Close Combat

So it came down to a showdown between us. I had a feeling you’d been leading us here this whole time.

I figured you’d play along, even if you knew ♪

…Naked King.

(Raito-san’s about to make a move, but I’ll beat him to it–)

Stand down, maci. You’ve done well until now, but…

…That’s my prey.

…!

…!

(Woah…! Raitin and Kugurin are shooting at each other and fighting at the same time?!)

…!

Woah there! Your legs may be long, but you still can’t touch me!

Right back at you. You still haven’t hit me once!

(What kind of fighting style is that!? Kicking and shooting at the same time… Are they even human!?)

Now! Take down Kitakata Raito and Domeki Kuguri!

…! I won’t let that happen…!

(The gunshot knocked the rifle out of my hand…?!)

…!

(Taotao’s in danger!)

Taotao! Use mine!

?! A shotgun…?!

RaaaAAAAAAH! DIE, MOTHERFUCKERS!

Augh, yeeeoouch!

Hieee! Have mercyyyyyy!

All of you need to shut the fuck up! Each and every single one of you are just a bunch of small fries!

(Does… Taotao turn into an entirely different person when he’s got a gun? His shooting is so good… He’s not some pushover after all!)

Dammit, you…!

…!

Maci…!

Aughhh!

Wh… Why…? I was aiming for the black haired guy. I didn’t even… hear anything about Kitakata and Domeki teaming up…

…I wasn’t done yet.

Kuguri, I’m glad we were able to fight in the end.

(Sigh)…

Ch-Chii won! He really, really wooooon…!

A-Ah! I got it!

Nayuki-kun, that man! He’s Kitakata Raito, an entrepreneur! He’s the founder of “mahorova” who got arrested a while ago… Look, his name and face are all over the internet.

(Huh? Wait… Isn’t Nayuki-kun’s last name Kitakata too? Come to think of it, I think Kafka said that Nayuki-kun played a part in mahorova’s launch as the COO.¹)

…

Nayuki-kun… is Kitakata Raito… your older brother…?

I don’t have a brother.

Eh? But wait, the internet says…

(…That they’re obviously brothers?!)

…He should’ve dropped dead.

(This somehow feels like… a topic I shouldn’t pry into.)

(Hum hum)…♪ Allow me to introduce you to your future idols!

…! Nayuki…?

…

(Oh? We sat next to each other on the plane…)

Well done, you lot! Let me explain what the special prison activity is!

U-Um! It’s nice to meet you! I’m the chief of HAMA Tours, a travel agency. I’m actually here to recruit you all…

To come to HAMA and become Ward Mayors, as well as the next local idol group!

H-Huh?

Idols? Ward Mayors?

Y-yes. This might sound crazy, but the survival game was the audition.

Rejoice, you lot! By becoming idols, you get parole and less time on your sentence! Obviously, we’ll have to implant a microchip in you to keep you from escaping!

A microchip… Nevermind how they’re forgetting human rights, that’s just terrifying.

(So that “rightful place”… was just… this. I kinda… dunno how to feel about this.)

Hey, hey, what’s the matter? You’re supposed to be happy, yknow!

Chii–I mean, No. 487116! You should be the happiest!

Huh? Oh, right.

I am! I’m jazzed～☆

(Giddy noises)…!!!

(This idea really might be impossible after all?! Nobody really seems thrilled about this… What do I do with this atmosphere…)

Hm. I see. Come to think of it, today is Tenshanichi² isn’t it?

The revolutionary planet, Neptune, and the planet of love, Venus are aligned. Is that what’s happening?

(Wh-What?! He suddenly started talking about astrology?!)

Got it. Idols, right? Sounds fun. Let’s do that next.

Ummm… Raito-san? Are you saying you’re okay with it?

Precisely. The five of us forming a unit sounds like it’d be fun.

If it’s possible, you should let me be the leader. I’m good at leading groups.

Oh really? Says the Naked King.

R-Really?!

(I’m a little worried, but the fact that he’s logical and willing to take initiative is reassuring!)

Just wait a moment, I’ll ask the president!

(Hmmm… Well, it’s not the same as the leader… but Chii will definitely be the center.)

I got the greenlight! Raito-san will be the leader, and the president wants you to come up with a unit name with a 3 in it!

Roger. I’ll give it some thought.

Um… by the way, Nayuki-kun here is your manager.

So you’re going to be handling that? What a relief.

…

Everyone, please prepare to leave the island.

New command system created. Command processed.

(Sighs)… Well, whatever. I was gonna end up leaving anyway.

Taotao, are you tagging along~?

(They’re all talking so casually, but me? An idol? Is this some kind of joke? Ah but, I’ll probably be getting paid?)

(If some kind of salary’s involved then I guess I can consider it…)

Hmm…? We met on the plane not long ago. Could this be fate?

!!!

So you remembered me…

I’ve got a good memory, cica³. Idols, huh… I see how it is.

(What do I do? Is he going to say no…?)

Fine then. It looks like a better stage has been set.

…To plunge the king into despair.

…Huh?

See you later.

(Um, it was a little forced… but we managed to form an idol unit just like Kafka planned! If that’s… how he planned it…?)