Chapter 3: And So it Begins!/Course Clear, X20A Strike Freedom...Please Launch!
"So...how do I look?" I finally asked after I made sure that everything was right...which made Konata turn around to look at me...which instantly made her scream very loudly
"It's perfect!" She shouted with a thumbs up as she ran up to me...looking like she was going to tackle me...to which I held out my hand, caught her by her forehead, and stopped her advance...
"Geez calm down...it's just a casual outfit...nothing to lose your mind over..." I said dryly as I looked down at my outfit...a small purple skirt that barely went past my thighs, black leggings thankfully going up to my thighs, a white button up long sleeve shirt with vertical purple stripes, a small red tie going around my shirt collar, black ribbings tying up my pigtails instead of my usual ones, and dark purple high hells...because of course...seriously what's with this outfit...
"Ok...why couldn't I just wear my normal clothes and my normal shoes..." I asked dryly as I lowered my hand expecting some stupid kind of response like 'Because it will be just enough fan service to catch everyone's attention.' ...so I don't think me asking why is going to change anything...but seriously I would've liked to at least wear my normal shoes...I'm not really a high heel girl and these things are really uncomfortable...
"Because this just looks so much better! I love how it looks on you!" She shouted as she jumped at me and hugged me by my neck...hanging on me like a leach...saying something completely embarrassing...
"R-Really..." I asked softly with a blush on my face which made her look at me with her cat smile...a very confident 'I won' sort of smile which sort of pissed me off. "I...I mean...get off me gramps!" I then shouted as I thankfully managed to detach her from my neck with ease...rather surprising since she normally won't let go so easily...probably because the competition is going to start and she doesn't have time to force herself on me...thank god...
"Oh yeah...the skirt is form positioned well enough that it can show off your hips, not to mention short enough to expose your great legs...which even though is covered up by the leggings still is eye catching...the shirt is rather plain but that's what I was going for so we couldn't reveal everything...I mean we have to leave things up to the imagination...unfortunately though since it's button upped it's a little too form fitting which shows off your great figure, slender arms, and slightly busty chest...which is something I wanted to hold off until the third round but unfortunately your body is so good I guess there would never be a way to conceal it...and of course the red tie just adds a whole extra layer of cuteness...and then also symbolizes your beauty and your strength...the two things I'm banking on to win this thing! To sum it all up though...it's not even round one and you already look like the girl of my wildest fantasies...you look that good Kagami!" She explained elaborately as she pointed and looked over my body in great detail...which...was...astonishing...
I stood there with my mouth gaping open looking at her in shock...a deep blush quickly encompassing my face...she...did she...really mean all those things...has she always seen me in that light...or...is she just messing with me to get me motivated for the competition...I...I don't know...and either way I can't say anything as I'm still beyond flustered...so I just continued to stand there and look at her...starting to shake and sweat nervously...which made her look back at me confused...
"K-Kagami? Can you see me? My nails steeped in fresh blood! Kagami! Say something!" Konata asked concerned before...singing for some reason...then getting frantic as she waved a hand in front of my face...which didn't elicit any kind of response from me as I was still trying to control my embarrassment...which in return made her put a finger to her chin as if thinking something over...before snapping her fingers and smiling as if coming up with an idea...
"Oh and high heels are just standard...you're supposed to wear them...it's like an unwritten rule..." She then said explaining why I was wearing these uncomfortable shoes...wait...huh?
"Well it's a stupid rule! Seriously how can anyone stand wearing these things for long periods of times...it's infuriating!" I responded angrily feeling my face cool down as I looked down at my feet and shifted them to try and find some way of easing the discomfort...I mean I know they're suppose to look good...but can't they look good and not hurt like hell either!? Seriously!
"Good to have you back Kagami..." She said happily as she grabbed my hand...which made my face heat up once again...after what she said any physical contact from on is going to be a little unnerving, "Now let's go!" She shouted as she started to drag me along...making me walk in these torture devices known as high heels...
"H-Hey! Take it easy! I don't want to be in pain for the whole day!" I shouted angrily as she was dragging me a little too fast which of course was not good on my feet...which made her giggle and look back at me with her usual cat smile...
"Oh ok Kagami...I understand...I'll be gentle...: She said in a low seductive tone as she winked at me...which my blush deepen...S-Seriously...every...freaking...time...does she have some sort of written contract that says 'Embarrass Kagami Hiiragi at every possible chance'! I mean come on!
"S-Shut up! H-How many times do I have to tell you not to say things like that?" I shouted in return as I looked away to embarrassed to even keep eye contact with her anymore...which made her giggle again and thankfully slow down...which meant less stress on me...thank god...I guess joking aside she understands that I can't be foot sore throughout this competition...I guess she isn't entirely cruel...
When we reached the stage entrance it was behind a curtain and was surrounded by tons of girls...presumably all competing. I eventually caught glances of Kusakabe, Minegishi, Patricia-san, Tamura-san, and of course Miyuki-san...who were all surrounded by other competitors...although interestingly enough all the people surrounding Miyuki-san were giving her nasty glares...either our of jealousy or anger...they I'm sure they know as well as I do she's probably already got the winner's trophy in her room...so what's the point of even trying to compete...
I went over to the edge of the curtain and peaked out onto the stage and out at the people facing the stage...there was an immense crowd of people...I would at least say a couple thousand...most likely exceeding this mall's occupant limit...although I'm sure no one cares about that...and of course most of them were male...although interestingly enough...there was a large group of girls surrounding a small table that slightly raised above the crowd was close to the stage...which three guys sat at with some microphones and papers in front of them...I'm assuming it's the judges table...and sure enough one guy...who looked very familiar...reached out and grabbed the microphone...bringing it to his face...
"Testing...Testing...One, Two, Three...alright! Everyone...welcome to the Twelfth Annual Amateur Beauty Contest!" The Guy greeted cheerfully before standing up...hey wait I do know him! He goes to our school! "I'm one of the judges Minoru Shiraishi...and joining me today is..." He introduced himself before pausing...as soon as he did the other man stood up...with a ridiculous hair style and a stupid hat...not to mention a beyond weird outfit...
"I'm Meito Anizawa! Owner of Local Anime, Manga, and Video...and I'm proud and honored to be here at this event!" He shouted as loud as he could...before suddenly putting his foot on the table, "It does my heart good to see young ladies of all ages competing in this event...they truly have the fighting spirit and can hold their heads up high and call themselves Japanese Women!" He then shouted even louder as he held up his fists in determination...looking like he was about to cry at how emotional he was...hoping to stir up some kind of applause...although the only thing I heard was a few uncomfortable coughs...although Minoru started clapping to cheer him on...though the other judge just kind of inched away from him...I can understand his thought process and ...hey he actually looks really good...fancy and has a certain imposing aura about him...
"Thank You Anizawa..." He thanked generously as the crazy man thankfully sat down, "Then our final judge...well...was suppose to be Akira Kogami...but...due to certain unknown circumstances...she couldn't appear...so in her stead please put your hands together and welcome our replacement judge and our final jud-
"Daisuke Ono..." He introduced himself...cutting Minoru off as he stood up...and then...for some reason...getting a rose out from his illustrious jacket... "At your service..." He then said pleasantly before taking a sniff from the rose...and as soon as he did that all the girls around the table freaked...making high pitched squealing noises and even some of the girls who were competing were screaming...I guess I know why the group of girls around the table are here...and why some of the people are competing...
"Darn it...If I knew he was going to be here I could've brought some things for him to sign...what rotten luck!" Konata said angrily and frustrated as she crossed her arms and looked down as if someone threw mud on her shorts...oh get over yourself Konata...yes I know it's Daisuke Ono...Itsuki from Haruhi...but I'm sure you'll get a later chance some other time...so you'll be fine...
"...Shouldn't you be off in a recon corps somewhere getting smashed by Titans..." Minoru then said a little darkly obviously not pleased by him cutting him off...or just not pleased with him in general...
"Heh...Shouldn't you be out trying to get work as a Voice Actor..." He replied as he tossed the rose out into the crowd...where upon the group of girls jumped for it and started attacking for it like rabid dogs going after a scrap of meat...geez there's fan girl...and then there's stupid...and that was just desperately unnecessary...
"I told you I'm a late bloomer! I'll find my break out role one of these days...You'll see! I could one of greatest late voice act-"
"Don't we have a pageant to get to?" Ono said loudly cutting him off as he raised his hand and moved it through his hair for some reason...which again caused all the girls to scream loudly...then after that he finally sat down with a smile on his face...
"Well...yeah...and...ughh...fine...anyways...let the pageant begin!" Minoru angrily agreed as he groaned and finally announced the start of the pageant... "And we'll start with the introduction round...so would contestant RX-78-2 please come to the stage..." He then said beginning the round and also announcing the first contestant...what the...what kind of number is that? Is today 'Freaky Number Coding' day or something?
Whatever...the first contestant went up...and they put her image on the screen with statistics...including her measurements which made me a little scared because I know Konata probably exaggerated mine..or worse...got them exactly right...that would be even creepier. Anyways...when she walked up they asked her to introduce herself...her age, her likes, dislikes, and any other usual information along with anything else that would help her win the competition...then the judges made some weird comments and then she had to leave the stage...then they called the next where the same thing happened...and this went on for awhile until eventually they reached someone we knew...
"Alright next up is X56S Tamura Hiyori..." Minoru called after he flipped through some of his papers...which brought up a picture of her, her name, and her statistics on the big screen...the name that Patricia-san registered under as she walked up to the entrance with the actual Tamura-san...then they stood at the entrance for a bit...I guess Tamura-san was giving her some last minute advise or preparation...then she quickly rushed onto the stage...running in a weird way...although when you're running in high heels I guess that's to be expected...
Her close were beyond casual...they were also loose and kind of big...her sleeves dragged down along with her shorts...and because of how she was running everything was bouncing around and...oh I get it...you're trying to use your chest to get the attention of all the guys around...yeah news flash a lot of girls tried that before and it didn't do anything...nice try though...maybe next time you'll move in a way that exposes your butt more...that might be an eye catcher because at least no one tried that yet...so guess what...what you're doing...is pointless!
"Hello...I am Pa-...Tamura, Hiyori! I am fifth teen years old and I'm a first year student attending Ryōō High School. I love anime, manga, and games...my favorite color is red and my favorite season is fall...I also dislike school, books, and swimming...it's very nice to meet all of you!" She greeted as politely as she could...using the best Japanese she could possibly muster...although still sounding a bit off at points unfortunately for her...and as soon as she introduced herself the people looked at her a little confused...especially since she almost called herself by her actual name instead of her fake one...
"Wow you're that old and you already have that kind of bust...very impressive..." Minoru commented without giving it a second thought...which made Patricia-san smile...although the other judges weren't too impressed...
"Miss...Tamura-san was it...are you really Japanese..." Ono asked with doubt as he looked over the paper...which caused Patricia to sweat a bit...yeah that didn't last long...you're about as Japanese as I am American...
"The rules state no foreigners and this competition doesn't appreciate fraud Miss Tamura-san...I'll personally throw you out myself if this is true!" Anizawa shouted angrily as it looked like she was about to burst into flames at any second...which made Patricia-san even more nervous...well time to throw in the towel you two...I don't know what you two were thinking coming up with this stupid idea...
"Well Actually...I'm actually half Japanese...my father was American...but I can assure you that I was born in Japan, raised, and still live in Japan...so that's probably it..." Patricia-san answered rubbing the back of her head hoping that excuse works...'Probably'...yeah great way to end it...you 'probably' won't make it to next round...how about that?
"Oh...that explains it then...my apologies then Miss Tamura-san...you may go now..." Ono then said with a smile as he titled his head...which made a few girls in the audience faint...oh get over yourself people...and as soon as he said that Patricia quickly turned around and rushed off the stage as fast as she could...hugging the real Tamura-san who was just off stage and taking deep breaths of relief...great I guess you made it through the introductions...but all they need to do is do a background check...when you do that you're doomed...
"Al-Alright...next up is F91...Kusakabe, Misao..." Minoru then said as he once again shifted through his papers...and like before her statistics popped up on the screen along with a picture...and as soon as he called Kusakabe rushed up to the entrance...for some reason dragging along Minegishi...when she reached the entrance she let go and turned around...making a cheeky grin and saying a few things that I couldn't hear...then she turned around and rushed up to the stage as fast as possible...her casual grey shirt and blue shorts flapping around as she ran...talk about boring and dull...there's casual and then there's putting people to sleep...geez...
"Hey everyone! I'm Kusakabe Misao! I'm Seventeen years old and I'm a senior at Ryōō High School. I like playing games...even though I suck at them...my favorite color is orange and my favorite season is summer because I just love going outdoors and doing things! I also hate studying and especially school! I'm in this to beat Minshi no matter what to win our bet! So cheer me on to victory everyone!" She screamed loudly wasting no time as soon as she entered the center of the stage...which sort of caught the judges off guard a little bit...over energetic and random as usual Kusakabe...and way to go mentioning your goal this early...that will really make you look...wait...'Minshi'...who the hell is that? Minegishi? Are you doing this on purpose or are you naturally this stupid!?
"Ah I think I've seen you before...you in my next door class...it's good to see you out like this and I'm interested to see how you'll do in this competition..." Minoru commented, intrigued by her as he put a hand to his face...yeah if you knew her better I'm sure you wouldn't be saying that...
"She certainly has the energy...but doesn't quite have the personality...hopefully she'll be able to fix herself later in competition..." Ono added as he folded his hands in front of his face looking at her like he was staring through her...geez at least he's honest...
"A background character has little hope in this competition! But who knows...maybe she might overcome something and surprise us later!" Anizawa wrapped up as he held a finger in front of his face for some reason before pointing at her slowly...can we say creepy? ...good!
"Hey! I need more enthusiasm than that! How else can I beat Minshi without your support!" Misao shouted, once again getting her opponents name wrong...apparently she's not too please with her report and looked like she was going to storm the judges table and deck one of the judges...yeah do it...maybe when the police show up to arrest you they'll cancel this pageant and I can go home...
"Thank you for your time...you may go now..." Ono said as he gracefully gestured his hand for her to leave...which made her grumble and turn around...practically stomping off the stage...when she left she started making weird faces at Minegishi as if trying to curse her or throw her off balance...
"Ok...next up is RX-0...Minegishi, Ayano..." Minoru said, calling out the next person without a second to spare getting the picture and statistics on screen...even though she was right there she took a few seconds before getting on the stage because it looks like Kusakabe was too busy trying to prevent her from going...in the terms of your bet...isn't that cheating? oh whatever...I don't care...anyways she eventually made it past her and entered the stage...
When she reached the center of the stage she looked around and blushed slightly before looking down at her simple one piece white dress with a pink over shirt...before looking back up with a smile. "H-Hello...I'm Minegishi, Ayano...I'm seventeen years old...a senior in Ryōō High School...and...and I like cooking...reading and spending time with people I care about...I...my favorite color is brown and my favorite season is spring...I...I dislike studying, school, and mean people...and...I'm...I'm here to be Kusakabe...so please...everyone...lend me your strength...thank you!" She introduced completely nervous before bowing sincerely which made the judges look at her a bit confused and at the same time interested...
"Ah the other girl from the same class...and it seems we have a rivalry going on here...this could prove to be an interesting pageant in things heat up between them!" Minoru said...again putting a hand on his chain...although this time he was leaning forward even more invested than before...
"How very unique...this one has a better personality than her rival...but lacks the energy...this will make for an excellent battle..." Ono agreed as he once again put a hand and moved it through his hair...again causing girls to scream...
"Another background character shows her face but is exactly opposite to the one before her...quite the sight to see...I can't want to see more..." Anizawa said seriously as he looked down and put a fist to his forehead trying to be dramatic I guess...
"T-Thank you...I hope we have an excellent pageant..." Ayano thanked before running off stage as fast as she could...not even waiting for the judges to dismiss her...although when she left she had a bit of applause compared to the last two who had none...which I guess means she's the better of all us so far...much to Kusakabe's disappointment.
"Alright...next up is...oh yes! Everyone give it up for 00W0...Takara Miyuki!" Minoru said calling up Miyuki very enthused...well he should be he's in her class...as her picture and statistics went up on the screen...which made everyone start make anxious noises...when she was called she simply walked up the entrance...dressed in an all white beautiful dress with small flowers going around the rim of her skirt...the top was buttoned up and it had no sleeves...and she also had nice large white sun hat which had actual flowers on the top...when she gracefully entered the stage I think I could literally hear all the guys start to drool as she slowly and elegantly walked to the center of the stage...yeah I'm so dead...
She slowly faced the crowd and then gently took of her hat and held it in her arms by her waist, "Hello...I'm Takara Miyuki...it's very nice to meet all of you..." She greet sweetly as she titled her heads...and the crowd erupted...that didn't take long did it?
"I'm seventeen years old...a senior at Ryōō High School...I like reading books, learning new things, and being helpful...my favorite color is green and my favorite season is spring...I dislike the dentist...and well drills in general...I hope to do my best here and to have as much fun as possible..." She explained still sweetly as soon as the cheers died down...just to have them fired back up again and clawing for her...geez desperate perverts...yep...totally lost...I'll take my leave now thank you...
"Takara Miyuki...as nice as she is pretty...no wonder she's one of the most popular girls at my school...it's a safe bet to say she's going to go far in this competition!" Minoru instantly shouted as soon as the cheers died again...hey wait a second...can I technically get him kicked off the judges table since he already knows her and is biased...oh whatever...I'd lose either way so it's not like it matters...
"I have say she's an exceptionally beautiful girl with a great personality to go with it...it would be no surprise to see her go far because of it...but still...this isn't over yet...we still have yet to see what she's truly capable of..." Ono commented being a bit more reserved as he got out another rose from his jacket and looked at it...wait he has another one...seriously? Who has two roses in their jacket!
"She certainly has every aspect of Moé down...but it will take more than cheap Moé abilities to win this competition! She'll have a long way to go before we can say anything about her!" Anizawa added as he folded his arms, closed his eyes and nodded to himself...which actually surprised me...one judge as already at the mercy of Miyuki-san...but the other two or more reserved and resistant to her...this actually cheers me up because now that I know she hasn't won hands down...I...I actually think I might have a chance...maybe...
Miyuki-san bowed without saying a word, turned around and left the stage...again to cheers and cat calls...which like before killed that fleeting hope I had...and the one thought that was going through my mind was 'Don't let me be next...I can't follow that...Don't let me be next' ...I hoped and pleaded for my picture not to appear on the screen...hey wait a second! Where do they get these pictures...do they hand it to them when they register!? Oh god what picture did Konata choose of me!
"Alright...so next up is... MSZ-010...ummmm...M...Miss...Miss Kuroi?!" Minoru then called out as he...excuse me!? Who!? What!?
And to my complete shock...along with Konata's shock... a picture of her teacher appeared on a screen...and sure enough...she walked up to the entrance...in what looked like her teacher's uniform...she proudly walked on stage with her hands on her hips and a confident smile on her face...much to a lot of people's confusion...as she reached the center of the stage she proudly...and very loudly turned to face everyone with a confident smile on her face...
"Hello everyone...I'm Kuroi, Nanako...I'm twenty seven years old and a teacher at Ryōō High School! I like having fun, online gaming, and abusing bratty kids when they deserve it...I dislike unscheduled online maintenance, being bored, and letting younger girls do things that older more mature women can do..." She introduced herself with a sly wink...scaring Minoru and confusing Anizawa...Ono, however, looked like he was trying to stop himself from snickering...ok why the hell is she here...doesn't she have anything better to-
"Oh and I'm also single...although...not for long I hope..." She then added with another wink...oh I get it now...are you that desperate or do you want to be pitied that badly...
"W-Well...T-That was...an...an interesting introduction...I...I look forward to s-seeing more of you in the future..." Minoru sheepishly replied as he sweated uncontrollably...well if scaring the judges into submission works...then good for her I guess...
"It is always interesting to see an older contestant in something like this...It shall be interesting to see how you do...and good luck to you..." Ono said dully as he wasn't even looking at her because if he did I think he would burst out laughing...well it looks like you can't scare all of them...
"You do older women everywhere a good justice by being here today...I thank you for the opportunity to inspire others to follow in your aged footsteps..." Anizawa said giving her a thumbs up and smiling victoriously as if that would encourage her...geez you're making it sound like she's an elderly old lady with no hope of even making it to the second round...
"...I'm only twenty seven years old you know..." She said angrily as she held up a fist...looking like she was going to punch them all...
"Y-Yes...Th...Thank you...you...you can go now..." Minoru then said as he nervously gestured his hand to leave...to which she made a snorting sound, turned around, and then left the stage...
"And...and now...ummm...oh this is going to be interesting...X42S Hiiragi Kagami..." Minoru then said after he flipped through his papers...calling my number and my name...which made me take a deep breath...however before I could move I felt a pair of arms grab my shirt collar and twist around...when I did turn I saw Konata and probably the most serious face I have ever seen her give...
"Alright Kagami...it's your time to shine...it's just the introduction round...so don't overdo it...go out...introduce yourself...and be sure to smile...that alone will dazzle them..." Konata said in a serious tone to compliment her face as she moved her hands around my body...smoothing out any wrinkles in my clothes, straightening out my number, and even adjusting my hair so that half of my pig tails when in front and behind my shoulders...I...I didn't say anything to her...the usual comebacks I would shout like 'Don't touch me you perv' or 'What the hell do you think you're doing' didn't even occur to me...I've never seen Konata get this serious this fast...I was...surprised and...a little memorized...
"You can do this Kagami...I know you have it in you...just believe in yourself and everything to go your way...and if you still don't believe in yourself...then believe me...because I know you could never let me down even if you tried..." She said...her tone lightening up somewhat as she made some final adjustments like to my tie...which made me gasp slightly...
"K...Konata..." I simply whispered with a stuttered as I looked at her...which caused her to look me and smile her usual smile as she titled her head...she...she does have that much faith in me doesn't she...
"Alright..." She responded as he turned me around to face the stage, "Get out there and start our march towards victory!" She screamed excitedly as she pushed my back towards the stage...normally I would turn around and yell at me for pushing me...but...this time I just strode out on the stage like it didn't even happen...
Something changed just then...I...feel very anxious...as if I wanted to try my best...and...as I could... maybe...win...well...that's maybe Konata's doing...and the stuff she said to me earlier and before I got onto the stage...she's undoubtedly doing her best...so I have to do the same...I can't disappoint her...I'll do everything I can for you Konata...and let's hope we get a high position because of it!
No...let's win this!
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