“Wh-Whaaaaat?!” the audience screamed in unison, stunned by Amane’s declaration. Shizuku and the others were equally shocked.
“Wh-What is he saying?!”
“What’s he plotting now?”
Shizuku and Alisuin were especially surprised since they knew how much Amane secretly hated Ikki. They’d expected him to pull something, but definitely not this.
“D-Did you really say you’re forfeiting, Amane? You truly wish to forfeit the semifinal match?!” the referee asked, making sure he’d heard right.
Amane nodded without hesitation.
“That’s right.”
“But why?!”
“Are you really going to make me lay it all out?” Amane smiled. “I mean, everyone’s probably thinking the same thing as Shizuku-san—that I’m cheating.”
“B-But...”
The crowd went silent. They did, in fact, all think that he was cheating. He took note of that before continuing.
“Since I have the power to twist fate, I don’t blame everyone for being suspicious. I haven’t actually cheated, but I know it’s hard to believe that. Even if I win, no one will accept my victory, so I’d rather just forfeit. I know how to read the room.” He then turned apologetically to Ikki and added, “That’s how it is. Sorry, Ikki-kun. I know you don’t want our match to end like this, but I hope you can forgive me. I’m getting tired of being glared at by everyone. Oh, but even though I’m forfeiting, I’ll still be cheering you on! I’m your biggest fan, after all! I’ll pray really, really, really hard for your victory tomorrow!”
In that instant, Shizuku, Alisuin, and Stella realized what Amane was truly going for.
“Wait, does that mean...?”
“If that cheating bastard uses his power to help the Worst One, he’ll win for sure, won’t he?”
That had been Amane’s plan all along. Instead of stopping Ikki in the semifinals, he was going to ruin Ikki and Stella’s precious duel by making everyone doubt its legitimacy. It was horrific, trampling over the sanctity of Ikki’s promise like that, spitting on everything he’d staked his life working toward. Shizuku and the others were certain this would hurt him far more than any defeat ever could.
“That bastard! How dare he...” Stella muttered through gritted teeth. She clenched her fists so hard that she drew blood. Blazing embers started flying off her glowing hair, and it was clear she was on the verge of blowing up.
Amane held up his hands and hurriedly said, “Wait! Don’t misunderstand, guys! I won’t be using my powers, so don’t worry!”
There wasn’t even a hint of contrition in his expression. On the contrary, he was grinning from ear to ear. It was obvious to everyone that he was lying. That meant that his plan had already partially succeeded.
Every fighter had the right to forfeit at any time. No one was allowed to stop them. Ikki’s blade could no longer reach Amane, leaving him with no way to thwart the boy’s scheme.
“Don’t worry, Ikki-kun!” Amane turned to him and said, the same wicked grin still on his face. “I know just how important this duel with Stella-san is to you! I’d never do anything to interfere! Naturally, I haven’t done anything to help you in your other matches either!”
He sounded immensely proud of himself as he said that.
“Of course you haven’t,” Ikki said, finally breaking his silence. “There’s no way you’d ever wish for my victory. Even if it was part of some greater plan, you’d never be able to do that. Your hatred for me runs too deep. The only thing you’d wish upon me is pain and hardship, isn’t that right?”
He spoke casually, as if Amane declaring that he was forfeiting didn’t even matter to him. The look in his eyes made it clear that he’d seen through everything.
Amane was shaken by how calm Ikki seemed. In an attempt to hide that, he spoke in a playful tone.
“C-Come on, now. I’d never wish that on you! I’m your biggest fan, and I—”
“Just drop the act, Amane-kun. Or should I say, Amamiya Shion-kun.”
The smile vanished from Amane’s face the moment Ikki said that name.