Crown 13

Eichi: There is someone who seeks to reduce that universe you described to nothingness once again. He is like an invader from outer space, that Gatekeeper—

And while I have no proof yet, I can’t help but feel there is another strange creature out there—something evil.

It emits no light, so it’s difficult to detect it.

Nevertheless it is there, and it is lurking in the darkness, aiming at something.

But what is it? It’s like far reaches of space or the depths of the ocean: you know something is there, but you just can’t reach it. The temptation is maddening.

Chiaki: What is this, a tokusatsu show?!

Kanata: was somebody talking about Me~?^[1]

Eichi: ...Nobody called you, Ryuseitai.

Wataru: Ah, I recall it’s your turn next! I wish you the best of luck! As teammates and comrades, I shall be cheering for you!

Chiaki: Thanks! Your support always gives us strength! Let’s shake on it, Hibiki!

Kanata: yes! that is good Manners~ wataru ♪

Wataru: It is, indeed! Then I accept ☆

Chiaki: Put ‘er there ♪

Tetora: Hey, c’mon. I think they’re talking about something serious, so stop interrupting them, okay senpais?

...They were probably plotting something we’d hate to overhear, anyway. We don’t wanna listen in on that.

Eichi: Ahaha. I suppose I’ve become rather unpopular without even noticing it. But I don’t blame you for it; we’re in the upper echelons of StarPro, so we’re the ones who’ve caused you so much confusion with the instructions we’ve given you.

Chiaki: You were in the hospital when that happened, though, weren’t you?

Eichi: I was. But since I was unable to prevent the crisis, I’m just as guilty. At least, that’s how it looks from the outside.

Tetora: ...It’s not like all of the blame falls on management’s shoulders. We also had a hard time because we weren’t strong enough to handle it.

If I’d been able to make Ryuseitai solid enough to get right back in the saddle with a smile no matter what happened, we—

Eichi: Could have prevented earthquakes, floods, and even war? That’s extraordinarily conceited of you, Nagumo-kun ♪

Tetora: ......

Eichi: Your biggest failure as a unit was that you didn’t align your perception of yourself with that of the management and with the public.

You should have instead seen the value that ES and the agency saw in you, as well as the direction they wanted you to go in.

This goes for the general public, too, and their expectations and hopes for you—the feelings of all those people who make wishes on shooting stars.^[2]

Because you went off in a different direction, you failed. You chose the wrong path.

However, you must have gained some insight from all of that hardship and reflection, haven’t you?

In witnessing public backlash and being bombarded with countless opinions, perhaps you have developed a slightly more accurate understanding of yourself.

Perhaps you’re thinking, “if only we had done this or that back then.”

I pray that those experiences and ponderings will become assets for you in the future.

A hero’s true tests begins after he’s been defeated and left in ruin. I await your comeback, Ryuseitai.

Tetora: ...Ossu. That goes without saying.

Chiaki: What’s up with you, Tenshouin? You’re talking like you suddenly know everything about heroes!

I know: you must have watched the tokusatsu show I keep recommending to you!

Eichi: I don’t have the time or the interest to watch that, but I can make a conjecture as to what it’s like simply by observing you, Chiaki.

Kanata: tetora, tetora. everything that Emperor has to say is completely Pointless so it is a Waste of time to listen to him.

instead we should go Encourage shinobu and midori because they are so Nervous ♪

Tetora: Oh yeah, they’ve been pretty gloomy for a while now, haven’t they...?

Shinobu: I–I–I am fine! I–I wilt be okay s–so ye should go cheer up Midori-kun, instead!

Midori: I cannot believe this. How did this even happen...? Why am I even here...?

The SS Finals? Like, seriously? The show I saw on TV when I was a kid?

Am I dreaming? Nope, definitely a dream, it’s all a bad dream... ♪

Shinobu: A–art thou trying to escape from reality, Midori-kun? What’s wrong? Thou wert pretty calm during the qualifying rounds, though!

Midori: ‘Cause I didn’t think we’d make it through! I heard Okinawa was jam-packed with powerhouse units! And Ryuseitai was crazy-unstable the whole time, so I didn’t have time to really think about it...!

B–but now reality is suddenly slamming me in the face...!