"What should we do now?"
Scratching his head, Hiroshi looked at the chaotic scene, utterly perplexed.
After Kaguya Shinomiya fainted from embarrassment, hundreds of burly men suddenly jumped out from the audience and surrounded Miyuki Shirogane and the other three tightly.
Seeing the black-clad group cautiously retreating towards a convoy in the distance, Hiroshi grabbed the host, Tanaka, who was about to run off.
"Is this competition still on?"
"No! It's canceled! Canceled!"
Quickly answering Hiroshi's question, Tanaka struggled to free himself from Hiroshi's grasp.
After several attempts, Tanaka stopped struggling and looked at Hiroshi with helpless eyes.
"Excuse me, Mr. Hiroshi, could you please let me go?"
"As the host, I need to hurry to the hospital to await Miss Kaguya's recovery."
"No problem, go ahead."
Letting go of Tanaka's shoulder, Hiroshi smiled and made a polite gesture.
With a hint of excitement on his face, Tanaka turned and ran towards the convoy.
Pumping his legs with effort, Tanaka felt the familiar grip on his shoulder once again and stopped helplessly.
Turning around with an exasperated look, Tanaka asked, "Mr. Hiroshi, what now?"
"Haha, well..."
With an innocent smile, Hiroshi pointed to Gabrielle, who was squatting under a pillar nearby, engrossed in a game.
"My sister really wants me to win the championship and bring her the latest PS console she's been dreaming of."
"But now that the contest is canceled, I'll let her down. This isn't ideal, don't you think?"
"Yes, yes, of course."
Grabbing Hiroshi's arm, Tanaka looked at the now-empty venue and announced mechanically:
"As the host, I declare that the winners of this competition are contestant #4, Hiroshi, and Ruri Gokou!"
With a forced smile, Tanaka turned to Hiroshi and asked, "Now, may I go?"
"Wait."
Pointing to Haruhi Suzumiya and her team standing nearby, Hiroshi chuckled, "These two teams haven't settled their ranks yet."
"Since everyone came to compete, they must have their reasons. Could you handle this as well?"
Taking a deep breath, Tanaka eyed Hiroshi's muscular frame and reluctantly turned to the other participants.
"You four, pick a prize you like from backstage. The order of selection will determine your rankings. If there are duplicates, it doesn't matter."
Smiling stiffly, Tanaka said, "The prizes are identical, so you can take one set each."
Turning back to Hiroshi, Tanaka asked with a grin that barely concealed his exhaustion, "May I leave now, Mr. Hiroshi?"
"Of course, go ahead. Thank you, Mr. Tanaka."
Retracting his hand, Hiroshi laughed heartily. "I wish you a bright future—promotion, pay raises, and finding your dream partner!"
"Dream partner is out, but promotion and pay raise sound nice."
Murmuring his thanks, Tanaka turned and dashed off.
"All set. Everyone's happy now."
Stretching lazily, Hiroshi grinned at the group behind him.
"The organizers have spoken. Let's go pick our prizes."
Thud!
Retracting her finger from Hiroshi's forehead, Ruri Gokou lowered herself back down from her tiptoes.
"That's for being cheeky," she said with a bright smile, winking at Hiroshi.
Looking at Ruri Gokou's retreating figure, Hiroshi rubbed his forehead and smiled.
Suddenly, he grabbed her and kissed her lightly. As she softened in his arms, Hiroshi chuckled and said, "This is your punishment for teasing me."
"Move aside, move aside!"
Gabrielle pushed Hiroshi away with a look of disdain.
"Stop blocking my way, you silly couple. If you delay me from getting my game console, I'll have Satania curse you!"
"Uh..."
Watching Gabrielle's determined expression, Hiroshi replied softly, "How about picking someone else? I might die laughing at Satania's curse."
"True."
Gabrielle paused, arms crossed in thought.
"Satania's curses are a joke. Maybe Vignette?"
"No way! Vignette is the model of a demonic angel. She'd never curse anyone."
"Then..."
Gabrielle's eyes lit up mischievously. "If you don't move, I'll curse you myself!"
Smack!
Hiroshi lightly flicked Gabrielle's forehead.
"Watch your manners, Gabrielle. You're an angel, after all."
"Hmph!"
Holding her forehead, Gabrielle hurled a dark orb at Hiroshi before darting away to claim her game console.
"This time, the great angel spares you. Remember my generosity!"
Nearby, Rikka Takanashi watched Gabrielle with sparkling eyes. Drawing a parasol from under her skirt, she opened it dramatically and covered her right eye.
"Behold! An angel has appeared in our sacred battleground. As such, I, the wielder of the Wicked Eye, challenge you!"
Turning to Yuta Togashi, she shouted, "My contract bearer, let us use our magic to defeat the angel!"
"Ah, Rikka…"
Yuta groaned, delivering a karate chop to her head. "Stop acting so delusional in front of strangers. And why the parasol? You want a duel?"
Crouching and clutching her head, Rikka muttered, "But Yuta, the angel's getting away..."
"Rikka..."
Yuta raised his hand again, glaring. "Care to repeat that?"
Rikka pointed to a giant plush toy, "Yuta, I want that one."
"Alright."
Helping her up, Yuta smiled warmly. "Let's get it, Rikka."
Nearby, Sora Kasugano tugged Haruka's hand with a happy grin.
"Haruka, I want that bunny plush."
"Alright."
Smiling, Haruka pinched her nose playfully. "Even as an expectant mother, you're still into these things?"
"Haruka~"
Clinging to his arm, she pouted, "I want it."
Laughing, Haruka kissed her forehead. "Anything for you, Sora."
As the sunlight streamed through the windows, Hiroshi gazed outside and said with a smile, "Time to go home."