Metro Labyrinth Chapter 123.2: The First Of The Ties

Support the translator on lazytranslations.com

“Mr. Abe, he was the one who fought with Giran at the Ouji, right? You mentioned he is your benefactor, so I will have to support him.” (Donta)

“… my own benefactor, not that he’s the only one.” (Giran)

　Donta nodded his head.

“Oh, no… there was an Ikebukuro hunter there, too. She is Ikari Noa, who recently moved to Sugamo.” (Giran)

“Ah, Mr. Abe’s party. Somehow her Fungal Class has changed. It’s a shame, I hope she does her best at Sugamo.” (Donta)

“…When you take a break from your official duties, I would like to invite them over and have a sit down with them. I would like to introduce them to Master Donta.” (Giran)

“I’m looking forward to it. …Oh, and the Carbuncle girl was on the stage with the mayor’s daughter, for some reason. She’s quite adorable. I hope we will become friends.” (Donta)

“As long as you’re careful when to prepare the acorns and how to pet them, I think you’ll be fine.” (Giran)

　The king laughs innocently, and Giran returns a vague smile.

(…when you were still a baby.) (Giran)

(I’m sure you don’t remember.) (Giran)

　She – who had changed her name to Ikari Noa – even her looks.

　I’m sure he won’t remember the girl he met when he was still in diapers, the girl who was a potential bride of his.

~Shuu’s Perspective~

　The women in their gorgeous costumes were dancing to the rhythm of the drums. I watched them with my arms folded.

　Miniskirts swayed, leotards shimmered, and cat ears and tails flicked. It was hard to tell if they were in costume or real demihumans. If it weren’t for these circumstances, I would have looked at them with a more devious eye.

　In the middle of the arena, the ring is being adjusted, but I try not to look at it. The time spent waiting for the games to start is painful as if I was being killed alive. I wish I could just barge into the dance and get myself thrown out.

“…hm?” (Shuu)

　I see the referee talking with someone at the entrance on the other side of the hall. The other party–Maria Hakuou.

(That’s not a jersey, is it?) (Shuu)

　I can’t see her clearly because I can only see her between the dancers and ring maintenance workers, but before I know it, she too has changed outfits. Her dark skin seems to be exposed here and there, so I want to get a little closer to observe her.

　The referee now runs across the ring toward me, his slightly overweight frame jiggling.

“Mr. Abe, may I have a word with you?” (Referee)

“Yes?” (Shuu)

“Ms. Hakuou has a proposal for you, and we’d like to discuss the rules of the match—” (Referee)

　The referee gave me the run down… since I couldn’t answer immediately, he let me think about it for a while.

“Yes, I have an announcement for the audience.” (Announcer)

　The announcement by the MC echoed through the hall. The dance time has already ended, and the maintenance staff has gone to the back.

“The eighth match of the day, the first match of the day, will be held from now on, and I have an announcement to make. Maria Hakkou has just proposed a change to the ‘Gachinko Rule’.” (Announcer) [T/N: Gachinko in sumo means serious fight.]

　The audience was divided into two groups: one groaning and the other cheering.

“The ‘Gachinko Rule’ is a rule that eliminates the boundaries of the ring, meaning that out-of-boundary losses are virtually eliminated. In other words, there will be no more out-of-boundary defeats, and the winner will be decided by a decision if either fighter is incapacitated or if the match cannot be settled in 30 minutes—” (Announcer)

　The crowd’s surprise grew louder.

　According to the referee, there is actually a possibility of losing outside the ring. If a fighter escapes or is thrown into the audience or the entrance, he loses after a count of ten.

“The one who is still standing until the end wins, and the ‘Gachinko Rule’… which makes it clearer who is the stronger fighter, was agreed upon by the committee and judges of the tournament, applying it with the agreement of both fighters. So, when I consulted Mr. Abe about Ms. Hakuou’s proposal, Mr. Abe said—-” (Announcer)

　A pause here. Or rather a tension build-up.

“I agreed because—” (Announcer)

　The audience was excited.

“The best way to conclude is the tournament is where the ‘Gachinko Rule’ is applied!” (Announcer)

　The audience was even more excited. and “Amazing!” and “You guys are the best!”

　I turn my attention to the other side of the entrance. Maria Hakou is standing with her hands on her hips, looking down at me confidently.

“— I’m glad you’re okay with the rule change. I’ve rethought it a little bit.” (Shuu)

　I entered the ring with loud cheers. In the center of the arena, where the ring ropes have been removed and the arena is now just a sandy field, I face Hakuou.

“Well… it won’t be a disadvantage if I do it this way.” (Shuu)

“Oh, you have a chance to beat me except by pushing me out of the arena. It’s not a very funny joke.” (Maria)

　But with her [Magic Woman], there is a higher possibility that the space in the ring that is already limited could be used to push her out. Still, it was easier for me to fight without the constraint of being outside the arena because of my overwhelmingly inferior experience in such tournaments.

　But, as they said, it was more difficult to win now that the victory condition was to “beat a superior player.”

“But you’re right. Now there will be no more half-hearted resolutions. …I’ll make it clear who is the better fighter.” (Maria)

“We’ll see, but…” (Shuu)

　I’m not sure what to say, but to be honest, I’m more concerned about something than that.

“Um… are you going to fight in that outfit…?” (Shuu)

　She is dressed in a tight-fitting gold and silver glittering body suit. The sleeves and hem are short, exposing her healthy, toned arms and thighs. On both arms are engraved the emblems of the city of Komagome and the guild’s union, and it is strange that even these look erotic for some reason.

　If that were not enough, her valley is wide open in the shape of a heart, and her ample Mount Fujis peeks out as clearly as the clear winter sky. There is also a bold slit at the waist. I have only seen such impractical costumes in manga and anime, but I never expected it to be realized in a world a hundred years from now.

“It’s a serious competition, but at the same time it’s a show to please the audience. Wouldn’t it be a bit of a turn-off for a star like me to be fighting in an immodest outfit?” (Maria)

“Is it okay for practical use?” (Shuu)

“Fufu, you’re a hundred years too young to care about me. The material is dozens of times more expensive than your rags, so don’t worry about it.” (Maria)

“I think the exposed area is more of an issue of design than the material.” (Shuu)

　Anyway, this was an unexpected obstacle.

　Even though the other party was already a super beautiful dark elf with silver hair, when dressed like this, my instinct forced me to take a sneak peek. It makes me realize that men are sinful creatures down to the core of their souls. [T/N: No were not. Stop bringing other men into this. Perve.]

　This is not good, I tell myself. I must concentrate, I must be serious.

　I remind myself that my opponent is a ferocious costumed ogre. And what’s more, its true nature, its elegant skin peeled off, is that it’s a girl in her forties who’s a mixture of a lolicon and shotacon.

　I’ve heard all about it from Utsuki and Mr. Giran (Giran seems to be a junior colleague of hers from Meguro headquarters). I’ve heard from Utsuki and Mr. Giran that her unusual obsession with the fake loli hag is due to her blind adoration of her unchanging childhood appearance as a young teenager. If anything, she believes that her decision to enter this year’s tournament must have been to approach “that gentleman,” the eternal shota governor of Tokyo, whom she has been in love with for so many years.

　A 100-year-old loli hag whose appearance would have violated the laws, all but drools when she sees a good-looking man, and her younger sister who, despite having beauty that foreign celebrities wouldn’t be able to match, keeps chasing after lolis and shotas even if she’s 42. How can I say it, they are sisters who are deeply perverted.

“Wait a second, please don’t look at me with such sticky eyes. It’s too obvious, and it makes me uncomfortable.” (Maria)

“Ah, no, I don’t (not at all).” (Shuu)

“Well, that’s pretty much what I’m getting at from your plain face and your fidgety self. You have no experience in pleasuring a woman, have you?” (Maria)

“No, of course not! What about you? There is actually a rumor that your age = the number of boyfriends you’ve never had—” (Shuu)

“Of course not! I’ve had a lot of men come on to me, but I’ve torn them up and thrown them away….” (Maria)

　Hakuou, who was talking rapidly, stopped suddenly. The referee’s expression is indescribable as he follows her gaze.

　Hakuou and I stared at each other.

　We realize that further talk is futile and will not bring any benefit to either of us.

　For the first time, Hakuou realizes that we are communicating with each other. I give a small nod, and she does the same.

“…talking about your love life in public. It’s harassment.” (Shuu)

“…Well, it’s a fool’s errand to decide a person’s worth by such things. We have more important things to do.” (Maria)

　Both of us laughed at each other.

“We will talk with each other’s fists from now on. I will borrow your face, Ms. Hakuou.” (Shuu)

“We’re about to start. Let’s see what the strongest rookie in history can do.” (Maria)

　The final match of the Grand Tournament begins. 

support the translator on lazytranslations.com