Chapter 6

(…Hmm?)

(This simply won’t do! Everything has been thrown out of alignment!)

(fine has been steady and stable without major bumps or mishaps as of late, so this little spark has set everything ablaze!)

(Of course, this was exactly my prediction…)

(But why does my heart ache so? Ah, so even I possess a heart!)

(Although atop the stage, I would be overjoyed to play even the most despicable villain!)

(My, my… This truly will not do.)

(My art has become muddied. I have not yet perfected my craft enough that I can use all the tragicomedies that occur in life to refine it.)

(Should I wallow in self-pity, or should I simply remind myself that there’s still room to grow?)

(To be, or not to be: that is the question! Amazing!)¹

…Ya look like you’re havin’ all sortsa fun even when you’re all by your lonesome.

Oh my? It seems I have unexpected guests!

I offer you the warmest of welcomes to my castle! To Watchdog-san, playing the supporting role in this SS—and to you, Anzu-san.

It has been a while, has it not? Have you put on a little weight? Oh! But that is disrespectful to say to a woman, no?

Or is it perhaps even more disrespectful to treat someone differently based on their gender? What do you think?

Cut it the hell out; you come on way too strong. I’m too old to keep up with hyper brats like you.

Oh, how rude! Can’t you see I’m having an emotional reunion with Anzu-san?

She’s been playing the role of captured princess for so long, so I’m happy to see she’s in much better health than I feared!

Hmph. That’s what I promised, isn’t it? I “protected” her like a perfect gentleman. And look, I fed her so much good food every day she got fat.

Even so! No matter how well you treat someone, a prisoner is nonetheless a prisoner! Oh, you poor child! Come now, let me be a shoulder to cry on!

Hm, what is this, Anzu-san? Could it be a love letter? How very sweet of you!

…Hmm? Your plans to produce fine in the coming days?

Ohh, and not just that, but the details for producing each of our members have been noted down, as well!

Fufufu. It seems you’ve been making good use of your time, Anzu-san ♪ This is exactly why we place our love, respect, and faith in you as our producer!

Yeah, yeah. Is this broad for real? She’s the type to never take a single day offa work—She’ll be seein’ an early grave, that’s for sure.

She’s been livin’ large and keepin’ her health up with all that money I gave her. And all the while she’s been gatherin’ up intel from any source she gets her hands on and usin’ it to come up with what to do with the idols at ES.

She kept buyin’ equipment and materials she thought she’d need with my card, too. I dunno if she’s tough or just shameless, but I can’t say I’m mad about it.

Fufufu. Had you not expressly forbidden it beforehand, I could have guessed your aim.

You aren’t acting with the goal to make us suffer, correct, Watchdog-san?

Don’t call me that. The Boss gave me that name—Feels like I’m erasin’ his memory when other people say it.

If you’re gonna call me anything, stick to Gatekeeper.

Oh, but that isn’t even your true name, is it! You, too, are the type of person to let your mask take over; I do feel quite the connection with you!

That’s just adulthood for ya. Director, manager, prime minister—The only thing that matters in this world is your title.

The only time all that personal stuff makes any difference is when you’re makin’ babies.

‘Course, I’m a eunuch, so it’s not like I’ll ever even get a chance to do that. So I’ve just gotta be satisfied with being the Gatekeeper.

Ah, so you’re simply insane! I like it! It’s not often that you come across someone who sticks to their guns like that!

If everyone worked like me, like a machine, society woulda been way better off a long time ago.

Not like that’d ever happen—fuckin’ annoying.

Instead they had to be unified and controlled by an almighty being like the Boss.

Umm, have you come to visit me just so you could complain about your life?

I don’t mind because I love when people show regard for me, but it’s not as if you have an abundance of free time either, do you?

Hmph. You got that right. We’re finally at the grand finale here. These past two months or so have dragged on way too long, feels like.

But it’s still too soon to relax; I don’t want nothing fallin’ flat at the last second… So I’ll be doin’ whatever I can.

I hate to bug ya, fine, but I’m leavin’ Anzu to you guys.

I said I’d keep her ‘til the end of the Qualifyin’ Rounds—so now I’m givin’ her back.

As you can see, she’s all fired up and ready to get back to producin’ her idols.

But if she acts too carelessly, she might end up in a world of trouble.

So youse better control her and keep her under your thumb.

Nah, actually. Dare I say, you’d better protect her.

That goes without saying, but why us specifically?

‘Cause you guys’ll be able to keep your heads about ya, without lettin’ her drive you crazy or losin’ your cool. For better or worse, Tenshouin’s the kinda guy who thinks things through rationally.

He knows how to use his trump cards. And a guy like that’s the one who oughta be holdin’ the button to launch his ultimate weapon.

Yes, well. Even Eichi lets his feelings take over at times.

He believes he has everything figured out, but surprisingly he often can’t see what’s right before his very eyes!

Right. I even got you to put him in a situation like that for a while there. Thanks to that little stunt, I’m sure he hasn’t even gotten to the bottom of things yet.

Yes, I hadn’t expected Eichi to have been thrown so out of sorts with nothing more than my sudden absence! Of course, that’s what I was hoping for, but nevertheless!

In that sense, I certainly enjoyed myself at SANCTUARY. For many reasons… ♪

I was overjoyed to see so many emotions that Eichi rarely shows! I did feel a little bad that I threw him for such a loop, but even still ♪

I know you used those orders and secret orders as an excuse for alla that, but don’t go blamin’ everything on me.

It’s a thankless job you have, isn’t it?

Damn right it is. You guys don’t know this, but I’ve always been the one playin’ the bad guy.

And I’ve always been more than willing, even eager, to carry out the missions the Boss gave me.

I’m gonna put a stop to all these impurities. I won’t let even a single person pass through my gates.