The floating grandstand was shaped like a half-dome, but with a slightly wider angle—about 210 degrees, if I recall correctly. Installing a proper sunshade had been a major challenge, but that problem was somehow solved, so all's well that ends well.
The first floor housed the athlete waiting rooms, ticket booths, and concession stands. The spectator seating was located on the upper levels, divided into three sections: the Gehenna cheering section, the Trinity cheering section, and a neutral section in the center. To prevent potential friction, the system was designed so that if a school's designated section filled up, their students would be seated in the part of the neutral zone closest to their own section.
Why were the athlete waiting rooms on the first floor? The answer was simple: the main events—water skiing, jet skiing, and the upcoming naval mock battle—all started from a platform extending from this level.
As I entered the corridor of the Trinity-side waiting room, the voice of the General Student Council President echoed throughout the stands.
[The event many of you have been waiting for, a true contest between two academies that have long stood as rivals, as enemies. At the tail end of summer, the day has finally come. To the students of both academies, to the students and citizens from all across Kivotos who have joined us for this hot yet refreshing 20XX Summer Festival, I bid you all a warm welcome. I am the representative of the Kivotos General Student Council, and at the request of the representatives from both schools, I have overseen the preparations for this festival—]
Listening to her gentle yet strangely impassioned voice, I calmly checked my equipment.
Just because you're a student in Kivotos doesn't mean you can't drown, so a life jacket is technically a must. However, it could be replaced by a special tactical belt commissioned from Millenium for this event, so I boldly went without one. The belt not only allowed for smoother magazine changes on the water but also had a lanyard to prevent losing one's firearm. It even had pouches for explosives, depending on one's preference. If you fell into the water, a double-tap of a specific button would cause the belt to rapidly inflate, turning it into a floatation device and bringing the risk of drowning to zero.
By now, anyone should have realized the true nature of these aquatic events. This wasn't just a competition of performance and speed on the water. It was an extreme contest where using firearms to check and eliminate each other was fully permitted. You had to hold the tow rope with one hand while aiming and firing with the other, all while dodging enemy fire and maintaining your balance. You might ask if that's even possible for a student who's only skimmed the surface of water skiing, but surprisingly, it was.
My body possessed a level of physical ability, motor skills, and balance that was incomparable to my former self as an ordinary adult male. My skills improved by leaps and bounds with just a few lessons here and there. It was an improvement that could only be described as meteoric.
Many of the students who had signed up for the water skiing event were terrified by the difficulty and switched to jet skiing or gave up entirely. But the ones who persevered and mastered it showed some decent skills. Ichika, whom I was personally cheering for in the water skiing division, was as good as, if not better than, me.
Still, I figured that even they would likely underperform in a real match. The ocean currents were already strong, and with more boats on the water, the waves would only get rougher, making the skiing itself that much harder.
However, I didn't bother packing any explosives in my belt. Given the nature of water skiing, where one hand has to be on the tow rope, you'd have to switch the rope to your gun hand to grab a bomb with your free hand. That move is way too obvious in a one-on-one exhibition match against Hina, though it might work in a multi-team competition.
Besides, I'm better off just using my Mystery in that time. Simply because of how I can utilize my powers, I don't think anyone could beat me in this event, even if they were more skilled.
[The representatives from each academy who stand before you today are as follows. In consideration of the fact that the original proponent of this festival was a Host of Trinity's Tea Party, we will introduce the Trinity side first. We ask for your generous understanding. First up is one of the three student council presidents of the Trinity Tea Party, Ms. Kirifuji Nagisa.]
[Is everyone well? As a representative of Trinity for the day, I greet you on behalf of our Tea Party Host, who is briefly away from her seat. Many of you who know me may not have been aware that I am one of the heads of the Tea Party… but regardless of that, I believe you were all aware that the Tea Party Host is my partner.]
…Hmm. I figured the General Student Council President had a reason for specifically bringing Nagisa up there, but for her to so boldly reveal that she's one of the student council presidents… She's even openly acknowledging our relationship, which had already become something of an open secret within Trinity. Not that we ever tried to hide it.
[The reason I stand here today is simply to cheer for the person I love more than anyone in this world, Misono Mika.]
KYAAAAAAAA!!!
…Wow, I thought my eardrums were going to burst.
I suppose that's a natural reaction from the female students in the stands. The story of a secretive student council president revealing her identity just to publicly cheer on her lover is prime material for excitement.
[I am well aware that her opponent is a powerhouse who could represent all of Gehenna. The rumors of her being the strongest Head Prefect in history have spread to other academies, so there is no room for doubt. But… today, you will all realize that our Mika is every bit as incredible.]
[Huhu…]
[…Thank you for your words, Chairman Kirifuji. However… you didn't say a single word about the festival itself.]
[Hu, huhu… my apologies. Something rather upsetting happened just before I came here, and I got a bit carried away. On behalf of Trinity, I would like to say to everyone who has come to this festival, I hope you all make fantastic memories, not just today, but for the next seven days.]
I picked up the gun I had propped up next to me. It was based on an old model with the magazine on the left side, so unfortunately, I couldn't pull off a stylish one-handed reload like Neru.
But my opponent, Hina, had an even bigger weakness: her weapon was a multi-purpose machine gun. To be honest, I was curious to see how well she had overcome that disadvantage.
[We have heard from Chairman Kirifuji. Next, representing Gehenna, is the chairman of the Gehenna Student Council, Hanuma Makoto.]
[…Kikikik.]
Oh boy. That idiot is revving up again.
[Ah, yes. I am Hanuma Makoto. Though this stage is far too small to contain the great me, I have graciously accepted the position of Pandemonium Chairman to lead you students of Gehenna.]
…And why is Makoto putting on that deep, ridiculously pompous voice? The image itself might be cool, but knowing what's inside, it just loses all its appeal.
[To the students of Trinity who have come to this festival, and to all who cheer for them, I offer my condolences in advance. To have to watch the side you support be miserably crushed and defeated, to witness their utter demise… could there be anything more tragic? Kikikikik…!]
[What an interesting thing to say, Chairman Hanuma. What was it our Host said…]
[…What is this? Interrupting me while I am speaking.]
[Ah, that's right. 'Victory belongs to Trinity,' wasn't it?]
Go, Nagisa! Yes, just like that! Remind those horned buffoons of the cruel reality! The fact that it was a sweeping provocation to all the Gehenna students was a bit of a problem, but they started it. We can't back down now. In a team competition, there are few things more important than morale.
[…Hmph. The only reason your precious Tea Party Host said such a thing was to hide her own fear! And why wouldn't she be? She foolishly made a bet with the great me! Kikik!]
…No, she can't be. Is she really going to mention the bet here? If our kids—especially the ones from Pater and Arius—hear about this, their resolve will be on a whole other level.
[Kishishishi—!! The moment Gehenna's victory is confirmed, she will become my slave for a week. Of course, if Gehenna loses, I will become her slave for a week in return. It is a bet with the pride of both our academies on the line. Not that we will ever lose, so it hardly matters!]
[You dare…]
[Kikik. Let's end this talk of foregone conclusions. You who have come to this festival are very fortunate. You have been given the chance to witness the great me leading Gehenna to thoroughly and mercilessly trample and sink Trinity!]
[Ahem. Yes, thank you for your words, representatives of both academies. Let's cut the tedious talk here—]
[Wait, did you just call my grand speech tedious?]
[It's about time we moved on to the main event, isn't it? The special match that will kick off this festival. A bloody battle where the pride of two academies will clash! Introducing the four competitors for the opening match.]
Makoto's voice abruptly cut off. I guess they muted her mic. In any case, no one would be sad to see the loudest one silenced. What I'm most curious about is the look on her face when she sees me here, perfectly fine. Nothing else matters.
[On the right, symbolizing the military might of Gehenna, the strongest Head Prefect in Gehenna's history! Let's give a big round of applause for Sorasaki Hina!]
A roar erupted from the stands, followed by a thunderous ovation. It seems that even the students who normally dislike Hina can't help but cheer for her when the pride of their two academies is on the line.
[On the left, the student council president who broke the Tea Party's code of secrecy, and, according to Chairman Kirifuji, a Tea Party Host with astonishing hidden potential! Let's welcome Misono Mika! Trinity, you're not going to let your rival academy beat you, are you? Let's greet her with a powerful round of applause!]
On the GSC President's cue, I stepped out of the corridor. Hina, who had come out first from the opposite side, greeted me with her usual cool expression, a water ski tucked under her arm.
KYAAAAAAAA!!!
Marry me, onee-sama!!!
The greatest in Trinity's history, the GOAT! Bring glory to Trinity!!!
It seems our students like me more than I thought. Their cheers were far more intense than I had anticipated, enough to startle me a little.
[Wh-What, what did you say—?!]
Makoto's eyes practically popped out of her head when she saw me, as if she'd turned into Aru, but surprisingly, no one paid her any attention.
Ah, just seeing that look on her face melts all my stress away. This is the best.
I took off my straw hat and gave a little wave in Nagisa's direction, and a smile bloomed on her lovely face.
[Next, let's introduce the drivers who will be piloting the boats for our two competitors.]
Here it comes.
It's time to unveil the secret weapon I've been preparing. The time has finally come for the one who has trained with me for the sole purpose of defeating Hina to make her entrance.
[From Gehenna, Natsume Iroha, and from Trinity, Ajitani Hifumi!]
It's only natural that Trinity's best driver, Hifumi, would be my partner.
…But Hina. Why in the world are you teaming up with Iroha?
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