Chapter 16: Maggie Coliseum Part 2
So Rose is about to fuck up the guards who kidnapped her younger brother.
She asks them if taking a child away from their family is how they do their research. They defend themselves by saying that Rose and Pinion's aunt and uncle released him into their company, saying it would be good for him to study with researchers. Rose ain't buying it, saying they just want him for research before she pounces on them. However, when she attacks one, a few people spot her and scream. They run and, with the authorities not far behind, she has to run too.
Back to the rest of the group. The rich girl offers to get them in the game, remaining cryptic when Cooro asks if she's a scout. Husky attempts to leave, saying entertaining a crowd and being betted on is idiotic (no doubt speaking from personal experience). Then the girl gets in his face, asking if he's a boy. When he angrily answers in the affirmative, she says he'll fight then unless his stick is for show.
Nana joins in the teasing (because of course she does) and Husky is onboard. Magdra goes up to a guy named Mr. Baum who reveals that Magdra is the daughter of this town's leader. Magdra then offers to let Husky and Cooro in the games. Mr. Baum is reluctant because they're literal goddamn children but Magdra insists, saying they want to, they can win a prize and winning will give them confidence. None of that actually addresses Mr. Baum's good point but he relents, leading them away. Before he leaves, Husky is stopped by Magdra. She tells him he has a quick temper and he'll be stronger if he stays calm. She adds that this isn't just a fight, it's a match. She then takes Nana to her room.
When they leave, Senri is left out of the girl talk...for being too big. That's when some burly dicks walk up on him, saying he's not allowed back there...and when Nana asks why Senri couldn't come with them, Magdra lies and says he said he'd keep watch. Nana is justifiably suspicious but goes off with Magdra anyway. Magdra's room is cute so of course Nana is entranced. Then some other little girl shows up before Magdra shoos her out, saying she's going to play with Nana now. Nana is a bit freaked out by that.
Again, Nana speaks up but Magdra says the girl is not as cute as Nana so it's okay. When asked for it, Nana finally gives her name while remembering that due to her isolated upbringing, she doesn't have much experience in playing with other girls her age. This is why she wonders if Magdra's red flags are normal.
Magdra dresses Nana up and offers her candy. The rooster crows a third time and Nana asks why she's doing all this for someone she just met. Magdra answers it's because they're friends and offers to introduce her to her other friends...
Back to Cooro and Husky. They'll be in an one-on-one match. Bout rules: If both knees or both shoulders touch the ground for more than ten seconds, you lose. If you give up, you lose. You can use dull-edged weapons that still hurt when they connect so watch out.
The weapons thing is an eyebrow-raiser and Husky tells Mr. Baum that he heard that serious injuries and killings are banned in the coliseum, the perpetrator risking a serious fine and heavy labor if they violate the rule. Mr. Baum answers yes, they made up that rule specifically to deter others that like killing. But in reality, shit happens. Cooro asks where Maggie is and they see her through a small ass-window. To their lack of shock, she is rich and old.
One of Maggie's retainers walk in with the researchers who are holding Pinion, saying they were attacked and they seek sanctuary in the coliseum. They try to blackmail Maggie by saying they don't want to tell their government that "Maggie Vil is unstable because of that coliseum that's an actual goddamn thing in the town". Maggie's understandably annoyed but grants them asylum, telling her guards to keep an eye on them. The researchers themselves? Well, they gotta rush now because of Rose but they will continue the research on Pinion...
So Magdra takes Nana to a room with other little girls in it, telling them to be nice to her. There are boys in there too who fight in the coliseum and want to be star fighters. Magdra asks if Cooro and Husky are the same and Nana stammers herself through an "Eh" answer (we all know Cooro just wants food). The girls are pretty much Magdra's cult, saying she gets them anything they want. Oh and they're all orphans so...a whole United Nations of red flags there. Magdra extends an offer for Nana to stay if she wants and the bat girl is tempted but a little boy named Shinon walks up, weakly asking if he can go home. Magdra tells him to wait in the next room for her before inviting Nana to watch the next match with her.
Husky is up against a guy named Dick (I'LL BE AN ADULT I'LL BE AN ADULT). Nobody believes in him and Dick is confident. Watching with Magdra, Nana notes that Husky seems...chill, despite the crowd's jeers stomping on his Berserk Button. The chapter ends with Husky advancing on Dick...
