V2Ch3: Dark Clouds Over the Pool?

Reading Settings

Translator: Xre

---

We got back in line at the entrance, bought our tickets, and re-entered the premises.

There had already been a long wait outside, but inside, it was just as crowded.

A thick line of people snaked up the slope leading to the indoor pool.

“Ugh, why is it so packed? Is something going on today?”

“That's strange. There wasn't supposed to be any event or anything.”

As Ayaka and President Suzuka looked confused, little Amane-chan, who was craning her neck to look ahead, spoke up:

“Hey, isn't that the Kiyohara brothers? You know, the ‘Charismatic Delinquents'?”

Far ahead in the line, there was a dense, black-clad crowd.

Sunburned, tough-looking men and heavily made-up women.

The kind you'd run into late at night on the second floor of a Don Quijote store.

At the center of that gathering were three towering figures, heads and shoulders above the rest.

“The Kiyohara brothers—are those the three guys?”

Amane-chan nodded.

“They're martial artist YouTubers. Ever heard of ‘Pro Fighter Picks a Street Fight'?”

“……”

Nope. Never heard of it.

When I hear “Kiyohara,” all I can think of is that old baseball captain.

I guess not knowing these trendy things means I’m not “normal”…

How embarrassing.

“Sorry, I've never heard of them. Can you tell me more?”

Amane-chan explained without the slightest hint of annoyance.

“The Kiyohara brothers—Superstar Kiyohara, Lucky Rakki, and Sunny Sani—are all pro fighters.”

“Those names sound like comedians. Are those their real names?”

“Ahaha, probably. They're famous for going around fighting self-proclaimed tough guys on the street. Each of their videos gets over a million views.”

“Oh oh! I've seen them too! They randomly pick fights and start bashing each other—it's totally nuts!”

If even fashion-savvy Ayaka knows them, they must be really popular.

Though when she says “bashing each other,” it somehow sounds kind of cute…

“YouTube allows that kind of stuff? Don't they get in trouble for airing fights?”

“They wear gloves and follow set rules. It's more like a sparring match.”

“Ah, I see. Like exhibition matches.”

Well, yeah.

No way an actual street fight would be allowed to stream online.

Even hardcore fight fans don't want to see someone's eyes gouged out or testicles crushed.

“Still, you really know a lot about them, Amane-chan.”

“Well, the Kiyohara brothers are with the Teikai Talent Agency, and that's the same group as the Teikai Music label I used to belong to. I once saw them at the agency. They were so intimidating, I ended up hiding in the bathroom.”

“Huh.”

Even from this distance, you could feel their intensity.

Not sparkly—glary.

They were beyond the typical introvert-extrovert spectrum.

They radiated an aura of anti-establishment, outlaw energy.

“Yikes. Let's steer clear of them if we can.”

President Suzuka widened her eyes.

“Kazu-kun, you're scared? They must be really tough, huh?”

Amane-chan answered:

“All three of them were former gang leaders. Supposedly, they never lost a fight. Then they went pro, and haven't lost a match since debut.”

“So they're undefeated? That's impressive.”

It is impressive, but…

That's not what I meant when I said I was “scared.”

It was hearing the name Teikai.

I really hope we don't run into her at the pool today…

---

At the time, I had no way of knowing—

But apparently, this video was uploaded yesterday evening:

[Daily Uploads] Princess Rua Cuts Through the Nonsense! ~ Know Your Place!

Subscribers: 1.13 million

[Helloooo~! Domoooon Cashuuu♪]

[Not content with dominating showbiz, I'm totally taking over the streaming world too~!]

[I'm your girl “Princess Rua”— Rua Takayashiki at your service~!]

[And now for a super special announcement—BAM!!]

[Eh? What? “Announcement” is a kind of news?]

[Bufufu~ Say snarky stuff like that and I'll report you to my Gramps for a BAN~! A life-ban, maybe~♥]

[Anywaaaay, time for an event announcement—BAM BAM BAM!]

[It's sudden, but I'm doing a solo live performance!]

[It's happening tomorrow! Around noon-ish!]

[At the Princess Leisure Pool in the city!]

[Of course I'll be singing and dancing in a swimsuit♥ So all you pervs, get hyped~♥]

[…What? Huh?]

[Why's it all of a sudden? You ask?]

[Well you see…]

[Remember my BFF “Kazuko” I've mentioned before?]

[Turns out she's going to the pool tomorrow with some “friends” who aren't me!]

[I mean, she didn't even invite me—RUDE! I'm totally miffed!]

[So I figured, I'll just drop in and surprise her~♥]

[Guess I've been feeling a teensy bit jelly lately~?]

[Auuun~ Forgive meeee~♥]

[……Those little brats… they've got some nerve…]

[…Trying to make a move on my Kazu… all of them…]

[…I'll show them the huge gap between a top idol like me and the rest of those nobodies…]

[So anyway, that's it from Rua-chan, who's suuuper excited for tomorrow's pool day~!]

[See yaaa~!]

[Comments – 910]

Dodon Ga Don – 1 minute ago

Princess's swimsuitttt~ I have to see itttt~

Rua's Minion #8 – 1 minute ago

Tomorrow?! LOL this is way too sudden!!!

Danky Horte – 1 minute ago

So it's like a guerrilla live show?

Duke Silvana – 1 minute ago

Kazuko-chan, you need to give Rua more attention!

Maori – 1 minute ago

What was that muttering in the middle? Sounded scary…

Renchon – 1 minute ago

This is gonna be a total scene!

Rendou – 1 minute ago

I recently switched from Momochii to Princess Rua! She's just too cute!