Two Winners

"Now let's hear the judges verdicts."

Karashima Haruka spoke up, "The first time you entered, I criticized you heavily and said you didn't have your own style. This time around however it's very different, did your mindset change?"

Ah, he still remembers? This wasn't the first time she entered the Dream Stars tournament, in the past she entered one a long time ago. The very person who while he didn't go along with the mistreatment and obvious biasness, told her honestly.

'I'm disappointed. It was a textbook performance.'

It was just a few words, but a few words from a man as powerful as Karashima Haruka stung in more ways than one. Even if somebody didn't bribe the other judges. Yori knew from these words alone that she would not be able to escape her present predicament. So many years have passed since then. Yori looked at the expression in his eyes and noticed something, however. Something different in contrast to back then.