"Whoa! That was a thrilling, dramatic masterpiece of a development! Bravo! Bravo!!"
"No way... Hero-kun and the others actually beat Abyss!?"
Lost beamed with excitement as he watched Wind Island erupt in celebration, while Drop stood by, dumbfounded by the outcome she had never foreseen.
Having witnessed Yugo's victory with their own eyes, the two had starkly different reactions.
Drop couldn't hide her shock. Abyss had gone so far as to create the Clear Plates and prepare every detail with such meticulous care, yet he had actually suffered a total defeat. She muttered to herself, a faint, almost mocking smile touching her lips.
"He was so certain of himself... or was that the problem? Was he just too overconfident? Is this what happens when you put too much faith in the power of [Word]?"
"Hmm... I don't think that's it. For better or worse, Abyss was an entertainer. He claimed to be the Conductor who ruled the world, but that wasn't his true nature."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Drop tilted her head, confused by Lost’s assertion that Abyss’s defeat hadn’t been a simple matter of letting his guard down.
His mouth twisting into a smirk, Lost continued, his previous excitement settling into a calm, analytical tone.
"He talked about ruling everything and manipulating fate, but his plans were always full of holes. Not because he was careless, mind you—it was a 'heel move' designed to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. In our position, we really don't have much of a choice."
"Well, true... When Hero-kun and the others reached Hauvent Castle, Abyss could have set a trap to instantly annihilate them instead of a Teleportation Magic Circle. If he had, his victory would have been assured right then and there. But he didn't."
"I think the result might have been different if he had been truly obsessed with winning, or if he could have forgotten his duty as an entertainer. But Abyss was a man who simply couldn't do that. That’s why, until the very end, he played his role to perfection: the arrogant, foolish villain meant to be struck down."
Perhaps that was a part of his nature that even Abyss himself hadn't fully realized.
He hadn't fought to win; he had fought to elevate the stage. It was precisely because his own satisfaction was tied to the satisfaction of his audience that he had lost.
Of course, that wasn't to say his arrogance or his habit of looking down on others was an act.
However... even as he was being defeated by Yugo, even as he faced the unexpected reality of his own demise, there had been something satisfied about his demeanor.
The fact that his final words hadn't been a bitter curse, but rather those of someone savoring a dramatic conclusion, revealed exactly what Abyss had been after.
He hadn't been seeking victory. He had been seeking the grandest finale possible to bring down the house.
"...Abyss, a lot happened between us, but I honestly respect that spirit of yours. Even if this dramatic conclusion wasn't written in your script, it is undoubtedly something you created. Farewell, Conductor. It wasn't just good... it was a perfect performance."
Lost offered a small smile as a final tribute to the fallen villain.
Drop watched him with narrowed eyes for a moment before letting out a long sigh.
"Well, shall we go? You meddled in his plans, too. You know there’s a penalty waiting for you."
"Ah... that's right. I was so captivated by My Hero’s performance that I completely forgot."
"Sorry, but Drop-chan doesn't let things like that slide. Even if I forgot, the powers that be wouldn't just let it go."
"I know. And I’m grateful to you. It's thanks to you that I was able to witness the battle between My Hero and Abyss to the very end. Thank you, Drop."
"...That's kind of gross. I actually have goosebumps."
"Aren't you being a bit harsh? Do you really hate me so much that a sincere 'thank you' earns me that look?"
Bickering like a comedy duo, Lost and Drop stepped back into the spreading darkness.
Taking one last look at Yugo as he celebrated with his friends, Lost gave a satisfied smile... and turned his back on the island of wind, leaving behind the memories of a single, unforgettable summer.