shivalries | Sudden Death - Romanticism Chapter 15

Season: Winter

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Location: Downtown Osaka - Evening

Kohaku: ? What's this about? What's the punishment s'posed to be?

Tsukasa: *chuckle* Even if Knights loses here, and the world turns its derision onto us, claiming that Tsukasa Suou's generation has turned Knights frail and worthless—

This penalty we speak of is something far more grave than a world of ridicule.

I would never choose it of my own will. I must preserve my pride.

Kohaku: ......?

Tsukasa: My seniors, I must apologize... Because of my selfishness, we—Knights—will suffer a great defeat.

I have inherited Knights from you, and yet my choice will leave an indelible blemish of disgrace upon its history.

Ritsu: And so what?

Tsukasa: Huh...?

Ritsu: If Su~chan loses, so do I. In fact, I'd say I'm the one most at fault here. I didn't see through the enemy's—Crazy:B's strategies.

I'm the one who should be apologizing. I'm sorry, Su~chan.

It's kinda pathetic that I go around acting like some kind of strategist, and now we're deep in this mess.

Even so, Knights respect each individual's feelings. If you wanna do something, Su~chan, then do it.

Not because you're our King, but because you're you; and because we're us, we'll respect what you want to do.

We've always disrespected you and never really let you have your say.

It's not like we're having a total change of heart in our final moments, but y'know, sometimes—we need to repay you.

We'll become martyrs for your will. Even if that brings us defeat and shame, we'll all share that loss together.

So don't make that face, Su~chan. In our eyes, you're not doing anything wrong.

Arashi: He's right. I mean, you're just doing the same thing that we've always done, right?

You're thinking and making decisions for yourself, and doing what you want to do.

That's what Knights is all about.

Even if we fail, even if we lose... it's so much better than playing the good kid and twisting your own emotions to suit someone else.

At least you'll be able to hold on to your self-respect.

This way, we can still be the versions of ourselves that we love.

That's how we've lived up until now. Who cares about a little defeat, right? Who cares if we fail and lose a little face?

For everything that ever put us in a bad mood, we've just sent it all flying and moved on no matter what, right?

Ritsu: Yup, that's right. Even if we hit rock bottom, that just means we'll have been booted back to where we were not too long ago.

We've walked that path already, so this time we can get back to where we were more efficiently—more quickly and easily than before.

And that's because we're us—we're Knights.

Arashi: Yes, I'm certain we've gotten strong enough to do that.

They can wrench things away from us as much as they like, but they can never take away the beauty and self-respect we worked so hard on.

Tsukasa: My seniors—

Rinne: Is that your final answer?

If so, then let's get right down to business. The prelims are reachin' the end—we don't have time to get distracted.

—To Tsukasa Suou, leader of Knights, I, Rinne Amagi, leader of Crazy:B, issue a challenge to a head-to-head battle.

Tsukasa: ...I decline your challenge.

Rinne: Acknowledged. At the same time, I issue a second challenge.

Tsukasa: I decline...

Rinne: Acknowledged, and I issue another challenge.

Tsukasa: I... I decline...

Rinne: Another.

Tsukasa: Declined.

Rinne: [... ... ...]

Tsukasa: [... ... ...]