In the fourth round of matches, my team with Rustiara, and Rowen, all advanced as expected.
In the next semifinals, Rustiara and I will face each other, while Rowen will compete against the representative team of the Valt country.
After that, the first thing I did upon reuniting with Rustiara and the others was to confirm Snow’s safety.
Although I heard she wasn’t dead, Snow was seriously injured and sent to the hospital.
I briefly scryed her state using Dimension within the hospital ship, seeing her in a battered condition lying on a bed.
It seemed her injuries were severe enough that even recovery magic wouldn’t heal them overnight.
However, Snow being unable to move until tomorrow is advantageous for us. Still, we can’t let our guard down. Even in her current state, Snow might do something rash despite her severe injuries.
As I hesitated on whether I should take some action regarding the immobile Snow, Rustiara, walking beside me, spoke.
“—Mmm… It seems the Guardian revealed his true identity. I wonder what he’s thinking?”
Before meeting up with me, she had apparently gathered information from people on the street about the South Area.
“Rowen…?”
“He declared it openly after winning against Fenrir Aleis, the Sword Saint,” she said.
“A declaration? Not like he died and underwent Monsterization?”
“Yes. A declaration.”
“Why would he do such a thing…?”
I couldn’t understand why he would reveal something he had kept hidden for so long at this particular moment.
“Of course, it seems he was apprehended by the tournament organizers afterward. However, since the Dance Battle Tournament proclaims that it rejects no one, it appears Rowen’s participation won’t be revoked.”
“Apprehended… Why…?”
As I tried to predict Rowen’s intentions, my vision went dark.
Overcome by a sudden dizzy spell, my knees buckled, and I nearly collapsed.
“Kanami, are you alright!?”
Dia, who was walking right beside me, supported my body.
“…Ah, ah, I’m fine. …I think I’m just a little tired from the match.”
Supported by Dia, I managed to speak with difficulty.
I was already in a state where I couldn’t move or even think properly.
“F-First, let’s get back to the room! Hurry, Rustiara!”
“That’s right. Let’s head back to the room first. We’ll be safe once we meet up with Reaper.”
Dia’s and Rustiara’s voices echoed from a distance.
Still being supported, I forced my uncooperative legs to move forward.
I didn’t know where I was walking, but I continued on, guided by them.
Then, we entered some room, and I was made to sit on a chair.
Immediately, voices came from behind me.
“Welcome back, big brother. I’m glad everything is going well, too.”
“Reaper…? If possible, please keep an eye on Snow or Rowen… If Snow tries to contact me, I’ll talk to her. If Snow, having cooled down after her defeat, can understand… maybe…”
Along with her words of welcome, Reaper placed a cold towel on my head.
I relayed what I had been thinking about since before the match to her.
“Hmm, I think it’s better if you don’t talk to Snow-neechan. You won’t be able to talk properly in your current state. Besides, after Rustiara-neechan’s persuasion, she’s become quite calm…? She’s so receptive to the persuasion that she seems like she might solve her own problems if left alone. …So, for now, let’s focus on recovering your memories. It will be more beneficial for Snow-neechan than giving half-hearted help.”
“…Is that so? Rustiara persuaded her during the match?”
Because I was fighting Elmiraud, I had no idea how Rustiara and the others’ battles had proceeded.
Despite saying harsh words, she seemed to have persuaded Snow in her own way.
“…Then, what about Rowen? I’m also concerned about Rowen—”
“Rowen is fine too, don’t worry about him. He can’t move anyway.”
“Ah, Reaper knows about that too?”
If what Rustiara told me earlier was true, Rowen was being detained by the tournament organizers.
“Rowen defeated Strongest and even surpassed Sword Saint. You know that, right?”
“Ah, ah…”
Thanks to the tournament bracket, Rowen faced “Strongest” and “Sword Saint” early on. He then defeated both of them splendidly and advanced.
“Then, isn’t the ‘Glory’ Rowen desires already enough? That might be why he’s not interfering at all.”
“But I heard he revealed his identity. That’s—”
“Rowen must have his own reasons. So, he’ll be fine even without you, big brother. Don’t worry about him at all. You should just think about tomorrow’s semifinals— and about recovering your memories.”
Reaper was against contacting Snow and Rowen.
“That’s right, Kanami. Anyway, it’s more important to prepare for tomorrow than to worry about Snow or Rowen right now.”
Dia-chan seemed to agree.
It seemed I was the only one who wanted to talk to Snow and the others right now.
My head was too hot, and perhaps I was the only one not making a sound judgment.
However, I had known this might happen beforehand. I had already decided on a policy for when this situation arose.
“—Rustiara. Is it better if I do nothing…?”
I asked Rustiara.
Among the members present, she was the most level-headed and grasped the situation best. Entrusting my decision to her judgment would be the most stable approach.
“…Yes. …Let’s do nothing. Recovering your memories is definitely the priority, after all.”
Rustiara answered slowly after a considerable pause.
Her gaze was directed at me and Reaper.
At the two of us—
“Understood. If Rustiara says so, I’ll do as you say.”
Though I was a little disappointed, it couldn’t be helped.
In the first place, I lacked the composure to argue or the energy to move.
—I’ve reached my limit.
I leaned my back against the chair, abandoning any further thought.
However, even as my consciousness drifted aimlessly, I was not allowed to sleep. My meager remaining strength was being chipped away.
As even my sense of time faded, I heard Rustiara’s final instruction.
“Kanami, all you need to do is maintain your condition. I’ll call you before the match, so just sit there until then.”
I’ll do that.
Just sitting there seems like something I can manage in my current state.
If I fall asleep, someone will surely wake me up…
I just need to wait for that time to come…
I can’t think of anything else—
“That’s right. First, recover your memories, big brother. Then—”
I heard Reaper’s voice.
She seemed relieved once she confirmed I had stopped moving.
“—my wish will come true.”
It seemed my long-held wish would be granted.
I felt like that statement was about someone else.
I should be thinking more about the meaning of those words, but I can’t.
I should be rejoicing as if their fulfillment were my own, but I can’t.
Only the information that Reaper’s wish would be granted remained in my mind.
Then, I sank into a deep, deep darkness.
My consciousness disconnected from reality.
In a world where I couldn’t even sense the passage of time, I waited for time to flow by.
Endlessly, in the darkness—
***
It felt like years had passed.
Amidst such vague perceptions, I felt that my situation had changed.
It must be the next day—
Someone took my hand, and I felt like I was led to some room.
Then, I heard voices like static noise.
“—Well then, please wait here in this waiting room. Once an attendant comes, just walk to the arena, and the plan will be successful… Can you hear this? Hmm, Reaper-chan, I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“Leave it to me. I’ll definitely get you there.”
“Yeah, count on me. Well then, we’ll be entering from the opposite side, so bye-bye.”
The sound of someone’s voice faded, and the people around me became fewer.
There was only a small girl beside me.
The girl flitted around nearby, showing no sign of restlessness.
From the depths of darkness, I followed the girl with my eyes. It was like chasing a butterfly flying in the twilight, strangely calming my heart.
Time passed, and people entered the room.
However, I don’t know if only a few seconds or several hours passed in this brief moment.
The person who entered called out a name.
“—It is time for Aiikawa Kanami’s entrance… But, are you alright? Are you really going to participate?”
“Kanami Aikawa…?”
“Ah, that is my name.”
It seems I am being asked a question.
However, I cannot fully grasp the content of the question.
“Mr. Kanami! Please answer! If you don’t answer, we’ll forcibly disqualify you!?”
Disqualification—?
I feel like that would be bad. I absolutely cannot let that happen, but I can’t recall why.
No, I should be able to remember, but it’s not coming to me right away—
“—W-wait a moment, attendant!”
A girl jumped between the attendant and me, shouting.
Then, she approached me and whispered in my ear.
“Big brother, you’re almost there, right? So, do your best. Use all the strength you have left. If you don’t fight in this match, your memories won’t come back, will they? You won’t be able to return to your original world? Are you okay with that? If you don’t return properly—”
I feel like I’m being told something very important.
Memories. Original world. Return.
That is a very important—
“—What about your precious, precious little sister?”
—I recall something important.
My sister.
Her name is— I can’t remember.
But she is more precious than my life.
That, at least, I can always remember, no matter the circumstances.
And if not participating in this match would put my sister in danger, then I have no choice but to fight.
“—…S-sorry. …I’m a little short on sleep. The match is no problem. I’ll fight.”
I forced my mouth to move, feeling like I was on the verge of death.
I stood up and opened my eyes.
I looked around, gathering information.
This is a familiar waiting room.
I barely managed to understand that the semifinals of the Dance Battle Tournament were about to begin.
“Then, if that’s the case… Mr. Kanami Aikawa, please remember that you can withdraw anytime if you feel overwhelmed… Now, this way. It’s the semifinals…”
It seems the person asking me questions was an attendant from the tournament’s organizing staff.
I followed behind the attendant who was guiding me.
Beside me, the girl— “Reaper”— waved.
“It looks like you’ve woken up, big brother. Well then, go on. For your sister, and for no one else. Don’t forget that.”
“…Ah, I’m going. Reaper.”
I understood the situation and started walking.
I still couldn’t shake off the feeling of walking in darkness.
But it was different from before.
I had gained an unwavering will.
To not stray from my true desire— to reclaim all my memories— I must fight—
I felt like I was about to fall into the abyss of darkness, but I gritted my teeth and endured.
I only needed to hold on for a few more minutes.
After that, it didn’t matter if I lost consciousness.
I walked down the long corridor and entered the arena.
Ignoring the announcer’s voice and the roaring cheers of the audience, I hurried to the center.
After all, it all sounded like tinnitus now.
In the center of the arena were Rustiara and her companions, who were cooperating with me. They seemed relieved to see me walk all the way here.
However, I could lose consciousness at any moment. We needed to start the match quickly.
“T-the rules…”
I managed to get the words out.
Rustiara, facing me, quickly responded.
“Announcer, no need for an introduction, let’s start the match! Is it okay if we decide the rules ourselves? Good, right? Even if you say no, we’re deciding them anyway.”
Then, she came over to me and spoke in a low voice.
“Kanami, answer as we agreed, okay?”
“…Ah, I will.”
Thanks to Reaper, my thinking ability had returned a little.
I recalled the rules we had discussed and decided on a few days ago.
Seeing me nod, Rustiara raised her voice so the announcer could hear.
“Our Rustiara team proposes a rule that is neither ‘Weapon Drop’ nor ‘Tiara Drop’! With ‘Weapon Drop,’ there are advantages and disadvantages. And with ‘Tiara Drop,’ the side that can use Fire Magic has an advantage. That’s not fair at all.”
This was the planned proposal.
I replied with my pre-decided lines.
“…Then, what kind of rule?”
“We’ve just put on these bracelets. Mr. Kanami is also wearing a similar bracelet. A contest for these bracelets— or perhaps, a contest to destroy them, wouldn’t that be reasonably fair? How about this?”
Rustiara spoke with a feigned earnestness.
After a moment of thought, the announcer made an announcement.
“—This is a rule with precedent. Such things are called ‘Symbol Drop.’ There is no problem from the tournament organizers’ side, but is the Kanami Aikawa team okay with this?”
“…I am okay with it. Let’s make it a battle to destroy the bracelets. That is fair.”
I nodded.
This was the end of the preparations for the fixed match.
“—Both parties have given their consent. It is decided! The rule is ‘Symbol Drop,’ the destruction of each other’s bracelets!”
The vibrations in my ears grew stronger.
The audience’s excitement was increasing. I could no longer discern the cheers, so I didn’t even find them annoying. Rustiara, facing me, held her hand over one ear and wore a wry smile.
“Now, the rules are set! Then, what will be wagered in this fight! As the announcer who has been with Mr. Kanami all this time, I am incredibly curious!!”
She then asked what was at stake. It was as if this was the main event. But then—
“I will bet nothing.”
“We have nothing to bet either.”
We both casually shook our heads.
“W-w-what! You’re betting nothing!? In the semifinals of the Dance Battle Tournament!? After making all sorts of nonsensical bets up until now!? Not betting anything here! Are you sane, Mr. Kanami!?”
“…No, I am sane.”
As always, she’s being strangely familiar with me…
I wanted to complain, but I held back and prioritized the proceedings.
“Ms. Rustiara! You advanced to this match by betting on Mr. Kanami in the previous match, so you’re entitled to demand some kind of reward here, you know!? It’s natural to have a reward. In fact, it’s unnatural to not have one. Now is your chance, Mr. Kanami can’t refuse, so you can say anything you want! Please, ask for something! All the spectators are surely waiting for it!!”
“No, I don’t need anything… If there’s something I want Kanami to do, I can just ask him personally without making a request here. Right, Dia?”
Dia-chan, who was suddenly addressed, thought for a moment and agreed with Rustiara.
“We’re going to be together from now on… There’s no need to rush.”
Hearing this, Rustiara shouted with a smile.
“So! We’re betting nothing!”
Her shout seemed to reach the seating area.
Sounds of discontent mixed with the cheers.
“Hmph…! It is extremely, extremely regrettable! But if both parties do not wish for it, we cannot force them. Mr. Kanami, who has rejected so many women and shown no interest, had substantial expectations placed upon him… it cannot be helped. Since you are so chummy with the Rustiara team, I thought you might make further regrettable remarks… Ugh—!”
Even in my dazed state, I could clearly tell.
This announcer was my enemy.
Noticing my angry expression, the announcer continued with a flustered tone.
“—B-but! It seems further discussion would be meaningless. Well then, let us begin! The North Area, West Area Semifinal match of the ‘United Nations Comprehensive Knight Order Dance Ball,’ beginnnn!!”
The start was declared.
I dragged my heavy body and approached Rustiara with empty hands.
In contrast, Rustiara approached me with light steps, gripping her sword.
We were still far apart.
Just as her sword was within reach, Rustiara spoke.
“—Here I come, Kanami! For starters, I’m going to break all your arms and legs, so don’t move!”
“Ah, come at me! Rustiara!!”
I had decided to not move, no matter what happened.
And we closed the distance until our swords could reach each other.
At that moment, Rustiara’s sword was about to pierce my left thigh— but it was deflected by something hard and metallic.
My body had reacted on its own. Before I knew it, I had taken out the Crescent Pectoral Azure’s Straight Sword from my Inventory and parried Rustiara’s lunge.
I knew Rustiara’s objective was to break the bracelet, and for that reason, my Curse had reacted early on.
I immediately sheathed my sword back into my Inventory and reinforced my resolve.
I put all my strength into my body to ensure I wouldn’t move, no matter what.
However, Rustiara’s attacks still couldn’t reach me.
Because in the next moment, the Crescent Pectoral Azure’s Straight Sword was in my hand again.
Rustiara’s approaching slash was deflected, her blows caught, her grabs brushed away. Her defense was superb, despite not using any support magic.
I gritted my teeth, desperately trying to stop my own body’s movements.
But Rustiara remained cool and composed in response.
This level of resistance must have been within her expectations.
“— *Growth*!”
Rustiara reinforced her body and slightly accelerated her pace.
My defense gradually crumbled, and eventually, I lost my footing from Rustiara’s intense strike.
Then, Rustiara’s spinning kick slammed into my torso.
“—Guh, ugh!”
All the air was expelled from my lungs, and I floated into the air.
I was completely immobilized. At that moment, Dia-chan’s magic, which had been waiting, was unleashed.
— *Symposium Noah*!
A giant sphere of light fell from above.
Its entire mass struck my defenseless body directly, slamming me into the ground and crushing me.
My entire body ached, and white sparks flew across my vision.
A sharp pain shot through my brain, and my whole body stiffened.
Rustiara had been aiming for that stiffness.
She grabbed one of my arms and bent it backward without a second thought.
“Guu, juu—!!”
A sound like splitting bamboo echoed in my head, followed by a dull pain.
“Alright, one down! Next!”
My elbow grew hot, continuing to emit unbearable pain.
It must have broken near the elbow.
I tried to savor the pain as much as possible, but my body instinctively pushed the pain to the back of my mind.
As Rustiara attempted to pursue further—I grabbed her wrist and used a technique I didn’t recognize. I sank low to the limit of my body, drawing in Rustiara’s power and destabilizing her.
It was a technique similar to Aikido, used by Franryure in the third match.
I marveled at the completeness of the Curse. She could use a technique she had only seen once as if it were her own. I hadn’t consciously done anything.
Rustiara rolled awkwardly but immediately regained her balance with a mid-air somersault.
Then, she pressed her attack against me, who had lost an arm.
“Ugh, so persistent!! —*Growth*!!”
Rustiara consumed magic power and shifted into another gear.
She slipped inside with absurd speed, leaving afterimages, attempting to suppress me with overwhelming physical strength.
My hand was grabbed.
I immediately tried to counter with the same technique as before. But Rustiara had anticipated it. She used her physical strength to crush the technique. Then, a ruthless fist struck my stomach.
The Curse, judging that there was no other way, chose magic as a last resort.
It gathered magic power from the depths of my being, converting it into cold air. It intended to expel it externally and construct the Dimension Winter—
—It all dissipated.
My groggy mind, due to my poor physical condition, failed to process the construction of the Dimension Winter.
All that escaped was a refreshing breeze, barely enough to be called cold air, that brushed against Rustiara’s cheek.
Rustiara’s bangs fluttered, revealing her grinning face.
Seeing my magical failure, her smile became one of absolute certainty of victory.
I no longer had any means to defend against Rustiara’s attacks.
I, too, smiled, convinced of my defeat.
Rustiara’s sword knocked away my Crescent Pectrazuli Straight Sword, and it flew from my hand. The returning blade approached, and I ducked to evade it, only to have Rustiara’s foot loom before me.
With the impact of her kick, the scenery before my eyes exploded upward, and my feet left the ground.
I was once again immobilized in mid-air, with Rustiara’s fist approaching inches from my face.
—It was checkmate.
If this landed, I would be incapacitated for a long time.
And I had no way to dodge this punch.
Rustiara’s hand slowly drew closer to my face, as if being sucked in. Watching her movements in slow motion, I felt a sense of relief that the match would end.
Believing I would be freed from these past few days of long, arduous suffering, I loosened the reins of my consciousness that had been barely holding on.
That loosened consciousness rapidly plunged into the depths of my heart’s darkness, making it impossible to choose my thoughts of my own volition.
My final thoughts articulated the facts before me.
I would now be defeated by this punch.
I would lose the Bracelet.
I would regain my memories.
And then it would be over.
Over.
Over…?
At that moment, a chilling, unknown magical power slithered along my back.
It was not a dimensional or freezing attribute.
Dark Magic leaked from the Bracelet and seeped into my spinal cord.
—Is it truly okay for it to end now…?
I asked myself.
A fear like falling from a great height without footing assailed me.
I felt as if—if this continued—a terrible outcome would occur.
—Is it truly okay for this Bracelet to break…?
Though I tried not to think, question after question arose.
And I couldn’t resist them.
—Wasn’t this Bracelet more important than anything else…?
In the darkness, I recalled only that the Bracelet was important.
All else faded, but that alone was clearly remembered.
Then, I heard the sound of a lock clicking into place.
Simultaneously, my consciousness faded.
The Bracelet’s Curse had reached its culmination.
In the abyss of darkness, the parallel thoughts converged, leaving only one thing to consider.
Only one thing.
A thought that Aiaki Uzunami could not compromise on.
That was “to protect what is precious.”
My thinking became simplified, focused solely on that.
Protect.
Ah, of course.
I had sworn to protect long ago—
Long ago—? When was that? Childhood?
Back when my hands were small, and my gaze was low.
The smell of disinfectant filled my nose. I had sworn before her, my beloved, lying in bed.
Protecting is my sole reason for existence.
My precious—?
My precious Bracelet—!
[Final Defense Protocol, Dark Magic *Heart Anomaly: Pure Heart* Activated]
All protocols are allocated to ‘Perception Inhibition.’
Deep within the darkness.
At the edge of the gloom.
The announcement text appeared on my retinas.
I felt cracks forming in the Bracelet, which had survived everything else.
The excessive activation of magic protocols was likely exceeding the Bracelet’s durability.
The Bracelet, on the verge of shattering, was very similar to the activation of magic with Magic Tools.
No, it wasn’t similar; it **was** the same.
This Bracelet, like the Magic Tools I had seen before, was simply an artifact for unleashing a certain magic.
Therefore, it could not be stopped.
Not even by the Dimension Winter.
[Dark Magic *Heart Anomaly: Pure Heart* Activation Complete]
A +10.00 bonus is applied to ‘Perception Inhibition.’
“—Ah, the conditions are met. Let’s defeat the enemy before us for my beloved little sister, shall we?”
A voice, strangely chirpy, echoed.
It was irritating, but also a little nostalgic.
I answered the voice.
Yes, of course.
I will absolutely protect the Bracelet. I will protect it.
I will eliminate any enemy that attempts to harm “what is precious.”
As long as I understand that, I don’t need to understand anything else.
My eyes widened, and I recognized the enemy in my vision.
Currently before me were three individuals trying to break the Bracelet.
I know.
These people plan to incapacitate me and destroy the Bracelet.
An opponent I absolutely cannot lose to—
“Now, can you reproduce the past?! Sacrifice everything for the sake of the one you cherish! If needed, even the world! That way, Kanami’s older brother can approach ‘the former Kanami’!”
The cheerful voice turned dark and filled my mind.
Naturally, the darkness obscured the figures of the enemies.
Now I couldn’t even tell who the enemies were.
But I knew what I had to do.
The Bracelet is precious to me.
And the enemies before me are trying to destroy the Bracelet.
That much is enough.
Then, I will protect.
I will protect the Bracelet from the enemies.
I will sacrifice anything for that.
I will kill them.
That is the real me.
In the darkness, I chant magic.
No, I shout—
“—*Midwinter of Overcrowded Dimensions*!!!”
[Status]
HP 152/303 0/751
[Status]
HP 147/298 0/751
[Status]
HP 142/293 0/751—
—In the depths of darkness, I burn my life.
