"All right, I know this desire is meaningless. I can't even say I'm being rude to those of you competing, but it's a useless feeling."
"Hahaha! That's right. With the matchups already decided, it might indeed be a waste of time. But honestly, I'm happy you want to see 'me win.' That alone makes coming to see me worthwhile."
"Yeah, I know I'm wrestling with this for nothing."
Daigo smiled as he spoke to Kaim, while Kaim frowned, looking displeased.
"No, it's fine. You're fine, too. As long as you support both Miss Cynthia and me, that's enough. I don't know who'll win, but knowing you feel that way will let us fight even better."
"That's impressive. Just as I expected."
There was no need to say which of us, Daigo or I, was better suited to being a Trainer. Kaim smiled wryly; those words offered a glimpse of the breadth of his generosity.
"You always think too much. Why not take things a little more lightly?"
"If I could do that, I wouldn't be so twisted."
"Is that so? Ahahaha!"
"Don't laugh, idiot."
Kaim spat venom even as he laughed. The conflict wouldn't disappear, but I felt much better.
After that, the two chatted for a while before Daigo glanced at the clock and stood up.
"I'll be going soon. Thanks for today."
"Yeah. Good luck tomorrow."
Daigo turned toward Kaim, who was clad in the Color of Conquerors, and spoke.
"I'll win tomorrow."
I said that not as Kaim's best friend, but as a Champion. In response, Kaim gave Daigo an unusually fearless smile.
"No, Cynthia will win."
"I'm looking forward to fighting you tomorrow."
With that, Steven rode Muddy Water home.
Watching his retreating figure, Kaim clenched his fists. Thinking about how fierce tomorrow's battle would be,