第１１９０堀：一回戦決着 (Part2)
"Leave it to me. I’m out of throwing weapons anyway, so the least I can do is locate our brothers for you."
Yes, everyone’s resolve had hardened.
Firia-chan was prepared to be taken out.
And we had accepted that reality. That was precisely why we had to win.
I held two flashbangs, one in each hand.
Vilia-chan seemed to have two as well, gripping them tightly.
"We’ll throw them with a delay. Knowing Brother, he’ll definitely turn his face away to dodge the first flash. That’s why we stagger the second one. We’ll time it so he doesn't even realize a second one is coming. And while he’s caught off guard, I’ll stand up and scout. Alright, here we go. First throw. Three, two, one. Go!"
At the signal, Vilia-chan and I hurled our flashbangs, aiming in separate directions.
And then...
*BANG!!*
The moment that intense sound tore through the air, I threw the second one...
*BANG!!*
As the second explosion echoed, Firia-chan stood up and bolted forward!
"Found them! Two people by the tree! Go!"
*Pop-pop-pop-bang!!*
*Pop-pop-pop!!*
Firia-chan’s gunfire was met immediately by the sound of our brothers returning fire.
I wondered how they had reacted so quickly, but before I could dwell on it, I scrambled to my feet and charged toward the trees.
"Let’s go!"
"Right!"
We leaped from our cover, fanning out while firing toward the trees.
Sure enough, Brother and Zargis-san were there, targeting Firia-chan.
Firia-chan had already collapsed, beyond saving...
But our brothers were in the middle of reloading.
This was the opening Firia-chan had carved out for us!
I instantly locked onto Zargis-san and brought him down, but Brother, as expected, slipped behind the trunk of the tree...
*BOOM!!*
A sound erupted, and at that exact moment...
『Team 14 eliminated. The winners are Team 3.』
We did it!!
But what was that final explosion?
I looked at Vilia-chan...
"Eh? Was that the grenade I threw?"
She stood there, stunned, muttering to herself.
Ah, right. Vilia-chan still had a grenade left.
She must have thrown it while I was busy firing.
Brother had ducked behind the tree to hide from our gunfire, only to be caught in the blast—a fatal blow.
"Vilia-chan, we won!! We actually did it!"
"Eh? Oh, right. We won, didn't we? ...Wait? Against Brother?"
"That’s right! Firia-chan, we won! Come on, you have to say it too!"
"U-un. Firia-chan, we won!"
While she shouted toward the sky, we were teleported back to the arena.
"My, the heroic 'winning team' has returned."
"That was amazing! You actually beat those guys!"
"Aslin, Vilia, we did it!"
Firia-chan, who had arrived just before us, leaped into our arms, and soon everyone else swarmed in, burying us in a chaotic, joyful huddle.
After we took a short break, Yupia-chan approached us with a beaming smile.
"Indeed. As expected of my friends. To seize the best possible path and claim victory amidst such extreme tension... Tell me, Show."
"Indeed. While I imagine such a scenario is statistically unlikely, to secure a win in that situation requires both sound judgment and genuine skill. It is embarrassing to admit, but we were taken out quite early."
"Ahaha, you two aren't used to this yet, so it can't be helped. Let's do our best in the next match."
"Rurua-dono is correct. Fortunately, since I was eliminated early, I was able to observe everyone’s movements clearly. I won't lose next time, Aslin, Firia, Vilia."
"We’ll be ready for you."
"Yes, we won't lose."
"I'm just glad you're having fun, Yupia-chan."
"Indeed. Yes, it is quite fun. It may look like a struggle for life, but everyone is safe in the end. That is why we can pour all our wisdom and courage into the fight. Ah, it is fascinating."
"Right? Let's be on the same team next time!"
Seeing Yupia-chan’s radiant smile after I said that made me so happy.
Yes, this really is fun.
Surprisingly, the winners of the first round were Aslin and her team!
Now, please understand that we will be summarizing the second round briefly.
What kind of battles will unfold next!