Chapter 8

Anyway, after we’d pulled one over on ES and everyone finished stompin’ all over ‘em, we went an’ offered ‘em a deal.

A deal? Of what sort?

Beats me. Rinne-han’s the one who drew up the plan; I can’t even guess what he’s thinkin’.

But I’m sure he’s thought of something. I trust him to do that much. He’s always tryin’ to change the world so that even people like us can be happy.

An’ he’s dead serious, too. It doesn’t matter if people look down on us or deny us or step on us.

We ain’t like those sakura ants you got dressed up all pretty and died when they couldn’t bear the weight of it.

We’re venomous bees who fly true an’ free around the world, killin’ all our enemies with our stingers—an’ then we build up our hive to be even comfier to live in.

—That’s what Crazy:B stands for.

…It would be a problem to have such a hive in my “garden”; I might find need to exterminate those pests soon enough.

I’d like to see you try ♪

I dare say we’re always ready to take on a challenge. No matter who we’re up against, we’ll do whatever it takes to win—an’ there’s no doubt we will.

We’ll be the last ones standin’ in the fight for survival that rages on at the bottom of the food chain.

I believe it. And I, too, wish to become as strong as you all are already.

As living beings, I mean to say. I don’t suppose it’s too late to don my knight’s suit of armor, is it?

Sure, sure, but shouldn’t you get a move on? If not, we might even take over the world before you can even blink ♪

We started here, with SS. Rinne-han stuck both ES and Gatekeeper, the people tryin’ to manipulate us, with poison needles.

So now, on this stage where we’re standin’ now, we’ve decided to play a li’l game—Sudden Death—to determine who’ll go onto the main stage an’ represent the Kansai region.

Under those conditions, we were able to force ES an’ them to accept our demands.

Sudden Death—

Yep. It’s physically impossible for everyone in Kansai to go to the Finals.

So it looks like they decided to pick a small number of “representatives” and let those guys through to the end.

By the way, This Sudden Death is actually a lawless, savage battlefield. ES an’ them can go eat shit for tryin’ to force all those rules on us.

The Qualifiers are over an’ done wih now; we ain’t bound by those orders anymore…

So the idols here in Kansai can just sing an’ dance on this here stage from dawn ‘til dusk, as much as they damn well please.

The spectacle will be broadcast nationwide, and at the end of it, all the viewers will vote on which unit moves on—

In other words, it’ll be chosen by popular vote, just like a direct democracy.

Popular vote, direct democracy… It’s quite a grandiose idea, isn’t it?

Mm~ Well, they mentioned usin’ the voting system they planned to use for the Finals, so I guess it’s about the same level of grandiosity as that.

I look forward to standin’ on that stage ♪

Oh my, do you intend to defeat us? While we were caught unawares before, we are not about to let down our guard now.

We will fight to our last breath, without shying away from any of you.

And surely, without fail, we will win.

Nn~… Well in all actuality, Knights has the overwhelming advantage when it comes to broadcastin’, since y’all already have a massive fanbase.

But that doesn’t mean we’re just gonna sit back an’ let y’all step all over us, either. You’re already well aware of that, ain’tcha—Suou-nii-han?

I am. By all means, use whatever underhanded trick you have up your sleeves. I’ll brush it right off, Kohakun.

If you’re sure, then let’s go.

Yes. Now, come at me.

This time, I will win.

Hmm~? You say that, but I can’t recall the last time you beat me, Nii-han ♪

You impertinent boy.

You pain-in-the-neck Nii-han.

As always.

Yeah, just as always—

“♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪”

“~… ♪”