Chapter 7

Oh yeah? Pretty fulla yourself, ain’tcha Tetsu-kun…

Even though you’re just some pansy clingin’ to your “precious Taishou ♪” like a baby and his mommy.

Dumbass, you’re so busy waggin’ your tail at him for pets that you can’t see how much of a burden you are to him.

And now you wanna enter the ring like some hotshot and fight man to man?

Just lookin’ at ya pisses me off. Just ‘cause you admire someone don’t mean you can be them.

You’re never gonna be him!

All you’re ever gonna do is pick and pick at that guy you love so much until they stop shinin’. You’re just wastin’ his time, robbin’ him of all he’s got ‘til he collapses.

Kiryu-senpai’s a nice guy, so it looks like he’s been puttin’ up with it for now, but it’s gotta be fuckin’ annoying to be around some depressing pain in the ass like you.

Fufufu, just who are you talking about there, Oogami-senpai~… ♪

Shaddup… Whatever. No point wearin’ ourselves out arguin’ when the guy’s not even here.

Why the hell hasn’t he shown his face yet anyway, huh?

You lookin’ for me, Oogami?

…! Whoa, when’d ya get on stage? I couldn’t sense you at all?!

Fufun, a true master would never be careless enough to let anyone feel his killing intent! He keeps up a natural appearance, looking just like your average guy.

That’s Taishou for you! I seriously admire you~ ♪

Haha, not havin’ any presence is kinda a problem for idols, though.

But idols aren’t the main focus here—This is a battle of wills between men.

I’m guessin’ no one wants the student council seein’ ‘em watch an unauthorized match and that’s why there’s no one here. No point in bein’ a crowd pleaser.

Whatever, let’s just get this thing started before we get off track again.

I’mma settle things, right here, right now. I’m ending it all, so I don’t have any regrets.

The Dragon King Competition—the high school years I covered in blood and filth.

“All righty! Now then, I’ll be working as the emcee from here out!”

“Testing testing, one, two, three~ Well, there’s not exactly any point getting all excited when there’s no one around to watch ♪”

Li’l miss Anzu’s here, ain’t she? If you call yourself an idol, you better be givin’ your all even if there’s just one person in the audience.

Ohh! You’re awesome, Taishou! That’s what it means to be a man… ☆

You don’t gotta praise me after every little thing, Tetsu. It’s embarrassing—feels like you’re makin’ fun of me.

Agh, my bad!

There’s nothin’ to apologize for. But you do know that we’re enemies this time right… Obviously you gotta respect your opponent, but you’re takin’ things too far.

If you keep showering me in compliments even after the match starts…

Then it’ll feel like you’re just tryna butter me up so I’ll cut ya some slack.

That just makes you a spoiled brat who’s got no business standin’ on a battlefield. I’m not gonna take that shit, Tetsu.

Actually, no—Nagumo Tetora-kun. If you don’t got the guts to stand up and fight, then go back home and suck on your mama’s tits.

‘S not like I’m makin’ fun of ya here. Really, It’s more I’m jealous of you.

If you can have a peaceful life, one where you can keep on smilin’, then honestly… that’s the best thing for ya.

……

Haha. But if ya got a problem with that, then get up here on stage. C’mon, we gotta go hand to hand at least once, right?

If you can’t handle a little pain or gettin’ a little scared, I’mma kick you off this stage right now—gently, just like always, so you don’t get hurt.

And Oogami—let’s set things straight once and for all. I’ll play with ya li’l brats, no holdin’ back.

I’ve been waitin’ on you to say that, Kiryu-senpai ♪

Ever since the Dragon King Competition back in the spring, I’ve been lookin’ forward to the day I’d finally be able to get ridda all that humiliation you cut me up with!

This is our revenge match! C’mon, I’mma sink my teeth into your throat!

“Oh? When did you get changed, Oogami-senpai?”

Haha, I can’t get all fired up if I’m still in my uniform, right?! I brought my own battle gear to this fight, so I hope you’re ready to taste defeat…!

Oh, you look pretty cool. Where’d ya get that outfit from?

Fufun, it’s from Rock Fes.¹

I’m not carryin’ the banner of UNDEAD today, so I thought it’d be weird to wear one of UNDEAD’s costumes.

Which is why I dragged this back out! It’s the embodiment of my soul, the fur of a proud wolf! Rock n’ roll… ☆

Now let’s get this show on the road!

We don’t gotta wait for that brat to make up his damn mind—Let’s ditch the dumbass and have a little fun just us two!

Before I take on that damn vampire, I’mma start with you, top dog Taishou!

I’ll curbstomp everyone above me and make ‘em all squirm under my feet—and then I’ll keep aimin’ higher!

I’mma rock this world with a roar that shakes the earth and rattles the grave…!

I don’t got time to be stumblin’ on my path here!

…Right. That’s a great kouhai you got there, Sakuma. I’m jealous.

What’re you gonna do, Tetsu?

I’m not gonna hold your hand this time. Think for yourself, make up your mind, and do what you wanna do.

Put my mind at rest, ‘cause I can’t move on with the way things are now.