First Come, First Serve

"Umm, do any of you here knows where Araragi went?"

Asked by Ayano Katachi curiously. Despite being the leader, there are things that she doesn't know. Like Araragi's job for example.

"According to the rules of the league, a group must pick a stadium where they'll perform. I think he left so he can pick a stadium for us to perform."

Replied by Nakano Urara, while still holding the pen and knocking it on her head to get some ideas. Although, they already practiced her dance, she still needs to review this to make sure that there's no wasted movement.

Stamina is important at dancing. Since they doesn't had any physical training, they came up with an alternative way to last longer. Well, this is just mostly Araragi's idea.

Nakano Urara will removed unnecessary dance moves. For example, needless kicking at the air. Kicking requires a considerable amount of power and balance. So doing it just once, would be a real toll to their stamina.

Although, It would be cool for boy bands, Idol groups like them doesn't need to do that. So they'll cross those movement out. That way, they can last for a maximum of 3 minutes dancing.

"But isn't this strange? Normally, two groups would face-off at the same stadium and the winner will be decided by a group of judges, right? What's with this system?"

Nakano Urara caught on! She caught on with the weird system they're in!

"Well, thinking at it in a positive way, even normal people can win if the number of audiences will outnumber their opponent."

"Ayano, your too optimistic! No wonder you and Araragi don't get along."

"Ehhh?! I do think that Araragi and I get along, probably."

Although, Ayano Katachi's statement is correct by the logic, in reality, It doesn't work that well, especially if your opponent is a veteran.

If you're just a normal guy, there's no way someone would come to your concert. It's too unrealistically impossible having 200 or more friends that will come to your concert.

So Ayano Katachi's statement is being overly optimistic. Nakano Urara just released a sigh and continued to review the dance steps.

"Wow! Reina! That costume is so cute!"

Ayano Katachi immediately shifted over to Azusagawa Reina. She can't stop admiring Azusagawa Reina's designs.

"Umm, Thank...you..."

Said by Azusagawa Reina with a really mild voice. With that, the girls continued to do their own respective works.

+++++

Hell, I didn't even expected that I'm going to come here so soon. I'm now in front of this very huge building where the lottery was held.

Today is the day to pick a stadium to perform. It's a really weird system if you ask me, but I decided to go along with the irrationality and obey the rules.

I entered the building and walked towards the event room again. Since I already know where it is, I didn't bothered to ask a clerk or something.

I've just gone ahead to the event room. After taking the elevator and walking a little bit, I finally reached this room. I just released a very high because I remembered that huge mistake I had of not even checking the back of the card.

Regardless, I still entered the room. It's a little bit different than the first time I came here. At that time, the lights are turned off and the platform's light was brighter.

But this time, all of the bulbs here are lit and has the same brightness. Now, what kind of cheating will take place?

I noticed that there's a billboard that was placed beside the door. The followings were mentioned:

"Good day to you all. There's a counter at the front of this room, and you'll line up there to pick your stadiums. Basically, there are pictures there and that pictures are pictures of a stadium. Just pull it out and give it to the man guarding the counter, and register your name. That's all, thank you!"

At that moment, I understood it completely without having to read it again! I immediately ran to the front of the room to reach the counter.

It's basically first come, first serve basis. The one's on the front would get the the best stadiums, while the ones on the back of the line would get the least popular stadiums where no one comes at all!

This is the worst! I mean, I was late by an hour! If there's already a line formed there, then... I'm screwed for sure!

After running for a bit of seconds, I finally reached the counter. There's only one person standing on the line! All right! I made it! It looks like a miracle came!

Everybody was late today! Regardless, I have to be very thankful of it. I walked towards the counter and waited behind the man.

The man turned his head towards me and... I saw his face. This is the guy who was supposed to face us, the manager of Sunflowers, Kaneshiro Ryota!

"Hey, hey, You just came? I'm already finished picking a stadium. So It's your turn now."

He stepped aside to give way to the counter. After he did that, I walked towards the very counter itself and tried to get a look at the pictures. But... I just clenched my fist in front of this inescapable misfortune.

What's with my luck, really!?

I didn't looked to the pictures anymore, simply because... there's only one picture left.

END OF CHAPTER 18