Section 4: You Are an Innocent Summer Queen

I see. So it happened back on the beach when you saved that child from a ghost...

I thought I could handle a little ghost no problem, but I got careless. Don't worry though, I can still perform just fine.

... Medb, would you spin around for me?

Sure, that's easy. ...There. Well?

You hesitated for a moment. I can tell.

...Well, so what? It'll heal up in no time.

Hell, it'll probably be even faster than that, since we're Servants.

No, it won't.

What do you mean?

Look. This Singularity's whole deal is that real intense love of idols, yeah?

So it's safe to assume that any concepts pertaining to idols are built into its rules.

Sure, makes sense. So? What about it?

Well, if that's true, it would probably mean...

...injuries sustained while performing don't heal easily.

Ah

A-are you kidding me!? That can't possibly be true! ...Can it?

I think Nobbu is right. It's not uncommon for Singularities to have rules which interfere with your abilities.

For example, if everyone in a Singularity is forced to conceptually play a character in a movie, they could be forced to behave according to movie logic.

？！

Right.

In that Singularity, a Servant who would normally never die ended up dying easily.

Well, technically speaking, she didn't die permanently. She kept coming back to life and dying again and again.

Oh, yeah. I did hear last summer was pretty rough.

...What is it, Nobbu? Why are you staring at my leg?

Okay, I think I know what this is.

You know those Lancers you're so fond of, Medb? Cú Chulainn and Diarmuid?

Their spears each have a curse that prevents anyone they injure from healing, right?

Well, I noticed you using your Noble Phantasm back when you made me help out with your training.

What about it? ...Wait. You don't mean

I sure do. You've been chained to that same concept.

It doesn't look like it's as strong as the one on their spears...

But if you think you'll be dancing on stage with that injury, you've got another thing coming.

... ...

？！

Huh? Have you lost your mind? Without me, you

Toe bean touch.

Ow! What're you

Knew it. You'd have had no trouble dodging that normally, partner. You're worse off than you're admitting!

Do you realize you might make it worse and never be able to dance again if you go up on stage like this!? Well this cat won't let that happen!

Cat...

？！

The final round...? Hmph. You're thinking about the final round when we still don't know for sure if we can even beat our opponents in the next one?

MasP has full confidence in AxXxS. What's more, he's trying to be considerate of you.

...Hmph.

Um... But if Medb doesn't compete, wouldn't that leave AxXxS without a leader?

Of course it would. Without me holding us together, we'd have all the coordination of an orchestra without a conductor.

I knew it...

...Medb? Could I ask an impossible favor of you?

Go ahead. I'll at least hear you out.

Just for this battle with Dreams Gone Girls...could you let me be the leader?

Do you realize what you're saying, Alter? You're asking a queen to relinquish her throne.

Medb, please! You'll end up making your injury worse!

Shut up. Alter, do you even know what it takes to be a leader? Do you think it's all looking down your nose at people?

I've been watching you, Medb. I've seen how attentive you are in rehearsals... How you make sure we pace ourselves at concerts... How you keep the audience happy...

And how you do it all perfectly in real time. You've more than earned the right to look down your nose at us.

...

Which is exactly why...

...I could never live with myself if I made you carry the burden of leadership while you were injured.

It would be like abandoning a close friend to die.

...And you think you can carry that burden instead? Even with no experience actually doing it?

I can. No...I will.

...

...

...You've got guts, looking me in the eye all this time.

Fine. Let's see if you've got what it takes. And since there's no time to spare, I'm really going to put you through the wringer!

Got it!

Sounds like you've got a long road ahead. Unfortunately, this is as far as we can go with you.

Good luck, AxXxS! We'll be cheering for you from the other side of the screen!

Thank you, Nobunaga!

Mix up your tempo! Don't think! Just act!

Right!

Pay attention to where Cat is! No, don't actually look at her! Sense her!

R-right!

Slow down! You need to manage your energy, or you'll never make it to the end!

R...right...!

My head...no, my whole body is smoking. I know this was my idea, but I'm already regretting it at warp factor nine...

Great work out there, Ex. You really are giving it all you've got.

Do you think so? I still feel like I'm nowhere near where Medb wants me to be...

Maybe I'm not cut out for this, after all...

？！

Senpai is right. I can't imagine Medb would ever tolerate someone who really didn't meet her standards.

Oh. I see... I guess I can be a little easier on myself. Maybe I'm doing better than I thought...

But either way, that still leaves us with the problem of our missing center...

I've got my hands full leading, and Cat's doing her best to support me.

But I don't see how the two of us can also fill the spot I had until now...

True. I created this choreography for a trio...

I did my best to adjust it to only two of you on short notice, but there's no denying it's just, well, messy in comparison.

？！

But that's impossible. There's nobody out there who already knows our songs and choreography and can match our rhythm.

What are we going to do, Senpai?

？！

Seriously? No way. What an unbelievably convenient turn of events.

Well? Who is it?

？！

Of course, Senpai. ...Wait. Huh?

Oh my! How wonderful!

Mash... Of course! Why didn't I think of that!?

B-because it's ridiculous! I can't possibly fill in for you! I'm just an amateur!

？！

I... Yes, but...

So THAT'S why you've seemed to be shining even brighter than usual lately!

Ooh, you're so precious! And your initiative is just wonderful!

I'm asking you too, Mash. Please. I want you to join us in AxXxS.

We need you.

I...

...

...All right. I'm still very inexperienced, but I'll do my best!

Très bien! Now that things are coming together, I'll do everything I can to help, too!

If you need me, I'll be in my atelier making an outfit for Mash. Just remember: whatever you do, dooon't peek!

Okay, break time's over. Um, what's going on with Miss Crane? She just ran out of here like she'd been struck by lightning or something.

？！

I see. Then, Mash, you'd better join the rehearsals officially, too.

Really? Just like that!? Are you sure?

Temporary or not, our leader decided you were good enough to join, right? That's good enough for me. Now come on! There's no time to waste!

R-right!

I'm counting on you guys to win this round, so you'd better be ready to push past your limits!