idolpro | ROUND 7

[ gggglancing over. there's blood smeared over his face, near his nose and mouth, and a large bloodstain on the area of his white dress shirt near the shoulder. ]

Yo.

[Maki looks entirely unscathed. Exactly what that means is unclear.]

...Hey. Rough time?

[ a shrug ]

There've been ups and downs. Looks like you've been handling yourself just fine, unless you're a fresh new face.

No, this is my third time.

Oh, well how about that. Same here.

Hm. I didn't see you before... I wonder how many times there have been so far.

Though I guess the real question is how many more times there are gonna be.

Yeah. There's no telling when they'll be satisfied.

Well, I'm satisfied, so they'll just have to live with what they've got.

. . .

Seen any other ☆ZRAELs around, by chance? Or anyone else of importance.

Not this time. I ran into Requiem and Doodleman last time... we got into a bit of a fight.

...By the way, don't hurt him, please. [gestures at X] Or there may be consequences.

Is that so? No telling who they'd fall on, though.

[ less a declaration of actual intent and more an expression of confidence ]

I could tell you.

[likewise]

Gyahahahaha!

[ and he just breaks into a toothy grin ]

It's like I just told you, I've had my fill. If he doesn't come at me, you have nothing to worry about.

Then we're fine, because there's no way in the world he'll do that.

[hm. she has now acquired a large scroll. It says: "Oath of the Loyal: For so long as you swear loyalty to me and stay by my side, may you be granted glory and strength."]

In that case, would you like to sign this? I think it will only help, if you end up around me.

[ squints at it, more than a little skeptically ]

... A little broad, isn't it? I try not to sign things without reading the fine print.

That's all the print there is. It doesn't sound like there are any consequences... the areas around here all seem catered to help a certain unit, so I assume these are Taisho contracts.

I dunno if I want to sign away my freedom on a whim. No offense.

[shrugs]

As far as I'm concerned, you can still do whateever you want... it says "for as long" as you want to.

But I don't really mind that much either way. It might help you, that's all. Assuming you're not planning on betraying me anyway.

Gyahaha. Do you trust me enough for it to count as a betrayal?

[a faint smile]

...Maybe not. But, I'd still rather work with you than not.

[ . . .

motions at her to hand over the scroll ]

—Well, I'll take a gamble.

[there's a faint flicker of surprise across her face, like she didn't actually expect him to agree, but then it's gone]

...Alright.

[and she offers the scroll and a brush pen]

[ he takes the scroll and signs it, with handwriting that's perhaps surprisingly meticulous given his personality ]

There. ... Don't make me regret it, or you will.

[another small smile]

Of course. I wouldn't expect anything else.

[ heh ]

Well, if it's for "for so long as you stay by my side"... what are you going to do? I was gonna head out with Al soon, but I bet he'd be totally into the loyal knight shtick.

ROUND 7

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