"Hello, everyone!!"
Luka waved happily toward the stands, beaming from ear to ear.
Shuo Jin: "?"
How could someone be so happy about getting cursed at? Had the insults knocked something loose in his head?
Hearing the thunderous abuse, Jimi could not help remarking:
"Uh... Luka has recently faced hostility from some fans over a few unsubstantiated rumors."
"But that's all right. I'm sure Luka will prove himself in the ring!"
"Go, Lu~ka!!"
In the ring.
Shuo Jin folded his arms, looking thoroughly pleased with himself.
"Unsubstantiated? They've got plenty to back them up."
Meanwhile, Jimi's words had turned the crowd's ire toward the remote-controlled automaton.
"That Jimi works for the company! He's still defending Luka when everyone's against him. Luka really is the company's lapdog!"
"I thought Jimi was a cute little bird. Turns out he's another company dog."
"Uh..." Seeing the crowd's anger inexplicably shift toward him, Jimi hurriedly stopped himself.
"...Luka, if I keep defending you, I'll get dragged down too. You're on your own!"
Buoyed by the crowd's heartfelt wishes, Luka looked the man before him straight in the eye.
"Shuo Jin, I don't want to waste another word on you."
"I'll let my fists show everyone whether I, Luka, am a company lapdog or an honest-to-goodness fighter!"
"Hahahaha!" Shuo Jin burst out laughing. "Company lapdog, I won't bow to your tyranny!"
"After today's match, your reputation will be ruined!"
"You only beat me last time because you caught me off guard. This time, I'll make you pay."
At the judges' table.
Yan Huan, who rarely sat there, quietly took out his phone.
Sparkle saw him and asked,
"Boss, what are you doing?"
"I'm buying a rocket to blow that bastard up."
With that, Yan Huan prepared to place the order.
"???"
Sparkle hurriedly pressed down