Chapter 1: The Signal Fire of Reversal
♯
The third day of the May Inter-District Tournament《Astral》—.
It was around nine in the evening when a single message from Kazami Suzuran arrived on my device.
The content was, in short, “I’d like to explain the rules of《MTCG》.” Apparently, this is something they do for all players who drop out of《Astral》, and she asked me to come to a small meeting room on the second floor—different from the one Eimei had been using earlier—once I was ready.
“Um… please, take a seat, nya.”
A few minutes later, I was visiting that room alone.
The room’s interior wasn’t much different from the previous one, though it felt slightly smaller. The sofas placed across a glass table were single-seaters only. And sitting lightly on the sofa at the far end was a lone girl.
Kazami Suzuran—a second-year student at Ouka Academy High School, like Saionji, with a three-star rank. She always wears a cap, causing her chestnut-colored hair to flip outward in places, and an armband labeled “Ace Reporter” is pinned to her shoulder. With her honest and hardworking nature, boyish style, energetic demeanor, and a cute appearance that contrasts with it all, she’s the type who’s generally liked by everyone.
That’s Kazami… or at least, that’s how she’s supposed to be. But the girl sitting in front of me now was far removed from that impression. Slightly looking down, her hands resting daintily on her knees, occasionally glancing at me nervously—it’s hard to imagine this is her usual character.
“Um, Shinohara-kun, aren’t you going to sit, nya? …I mean, if you want to stand, that’s fine too, but…”
“…Well, I’ll sit then.”
Kazami timidly offered me a seat in a tone completely unlike her usual high energy. As I sat across from her, I quietly started the conversation.
“So—the rule explanation for《MTCG》, right?”
“…Y-Yes, nya. Of course, participation is optional, but if you use the top reward, the ‘Wildcard,’ you can return to《Astral》… so we explain it to everyone, just in case.”
As I asked calmly, Kazami hurriedly flipped through the documents in her hands, as if flustered. Though she tried to appear composed, her expression remained visibly tense.
That’s not the reason, but still.
“Hey, Kazami… isn’t there something you want to talk to me about?”
“…!”
At my question, Kazami’s shoulders jolted with a start. …Well, that’s only natural. Right before I dropped out of《Astral》, I left a rather direct message for《Libra》. If she saw it, she’d know I came here with some kind of intent.
“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about… nya.”
Even so, Kazami shook her head weakly, her gaze downcast. It was a feeble gesture, but a clear refusal—an indication that she understood the meaning of my actions but wasn’t ready to accept them.
But… the fact that you’re here at all means you’re clearly hesitating, right?
Facing Kazami, I muttered this to myself inwardly.
I mean, think about it—she said she called me here to “explain the rules of《MTCG》,” but there’s no reason it had to be her specifically. If it had been some random《Libra》member I didn’t know, convincing them would’ve been much harder. But with Kazami Suzuran, it’s different. I can think of various strategies, and she must know that too.
If that’s the case,
You’re acting like you’re refusing on the surface, but deep down, you want to be convinced, don’t you? You want to spill everything, right? …Fine, I’ll play along with that wish.
“…? Shinohara-kun?”
As Kazami looked at me with a puzzled expression, I gave a quiet smile and slowly stood from the sofa. Leaving her unable to react to my sudden movement, I walked leisurely toward the door. Then, with a click, I pulled the inward-opening door toward me.
And there—
“Hehe… Oh, Shinohara? What a coincidence to meet you in a place like this.”
As planned, a girl in an Ouka uniform stood there.
Sarasa Saionji—the island’s most prestigious (fake) heiress, the former seven-star《Empress》, and currently my accomplice with red hair. I’m hiding my rank, she’s hiding her very existence, and if either of our lies is exposed, we both go down. Because of this unique situation, we’ve secretly teamed up. On top of that, Saionji is in the middle of a《Duel》with the so-called《Chameleon》, betting the title of《Empress》.《Chameleon》’s rampage is something neither of us can ignore.
And another thing—more important in this context—is that, as a member of Ouka Academy, she’s Kazami Suzuran’s friend. That’s why I went through Himeji to send Saionji a note, arranging for the two to meet face-to-face like this.
“N…”
After greeting me with her usual poised, “public-facing” demeanor, Saionji glanced left and right. Then, leaning slightly closer to me, she whispered softly.
“…Hey, let me in already, Shinohara. What if someone sees us?”
“Yeah, yeah, I got it.”
Shrinking slightly under the ruby-red eyes glaring at me up close, I let her into the room. I can’t believe this is the same girl who made me wait ten minutes outside her room last night—or rather, early this morning. But anyway.
“…”
Saionji entered the small meeting room, her shoes clicking lightly. Facing Kazami, who sat stunned across the glass table, she placed one hand on her hip.
And—after a brief silence, it was Kazami who spoke first.
“Sa-Sarasa-chan…? No, you can’t come in, nya.《Libra》isn’t allowed to talk to《Astral》participants, it’s against the rules, nya!”
“I don’t know anything about that. It’s not written in the rules. Besides, I don’t see why anyone should complain about me just chatting with a friend.”
“F-Friend… I mean, yes, but…”
“Oh? What’s wrong? Could it be… I was the only one who thought we were friends?”
“That’s not true, nya! Sarasa-chan, you’re my precious, precious friend, nya…!”
“R-Really…? Hehe, is that so? I’m honored.”
Saionji’s voice wavered slightly at Kazami’s response as she leaned forward, hands on the table. She maintained her cool, stylish air, crossing her arms under her chest, but a closer look revealed her lips curling happily.
…Hey, don’t get all flustered there, Saionji. You’re usually way more regal than this.
S-Shut up. I can’t pull it off as well as you, okay? Besides, I only act regal when I’m talking to you.
While keeping her gaze on Kazami, Saionji and I exchanged whispers at a barely audible level.
Observing us, Kazami hesitantly asked.
“So… why are you here, Sarasa-chan, nya? Did Shinohara-kun…?”
“Yeah, that’s right. I called her.”
I casually affirmed her question. Normally, I’d have to dodge somehow, but in this situation, there’s no need for that.
“You know, right, Kazami? This《Empress》was challenged by《Chameleon》to a bizarre contest to see who can defeat me first. Naturally, I have no intention of losing to anyone, but《Chameleon》is just too creepy—it doesn’t feel like they’re playing the《Duel》fairly. It doesn’t even feel like we’re on the same playing field. …So, we decided to form a temporary alliance. You know, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
“Yes. Teaming up with someone like Shinohara is utterly reluctant, but it’s a necessary evil.”
“Nya, I see…”
Kazami nodded repeatedly at Saionji’s forceful tone.
“So, to put it simply, we need to do something about《Chameleon》. Whether they’re cheating or not, we have to defeat them somehow. And for that, we absolutely need your help—I’m pretty sure you guys know something. What《Chameleon》is doing, who they even are. Otherwise, there’s no way the famously fair and impartial《Libra》would cover for such a tyrant.”
“…”
“Tell us, Kazami. Maybe, just maybe, we can form an alliance.”
“…! N-No, that’s not possible, nya. I’m grateful for the sentiment, but you’re barking up the wrong tree, nya.”
Kazami’s body trembled slightly at my invitation, her hands on her knees clenching tightly. Her face contorted in pain, but she shook her head vigorously.
“It’s no good, nya…! I absolutely can’t drag you into this, nya. This is our problem,《Libra》’s problem alone… No matter how kind you two are, borrowing Sarasa-chan or Shinohara-kun’s help would be cheating, nya. It’s wrong, nya!”
Perhaps unconsciously, Kazami finally acknowledged that there was some kind of issue. But as she resolved to stay silent, I began preparing my next persuasive argument—
“…Hey, Lily.”
Interrupting my thoughts, Saionji stepped forward, her luxurious hair swaying.
“…! That’s… my nickname from middle school… Nya, how do you know that, nya?”
“Oh, come on, isn’t it obvious? I was a huge fan of yours long before we met at Ouka. I used to watch you all the time through my device, hosting and commentating on various《duels》as a《Libra》apprentice. That’s why I’m especially attached to that nickname. Sometimes, I can’t help but want to use it myself.”
With a mischievous smile, Saionji walked around the table to approach Kazami. Placing one hand on the table, she leaned forward, her long hair cascading as she peered into Kazami’s face.
“But don’t underestimate us—‘can’t drag us into this’? Borrowing our help is cheating? Don’t be ridiculous, who decided that? I—and this guy over here, by the way—aren’t so fragile that we’d crumble just because we got involved in your problems.”
“…! B-But…”
“No buts. …Didn’t I tell you? We need to stop《Chameleon》. And for that, we absolutely need《Libra》’s cooperation—see? We’re the ones asking for help. Think of it as helping a friend and lend us a hand, please.”
“…That’s… that’s not fair, nya.”
“Hehe, maybe not. Outside of《duels》, I’m all for cheating if it gets the job done.”
With a gentle smile, Saionji reached out to Kazami’s cheek, wiping away her tears with her fingertips. It was a suave gesture, and when the《Empress》-mode Saionji did it, it looked frustratingly perfect.
“…I understand, nya.”
I don’t know if that’s why, but—Kazami finally nodded in agreement.
“If you promise to trust《Libra》… I’ll tell you everything, nya.”
After a brief pause to regroup, Kazami began to explain the situation bit by bit.
“—First off,《Chameleon》is fundamentally a rule-breaking player, nya.”
Sitting across from Saionji, who was on the sofa, Kazami spoke with her head slightly bowed. As for me, after being teased by Saionji with a “Want to sit next to me?”, I politely declined and now leaned against the wall by the table, arms loosely crossed.
Glancing at me briefly, Kazami continued slowly.
“Account name《???》—its owner isn’t affiliated with any ward, nya. Naturally, they shouldn’t have the right to participate in the star-taking game… but they created their own account and forced their way into《Astral》, nya.”
“Yes, it seems so.”
“Right. But that shouldn’t have been allowed, nya. Duplicating an account is cheating, and besides, Seijo Academy had already declared they were ‘withdrawing from the event,’ nya.”
“? Then why was《Chameleon》’s participation approved?”
“Well… it’s embarrassing, but it seems some members of《Astral》’s organizing committee were in cahoots with《Chameleon》, nya. The ‘Event Organizing Committee’ on Academy Island is directly under the board of directors, run by proper adults… but somehow, bad people had infiltrated it, nya.”
…I see, so that’s where Kurahashi comes in.
I didn’t say it out loud in front of Kazami, but I nodded inwardly. Mikado Kurahashi has influence over Academy Island’s board. Sneaking a single player into a《Duel》would be child’s play for him.
“But if that was all, it wouldn’t have been a big deal, nya. One extra participant wasn’t supposed to be a huge issue—that’s what we thought at the time. …But that was a mistake, nya.”
“…A mistake?”
“Yes, nya. Because… the footage streamed on Island Tube is heavily edited, so it’s not obvious, but《Chameleon》’s data is completely bugged, nya. Their action stat is 1, and their role is【Transcender】—a cheat role that combines only the benefits of the existing roles:【Commander】,【Soldier】,【Mage】,【Scout】, and【Guardian】. Plus, every minute, all types of spells are generated from their bases… Every setting has been rewritten, nya.”
“Huh…? But, that’s—“
“Of course, we didn’t know, nya!《Libra》only plays a supporting role, and the committee handled most of《Astral》’s operations. …But, as I mentioned, some of them were in league with《Chameleon》, turning a blind eye to their cheating, nya. Probably even leaking the footage data needed for their transformations.”
“…And none of the others noticed this cheating?”
“No, we did notice, nya. …On the second day, after《Astral》started.”
With a faint, resigned smile, Kazami said this.
“The very last moment of the second day—when the ‘infighting’ at Tokoyo Academy in the eighteenth ward happened, that’s when《Chameleon》’s abnormality first came to light, nya. The committee and we could only watch in shock. We couldn’t even commentate, just panic.”
“Hm… I see.”
So that’s why Kazami’s panicked voice was picked up by the mic back then.
“But still, you noticed it then, right? That《Chameleon》was doing some outrageous cheating. If you’d acted immediately—“
“…Impossible, nya.”
Cutting me off, Kazami let out a weak denial.
“By the time that skirmish happened, the people working with《Chameleon》had already vanished, nya. Well, that’s partly how we realized it was an emergency… but what came next was the worst, nya. The absolute worst, nya.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Um… Okay, Sarasa-chan. If you were the leader of the organizing committee, and you found out during the event that there were people inside colluding with a cheater, what would you do?”
“Me? Well… I’d immediately strip the cheater of their participation rights, continue the《Duel》with the remaining players, and crack down on the collaborators. Of course, I’d compensate for any damage or impact caused by the cheater as much as possible.”
“Yup, that’s a strong answer, very Sarasa-chan, nya. I think that’d be the perfect solution if we could do it, nya. …But the《Astral》organizing committee couldn’t do that.《Astral》had already started. If they expelled《Chameleon》now, how would they explain it to the other participants? How would they calculate the damage each team suffered? What about the eighteenth ward, which had already been eliminated? …It was probably just too complicated to figure out, nya.”
“Well, I get that, but… then what do you do? If you leave it alone, it’ll only get worse.”
“Exactly, nya. Normally, that choice would be unthinkable. What’s done is done, so you take the best action possible within your means, nya. …But, Sarasa-chan, you already know, don’t you? They had a convenient scapegoat.”
“What… you mean—“
Realizing what Kazami meant, Saionji fell silent. As she and I exchanged glances, Kazami spoke the “answer” in a hushed tone.
“Yes, nya—they dumped it on《Libra》, nya. The cleanup of the《Chameleon》mess, the brunt of the criticism, everything was pushed onto《Libra》. …They were probably scared, nya.《Chameleon》had become too big a topic, so they couldn’t just expel them easily. On the first day, maybe, but after an incident like that, it was too late to act. They knew no matter what they did, there’d be complaints, so they just quit managing altogether. …That’s how the large-scale《Duel》《Astral》suddenly became《Libra》’s sole responsibility, nya.”
“…”
“So—we didn’t know what to do, so we just kept the《Duel》going. Even though《Astral》was being torn apart by《Chameleon》, we tried to make it look like everything was fine.《Chameleon》is a mysterious dark horse, we don’t know what abilities they’re using, but they’re super strong! …That’s how we hyped it up, hyped it up, and drowned out the voices pointing out《Chameleon》’s cheating, nya. …It’s the worst choice, nya. It’s just prolonging the inevitable, nya.”
“…Prolonging?”
“Exactly what it sounds like, nya. If《Chameleon》wins like this, the《Astral》management team will have let a known cheater take the victory—what do you think happens if that gets out, nya? This year’s May Inter-District Tournament will go down as a historic failure. All the participants will be furious, and all that blame will fall on《Libra》.”
Kazami’s grim prediction of the future—a certain end if things continue as they are.
“…That’s the end of my story, nya.”
In front of me, lost in thought, Kazami spoke bravely despite her trembling shoulders. Then, still slightly bowing her head, she let words spill out bit by bit.
“I still don’t fully understand how things got like this, nya. …Did you know, nya? The May Inter-District Tournament was supposed to be a super fun, exciting event, nya. We at《Libra》planned so much to make it a festival that would involve the whole Academy Island, nya. We prepared so, so much, nya.”
“…Yes, I know.”
“And yet—somehow, it turned into this, nya.”
As she let out the sobs she’d been holding back, Kazami’s voice broke as she spoke. Even as she wiped her tears with both palms, large droplets kept welling up, unstoppable.
“I hate it, nya… I absolutely hate the idea of《Libra》being destroyed over something like this, nya. I’d rather die than let my precious place be ruined by this injustice, nya! So, Shinohara-kun, Sarasa-chan. Please—please save《Libra》, nya!!”
A completely unfiltered, astonishingly honest plea.
Taking it head-on—I nodded quietly.
“My answer’s the same as before, Kazami. The enemy of my enemy is my friend—we can form an alliance. So… if you don’t want to be crushed, let’s crush them back, yeah? We’ve got the six-star pampered heiress, the strongest on Academy Island. Add the invincible《Libra》to that, and a mere《Chameleon》who can only change appearances doesn’t stand a chance.”
“…Y-Yes, yes…!”
I declared confidently, and Kazami, though tearful, finally showed a smile.
Nearby, Saionji, sitting on the sofa, muttered, “…Who’s a pampered heiress, huh?” but since the mood was good, I pretended not to hear.
♯
“…Ngh.”
A sultry voice suddenly echoed in the narrow, dark, silent space.
“H-Hey, Shinohara… just because it’s dark doesn’t mean you can touch wherever!”
“…Huh? What are you talking about, Saionji? I’m not touching anything.”
“Liar. Something’s definitely… Eek! H-Hey, I’m seriously gonna get mad!”
“I said I’m not touching you! Besides, the one behind you isn’t me, it’s Himeji!”
“Huh…? B-But, Yuki wouldn’t—Ngh, ah! …Y-Yuki?”
“It’s not intentional, Rina. It’s unavoidable. In such a cramped space with three people, there’s no way to move freely.”
“I-Is that so…? Well, I guess it can’t be helped… Ngh, ah! U-Ugh… It’s unavoidable, right? It doesn’t just feel like touching—it’s like I’m being hugged tightly from behind, but that’s unavoidable too, right!”
“Yes, absolutely.”
Himeji replied instantly while continuing to hold Saionji. …I wonder if scenes like this happened when she worked for the Saionji family. But at the same time, I couldn’t help reacting to Saionji’s muffled, suggestive sounds. I absolutely couldn’t make a sound, though.
That’s right—in truth, we were currently on a bold sneaking mission to reach《Libra》’s base without being seen. We were hiding inside a large container, with me, Himeji, and Saionji crammed together. Outside, Kazami, dressed in a disguise as a worker, was pushing the cart carrying the container.
By the way, Himeji got permission from Kazami to come along, justified as my right-hand woman. Since we were about to hold a strategy meeting based on《Libra》’s intel, her presence as the leader of《Company》was indispensable. …Come to think of it, when I brought this up earlier, Saionji, for some reason, muttered in a slightly sulky tone, “Hmph, so it’s not me… hmph.” But she’s hardly the “right-hand” type. At best, we’re back-to-back partners.
After all, she’s Academy Island’s top VIP and the strongest《Empress》in history—
“Ngh… Yuki, not there, that’s… ah!”
“…”
I quietly averted my gaze as a sound I shouldn’t hear slipped out.
Thankfully, Kazami outside the container whispered, “…Um, Sarasa-chan? I can’t hear what you’re saying, but you’re being kinda loud, nya. It’d help if you could be quieter, nya,” saving us from a risky situation.
We arrived at《Libra》’s base shortly after.
The basement floor of the Shikishima Grand Hotel—a secret base-like place not listed on the hotel’s floor plan, accessible only by entering a special code on the elevator panel.
As Kazami led us into the space, a peculiar scene unfolded. A large monitor stood at the center, surrounded by desks arranged radially, cluttered with PCs and various equipment. It felt like a rocket control room from a movie. The lighting was partially dimmed, making the room feel a bit dark.
And—even more striking—were the figures of boys and girls scattered around. Mostly girls, wearing various uniforms, but all with matching armbands on their shoulders, likely《Libra》members. Some were slumped over desks, others sat on the floor, all looking utterly drained of energy.
“…Everyone’s been like this for a while, nya.”
Observing her comrades with a pained expression, Kazami muttered in a somber tone.
“We can’t stop《Astral》, but the longer it goes on, the worse it gets. No matter how hard we try, it won’t get better… They know that, so they’re losing hope, nya. The atmosphere’s getting heavier…”
“…Yeah, I can understand why.”
Based on what she told us earlier, it’s no surprise things turned out this way.
Still, they weren’t completely out of it. Several members noticed our arrival. At first, they gave us indifferent glances, but they blinked in surprise at Himeji in her maid outfit, gaped at Saionji, and finally let out a loud “Huh!?” upon seeing me, the strongest on Academy Island.
The reaction spread quickly, and the dim room buzzed with murmurs of doubt, confusion, and bewilderment. Naturally, all eyes turned to Kazami Suzuran, the only one who likely knew what was going on.
Facing their gazes head-on, Kazami took a deep breath with a serious expression—
“—I’m sorry, nya!”
She bowed deeply, her cap nearly flying off.
“I told these three about《Libra》’s situation without telling you, nya. I explained our current state, nya. I asked them for help, nya!”
“But, Suzuran, that’s—“
“Yes, nya! It was all my decision, nya. So if this makes things worse than they are now, I’ll take full responsibility, nya! So… please, accept it, nya!”
“…”
Kazami asserted responsibility for her actions, perhaps to draw a line. The《Libra》members watched her, some nodding, others hesitating in thought. It seemed about seventy percent were in favor, with the rest still undecided.
And then—
“—Responsibility? Oh, there’s no need to think about such things.”
With a small laugh, Saionji stepped forward quietly. Her luxurious red hair swaying, she placed her right hand on her hip as usual and spoke in a confident tone.
“Lily. I—Sarasa Saionji—will take on your resolve. So you all can rest easy, like you’re on a grand ship. No matter how complicated the situation, it’s just a《Duel》in the end. …Hehe, I’ve never lost to anyone except this guy, you know?”
“Ah…”
Several murmurs of agreement, though I couldn’t tell whose, reached my ears.
In the end—thanks to Saionji’s forceful persuasion, or perhaps her bold bravado—《Libra》fully agreed to ally with us.
Led by Kazami, we walked through《Libra》’s control room, their base.
This room was originally the “management section” used by the entire《Astral》operating team. It could run all the programs needed to manage《Astral》, and all in-game information was centralized here.
So, we decided to take a look at《Chameleon》’s data first.
“Ugh… this is pretty bad, huh.”
A stunned sigh from Kagaya-san came through the earphone in my right ear. …And no wonder. The screen showed《Chameleon》’s action stat at the system’s maximum speed, their spell generation rate fifteen times that of other teams. Not only did they combine the strengths of all roles, but their LP crystals were multiplying to the point of nearly filling the screen.
“Not that we, who cheat all the time, have any right to say this, but even《Company》plays a bit more elegantly. At this rate, won’t it get exposed through video analysis before《Astral》even ends…?”
Kagaya-san remarked in an exasperated tone. …Indeed, it wouldn’t be surprising. The sheer audacity of this cheating gives a glimpse of the stress《Libra》must be under, having their《Duel》disrupted like this.
And there’s one more thing worth noting.
“The《Allied Forces》ability… huh.”
This relates to a question raised during today’s skirmish. The battle with Kagurazuki Academy from the ninth ward. We—or rather, Akizuki—wiped them out, but for some reason, we couldn’t seize their area. And the words they left behind mentioned being “under《Chameleon》’s umbrella”… The mystery was finally solved.
《Allied Forces》is an upgraded version of《Astral》’s《Truce Agreement》ability. With this ability—assuming the other side agrees—you can “absorb” members of another team into your own. It’s not an equal agreement but a one-sided merger. Areas are combined, and spells and approval ratings are shared.
Teams absorbed this way can leave the《Allied Forces》if they accept the penalty of “having their final rank set upon leaving (treated as elimination).” But in this situation, there’s little benefit to choosing that. According to the《Allied Forces》ability’s rules, if the main team takes first place, all subordinate teams are automatically ranked second, no questions asked, even if they don’t survive to the end. Since placing in the top five in《Astral》is considered a victory, this is a huge temptation.
“…Originally, this ability was supposed to let you take in just one team, nya. But it’s been altered, and now seven teams are under《Chameleon》’s control, nya… Some, like Kagurazuki Academy, have already been defeated, so it’s actually four teams left, nya.”
Kazami pointed at the monitor with a regretful mutter. Following her gesture, the large screen displayed a list of players under《Chameleon》’s command. Currently, thirteen names—more than two full teams.
I wondered why they were participating solo at first… but basically, since they could add members later, the initial headcount didn’t matter.
Finally understanding the trick, I gritted my teeth inwardly.
Looking at the breakdown of players in the《Allied Forces》, I spotted a few familiar names. First was the《Demon God Shrine Maiden》—Senri Kururugi, the leader of Tsuyuri Girls’ Institute, who nearly destroyed Eimei just hours ago. I’d been curious about her using her trump card ability to escape at the last moment, but if she knew about the《Allied Forces》, it makes sense. She didn’t just flee—she defected to《Chameleon》. Even in that situation, she was calmly aiming for victory.
And then, another one.
“Ugh… that’s an unpleasant name.”
Saionji muttered almost in her natural voice, her cheek twitching slightly.
She traced her finger over another powerhouse’s name—Touya Kirigaya, a six-star ranker from Shinra High School in the seventh ward. Known as the《Absolute Monarch》for his playstyle of breaking opponents’ spirits, he’s a dangerous figure who’s driven multiple players off the island.
Himeji tilted her silver hair curiously at Saionji’s reaction.
“An unpleasant name? I don’t recall any deep grudge between you and Kirigaya-sama.”
“True, I’ve never faced him in a《Duel》directly… but in events like this, he’s always been a nuisance. He can’t stand not being number one, whether it’s school rankings or star ranks. It’s like he had a weird fixation on me… In fact, Ouka lost several《duels》because of Kirigaya’s interference. He’s a single-color star holder too, so he might be even trickier than the《Demon God Shrine Maiden》.”
“…Wait, Kirigaya’s got a unique star too?”
“Yes, he doesn’t flaunt it, but… See, you just thought that’s bad news, didn’t you? That’s the kind of thing he loves. In short, he’s a jerk.”
I fell silent at Saionji’s words. …A six-star with a unique star. From what I’ve heard, Touya Kirigaya seems like someone to be as wary of as Kururugi, if not more. One mistake, and he could take you out in an instant.
And Kugasaki’s in the Coalition too, huh…
I shook my head slightly at the names on the monitor. It’s hard to imagine Kugasaki bowing to anyone, but he probably has some kind of plan.
In any case, Senri Kururugi, Touya Kirigaya, Seiran Kugasaki—the core members alone are ridiculously strong, and with seven teams absorbed,《Chameleon》’s area is vast. The monitor showed they held 2,245 tiles, a 48.1% control rate excluding neutral tiles. Even Ouka, currently in second, doesn’t come close.
…This is bad.
Confronting this reality, I began to think again. According to Kazami, what can be done from this control room—meaning what《Libra》has authority over—is quite limited. Adjusting broadcast cameras, accessing information, and at most, communicating with players. That alone won’t stop《Chameleon》.
Plus, to challenge《Chameleon》, I have to join《MTCG》and win the Wildcard. That means leaving《Astral》for a while. If I can get through this, there’s a chance for a comeback… but can we really hold out until then? What if it’s all over while I’m dawdling…?
A sudden wave of intense anxiety hit me, and I closed my eyes quietly while seated.
And then—
“It’s alright, Master.”
A familiar, gentle voice softly reached my ears. Opening my eyes, I saw Himeji and Saionji standing side by side in front of me. Himeji, hands clasped in front, had a slight smile, while Saionji, arms crossed, pouted slightly.
“…Seriously, why are you getting cold feet now, Shinohara? That’s not like you.”
“As Rina-sama says. I understand your unease, but starting tomorrow, Enomoto-sama and Asamiya-sama will return to《Astral》. While you’re away, we’ll keep《Chameleon》in check.”
“Exactly. So you just focus on clearing《MTCG》and coming back as soon as possible. Neither Eimei nor Ouka are so weak that they’d collapse just because you’re gone. So… hurry back, you idiot.”
Saionji added shyly, while Himeji muttered, “How sly…” and shook her head expressionlessly. Neither seemed to be forcing bravado.
—Yeah, it seems.
My anxiety was, frankly, laughably unnecessary.
♯
The third day of the May Inter-District Tournament, just past ten in the evening.
Having reviewed the situation, it was time to discuss《MTCG》strategy, but—
“Before that, I think we should take a break, nya.”
““…A break?””
At Kazami’s sudden remark, Saionji and I tilted our heads in unison.
“Yes, nya! A break, nya! Or, to put it stylishly, a break time, nya!”
Seeing our puzzled reactions, Kazami, looking much healthier than before, flipped up her cap and slammed both hands on the desk.
“Shinohara-kun, Sarasa-chan, and Maid-chan have been racking your brains non-stop since the second half ended, nya. You haven’t bathed or eaten… You won’t come up with good ideas like this, nya!”
“W-Well, that might be true, but… we can’t just go to the main bath upstairs now, can we? We’d have to use the container both ways.”
“Non! Here’s the big news, nya! This hotel doesn’t just have a bath on the first floor—it’s got a huge one on the basement floor, right here, nya! Since other participants can’t enter, it’s perfect for secret talks, and you can relax without worry, nya!”
“Oh… that’s not a bad idea. …Mind if we take you up on it?”
“Of course, nya!”
Kazami nodded energetically, hands on hips, at Saionji’s happy question. Then, with a slightly mischievous smile, she continued.
“By the way… unlike the main bath upstairs, this one isn’t separated into men’s and women’s, nya. It’s what you call mixed bathing, nya.”
“…Huh? Wait, Lily, what did you just say?”
“Mixed bathing, nya, mixed bathing!《Libra》usually splits the time between guys and girls, but we don’t have time to dawdle… so there’s one solution, nya. I’ll lend you swimsuits, so the three of you can bathe together, nya!”
…!?
Kazami’s bombshell left me speechless, though my expression stayed neutral. Mixed bathing, so just wear swimsuits and bathe together? Ridiculous, there’s no way that’s allowed.
“W-W-What…”
Saionji, red-faced like me, let out a groan but soon crossed her arms tightly. With a slightly shaky voice, she began to argue.
“What are you talking about? Even if Himeji-san and I are fine, there’s no reason for Shinohara to join us. He’s probably the type to be in and out like a crow, right? Just stagger the times—“
“—No, that won’t do, Rina-sama.”
Surprisingly, it was Himeji, not Kazami, who interrupted. Shaking her silver hair slightly, she turned her clear, direct eyes to Saionji.
“We can’t miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity like this. I’ll wash Master’s and Rina-sama’s backs—so please, join us, Rina-sama.”
“W-Wait, hold on, you’re saying he’ll see us in our swimsuits!? Is that okay!?”
“Not naked, but swimsuits. At the beach in summer, you’d be showing your bikini to countless strangers, so there’s no issue, right?”
“There’s malice in your words… I don’t show off or anything. …Well, maybe it’s fine if it’s just swimsuits, but still…”
“Come on, Sarasa-chan, give it a try, nya! You’ll never get a boyfriend if—“
“Lily, be quiet for a sec!”
Saionji swiftly shut down Kazami’s teasing. …But with Himeji so enthusiastic and《Libra》’s girls already picking out swimsuits, Saionji finally muttered, “…Fine, I get it,” in a mosquito-like voice.
So—well, you know.
The case of ending up in a mixed bath with a super VIP heiress and her personal maid…
That’s how it went.
“Good hot water…”
My voice echoed in the spacious bathroom.
The basement bathroom Kazami guided us to felt a bit smaller than the main bath but was still more than large enough. Tiled walls faced a semicircular bathtub. I’m not great at swimming, but I kind of wanted to try a crawl.
Himeji and Saionji were still changing. With only one bath, there was only one changing room, so we had to take turns. I went in first, but apparently, I have to be the last to leave. …I get the logic, I guess.
“Their clothes left in the changing room… no way I could handle that…”
Just imagining it made my face heat up, and I pressed my palm to my forehead.
And then—
“!”
The sound of the door slowly opening came from behind me. Then, two sets of wet footsteps teased my ears, approaching deliberately.
Swallowing hard, I started to turn around—
“Wait! …N-Not yet, don’t look!”
—but Saionji’s voice stopped me. Her embarrassed command sounded adorable, and I could only mumble, “O-Okay…” and keep my gaze forward.
“Phew… My apologies, Master.”
Next came Himeji’s cool voice. Thanks to Saionji, she sounded as calm as ever… though the bath’s echoey acoustics kept my heart racing.
“I tried persuading her in the changing room, but she’s still embarrassed about showing her swimsuit. She said a beach or pool is different from a bath.”
“Ugh… It’s not like that. At a beach or pool, everyone’s in swimsuits, so it’s not a big deal, but a swimsuit in a bath… it’s, like, too erotic.”
“? So, being naked would’ve been fine? That’s good to know. But in that case, I’d need to prepare myself—“
“That’s not what I meant, geez…!”
Cutting off Himeji’s probing with an annoyed tone, Saionji seemed to head for the shower. Himeji followed, saying, “Please wait a moment,” and their footsteps faded slightly.
And—almost simultaneously, the pleasant sound of the shower echoed through the bathroom. The delicate sound of water, the friction of moving a bucket, and every other noise from their actions stroked my eardrums directly.
What is this… Just hearing the shower behind me, with nothing but a wall in my vision, and I’m getting insanely nervous…!
Outwardly relaxed, I was inwardly writhing in agony. A bold yet shy perfect heiress and a cool, loyal silver-haired maid… both idol-level cute, showering together right behind me. They’re in borrowed《Libra》swimsuits, sure, but that’s a minor detail. With my vision blocked, my thoughts were entirely consumed by the sounds.
After a while of this torture—the sound of two sets of footsteps approached again. I also heard a “Hoo…” as if someone was steadying their breath, but I couldn’t tell if it was me or Saasaionji.
And then,
“—Here I come.”
As expected, Himeji took the lead. She stepped into the bath with a splash, slowly lowering herself. She wasn’t close enough for our shoulders to touch, but near enough that I could reach her with a stretch.
Once submerged up to her shoulders, Himeji turned to me with a soft smile.
“Sorry for the wait, Master. …Hehe, the water’s quite pleasant, isn’t it?”
“…Y-Yeah, it is.”
Her wet hair, smooth shoulders peeking from the milky water, the faint glimpse of swimsuit straps, and the large chest asserting itself despite the blurry outline. The perfect balance overwhelmed me, leaving me tongue-tied. I think this every day, but this maid is just too cute. The way she scooped water with her hands like a bowl could be worth two billion as a painting.
“Uh, well…”
I’d been staring at Himeji, but realized it was rude to keep gawking and tried to change the subject.
“By the way, where’s Saionji? Is she still—“
“…Over here.”
A quiet voice interrupted me from behind. A faint, hesitant voice squeezed out after much deliberation. Taking it as permission to look, I turned around boldly.
“!! …Oh…”
The sight made me let out a strange sound. …In front of me was Saionji, arms crossed as usual. Her annoyed gaze was averted, but her face, from neck to hair and eyes, was beet red. Her crossed arms slightly emphasized her chest, and the water droplets trailing from her collarbone drew my eyes. Her bare arms, usually hidden by her uniform, were honestly bad for my heart.
“W-What, Shinohara? Say something instead of just staring!”
“…It, uh, suits you… or something?”
“…You can’t even see my swimsuit?”
Flustered, I couldn’t find words. With Himeji, I might manage, but admitting Saionji looked cute felt like a blow to my pride. So, we locked eyes up close, as if in a staring contest to see who’d break first.
“Um, Rina-sama… I mean, Rina? I don’t mind you flirting with Master, but that’s a bit too showy… It’s unfair.”
“!!”
Himeji’s slightly sulky voice echoed, and we hurriedly straightened up.
“…By the way…”
Some time after we all settled into the bath.
Her cheeks still flushed, but perhaps getting used to the situation, Saionji spoke up.
“Holding out until you return to the《Duel》is fine, but what’s the plan after that?”
“Hm? …Oh, that.”
I nodded slightly at Saionji’s question. We’d shared some strategies, but we hadn’t discussed what comes after I return from《MTCG》. That applies to Himeji too.
Himeji nodded, her cheeks slightly flushed.
“Indeed. I have no doubt you’ll return, Master, but will that alone significantly change the situation from before you left? We have《Libra》’s cooperation, but… isn’t that the extent of the change?”
“Exactly.《Chameleon》’s Coalition has thirteen members, including the《Demon God Shrine Maiden》and Touya Kirigaya, and their area is nearly three times larger than Ouka’s, the current second place. A slight boost in intel-gathering won’t cut it.”
Saionji muttered, splashing the water lightly, her tone probing.
Well—she and Himeji are right. We’re facing an overwhelming defeat, and not just Eimei—no ward has the strength to compete with《Chameleon》. If the《Duel》continues like this,《Astral》will undoubtedly end with《Chameleon》’s victory… but,
“Change your perspective. …Listen, the《Allied Forces》currently holds 2,245 tiles, a 48.1% control rate excluding neutral areas. That means the combined areas of all other wards are slightly larger than《Chameleon》’s faction.”
“…? Yes, that’s true, but… so what?”
“Basically, we’re losing because we’re fighting separately. If all the teams left in《Astral》united, we could more than hold our own against《Chameleon》.”
“What? But that’s just sophistry. If every team except《Chameleon》cooperated, sure, but even for you, Shinohara, that’s like magic—“
“—You think I can’t do it?”
Cutting off Saionji with a sly grin, I asked back. …Of course, she’s not wrong. In this《Duel》, everyone outside your team is an enemy, so cross-team cooperation is normally unthinkable.
“But think back—《Chameleon》’s《Allied Forces》ability absorbs other teams, and if they win, all subordinate teams are ranked second. Since they’ve taken in seven teams, if they win, no one else can place in the top five.”
“…I see, that’s the angle.”
Himeji nodded slightly, understanding my point.
“In other words—those who haven’t joined《Chameleon》need to bring them down. Otherwise, they’ll automatically rank sixth or lower and lose stars.”
“Exactly. That’s reason enough to team up. …But to get everyone to join forces, we need one more thing: a leader. A makeshift alliance would collapse without someone to lead it. Right now, Saionji’s the obvious choice, but even that’s not enough. It lacks persuasiveness.”
“True… because they’re the ‘mysterious dark horse,’ after all.”
“Yeah. So the leader needs an overwhelming narrative to match—a story that can convince all teams in one go and sway the audience’s votes. Like, say, the【Commander】of the lowest-ranked team deliberately dropping out of the《Duel》, winning the Wildcard, and crawling back into《Astral》.”
“! …That’s it, that’s the play. If you pull that off, you’ll definitely be a hero. Everyone loves an underdog story, after all.”
“Yeah, I think so too.”
I grinned back at Saionji’s slightly excited agreement.
That’s right—if they’re the “mysterious dark horse,” we need a story to match. Just being Academy Island’s strongest isn’t enough. But add the flavor of a comeback? A reversal from rock bottom? …That’s more than enough.
“So, I’m going to get it—the Wildcard in the other game,《MTCG》.”
To that end, we’d need to plan carefully.
♯
After bathing with Himeji and Saionji, eating the bento Kazami procured, and taking a breather, we began strategizing for《Mulch-Trading Card Game》—or《MTCG》—in earnest.
“—First,《MTCG》has several elements, nya.”
Sitting at the radially arranged desks, we listened to Kazami’s explanation.
“Cards, quests, and coins… there’s more, but these three are key, nya. Let’s start with cards—《MTCG》has ‘number cards’ from 1 to 9, nya. They’re stored in your device’s ‘hand,’ and everyone starts with three cards:【1・1・1】. The sum of these number cards determines the level of your ‘familiar,’ nya.”
“…Familiar?”
“Yup, nya! In《MTCG》, each player gets a unique familiar, displayed via AR once you enter the venue, nya. The type is random, so it’s a surprise, but looks and strength aren’t related, nya. Just remember that every player controls a familiar, and its level is the sum of your number cards, nya!”
“Oh… so it’s like a gimmick to hype things up.”
Saionji nodded slightly, crossing her arms as usual and tilting her head.
“And? Do we just keep raising that level?”
“Hold on, don’t rush, Sarasa-chan, nya. The level in《MTCG》isn’t something you just raise, nya—let’s move on to quests, nya.”
Kazami continued smoothly, likely thanks to her experience hosting and judging《Libra》events.
“Quests—these are the core of《MTCG》, nya. Each player has five stages of quests, cleared in order from the first. Clear the final quest, and you win the reward, nya!”
“Got it.”
“And these quests are all in the form of ‘defeat an opponent of level X,’ nya. Find a player at the specified level and beat them to clear it. But here’s the catch—‘defeating another player’ in《MTCG》means making your familiar’s level match theirs exactly, nya. That’s the biggest thing to watch out for, nya!”
“Match exactly… huh. Not higher?”
“Nope, nya. It’s a ‘number-matching’ game, so it has to be exact, nya.”
Kazami nodded at Saionji’s words. …The familiar’s level, set by three number cards, must match the target opponent’s value.
So, how do you raise those numbers?
“That’s where ‘enhancing’ and ‘trading’ cards come in, nya.”
As if reading our minds, Kazami raised her index finger.
“First, ‘enhancing.’ This is a command on your device that consumes coins to level up number cards, nya. Turning a【1】into a【2】costs 500 coins,【2】to【3】is 1,000 coins,【3】to【4】is 2,000 coins… it gets pricier, nya. Also, enhancing takes time as well as coins, so be careful, nya. It takes ten times the card’s original level in minutes… so, for example,【2】to【3】takes twenty minutes, nya.”
“I see.”
“Next is ‘trading,’ nya. As it sounds, you can trade cards with other players, nya. So if you trade your【2】for someone’s【3】, you get the card instantly without the twenty-minute wait, nya!”
“Got it… but doesn’t that mean the other side gets nothing out of it?”
“If it’s just like that, yes, nya. So you need to pay extra coins, nya. If you can pay more than the enhancement rate, there’s a good chance they’ll trade, nya!”
“Oh, I get it…”
In other words, you cover the value gap between cards with coins. In the example, the difference between a【2】and a【3】is “1,000 coins” plus “twenty minutes,” so paying around 2,000 coins might seal the deal.
“By the way, how do you get coins?”
“Three ways: time passage, battle rewards, and trade gains, nya. Battles and trades are straightforward, but time passage isn’t complicated either, nya. The amount varies by quest progress, but coins keep accumulating. You won’t run out, so enhance cards without worry, nya!”
“I see… so that’s part of it too.”
Himeji nodded, understanding. Seeing our reactions, Kazami continued with a nod.
“So you level up your cards, strengthen your familiar, and take on battles, nya. Basically, you find an opponent at the quest’s specified level and ‘match numbers,’ but—here’s another element, nya. Besides number cards,《MTCG》has skill cards, nya. These are one-use cards that disappear after use. Your hand holds up to five cards, so typically three number cards and two skill cards, nya.”
Saying so, Kazami projected her device’s screen for us to see. It displayed three types of “skill cards.”
—Namely:
《Level Up》—For this battle only, raise your familiar’s level by【1】.
《Reward Up》—Increase this battle’s victory reward by 10%.
《Skill Null》—Cancel the effect of the opponent’s last-used skill card.
“Hm…”
Himeji was the first to speak, eyeing the skill card list.
“How exactly do these cards work in practice?”
“Good question, Maid-chan, nya!《MTCG》battles have two phases: ‘card use’ and ‘level reveal,’ nya. In the card-use phase, the challenger goes first, then the defender, choosing cards in the order ‘challenger → defender → challenger,’ nya!”
“I see… and we have no idea what card the opponent used?”
“Well, you can’t see the card type, but you can tell if they used a skill card, nya. So you might hold《Reward Up》as a bluff or stack two《Level Up》cards to take on a high-level opponent… That mind game is the heart of《MTCG》, nya!”
Kazami explained energetically, wagging her raised finger. She’s probably involved in making the rules herself, given her excited expression.
“After the card-use phase, it’s the level-reveal phase, nya. If both levels match exactly, the challenger wins! They get battle reward coins, and the quest advances one stage, nya.”
“Got it. And clearing all five stages gets you the reward, right? …But there’s more than one type of reward, isn’t there?”
“Yup, nya! The process of clearing five stages is the same for everyone, but《MTCG》quests are divided into different ‘difficulties,’ nya. Each stage has three ‘branches,’ and you choose which route to take each time… The reward depends on how tough a route you cleared, nya. Limited abilities, island currency… and the reward for the hardest route is the ‘Wildcard,’ nya.”
“…Right.”
I swallowed hard at Kazami’s explanation. …The reward given only to the one who clears《MTCG》’s hardest route. Since I’m aiming for it, I have no choice but to tackle the toughest quests from start to finish.
“But… but, nya.”
Adjusting her cap, Kazami stared straight at me.
“This hardest route… even at best, it’ll take two days to clear, nya. Coin collection and card enhancement depend on time, so a speedrun is insanely tough, nya.”
“Two days… No, that won’t do. It’s already the end of《Astral》’s third day. Taking two more days to clear《MTCG》is pointless.”
“W-Well, yeah, but… then what do we do, nya?”
At Kazami’s anxious question, I paused to think. …The hardest route takes at least two days to clear. I’ll fully utilize《Company》’s support, but that alone won’t be enough.
…So,
“Hey, Kazami—《Libra》is supposed to be absolutely neutral and fair, right? They never favor anyone or cheat.”
“? Y-Yes, nya. I’ve got a bad feeling, but that’s right, nya.”
“Good. …Can you give that up just this once? I’m serious—I need to get the Wildcard by the end of tomorrow’s morning session at the latest. The《Duel》starts at nine, and the deadline is noon—that’s just three hours. There’s no way to do that normally. It’ll definitely require system interference.”
“Ugh… B-But…”
“Please, Kazami. …It’s a matter of perspective. They cheated first, right? If we play fair and get crushed, that’s just too frustrating. I’d rather fight back, even if it’s full of excuses.”
“…”
Kazami touched her armband, lost in thought at my persuasion. But soon, she seemed to make up her mind. Looking straight at me, she nodded firmly.
“Got it, nya. …I’ll explain it to everyone, nya. Leave it to me, nya!”
“Thanks, that helps.”
I nodded slowly, exhaling in relief.
The hardest route of《MTCG》—clearing it quickly is a high hurdle, but with《Company》and《Libra》’s cooperation, it’s not impossible. I’ll need to play carefully to avoid other players noticing the cheating, but that’s my daily routine.
“…Hm? Wait, what…?”
A sudden question crossed my mind, and I looked up slightly.
“The hardest route can be cleared in two days at best, right? …Isn’t that weird? It’s the third day of the May Inter-District Tournament, and the Wildcard hasn’t been taken yet.”
“…Right, I forgot to mention, nya.”
Kazami shook her head with a slightly bitter expression at my question.
“The thing is… unlike other routes, the hardest route of《MTCG》isn’t cleared just by completing the five stages, nya. There’s an exhibition match, or a true final boss… Basically, you have to defeat one more person, a sixth assassin, nya.”
“A sixth assassin? So… they’re not a normal player?”
“Yup, nya. A sort of external collaborator for《Libra》, a middle school kid…”
“External collaborator… a middle schooler? You mean, like, Tsumugi Shiina or something—“
“Huh? …H-How do you know that, Shinohara-kun, nya!?”
Kazami gaped, stunned. I shrugged, saying, “As I thought…” and briefly explained. Just the basics—I ran into her, we played at the arcade, and I heard she’s involved with《Libra》in《MTCG》.
“Hmph…”
Hearing the story, Saionji shot me a sullen glare.
“Meeting a middle school girl in the hotel at midnight and playing all night, huh… hmph…”
“First, stop with that malicious interpretation, Saionji.”
It’s one thing if it’s just her, but I can’t afford Himeji misunderstanding too.
“Anyway, we’re talking about Shiina. …She’s a《Libra》member’s sister or something, right?”
“That’s what I’ve heard, nya. But there’s no Shiina in《Libra》, so maybe it’s a mix-up… Anyway, that doesn’t matter, nya. Tsumugi-chan is the sixth one! Her familiar’s level is a whopping【30】, nya!”
“…【30】? Wait, the max value for a number card is【9】, right? Even maxing out three number cards to【9】and using《Level Up》twice only gets you to【29】. You can’t reach【30】.”
“Normally, yeah, nya. So to beat Tsumugi-chan, you need a special skill card… a one-time ‘ultimate move’ unlocked at the third quest stage, called《Limit Break》. It rewrites all your【9】cards to【10】, nya. So you have to save your special skill cards until then. …But something’s weird, nya.”
Despite her high energy, Kazami’s tone suddenly deflated.
“As I explained, if you save your special skill cards, you should be able to beat Tsumugi-chan normally, nya. The《MTCG》rule text we show everyone hints at it, so plenty of people know the fifth stage isn’t the end. Yet, the three players who cleared the hardest route’s fifth stage by today all lost to Tsumugi-chan. Even the one who saved their special skill cards, nya.”
“…”
“So… I think there’s something, nya. Something even we haven’t noticed…”
Unable to solidify her thoughts, Kazami fell silent.
Staring at her vaguely, I began to think again—
♯
“~~~ ! I lost again!!”
—It was around one in the morning.
After the strategy meeting with《Libra》, I visited Shiina’s room discreetly.
Bringing her food, getting challenged to a fighting game, and staying longer than planned—it was the same routine as yesterday, but today I was dominating even more. Not because I was holding back, but because Shiina was oddly distracted and couldn’t focus.
“Tch…”
I asked in an exasperated tone, tossing the controller aside.
“What’s with you? All you’ve got going is your enthusiasm.”
“Hahaha! No, no, Onii-chan! It’s just, I’m having so much fun!”
“…You’re way too hyped. Was there even a moment worth getting that excited over…?”
“Haha… No, that’s not it!”
Shiina, laughing and flopping onto the bed, kicking her feet, wiped her tears of amusement and sat up with momentum. Leaning forward with both hands on the bed near me, her odd-colored eyes sparkled as she continued.
“Listen, Onii-chan. Today, today, the event was so much fun!”
“The event… Oh,《MTCG》was that exciting? …But that was in the afternoon, right? You’ve been this hyped up until now?”
“Because it was fun! I mean, I’ve got this dark-dweller vibe, so I only really come alive in battle… Plus, having Onii-chan bring me food makes me super happy too!”
“Heh… well, glad to hear it.”
Taking her genuine gratitude head-on, I shook my head slightly. And—since sleepiness was hitting hard—I decided to get to the main topic.
“…Hey, Shiina. You’re like the final boss in《MTCG》, right?”
“Yup! Like in an RPG, I’m the one who shows up after the hero beats the demon king and goes, ‘Gwahahaha! That was the weakest demon king in the world!!’”
“…What kind of being calls the demon king weak?”
“Don’t you know, Onii-chan? That’s me—《The Jet-Black Defier of Gods》!”
With a smug, cool mutter, Shiina struck a dramatic pose with Lloyd, her Cerberus plushie. Then, reverting to her usual innocent expression, she tilted her head curiously.
“So… what’s up, Onii-chan? Why bring up《MTCG》all of a sudden?”
“Oh, I’m joining it too. Just thought I’d ask.”
“Huh? But you’ve got《Astral》… Wait, did you drop out, Onii-chan!? When!?”
“This afternoon. …What, that surprising?”
“Y-Yeah, I mean… Wow, really? That’s kinda disappointing, but also not… Hmm.”
She mulled it over for a bit, but soon Shiina’s interest shifted from my《Astral》dropout to tomorrow’s《MTCG》. Raising her face quietly, she peered into my eyes with her odd-colored gaze.
And then, one sentence.
“Hey, Onii-chan. You’re super strong, so you might blaze through to the fifth opponent in《MTCG》… but you’ll never beat me. No matter how strong you are, I won’t let you win. Playing games with you is super fun, but that’s a different matter!”
“…Oh? Pretty confident, huh.”
“Yup, totally!”
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, clutching her Cerberus plushie tightly, Tsumugi Shiina narrowed her eyes gleefully and said in a cryptic tone:
“Hehe—because I’m invincible, you know.”
