Despite the bizarre turn of events, the match proceeded. I took the mic-shaped magic tool in hand and began to sing.
I hadn't realized "Small Story" was Kuro's song until now, but I had heard Illness sing it before. The lyrics had made an impression on me, and since Illness was such a talented singer, her performance had stuck in my head. I managed to avoid stumbling over the words and sang it reasonably well... I think.
I wondered how it sounded to the audience. A person’s own voice always sounds different to them than it does to others, but I believed I at least stayed on pitch. Personally, I felt like I’d done a decent job, but I looked around nervously. What was everyone’s reaction?
"Whoa... Kai-chan, you’re actually a pretty good singer. You even looked a little cool just now—wait, Shaltan? What are you doing? Why are you raising the Red Flag? You aren't even a judge, Shaltan!"
"W-Well, um, Kaito-san seems to have quite a good ear for music, so his pitch was spot on. His volume was a little lacking, but for an amateur, it was an excellent performance."
"Y-Yeah... but are you going to put that flag down?"
Fate-san’s voice was filled with bewilderment, and for good reason. Just as I finished my song, Alice—my opponent—had raised a Red Flag for me. What was she thinking?
"W-Well, objectively speaking, his singing was just a bit better than the average person. But... how do I put this? Is it the weakness of being in love? I think I’m seeing him through a filter..."
"Huh? What are you actually trying to say?"
"He was so damn cool, okay?! Honestly, my heart was throbbing! This is impossible! Alice’s maiden heart has already completely accepted defeat!"
"...I-I see."
Alice shouted desperately, her face turning a vivid shade of red. It was... well, it didn't feel bad to be called cool, but it was incredibly embarrassing.
"Fate-san, shouldn't we just take the loss?"
"Yeah. Actually, I was fully prepared to lose in the first round... but Shaltan talked me into singing seriously for three matches. The fourth round was against Shallow Vernal-sama, and I won that one, so I couldn't exactly slack off. I wanted to withdraw from the start."
"I see... In that case, the winner is Kaito-san!!"
"Yay! Kai-chaaan! It’s me! Keep me! Put me on your payroll!!"
An unexpected forfeit?! Alice, who had refused to give up even when facing a loss before the match started, had suddenly thrown in the towel. And what about the judges?! Especially the ones who hadn't even raised their flags yet? This was a complete waste of their time!
I just hoped they weren't angry...
"Now, I’d like to ask the judges for their impressions of this special match."
What is that idiot doing? Why is she nonchalantly asking for reviews of such a shambolic match?
"First, let's hear from the King of Sinfonia, Ryze-san."
"N-No, impressions or not... you didn't even actually fight in the end..."
"Shall I inform the entire world that the King of Sinfonia is a depraved super pervert with twisted kinks?"
"...I believe it was a battle worthy of a special match. In particular, I felt that Miyama-kun's singing, while unrefined, possessed a certain brilliant spark."
"Yes, thank you very much."
She threatened him with such terrifying fluidity! Ryze-san's reaction was perfectly reasonable!
"Next, the Arclesia Emperor, Chris-san."
"It was a magnificent battle where neither hero would yield. It was such a close contest over a single vote that even I found my palms sweating."
"I see, thank you very much."
Chris-san was playing along as if it were perfectly natural that the match had been legitimate. What was with this farce?
Alice proceeded to ask the judges one by one, and once she finished, she returned to the stage.
"And now, for the winner, Kaito-san! For your prize... I present the Giant Orichalcum Mic!"
"What’s the point of making it out of Orichalcum?! Besides, it’s huge! And heavy!"
The prize Alice handed over was an Orichalcum microphone that was nearly a meter long. At this point, it wasn't a microphone; it was a blunt weapon. A legendary blunt weapon.
"Now then, I’ll return the microphone to Kuro-san."
"Kaito-kun was so cool... Now, everyone! Now that we're all fired up, it’s time to start today’s Main Event!"
The Main Event? What could it be? The karaoke contest was already a staggering affair filled with world-class figures... was there something even bigger than that?
"Let’s give Kaito-kun his birthday presents!!"
Wait, that’s strange. I should have been thrilled to receive birthday presents, but instead, an inexplicable sense of dread washed over me. A terrifying vision flashed through my mind—a mountain of impossible items being piled up before me.
Dear Mother, Father... n-no, surely not. They only had one day to prepare, right? It won't be anything too elaborate. Maybe it's just a message card? I would be incredibly happy with just a message card. So... please, go easy on me.
Bonus: The exchange between Alice and Fate
Alice: "Listen, Fate-san. Chronoa-san and Life-san made such a disgraceful showing, and the other Gods haven't been impressive either. If you forfeit now, the reputation of the God Realm will hit rock bottom. You’d be dragging Shallow Vernal-sama’s name through the mud."
Fate: "Wait, seriously? Is it that bad?"
Alice: "It is. Without a doubt."
Fate: "Ugh... Fine. (I'll sing one song at full power, happy?)"
Alice: "(No. Sing at least five songs.)"
Fate: "(Gah, that’s such a pain... make it two.)"
Alice: "(...I'll compromise at four.)"
Me-o: "That’s how their conversation went. Well, it's true that Chronoa and Life were... like that, but Shiro’s singing was so peerless that her reputation wouldn't have suffered regardless. I suppose it was Shaltier’s tactical victory."