It was a scene that could only be described as the end of the world.
The earth split with a thunderous roar, the air swirled into a vortex, and people fled in terror... A war? No, just a "Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament."
Before me lay an arena pockmarked with craters. It teetered on the brink of total collapse, yet somehow, it managed to retain its original shape.
Can you believe they did all this just by playing rock-paper-scissors? To make matters worse, the catalyst for this madness was that hideous clay craft I'd made...
Since the game of rock-paper-scissors had transformed into a completely super-dimensional sport, there was no way an ordinary person like me could intervene. I could only pray to the gods that my black history wouldn't fall into the hands of someone troublesome.
However, the very God I prayed to mocked my expectations.
『The victor of this brutal clash is... "Creator God Shallow Vernal-sama"!! As expected, the Creator God-sama was far too strong!!』
Someone absolutely troublesome just won it!? It falling into the hands of the incredibly airheaded Shiro-san was practically the worst-case scenario. Well, the absolute worst would have been it going to Eden-san, but this was easily the second-worst possibility.
『Just as I expected from Shallow Vernal-sama. Since she's the one who won it, I have no complaints.』
『Mmm. Kuro-san, who fought in the finals, was so close too.』
『The Underworld King just had bad luck with the brackets. She was exhausted after that fierce battle with the "Mysterious Angel," so she was already drained by the time she reached the end.』
『Geez, I wonder who that angel was? The moment she lost, she vanished as if she had no more business here...』
Alice and Fate-san were still providing their shameless play-by-play and commentary, but the spectators had already fled. Only people I knew remained in the area.
Still, even though my feelings were complicated because of what they were fighting for... it really had been a tremendous, fierce battle.
Well, I couldn't actually see the offense or defense at all, but the explosions and the way the ground was being gouged out conveyed just how incredible the intensity was.
Kuro had brilliantly defeated Eden-san in the semi-finals, but she seemed completely exhausted and lost to Shiro-san in the finals.
As for Shiro-san, her opponent in the semi-finals was Fate-san, who promptly forfeited. That gave Shiro-san a win by default. Just as Fate-san said, Kuro really hadn't been lucky with the brackets.
"......Um, thank you, Lilliwood-san."
『No, I am just glad that Kaito-san wasn't injured.』
By the way, Lilliwood-san had protected me and Lilia-san’s group, so we suffered no harm.
Speaking of which, Shiro-san? You can hear my inner voice, right? I'd really appreciate it if you'd hand over that piece of my black history right now.
(I have a condition.)
......I thought as much. I had a feeling this would happen. I have nothing but a bad feeling about this, but please, go ahead and say it.
(I am wondering how I should spend the seventh day of the festival.)
......Um, that means......
(I am wondering how I should spend the seventh day of the festival.)
This is that, isn't it? You're telling me to be the one to say it, aren't you?
(I am wondering how I should spend the seventh day of the festival.)
Sh-Shiro-san... Um, if, if you're okay with it......
On the seventh day of the Six Kings Festival, would you go around the festival with me......
(Date.)
......I’d be happy if you would go on a date with me?
(If Kaito-san insists that much, I wouldn't be averse to considering it.)
I-I really want to go on a date with Shiro-san. Please.
(It cannot be helped then. Since you go that far, let us go on a date.)
......I felt like I had completely lost. It seemed Shiro-san was obsessed with the idea of me being the one to invite her; given her transparently obvious baiting... she truly is a terrifying person.
(If the date turns out to be enjoyable, I might just end up giving this clay craft to Kaito-san as a present.)
......I-I’ll do my best.
Wait, I want to ask one thing—why go that far?
(Kaito-san is neglecting me.)
U-Uh? Wh-What are you talking about?
(Kaito-san "invited the Earth God," yet you did not invite me when you were heading here.)
No, no way!? That would be impossible! I mean, Lilia-san and the others were there! If Shiro-san were to suddenly appear, Lilia-san would probably faint on the spot!
(Kaito-san did not come to see me even though I was "staying one floor below.")
That's news to me!? Eh? Wait, Shiro-san, you’re staying in the Central Tower!? Not coming from the Sanctuary!?
(I stayed there to "cuddle" with Kaito-san. However, last night, there was no opening because of Kuro. My attempts to teleport into the bath were also "blocked.")
What a shocking revelation!? What on earth were you trying to do!? Or rather, such a battle was unfolding in a place I knew nothing about!?
(By the way, "the Earth God was aiming for the same thing." She was also blocked by Kuro...)
Kuro, thank you so much!! I’ll definitely give you a reward for this later! Please keep blocking them for the remaining six days too!!
(Only Kuro is being treated specially. It is unfair.)
I mean, even if you say it's unfair... I’ll work hard so that you enjoy the date, so please spare me from the rest. My sanity would never survive it.
(Hmph.)
Even though she pouted adorably, I couldn't afford to be swept away. I spent a considerable amount of effort trying to persuade Shiro-san after that.
Dear Mother, Father——The fierce battle ended, and in a sense, I thought the first day had finally settled down. But then, I learned a shocking new truth. Apparently, a battle I knew nothing about——a battle beneath the surface——had been unfolding since last night.