Epilogue 7

Wataru: “♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪”

“Now at long last, SS draws to its final conclusion! Thanks to our audience, we will have a truly spectacular grand finale!”

Ibara: “I hope you will all enjoy yourselves to the very last moment! Salute~ ♪”

Yuzuru: “Salute~ ♪”

Ibara: ...! You’re just trying to provoke me now! But I won’t rise to your bait! What a pity for you!

Is it your way of doing things that you kick others when they’re down, fine?!

Yuzuru: Not at all. I’m only glad to see you enjoying yourself.

I am, as well. I wanted to share that joy with you.

I’m certainly not trying to provoke you, I swear.

Jun: Haha. Yeah, I think you’re reading way too much into things, Ibara.

Like, the whole “live showdown” thing went to shit and turned into a fairytale ending with everyone holding hands, right?

So who cares who won and who lost at this point?

Ibara: Hmph. The likelihood that the votes were tampered with is quite low, so disregarding how the public feels, we were on an endless streak of losses.

It wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility for people to start viewing fine as stronger than Eden!

Which is precisely why you’re so uselessly gloating—Yuzuru!

Yuzuru: No, no, the mere thought is absurd ♪

Jun: For sure. You say we were on a losing streak, but that was ‘cause of the oracles. And since Nagi-senpai was trying to lose on purpose—

Doesn’t that just mean we were the ones in control of the situation the whole time? We got what we wanted, so in that sense we won. Right?

Ibara: You aren’t incorrect, but it still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth!

Our top priority may have been defeating the Priest, but I still wanted to face off in battle without any unnecessary factors getting in my way!

A war! A clash of wits! Oh, it’s so annoying! Had it gone like that, there would have been no question: we would have won in spades!

Yuzuru: Fufu, that is nothing but the pathetic howling of a defeated dog ♪

Ibara: See? I knew you were thinking fine had won! Otherwise you wouldn’t have used the word “defeated!”

Nevertheless! I would advise against that arrogance of yours!

With the way things have turned out at SS this year, the live showdown format is likely to become obsolete over time starting next year.

Ibara: Yet the human instinct craves conflict!

Surely there will be an opportunity to do earnest battle with you someday, and when that time comes, we will use every resource at our disposal to defeat you all!

Yuzuru: I welcome that time, Ibara. Speaking for myself, this year lacked any real challenge, as you were clearly trying to lose on purpose.

I was also looking forward to an exhilarating battle with you.

But as my Master doesn’t care for such things, I’ve been left without an opportunity for it. It’s quite frustrating.

Ibara: Hmph, that’s just who you are underneath! A soldier through and through! The same beast as I am! Your true nature won’t change just because you’ve been collared!

Yuzuru: Fufu. I’ll certainly entertain you on occasion—so please don’t stir up any unnecessary trouble, Ibara.

After all, it seems as though everything is about to be settled peacefully.

Ibara: Well, I suppose that’s true. But only for now.

Yuzuru: Even still, I will work to maintain the peace, joy, and ideal world which my Master covets, as his butler.

And, as an idol.

Jun: In that case, lemme help too ♪ I managed to settle everything on my end last year, so I’ve been feeling pretty carefree lately!

Jun: I’m just gonna have the time of my life without worrying so much! And while I’m at it, I’ll make sure everyone else is having just as much fun!

If you think about it, I bet that’s what my old man wanted for me. He can’t do all this anymore, so it’s up to me to make his dreams come true~

So this is for everyone who’s seen the lowest of the lows, ‘cause now I’m soaring high!

“♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪”

Wataru: Amazing! Magnificent! You two are the only ones left bickering; are you not embarrassed by it?

Yuzuru: It’s only because Ibara keeps picking fights with me. He seems to find fault with everything I say or do.

Wataru: Fufufu ♪ That’s love, isn’t it Butler-san? How wonderful!

Yuzuru: It most certainly is not. Not at all.

Wataru: Oh my, do you not recognize love for what it is? Eichi says things like that on occasion, as well—how strange! But that’s what captivates me so!

Surely we should all know love! After all, there is a precious child nearby who showers us all in endless love!

Tori: “♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪”

Hiyori: “♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪”

...Are you feeling all right, Tori-kun? If you’re tired, you can lean on me, okay? I’ll support you ♪

Tori: I’m fine! Better than fine, even—it’s like I’m floating!