Episode 4: A Dead Heat in the Fire
Announcer
The other guilds are making their way into Ward 4 one by one, but racers Jun and Rin are nowhere to be seen! The racers are preparing to leave without them!
Matsuri
Miss Jun will definitely come... Heroes always show up at the last minute!
Jun
Pant, pant! M-Matsuri...!
Matsuri
Miss Jun!? Look, it's just like I said!
Rin
Oof... Your armor's so pointy, it's poking me.
Announcer
Incredibly, racer Jun has arrived, carrying racer Rin on her back!
Mahiru
Rinrin! What are you doing!?
Jun
She was curled up inside of a tree hollow with my helmet, so I thought I may as well bring her along with it.
Jun
Your guild was the one who helped the other racers in Ward 1, right? Our guild should have been the ones extending aid to others. In that spirit, I decided to carry her here.
Mahiru
G-Goodness, how kind. Our Rinrin has certainly caused you some trouble, it seems. Thank you.
Rin
You know, I was in first place for a while at the start, so you could've mentioned that too. Here's the sash.
Mahiru
What are you talking about? You have to keep at it until the very end, when the results are set.
Jun
Matsuri, sorry for worrying you. Here, the sash. The rest is up to you.
Matsuri
Of course! Knowing how everyone worked hard to bring this sash from the very beginning up to here, it makes me a hundred... No, a thousand times stronger! Here I go!
Christina
Hmm, something stinks. Very much. Putting on a show for us, Captain?
Jun
Now, now, don't be rude, Chris... Is this not part of the excitement of a race?
Announcer
By racer Jun's efforts, both remaining racers have handed off! The race has moved entirely to Ward 4!
Elsewhere.
Mimi
Wahh, it's hot...
Announcer
Racer Mimi has been affected by the heat of the volcano, and has slowed down! This fourth leg of the race is truly devilish!
Kuuka
Ahh! My body is so hot! Coming from both outside and inside... I'm getting so excited!!
Announcer
Oh? Racer Kuuka! With a burst of speed, she's overtaken racer Mimi in a flash! What could have spurred her onward so strongly!?
Yukari
Pant, pant, I can't anymore...
Announcer
Oh my, racer Yukari seems to be unable to take the heat anymore, and taking a break for water.
Yukari
... Ugh! This tasteless beverage is no good at all! I was going to save this until after the race, but maybe one sip...
Yukari
Gulp... M-Maybe another sip... Just a little more... Just one more sip...
Yukari
Ahhhhh!!
Yukari
Ahahaha, huhhh? I'm startin' to feel reeeal good now.. Hic. Oh? Oooooh?
Announcer
W-What's happened!? As soon as racer Yukari took that tdrink, something about her changed completely! She seems unsteady on her feet, but somehow, she's increased her pace significantly!
Yukari
Hee hee hee! Once I get first place, I'll get to drink allllll I want!
Announcer
She's passed racer Mimi as well! Little Lyrical has fallen to third place!
Mimi
Ooooh... Everyone worked so hard before me, too...
Announcer
The top racers have all switched places! But will we see another reversal!?
Suzume
Pant, pant, everyone's so fast. If I'd known it'd be like this, I would've exercised more beforehand...
Matsuri
Gahh! I just can't catch up to them! How come...
Christina
Are you troubled? Then, why don't we use the secret plan we prepared ahead of time?
Matsuri
S-Secret plan!? Sounds cool! What is it!?
Christina
Behold! The newest weapon of Nightmare!
Tomo
... A cannon that you built from that living mail?
Christina
Very good, that saves me the trouble of explaining! Now then, young lady, climb in here! Become a human cannonball, and I'll fire you right to the end! Soaring through the sky to turn the tables... That's suitable for a real hero!
Matsuri
Soaring through the sky... a hero... That sounds awesome! I'll do it! Aunty, let me do it!
Announcer
Er... I'm afraid we can't allow human cannonballs in this competition. Racer Matsuri would be too similar to a copyrighted character, and that would cause some major problems with the broadcasting.
Christina
Why, it would only make things more exciting.
Announcer
We'll lose our sponsorship, and we won't be able to put this on next year!
Jun
Worry not, we had no plans of turning her into a human cannonball. Matsuri... With the strict daily training you've gone through, and the soul of a hero that resides within you, the only plan you need is to rely on yourself.
Matsuri
M-Miss Jun! I understand. I'll use my own abilities to make a comeback... And I'll become a hero!
Announcer
Racer Matsuri... is dashing at full speed!
Suzume
Eek! W-What's this wind?
Announcer
In an instant, she's passed racer Suzume! She's catching up to racer Mimi, and looks to be in a position to compete for the top!
Tomo
Amazing -- you're amazing, Matsuri!!
Matsuri
Roaaaaar! I'll blow everyone's expectations away!
Announcer
She's tearing across the mountain like a god! Like a mountain god!
Matsuri
I-I'd rather be a hero than a god, actually...
Mahiru
I won't let myself get shown up! Us farm kids are good at climbing!
Announcer
Racer Mahiru is also increasing her speed to keep up with racer Matsuri! This group of racers isn't to be underestimated!
Suzume
E-Everyone's gone...
Mimi
Waah... I don't like running after everyone...
Suzume
W-Whoa! D-Don't cry, okay? I'm also in last, after all...
Little Griffin
C-Caw caw...
Mimi
Huh? Little Griffin... Are you here to help me?
Suzume
L-Little? Where did this little one come from?
Little Griffin
Chirp chirp, caw!
Mimi
You'll let me ride you? Ehehe, thank you!
Suzume
Huh? Wait...
Mimi
Whoa! Super fast! Let's get back in first place together, Little Griffin!
Announcer
Somehow riding on Little Griffin's back, racer Mimi is flying up the mountain!
Kyaru
Hey! Isn't that against the rules!?
Announcer
A friendship between a girl and a monster... How nice...
Kyaru
Listen to me!
Announcer
The only one left behind is racer Suzume -- will she have a chance to catch up!?
Suzume
Ooh...
Elsewhere.
Saren
Pardon me for keeping you waiting.
Man
No, no, I should apologize for making you take such a long journey.
Saren
Also, about the mishap with Suzume -- er, with our server last time, please excuse...
Man
Ha ha, everyone makes mistakes from time to time. She was trying her best, and that's what matters. Please let her know that for me.
Man
In any case, it looks like the race is really heating up.
Saren
It looks like it. I have quite a few friends who are participating, and it's been fun to hear the updates over the broadcast.
Man
Are you sure you don't want to go cheer them on? The race has already moved into its fourth leg, but still.
Saren
N-No, it's all right. I should attend to what I need to do here, first...
Announcer
The only one left behind is racer Suzume -- will she have a chance to catch up!?
Saren
......
Man
... It seems like that maid is also participating. Ha ha, over all the years I've enjoyed following this race, I've found it's always more fun when people I know are taking part.
Man
In truth, I feel that her presence there a few days ago made our negotations that much more pleasant.
Man
Seeing her trying her best like that reminded me of my own days as a beginner in this business, and inspired me to continue working hard for myself as well. I'd hoped to tell her that today...
Saren
So you mean...
Man
Yes. I think that we'll have no trouble working with the orphanage on this matter. So please, hurry to the race and cheer her on.
Saren
... Thank you so much! Then, excuse me!
Saren broke into a full sprint, intending to cheer Suzume on with all her might.