Saimon: ... and so that's what it is. Although it will be taking a slightly different form from the previous tournaments, I think it will be a meaningful one regardless. I also think it would be good to support BAE's vision for expanding the scene. So I told them that we would be participating.
Yohei: [exhaling smoke] Fine by me. The prize money's good, and the Triumph Live doesn't sound half bad either. And on top of that, I'm sure that Iori was all on it when they mentioned it being a flashy festival, right?
Saimon: Yes, Suiseki-san announced immediately that they would be participating, and so that may... have been part of why I...
Yohei: You didn't want to let him steal all the thunder, yeah? You got a bit of competitive streak after all, huh, sensei?
Saimon: ... [chuckles]
Yohei: I got no complaints. How 'bout y'all?
Shiki: Um...
Ryu: RYU-KUN WANTS TO GO! WANNA GO WANNA GO WANNA GO WANNA GO! A team battle means... [horrible evil laughter] We're all going to join forces together and take down the Dark Destroyer army, right!?
Yohei: That is not what it means.
Ryu: And of course, the commander-in-chief is TCW's secret weapon: Ryu the Brilliant Galaxy, warrior of justice who traverses the universe!! MwahahahahahaHAHAHAHAH!!
Yohei: What kind of warrior of justice has a laugh like that!? ... well, whatever. Ryu's in. Shiki, how about you?
Shiki: Um... if everyone else agrees that we should, then I...
Saimon: Shiki, you don't need to be so self-effacing. TCW is all four of us, together. Because we're comrades, I want to hear what you feel about the competition.
Shiki: ... yes. I... feel a little uneasy about it. Up until now, I've only ever had to worry about doing my best for the team and doing my best for performances, but this time, it's a team match, and the rule is that the winner is determined by the number of points the whole unit gets. And I'm thinking a lot about that.
Saimon: Mm. I see. It's not just about winning; it's about having the expectations of all of these new companions resting on your shoulders, and having to earn enough points to say you contributed to everyone's shot at victory.
Shiki: It seems like the numbers are gonna be pretty straightforward, so it's a bit different than before.
Ryu: Hmm? Sounds hard.
Yohei: What's hard about it.
Ryu: Hmmm... ... well, seems fun!
Yohei: Hah?
Ryu: That's right, right? The Paradox Live is always hard, and that's why it's fun!
[sfx: inexplicable backing track]
Ryu: [freestyling] Crunchy-crunchy yoink! and pump up the vibes/A monster spitting out rhymes/It's jazzy, it's fuzzy, it's a nasty style/Copernicus coming to tie up the score!/Classic points like TCW/IN THE HOUUUSE!
[sfx: airhorns, which I am choosing to imagine are diagetic]
Saimon, Yohei, and Shiki: ...
Yohei: Ryu... you...
Saimon and Shiki: [laughing]
Saimon: Well, that's one to remember, isn't it, Yohei?
Yohei: Sure is. But, point is, what battle we've been in hasn't been hard? Ain't a single one. That's what makes it fun.
Shiki: Ryu-kun.
Ryu: Ah?
Shiki: Thank you.
Ryu: Eh? For that?
Shiki: Don't worry about it. It's fine. ... Owner, Master, Ryu-kun, I'm sorry for being a coward. I'm in as well.
Yohei: Well, 'course you are. With our music, ain't nothin' to be scared of.
Shiki: Yes.
Ryu: Beepbeepbeepbeep! Shiki's Gloom-o-Meter^[1] Index is rapidly falling! 86, 54, 23, 17 percent humidity! Today's weather is bright and sunny, a perfect day for hunting for kitties!
Yohei: No way, wouldn't 17% humidity be way too dry?
Saimon: Most people tend to find around 50% to be ideal, yes.
Ryu: Then it's an emergency!! We need to replenish Shikki's moisture levels immediately!! He's shrivelling up!!
Shiki: Um... Ryu-kun...?
Yohei: ...! Ryu! Get off the counter!
Ryu: Ryu-kun needs to make a cocktail to bring Shikki back to the right level of gloomy!!
Yohei: What.
[sfx: clattering, sounds of Yohei in distress]
Ryu: First Ryu-kun will grab this and this and this and this and this and this AND THEN!
Shiki: "The right level of gloomy"?
Ryu: [horrible goblin laughter] Gotta have a bunch of colorful personalities in a group competition!
[sfx: Drink pouring]
Ryu: And a little bit of THIS! glugglugglugglugglugglugglugglugglugglug
Saimon: --! I made that iced coffee so I'd have some to drink later... [trailing off in despair] ... ah...?
Ryu: A perfect way to relax! Enjoy the boldness of the mix!
Yohei: I'm pretty sure he's doing this on purpose.
Ryu: SHAKESHAKESHAKESHAKESHAKESHAKESHAKE! And behold! It's getting nice and gloomy!
Yohei: And what do you plan on doing if nobody stops you?
[sfx: mixing continues]
Shiki: Ryu-kun... I don't need to be made any more gloomy...
Ryu: [overlapping] Let me show you all my tricks! Take one sip and you'll be fixed!! OH YEAH!
Saimon: I wonder if everyone at work is having a good time.
[sfx: glass being set down]
Saimon, Shiki, Yohei: ...
Yohei: ... WHO THE HELL IS GONNA DRINK THIS SLOP!?!

[sfx: lighter, Yohei lighting a cigarette and taking a drag]
Yohei: So? What kind of fight are we gonna put up this time?
[sfx: glasses clinking]
Saimon: ...
Yohei: What's up?
Saimon: Ah... it's nothing.
Yohei: No, what's up. Somethin' bothering you?
Saimon: ... Yohei.
Yohei: Mm?
Saimon: Music is what connects people to each other. We're still comrades on that path.
Yohei: Yeah. We are.
Saimon: When I look at BAE, I think, they have the power to win, take the throne, take the reins of this whole scene.
Yohei: Hm. They're still as bunch of smart-mouthed brats as they ever were. They're acting real big all of a sudden.
Saimon: ... haha. They certainly are young. The world is a little more bittersweet than they know. We're familiar with that, being adults. ... but, without that passion, and that greed, and something you believe in sincerely, no dreams will ever come true.
Yohei: ... Saimon.
Saimon: ... just improving your own music isn't enough. You have to involve the people around you, you have to aim higher. And beyond that, is what we're aiming for. ... that's what I was thinking.
Yohei: You're overthinking it.
Saimon: Maybe so. But that's why we can't lose this battle. I don't want to lose.
Yohei: Hah? ... [laughs]
Saimon: What is it?
Yohei: Nah, I just haven't seen that look on your face in a long time.
Saimon: ...!
Yohei: It's fine. You're not that old yet, sensei.
Saimon: Yohei...
Yohei: Well.
[sfx: footsteps, door clicking]

[sfx: piano riff from TIME 4 GAME]
Yohei: Recklessly... greedily... shall we chase our dreams that way, too?
Saimon: Mmm?
Yohei: Let's make a new song. Strike while the iron is hot and all, yeah?
Saimon: [chuckles] Sounds good.
Yohei: You're gonna wanna pull a double shot of espresso. We might be at this 'til morning.
Saimon: Ah, but, I don't know if I can manage that, I have a lecture tomorrow first period, and... ...
Yohei: Hm?
Saimon: ... got it.
[sfx: footsteps, pulling a shot of espresso, piano resumes]
Saimon: [chuckles] ... that reminds me, Tsubaki. When you were still with us, we used to do this a lot. I don't want the dream we had that day to end just yet, whatever may happen. ... that's...
[sfx: music fades out]
Saimon: The least I can do to atone for my sins.

[1] The word Ryu uses for "gloomy" can also mean "humidity", which is why the rest of this conversation plays out like it does. I can't think of an equivalent term in English, so I'm just leaving the joke as-is for now. [Back]