Chapter 6

Ehhh? Knights is out here doin’ those kinds of valiant deeds?

We’re not really savvy on the whole “saving the weak” crap, we’ve only just debuted after all—

But I’m thinking it’s a big help that Knights got placed in the same region as us ♪

Yes. If you hadn’t announced that you’d be backing Crazy:B, we’d have been destroyed in an all-out attack.

Just like all the martyrs in history who suffered unjust persecution and had their lives robbed of them.

“Love your enemies,” hm… Fufu, HiMERU thinks that’s wonderful.

…But FYI, I don’t know how long our protection will hold out.

Right now, no one’s gonna attack Crazy:B because they’ll have to go through one of ES’s Big Three first.

But if this conflict continues, it wouldn’t be weird if someone got overexcited and started rampaging around.

You know, the kinda crazy person who sees everyone as an enemy and lashes out indiscriminately.

Yeah, that’s the madness of war… I don’t want anything to do with it, to be honest.

I getcha. That’s why we’re gonna protect ourselves and solve this little situation before some dumbass goes and does something stupid.

Yes. We’ll uncover who the true culprit is and bring down the wirepuller behind all of this.

We’ll nip this disaster in the bud and properly, honestly compete in the SS Qualifying Rounds once more. Just as idols should.

Just as idols should. I believe our interests align in that respect.

However, the only thing we can do is offer you protection. It’s embarrassing to admit, but we have a bit of trouble on our hands, as well—

So we can’t really help you with your investigation.

Ooh~? Are your little Mr. Worldwide buddies stirrin’ some shit up?

That’s a bit of a misleading way to put it. Our senpais do tend to cause problems, but in this case at least, it isn’t their fault.

You talk too much, Suu~chan. If you show them your weakness, they’ll take advantage of it.

Would it not be better to reveal to each other our weaknesses? In the event that one of us betrays the other, we could immediately retaliate by running them through.

It’s similar to the Warring States period, when they would send their beloved relatives to serve as hostages for the enemy.

When did we go back in time to the Warring States period? This is the twenty-first century, y’know.

Well, that just means humanity hasn’t changed all that much in the two hundred millennia we’ve been walkin’ around.

Looks like we’ve reached the peak of our evolution, so there’s not much room left for improvement.

That’s why the old-fashioned ways of doing things work surprisingly good. If you wanna keep fighting your wars, you better brush up on the Art of War, amirite?¹

Well anyway, this ain’t the time to be yammerin’ on with you guys forever, so we outtie.

That’s fine. …In the end, we were only able to sort out our situation at hand this time, too.

It’s just a meeting to give our reports, though. We have nothing to report, at least not yet.

The true culprit seems to have covered their tracks considerably well.

But never fear! The great detective Meru-Meru is here! He’s solved all kindsa difficult cases before, right? Right?

You guys can rest easy and wait for some good news… Knights ♪

♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪

Oh, are we done talking now? Then I’m gonna stop for a bite to eat somewhere on our way back. That one place with the giant octopus really stood out to me!²

Huhh? That octopus is still there as a tourist trap, but the restaurant itself looks like it’s gone outta business.

Wait, what? But octopus is so delicious…!

I’ll never forgive this—Is there no justice in this world?!

Of all things, why’d ya choose to be so damn pissy over octopussies ever since we got to Kansai?

Fufu. Then we’ll end this here. Sorry to trouble you all.

It was no trouble at all. Thank you for taking the time to come out.

And be cautious on your way back. The public has not yet cleared you of suspicion.

Yes, we appreciate your concern.

—Speaking of. HiMERU doesn’t understand the need to meet up to talk in person when we have such a convenient means of communication in HoldHands.

Isn’t that inefficient, and a waste of time?

I–is it not more sincere if we meet to talk face-to-face?

…Well, that is true. It is a bit old-fashioned, but we have been allies for only a short time, so we should build up our feelings of good faith and gain each other’s trust.

HiMERU apologizes for saying something so unnecessary. Now then, if you’ll excuse us.

Y–yes. Be safe~… ♪