Needless to say, the Inter-High Stadium was cold to the teeth and saying that was an understatement. Since Satoshi and the others were already inside, they had no choice but to shiver as they walked towards their designated waiting room. A couple of times, Satoshi was tempted to bring out his familiar 'Lighter' so they'd have fire to warm them up. But then again, doing so would trigger every fire sprinkler in the vicinity.
"Why is it so cold here?" Midori said, his hands cupped on his mouth. "And why don't you feel cold, Cherry?"
"My superpower, the temperature doesn't affect me that much." She responded. Like everybody else, she was extremely nervous as well. In just a few minutes, the first round of the inter-high tournament would start and there's no time to prepare anymore.
"You fools, this coldness shouldn't be enough to faze y— achoo~" Kurogami sneezed right before he finished his sentence.
"The airconditioning system on the Inter-High Stadium was purposefully set to the negatives just because the number of people spectating the tournament will balance things out. Once the people start pouring in, it wouldn't be as cold." Principal Sai Tama simply explained. "Also, you feel a lot colder when you're nervous. Seriously~" He shook his head, trying to suppress the chuckle that was about to come out.
Ever since the inter-high tournament was formed, the Principal had guided countless high schoolers like Satoshi and the others towards the competition. But even then, he still couldn't get used to the nervousness that everybody felt.
The interior of the Inter-High Stadium didn't change that much over the years, and so Principal Sai Tama confidently navigated the maze-like hall and hallways. In just a few left and rights, they've arrived at the waiting room marked 'USA'.
"I guess here we are. This is where you'll be spending your entire weekdays. Remember, the school is paying for your accommodations here. It may look like your regular waiting room in arenas but this stadium's waiting room is comparable to five-star hotels. Please keep that in mind as you represent the school in this inter-high tournament."
"Yes, Mr. Principal," Everyone simultaneously said.
Without further ado, Principal Sai Tama opened the door to the waiting room. Behind that door was something out of this world— or so that's what the inter-high candidates initially felt.
"This is the common area. To the right is where the guys would stay, and the girls to the left. The two doors in the middle lead to the bathroom. The bathroom has a hot spring inside, a jacuzzi, and a lifetime supply of soap and shampoo. I'm kidding. Everything in here is paid for by the school, so I hope you won't damage or break anything here. That would hurt the school's funds a lot and I might even ask your parents to pay for it."
Throughout the tour, Satoshi and the rest just kept quiet. Some of them had never stayed in a five-star hotel before but as for Satoshi, he knew that the waiting room is actually much better than a lot of five-star hotels in Japan. Hence, everyone in the group was amazed. 'Would I really be staying in this heaven for five days?' They asked themselves in their minds.
"And that's all for the tour. Your principal still has a lot of prior engagements and school-related work needed to be done and I have to finish a majority of them today. I'll excuse myself. All the best in the inter-high tournament!" The Principal said, pumping a fist in the air before heading out of the door where they all came in.
A split second later though, the door opened once again and the Principal peeked in. "There are hidden cameras in every nook and cranny of this place except for the bathroom, I just want to let you know. And also, some of the teachers might visit you after school. Your relatives and friends are free to visit as well, just don't do it so much since that might distract you from the tournament. Now then, I'll be taking my leave seriously this time."
"..."
Sigh~
As if on cue, everyone collapsed in the common area and set their bags down. It seems like the travel from school to here took a minor toll on their bodies, which were screaming for sleep.
"Should we clock out for a few hours before the commencement in the afternoon?" Hiroshi asked, stealing a glance towards Satoshi who was already lying on the floor, on the verge of sleeping. For some reason, he already had a blanket wrapped around him.
"Oh, ah, yes. I've researched a few things about the Inter-High Tournament and they'll send us the details to the first round later. Usually, they'll slip the paper right under the door, just before lunchtime. Let's get some rest for now."
Everyone nodded and pulled out blankets. From the sleeping area. They didn't even bother sleeping in the rooms, all of them huddled in the common area since it was still pretty cold.
They should've known though that every waiting room has its own air conditioner and heater.
.....
Meanwhile,
Two hooded men passed by the waiting room, each carrying scrolls on hand. They then rolled it out and inserted the paper inside each waiting room. "That's all we have to do, right?"
"Right,"
"Are you sure about this?"
"Yes,"
"Absolutely sure?"
"Orders from the higher-ups. We can't do anything about it."
"Okay,"
As the two walked to the end of the hallway, one would notice that the hooded man to the right was still carrying a scroll in his hand. A mischievous smile formed on their face as the plan was a success. Well, if worse comes to worst, they'll just blatantly lie that they missed one waiting room and forgot which waiting room it was. Well, it would've been better if the higher-ups announced it during the live stream to net in more viewers. That was always effective.
.....
Ever since the fated day of the Inter-High Tournament arrived, people in their homes eagerly anticipated the live stream that will soon follow because that would show every participant in the tournament. Also, parents of the candidates were looking forward to seeing their children on television, and that's why the anticipation was through the roof.
As soon as the live stream started, however, one waiting room harbored a great deal of attention and most people decided to watch it. Because of that, the live stream on the local television constantly showed that room so the viewership will be maintained.
That room was none other than the waiting room for United Superheroes Academy. While every other waiting room had their candidates sitting together, planning and talking about their strategies for the first round, all the candidates of the United Superheroes Academy were taking a nap as if without a care in the world. But then again, the United Superheroes Academy was located near the outskirts of Tokyo so their candidates traveled longer compared to the others. But then again, should they really be sleeping at such a time?
One of the commentators explained that while this is the first time this happened, it was obvious that all of them had prepared as hard as they could before the inter-high tournament. As the cameras panned and took a closer look at everyone sleeping, one could tell that they were really exhausted.
"They've probably been training in the weekends as well."
"Wow, they must've worked hard for this inter-high tournament."
"I guess so, but this year, the Mirai High School is joining, not to mention the Great Mountain Academy. Those two are real powerhouses that almost took the number one and two spots during last year's inter-high. Against first-years of the USA, they might have a chance at getting the gold.
"Yes, we should also watch out for the other schools in general. It seems like we have a lot of new candidates this year. At this point, we don't know who'll rise to the top."
"What's this?"
"Hey, look! Look at this!"
"What's happening?"
The commentator then started speaking about the two hooded men who were slipping papers through the bottom gap of the waiting room. One after another, they slipped the paper on each of the rooms. It was then explained by the commentator that the paper contained the contents of the first round so every school could formulate a plan to increase their chances of passing the first round.
However, when the hooded men went in front of the USA's waiting room, they didn't slip a paper. Instead, they talked for a bit and left. Their conversation was even played during the live stream, leaving every viewer shocked at the sudden turn of events.
"Well, to everyone watching at the leisure of your homes, it seems like someone played a little prank on the USA. How will they be able to pass the first round?"
Upon saying that, the screen shifted into bright colors paired with entertaining music— signaling the introduction of the first round. This way, everyone who was watching at home would know what would happen during the first round.
After that, two words appeared on the screen, showing what type of competition will happen in the first round.
BADGE FIGHT
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