The Hotel Palazzo Milano's grand lobby stretched upward through three stories of marble columns and crystal chandeliers, already buzzing with the energy of international arrivals. Dozens of teenagers from around the world clustered in conversation groups, their professional tool cases and confident postures marking them immediately as serious competitors.
Aiko stepped through the hotel's revolving doors with Yuki, Kenta, Rina, and Kenji, their eleven-hour flight leaving them tired but alert as they took in the impressive scene before them. Hotel staff moved efficiently around them, collecting luggage and guiding the Japanese team toward the registration desk.
"This is incredible," Yuki breathed, scanning the diverse crowd of young stylists. "Look at the skill level you can see just in how they carry themselves."
"There's Viktor," Kenta pointed toward a tall blonde young man engaged in animated discussion with what appeared to be other European competitors. "The Russian from the video calls."
"And Esperanza," Aiko added, spotting the Spanish girl they'd spoken with virtually, now laughing with a group that included several Latin American competitors.
As the hotel staff arranged their luggage transport and room assignments, Aiko found herself scanning the crowd for familiar faces from months of video conferences and competition research.
"Room keys," the concierge said in careful English, handing each of them elegant cardstock folders. "Your belongings will be delivered within thirty minutes. The informal gathering begins in the conference room at eight PM."
"Should we go up and settle in first?" Rina asked, checking her watch.
Before Aiko could answer, the elevator across the lobby opened with a soft chime, and Javier stepped out.
Even from across the vast space, Aiko could see the immediate shift in atmosphere around him. His hair was still slightly damp from a recent shower, and as he moved through the crowd of competitors, she noticed how conversations seemed to pause as he passed.
Two young women who had been discussing technique near a marble pillar turned almost simultaneously as he approached their area, their attention clearly drawn by something that made them exchange glances of obvious interest.
"Excuse me," said the first, a tall blonde with precise styling that spoke of Scandinavian techniques. Her voice carried a crisp, professional accent. "I hope this isn't too forward, but what cologne are you wearing? It's... remarkable."
Javier paused in his path toward Aiko, genuinely puzzled by the question. "I'm not wearing any cologne."
"You're not?" asked the second woman, shorter with intricate braids that showcased advanced African styling methods. "Because there's definitely something..."
"Just shampoo and whatever the hotel provides," Javier said with an easy smile, though Aiko could see him beginning to understand that his presence was having some kind of noticeable effect on the people around him.
"That's just your natural scent?" the blonde asked, stepping slightly closer.
"Apparently so."
"Fascinating," said the second woman. "I've studied how hair chemistry can enhance natural pheromones, but I've never encountered anything quite this pronounced."
"Are you competing in the championship?" the blonde was asking as Aiko approached.
"Javier Varela, Spain," he replied, then spotted Aiko and immediately brightened. "And there's my girlfriend now."
As Aiko reached them, Javier naturally made introductions. "Aiko, I'd like you to meet Astrid Lindberg from Sweden and Zara Mbeki from South Africa. Ladies, this is Aiko Matsumoto, representing Japan."
"Nice to meet you both," Aiko said politely, though she could see the slight disappointment in their expressions as they realized Javier was definitively unavailable.
"We were just... admiring your boyfriend's natural presence," Astrid said with a diplomatic smile that didn't quite hide her continued interest.
"He has that effect," Aiko replied with gentle authority, stepping closer to Javier in a way that made their connection unmistakably clear.
Zara nodded respectfully. "Well, good luck to you both in the competition. It's going to be quite an event."
"Thank you. Same to you," Aiko replied warmly.
From across the lobby, Yuki approached with the rest of the Japanese team, her eyes immediately cataloguing the international competitors visible throughout the space.
"This is incredible," Yuki said, taking in the soaring architecture and the obvious diversity of talent gathered in one place. "Look at everyone here—you can see the skill level just in how they carry themselves."
"Hotel's treating this seriously too," Kenta observed, noting the elegant furnishings and professional atmosphere. "They understand what kind of event this is."
As they stood together in the bustling lobby, surrounded by dozens of the world's most talented young stylists, Aiko felt the magnitude of what they were participating in settling over her. Among the crowd, she spotted competitors whose work she'd studied, whose techniques had influenced her own development.
"Should we head up to settle in?" Rina suggested, hefting her equipment case.
"Actually," Aiko said, still scanning the crowd with fascination, "I'd like to stay down here for a few minutes. Look around, meet people properly instead of just through screens."
The lobby had become an impromptu international gathering, with clusters of competitors gravitating toward each other based on language, technique interests, and the growing recognition that they were all part of something larger than individual achievement.
"You know," Javier said, glancing around the bustling lobby with analytical attention, "we'll have plenty of time to interact with everyone later. There's a formal introduction at eight PM where the organizers are making an appearance in the main hall."
"Sounds official," Yuki observed, noting how some competitors were already gravitating toward information boards near the registration area.
"Maybe you should get settled upstairs first," Javier suggested to Aiko, though his eyes continued tracking movement patterns around the lobby. "Get comfortable before the evening gets more intense."
As he spoke, his attention shifted to Kenta, who was watching the international crowd with obvious fascination. "Kenta, there's something interesting I've been noticing."
"What do you mean?"
Javier lowered his voice slightly, positioning himself so their conversation wouldn't carry to nearby competitors. "Some of the people here have been... smelling around. Moving through groups, getting close enough to pick up scent information about other competitors."
"Scent information?" Rina asked, following his gaze toward a cluster of competitors who did seem to be positioning themselves strategically near different groups.
"Hair chemistry, natural pheromones, product choices—it could all provide insight into training methods, stress levels, even dietary habits that might affect performance," Javier explained. "I'm guessing there might be a few here who are collecting information to release for those online prediction sites that try to forecast competition winners."
"That's... actually brilliant," Kenta said with grudging admiration. "Unethical, but brilliant."
"Just a theory," Javier added, watching a girl with a notebook who had been circulating near different national groups. "But I've noticed the way some of them move—not like competitors focused on their own preparation, but like researchers gathering data."
He turned his attention specifically to Kenji, who had been gazing around the elegant lobby with the expression of someone on vacation. "Kenji, are you taking everything in to enjoy the evening?"
"Definitely. This place is incredible—look at those chandeliers, the marble work..."
"Good," Javier said with gentle authority, "but don't get too comfortable. This isn't necessarily a vacation. Everyone here is exceptional, and some of them are probably studying us as much as we're studying them."
The reminder seemed to snap Kenji back to focus, his posture shifting from tourist appreciation to competitive awareness.
"He's right," Yuki said, hefting her equipment case. "We should treat every interaction as potentially significant."
"Speaking of which," Rina said, pulling out the hotel information brochure, "this place has some amazing facilities. Pool, fitness center, spa services, multiple restaurants. Should we check some of them out after we get settled?"
"The fitness center might be useful," Aiko said thoughtfully. "Staying physically loose during competition week is important."
"And the spa," Kenta added, scanning the brochure. "They offer scalp treatments and hand therapy—could be good for maintaining our tools and our own condition."
"Multiple dining options too," Kenji noted, his voice regaining some of its earlier enthusiasm but now tempered with strategic thinking. "Good to know where we can eat without running into too much competitor interaction if we need quiet planning time."
Javier nodded approvingly at their tactical approach to the hotel's amenities. "Smart thinking. Balance between engaging with other competitors and maintaining your own individual focus."
"Should we explore a bit before the eight PM gathering?" Yuki suggested. "Get oriented to the layout, see what's available?"
"Good idea," Aiko agreed, though she was still processing Javier's observations about information gathering among the competitors. "But carefully. Like Javier said, everyone here is watching everyone else."
As they prepared to head toward the elevators with their room assignments, the lobby continued filling with new arrivals. The energy was building toward something that felt both exciting and significant—dozens of the world's most talented young stylists gathering in one space, each representing not just personal achievement but family legacies and preserved knowledge that was finally safe to share openly.
"See you at eight," Javier said, squeezing Aiko's hand before they separated to their respective floors. "This is really happening."
"Finally," Aiko replied, feeling the weight of months of preparation crystallizing into anticipation for whatever revelations the evening would bring.
The elevator hummed quietly as it carried Aiko, Yuki, Kenta, Rina, and Kenji toward the seventh floor. The brief separation from Javier felt strange after their reunion, but the practical necessity of settling into their rooms before the evening's formal introductions made sense.
"Room 712," Aiko said, checking her key card as they reached her floor. "What about everyone else?"
"714," Yuki replied, comparing key cards. "We're practically neighbors."
"716 and 718," Kenta and Rina said almost simultaneously, while Kenji held up his card showing 720.
"Perfect," Aiko said with satisfaction. "Close enough to coordinate but spread out enough for individual preparation space."
As they walked down the elegantly carpeted hallway, the sounds of other competitors settling into their rooms filtered through the walls—rolling luggage, muffled conversations in various languages, and the occasional sound of unpacking equipment.
"This is surreal," Rina murmured as they paused outside their respective doors. "Six months ago, we were all just students at Stellar Academy. Now we're here with the best young stylists in the world."
"Don't let it overwhelm you," Aiko said gently. "We earned our places here just like everyone else did."
Her room was spacious and elegantly appointed, with large windows overlooking Milan's historic architecture and a work area that had been specifically configured for a hairstyling competitor—good lighting, electrical outlets positioned for professional equipment, and a large mirror suitable for practice sessions.
The hotel staff had already delivered her luggage, arranged neatly on the bed's luxury linens. As Aiko began unpacking her competition tools, she found herself thinking about Javier's observations regarding information gathering among the competitors.
The idea that some participants might be collecting data for prediction sites was unsettling but not entirely surprising. With so much international attention focused on the championship, the temptation to gain inside information for betting or media purposes would be significant.
A soft knock on her door interrupted her unpacking. "It's Yuki."
"Come in," Aiko called, not looking up from organizing her tool case.
Yuki entered carrying her own equipment bag and wearing an expression of barely contained excitement. "Have you looked out your window yet?"
"Not really. Why?"
"Because the view is incredible, and you can see some of the other competitors in their rooms across the courtyard. Everyone's unpacking, setting up practice stations, getting ready for whatever's coming."
Aiko moved to the window, following Yuki's gaze across the hotel's internal courtyard. Sure enough, other windows showed glimpses of international competitors preparing for the week ahead—young people from dozens of countries, all pursuing the same dream of excellence in their craft.
"It's like a little village of the world's best young stylists," Yuki observed. "All gathered in one place for the first time."
"And all carrying family histories none of us fully understand yet," Aiko added, remembering the video conferences that had revealed the Documentation Coalition connections.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Kenta: "Exploring the spa level. They have individual meditation rooms and a quiet library space. Perfect for pre-competition preparation."
"Want to check out some of the hotel facilities before the eight PM meeting?" Yuki suggested. "Get oriented to everything that's available?"
"Good idea. Let me finish organizing my tools and we can explore together."
As Aiko completed her unpacking, she found herself looking forward to the evening's revelations while maintaining the focused mindset that had carried her through months of intensive preparation. The hotel was impressive, the other competitors were clearly exceptional, and the sense of participating in something historically significant was growing stronger with each passing hour.
Whatever was about to unfold in Milan, she felt ready to meet it with the competence and determination that had brought her this far.
The real competition was about to begin.
Twenty minutes later, Aiko and her friends reconvened in the lobby, each having taken time to freshen up and organize their competition materials. The space had grown even more crowded as additional international arrivals continued streaming through the entrance, creating a multicultural tapestry of young talent that was mesmerizing to observe.
"The energy down here is completely different now," Rina noted as they emerged from the elevator. "Look how everyone's naturally forming clusters."
She was right. The lobby had organized itself into loose geographical groupings—European competitors gravitating toward the elegant seating areas near the windows, Asian representatives gathering around the registration desk, while competitors from the Americas had claimed the space near the concierge station.
"Natural social dynamics," Kenta observed with interest. "Language comfort zones and cultural familiarity."
"But look at the crossover conversations," Yuki added, pointing toward several mixed groups where competitors were clearly making efforts to connect across cultural boundaries. "People are being intentional about meeting outside their comfort zones."
As they made their way through the crowd, Aiko found herself recognizing faces from months of video conferences and competition research. The transition from screen-based familiarity to in-person presence was striking—everyone seemed both exactly as expected and completely different when encountered in three dimensions.
"Aiko!" a familiar voice called out in accented English. Esperanza waved from across the lobby, her warm smile instantly recognizable despite the months since their last video call.
"Esperanza!" Aiko called back, making her way through the crowd with her friends trailing behind.
The Spanish girl embraced her with genuine warmth, immediately making Aiko feel more grounded in the overwhelming international environment. "You look exactly like your videos, but somehow more... present."
"You too. How was your flight from Barcelona?"
"Quick and easy. Though I think I'm still processing that we're all actually here together." Esperanza gestured around the crowded lobby. "Six months of video calls, and now we're breathing the same air."
"Have you met many people yet?" Yuki asked, introducing herself with characteristic directness.
"A few. The energy is incredible—everyone's excited but also evaluating each other constantly." Esperanza lowered her voice slightly. "And there are definitely some competitors who seem more focused on gathering information than making genuine connections."
"Javier mentioned that too," Aiko said, remembering his observations about research-oriented behavior among some participants.
"Speaking of Javier, where is he?" Esperanza asked, looking around. "I was hoping to meet him properly."
"Probably still settling in. We're all meeting back down here closer to eight for the formal introductions."
As their conversation continued, more familiar faces from the video conferences began approaching—Viktor from Russia, Amara from Nigeria, Carlos from Brazil. Each reunion carried the strange intimacy of people who had shared thoughts and techniques across continents but were meeting physically for the first time.
"This is surreal," Carlos said as their group expanded to include nearly a dozen competitors. "We've been preparing for months, but actually being here..."
"Feels bigger than we expected," Viktor finished, his usual intensity softened by obvious excitement. "Not just individual achievement, but something more significant."
"The family connection patterns we discussed," Amara added quietly, ensuring their conversation remained private despite the crowded surroundings. "Being here makes it feel more surreal, more... purposeful."
The lobby's atmosphere was charged with anticipation and careful observation as dozens of young people navigated between genuine connection and competitive assessment. Everyone seemed aware that relationships formed here could influence not just the week's competition, but their entire future careers in the international beauty industry.
As seven o'clock approached, the energy in the space began building toward the evening's formal presentations. Whatever revelations awaited them in the main hall, the real competition had already begun in the subtle dynamics of introduction, recognition, and the careful dance of young talent discovering both allies and rivals among their peers.