Celestial Rendezvous 3

Nazuna: (A–are they going to be okay...?)

(Itsuki’s really obviously not acting normal. Actually, he looks more like he’s about to blow a gasket.)

(I mean, of course he would be; he’s performing in front of this huge crowd, and he’s facing off against fine?)

(I’m pretty astonished that he even made it here, given the situation!)

(It’s so irrational—or like, shameful I guess. He definitely shouldn’t be doing something like this.)

(Did he really do this for me...? No, I shouldn’t get so full of myself. That’d be impossible.)

(I basically abandoned Valkyrie and ran away to a peaceful new world just for myself.)

(If he really did do it for me, I’d feel even worse about this... All I can do is hope he gets out of this safe and sound, without suffering any worse injuries than he already has.)

(I can only pray and hope for the best...)

(I’m not part of Valkyrie anymore; I’m in Ra*bits. This is the life I chose.)

Wataru: You look rather downtrodden, Little Bunny-san!

Nazuna: Gyeh?! You scared me! Wh–what... what do you want, Wataru-chin?!

Wataru: Yes, well! It seems that fine is about to take the stage, so I suppose I’ll need to follow them.

So I shall leave the commentary and whatnot to you, Little Bunny-san ♪

You are a member of the broadcasting committee, correct? This is your job.

Nazuna: I mean, sure, I don’t mind... but I don’t know how to fly a hot-air balloon.

Wataru: Oh, you can just do it from the ground. My fuel is running low anyway~

I plan to make a soft landing on the rooftop, and then I’ll hand the mic over to you ♪

Nazuna: S–sure. You seem pretty unperturbed by this whole thing, Wataru-chin.

You’re friends with Itsuki, aren’t you? It’ll probably shape up to be a brutal fight... don’t you feel anything at all?

Wataru: Fufufu. Knowing Shu’s personality, holding back on him or, worse, not participating at all would only serve to enrage him further.

Though I admit that I can’t get a grasp on my own feelings at the moment.

Is it a sin that I find this development fascinating...? O, the accursed yet beloved Five Oddballs!

Have we become so “odd,” in the most backwards sense of the word?

However, the moment I chose to stand at Eichi’s side, I anticipated this development.

It isn’t my first time doing this, either: during the DDD, I went toe-to-toe with Kanata, as well.^[1]

I will not attempt to justify myself, though. Pain and cruelties are a pleasure to me—let the clown dance with a smile!

Now then, I shall hurry to your side, Eichi... ☆

Nazuna: Wataru-chin... yeah, this isn’t a matter of simply finding a compromise.

But I’m not going to look away, either. I’ll at least live with the pain, like humans do.

Mic on ♪

“Testing, testing! We’re switching hosts for a bit! I am Nito Nazuna, from Ra*bits!”

“I can’t keep the energy as high as Wataru-chin, but I’ll still do my best ♪”

For the second round of the Tanabata Festival, we have two unmatched powerhouse units facing off against each other! I know you’re all familiar with fine—”

“The strongest unit at school, standing at the tip-top of Yumenosaki Academy!”

“Facing them off is Valkyrie...”

“Does anyone remember them? The solitary, supreme ruler that reigned over Yumenosaki before fine came along!”

“They’re the former leaders, the sovereigns!”

“They’ve spent some time out of the limelight, so no one knows their current strength! But they can certainly hold their own against fine!”

“These guys are seasoned veterans with real skill!”

“So basically, this is a showdown between the past and present suns that have shined down on Yumenosaki... it’s a battle of old versus new!”

“You don’t want to miss this one, folks! Keep your eyes open ☆”

Eichi: Fufu. I shouldn’t be surprised that Nito-kun has a lot of praise for Valkyrie. That’s par for the course for one who shared his life with them, though; it’s only natural to show favoritism.

To compare them to fine, though, and to say we’re of equal standing...

That’s quite an overestimation, don’t you think? The sleeping giant was awakened, chopped up, and devoured. They are but shadows of themselves, aren’t they?^[2]

You think so too, right, Wataru? Tori? Yuzuru...?

Yuzuru: Despite your tone, your expression reveals an utter lack of composure. ...You are in front of my master; even if it is mere bravado, I would appreciate that you carry yourself with more dignity.

Eichi: Right. That’s the duty of a king; I know that... Yuzuru ♪

Tori: Hey! What are you guys whispering about? Getting all buddy-buddy with each other now? That pisses me off, you know!

Wataru: Do not pout, Princess! If you’re lonely, might we engage in a flirtation of our own? ☆

Tori: Hey, don’t just touch me like that! Only the Prez gets to pat my head!

Wataru: You also allow Anzu-san to pat you, though... Well, one can never be too careful, so this is probably an appropriate distance ♪

Fufufu. There are four of us against only two of you... It feels like we’re ganging up on you; it hurts my heart, Shu ♪

Shu: Ohoho, so you do have a heart? This is news to me.

But it matters now how many fools you gather around you; they remain nothing but refuse. By all rights, I alone am enough to toss all of you about... Wataru ♪

Mika: Nngh? Hey, that makes me feel all lonely. I’m here with you, too ♪

Shu: When we are on stage, you are not to speak unless I give you express permission.

Ah, enemies, allies, audience—all are carried away by the festivities... but I find that I really cannot accustom myself to this Dream Fest nonsense.

Of course, if we don’t participate in official matters every so often, Valkyrie will face threat of disbandment.

And Tenshouin will continue to irritate me with his incessant meddling.

Shu: So just this once, as an exception to the rule, I will reveal the contents of my hoard of treasure.

It is beyond troublesome, but I suppose I have some spare time to play with you... bottom-feeders.

Eichi: I’m happy to know there is still someone at Yumenosaki Academy with the audacity to speak to us that way.

But I didn’t come here to exchange verbal blows. This is our stage; shall we begin? ♪