Unspeakable bubbles

"..."

"Well, it seems everyone is really looking forward to it."

Petty said with a smile, "I won't say any more. Please draw lots to determine your first opponent!"

'Don't draw the bubble, don't draw the bubble, don't draw the bubble.'

Yuan Tetsuya silently chanted in his heart, then closed his eyes and drew his opponent.

"'Cute Meow Meow Girl'? What a weird name. Haha, at least it's not Bubble, thank goodness!"

Upon opening his eyes, Tetsuya burst into laughter.

"Senior, how could you say that about her? 'Cute Meow Meow-chan' sounds so nice."

The girl wearing cat ears looked aggrieved: "Senior, apologize to them quickly, or their fan club won't forgive you!"

"what?"

Upon closer listening, Yuan Zheye indeed heard a number of people in the audience making a ruckus, shouting apologies and such.

"Hmph, who cares about your bunch of useless fans? Referee, may we begin?"

"Alright, Tetsuya Hara has unexpectedly made a very manly statement."

Patty walked between the two with a smile: "Get into your positions."

"three,"

"two,"

"one!"

As soon as the countdown ended, Yuan Zhe felt a heat on the pendant on his chest.

The invisible shockwave was blocked by the light shield that suddenly appeared around him, and the two collided, producing a loud sound.

"Hmm, something strange happened during the match between the two players."

"but……"

"The cat ears are scissors, and Yuan Zhe is also using his fist."

"I hereby declare that Tetsuya Hara has won the first round!"

"..."

"Heh, how much preparation do you think I did for today's match?"

Yuan Tetsuya glanced sideways at the cat-eared girl with a grim expression: "The people who competed against you either forfeited halfway through or fainted directly. You, did you use a mental attack?"

"Senior, please, please don't joke around."

"Luckily, I specially asked a friend to make me a mental shield, so your little tricks are useless now!"

Yuan Tetsuya sneered: "To be honest, you are the weakest of all the contestants who advanced. It was really lucky that we drew you in the first match today."

"..."

"Alright, alright, both of you, let's move on to the next round."

"three"

"two"

"one!"

"Tetsuya Hara wins."

"Best of three, congratulations!"

"Haha, thank you for acknowledging me."

Seeing the smug expression on Tetsuya Hara's face, the girl wearing cat ears angrily walked off the stage.

"Tetsuya Hara, please step back. Next up is Bubble."

"And then there's her rival, 'Let Nature Take Its Course'!"

The boy with an average face walked helplessly to the center of the stage: "Referee, why is it 'Let Nature Take Its Course'?"

"Haha, don't you think it suits you perfectly?"

"Hmm, I feel..."

"Enough with the chit-chat, let's begin the countdown."

"three,"

"two,"

"one!"

"Bubble chose rock, 'Let Nature Take Its Course' chose scissors, and Bubble wins!"

Petty added with a look of surprise, "This is the first time Bubble has ever scored a non-draw."

Petty held the microphone close to the little girl: "Bubble, why wasn't it a tie this time?"

"Because a draw means you won't win the championship."

"Oh oh oh oh oh!"

"What a powerful statement!"

"Bubble, it seems you're going to have to show your true skills."

Watching from the sidelines, Tetsuya Hara immediately showed an expression of no surprise. Sure enough, this little girl... can win if she wants to!

"Then, the match continues, proceeding to the second round."

"Three, two, one!"

"Bubble plays paper, and 'Let Nature Take Its Course' plays rock."

"Bubble has won two rounds in a row. I declare Bubble the winner!"

"...Well, it's all about participation."

The boy shrugged, shook hands with the little girl in a friendly manner, and encouraged her, "Keep it up, Bubble! Win for me too!"

Upon hearing this, the little girl immediately broke into a big smile.

"kindness!"

.............................................................................................

"dong dong dong dong"

"All five advancing contestants have now appeared!"

"They are—"

"Salted Fish Tetsuya"

"Lizard Girl"

"Lion"

"Air-conditioned Temple"

"Bubble!"

Section 457, Chapter 456 Abstention

"Now, please let the five contestants draw lots."

"Oh? I'm number one."

Yuan Tetsuya looked at the note in his hand, on which was written a large 'one'.

"Number Three," Koderai said, revealing his number.

"Number Two"

"Number Four"

The lion and the lizard girl each spoke.

"Huh, there are no numbers on Bubble's note."

"Congratulations!"

Petty walked up to Bubble and said with a smile, "Bubble is today's lucky winner; she got a bye."

"A bye?"

"That's right, number one against number three, number two against number four."

"Bubble, you don't need to compete, you'll automatically advance."

Wow!

The little girl's braids trembled: "So Bubble won without even having to compete."

"Haha, that's it."

"Now, contestants number one and number three, get ready!"

"..."

Tetsuya Hara sized up Koderai, silently analyzing the information about him.

The Paranormal Society, well, to be honest, I never paid any attention to this kind of marginalized little club before.

Unexpectedly, the Paranormal Society really made a name for itself in this competition.

Koderai's mystery likely stems from mind control.

'Everyone competing against her suddenly lost control of their bodies; I must strike first!'

Tetsuya Hara's gaze passed over Koderai, and he winked at someone watching from below the stage.

'Hehe, got it!'