Chapter 4

That’s why I put one of them Big Three—fine—here in Kanto. If nothin’ too crazy happens, they’ll get through the Qualifyin’ Rounds no sweat.

Practically the same as them bein’ seeded in. Tenshouin—well, more like the Tenshouin Conglomerate—poured a lotta money into this so we can run ES and this whole SS shindig.

‘S like the benefit of bein’ a shareholder. The more money we get, the easier it’ll be for their little trust fund baby to win the main show.

A game of corruption, huh… In the end, it all comes down to money—He’s just buying his way to victory.

Ya can rule the world with money. Or more like, that’s what it’s for.

The poor hate the rich, but it’s the very concept of money that lets people with no brains or skills to be seen in a better light—Gives ‘em the possibility to turn things around.

As long as ya got the dough, ya can make any pizza ya want. In a perfect meritocracy, that concept’s lost on youse, and there’s no hope for doze at a disadvantage whatsoever.

When it’s survival of the fittest, those weaklings are gonna get eaten alive.

It’d be a helluva lot worse than what we got goin’ for us now.

If ya work hard, all your dreams’ll come true and find your little happily ever after. That’s what alla youse tell yourselves to feel better, but if you’re not playin’ that game of corruption, it’s all just a fairy tale for youse losers.

If you’re so stupid ya can’t even understand that, don’t go preachin’ to me ‘bout how money’s so dirty or how earnin’ a keep’s so terrible.

You’d suffocate without that very same dirty money, ya moron.

……

Anyway. There’s no idols here in Kanto who can hold a candle to fine.

To some extent, the survivors in every region are pretty much arbitrarily picked by us management.

But Kanto’s been taken to the extremes—There’s no other future than the one where fine wins.

The other idols placed in Kanto are small fry who ain’t worth their salt.

There’s no doubt they’ll lose to fine in the Qualifyin’ Rounds and vanish without a trace; why would we put an idol here if we can squeeze some money outta them?

We gotta cut our losses, see, and the losses we’re cuttin’ are right here in Kanto.

In other words—All the idols we put in the other regions are the ones with value, accordin’ to the Administration.

It’s a point of pride for ‘em.

Hold up. Are you trying to tell me that Ra*bits is worthless?

That’s what you’re saying, right? ‘Cause we’ve been placed in the Kanto region.

But if that’s really what’s going on, I’m not just gonna lie down and take it. There’s no way we’re just a pile of worthless trash!

Haha, you gonna get all pissy just ‘cause ya got a little hurt, Nito? You didn’t say a damn thing ‘bout all them other idols in Kanto, even though they’re in the same boat as you.

……

Well, I can’t blame ya. Really, the ones who get up in arms about every little tragedy that’s got nothin’ to do with ‘em—They’re the ones who aren’t normal.

You’re not bein’ unfair or self-righteous, nah. You’re just a normal guy, one who can be found anywhere in the world.

……

But don’t get me wrong here. The Administration thinks pretty highly of Ra*bits. Youse can rake in some good cash.

But I’ll be frank—The guys we’re under contract with, fine, specifically requested for youse guys to be put in Kanto.

Wait, fine? Us? Why?

Do they get a kick out of trampling all over us or something?

Don’t ask me. I don’t know what doze guys’re up to, which is why I’m in a bind—

But there was no reason to deny their request, so we let ‘em have it.

Well, more specifically, it was Tenshouin’s proposal that I accepted.

Tenshouin… What’s that guy trying to get at?

That’s what I’m sayin’. And we’re gonna figure it out together, you and me. I’m not gonna let myself dance in the palm of his hand—I wanna figure out what he’s up to.

Anyone who does business with someone without tryin’ to get in their head is a moron.

This is Tenshouin we’re talking about, so it could just be some dumb prank. It looks like he’s kinda mellowed out recently.

Some dumb prank, huh. You hate his guts, right? If he’s makin’ you think somethin’ like that, then he’s doin’ his job pretty damn good.

…?

A crime’s not a crime unless there’s evidence… Unless there’s a trial. Tenshouin’s probably tryin’ to pull somethin’ like that.

I know a bad guy when I see ‘im. We’re birds of a feather, him and me.

And us bad guys know there’s no light that can touch every corner of the universe.

Justice, goodness, and all them other twinklin’ stars in the sky are just tiny, short-lived lights that stand out against the darkness.

Evil always wins in the end. As long as everythin’ in this world has an end, as long as everythin’ dies or decays, that truth will never change.