Crown 9

Hinata: ? Why wouldn’t you want it to be exposed?

It’d be a huge scandal for Eden, so letting it out would give the Red Team a huge advantage over us.

Tomoya: The leading theory we have is that Eden, or Ran-senpai specifically, was set up, and he’s being forced to do something he doesn’t want to.

‘Cause it’s just so stupid, y’know? Everything he’s doing today...

Not that I know him that well, but it does seem like he’s, like, going out of his way to get into deep shit.

That’s pretty weird, if you ask me. Totally unnatural.

Hinata: That’s what I thought, too... I wonder what the heck’s going on.

Tomoya: Who knows... No one ever tells us anything.

Yuuta: We’re being protected.

Tomoya: Yep. Thank god for that.

Yuuta: ...Anyway, I get where you guys are coming from.

If Ran-senpai is the victim in someone else’s game, then it’d suck to spread rumors about it. Talk about adding insult to injury.

Hajime: Exactly. So we’re trying to keep it under wraps.

Tomoya: If this gets out, worse case scenario SS might be canceled. Which would also suck.

We don’t have any idea what Gatekeeper’ll do if he doesn’t get what he came here for.

So we’ll get through SS as planned and hopefully pull a victory for the Red Team while we’re at it. I’ve got my eyes on that reward money.

Hinata: Huh. Since when was Ra*bits the greedy type?

Hajime: Money has always been important to us! You two should know just as well that being poor is like a living hell!

Hinata: Whoa, you’re really serious about this... Well yeah, I’ll bet people who’ve never had to wonder where their next meal will come from just don’t get it.

Tomoya: Well, there’s that, but it’s not just that...

We also need to win and get that money if we want to stand a chance fighting back against Gatekeeper.

Hinata: Okay, what’s the deal with Gatekeeper? I can tell he’s more than just some scary-looking guy, but like...?

Tomoya: I guess he’s some seriously bad news. I don’t fully get it, either, so I can’t explain well.

But if we want to take him down and keep working unencumbered as idols for the foreseeable future, apparently we really need to win the Finals.

So I feel bad about it, but we’re not going easy on you, 2wink. If you can’t tell.

Hajime: We’re not strong enough to win if we don’t go all in... ♪

Mitsuru: But if we do, we can do anything! Even the stars are within our grasp!

Nazuna: Yep! Guys, don’t worry about anything else while we’re up on there. Just focus on giving it your best effort!

That’s the sort of regret that stays with you, more so than losing or making mistakes!

That’s your gracious advice from Nii~chan, the only upperclassman on this stage.

Yuuta: ...Do you have any regrets, Nito-senpai?

Nazuna: Plenty. But that’s life~ Not a day goes by where I don’t think about what I could have done back then.

But if I have time to dwell on the past, then I have time to think about what I can do for the people in front of me right now.

If I do that, I’ll create a present without regrets. And that will lead me to a happier future.

It’s how I feel, at least. You don’t have to see it the same way.

You’re not my kid, after all. I don’t have the right to boss you around like a parent would.

I’m not even allowed to wish you would turn out like me.

But—we are both idols, and I have a little more experience than you.

I’m a few steps ahead, so I can at least tell you about all the holes in the road.

Maybe that’s still too much. Maybe you’d get mad at me for even that. And in that case I’m sorry, but I’m never going to stay silent ever again.

Yuuta: ......