi-player battles on par with《Empress》.

“……”

She looks like a serious kendo girl, but whether she notices my gaze or not, her sharp, almond-shaped eyes remain fixed on us. It’s as if she’s intimidating or aiming at us.

…Ugh. Talk about a rough start…

Swearing to gather info on Kururugi tonight, I let out a proper sigh this time.

♯

After parting with the team, the late-night hours are my time of respite.

In《Astral》, where I constantly have to deceive everyone—well, except Himeji—the night is the only time I can relax. Sharing a room with Enomoto was a miscalculation, but he’s just reading a book. Whether I’m watching《Libra》videos, gathering info on STOCK, or taking a nap, he doesn’t interfere.

Using this “absolutely valuable time,” I—

“Got it! If Onii-chan wins, you can order me to do anything!”

—find myself in a hotel room, being challenged by a gothic lolita-dressed middle school girl (JC).

“Oh no… Hiro-kyun’s turning into a criminal… ugh.”

Kagaya-san’s exaggerated lament comes through the earpiece I’ve kept connected for certain reasons—but it’s not like that. Sure, I’m sitting on a bed still warm from Shiina’s body heat, and in the corner of my vision, I can see her casual clothes (she changed for a guest, I guess) tossed aside with her underwear. And yeah, her innocent expression is stupidly cute up close, but still, it’s not like that.

“…Huh? What’s wrong, Onii-chan?”

Shiina, sitting in front of me, holds her Cerberus plushie in her left arm, pointing at me with a pure, utterly unsexy expression.

So—well, basically, here’s the deal.

Last night, a front desk lady asked me to “bring dinner to Tsumugi Shiina.” As expected, she didn’t let me leave right away, dragging me into a ton of fighting games. Just when I thought I was free, she hit me with a new condition for “one more round!”… and that’s how we got here.

“Tch…”

I shrug with a wry smile and a half-hearted grumble.

“Don’t you ever get sleepy? It’s almost two in the morning.”

“Not at all! I’m from the illustrious《Dark Clan》! I’m way stronger at night!”

“…Oh, stronger at night, huh.”

“Ahh! Hiro-kyun’s thinking something weird!! I’m reporting you!”

“Tch… But didn’t you say the same thing last night and then pass out first? You weren’t heavy, but carrying you was kind of a hassle.”

“Ugh, yesterday… my mana was a bit off. Not my fault!”

Shiina averts her gaze, stroking Cerberus’s heads (all three, naturally) to dodge the topic. Then, with a hesitant glance from one of her odd-colored eyes, she says,

“Anyway, Onii-chan. Are you gonna play one more game with me or… or are you really not up for it?”

Her tone sounds a bit dejected. …It’s not the “unfair” pleading look or puppy eyes, but seeing her wilt after being so full of energy earlier makes me feel guilty, like a reflex.

“…Fine. One more match, then.”

So, I pick up the controller tossed on the bed.

And—

“Uuu~… Onii-chan’s too strong… world-class…”

…Despite dragging it out, the game ends with my overwhelming victory.

Shiina’s not bad at the controls, but she gets excited over flashy effects, slowing her reactions by a beat, and even chants her moves in real-time, so I know what’s coming. I used to grind these games back on the mainland, so losing here would be harder.

Completely defeated, Shiina finally sets the controller down and stretches dramatically.

“Why can’t I win~? I’m unstoppable in online matches!”

“That’s ’cause you’re too hyped. If you played normally, you’d probably be pretty strong.”

“Ugh… But it’s fun, so it can’t be helped! There’s the event during the day, and Onii-chan comes at night… Yup. Unlike yesterday, today’s a perfect hundred points!”

Shiina flops back onto the bed with a soft thud, grinning sloppily. Stretching her arms and playing with her plushie, she looks unconditionally adorable403. However,

Hm…? Wait, something about her words just now felt off…

Staring at her, I feel a faint sense of unease about what Shiina said. …But even tracing my memory, I can’t pinpoint what it was. It’s just a vague, nagging feeling, and I can’t grasp its source.

Oblivious to my thoughts, Shiina tilts her head curiously.

“So—Onii-chan, what’s your order? Anything you want me to do?”

“Huh? Oh, uh… let’s see.”

I ponder her question quietly. Kagaya-san teases through the earpiece, “Wanna push her down? I can cut the connection for you~,” but obviously, I ignore that. This is a chance to ask something I’ve been curious about since yesterday.

“You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but if you’re okay with it, tell me. …Shiina, you’re super shy with people, right? You even hate taking food from hotel staff. So how do you handle school normally?”

“Oh, I don’t go.”

“What? …Like, at all? Not even online or something?”

“Yup, regular school. I think the last time I went was… half a year ago, maybe?”

Her unexpected answer leaves me speechless. …But judging by Shiina’s demeanor, it doesn’t seem like there’s some heavy reason or dark backstory. She’s just lying on the bed, boredly kicking her legs.

“’Cause playing games at home is way more fun… Going outside means talking to tons of people and fitting in with everyone.”

“Ah…”

“I bet Onii-chan gets it, but I’m probably on my hundredth life or something. I’m, like, a super genius, super strong, overflowing with dark powers, so I don’t need boring stuff like compulsory education. I just wanna keep doing fun things forever~”

Shiina spouts wild ideas in her innocent tone. I’m half-dumbfounded but genuinely impressed by her guts and ability to act on it.

And one more thought—

“If you hate interacting with people that much, why’s it okay to hang out with me?”

“? Why? ’Cause it’s obviously fine.”

Shiina tilts her head, as if my question makes no sense. Sitting up, she spreads her gothic lolita-clad arms and leaps at me.

“’Cause I love Onii-chan so much!”

“Wha—!? Hey, wait—“

“Fwa… kuh… suu…”

“—Wait, you’re sleeping there!?”

Catching Shiina’s childlike hug, I shout in vain. It’s loud, but she shows no sign of waking. She’s breathing softly, completely at ease. …Well, if that’s how it is, fine.

“…It’s getting late anyway.”

Careful not to wrinkle her clothes, I gently lay Shiina on the bed.

She’ll probably wake around four… I’d better hurry.

“—Alright, Hiro-kyun. Open the door slowly, okay?”

A few minutes later—I’m following Kagaya-san’s instructions through the earpiece, about to slip out of Shiina’s room after spending nearly two hours there.

Alright…

Bracing myself, I quietly push the door open. …Shikishima Grand Hotel, third floor—a girls-only, no-boys-allowed zone. Thanks to a deal with the front desk, my presence won’t trigger alarms, but if anyone spots me, it’s big trouble. Worst case, the hotel’s seven-star reputation could take a hit. So, with《Company》’s help, I’m ensuring a safe exit.

“Let’s see…”

Kagaya-san’s sleepy voice comes through my right earpiece as usual.

“Room 318 is 72 meters straight ahead. You’ll pass two staircases.”

“…Staircases, huh. The fourth floor’s also a girls’ floor, so someone could come from either direction.”

“Yup, the second floor’s a common area. And even late at night, someone could step out of a room. Either way, getting caught is game over…”

Kagaya-san swallows hard, her whispers heavier than usual. Maybe it’s her voice in my ear or being on the girls’ floor, but I feel oddly tense.

“!!”

Just as I’m entertaining improper thoughts, Kagaya-san lets out a wordless squeak. I clamp my mouth shut and tap the earpiece to demand details.

“Oof… S-Sorry, Hiro-kyun, I panicked. …There’s a device signal from the stairs—two, actually. And the IDs… wow…”

“…What’s up? Don’t tell me it’s conveniently《Doppelgänger》’s user—“

“N-No, it’s… Don’t freak out, Hiro-kyun. Both of them—both are super cute!!”

Is that relevant right now!?

I scream internally.

Switching gears, I carefully descend the stairs, making no sound. I wait, ensuring the footsteps above don’t reach this floor. Then I return to the third floor and make it to Room 318 without further interruptions.

“…Thank you, Kagaya-san. I’ll reconnect later.”

Since what comes next can’t be shared even with《Company》, I cut the call after a brief word. With a light cough, I knock on the door.

A few seconds pass.

Just as I start to feel a twinge of impatience, a cautious voice comes from beyond the door.

“…Who is it? I don’t recall inviting anyone at this hour…”

A question laced with doubt, unease, bravado, and a faint trace of hope.

So, though I know she can’t see it, I quirk my lips slightly and say,

“Who else? Your ‘accomplice,’ Saionji.”

♯

“C-Come in…”

It takes nearly a minute for Saionji to let me into her room.

A minute might sound like a weird gap, but it’s actually pretty fast. When she realized it was me, Saionji first shouted, “W-Wait ten minutes!” and refused to open the door.

But standing in the middle of the girls’ floor for ten minutes would make my heart race to the point of breathlessness—my desperate plea somehow convinced her, and she reluctantly let me in.

“……”

The room’s layout is, unsurprisingly, almost identical to the one Enomoto and I are staying in. Since it’s only been two days, there’s not much clutter. …Yet, stepping inside, I catch a faintly sweet scent, which is oddly intriguing. The uniform hanging on the wall and the hastily zipped bag feel strangely vivid, making my heart skip.

“H-Hey… Don’t stare too much, idiot.”

As I curiously scan the room, Saionji, standing by the door with her arms crossed, says that with a hint of embarrassment.

Her outfit is, well, extremely casual. A thin camisole, white shorts, and a cardigan thrown over it. The shorts are mostly hidden by the cardigan’s length, making it look like her glossy thighs peek directly from the camisole’s hem.

“…H-Hey. Hey!”

Saionji twists her body slightly, as if dodging my gaze.

“Listen, Shinohara. I said don’t look at the room, but that doesn’t mean stare at me. I barely had time to change or tidy up… It’s embarrassing either way.”

“Ugh… Then what should I look at? Should I blindfold myself?”

“I didn’t say that. Uh… right, right. Look out the window at the night view. The First Ward’s really pretty, see?”

“…I’d love to, Saionji, but if I open those curtains, there’s a high chance someone outside will see. That’d be a scandal bigger than the event. ‘Seven-Star Transfer Student and Genius Heiress in Secret Romance,’ right?”

“!? W-What…!? R-Romance…!? I-Idiot! As if you and I could ever match!”

Her face flushes bright red as she yanks the curtains shut with a whoosh, panting heavily while glaring at me. Her adorable sequence of reactions nearly makes me grin, but she crosses her arms again and mutters, “Ugh…”

“How did you even get to the girls’ floor anyway…?”

“Hm? Oh, I’ve got a little connection. They’re keeping me off the sensors. …So, mind if I sit? I wanna talk.”

“Hm, sure… Alright. Can you sit on that desk chair, then?”

“Yeah. …No ulterior motive, but why not the bed?”

“Isn’t it obvious? If your body heat lingers, it’ll make my heart race and I won’t be able to—“

“……”

“—I mean in a bad way! If your body heat’s left behind, it’ll be so uncomfortable I’ll have nightmares and wake up in a panic!”

“That’s some harsh verbal abuse!”

Saionji shoos me away from the bed with a torrent of words. She’s clearly still flustered by my sudden visit, her usual defenses full of gaps—not just in her room or outfit, but in her thoughts too.

I’d love to tease her more, but… sadly, there’s no time for that now.

“Phew…”

So, exhaling briefly, I sit on the desk chair and pull my device from my pocket. Perhaps regaining some composure at the sight, Saionji grabs her own device from the bedside table, spins around, and sits on the bed’s edge. We’re facing each other, knees almost touching. Her camisole’s neckline keeps drawing my eye, but I force my gaze upward.

And then,

“You probably already know, but… I came here to talk about them.”

Them—the third Sarasa Saionji, or rather,《Doppelgänger》.

The attention on her has skyrocketed in just half a day since the afternoon incident. STOCK, anonymous forums, island tube comment sections—everywhere, topics about her race at top speed. Some praise her stunning ambush, others criticize her ruthless methods, and some stay neutral since it’s early days. But “ignoring” her isn’t an option.

“…Hey, Shinohara. Take a look at this.”

Saionji holds out her device, showing a STOCK account. The username is “??? (unknown).” It’s a new account created hours ago, with just one post.

“I am anyone and no one—thus, I can become anyone. I can take their place.”

Leaning forward from the bed, Saionji sighs heavily.

“Become anyone, huh… What a nuisance. Since they’re using my appearance, every time they’re mentioned, everyone’s eyes turn to me.”

“Well, they don’t actually think you’re the fake… but that’s probably part of Kurahashi’s plan. They’re definitely aiming to wear you down mentally.”

“Right. And their flair for theatrics is infuriating. Impersonating other players to sow discord and destroy teams should make them universally hated, but STOCK reactions are completely split. Sure, some are bashing them, but they’ve got even more fervent fans.”

“Yeah. On STOCK and island tube, they’re already moving away from《Doppelgänger》to a new nickname,《Chameleon》. It’s trending.”

“《Chameleon》… It does suit them, doesn’t it?”

Saionji nods solemnly. …With about a hundred players in《Astral》, the name of a monster with a hundred faces fits her perfectly.

Indeed—which means the “premise” of being Saionji’s fake was just one of many masks for her. Or rather, a decoy. By labeling herself as an usurper targeting《Empress》’s position, she hid her true intentions.

“…We were careless. They probably planned this from the start.”

“Yeah… probably.”

I reply briefly to Saionji, who bites her lip in frustration.

The mood grows heavy—understandably so. In this event,《Chameleon》’s strategy is frankly too strong.《Astral》’s stage is augmented reality—a fake world blending visuals and reality. Since it’s not real to begin with, spotting《Chameleon》’s mimicry is nearly impossible.

Plus, whether it’s hijacking or causing infighting, her actions are inherently “attention-grabbing,” so her support will only grow. Praise or criticism—it doesn’t matter. In this large-scale《Duel》, the one who stands out has the advantage.

“……”

Just one move.

A single move shifted the entire《Duel》this much.

And—terrifyingly,《Chameleon》’s threat doesn’t end there.

“…Listen, Shinohara. After making such a flashy first move, they don’t even need to act anymore. The《Duel》will naturally come under their control.”

“Come under their control…? What do you mean?”

“The mere fact that someone like《Chameleon》exists in the《Duel》is the problem.”

Saionji pauses, then locks her ruby eyes on me and continues.

“Because they’re indistinguishable from the real thing. Everyone’s been planning countermeasures, but I doubt they’re foolproof. Starting tomorrow, even small things will make teammates distrust each other. Paranoia will limit their actions… And this《Duel》lets you damage allies. Some teams might self-destruct without《Chameleon》even being involved.”

“That’s… not impossible, yeah.”

I nod heavily at her words. Infighting and friendly fire are not just possible—they’re highly likely.《Chameleon》’s impact is that massive.

“Phew…”

As my thoughts reach that point, Saionji lets out another small sigh. Placing her device on her thigh, she shakes her head a few times.

“For now… we don’t know《Chameleon》’s identity or how they plan to proceed, so we’ll have to endure somehow. Ouka’s doing fine for now, but how about you?”

“Hm… If you look just at momentum and resources, we’re not doing bad…”

“But?”

“…Well, I’m in a bit of a showdown with a teammate. If I don’t take down two【Commanders】by tomorrow, I’ll have to swap roles. If that happens, it’ll come out that my action value’s only three stars, which is a problem beyond winning or losing.”

“What?”

“And—probably, we’re the ones most affected by《Chameleon》. We’ve got some fatally incompatible people, so even a small push could cause more than infighting—it might tear us apart.”

“W-Wait… Don’t just casually drop bombs like that!”

Saionji’s tone mixes agitation, worry, and a hint of urgency as she stares at me, clearly not expecting that response when she prodded.

Given our relationship, her reaction’s understandable… but honestly, I’ve got a bit of a plan for both issues. It needs some refining, but if it works, it could solve both problems in one go. And depending on how things play out, it might even be a trump card against《Chameleon》.

“…Huh? W-Wait, Shinohara. Don’t tell me you’ve already thought of something…?”

Reading my expression, Saionji leans forward, her eyes widening slightly as her knees bump mine. Ignoring that, I nod—pretending it didn’t faze me.

“Yeah. …I wouldn’t risk sneaking into the girls’ floor just to gripe about《Chameleon》. I came to discuss that from the start.《Chameleon》is showing their true colors, and《Astral》’s been thrown into chaos because of it. I’m here to figure out how to turn this into our victory.”

“Hm… But is that okay? We’re technically enemies in《Astral》.”

“I know. But when it comes to《Chameleon》, we can work together—right?”

“……”

At my proposal, Saionji lets out a soft chuckle. Brushing back her luxurious red hair, she raises one corner of her mouth slightly and says,

“No helping it, Shinohara. Just for now—a little alliance.”

Her expression is so bold and confident it’s almost mesmerizing.

♯

May Inter-District Tournament《Astral》, Day 3, First Half.

The《Duel》on this pivotal day, as Saionji predicted, was utter chaos.

Three teams—within just two hours of Day 3’s start, three teams had dropped out of the《Duel》. Each for different reasons. One was directly annihilated by《Chameleon》. Another, disrupted by an absent《Chameleon》, fell to catastrophic infighting. The last was effortlessly taken out by a player using a《Mimicry》ability—temporarily posing as someone else to exploit《Chameleon》’s chaos.

It’s《Chameleon》running rampant. The number of viewers on《Libra》’s stream is climbing by the second, showing just how much attention this is getting.

Plus, the《Duel》itself making big moves is likely another reason for the viewership spike.《Astral》’s system lets you seize resources from defeated teams, so the later stages see escalating《Duel》dynamics. Seijo, which just overtook Ouka for the top area control, has triple Eimei’s squares.

That’s why we need to expand our areas to keep up… or so we’d hoped.

“…Hey, Nanase. You’re getting too far ahead.”

11:42 a.m. The team’s atmosphere is, frankly, not great.

It’s somewhat unavoidable—knowing《Chameleon》exists means we have to eye our teammates with some suspicion. “Staying in sight” is just another way of saying “mutual surveillance.” Not exactly pleasant.

“Tch… What?”

Asamiya, who’d been walking ahead, stops at Enomoto’s voice. Brushing back her blonde hair, she turns with an annoyed look, resting a hand on her hip and glaring at him with a scowl.

“I haven’t left anyone’s sight, have I? I’m the most combat-ready, so I’m trying to help the team. Why do you have to say stuff like that?”

“You’re still in sight, sure. But knowing you, Nanase, you’d probably run off scouting or something if left unchecked. I’m just nipping that in the bud before it becomes a problem.”

“Oh, really? But isn’t it your fault for not keeping up, Shinji? Supporting the【Gladiator (me)】is the【Mage (you)】’s job, right? Stop picking on me.”

“……”

Enomoto shakes his head silently at Asamiya’s retort and resumes walking slowly. He’s lagging because he’s checking the map data I’m sending as【Commander】and staying alert, but Asamiya, heated, probably hasn’t noticed.

“Ugh, I’m so done… What even is this《Chameleon》nonsense? So stupid.”

Muttering complaints, Asamiya turns her back on Enomoto and steps forward again. Ignoring the map and site mode, she moves mindlessly fast, naturally widening the gap between us. …No choice.

“Hey, Asamiya. I get you’re pissed about《Chameleon》, but calm down a bit. If the team isn’t grouped up, we can’t handle a surprise attack. Plus, those squares haven’t been cleared by【Scout (Akizuki)】’s trap detection yet.”

“Huh? Well… yeah, maybe you’re right. Sorry, Shino, thanks for the heads-up!”

Asamiya starts to argue but ultimately apologizes, clapping her hands together. Seeing this, Enomoto lets out a slightly dissatisfied huff.

“Hmph… You’ll listen to anything Shinohara says, huh, Nanase?”

“…Huh? What’s that, jealousy? It’s a team game, so of course I listen to the【Commander】. Plus, Shino’s way more reliable than you, Shinji.”

“I’m not arguing personal opinions. I’m saying don’t disrupt the team. Why be stubborn now?”

“You’re the stubborn one, Shinji!”

The two upperclassmen start bickering, completely ignoring the《Duel》. Their compatibility is so bad that pairing them triggers a mutual debuff effect.

“…What shall we do, Master?”

Unable to watch, Himeji whispers to me with a sigh.

“This will affect the《Duel》if it continues. Shall I mediate?”

“Hm? No, if anyone’s stepping in, it’ll be me—“

—At that moment,

“Huh?” “Eek!?”

With surprised gasps, Himeji jolts beside me and leans into me. Her gloved hands cling to my chest, her silvery hair brushes my cheek, and a soft scent tickles my nose mercilessly—but that’s not the issue.

“…Darkness…?”

Right, exactly—the AR world, bright with light moments ago, is suddenly engulfed in pitch-black darkness. As if something covered it or the clock was forcibly advanced, the world fell into shadow.

“S-Sorry, Master… I, um, got startled.”

Snapping back at my murmur, Himeji blushes slightly and quickly pulls away. Even the usually cool and stoic girl couldn’t hide her surprise.

Cute… No, this is bad. This darkness, could it be…?

Feeling a sharp chill, I tap my earpiece. A response comes immediately.

“Yo, yo! I won’t jump out when called, but I’m always three steps behind—your Kagaya Onee-san! Kyaa, Yamato Nadeshiko!”

“……”

“Ignored!? I worked so hard… Hmph, fine, fine. I’ll have Shirayuki-chan comfort me later!”

Kagaya-san pouts but presses on, unfazed, even as Himeji mutters, “No… I won’t comfort you.”

“Alright, here’s the real talk. I did a quick analysis, and this is almost certainly an ability. Most likely《Black Curtain》, a general ability that darkens a designated area to blind opponents. It’s affecting a wide range, so probably Lv. 5 or higher.”

“…Hm…”

“But《Black Curtain》blinds the user too, so it’s not great unless paired with another ability… Wonder how they’re handling that.”

Kagaya-san hums, tapping her keyboard for more data. But I’m already grimacing.

This is bad. That ability’s the worst.

…Right.

Kagaya-san says it needs another ability, but in this case, that’s not true. Our《Chameleon》countermeasure, decided yesterday, is “always keeping teammates in sight.” But with《Black Curtain》plunging the world into darkness, I can barely make out Himeji beside me.

If so—this is clearly an “attack.”

Whether it’s《Chameleon》themselves or another team piggybacking, I don’t know…

I bite my lip, bringing my right hand to my mouth.

As the《Black Curtain》effect ends, my vision returns… but as expected, the atmosphere is completely different. Ahead, Asamiya and Enomoto face off. Asamiya lazily toys with her hair, while Enomoto holds out his device, ready for battle.

In a cautious tone, he says,

“Answer one thing. Nanase’s… let’s say, birthday. When is it?”

“Huh? July seventh, duh… What’s that got to do with anything?”

“With《Black Curtain》used at this timing, suspicion’s inevitable. The four of us were close enough to see each other’s outlines, but you, Nanase, were completely out of sight.”

“Tch… Huh!? What, are you saying I’m《Chameleon》!? That’s just your delusion, Shinji! Total accusation!”

“I didn’t go that far. I’m saying clear the suspicion quickly since it’s there. Next… let’s get specific. Last birthday, what did you—“

“Don’t remember! Don’t remember, and I don’t owe you an answer! Besides, if I was out of your sight, you were out of mine! You’re suddenly trying to kill me—maybe you’re《Chameleon》!”

“!? What, that’s absurd… I was with everyone else, like I said.”

“So what? It was dark enough to fake anything.”

Asamiya snorts, dismissing Enomoto’s claim. He clenches his fist in frustration, but her point isn’t entirely wrong, leaving him unable to retort.

…Yeah, it’s going exactly as expected.

I grit my teeth, watching them.

That《Black Curtain》—its purpose was to create this situation. By giving《Chameleon》a chance to swap, it easily disrupts team coordination, whether the swap actually happened or not.

“…I’m not《Chameleon》. It’s you, Nanase.”

“No way. If anyone’s《Chameleon》, it’s you, Shinji.”

They continue arguing, both ready to fire【Magic Cannons】in a tense standoff.

But—fortunately, perhaps—the clock hits noon, forcibly ending the morning session. All related apps close, and the AR world disengages. With a strange fatigue, I look around, but returning to reality doesn’t mean Enomoto or Asamiya have transformed into someone else.

So, neither is《Chameleon》—but,

“…Tch.”

Asamiya strides off, leaving us behind. Shoving past Enomoto, who’s closest, she says in a stiff voice,

“Move. …Fine, Shinji. If you’re gonna be like that, I’ll stay in my room. I’m sick of being suspected, so I’m sitting out this afternoon’s《Duel》.”

“…What? Don’t screw around.”

“You’re the one screwing around! If we’re clashing this much, it’s obvious things would go smoother without me. You think so too, don’t you, Shinji!”

“Tch… Hey, Nanase!”

Enomoto shouts after Asamiya as she storms off with a parting shot, but he gives up as she disappears, pressing the back of his hand to his forehead. Muttering, “Things never go well…,” he turns to me.

And quietly, he says,

“Sorry, Shinohara. I need to cool off too. I’ll do my best, but… Nanase and I might not make it to the afternoon《Duel》. No, maybe it’s better if we don’t.”

“……”

I think silently as Enomoto speaks with a pained expression.

Their bad chemistry made this somewhat predictable, but it’s still a tough spot. Losing two six-star members, even temporarily, means fighting the afternoon with just three. Against an unpredictable《Chameleon》, that’s a near-impossible challenge.

“…Please wait, Enomoto-sama.”

It’s not me but Himeji who speaks up. Stepping forward gracefully, she fixes her clear blue eyes on Enomoto.

“I understand you and Asamiya-sama aren’t at your best. In the long term, stepping away might be an option. But have you forgotten, Enomoto-sama? If you both leave now, your【Commander】contest with Master—“

“Right… No, it’s over. Regardless of Shinohara’s aptitude, fleeing here proves I’m not cut out for【Commander】.”

He says sadly, walking away slowly. …He has no intention of retracting his words.

“Haa…”

Akizuki sighs dramatically, staring after them.

“Ugh… If those two were just a bit more honest.”

“Honest, how?”

“Like, if they really hated each other, they wouldn’t always be together, right? They call it a bad history, but deep down, they don’t mind. …Ehehe♪ But now it’s just me and Hiroto-kun, all alone~ ♡”

“…Are you saying that on purpose, Akizuki-sama?”

“Ehh? But Shirayuki-chan’s a maid, right? You gotta cheer on your Master’s love life… Kyaa! ♡”

“No, a maid’s duty is to swat away pests clinging to Master.”

“Pests!?”

Akizuki plays up her shock with cutesy gestures, while Himeji brushes it off with a straight face. Watching their exchange absently, I think about the two who left.

Deep down, they don’t mind, huh…

She might be right. If so, a trigger could patch things up… but that’ll take some planning.

“Phew…”

—May Inter-District Tournament《Astral》, Day 3, Second Half.

The deadline for my deal with Enomoto, and with《Chameleon》likely shaking up the《Duel》, this part will be a critical moment for us.

♯

The two-hour lunch break was spent strategizing with Himeji and Akizuki.

Well, less strategizing and more briefing them on a plan I’d already thought out. I’d anticipated this yesterday, so I’d simulated a three-person team without【Gladiator (Asamiya)】and【Mage (Enomoto)】. It’s tough, but unless we’re up against someone like《Demon God Shrine Maiden》, we can at least fend them off.

In the end—Enomoto and Asamiya really didn’t join the afternoon session. Two hours was probably too short to mend their frayed relationship. Mid-block rejoining isn’t allowed, so they won’t be back until tomorrow morning at the earliest.

…And then.

“It” happened right as the afternoon session began.

“Hmm… We’re being pincered, huh.”

《Astral》Day 3, 2:12 p.m.

Kagaya-san’s voice suddenly hits my ears, warning of other teams’ signals not far from our position. Not just one—two teams are closing in from the north and south, sandwiching us as we head east.

Relaying this to Himeji and Akizuki, even they visibly tense.

“W-Wow, bad timing~… Ruins the whole date vibe!”

“If you’re in that kind of mood, feel free to let it be ruined. Still, a pincer attack is troublesome. Master, any details on the enemy’s forces?”

“Yeah. I can’t tell which wards yet, but the northern group’s a full five members. They’ve got 15 bases and 477 controlled squares.”

“I see. Slightly stronger than us, then. …And the southern group?”

“That’s a remnant of some team. Just two people, probably tagging along with the northern group. I can’t see their strength due to《Interference Nullification》or something.”

“Five and two… Seven total? Ugh, that’s kinda bad. We’re already shorthanded…”

Akizuki puffs her cheeks, voicing her worry. I agree with her frustration about the timing, but…

“We talked about this at lunch, but… it’s probably part of their strategy. In《Duel》time, that《Black Curtain》was only thirty minutes ago. No other teams were in detection range then, so these guys moved right after it. That’s impossible unless they predicted our team would fracture—or they’re the ones who cast《Black Curtain》.”

“Ah… B-But how could they predict that?《Black Curtain》just darkens things, right? It doesn’t guarantee infighting…”

“Normally, yeah. Even with《Chameleon》’s shadow looming, a brief loss of vision doesn’t always cause fatal conflict. …But those two’s bad blood is famous even outside school, right? They’ve lost to weaker teams by dragging each other down. Some participants might know that.”

“Ohh… Yeah, that makes sense.”

Akizuki nods vaguely with an awkward smile. …It’s hard to be certain based on rumors alone, but someone who witnessed last year’s loss might see it as exploitable. Especially a monster who’s attended every inter-school event.

Honestly, Kururugi feels like the type to jump on《Chameleon》’s chaos instantly… She’s been oddly aggressive since day one. Could she even be《Chameleon》herself? …If so, that’s a nightmare.

I mutter internally. Whether it’s《Chameleon》or a third party aiming to crush us, they’re a formidable foe.

“So… uh, what do we do, Hiroto-kun?”

Akizuki steps closer, looking up at me pleadingly.

“If their goal was to push Prez and Mya-chan out of the《Duel》, combat’s gonna start any second, right?”

“Yeah, probably. They landed《Black Curtain》perfectly, so they’ll want to finish us before Enomoto and Asamiya return—meaning today.”

“Ugh… H-Hey, is that strategy from earlier really okay? Noa and Hiroto-kun’s couple is the strongest ever ♡, and the bonus maid’s kinda useful, but seven opponents… uh, shouldn’t we run?”

“I’ll educate you later on who the ‘bonus’ is, but I mostly agree with Akizuki-sama. We’re outmatched in resources… and they’re very cunning.”

Akizuki teases with unease, while Himeji, agreeing verbally, shows no hint of retreating, her blue eyes fixed on me with complete trust.

“Hm…”

Taking in their gazes, I let out a small sound. …They’re right—this is a dire situation. We’re unprepared, while the enemy’s fully geared to hunt us. Calling it combat is generous; this is likely a one-sided “massacre.”

…But.

If you look at it differently, it’s not such a bad setup…

Right—this is a near-worst-case scenario, but that makes it a huge opportunity for me. Even if they’re not《Chameleon》, defeating two teams here would give us enough power to rival her. Plus, if both teams have【Commanders】left, I can settle my bet with Enomoto on the spot. And if that happens—if I earn Enomoto’s “trust”—reconciling those two won’t be hard. A three-birds-one-stone move. Failure means losing everything, but success could flip the game in our favor.

So.

Running away is absolutely not an option—.

“…Right.”

Reaching that conclusion, I let a small smirk show. Himeji and Akizuki exchange puzzled looks at my shift, but I ignore them and grin wider.

“Alright, let’s refine the details before they get here—a killer plan to take down both teams at once.”

♯

Nightmares come in different forms, I think.

But this one’s especially nasty—the kind that makes you want to escape reality.

“—It’s been two days since we last met, Academy Island’s strongest.”

Ten minutes after Kagaya-san’s warning… we’re facing our second encounter since《Astral》began. That’s fine, but the problem is the opponent. A black-haired ponytail girl with sharp, almond eyes, leading four teammates.

Of all people, her…

I nearly let out a groan. …Senri Kururugi, second-year from Sixteenth Ward Tsuyuri Girls’ Institute,《Demon God Shrine Maiden》. She single-handedly raised Tsuyuri Girls’ stagnant ranking to ninth in a year. According to Enomoto, “If you meet her on the battlefield, run.”

But… as I briefly thought earlier, her presence here makes sense. While everyone’s rattled by《Chameleon》, her cunning and flexibility let her—or maybe she is《Chameleon》—exploit it to crush other teams. She’d know Enomoto and Asamiya’s dynamic well.

“……”

After thinking it through, I step forward slowly.

“Thanks for the courtesy. But I’d have preferred facing you with our full team. Greeting you with two absent feels a bit rude, don’t you think?”

“No issue. After all, I’m the one who ensured those two couldn’t participate.”

“…I tried to cover for you, and you just spill it? Is your serious face just for show?”

“I hear that often. But experimenting within the rules is the essence of the《Duel》, no? So, think of me as serious—serious about victory.”

“Yeah, yeah, sure.”

Talking so calmly while saying insane stuff… A prim berserker, huh?

I inwardly grimace at Kururugi’s overwhelming “strong character” aura.

At the same time, I shift my focus behind me—

“Ehehe, who’re you two?”

“Uh… We’re from Ninth Ward Kagurazuki Academy, but… Wait, Eimei? And that’s…《Demon God Shrine Maiden》!?”

“Told you it’s bad! W-We gotta run! We’ll die!”

“Y-Yeah—“

“Ooh~ You both came to see Noa♪ Ehehe, I’m so happy ♡”

“No, that’s not—Wait, Noa? You mean Eimei’s little devil…?”

“But sorry~ I’m flattered, but Noa’s got someone she likes… Kyaa! ♡”

“She’s not listening at all…”

…Content aside, Akizuki Noa is handling the other team approaching from behind. Back-to-back with me and Himeji, she flashes her usual coy smile. The opponents are a 5-star boy and girl from Ninth Ward’s remnants, likely here to capitalize on《Black Curtain》to hunt us. Caught in the worst matchup—Eimei vs. Tsuyuri—they’re visibly shaken.

Confirming the situation, I quietly shift my gaze forward. …Kururugi steps toward us with a commanding presence. Her blade-like stare pierces me, but wrapped in a serene aura,《Demon God Shrine Maiden》speaks calmly.

“Shall we begin—no, end this? With preparations complete, it’s near-routine, but I’ll crush you with full force.”

“…Sounds fun.”

Playing up my “strongest” persona for《Libra》’s stream, I reply as if welcoming her. …I know she has《One-Shot Kill》, but showing weakness means defeat. With an utterly confident expression, as if I’m not in danger, I face her.

And—the first to move is neither me nor Kururugi, but Akizuki Noa.

“Ehehe… Just a little cheating♪”

With a gesture like kissing her device, Akizuki activates an ability.《Action Prediction》, tied to the Unique Star—Emerald Star—varies in effect by the user’s aptitude. With her maxed aptitude, it’s almost mind-reading-level powerful.

But the Emerald Star passed to me during the Ward Selection Battle. So how can she still use《Action Prediction》? Well—

“Then… Master, I leave the rest to you.”

—It’s thanks to Himeji’s《Swap》ability.

Reviving the ultimate “little devil” by swapping one of my and Akizuki’s abilities, Himeji whispers in my ear before spinning around to follow Akizuki’s back. The Ninth Ward duo, not expecting two fighters against them, panics and flees.

Witnessing this, Kururugi mutters quietly.

“…Are you sane? Facing me… alone?”

Her questioning words are understandable. Eimei has only three members. Sending two to intercept Ninth Ward leaves me alone against Tsuyuri.

Reflecting this, the site mode’s vote counts shift slightly. Among the three teams in combat, Kagurazuki has the lowest, Eimei double that, and Tsuyuri double Eimei’s. With my non-combat【Commander】role and every resource against us, I’m at a disadvantage.

But,

…I knew that from the start.

Smirking slightly at Kururugi a few meters away, I step forward. Against her, whose every attack spell becomes《One-Shot Kill》, I should keep my distance, yet I move as if unconcerned. It’s so natural that none of Tsuyuri’s team reacts immediately.

No—wait, one does.

“Don’t move further.”

Holding her device forward, Kururugi stops me with a sharp voice.

“Do you not understand the situation? You’re alone; we’re five. The battlefield’s neutral, but we outmatch you in every resource. Even as Academy Island’s strongest, overturning this gap is impossible, no?”

“Nah, not really. Five of you? I’m enough on my own.”

“Tch… What?”

My response catches her off guard. Her eyes widen briefly, then she lowers her head, ponytail swaying, as if pondering. Taking advantage, I—despite the hopeless five-on-one setup—taunt her with a cocky expression.

“Hah… What’s that? You’ve got the upper hand but can’t move? Since any spell’s a one-hit kill, just fire a《Magic Cannon》from afar and win, right?”

“……”

“Or, like a kendo girl, do you prefer finishing with《Sword Flash》? Sure, I’ve got a《Barrier》or two, but they won’t last forever. Give it a shot—if you don’t care about this《Duel》.”

I keep throwing loaded lines, grinning.

…Let’s be honest.

Everything I’m saying is pure bluff—sounding plausible but meaningless. Attacking me now won’t trigger anything special. I’d take damage and lose normally. My heart’s screaming just standing upright.

But I have one certainty.

Himeji said Kururugi’s《One-Shot Kill》has some activation condition. Tsuyuri always builds their team to meet it in every event… meaning her one-hit kills require teammate cooperation.

Past events confirm this. I checked《Demon God Shrine Maiden》’s data yesterday, and the “condition” always involves teammates.

And—partly her natural mindset—she prioritizes team benefit. I’m just standing alone, someone she could defeat solo, but my words and attitude make her suspect a “trap,” freezing her. How can someone stay so calm facing《Demon God Shrine Maiden》’s one-hit kills? What’s the prerequisite? It’s got to be a trap. The details are unclear, but this is Academy Island’s strongest. Attacking now is a bad move—

—That’s what you’re thinking, right?

Watching Kururugi’s hesitant expression, I deepen my smirk slightly. Timing it carefully, I raise my arm and,

Fine, drown in that paranoia. …Please, I’m begging you!

—snap my fingers theatrically.

Instantly, a short tap sounds, and a girl beside Kururugi stumbles. Seeing her LP drop by 2 on site mode, I follow up with a《Magic Cannon》, driving her to near-death. Then, as the first attack’s cooldown ends, an invisible assailant strikes again, finishing her off, and she vanishes from the AR world in a flash.

Watching the effect settle, I flash a grin.

“First one down. …《Magic Cannon》worked, so probably a【Scout】, huh?”

“You… bastard!”

Kururugi rages at her teammate’s fall. Evading her attack range, Himeji—the key to this plan—hurries back to my square.

“Phew—I’m back, Master.”

“Yeah. …Nice work, Himeji.”

—Right, exactly.

The trick? Himeji never went to support Akizuki. With《Action Prediction》, Akizuki can handle two weaker opponents alone. Given the gap between Tsuyuri and Eimei, Himeji should obviously back me up.

But even together, we’d have little chance in a straight fight. As Yuikawa from our academy said,【Commander】and【Guardian】are the least offense-oriented pair. We’d likely lose without taking anyone down.

…So, we devised a plan.

Akizuki handles Kagurazuki from the south alone. Himeji and I tackle Tsuyuri, but Himeji pretends to join Akizuki to slip off Kururugi’s radar, then uses《Stealth》to return. At my signal, she ambushes with a spell, dropping one opponent instantly—that’s the flow.

“…Tch…”

Realizing the situation as Himeji reappears, Kururugi grimaces, her glare now razor-sharp.

Now… the question is whether that broke her “condition.”

Meeting her stare, I mutter internally. …I researched a bit, but Kururugi’s《One-Shot Kill》condition varies by《Duel》. I can’t tell from the outside if dropping one person changed things.

Then—

“Master, watch out…!”

Kururugi suddenly raises her arm, firing a《Magic Cannon》spell fluidly. If the condition’s met, it’d wipe my LP in one hit, but Himeji’s《Barrier》barely makes it in time.

Or… it did, but.

“!?”

Himeji lets out a silent scream at the impact. …No wonder—despite the《Barrier》, four of her crystal-shaped LP markers shatter at once.

“…Hmph, not enough to finish through a《Barrier》, huh.”

Murmuring as if sheathing a blade, Kururugi slips her device back into her pocket. It’s just a spell, but I almost see a master’s iaido slash.

Wiping out most of her LP through a《Barrier》? What the hell…!?

Keeping a calm face, I complain inwardly.

Probably…《Barrier》’s text says “reduces damage to 0,” but it actually “greatly reduces damage.” Meanwhile, Kururugi’s《One-Shot Kill》deals massive damage. The contradiction clashed, leaving Himeji near-death.

Overwhelming force.《Demon God Shrine Maiden》doesn’t even allow defense.

“…Tch.”

Grasping the dire situation, I keep moving between squares without a hint of panic. Moving—or bluntly, fleeing—but not just running. I’m desperately, randomly keeping distance from Kururugi.

And… the change slowly appears on the field.

“Hm…?”

Kururugi pauses briefly, scanning the area with a slight frown. No wonder—some squares I’ve stepped on are now vivid emerald. At least twenty, by now.

Seeing this, she spits out irritably,

“Clever… Using《Neutralize》to create your own areas and build a favorable battlefield, huh?”

“Who knows? Maybe I’ve got another goal in mind.”

“Another? …No, I’m done debating you. Enough stalling.”

Muttering in annoyance, Kururugi resumes walking.

A favorable battlefield—sure, carving out your own area in a neutral square-filled field is a key strategic point. Using《Neutralize》for that is standard and logical.

But her assumption has two big errors.

A battlefield favoring us? Don’t be ridiculous. Even if this whole area was Eimei’s, it wouldn’t close the gap between you and me.

—Exactly. So, I’m not aiming for battlefield control.

The emerald squares I scattered while fleeing Kururugi seem random but follow a pattern. Normally, no one wants to enter enemy territory where they’re disadvantaged. Using that psychology, I’m herding Tsuyuri’s team southward.

If this keeps up, the herding will work. …But damn, Kururugi’s《One-Shot Kill》is still active. I’d like to take out one more here…

I race through thoughts, wary of her unpredictable lethal attacks.

Then—a cool voice suddenly hits my ears.

“Master, may I have a moment?”

“…What’s up?”

“I have an idea. It’s executable now and could drop one of Tsuyuri Girls’ members if it works—but it’s not guaranteed. If it fails, I’ll be out of《Astral》. …Even so, will you trust me and leave this to me?”

Keeping her focus on Kururugi’s group behind us, Himeji speaks calmly. Her tone sounds almost normal, but it also feels like she’s forcing composure.

Not that it matters, but—

“Obviously. Since coming to this island, I’ve never once doubted you.”

“Ah… Yes, thank you.”

“……”

Hearing my response, Himeji lets a soft smile slip and gracefully spins on the spot. Facing the approaching Tsuyuri Girls’ team head-on, she offers a refined bow.

Then, with a single phrase,

“And so—Kururugi-sama, along with everyone from Sixteenth Ward Tsuyuri Girls’ Institute. You will remain here, treading in place. To put it plainly, I won’t let you advance any further.”

“…Oh?”

At the edge of my vision, I see Kururugi’s lips twist in amusement.

“Surely you’re not mocking me? To think you’d try the same bluff twice.”

“No, I have no such intention… However, if you believe this is a bluff, why not fire and find out? That would settle everything.”

“Very well, then I shall.”

She must have been quite irritated. In less than a second after Himeji’s words, Kururugi raises her device and activates some spell. Given the distance between Himeji and Kururugi, it’s likely《Magic Cannon》, but the spell’s type hardly matters. As long as《One-Shot Kill》is active, any attack from Kururugi becomes a lethal strike.

“—!”

At the moment of impact, Himeji visibly tenses, her body stiffening so much that I can tell even from behind. Perhaps knowing it’s futile, she shows no sign of using《Barrier》. As I imagine the worst—that she’s trying to act as a decoy—that’s when it happens.

“…What?”

A soft, bewildered murmur from Kururugi brushes my ears.

And no wonder—for the instant her attack spell seemed to pierce Himeji, it wasn’t Himeji whose LP was obliterated, but none other than a member of Tsuyuri’s team. The girl, whose role remained unclear to the end, freezes with a stunned expression, vanishing from the AR world before she can utter a word.

Kururugi’s gaze, watching it all unfold, slowly locks onto Himeji.

“You… what did you just do? That seemed like an abnormal action…”

“Abnormal? That’s harsh. All I used was simple《Value Manipulation》.”

“…Nonsense.”

“It’s not nonsense… Listen. All attack spells in《Astral》are programs designed to ‘deal predetermined damage to a player at the target’s coordinates.’ In other words, they’re all numbers—there’s no physical bullet or blast flying through the air.”

“? Yes, that’s true.”

“If so, it’s simple. The attacker’s coordinates, the target’s coordinates, the timing of the spell’s activation, and the coordinates you want to redirect to—if you can calculate all of these, don’t you think《Value Manipulation》could twist the spell’s impact point by swapping the coordinates?”

“——”

Kururugi freezes, dumbfounded… And understandably so. Himeji’s explanation is correct. It’s a brilliant move that turns Kururugi’s overpowering attack against her—but it’s obviously a huge gamble. A single miscalculation would mean failure, and the timing is so precise that even Kagaya-san’s help was out of the question. Thus, that strike was executed solely by Himeji, the《Company》leader, using just her device.

“……”

Eventually, seeming to recover from her shock, Kururugi casts a sharp glare.

“A miscalculation… Who are you?”

“Me? …Well, let’s see.”

To that question, Himeji glances briefly at me before,

“I am a maid. The exclusive maid of Academy Island’s strongest—Shinohara Hiroto-sama.”

With a gentle smile, she says so.

♭

“……Damn it.”

Kururugi Senri was irritated.

Naturally. How could she stay calm after being provoked by that smug guy and outplayed by his attendant maid? It’s a disastrous turn of events.

Currently, Tsuyuri Girls has three surviving members, including herself. The activation conditions for《One-Shot Kill》in《Astral》are “the number of participating team members must be equal to or greater than the opposing team” and “the ability user’s action value must be 3 or higher.” Losing even one more member would break the condition. The【Guardian】with the buff ability is already down, so her action value is barely hanging on.

An unexpected struggle…

She quietly sinks into thought… The earlier《Value Manipulation》caught her off guard, but now that she knows, she can counter it. That maid’s LP is down to 1, so there’s no need to use《One-Shot Kill》. Any attack would force her to defend, creating an opening.

Thus, I can win…《Neutralize》is annoying, but if it’s draining their resources, it’s not bad.

She pursues while avoiding the emerald areas Shinohara Hiroto is creating. Honestly, she’d rather ignore them, but entering Eimei’s areas lowers her action value, breaking《One-Shot Kill》’s condition. Thus, she has no choice but to head south as guided.

Hm…? Wait, why is he heading south? What’s there—

The moment Kururugi begins to question this basic detail,

♯

A loud boom erupts, and the square next to Kururugi explodes violently.

“What…!?”

While Kururugi, startled, instantly deploys《Barrier》, the girl beside her, about to open her device, is knocked out of the《Duel》in an instant. No single《Trap》should deal five LP’s worth of damage, so multiple traps were likely set.

Observing the scene from a distance, I speak calmly.

“Gotcha… That’s the third one.”

“…From your tone, this wasn’t some accidental mishap, was it?”

“Yeah, obviously.”

To the shaken Kururugi, I continue slowly.

“I don’t know how much you’ve dug into Eimei’s info, but… our ‘little devil’ fighting Ninth Ward right now is insanely good at reading opponents’ thoughts and actions. Because of that, she’s apparently better at using《Trap》than regular attack spells.”

“…And?”

“What, you still don’t get it? She’s been scattering《Trap》s even during combat, so of course there are tons of untriggered traps left. Traps the opponent didn’t step on, traps that became unnecessary during the fight… Hah, that’s why I lured you all the way south. This is the aftermath of their battle.”

“…I see. So you chased Ninth Ward so deeply from the start just for this…!?”

Finally grasping my intent, Kururugi clenches her teeth in frustration. She stays silent for a while, head lowered, before raising a sharp gaze and continuing.

“Why didn’t I notice? I don’t even understand myself… I knew you were leading me. But somehow, I couldn’t think beyond that.”

“Who knows? Maybe a certain little devil was guiding your thoughts?”

“…Are you serious?”

“Halfway, maybe.”

I say with a carefree attitude… Honestly, it’s probably just that Himeji’s《Value Manipulation》was so overwhelming that Kururugi had no mental bandwidth for my tricks. That said, with《Action Prediction》, an awakened Akizuki might actually pull something like that off.

“……”

Kururugi falls silent for a while. Almost certainly, the loss of that member just now broke《One-Shot Kill》’s activation condition. Pressing her right hand to her forehead, she lets out a small sigh.

“Hmph… You’ve done well, Academy Island’s strongest.”

“Thanks. But staring at me like that’s gonna make me blush.”

“Enough chatter… Are you still playing dumb at this stage? You’re not the ones in control here—it’s overwhelmingly us.”

With a grim smile tinged with anger, Kururugi Senri takes a bold step forward.

“Losing three teammates is humiliating and infuriating, but your earlier words made it clear. Your strategy has a fatal flaw.”

“A flaw?”

“Yes— you’re clearly overusing《Neutralize》spells. Maybe it’s for show, but dedicating so many slots to《Neutralize》means you’ve barely got any attack spells, right? That’s why you had to borrow the【Scout】’s《Trap》to attack us. You act all confident, but that’s not true. That was a desperate move for you.”

“…Heh, you’re pretty observant.”

Praising her casually, I grin and continue.

“But even so, you can’t know the exact number—”

“Thirty-five. …You used《Neutralize》thirty-five times in our battle. According to the【Commander】we just lost, Eimei has twelve bases. The individual slot limit is three times the base count, so your maximum is thirty-six. Including the《Magic Cannon》you used earlier, your individual slots shouldn’t even have a single《Barrier》left.”

“……”

Kururugi’s sharp deduction leaves me momentarily silent…《Demon God Shrine Maiden》, Kururugi Senri. True to her reputation from countless external events, she’s skilled at this kind of exchange. As she pointed out, I created exactly thirty-five emerald squares. That she kept counting so calmly despite her heightened emotions is impressive.

“…Have you forgotten, Kururugi-sama?”

With a soft murmur, Himeji, standing beside me, steps forward lightly.

“Even if my master loses all his weapons, he still has me. To think you could touch my master without defeating his maid—”

“—Of course, I’m not so naive as to think that.”

Cutting off Himeji’s declaration with a ferocious tone, Kururugi signals, and the girl beside her swiftly moves her fingers across her device. At the same time, Himeji lets out a silent “—!” as if frozen, unable to move.

As I frown, wondering how, Kururugi smirks slightly and continues.

“As you know, we at Tsuyuri build our team entirely to maximize《One-Shot Kill》. Among them, she’s using《Medusa’s Evil Eye》—an excellent ability that prevents the target from moving for one minute at the cost of disabling her own attacks.”

“…Huh. That’s a handy ability.”

“I’m honored by the praise. Now, you have no spells left. Your troublesome maid is pinned by《Evil Eye》. In other words, our victory is assured.”

“Is it? But your《One-Shot Kill》is already gone, right? Without it, you’re just a 5-star. I don’t think you can win that easily.”

“…We’ll see.”

For a moment—somehow—Kururugi lowers her eyes sadly. Then, shifting abruptly, she slowly raises her right hand, aiming her device at the girl beside her.

And then,

“I’m sorry, everyone—please forgive my inadequacy.”

—Bang. Accepting Kururugi’s《Gunfire》without flinching, the girl instantly vanishes from the AR world. To me, stunned and speechless, Kururugi speaks quietly.

“I’ve never revealed this before, but—《One-Shot Kill》is originally a lone-wolf ability. It only activates when all teammates are defeated… But that’s too sad, isn’t it? So, I used the《Substitute Condition》ability to change its activation condition. To make it so I could use《One-Shot Kill》with teammates—no, only with teammates. …In other words, though I didn’t want it, I’ve always been stronger alone.”

…Hah!?

“It might be overkill to bury an opponent with no spells left, but… I owe you a big debt. I’ll make you regret mocking us.”

Saying so quietly, Kururugi raises her device skyward… Likely, island tube’s comment section is buzzing right now. Kururugi Senri,《Demon God Shrine Maiden》, battered and alone after losing all her precious teammates. Yet her《Sword Flash》—never dulled—slices through Shinohara Hiroto, Academy Island’s strongest, in a diagonal cut—right before that moment.

“…I wasn’t mocking you, you know.”

With a sly grin, I say those words and step back with a tap. From my supposedly “empty” individual slots, I select a《Magic Cannon》spell and fire it at Kururugi without hesitation. Immediately after, I use《Cancel》to skip the cooldown, step forward, and activate a《Sword Flash》spell.

“…Huh?”

Kururugi, hit by the attacks, seems less affected by the damage and more frozen by confusion over “what just happened.” …Well, that’s understandable. By her calculations, I shouldn’t have any spells left. For me to suddenly unleash a barrage of attacks—it’d be stranger if she wasn’t shocked.

As I calmly hold my device, Kururugi hurls a trembling voice at me.

“W-What’s going on!? Are your individual slots bottomless!?”

“I’d love to say it’s ’cause I’m 7-star, but nah, that’s not it. Individual slot mechanics are the same for everyone.”

“Then why!? After spamming《Neutralize》like that, you should’ve run out long ago!”

“Sorry, but that assumption’s wrong from the start… Listen. Earlier, I kept my distance from you while turning several squares ‘emerald.’ You thought it was ‘to create a favorable battlefield,’ but unfortunately, that’s not it.”

“…Hmph.”

Kururugi snorts irritably at my expository tone.

“I get that much. You’re saying it was to lure us, right? To draw us into this minefield.”

“Yeah, that’s one part. But that action had another purpose—Kururugi, it was to deceive you. Making it look like I was burning through spells was the whole point.”

“…Making it look like? What does that mean?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. I barely used any spells since our battle started. To be precise, I didn’t use《Neutralize》for area expansion even once. I was just using an ability to change the squares’ appearance.”

“What!?”

—Yes, exactly.

The exclusive ability of the Indigo Star,《†Jet-Black Wings†》. In yesterday’s academy battle, I used it only as a bluff, but this time, I activated it for real. What I showed was the illusion of some squares I stepped on gradually turning emerald… as if I were using《Neutralize》to claim them, simply overwriting their color.

In other words, it was all a facade.

The emerald squares guiding Kururugi weren’t Eimei’s areas—they just looked emerald.

“…Hah.”

To emphasize the reversal, I flash a grin.

“So, it was all your misunderstanding.《†Jet-Black Wings†》only manipulates appearances, so no actual claiming happened. My individual slots are almost untouched… In fact, they’re packed with spells to take you down.”

“……”

“—Phew. A turnaround, huh.”

I murmur with a sigh… Thanks to that earlier barrage, Kururugi’s LP is down to 2. Judging by the damage, her role is likely【Soldier】, so one more《Magic Cannon》would finish her. At this point,《One-Shot Kill》is irrelevant.

As I raise my device to end the battle—that instant,

“!?”

A harsh bzzzt sounds, and my device vibrates violently. Checking the screen, the familiar interface is gone, replaced by “Operation Disabled” in the center. Luckily, it’s only for a dozen seconds, but that’s enough for Kururugi to recover.

“Damn it…!”

Kururugi deploys a temporary《Barrier》and puts distance between us. Just as I think she’ll go on the offensive, she shakes her head and spits out in a bitter tone,

“《Electronic Interference》, my trump card for desperate moments. I can’t let Tsuyuri Girls’ honor fall here—so, humiliating as it is, I’ll retreat for now.”

“Huh? …Hey, wait!”

I shout to stop her, but unsurprisingly, it’s futile, and Kururugi vanishes into the distance… With《Company》’s support, pursuit is possible, but it risks depleting my spells. Even battered, Kururugi still has《One-Shot Kill》, so chasing her now is clearly unwise.

However, letting Kururugi escape means we can’t seize Tsuyuri’s areas—a major issue… But in this situation, I can’t be too greedy. Repelling a team with such a power gap through bluffing alone is good enough for now.

“—Well done, Master.”

Finally free from the movement lock, Himeji approaches and speaks softly.

“Kururugi-sama was truly battle-hardened. Not just her one-hit-kill ability, but her insight and adaptability were top-notch. It makes sense for a second-year to be 5-star.”

“Yeah… But don’t you think something’s off? That ability—《Electronic Interference》, was it? If she’d used an attack spell at that moment, she could’ve definitely taken me out. Sure, that wouldn’t handle you or Akizuki, and maybe that’s why she chose to ‘escape’… But《Astral》is a《Duel》about seizing areas, right? Even as the《Demon God Shrine Maiden》, she can’t win alone.”

“Hm… Now that you mention it, you’re right. Rather than fleeing aimlessly, attacking you to at least land a blow seems better… So, is there another reason? Something that justifies surviving, even alone?”

“Yeah…”

Himeji, her gloved finger on her cheek, and I ponder back and forth, but we can’t pinpoint that “reason.” All we know is that she’s not《Chameleon》—if《Chameleon》had a lone-wolf ability like《One-Shot Kill》,《Astral》would’ve ended already.

And… at that moment,

“~~~~~ Hiroto-kun!”

A loud voice makes me turn, and I see Akizuki running (cutely) toward us. Stopping abruptly in front of me, she reports her results with seductive breaths and an upward glance.

“Haa, haa… Ehehe ♡ Listen, listen, Hiroto-kun, I properly took down those two from Ninth Ward! ♡ So, so, am I great? Is Noa amazing?”

“Y-Yeah… Thanks. You really saved us.”

“Yay! ♪ Ehehe, then I want a pat… Kyaa! ♡”

“…Sure.”

As Akizuki coyly leans closer, I place a hand on her head, gently running my fingers through her fluffy twin-tails. It’s a simple act, but every slight movement makes Akizuki let out sweet “Nnh… ♡” sounds, earning me a piercing stare from Himeji.

“—Ehehe, thanks! ♡”

Seemingly satisfied with my “reward,” Akizuki steps back with a light hop. Fanning her flushed cheeks with both hands to cool off, she says in a puzzled tone,

“But… something’s weird. I definitely beat both Ninth Ward people, but site mode shows Eimei’s areas haven’t increased by even one square.”

“Huh? …You’re right. Maybe there’s another member left besides those two?”

“They split their team? Hm… But would they do that? It doesn’t seem very meaningful…”

Hearing Akizuki’s words, I quietly bring my right hand to my mouth… She’s right. In《Astral》, where numbers are a key resource, splitting a team is nothing but a risk. It only makes sense in emergencies, like ours today.

“But…”

My thoughts stalling, I voice my doubts to organize them.

“If that’s the case, it’s weird that Ninth Ward’s areas haven’t shifted to Eimei’s control. Unlike Tsuyuri, where one escaped, we should’ve defeated their entire team.”

“Yeah, exactly. Mmm… Oh, but now that I think about it, those two said something odd before they went down.”

“Something odd? …Like what?”

“Um, I think… ‘We’re under《Chameleon》’s wing,’ or something like that.”

“!?”

Akizuki’s recalled words make me gasp sharply.

What does that mean…!?

Under《Chameleon》’s wing. Areas we should’ve seized but can’t. Kururugi’s survival-first retreat. Each is unclear, but together, they can’t be unrelated… Yes, it all comes back to《Chameleon》doing something. A piercing chill runs through me. Cold sweat trickles down my neck.

But that’s only natural—despite overcoming the pincer attack, we fought a massive battle and gained no areas from either team. In results alone, we were “just forced to burn through spells.” Worse, our base count has dropped slightly since before the battle… Likely, some team swooped in for the spoils. Among the eleven surviving teams, we’re eighth in area control and dead last in bases.

Conversely, dominating every metric is—unsurprisingly—Seijo Academy.

“……”

Calming my breathing, I glance at my device… As expected, this situation is reflecting poorly, with our approval rating plummeting rapidly. Comments on《Libra》’s stream like “7-star’s done for” and “Team battles aren’t his thing~” are popping up, showing we’re half-abandoned.

Plus, my bet with Enomoto still isn’t settled…

As the third day—our deal’s deadline—mercilessly nears its end, I lower my head slightly.

A hopeless situation.

An impossible challenge with no clear path to recovery.

But—if you asked if this was unexpected, I’d say not at all. In fact, it’s almost as predicted. I assumed it’d come to this, which is why I took the risk to consult Saionji.

A single girl, absent from here, flashes through my mind.

I don’t have proof yet… but at this point, I’ve got no choice.

I murmur silently to myself. To put it bluntly, this is a “gamble.” I estimate decent odds, but it’s far from a sure win—a high-stakes, all-or-nothing shot.

…So.

Meeting Himeji’s steadfast gaze of trust and Akizuki’s pleading, upward glance, I speak in an utterly calm tone.

“Listen, both of you. I’m about to say something strange. You’ll probably think it’s unbelievable, but hear me out to the end, trusting I’ve got a reason—”

【…May Inter-District Tournament《Astral》Day 3 Mid-Progress】

【Various data under measurement. Please wait…】

♯♯♯

“—I’m truly sorry.”

May Inter-District Tournament, Day 3, after the second half.

Called to a rarely used corner of the hotel’s first-floor common area, I face Enomoto, dressed impeccably in his uniform, offering a heartfelt apology.

“……”

I can understand why he looks so pained. Even if it was the《Demon God Shrine Maiden》’s scheme, Enomoto himself chose not to participate this afternoon. He couldn’t stay indifferent after Eimei got caught in that mess because of it.

Standing rigidly, as if repenting, Enomoto continues before I can speak.

“This afternoon, I was watching《Libra》’s stream with Nanase in the restaurant. I meant to be alone, but we both felt awkward. At least, I thought, I should grasp the《Duel》’s flow.”

“Yeah.”

“And I saw everything through the footage… No, that’s a lie. I was so ashamed of my inadequacy that I couldn’t watch to the end. I fled to my room mid-《Duel》and just trembled, turning away from Eimei’s dropping approval rating.”

Saying that, Enomoto lowers his head again quietly.

“Once more, I’m truly sorry. My selfish whims dirtied not just Eimei’s name but yours, Shinohara. Before this《Duel》began, I thought I was better suited for【Commander】, but I was completely wrong. You did nothing wrong—no, you were flawless. …I’ll ask the principal later to make a public clarification.”

Without a hint of jest or levity, Enomoto speaks in an intensely serious tone. He must have steeled himself before I returned.

Meeting his earnest gaze, I weave my words slowly.

“…Hey, Enomoto.”

“What?”

“Answer honestly. Did you really suspect Asamiya was《Chameleon》?”

“…No.”

Enomoto hesitates briefly at my question but soon shakes his head slightly.

“Not really. The possibility wasn’t zero, but I had no real reason to doubt her. So… if anything, I said it to make Nanase angry.”

“To make her angry?”

“Yeah… Because she’s an idiot, that Nanase. An honest, pure idiot, so she’s weak to that kind of malice. I thought if she kept participating in the《Duel》like that, she’d break easily. I thought she’d crumble. I absolutely wanted to avoid that.”

“……”

“Oi, Shinohara, what’s with that weird face?”

“Oh, uh… I just thought you got honest all of a sudden.”

“…Hmph. It’s something I’ve always thought. Just too bothersome to say out loud.”

Muttering in a tone like he’s hiding embarrassment, Enomoto averts his gaze. As I’m about to continue with a wry smile, that moment—

“—Ah, wha!?”

A loud clatter sounds, and a figure stumbles into our view. Enomoto instinctively looks for a hiding spot at the all-too-familiar sight, but it’s too late. The girl, looking slightly sheepish, approaches us.

Twirling her hair and slightly averting her eyes, the blonde gyaru JK—Asamiya Nanase.

“S-Sorry, Shino. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop or anything…”

“…How much did you hear?”

Instantly sliding between me and Asamiya, Enomoto asks in a low voice.

“Answer, Nanase. Depending on your response, I may need to erase your memory.”

“What’s that? …Uh, from around the part where you said, ‘I love Nanase!!’ or something.”

“I never confessed like that. And my first person isn’t ‘ore’ to begin with.”

“Then from the part about ‘always thinking it.’”

“I didn’t say that either!”

“Huh!? B-But you totally said it!”

The two start arguing face-to-face at close range. The atmosphere is much better than this morning, though a bit of awkwardness lingers.

Not that it matters, but…

“…During today’s lunch break, while strategizing with《Libra》footage, I noticed something.”

I decide to share a “certain fact” with them.

“During negotiations with Fifteenth Ward—right before Yuikawa and I formed a《Temporary Pact》, one of their members tried to use a《Magic Cannon》spell. I didn’t notice at the time, and even watching the footage, I missed it at first, but at ten-times slow-motion, I could barely make it out. …And that player was the one Asamiya attacked there.”

“Wha…” “Ugh, Shino, that’s…”

Both fall silent for different reasons at my explanation.

A few seconds later, Enomoto recovers first.

“Is that… true? It wasn’t just her usual reckless idiocy but a meaningful action?”

“…You don’t have to be that shocked, stupid Shinji.”

Asamiya pouts slightly at Enomoto’s reaction, grumbling.

“I said I wanted to help everyone, didn’t I? Shino’s the super reliable 7-star, Noa-chan’s cute and super smart, Yukirin’s cute and super capable, and Shinji… well, Shinji’s not that cute, but he kinda holds the team together. I’m not smart at all, so if I can’t contribute in combat, I’d have no place anywhere…”

“…So, you shot down an enemy with reaction speed rivaling ten-times slow-motion footage?”

vantaggio. “I couldn’t help it! I saw it, okay!”

Asamiya puffs her cheeks and snaps at Enomoto (metaphorically, for now)… Neither says it outright, but it seems they’ve reconciled. For me, even a temporary truce during this event is fine.

“Hm… But, Shino.”

Having settled her spat with Enomoto, Asamiya turns to me again.

“I know you helped patch things up, and I might be ruining the mood, but… isn’t it over?”

“…? Over? What’s over?”

“Ugh… Making a comeback from here.”

Drooping her shoulders apologetically, Asamiya continues, “I mean…”

“We’ve got no areas, no spells, our approval rating’s tanking—and Shino, you’re out.”

“Yeah, that’s true… Wait, huh?”

Enomoto, nodding along smoothly, suddenly grimaces and lets out a strange sound.

“Shinohara’s… out? Wait, what’s that about? I didn’t hear anything…”

“…That’s ’cause you stormed off in the middle, Shinji.”

Asamiya sighs with a slightly exasperated gesture. Glancing at me hesitantly, she continues in a cautious tone.

“Shino dropped out of《Astral》at the end today. Not like he was taken out by that ponytail girl for revenge or anything… More like, he did it himself.”

…Yes, exactly.

As Asamiya explained, about an hour ago—right before the third day’s second half ended—I used a《Sword Flash》spell on myself, depleting my LP. Eimei’s first dropout, and a mysterious “self-destruction” at that, causing quite a stir on island tube and STOCK.

But the one most confused is probably Enomoto, standing before me.

“Dropped out… Shinohara? The Shinohara Hiroto, already out of the《Duel》…?”

“Yeah, exactly. Nothing wrong with that. If you don’t believe me, check your device.”

“No… It’s not that, but why—?”

Then, as if realizing something, Enomoto freezes. His face pales rapidly, and he asks in a trembling voice,

“No way… Is it because of me? To win our bet, you deliberately…?”

“……”

To Enomoto’s question, I choose to respond with silence… Our bet for the【Commander】role was “defeat three【Commanders】to win.” But as things stood, I couldn’t have met that condition. After repelling the pincer attack, we’d only defeated two【Commanders】. Engaging another team afterward was unrealistic.

So, I defeated myself—since《Astral》counts damage to allies as valid, and my role is none other than【Commander】, it adds up.

Realizing this, Enomoto’s pale face twists as he grabs my collar.

“Why would you do something so stupid, Shinohara!”

“……”

“I know this is selfish anger. I understand it’s all my fault. But without you, how are we supposed to—!”

Enomoto rages, his voice trembling, anger seeping through his words. But that anger means he’s already acknowledged me. With Enomoto and Asamiya’s relationship somewhat mended, Eimei is finally starting to unite.

That’s appreciated, of course—but,

“…That’s not it.”

Meeting Enomoto’s gaze head-on, I flash a fearless grin.

“Sure, our bet was part of it, but not the only reason. I’m Eimei’s【Commander】, you know? I wouldn’t let us collapse over some infighting.”

“…What do you mean? Are you saying your dropout will lead to Eimei’s victory?”

“Well, in simple terms, maybe.”

I say with a smug expression.

Then, I briefly organize the situation—May Inter-District Tournament, utterly disrupted by《Chameleon》. Their dominance is unmatched, and now there’s a mysterious faction claiming to be under their wing. Eimei’s position is undeniably the lowest. Unlike Ouka, eagerly eyeing a comeback, we’re not even in a spot to influence the《Duel》.

But… no, because of that.

“This is our only shot—it’s the only way we win. With the《Duel》this chaotic, playing normally is pointless. We need to use every trick, every unconventional tactic, to turn it around completely. We need to break the framework… So, relax. Eimei’s fallen state, my dropping out of the《Duel》here—it’s all part of the plan. So far, it’s perfect—everything’s going according to plan.”

—And the only ones who can take down《Chameleon》are us.

1. 【May Inter-District Tournament《Astral》—Day 3 Concluded】
2. 【Team with the Most Controlled Areas: Twelfth Ward Seijo Academy (2245 Squares)】

• 【Team with the Highest Approval Rating: Twelfth Ward Seijo Academy (38.3%)】

1. 【Notable Event—Eimei Academy Shinohara Hiroto: Dropped Out】