Melée 11

Leo: But anyway, I know we’re all having a great time yapping away like we used to—but I don’t think this is the time or place for it, yanno?

There’s something we gotta do, I guess. I dunno. But I’ll give it all I got.

Tsukasa: Sigh... Y–you really do sound quite morose today, Leo-san. Are you all right?

I apologize. I did not intend to make you come to practice when you were ailing.

Leo: Don’t apologize. You need to have more of a backbone, King.

I know you’re trying to bury all your bad memories from the Qualifiers by throwing yourself into this. Us getting just a little bit stronger will clear up some of the anxiety.

We’ll get more out of it doing this than sulking in our rooms about it, so if that’s what you wanna do, go for it. We’ll be right behind you.

That’s what Knights is like nowadays, right?

I was only able to fracture it into pieces, but you guys... you pulled yourselves together without a minute to spare.

This Knights is strong. Probably. I dunno.

Tsukasa: Why are you waffling over it? Genuinely, are you all right? I haven’t seen you so despondent in ages, Leo-san...

Makoto: Maybe Izumi-san said something hurtful again?

Izumi: What do you mean, again? I’ve never hurt you before, Yuu-kun!

Mao: This guy’s brain structure is so horrifying, it actually makes me jealous sometimes.

Subaru: Huh? What’s that mean?

Mao: Oh, huh. Subaru’s on that side of things too.

Subaru: ???

Leo: Sena’s got nothing to do with it... I’m just down in the dumps because I wrote a new song for the first time in a while, and it was totally rejected.

I guess I got too used to being pampered for being a genius composer or whatever. Now I’ve gone and gotten myself all depressed.

Izumi: Your new song was rejected? What do you mean? By who? Tenshouin?!

Leo: Don’t blame Tenshi for everything under the sun. That’s not it, either. What I meant was that I wrote a new song for the SS Finals today.

Thought I should try and help everyone on our team.

But when I handed it over to those “commanding unit” guys, they just refused it outright. Got mad and told me not to do “unnecessary” things like that.

Unnecessary, huh... Well soooorry... But now I’m all pooped out ‘cause I feel so bad about it.

Izumi: They turned it down? Why would they do something like that? Wasn’t it kinda obvious at Yumenosaki that your songs are the strongest weapon on the table?

Ritsu: The commanding unit is Eden; they might not be familiar with the common sense at Yumenosaki since they’re affiliated with CosPro.

Arashi: But Tomoe-senpai and his partner originally went to Yumenosaki, right?

Leo: Urgh... It’s probably just that my song sucked too much... And here I thought I was some kinda genius...

Izumi: Oh, shut up already! Quit with the mopey bullshit, it’s killing the mood!

Rei: —Hm. This is all deeply fascinating.

Their response strikes me as quite odd, don’t you think? If you ask me, it is the key to unlocking the mystery surrounding this year’s SS.

Izumi: Um, hello?!

Subaru: Ahaha. I haven’t seen you just pop up outta nowhere in a while, Sakuma-senpai ♪

Ritsu: Yes, hello, is this the police? There’s a suspicious person in the training room we’ve rented out.

Rei: Please don’t call the authorities... We are finally comrades in arms, Ritsu, being both on the White Team. We should try to get along ♪

Ritsu: Maa-kun, I’m scaaared... This stranger keeps talking to me like I know himmm...

Mao: There, there.

...Um, so do you need anything, Sakuma-senpai?

Rei: Nothing about us fazes you anymore, does it, Isara-kun?

Kukuku. I caught a whiff of something nostalgic and thought I would stretch my legs out.

It’s unexpectedly nice to see you both getting along so well, Knights, Trickstar ♪

Subaru: Ahaha. When you put it that way, it does take me back. You came to help when we were up against Knights during the first DDD too, Sakuma-senpai.^[1]

Rei: So I did. It’s not so far into the past to make me miss those days. Still, you all have changed immeasurably since then.

There is purpose in comparing one’s present to one’s past and reflecting on what has been lost—and what has been gained.

Recognizing that growth will give you confidence.

It can be amusing to indulge in those memories before climbing onto a grand stage.

Izumi: Can you get to the point already? I’m sure you didn’t just come here for some small talk, Sakuma. It’s kind of nauseating, you know, the way you’re so composed about everything all the time! You think you’re some hotshot?

Rei: I’ve been told this many times, but I didn’t expect to hear it from you, Sena-kun.

But more to the point: there is a matter I’m a bit concerned about, so I resolved to go around to other units on the White Team to do a little digging.

With this, I pray that we may yet avoid a calamity comparable to our suffering during the Qualifying Rounds. Though the herald of this information ought to be an angel, not a demon.

Leo: What are you talking about? Everything you say is just abstract enough that I can’t follow at all!

Rei: The language of man is not so complete as the music you create, Tsukinaga-kun.

Anyhow, I had no intention of interrupting your practice; allow me to say my piece, and then I’ll leave you be.

—I have reason to suspect that an “oracle” of sorts will be delivered unto the White Team during the Finals.

Leo: An oracle...?

Rei: I have already received it, myself. It came in the form of this letter.

If the sender is listed as Ran Nagisa-kun of Eden, our commanding unit—we are to obey the contents of the letter.

However. Should the letter be addressed from Eden’s other wing, and specifically Tomoe Hiyori-kun of Eve—

Under any circumstances, do not believe what it says, and do not follow the orders.