| Previous Chapter | Current Chapter | Next Chapter |
| Chapter 72 | Book 5 • Chapter 73 | Chapter 74 |
|---|
Coliseum - Purple Stage
 |
...What? What do you mean, you're the one most deserving of my ire? |
 |
Well, you see... Here. |
|
…n-no... |
 |
Whoa! Vil, hold it together! |
 |
Steady, sir! Here, hold onto my shoulder. |
 |
Are you nuts, Rook?! Why did you vote for Royal Sword Academy?! |
 |
I don't believe you! Why'd ya do somethin' so boneheaded?! |
|
I told you: I simply couldn't lie to myself. Neige's group believed in themselves and each other when they danced and sang. When I saw them up there, they struck me as powerful...and as the fairest of all in that exact moment. |
|
This is just... I can't... |
|
Vil. Nobody should believe in your beauty more than you yourself. It is most becoming, the way you maintain such rigid self restraint while polishing yourself to triumph over your rival. But as long as you lack conviction... No amount of validation from the rest of the world will ever leave you fulfilled. Even if you wind up old, emaciated, grimy, and stooped over... |
|
If you were to truly believe that you are the fairest of all despite that, even the Magic Mirror of legend wouldn't contest your claim. The strength and pride to believe in yourself is what marks the true fairest one of all. Roi du Poison. Fair Vil. I implore you to believe in yourself more than anyone else. Beauty is always with you. At this exact moment, you are the fairest one of all. |
|
|
 |
Viii! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, you caught me at a bad time. Heh... I'm always second to you. |
|
Maybe that's what the numbers said. But you guys gave an amazing performance that nobody else could have pulled off. Sure, I took first at the competition... But your group is number one in the hearts of everybody who voted for you. |
|
Neige... |
|
So c'mon, Vi. Don't cry! |
|
Heh. The Roi des Neiges is right. Your smile is far more becoming than your tears, Vil. Here. Take my handkerchief. |
|
...Thanks. |
|
Ah, you're the one who flagged me down before opening time. Your name is Rook, right? |
|
Oui. My apologies for rushing you. |
|
You're "R," aren't you? The one who comes to every single one of my meet-and-greets and writes me letters? |
| WHAT?! |
|
Meet-and-greets?! |
|
Letters?! |
|
Ah...! How did you know? |
|
There's only one fan of mine who writes letters addressing me as a fancy name like Roi des Neiges. It hit me when you called me that earlier. I knew R buys each of my photos at fan events and composes poems to share their impressions of each picture... But I certainly wasn't expecting R to be a man. I was so surprised! |
|
What? Rook's a fan of Neige LeBlanche?! |
|
Dude, if he's writing poems about every single photo the guy publishes, that's WAY down the hardcore fandom rabbit hole! |
 |
|
FLASHBACK START
 |
Lastly, Rook... I trust you. Really, I do. But your luggage consists of a single photo album—a thick tome, at that. Care to explain? |
 |
Ha ha. This is but a record of my life's work. I prefer to keep it close. It's a bit private. Opening it in front of everyone would be quite embarrassing... |
|
I beg your pardon, then. Far be it from me to impinge upon someone else's privacy. |
FLASHBACK END
|
Was that entire album nothing but official photos of Neige LeBlanche?! |
| WHAAAT?! |
|
Wow! If you're that big of a fan, it must be nice getting to meet him up close! You should ask him for a handshake! |
|
A-ah... I suppose... ...... |
|
Rook's gone awfully quiet. What's the matter? |
|
Heh. Feeling awkward, are we? |
|
|
|
H-he's quietly weeping... |
|
Roi des Neiges... Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Rook Hunt... Member #0000002 of the Neige LeBlanche fan club, Eternal Snow! |
|
You're in his FAN CLUB?! |
|
And you've got a single-digit ID in it?! |
|
Your work has shone a light upon my life and allowed me to live with hope in my heart. It is such an honor to speak with you face-to- face. Thank you so much for everything today. |
|
You carry yourself so differently here than when you come to my meet-and-greets. I'm sorry I didn't recognize you sooner. Thank you for always supporting me! |
|
I shall write you another letter to encapsulate my thoughts about your performance today. |
|
Heh heh! When you do, make sure to sign it as Rook, not just your initial, okay? |
|
Neige LeBlanche... He handled that with grace. I'm starting to see why he's such a beloved figure. He's a leading global celebrity, but he still treats fans warmly and attentively. That's definitely a strength. |
|
I dunno, part of me thinks Rook's just coming off way too strong as a fan... |
|
|
|
|
|
Please, Rook. I know you're not the type to act on personal bias. Don't insult my intelligence. But I've known you for two years, and I never had the slightest clue that you were a fan of Neige's. You really are a hard man to read. Now wipe those tears away. Here, have a handkerchief... Your own, actually. |
|
Merci, Roi du Poison… *Sniffle* |
|
Heh heh! Glad to see you got your smile back, Vi! Ooh, I know. Let's sing together! That should put even more of a smile on everyone's face! |
|
What? |
|
Come on, let's go! |
|
W-wait! Neige! |
Audience Member A |
Oh. My. STARS. Look! What a dream team Neige and Vil make! |
Audience Member B |
Two top global celebrities are congratulating each other after a battle well-fought! What a beautiful, touching sight! |
| *Cheering* |
|
Come on, Night Raven College boys! Let's sing! |
| Wh-wh... WHAAAAA? |
|
Here we go! Three, two, one! |
| *Cheering* |
|
Thank you, everybody! Your turn, Vi! |
|
Heh. I'll see you all again! |
|
Aw, they're back to being friends again! Yay! |
|
What a beautiful sight. Beauté! Full marks! |
|
Wow... I have to hand it to Vil. |
|
He said he wanted to kick his rival right off the stage, but there he is, smiling and singing with him. I guess that's what pros do. |
|
...... AAAGH! Again, someone knock me out this instant! |
Notes[]
- Due to unspecified reasons, in the English release, the scene where the NRC team and Neige sing RSA's song together was cut from the chapter.
| Previous Chapter | Current Chapter | Next Chapter |
| Chapter 72 | Book 5 • Chapter 73 | Chapter 74 |
|---|