["Today we report a piece of news from Fuyuki City."]
From the TV anchor, ["At 2:37:57 p.m. on April 27 this year, a gas leak accident occurred on the Fuyuki Bridge."]
["At the time of the incident, two students and a teacher from Chaldea Academy happened to be passing by, and unfortunately lost their lives."]
News script finished.
———
"Haven't we arrived yet, Teacher Roman?", Shirou looked at his phone. It showed the deadline for signing up for the Big Eater Challenge, 2:50.
Now there were only a little more than ten minutes left, and they still had nearly half the way to go.
"Sorry," Roman wore an apologetic look, "It was because of me."
Just now a basketball club student had a leg cramp. As the school doctor, he had to go see.
Though it turned out to be nothing serious, it delayed them more than twenty minutes.
"If we really can't make it, then let's just have buffet."
Roman had mentally prepared himself, "My treat, eat two meals in one go."
"That works too."
Food was food. If they couldn't make it, then so be it.
Suddenly Shirou noticed the prize for first place in the solo challenge.
Prize money 300,000 yen, plus a Haier double-door fridge.
Fridge or not didn't matter.
'300,000?'
'How many buffets is that?'
Most importantly, he wouldn't need to trouble others anymore.
Thinking this, Shirou closed his phone, expression blank.
"Teacher Roman, stop the car!"
"Hm?", Roman was a bit dumbfounded.
Shirou said, "I'll run the rest of the way."
'System-san, parkour for me!'
———
Mall, registration desk for the Big Eater Challenge.
"So amazing!"
Ayako Mitsuzuri exclaimed, "This many people?"
Not only were there lots of people, but the decorations were really something too.
On a Saturday with heavy foot traffic, the mall of 71 International Plaza was occupied, turned into a fantastical food paradise.
The huge arched registration booth was cleverly designed into a "Food Castle."
At the top hung a giant banner painted with frosting.
On it: [Sponsored by Happy Restaurant, registration desk for the First Big Eater Challenge at 71 International Plaza.]
Not only were the different colors matched nicely, but the font sizes were also carefully designed.
Amid the dazzling colors, visitors could easily pick out the words they wanted to see.
Time and place were both clearly marked.
It was obvious the sponsor had no small strength.
"It's not that bad," Sakura looked around and guessed, "Most are probably just here to watch."
Like those coin-toss games at street stalls or night markets. Few people really played, most were just there for the fun.
"Let's go register, Mitsuzuri-senpai."
Sakura beckoned Ayako Mitsuzuri toward the desk.
Their luck was good. They reached the front in less than two minutes of waiting.
The sweet-faced staff member politely asked, "Hello, are you signing up for solo or couple?"
Sakura blinked, puzzled, "Um, shouldn't we only be able to do solo?"
"Nope～", The staff smiled meaningfully, "As long as you're a couple."
That froze both Sakura and Mitsuzuri, who turned their heads away awkwardly, "No need, just solo."
"All right then," The staff's sweet expression showed a hint of regret. After registering them, she handed over the forms, reminding them smoothly, "Don't lose these, or you won't get in."
"Okay."
The two carefully accepted the forms.
Once they stepped aside, the line surged forward.
"Can we go in right now?"
Mitsuzuri looked around. Lots of people were still waiting, but some had already gone inside.
"Hello, we'd like to register too."
That damn familiar voice made Mitsuzuri whip her head around.
"It's you!"
She stormed over like catching a cheating girlfriend.
At the same time, Rin Tohsaka, waiting in line, saw Sakura.
"Onee-chan?"
"Sakura?"
The two stared for a moment, then both turned their eyes to Mitsuzuri.
She was currently scolding Yukika Saegusa, "Tohsaka invited you but not me, so unfair! Does this mean in your heart I'm lower than Tohsaka?"
"No, no, that's not it, Mitsuzuri!"
Gentle and cute Saegusa Yukika couldn't handle that kind of pressure, flustered and tongue-tied, waving her little hands about.
Her face flushed red with embarrassment.
"Hey, Mitsuzuri, don't scare Yukika," Rough-tempered Kaede Makidera stepped in to mediate.
"You yourself said you wanted to stay home and game this weekend, so we didn't call you."
"Well, yeah, but still."
Mitsuzuri crossed her arms, unconvinced, "I never said I wouldn't go."
"Then what are you doing here now?"
"Buying games."
"See?"
Dark-skinned Makidera sighed helplessly, "I knew you weren't here to play."
"How's that not?"
Mitsuzuri argued, "I'm here hanging out with Sakura now."
"So you finally couldn't resist going after Tohsaka's little sister, Mitsuzuri."
"You little—"
Mitsuzuri pressed up to her.
"Y-you guys…", Yukika panicked, trying to mediate in her childish voice, "Don't fight anymore."
"Don't worry, Yukika."
Kane Himuro adjusted her glasses, sighing, speaking with calm intelligence, "They won't actually fight."
Her voice ethereal.
"Saegusa-senpai, Makidera-senpai?"
———
"You're kidding me?"
Mitsuzuri and Makidera exclaimed in unison.
"What day is today?"
Mitsuzuri looked around.
"Even Miyu came out. So then…"
She glanced left and right.
Sella's gaze instantly sharpened.
'This girl's up to no good.'
Literally.
Miyu smiled, "No need to look, onii-chan had something at school. He didn't come with us."
Though she smiled, her tone carried faint disappointment.
Makidera spotted the registration forms in Illya's hands, "You guys also signed up for the Big Eater Challenge?"
"Mm."
Illya smiled brightly, "It looked fun."
"Seriously, that Emiya guy is too much."
Mitsuzuri pulled back her searching eyes, "Leaving behind his sister and older sister."
"You can't put it like that."
Illya spoke politely, "Shirou also has his own things to do. Besides, boys always need their own private space. As his sister, of course I should spoil him."
Her beautiful smile under her delicate features.
Though it was a normal statement, it gave off a strong sense of declaring sovereignty.
"Illya…", Miyu felt a vague unease.
"Enough."
Rin Tohsaka spoke, "Since we all know each other, let's just go in together."
———
"Ritsuka, haven't they come yet?", Mash squirmed nervously.
"Registration time seems about to end."
Only eight minutes left until 2:50.
"So strange."
Fujimaru Ritsuka pondered hard, "Does changing clothes really take this long?"
Unbeknownst to them, this clothing store had two entrances.
And worst of all, the clerk had mistaken the person.
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