Crown 6

Wataru: Fufufu, and I look forward to it! What tragicomedies will unfurl today, do you think?

Eichi: For now, I imagine the we, the Red Team, are acting out a comedy, while our enemies the White Team remain in a tragedy.

In this first round, Switch gave their performance by piggybacking onto the world Valkyrie had so perfectly constructed.

They jumped in partway through, acting as the protagonists of that world. They didn’t just steal the story Itsuki-kun had woven atop the stage from under his nose—Switch became a parasite to make themselves look larger and grander.

Wataru: What a harsh way to put it. What they did is not so easy as it looks.

They fastidiously observed the stage during its development and theorized about how the story might unfold—

And then as they witnessed that world play out, they had to make adjustments to themselves to perfect their performance. They polished themselves until they would be recognized as the natural protagonists of someone else’s story.

Without precision and skill, they would have simply come off as nothing more than clowns, sticking out like sore thumbs.

Yet, Natsume-kun and his friends were able to accomplish it.

Eichi: Fufu. And in the end Itsuki-kun recognized Sakasaki-kun’s plan and pivoted their performance to complement them

Because of that, the first round concluded with a wonderful sense of cohesion, the performance perfect. I’m sure the audience was more than satisfied.

Wataru: It was splendid ♪ This is precisely what idols should aim for above all else!

To Shu, winning comes only second or third on his list of priorities; constructing ever more perfect stages is his true desire.

He would never risk destroying the mood in a desperate effort to defeat Natsume-kun.

Eichi: It was a winning strategy on Sakasaki-kun’s part to get such a read on Itsuki-kun—or, to put it more unkindly, to believe that Itsuki-kun would be sweet on him.

As one would expect from a renowned fortune teller who can read the minds of others.

I’m sure for you “nii-sans,” having your youngest child depend on you like that is an unparalleled joy.

Wataru: I can’t deny it. Perhaps Shu was so delighted that he simply did not care whether he won or lost...

He was well aware of the magic Natsume-kun had cast, but he paid no mind to it.

Eichi: Yes. Sakasaki-kun had yet another trick up his sleeve: It was the first round, so surely the audience was unfamiliar with the rules around voting.

And so they took it upon themselves to explain those rules, for his own personal gain—to get those votes for himself.

He didn’t lie, but he described it in a subtly inexact way, like he was cheating.

“Vote for the unit that shines the most!” and such.

Of course that would be Switch, who even Valkyrie had set their spotlight on.

Itsuki-kun never tried to stop him; rather, he raised Sakasaki-kun high and lauded him as a champion...

Even Valkyrie’s most fervid fans must have thought, “Even Shu-sama wants this!” and cast their votes for Switch.

Wataru: SS is an event to determine the greatest idol.

We must not simply choose who we favor, but calmly evaluate who is best.

From that perspective, Valkyrie, who had made extensive preparations far in advance, was unparalleled.

Eichi: Still, the majority of votes went to Switch. It was in the atmosphere. How strange, right?

—That is precisely what a strategy ought to be.

Wataru: Mm... It’s not very much like Natsume-kun to so coolly plan an optimal strategy on demand, though.

The more he tries, the more heated he gets, and the more absurd his actions become.

Perhaps the one who devised and implemented this plan was instead Predecessor-san?

Eichi: It’s possible. In that case, it’s no wonder I was able to read it so easily...

Crowd manipulation of this style was my area of expertise during the War, and Tsumugi was able to witness my methods from up close.

It’s unsurprising that he would have committed them to memory and perfected them for himself.

No, it’s because he did so that he was able to stand closer than anyone to me until the very end.

Wataru: You look so happy, Eichi ♪ When an old friend shows his familiar charms, it’s nostalgic and delighting at once!

I am overcome with the same feelings as I watch Natsume-kun and Shu!

Eichi: I was never friends with Tsumugi. It embarrasses me when people think I’m acquainted with a person who wears such stupid-looking, unfashionable glasses.

Wataru: Don’t you dare insult glasses...!

Eichi: Whoa?! I–I was sure Keito had just appeared out of thin air!

Wataru: Fufufu. I am sure my longtime rival, Keito-kun, isn’t quite up for that right now. Once the second round is over, it will be their turn on stage.

Eichi: Right. It’s in poor taste to say it, but with Valkyrie first and then 2wink right after, the White team has been sending quite eccentric units up in succession—

So next, they’ll offer up a traditional unit which pursues a genre that appeals to most people and has a secure place in music industries across the world: the unit that loves to rock and roll—UNDEAD.