The moment I saw Iroha sitting in the Gehenna boat, casually reading a book, a thousand questions flooded my mind.
But I held my tongue.
Whatever questions I had could wait until after I won.
As I was thinking this, I realized I wasn't the only one surprised to see Iroha.
[Wh-What?! Iroha, what are you doing there?!]
Wow, Makoto really has no idea what one of her key Pandemonium Society members is up to. That's impressive, really.
[We will now hear a few words from our two competitors, and as soon as they are ready, the opening match will begin. First, a word from Sorasaki Hina.]
A broadcasting drone flew in front of Hina, its camera focused on her. It was, of course, equipped with a microphone. Hina's face appeared on the large jumbotron screen hanging from the dome's ceiling.
[...Hmm. A few words. I suppose it would be my resolve to win, no matter what. I've wanted to have a proper match with Mika for a while now, and this event came about because we both wanted it.]
As expected, Hina was just as serious about this match as I was. Our desire to beat each other had been simmering for months.
[I'll be brief. The exhibition match, the festival… I, and Gehenna, will win it all. Try and stop me if you can, Mika.]
As if in response to Hina's arrogant declaration, the Gehenna cheering section erupted in a massive roar. They were so fired up, they didn't even question why she was calling me by my first name.
I can understand her going all-out to win this exhibition match, since we bet a wish on it, but the festival too…? Does she really want to push me into Makoto's clutches that badly? Don't tell me she's planning to let me lose the bet, drag me over to Gehenna, and then backstab Makoto to kidnap me for herself.
…No, that can't be it. Hina wouldn't do that.
[Next up is Misono Mika! Let's hear how she responds to Sorasaki Hina's arrogant challenge!]
This time, the drone flew over to me. The thought that my face was being broadcast not only to the crowd in front of me but also to screens all over the festival grounds was a bit dizzying. I decided to try and forget that I was in a swimsuit.
Just act natural, like always. There's no need to put on a serious face. I just have to say what I always say.
"Ahaha, honestly, Hina! They say you never know until you measure, but there are some things in this world you can know without even having to check."
To be honest, it's been a pain trying to wear these clothes that don't fit me. And then, against my will, I'm told my term as Host is being extended. I'd even considered telling them all to get lost and running away to become a true member of the Gourmet Research Society…
Anyway. Since it's come to this, I'm going to live for myself now. No more using polite language just to maintain the gravitas of the Host position. I'll save that for the shopkeepers in the shopping district and for Sensei, whenever he arrives.
"...Measure?"
Whoops. Come to think of it, Hina is shorter than me.
I'll just pretend I didn't notice.
"Well, I won't say much about this match either. Just don't go crying and demanding a rematch when you lose, okay, Hina?"
"..."
The moment I finished speaking, cheers erupted not only from the Trinity and neutral sections but even intermittently from the Gehenna side as well.
Hmm, maybe they don't actually care who wins. If I win, they get to see their feared Head Prefect taken down a peg. If Hina wins, it's semi-proof that Trinity is beneath Gehenna. It's only "semi-proof" because Trinity still has its strategic weapon, Tsurugi.
I glanced over and saw Hina's face darken. Her eyes were filled with a frosty chill. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little intimidated, but I had to stand my ground. I can't back down from a provocation here; it would crush the Trinity students' morale. If I win this, I can seize the momentum and pave the way for a perfect Trinity victory.
"And Nagisa, my fellow student council president and my partner, seems to have gotten carried away and said a bunch of embarrassing things that have no place here. Mmm, I guess that means I have a few things to say myself."
Even though I'd just chided her for not separating her public and private life, Nagisa was still beaming. I don't know what she's so happy about, but she looks lovely, so I guess it doesn't matter.
"I believe in the past, I described this festival as a stage for Trinity to publicly crush Gehenna. Since there will be clear winners and losers, it's inevitable that joy and sorrow will be mixed. The competition is bound to get heated."
Before, I had to act like a hardliner for the sake of the Pater faction, but I don't care about that anymore. In fact, I hope that through this festival, not just the Pater girls, but all the students of Gehenna can let go of their hatred and just enjoy themselves.
"I still want to win. My faith that our Trinity students will bring us victory remains unchanged. But… win or lose, I want both schools to be able to enjoy this festival to the fullest and go home with good memories."
This festival will be here next year, and the year after, and the year after that, always ready to welcome the students of both schools.
"In the process of competing, you might discover an unexpected side of your opponents, or find common ground with those you thought were completely different. And if you end up making friends with people who you click with, that would be even better."
As someone who has already lived through their school days once, there were certain things I could say to these kids who were still in the midst of theirs. Advice from adults is often just nagging to students. But there is value in advice born from experience. It's just that most people only realize that fact long after the fact.
"Your school life is too precious, and far too short, to spend it hating each other. If even a fool like me, who once hated Gehenna more than anyone in Trinity, could realize that, then there's no reason you can't either, right?"
So, while I'm dishing out adult advice, I'm also using a little rhetorical trick. By putting myself down, I'm also implying that if they can't even do this, they're bigger fools than me, which should sting their pride. I don't have the ability to craft a heart-stirring, grand speech, so a little trickery is the best I can do.
"Ahaha, sorry, sorry! That got a little boring, didn't it? I know that's not what you really wanted to see here. Please enjoy the opening match of the festival! And thanks for the cheers! Love you, Nagi ☆."
After that last line, I quickly turned away. I didn't have to look to know my face was probably beet red.
[Yes, what a passionate pair… Still, thank you for your kind words, Misono Mika. Now, while both competitors finish their preparations, let's briefly go over today's event schedule…]
I stepped onto the platform and began to strap on my ski. As I did, Hina, whose expression had grown even colder and more menacing, spoke to me first.
"...The bet. You remember it, don't you?"
"Well, of course I do."
"I told you before, I'm not giving up, Mika. If you really want to change my mind, then win, and use your wish to make me give up. If you do that, then as frustrating as it will be, I'll back down cleanly. That way, you won't have to worry about anything."
"Hina…"
"Of course, that's only if you win. I have no intention of losing."
With one ski on, Hina walked to the edge of the platform and grabbed the tow rope that Iroha, who was waiting in the boat, had tossed her. Our eyes met, and Iroha gave me a sly smile and a little wave. Then, she mouthed something to me…
I have no idea what she said. I can't read lips.
"Aww… Mika, do you think I can do this?"
Hifumi, wearing a standard school swimsuit, was crouched on the boat, her worried eyes fixed on me.
"Ahaha, don't worry, Hifumi. If you just drive like you did in practice, we'll win. So don't worry! It's not an official competition, so there's no pressure."
"Hearing you say that makes me feel a little better… Oh, here's the rope!"
I easily snatched the tow rope that Hifumi tossed with a somewhat clumsy motion and stood at the edge of the platform. It's better to hold the rope with both hands for a stable start, so it was a bit awkward having to grip both my gun, which was tethered to my belt, and the handle with one hand.
[The Millenium Science School's Engineering Department was a great help in many aspects of this festival. For the competition's progression and broadcasting of the aquatic events, the Engineering Department's drones—]
Just as the GSC President said, the connections I'd accidentally made with Millenium were a huge help in perfecting this event. They provided not only small pieces of equipment but also the broadcasting drones and the drones that projected holographic markers onto the water's surface for the competitors. I wasn't kidding when I called the Engineering Department the MVPs.
[Both teams' competitors have finished their preparations and are at the starting line!]
I took a deep breath as I waited for the signal. I don't know why I'm so nervous.
Both Hina and I were using a single ski. And we were starting from the platform, not in the water. A mistake at the start would mean the boat couldn't accelerate properly, creating an early gap, so I focused all my concentration.
Ding. Ding. Ding.
The signal began to chime. In her boat, I could see Hifumi psyching herself up with a little "Let's go!" before gripping the wheel.
Diiiiing—
[The match begins!]
As the two boats shot forward and the tow ropes pulled taut, I leaped lightly onto the water.
The pride- and love-fueled showdown between the Tea Party Host and the Gehenna Head Prefect had begun.
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