It was 10:30 AM
The opening ceremony was finally over.
"It's too hot..."
Ordinary high school student Kamijou Touma stood on the football field. This seemed to be a facility affiliated to a sports school that was dedicated to social activities. Even the turf that was made of artificial resin was about to melt in this unrelenting summer. The students, who were dressed in various PE attires, dispersed in groups of twos and threes the moment they stepped past the exits.
There were 1.8 million participants in Daihaseisai. Although the stadium was of professional standard, it couldn't possibly contain every single person.
"...Aren't there too many principals in the city?"
Kamijou tiredly said. One would definitely be irritated after hearing so many consecutive 'principal messages' in this hot summer. Kamijou, who for some reason had lost his memories, accidentally and unknowingly experienced this for the second time.
Actually, the board of directors had already carefully chosen who the speakers were. If all the principals were to go on stage and deliver their messages, it would probably take an entire day.
Around Kamijou, there were students from primary, junior high, high school and college students. Everyone's expression was the same as his. They were basically wearing short-sleeved shirts and shorts. Because they were of different schools, some of them were wearing shoe covers or track attire. Some students from special schools even put on aikido clothing, camouflage pants, or armored suits (non-driven) that were made from special materials.
The common thing among the students was that they were wearing red or white sashes on their heads.
Basically, Daihaseisai was an inter-school competition where the number of wins and losses were computed as points. Each school divided its own students into a red team and a white team, and with the number of wins each colored team got, the points earned would be added on to the school's score. Red vs white, school vs school. They would use the final total score to decide the rankings of the school.
The victory condition that Kamijou and Mikoto were arguing about before the start of the opening ceremony used this system. In Academy City, once a school's ranking was higher than another, it 'won'. The relentless words that Mikoto had left behind were something like, "You…you just wait and see...! I'll make you regret saying that the loser has to play a penalty game and obey the winner!"
"...What will she do to me...? Wait…wait a minute. Don't tell me she's going to play railgun catching with me (with me being the catcher) until the sun sets? I don't want to play this sort of catching game with her...!!"
Kamijou couldn't help but shout out alone. All the students near the exit of the sports hall give him a weird look. After he finally regained his composure, Kamijou quietly left the bus stop in front of the sports hall.
(But I'm too over-worried as well.)
Up till now, although Kamijou was shivering from fear due to anticipation of what was to come, he understood that he would be alright if he didn't lose. Though the opponent was a prestigious school, she was still a junior high school student. Even if esper powers were allowed in the competition, this should be an extension of sports activities (probably). To be honest, Kamijou felt that those missies who were supposed to be so cosseted couldn't possibly win against a youthful and sweaty group of high school students. Even if Kamijou was to lose in a direct match-up against Tokiwadai, there were other ways. Once Kamijou's school beats other schools, and Tokiwadai lost to others, the difference could be whittled down.
"Touma!"
A girl's voice came from beside him.
Looking in the direction of where the voice came from, among the crowd that was wearing PE attire, stood a girl in a white nun's habit that were decorated with gold embroidery. Her name was Index. She was an English girl with long white hair, green pupils, and a slim body. She was also the one with perfect memory of the 103,000 grimoires in her mind. To be honest, she was a girl who was a lot more useful than those weak espers.
Index carried a calico cat in front of her, saying listlessly,
"Touma…I'm hungry."
"You're hungry now? It's still morning, you know. Didn't you eat breakfast two hours ago?"
"Uuuu. But I can smell such an attractive and indescribable smell all over the place. I can't stand it."
The calico cat in her arms shook its nose and made a happy sound, matching Index's voice.
Although it was a large-scale sporting event, not all the students would be bounded by the events all the time. They just need to follow the rule of reaching the area in the specific time, and any time other than that was free time for them. Whether it was cheering for other schools, buying gifts with family members, or just standing at a convenience store to read magazines, anything was fine. Some would even set up stores to get some earnings, like the management or home economics schools that Tsuchimikado Maika was studying at.
The number of schools where all the students were participating in the competitions was unexpectedly low. As the academic years and the athletic events were different, there would normally be people with nothing to do. One should be cheering for his own school, but the victory banquet could be much more luxurious if their stores could earn some money. Just selling things to 1.8 million students and parents could earn them quite a large sum of money.
"Ah...erm...maybe Japanese cuisine is as tempting to eat as it sounds."
The nun carrying the calico cat blurted out.
Index was the type of person that would do anything to get any food that was in front of her. Although it was just an aroma from afar, one's saliva would flow out if under this condition for a long time. Besides, he should reward her for not raiding those stores, Kamijou thought seriously.
"Ah, I see. You have nothing to do for the entire day, so I'll find time to go out with you later."
Index nodded her head, before she stopped and asked,
"...Later?"
"Ah, the first match is about to start, I got to go. You can take a look at the travel guide. The locations that I marked out with a pen are the spectator stands of the events that I'm taking part in."
"Wa–Wawawa! To–Touma is so cold to me today!"
Index seemed to be shouting something, but Kamijou didn't have much time left. He wanted to let her go to a few shops, but it would be endless if he went out with Index, who was hungry right now. She wouldn't be satisfied without going to every single store and eating everything.
Kamijou haggled with Maika, who just so happened to pass by, before buying a maid bento at half price (the fixed price was 1,200 yen, so expensive). Index kept on crying, saying that she wanted to 'eat' as she begged Kamijou while on her way to the arena. On a side note, although the name maid bento sounded very Western, the ingredients were all from Japan. While Kamijou was grumbling about the ingredients and the price, Maika explained,
"Because Japan is the land of bentos, as other countries don't use bentos as a culture. England uses 'lunch' to describe a midday meal, and in Western culture, people normally carry biscuits with them anyway. This is why we're using local ingredients. Although you're saying that it's expensive, they're selling those high class bentos that are ten times more expensive than udon in theatres to the audience. We are following the traditional methods by using top-grade ingredients and techniques to create these Daihaseisai bentos, you know."
Although it sounded arrogant, she did have a point.
Holding the maid bento in his hand, Kamijou headed toward the competition arena, which was the school field at his high school. He was supposed to send Index into the spectator stands, but the entrances for the competitors were different from the spectators. After separating from the girl, he entered the competitors area. The field was currently undergoing preparation, as the staff was spraying water onto the field to prevent dust from flying about.
There were remote-controlled hot air balloons in the blue sky, hanging a special vertical thin screen showing these running words: '7th district. High school sector. First event, Wrench stick competition. 10 minutes and 23 seconds to the start of the match.'
(If our school loses to Tokiwadai in terms of ranking, who knows what Mikoto will come up with for the penalty game. We got to win right at the start!)
During Daihaseisai, which lasted for 7 days, how many points the schools got would largely depend on how they paced themselves. It all depended on the tactic that the school used, do they pull away from the beginning, or do they conserve their forces and catch up with the tired teams at the end. There were plenty of options.
Because of his memory loss, Kamijou felt that this was the first time he was in a Daihaseisai competition.
However, since he was not a student from a sports school, Kamijou was unable to observe the battles calmly and save his physical strength. Though he had a special ability, it was still a battle between students. The results of the match may affect morale as well. In other words, although it was possible to win the match, if the difference was too great, they wouldn't be able to focus on turning the situation around when they had already given up.
Based on this reason alone, Kamijou favored getting off right from the start and pulling away from the opponent.
(Come to think about it, our class was very noisy a while back when we were preparing for the match. Or should I say, the entire school was like this. Hm, those people should be rather energetic. There are quite a few people who hate to lose, and I'm more worried about them using underhanded means to win.)
Kamijou looked forward to this meaningless gathering with his classmates, as he walked into the competitors' lounge inside the school to meet up with them.
Normally, Aogami Pierce, the one who liked fun the most, would then turn his head around,
"Wa—why so energetic..."
Kamijou inadvertently fell onto the ground.
When he regained consciousness, he was sprawled on the ground.
He looked around and observed that the other students were also like this. Everyone looked that they had gotten heatstroke.
"Wait…wait a minute, what's wrong with everyone? Why is everyone so tired before the first match has even begun?"
Kamijou trembled somewhat angrily as he asked, as Aogami Pierce forcefully turned around and said,
"Why? Because everyone stayed up all night yesterday playing! And before the opening ceremony, the whole class was fighting over what kind of tactics need to be used. That remaining amount of energy is all used up!"
"Because of this!? Everyone!? Did the beginning and end of Daihaseisai switch over? However, Himegami, congratulations! Seeing you being able to mix into the class, I'm very relieved."
Himegami Aisa was standing slightly far away from Kamijou. The white-skinned, black haired girl had the ability to attract and kill vampires. To prevent this power from working, she wore a Cross on her neck, which was now hidden under her short-sleeved PE shirt.
She had just transferred into Kamijou's class in the beginning of the month.
Himegami gently shook her long, black hair, which was becoming increasing rare, saying,
"Isn't a student's competition something like this? Where there's trainers and coaches."
"Ugh, even you said 'isn't it like this!?'"
Seems like we'll lose! Kamijou cupped his hands on his head.
As if he was trying to encourage Kamijou,
"Nya! Kami-yan, it can't be helped that everyone is so tired. Nobody expected the opening ceremony to consist of 15 consecutive principal talks, together with more than 50 congratulatory telegrams that were sent over. I have to praise you for being able to stand even after all these..."
The person who said this was Tsuchimikado Motoharu—he looked like a student, but was actually a double agent for both the magic and science side—his short, blond hair spiking outwards, with light-colored sunglasses on his eyes and gold jewelry on his neck. One could only say that a short-sleeved PE shirt didn't match the other decorations.
"Eve–Even the energetic Aogami and Tsuchimikado are like this…wait…wait a minute, if the opponent is as lifeless, we might have a chance...!!"
Kamijou grabbed onto his last glimmer of hope.
"It's impossible nya, Kami-yan. The opponent seems to be a private elite sports school, you know."
WAAAAA! Kamijou was completely sprawled on the floor. The thought of him losing to Misaka Mikoto and her giving a hellish punishment was now clear in his mind. Just when Kamijou felt his skin crawl, a female classmate, who was late, came into the room.
"Wait…wait a minute, what's wrong with everyone? Why is everyone so tired?"
Hgn? Kamijou, who was lying on the floor, looked up.
The girl in front of him was wearing a short shirt and a pair of shorts, and also a hoody on the outside. The armband on her arm had the words 'Daihaseisai Management Committee, High School Division.' There should be similar words written on the back. She was rather tall in class and had a nice body. One could see those compassionate breasts of hers under her PE attire. Her long black hair was kept behind her ears, making her forehead look much larger.
Fukiyose Seiri.
In contrast to her beautiful looks, her nickname was the 'iron wall girl.'
She blankly looked around, before her vision finally fixed onto Kamijou, who was on the ground.
"Ah!? No way, Kamijou! It's because of your lethargy that everyone else in infected by it. You...what are you going to do with this?"
"Eh? No...it's not my fault! I only just reached here, you know!"
"In other words, because you're late, everyone lost their drive?"
"Do you have to blame me no matter what? Aren't you late as well?"
"I'm late because I have management work to do, idiot!"
You were planning to make me look like an idiot no matter what? Kamijou was really going to cry out,
"Don't bother me! I can't make it! Now that Kamijou's in an unfortunate reality, Kamijou really can't stand up now!!"
"You really look bad like this. This isn't a psychological problem; it's mild anaemia because you didn't eat breakfast. Just drink some isotonic drinks to replenish your water content and minerals and you'll be fine. Kamijou Touma, stand up now!"
Whoosh! Several 500ml plastic bottles flew out from Fukiyose's jacket pockets.
"Wa! Why are you spouting this nonsense that a health freak will go crazy about!? Also, is this an illusion? Why do I feel that you don't lack minerals and water, but calcium?"
"What are you talking about? I've taken in enough anchovies!"
Fukiyose glared at Kamijou, saying,
"I hate those who use misfortune as an excuse to live life so sloppily. Once you look so lethargic, everyone else will lose their motivation as well. So you better buck up for everyone's sake."
Facing off against Fukiyose Seiri's aggressive attack, Kamijou inadvertently backed up. The committee member continued to get near the retreating boy. Kamijou still wanted to back away, only to back into the flowerbed.
Seeing this, the students looked absolutely delighted.
"Too...too strong. Fukiyose, you're too strong! You're really the woman who can defend against that Kamijou!"
"If it was an ordinary person, that person might end up being soft-hearted and say 'Ka–Kamijou-san, are you alright?'"
"This guy keeps saying that he's unlucky, but he always gets the best seats!!"
"Oh, you're the hope of humanity. Let's analyze Fukiyose Seiri, and maybe we can control Kami-yan!!"
(In your eyes, what kind of scum am I!?)
Kamijou listlessly backed up.
At that moment,
Kamijou's foot stepped on something squishy. It was the rubber gardening hose. They had to spray water onto the grounds before the competition started in order to prevent the dust from flying about (though they couldn't prevent it completely).
Looking far away, a male teacher working in the school suspiciously looked at the water hose that had stopped spraying water.
At that instant,
The water that had been suppressed by Kamijou's foot blasted out from the loose connection of the hose to the faucet, splashing water nearby.
The one closest to the faucet was...
"Fu…Fukiyose!? Kamijou, you bastard, how dare you do this to our final stronghold!!"
"Oh no, with Kamijou around, even that tigress is all wet now."
"And unexpectedly, we get to see her colorful underwear. Don't tell me this is the start of a love comedy..."
"This is the despair of humanity—if Fukiyose can't survive, then who will?"
(In your eyes, what kind of scum am I!? Also, sorry, Fukiyose-san!)
Kamijou repeatedly did his angry and apologetic mannerisms.
On a side note, Fukiyose was all wet and her sports attire clung tightly to her. Her skin, and even her underwear could be seen clearly. Unexpectedly, she was wearing underwear that was completely different from her image; the yellow and orange checkered design looked really cute.
"...Do you have any dissatisfaction?"
(No, I don't dare to!!)
Kamijou quickly lowered his head and apologized. Fukiyose gave a 'humph,' turned her head, pulled the zip of her jacket open and pulled out a small packet of milk before drinking it. She probably wanted the calcium to pacify her own anger.
The boys nearby covered the mouth of the faucet with their thumbs, and started playing with the columns of water that were shooting out like a laser cannon. In truth, they were tired now. But they seemed to be aware of Fukiyose being wet throughout and wanted to display the spirit of a gentleman, so they pretended that they didn't notice her. They looked innocent, but their eyes weren't smiling as they continued to play this water spraying game in despair.
Kamijou blankly looked at his classmates that completely lacked unity and thought,
(Nobody's worrying about the Wrench Stick match!? We're doomed! To many extents, this class really has a lot of problems.)
Just when Kamijou was shaking his head at the wall near the competitors' corner entrance, he heard a man and a woman arguing. Seemed like some people were arguing behind the sports hall.
"This will…definitely—"
"...What nonsense—definitely...huh?"
What was going on now...? Kamijou kept his body near the sports hall as he peeked in.
The person in the back of the dark sports hall was Kamijou's homeroom teacher, Tsukuyomi Komoe. She was 135cm tall, a teacher who wouldn't be mocked even if she was carrying a primary school student's backpack. She was wearing a short white dress, accompanied with a light green sleeveless vest. Seemed like she was wearing this to cheer them on.
Facing her was a man that Kamijou had never met before. He should be a teacher from another school. In Daihaseisai, while staff members were wearing sports attire that could be bought outside, this guy was wearing business clothing on such a hot day.
Komoe-sensei was arguing with that teacher.
Or more accurately, it looked like the male teacher, who was mocking Komoe-sensei, was about to get eaten by her.
"I admit that our school facilities and teaching contents aren't adequate! But that's our fault and not the students'!"
Komoe-sensei was waving her arms as she shouted. The male teacher however didn't mind, saying,
"Humph, isn't the inadequacy of the facilities due to your students not being capable? If there were results, the board of directors would have given extra funding, right? Hoho. Trash schools like yours shouldn't be able to request it, right? Ah, sensei, I heard that your class did badly for the end-of semester test, right? Managing so many failures must be tough."
"The–There's no success or failure for students! They just have their own personalities. Everyone is already working so hard! How...how can I abandon them for my own sake?"
"Is this an excuse to hide your own inability? Hahaha. Your dreams are too far-reaching. Do you need me to send you back to reality? Let the elites that I groomed beat your trash into a pulp. Hm, we're having a 'Wrench Stick' competition here, right? As a member of the opposing school, let me give you an advice. Go do some warm-ups; you'll need it to avoid injuries."
"You..."
"You embarrassed me the last time we had the school meet, so this time, in front of the global telecast, I'll return this debt back to you. We'll be slightly lax in our attacks, but I don't know if your failures are too weak."
Hahaha—the male teacher laughed as he left.
That teacher should be from the opposing school was what Kamijou thought. To be honest, for Kamijou, who was Level 0, even if he was called a failure or trash, it didn't hurt him too much.
"...It's not like this."
At this moment, Komoe-sensei spoke.
She was alone now, and she was not talking to anyone in particular.
She lowered her head and said in a trembling voice,
"They aren't some trash, are they...?"
Her already small and skinny shoulders shrank even more.
It was like she was saying that it was all because of her that her students were shamed by outsiders.
She raised her head, looked up at the sky, and remained silent, as if she was trying to endure something.
"..."
Kamijou remained silent.
He turned around.
All the students were standing there silently.
As if he was trying to confirm it, Kamijou Touma asked,
"Okay, you guys heard that? Just now, everyone was complaining about how they have no motivation, their energy is used up..."
Kamijou closed one eye.
"—Let me ask you guys again, are you sure that you don't want to win?"