Chapter 118
Day of the Grand Tournament.
The group's arrival at the arena was anything but graceful. It was rather...rowdy...
March 7th burst through the entrance first, arms spread wide like she was greeting an adoring crowd. "BEHOLD! The future champion has arrived!" she declared, nearly tripping over a low step and catching herself with a dramatic twirl. "Totally intentional," she added, brushing imaginary dust off her coat.
Kevin followed behind, dragging a comically oversized bag labeled "20 Jin of Premium Melon Seeds" that thudded heavily against every stair. "Can someone open the gate wider? There's so much people coming in..." he groaned.
Firefly practically skipped in, her boots lighting up slightly with each step. "Ooh, is that cotton candy over there?!" she gasped, already veering off course.
"Focus, Firefly," Yuri called behind her, walking with the quiet menace of someone who'd rather be anywhere else but had already committed to the bit. He narrowly avoided a falling banner that had come loose from the rafters. "This place is a lawsuit waiting to happen."
Ayaka entered last, serene and composed as ever, only to halt abruptly as someone shoved a flyer for fried yakisoba into her hands. "Would you like to try our arena special?" the vendor asked.
"Thank you, but I must—" Ayaka started politely, only to be dragged slightly as the overly enthusiastic vendor tried to guide her to their stall.
"Try the combo! It comes with a commemorative bowl!"
"Let the woman breathe already jeez" Kevin muttered, tossing a melon seed shell at the vendor's feet. It missed entirely.
March 7th was beaming with joy, her face aglow with excitement as she held an animated discussion with Kevin. Her energy was infectious, her voice rising and falling with enthusiastic flair.