Crown 17

Keito: ......

Kuro: Haha. That look on your face says you ain’t satisfied for shit, Danna.

But you are the kinda guy who’s always got his eyes narrowed like that.

Souma: Ay. Thou seem’st rather unsociable and scary; it could be to thy benefit to smile more, Hasumi-dono. Mine heart aches when th’art misunderstood.

Keito: ...Right. You’re right. You’re always right.

Souma: Nay, that was above my station. As I was placed in charge of every thing during the Qualifying Rounds, I believe I ha’ developed a habit of patronizing thee.^[1]

Keito: I don’t mind. Actually, I think the Qualifying Rounds were a good experience for you. If you have something to say going forward, you shouldn’t be so worried about status or age; just speak your mind.

That’s the most effective way to make use of you—or so I’ve learned.

Kuro: Yup. Between us three, you’re the one who can look at the whole situation without losin’ your head an’ then come up with the best tactics to deal with it. I’mma be lookin’ to you from here on out, Captain ♪

Souma: Mercy, install me not into such a strange post... I take no pleasure in using my brain; it rather tires me. Would that I could leave such matters to Hasumi-dono, who revels in them.

Kuro: Quit your whinin’. Work’s s’pposed to be exhausting, as a rule.

Souma: But... Urgh, if my senpais wish it, then I shall do my utmost.

Keito: Go for it. You’re strong and you’re clever. I want to see you put those good qualities of yours to use.

Souma: I prithee not laud me so much... Makest me rather bashful, Hasumi-dono.

Keito: I’m just stating my opinion. On that note, Kanzaki, how would you judge the developments at SS this year?

Souma: Hum... To neglect the White Team’s tremendous incomprehensible moves, the program seemeth to develop as expected.

Those “units” which progress’d to the Finals are formidable opponents with considerable strength.

In a solitary clash between such forces, victory depends ‘pon strategy and fortune.

Tho’ the White Team ha made too many errors. They exposed their oracles too early and then orchestrated an abduction—

The rumors of their misdeeds will impact the votes.

And they have made no attempt to douse the fire.

As a result, the unfounded rumors are spread among the audience and beyond, which has caused more prudent “fans” to withhold their votes whilst they wait for further developments.

Keito: Despite that, those who prefer the White Team will still probably vote for them in the fourth round, which is what will determine the final results.

Souma: Ay. If they do not, the end will be settled at the halfway point.

Kuro: But on the flip side, wouldn’t the Red Team’s fans see this as a decisive moment in the show and dump all the votes they’ve saved up to now?

The White Team’ll get more votes, but so will the Red Team. So it’ll be a difference in tactics that seals the deal.

Keito: Yes, probably. To that end, pitting Double Face against Ryuseitai was a smart move. I don’t want to praise him too much, but Eichi specializes in this sort of tactical game.

Double Face, or rather Mikejima, is a pushy guy who will do anything and everything to accomplish his goals.

But it’s likely that he’ll refrain from thoroughly crushing Ryuseitai; it should be too important to him for that, what with him being an alumnus.

He fights his own fight: so ensure that the things he wants to protect won’t become distorted, and to shield that which is important to him.

Like taking care of a cat his friend tried to protect.^[2]

Someone like that wouldn’t destroy something he cares about. I want to believe he hasn’t sunken that low.

Souma: Ay, Mikejima-dono is indeed a man who understands his place.

Keito: Why do you think so highly of him, Kanzaki?

Souma: I ask that of thee, Hasumi-dono.

Fufu, and perhaps of thee, too, Kiryuu-dono.

‘Tis possible that we project onto that man our past selves, when we had no other choice to achieve our design but through ruthlessness.

I can only feel empathy for him. And in personal matters, I owe him my gratitude for helping Shinkai-dono.

Kuro: We didn’t go as crazy as he did though, right...? But I guess doin’ bad shit and pretendin’ it’s justice could be even worse.

Hasumi worked like hell to carve out a place for people like us, who were just mayhem on legs. He gave us some kinda legitimacy.

And I’m not shameless enough to say he was stickin’ his nose where it don’t belong.

Souma: Fufu. What colorful parlance thou usest, Kiryuu-dono.^[3]

Kuro: Shut it. That’s what happens when you talk to Mikejima long enough.