"...Evelyn, are you ready?" Esther asks as we stand in the coliseum bleachers, where an announcer is spewing a load of nonsense hyping up Lya, who's about to fight. That woman turned our duel into a public event, arrogantly declaring she'll defeat the Demon Queen in combat.
"I'm ready, Esther, don't worry. I've already worked out a winning strategy. I'm going to win!" I say confidently to her. The three agreed-upon days have passed, and during those three days I thought hard about what to do.
"Your confidence puts me at ease. Go out there and end her, Evelyn," Esther says, fired up. But before I turn to head to my starting position, Esther grabs my hand. I look at her and a chill runs through me.
"I know what you were thinking, Evelyn, and I swear, if you throw this fight on purpose to make me jealous, you'll pay dearly."
"...I-I won't do... that."
