Passé (4)

Why did you select Valkyrie as our opponent, Juis?

Unless we hear your reasoning, we cannot begin our preparations.

…Really?

It’s not really all that important to me, though.

But Gramps is kinda curious too~

It’s true that we’re famous worldwide, but it’s not like we have any special connections to France, y’know?

Which means… The fact that the host country is France isn’t the reason why Juis-kun chose them.

If that’s the case, then maybe he chose that slot specifically to go against Valkyrie.

Or maybe… since the “MM” is a tournament, he thought Valkyrie was someone we could beat?

Picking a unit that looked easier to win against is what I would’ve done…

Ah! N-Not that I think the other units are weaker or anything!

Chitose is correct. Compared to the other remaining units, Valkyrie is not likely to be an easy opponent to beat.

…I see. Basically, you don’t understand the reason why I chose Valkyrie, and that’s bothering you.

……

If you have some kind of special attachment to Valkyrie, Juis…

Then I must crush them. Thoroughly.

Quit making such a scary face, Madoka.

There’s no deep reason why I chose Valkyrie.

Out of all the remaining units, Valkyrie was the one I knew the least about. That’s all.

We’ve seen Ra_bits and Switch’s members already during 4piece.

UNDEAD didn’t appear during 4piece, but we did face one of their members during Dynamic Diamond.

To be honest, I think we already know what they’re all capable of.

That’s why I chose Valkyrie as our opponent. Their true skills are still something we don’t know. Theye’ve only streamed a handful of times even up until now.

Besides, it won’t make for an exciting match if it’s too easy, right?

Not only that, but… I’d heard from Tsuzura that Nice thinks highly of Itsuki Shu from Valkyrie.

O-Oh, yeah. Itsuki-san had originally been considered as a candidate for the Four Sky Kings¹, so it seemed like Nice-san had been keeping an eye on him.

He’d also said that if Valkyrie could gain a broader audience, they would be able to compete with MELLOW DEAR US equally, or even better.

Our producer is pretty easily swayed. I just thought it might be good to remind him every so often who the best unit really is.

Anyway, that’s how it is. Are you convinced now, Madoka?

…It does not seem like you’re hiding anything.

Very well. If that is the case, then we simply need to surpass Valkyrie with our usual performance.

Our usual, huh… Well, I can’t imagine us losing if we’re facing them head on.

Umm… But, I think going into this without any kind of strategy is a little worrying…?

There is no need to worry. Perhaps if we were against Sakuma Rei’s UNDEAD, we may have needed to devise a strategy…

—No. Judging by what we witnessed, even that concern is needless.

Regardless, Valkyrie is an easily manageable opponent.

Are you sure we’ll be okay? Gramps gets a little worried anytime you say something with that much confidence, Nozomi-kun.

They’re a unit that really focuses on their performances, aren’t they? We already said they were well known here, too…

Firstly, while Valkyrie’s fanbase is very devoted, it’s quite small. I have heard that they were once popular with children, but that was only temporary.

As for their fame in France that we have been discussing, Itsuki Shu’s activities are confined to the arts to begin with…

They are only known within certain circles. There is no possibility they could defeat MELLOW DEAR US.

In other words, he may have made a name for himself as an artist here in France, but he’s not really well known as an idol?

Yes. Not only that, but the meticulously crafted performances they’re so known for will fall apart at the slightest disruption.

I don’t really think so…?

Surely… Valkyrie wouldn’t just leave such an obvious weakness unattended.

If anything, I could see them researching everything about us, anticipating our moves, and then designing their performance around that…

I won’t deny that as a possibility. However, they would only be capable of that if they were the superior ones, no?

I will say this plainly. Even if they understood our every move and managed to keep up with us, it is impossible that they would be capable of delivering a performance that outshines ours.

If they truly had that kind of ability, then we would have been forced onto the defensive during the Megastream.

True. The Mainstream Megasphere performance was definitely unique for some units, but I guess it wasn’t really something that was aimed for the general public~

I get your point, Madoka.

We’ve talked through all kinds of things, but in the end all MELLOW DEAR US has to do is defeat Valkyrie one-on-one.

You mean like how we always do, right? That’s reassuring, at least…

Well. If we change the song arrangement at this point, it might end up hurting the performance. So, Gramps is on board too~♪

Hm…?

What’s wrong, Mashu-san?

Oh, ummm… MELLOW DEAR US doesn’t have any more work plans for the rest of the day, right?

Yeah. We finished practice this morning, and Madoka and I are going to handle streaming today.

Okaaay! Gramps’s got something to take care of, so I’m gonna head off on my own from here~!

I’ll make sure to be back at the hotel by tonight, so don’t worry!

Ah, wait!

Mashu-san… always goes off on his own like that whenever we have work abroad. I wonder if there’s a reason he does that…?

Hm? Well, I can’t say I’m not curious…

Do you know, Madoka?

What a foolish question.

I couldn’t care less where or how that newcomer drops dead.

I’m… not saying that he’s gone off to do something dangerous enough to get himself killed, though.

What’s actually irritating is how you keep talking about him, Juis.

Every time you utter that newcomer’s name, I want you to say mine one hundred times over just to cleanse your palate.

Hehe… It feels nice when someone says your name, doesn’t it? It makes you feel needed~♪

(Sigh)…

Well, we’re all adults. So there’s no need for us to be stuck together all the time.

Even if something does happen, it’s Kuon. I’m sure he’ll handle it well.