story_sophia_1_1

One copy of the Central Journal, please.

...Zofia? Long time no see.

Same to you, Al. Actually, I'm quite surprised your stand is still running.

Haha, only by the good graces of my old regulars. Hey, out of curiosity, isn't that knight who's been on the front page recently... your niece?

Niece? Maria's like a little sister, thank you very much.

Haha! Yes, yes, I'll remember next time. I watched the match between her and Brassrust. She's got some of the same grit and spunk you had, back in the day.

Me? Not Margaret?

No, no. I'd never mistake it.

...Haha, I'm not going to argue with you, Al. That's all in the past now.

Sure is. When I look at the news these days, they're talking about new folks every year.

Last year it was the Blood Knight, cover to cover. But this year, quite a few newly-promoted knights have made the headlines.

I saw. Maria made it too.

There was a time when you were the talk of the town, too. Hey, what are you looking at?

'Four Seasons Times'? ...Is that a new one? I don't remember seeing it before.

Haha, well, take a gander at the header– 'The Whislash Knight returns to the arena as a coach, guiding Maria Nearl to defeat Ingra the Butcher.'

Never imagined there would still be reporters paying any attention to my life. I guess news of my shopping spree last weekend wasn't boring enough, so they're coming back for more.

Eh, reporters aren't the same as they used to be either. They used to sip on fine honey, but now they swallow rot.

...Still, this one seems to be the real deal. Picks their words carefully, and has a style that isn't overblown. Here, take a look at this!

'...Can this up-and-comer from the Nearl family, under the guidance of the Whislash Knight, forge her own radiance in the arena?'

'And if so, could this mean that the Whislash Knight has re-centered herself and is ready for a comeback?'

Unfortunately... they're going to be disappointed. I'm just doing a little babysitting.

Want to take a copy home?

Thanks, but no thanks. I already hear more news than I care for these days, Al.

See you later then, Zofia.

One copy of the Central Journal, please.

...Zofia? It's been a while.

You've started selling knight merchandise too, Al?

These little dolls bring in good money, Zofia. Especially the Radiant Knight's. Tch, I go through sixty a day. Meanwhile, I can barely get rid of a few papers.

I'll let Margaret know how much you appreciate her then. I'm sure she'd be happy to know that.

Hahaha, put it like that, and those reporters with their ears to the ground owe her their lives too. The Radiant Knight's return has been a goldmine for both scoops and sales.

Heck, maybe I should be thanking her too. Without her, I might still be coaching Maria, worrying about how to make it to the next round.

Life's a lot simpler these days. I've been looking at a nice little villa in the countryside—once the dust settles, I plan on moving out of the city.

Don't be like that, there are still plenty of people here who care about you. Here.

'Four Seasons Times'... Huh, they're still in print?

More than that, they've even set up a column dedicated to news about you. Take a look.

'The Whislash Knight gives up coaching Maria, wishing to return to a life of luxury.' How do I put this... My lifestyle's not THAT extravagant, is it?

Depends on who you compare it to.

Hmph.

Tch. And would you look at that. You can practically taste the venom dripping from every word.

Read it out loud for me, Al. I want to hear it.

Are you sure? Their choice of words is quite... intense.

Mhm. Go ahead.

Uhh...

'After Maria dropped out of the Major, Whislash also made the extremely disappointing decision to step away from her position as coach, and from the arena.'

'After her retirement, she seems to have forgotten the spirit of chivalry, instead sinking into wealth-addled mediocrity, drunk off the wine of complacency.'

Pffhaha––

You can still laugh when they're tearing into you like that?

It's obvious from how they put it that they're just a naive child who knows nothing of the world. Why bother getting mad?

Hahaha, I suppose so.

Oh, no need to put it away, Al. I'll take that one too.

See you later then, Zofia.

One copy of the Central Journal, please.

It's been a while, Zofia.

Tytus? What are you doing here?

I could ask the same of you. I assumed you'd have servants to pick up the paper for you.

Hey, you little–

I can speak to him myself, Al.

(Shrugs)

Is it just me, or are you always out and about these days, Tytus? Seems like you're enjoying your retirement.

Nothing compared to you, of course. With our champion, the Radiant Knight, at your back, I'm sure your life's positively cushy...

Oh, but how could I forget? Since she's been turning down all those sponsorships, maybe our champion's been sponging off of <i>you</i>. So how have you been? Keeping busy?

If you know I'm busy, why waste your breath on all that nonsense?

(Curls lips)

I have some connections in the General Chamber of Commerce, and after the finals... I got some news.

They're building a brand new arena on the newly-built plate. And while they're at it, they're probably going to develop a new commercial sector nearby. It's a good investment.

No.

Let me finish—

Not interested.

Zofia, at the rate you burn through money, you'll run out one of these days, no matter how big your family business is. Not to mention those self-serving underlings you finally axed last year... Tch, now that's a royal waste of money.

That's none of your business.

...Well, if you're really not interested, then forget it.

Oh right, and I say this with sincerity—Zofia, you're still very young...

Tytus, I'll listen when you have something worth saying.

...In any case, spare a thought for yourself.

Ah yes, thank you for your concern. See you never.

So, are you going to buy something before you leave?

...Hmph.

Looks like a lot of people have been looking for you since the Radiant Knight lifted the trophy.

Margaret... Well, it's not like I can just leave her to her own devices either.

You've been worrying way too much about the Nearl kids all these years, Zofia.

Well, we grew up together, and our family origins are—

Hey, Al! What's that you're hiding?

*cough* *cough*... Oh, it's nothing.

Hand it over.

I told you, it's nothing.

Now!

...Here, it's another column from that frizzy kid. Don't get mad, they have no clue what they're talking about.

There's no text in the column, only a huge photograph occupying the entire page.

It's a picture of me sitting in the audience during the finals. The worry, uneasiness, and thick, palpable pride on my face are all clearly captured by the camera.

Even the nigh-imperceptible envy in my eyes could not escape the keen lens.

Above the photograph appears an extremely eye-catching title printed in thick, black ink.

'The Nearl Family's Best Attendant'

The kid's got guts...

Zofia...

Zofia offhandedly folds the newspaper to cover half the picture, obscuring the faces in the auditorium so that only the dazzling knight on the field remains.

See you later, Al.

Miss Zofia! Miss Zofia!

...Who is it? And where am I?

Hurry, wake up! I'm so glad I found you, I was scared half to death! Why were you sleeping in the bushes?

...Partied too hard last night. Haven't drunk like that in a long while. Help me up, Lily.

Careful now.

Did they leave yet?

Mmhmm. Miss Margaret and Miss Maria both had a bit much to drink, so the butler arranged for a driver to take them home not too long ago.

Where's Młynar?

Did you forget? He didn't even stay halfway through before leaving.

...I guess I was already pretty wasted by then.

I haven't seen you indulge yourself like that in a long time.

Margaret deserved the toast.

Oh, allow me to see you to your bedchamber.

Hold on.

Who's there? Show yourself!

Let go! Let go of me!

A reporter? How'd you get in here?! Miss Zofia, should I call the police?

No need. You can head back first.

But...

Don't worry. I can toss this runt back over the walls myself.

Please don't hesitate to call me if needed.

How old are you? Fifteen? Sixteen?

I'm an adult!

'Four Seasons Times'... So YOU'RE that reporter.

Please give me my badge back.

Are you aware that trespassing is a crime?

I'm sorry... I just wanted...

Hmph.

Seeing how you chased me all the way here, you might as well ask what's on your mind while you've got the chance.

If you have the guts to barge into my house, surely you have the guts to sit on my sofa?

I...

Take a seat.

Let's just call this an interview. I'm sure you've got pages of questions you've been itching to ask.

I'm new to the job... I've never done an interview before.

Perfect. Now's your chance to practice.

Uhh... I'm really sorry, I broke into your house on an impulse. I'm willing to accept the consequences, be it a fine or jail time—

You know, normally an interview begins with a self-introduction. I'll get started for you.

But—

My name's Zofia, formerly known as the Whislash Knight, now retired. A sister to both Maria and the Radiant Knight. Well, technically their aunt, but whatever.

I'm also a VIP at Golden Palm Bank, a super-VIP at the Starlight Street shopping mall, and a swindled customer of various real estate moguls... Oh right, and occasionally the center of attention for the tabloids.

No, that's not you...

Then who am I, in your eyes?

I've watched the recordings of all your matches, and read every article... You were different during each phase of your career.

Then start with the 'me' you have the deepest impression of.

Oh, here it is. It's from this time... You wore a ponytail back then, just like Maria.

After the Radiant Knight left, the decline of the Nearl family was inevitable, so you stepped into the arena seeking to save everything for her sake... I still have photos from that time.

That was such a long time ago. Not even I kept that photo.

But yeah. Margaret went far, far, away. Młynar didn't want to become a knight, preferring to wear a tie and sit in a cubicle, so I had to step up and make something happen.

Just for the Nearl family?

Of course not. After being bathed in the Radiant Knight's light, how could I not let it touch my heart? Of course I wanted to pierce the darkness covering Kazimierz with my own strength, sword in hand.

But you weren't able to...

Hey, where'd you get that photo? Get rid of it! It makes me look ugly!

No! I worked so hard to buy this one!

You kids really are something else. Why work your butt off for a picture of a knight with a bruised nose?

This is a photo of your last fight. Ever since your defeat to Fissure in the round of 16, you were never seen in the arena again.

My left hand was injured.

But you fought to the end with your right.

Gee, thanks for reminding me. I'm sure I would've forgotten all about it!

Sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up.

It's fine. Getting injured was only part of the reason I decided to retire. There were some things buried too deeply for me to think about back then.

But when I look back at it now, more and more I think it was the disillusionment. Though I'd already expected it to some extent, once I was fully exposed to the filth beneath the glamor of knightsports, I really couldn't find a reason to keep going.

Not everyone has the never-ending light to dispel the darkness wherever they go, like the Radiant Knight.

Most fall right there, on the cusp before daybreak. Even if they point their swords to the sky, they can only swing at the infinite darkness.

But you were still willing to be Maria Nearl's coach and help her shine in the arena.

All I did was teach her how to survive in the darkness.

I couldn't teach her anything I didn't know how to do myself.

What do you mean?

I mean she managed that on her own.

Be it with Maria or Margaret... There was nothing I could do.

At least... they were able to bring you joy with what they accomplished. Like you said in 'Sports Afternoon,' you're proud of them.

You're right, I am. The Four Seasons Times echoed a similar sentiment in that one article, 'the Nearl Family's Best Attendant.'

...That was just a spur-of-the-moment thing.

(*Shakes head*) Haha, don't worry. I didn't take it personally.

But that's not what the look on your face said. I saw you at the newsstand that day, and your expression was different from usual.

Okay, now this is getting creepy... How long have you been stalking me, kiddo?

I've been taking photos for the last few months, but I've been following you for the last six years and twenty-eight days.

...Okay, you're definitely going to land yourself in jail one day.

Sure, but I'll also land myself the greatest honor a reporter can get.

Suit yourself, doesn't matter at this point. Let's get back on topic.

The moment I saw that photo, some things clicked in my head that I wasn't sure of before.

I'll admit it, I was jealous of Margaret, but I'm not sure whether it was her combat prowess, her Originium Arts, her being a Pegasus, or the 'Nearl' name.

None of those things matter. You wouldn't envy the Radiant Knight over little things like that.

Yeah.

I guess I was just sad that I couldn't be like her, charging towards a goal from start to finish. Without hesitation, fearing neither hardship nor darkness.

...You've never thought about stepping back into the arena?

I'd rather die.

So... do you miss your competitive days?

Hmm...

At least I knew what I wanted back then.

...May I write an article and publish what you just said?

Knock yourself out. I don't care, and the people I care about don't care either.

Will you buy a copy of the Four Seasons Times next week to read it?

Let's cross that bridge when we come to it, shall we?

One copy of the Central Journal, please.

Here you go, kid. There aren't many people like you who read the papers these days.

You talk too much, gramps.

Hey, it's a bit old-fashioned, but you should buy another one if you're waiting for someone.

What do you mean?

You've been following her around for so long, you really think I wouldn't notice the camera behind your newspaper? Look, she's coming this way right now.

When she sees the familiar figure, the reporter perks up, raising her camera and pointing it at the woman across the street.

In her right hand is a freshly-bought cup of coffee, wispy steam coming off the rim of the cup.

When she gets to her car, she moves the cup from her right hand to her left and tries to grab the keys from her purse. Her left hand is impaired, and the coffee is very hot, so she can only hold it from an awkward position.

Upon seeing her distress, passersby try to help her on multiple occasions, but each time she refuses.

Seeing the woman grit her teeth in pain and rummage through her purse for her keys, the reporter cannot help but squeeze her camera tightly.

The look on her face reminds her of the videos she had seen, where this woman fought against all sorts of powerful enemies with a similar expression.

After a painstaking amount of time, the woman finally manages to wrestle the ring of keys from her purse.

Why'd you put the camera down? Not going to shoot?

There's no need.

Why not?

She found it.

Huh?

Her keys were right there in her purse. She was going to dig them out sooner or later.

What?

Hahahaha!

Hey kid, keep your hands on the handlebars when you're riding a bike!

Catch you later, gramps!

Heh. Kids these days.

Good evening, Al.

One copy of the Central Journal?

No, I'll have a copy of the Four Seasons Times, please.