Chapter 130: S2 Episode 29 - Introduce Yourself to the Public
* * *
As they walked in through the doors of the academy's auditorium, they saw just how big the room's capacity could hold. At a glance, 3,000 people didn't seem like a lot when spoken but seeing each chair proved just how wrong they were.
Additionally, many news stations and cameras were being set up at the lower deck of the stage. This indeed was no joke. They'd be broadcasting this live for the whole nation to see.
How did some students manage to get that much fame while in school?
While they looked around the room, they noticed that the audience chairs were still empty since it was pretty early, around 7:50 AM. They wouldn't start letting people through the doors until 8:00.
Both teams were required to show up a little before 8:00 to prepare all of the ingredients they'd be using during the final round. Team Michiko and Team Tennouji had no choice but to show up.
"That's a lot of news channels…." Andou pointed out to the local news stations setting up their equipment and talking to reporters about what would happen next.
"Not to mention all of their cameras," Hanabusa added, observing the lower deck and higher deck filled with many cameras pointing at different angles.
"Just how did this blow so much out of proportion?" Kashino asked the question that was on everyone else's mind.
Everyone wasn't sure how they managed to garner this much fame and attention from the Japanese public, yet here they were. Was it because they were from one of the most prestigious schools in the world? Or, did the general public really like the teams that much?
They all remained quiet as they questioned just how this happened.
"Oh, here you guys are!" An older adult's voice noticed Team Michiko, who stood just by the auditorium's large entrance doors.
It was Chairman Moriyama who approached the four teenagers who looked entirely lost for a moment.
"What's with those expressions on your faces?" Chairman Moriyama asked the kids who were still deep in thought.
"Hm… I can't seem to find a solution. Just how did we get so popular?" Andou asked out loud, to which the chairman could finally understand what the youngsters were thinking so hard about.
"Ah, so that's what you're wondering! Hohoho!" The chairman gave out his belly laugh after hearing this, but soon he fixed the glasses on his face and put on a more serious expression that could ease the minds of these kids.
"After seeing just how capable 2nd year middle schoolers are in such a prestigious academy, many people started taking interest in Team Michiko. That's why the school decided to air the 2nd round to the locals, but we didn't think that it would blow up this much. Just know that both Team Michiko and Team Tennouji are liked by the general public, that's all," the chairman explained, which slightly calmed their minds.
Although the chairman often hid something behind that cheerful old face, they believed that he would never lie to them.
While their expressions returned to their usual, the chairman decided to get a move on. The academy would let the audience in any minute now. If they stayed any longer in front of the auditorium's entrance, they would surely be trampled on.
"Okay, let's focus on the final round. Follow me!" He instructed, leading Team Michiko to the large stage that had been set up.
They observed that there were eight total stations set up, one for each team member to work on their designated part. Each station had a mini-kitchen arranged with a fridge, stove and oven, knife-set, and more.
Although quaint, it was more than enough for each member to do what they had to.
They also noticed that multiple cameras had been set up in front of each station, facing different angles. It was evident that these cameras would be watching their every movement, and behind these cameras were the eyes and ears of the nation.
As the chairman guided them through this extensive and roomy stage, he directed them to the four stations that Team Michiko would be occupying.
"Here will be the stations you four will work at. Since I'm aware that you have sweets spirits, there is no rule claiming that they cannot help you during the final round, so use them to your heart's content, hohoho!" He explained, which caused the 4 of them to sigh in relief.
In the previous rounds, it wasn't explicitly said that the teams could use sweets spirits, but they still hadn't used them because they believed they couldn't participate in human competitions. Even Team Natsuki of the 2nd round had sweets spirits but didn't use them to keep it a fair competition between humans.
Since the final round would determine who would get the opportunity to study abroad and go against other students worldwide, they would be steps closer to their dream. Everyone's dream was on the line, including the sweets spirits, so it was only fair if they could appear and help their human partners in this final round.
Not only that but when Team Michiko practiced making their cake for the final round, a lot of their components depended on their sweets partners to aid them in making or setting things up. If they didn't have their sweets spirits, their time spent making and setting up the cake would increase by ten-fold.
Across the four stations were the other four stations that Team Tennouji would be using. Additionally, these four stations faced the other 4 to display it as one side against the other.
"Before I start explaining things, we'll have to wait until Team Tennouji arrives—oh speak of the devil," the chairman said until he looked over at the doors' entrance.
*SLAM!*
The doors slammed closed, and four figures appeared, presenting their exquisite aura. They all had severe faces displayed, which made the entire room go quiet. Even the noise the news channels made while setting up went silent as they directed all of their attention towards the four prestigious high schoolers.
"Come over here!" The chairman called for the 3rd year high schoolers to join them, and so they did. It took no time for them to get onto the stage and listen to the chairman's instructions. Their eyes had wandered to the stations they'd be using and the cameras that were arranged. Seeing how startled they were by the cameras, it was apparent that they were just as nervous as Team Michiko.
"Since we're all here now, let me explain to you what will be happening right now. It is now 8 o'clock so we'll be letting people in at any second. As people fill the seats, both teams will be responsible to prepare the ingredients you will be using. It is forbidden to start baking or cooking anything until it's officially the start of the competition," the chairman said to the 8 students, who nodded their heads.
"As I've already told Team Michiko, you will be allowed to use your sweets spirits in the final round. Now, at 8:15, both teams will be required to have a spokesperson address the public to introduce you and your team through a news channel. This will help the public know your team on a more personal basis, so they will be asking you a few questions. And finally, 8:30 will be the official start of the final round. So now, there's no more time to waste! Team Michiko and Team Tennouji, start preparing your things!"
*SLAM!*
Once he said this, they could hear the doors slam open and then close. Suddenly, a swarm of people was being let into the auditorium after giving their paid tickets to the staff. Their eyes wandered around the large and spacious room until their eyes met up with both the teams they were there to see.
If seeing this flock of people enter the room and take their seats didn't feel real, they didn't know what was. Quickly, they could all see hundreds of people take their seats in the once vacant audience chairs.
Since they couldn't be too bothered with the audience's presence, both teams hurried to get their things ready at each of their stations. They had no time to dwell on their moving eyes.
Each competitor rushed to their designated station and quickly began getting their ingredients ready. They had all they needed at each station, so it was convenient to find things quickly.
As they prepared each ingredient and the audience seats filled by the second, 15 minutes had gone by in the blink of an eye.
It was now 8:15, and the news reporters were making their way onto the stage with their cameraman and microphones.
Finally, it was time to start introducing themselves to the public!