Chapter 97 Big Eater Contest! 【VIP】
Just then, the host announced, "Next, please invite the graduate representative, Nakahara Chuuya, to the stage to give his graduation speech!"
There was thunderous applause.
Chuuya, who was originally smiling and encouraging his classmates while chatting about future school, took a deep breath when he heard his own name, and his expression instantly became extremely serious and solemn.
He straightened his back and walked towards the podium with the steady steps of a soldier. The resentment from his earlier fight with Dazai seemed to have been completely suppressed. He now exuded a sense of responsibility and seriousness that belied his age.
"Hmm? The aura has changed?" The player's (process sheet) attention was immediately drawn to it. Chuuya, this kid, really does take situations like this very seriously.
Chuuya stood in front of the podium, adjusted his bachelor's cap and bow tie, and his blue eyes swept across the expectant gazes of the audience, especially lingering briefly on the faces of his companions who were originally from the "Sheep" organization, revealing obvious gentleness and determination.
The players suddenly felt a little soft-hearted (or their playful nature was slightly restrained).
It would be a bit awkward to parody this carefully prepared and important speech. Players aren't evil, after all, right? And this kid is very proud. If he makes a fool of himself in this situation, he'll definitely be devastated...
Alas, players still care about their families.
"...Forget it, since you're so serious, I won't bother you this time." The player (process list) muttered to himself, completely giving up the idea of mimicking a microphone stand or something else to "add some fun" to him. Better to focus on playing with Dazai.
Chuuya-san, please start your performance!
On the stage, Chuuya cleared his throat and spoke loudly: "Dear teachers, dear students..."
His voice was a little tense at first, but soon stabilized. His tone was clear and powerful, with the youthful vigor and vitality of a young man, as well as a peculiar leadership.
They expressed their gratitude to their alma mater, their respect for their teachers, their cherishment of their classmates, and their aspirations for the future with sincerity and enthusiasm, which drew warm applause from the audience.
The player (process sheet) quietly removed the mimicry, and while Dazai Osamu was still suspiciously searching for suspicious people, he changed back to human form and continued to stand in the shade of the trees outside as if nothing had happened.
She crossed her arms and leisurely enjoyed Chuuya's speech.
Well, that's very well said! Although the wording is standard elementary school student's speech format, the sincerity and earnestness really make people feel his charm.
Especially when he talked about the little things he had experienced with his classmates during this period, the joy and the feeling of cherishing his companions were very vivid.
"...So, let us take everything we have learned here and bravely face the challenges of the future! Thank you everyone!" Chuuya's last words were resounding and he bowed deeply.
The applause was thunderous, even louder than before. Chuuya's classmates and former "sheep" in the back row were particularly excited, many with red eyes, clapping their hands vigorously. Their King of Sheep was truly amazing!
Chuuya straightened up, his face flushed with a healthy flush of excitement, a hint of shyness from relief, and the satisfaction of having accomplished a major task.
He saluted the audience again, his eyes sweeping across the crowd——
Accurately and accurately, he captured Lin Chen jumping up and down in the shade of the tree, giving him a thumbs-up.
Chuuya's movements paused ever so slightly for a fraction of a second, his facial expression remaining unchanged, except for a split second of a second of a bright blue eye, as if a hint of understanding flashed across his face as if to say, "As expected, you're watching the fun here," mixed with a barely perceptible smile of recognition.
He then winked at the players, looked away as if nothing had happened, and walked off the stage with the dignified demeanor of a graduate representative to greet the crowd of his companions.
Player: Wow, Chuuya is really cute!
On the other side, Dazai Osamu seemed to have given up his futile search, picked up the process sheet on the ground, and continued to look at it with that thoughtful and inquiring look, as if trying to dissect the paper with his eyes.
Oda Sakunosuke put away the small notebook and reminded Dazai: "It's over, it's time to go and congratulate Chuuya-kun."
Upon hearing this, Dazai Osamu put on his signature, slightly playful smile and slipped the "suspicious" process sheet into his pocket. "Yes, Odasaku. Our great graduate representative, Nakaya-kun, gave a truly... moving and tear-jerking speech today."
As he said this, his iris-colored eyes glanced towards the shade of the tree again as if unintentionally, and the curve of his mouth deepened slightly, as if he was locking onto or confirming something.
The player felt that smile... seemed to hold a certain depth. Could it be that he was suspicious of her? Tsk, Dazai, this guy, truly an SSR, with such keen perceptions? But... even if he suspected, he had no proof, right? The player's mimicry was invisible!
It doesn't matter, the prank worked, and today's fun was enough! The players looked at Chuuya surrounded by his classmates, receiving congratulations, and Dazai Osamu and Oda Sakunosuke also walked slowly over. They felt that this scene was quite harmonious.
"Okay, time to take these little brats out to celebrate graduation!" The player ignored his current three-headed body and casually called everyone else brats, snapping his fingers happily. "Game hall or family restaurant? Hmm... there seems to be an eating contest nearby?"
"Family restaurants are too ordinary! Game halls, etc. With a wave of his hand, he directly rejected the options Bai Ji had just proposed, his eyes sparkling, as if he had found a new toy!"
She did not explain, and with a snap of her fingers, the blood-red teleportation light instantly enveloped Gohui Tiansaku and Chuuya's group of excited "
"Before I could even finish my protest, the scene before me had transformed from the school playground into—a crowded open-air food court?!
Giant inflatable arch XXth Yokohama Big Eater Challenge! 】
Deafening dynamic music hits the eardrums, and the air is filled with the impactful and strong aroma of dozens of foods such as fried chicken, barbecue, takoyaki, cream cake, etc.
The central area was fenced off, housing a dazzlingly lit stage with a dozen long tables lined up in a row. The most eye-catching element was the massive LED screen directly above the stage, which was currently playing a loop of highlights from past competitions: contestants devouring piles of food, sweating profusely, even rolling their eyes as they ate.
"A...competition for eating?!" Chuuya's voice distorted. He looked at the image on the screen of a burly man clutching his stomach in pain, his face instantly pale. The Sheep members around him gasped in a mixture of fear and excitement.
"That's right!" The player stood at the edge of this battlefield filled with intense competition, hands on his hips, beaming triumphantly. "To celebrate graduation, we've got to have something exciting! Winning the competition will earn you incredibly generous prizes!"
She pointed to the glittering golden trophy and... a complete set of the latest game consoles on the poster next to her.
The former friends in the "Sheep" organization were all stunned: "Wow! Chuuya! Chuuya! That! Game console!"
Chuuya looked at his friends' expectant eyes, then at the mountain of food on the poster, and felt a slight ache in his stomach.
He forced his expression and tried to struggle: "Player, we just graduated... This kind of competition is not suitable..."
"I'll pay the registration fee!" the player interrupted him proudly. With a wave of her hand, several banknotes appeared in the hands of the staff at the registration office. "Register this contestant, Chuuya Nakahara! And..."
She swept her gaze across the crowd, landing precisely on Dazai Osamu, who was observing the rules of the competition with great interest, a meaningful smile on his face. "This Dazai Osamu has also signed up!"
"Eh?" Dazai Osamu's smile froze for a moment. He pointed at himself and said, "Me?"
"That's right! Double the fun, double the insurance!" The player nodded without question, then turned to Chuuya and his friends, "If you want to join in, you can sign up. The registration fee is free!"
As soon as she finished speaking, a few brave "Sheep" members hesitated for a moment, then actually raised their hands. After all, the temptation of the game console was too great!
Chuuya: “…”
He looked at his companions, their fighting spirit aroused (or perhaps simply reckless), then at the staff on stage already piling up the large basins of food. Then he thought of his own sense of responsibility as a former "King"... He took a deep breath, a glimmer of desperation flashing in his azure eyes. For the game console his companions wanted! Fight!
Dazai Osamu tilted his head, his iris-colored eyes flashing cunningly under the dazzling stage lights: "Oh? Player, are you sure you want me to participate? I'm very 'fragile', what if I get an upset stomach..."
The player waved his hand and said, "Stop talking nonsense! The loser is responsible for buying the winner a month's worth of snacks! If no one wins, we'll just sort by ranking."
She knows how to motivate.
Soon, including Chuuya and Dazai, a total of six contestants (four "Sheep" members, plus Chuuya and Dazai) were guided by the staff to sit at the long table in the center of the stage.
The spotlights shone, the host excitedly roared into the microphone, and the huge LED screen clearly captured the faces of each contestant.
Chuuya sat in the middle seat, his body straight, trying hard to remain calm, but his tightly pursed lips and slightly tense shoulders still revealed his nervousness.
A huge plate was placed in front of him, piled high with golden fried chicken nuggets, emitting an enticing aroma of oil, but in his eyes it looked like a small mountain.
Dazai Osamu sat next to Chuuya, in a rather awkward position. He also had the same amount of fried chicken in front of him. His chin rested on his hand, his other hand idly twirling his hair. His face wore a relaxed, detached air, as if he were merely visiting, completely out of place in the tense atmosphere.
"Are all the contestants ready? Ready – go!" the host shouted.
"Wow!!!" The audience below burst into enthusiastic cheers and encouragement.
The members of the "Sheep" organization started eating immediately, grabbing the fried chicken and stuffing it into their mouths. Their cheeks bulged instantly, filled with the ferocity of young people.
Chuuya took a deep breath, his eyes becoming incredibly focused and serious. He cast aside all distractions, grabbed a piece of fried chicken, and with a speed and efficiency that belied his small frame, he swiftly and precisely bit into it, chewing as little as possible before swallowing it directly!
His movements were neat and efficient, without a single unnecessary move, and his eyes were determined, as if he was carrying out an important mission - to win a game console for his friends!
The players in the audience watched with gusto. Chuuya's posture really did look like a professional! Although he ate quickly, he didn't seem awkward at all. Instead, he had a strange rhythmic feeling, which, combined with his serious face, was a perfect contrast of cuteness.
On the other hand, Dazai Osamu next to him...
He also picked up the fried chicken. But he didn't gobble it down like the others. His movements were...extremely graceful.
Yes, elegant.
I saw him using his slender fingers to slowly and methodically tear off the crispy golden skin of the fried chicken and carefully put it aside (as if he was creating a work of art).
Then, he picked up the relatively tender chicken breast inside, dipped it in the sauce next to it (he even sniffed it pickily), then opened his mouth, gently took a small bite with his front teeth, and chewed it slowly.
That posture didn't look like he was participating in a competitive eating contest, but rather like he was enjoying afternoon tea at a three-star Michelin restaurant! He even took the time to flash an innocent yet provocative smile towards a certain direction in the audience (where the players were).
Player: "..." This guy definitely did it on purpose. He didn't come here to compete at all. He came here to ruin the event and piss off the host!
"Contestant Chuuya is in great form! He's already finished half the plate! He's truly our rising star! Contestant Dazai... uh... eats very meticulously... artistically..." The host looked at the barely touched fried chicken in front of Dazai and the pile of skin next to it, his mouth twitching as he tried to smooth things over.
Time passed by. The first round of fried chicken was over.
Chuuya advanced with a commanding lead, his plate pristine. Dazai Osamu… barely finished half his meal and surprisingly advanced (mainly because he ate so little that time seemed to pass incredibly slowly). A few of the "Sheep" members were unfortunately eliminated, but their gazes toward Chuuya only grew with admiration.
The second round was a pile of creamy pasta! The thick sauce mixed with the noodles made you feel full just by looking at it.
Chuuya's face had begun to turn pale, beads of sweat oozing from his forehead. He stared at the mountain of noodles before him, his stomach churning.
But he gritted his teeth, picked up his fork again, rolled up a large piece of noodles, and stuffed it into his mouth! For his friends! Fight! His movements were still efficient, but his speed had slowed down significantly, and his Adam's apple rolled with difficulty when swallowing.
Dazai Osamu looked at the pasta in front of him and frowned slightly, as if he was not very fond of this sticky food.
He slowly picked up the fork, rolled up... three noodles, and placed them gracefully into his mouth. Then he picked up the water glass beside him and took a sip slowly, as if rinsing his mouth.
The players were so excited. Being polite in a competitive eating contest was absolutely unacceptable!
She rolled her eyes and the idea of playing a prank came to her mind again.
[Mimicry activated! Target form: A small tomato on the bowl of pasta in front of Dazai Osamu!]
The field of vision instantly turned into a background of sticky sauce and noodles. The player felt like he had turned into a round and plump little tomato, lying innocently on top of the pasta, wrapped in sticky sauce.
Dazai Osamu was picking up a handful of noodles with his fork, his eyes scanning the bowl, as if he was about to pick out some side dishes. His fork reached out towards the player (Cherry Tomato).
Now is the time! [Vector Manipulation · Tomato Scroll]
The player controls "Bai Ji" (Little Tomato), and at the moment the fork is about to hit her, she rolls to the side extremely quickly!
Phew!
The cunning little tomato cleverly avoided the sharp tines of the fork, slid out a graceful arc on the smooth sauce, and then... hit the tip of Dazai Osamu's straight nose!
The sticky red sauce instantly exploded into a "ketchup flower" on the tip of his white nose!
"Pfft!" The audience erupted in uncontrollable laughter. Even the host laughed ungraciously.
Dazai Osamu's movements froze instantly.
He could feel the cool, sticky touch on the tip of his nose and even smell the rich smell of ketchup.
He slowly put down his fork, stretched out his finger, and wiped the tip of his nose. Looking at the glaring red sauce on his fingertips, his iris-colored eyes narrowed dangerously, his gaze like a searchlight, instantly locking onto the small figure in the audience, holding his belly and laughing uncontrollably - the player Lin Chen!
Found it! The culprit!
Dazai Osamu's mouth curled up into an extremely dangerous arc, with a look of understanding and a little revenge that made him even more interested. He silently mouthed to the player: It's you, Player~
The player looked away as if nothing had happened, snatched Oda's notebook from the side, held it upright against his face, and began to read it carefully.
Well... very plain and simple words, but they are vivid and interesting because of the author's sincere feelings.
It seems Oda has a talent for writing. [Help Oda Sakunosuke complete his first book] seems to be completed very quickly. It's incredibly easy, let's take a look at the quest progress bar...
What does 20% mean?!
The players were horrified.
Is there a system failure? A bug? A code error? Hasn't been updated in a long time?
"Don't frame me." The system said indifferently, "There's no bug. The data is correct."
"That's not right!" the player argued. "How could Oda only be 20% complete when he wrote so many articles? He's already filled two notebooks! This is more than enough for a whole book!"
The system sneered, [Really? Then you can ask him yourself.]
"Hey, Oda!" Lin Chen tugged at Oda Sakunosuke's pants, "Can you publish a book now?"
Oda Sakunosuke said calmly, "No."
He looked down at the player's broken expression and added, "These and the ones I wrote before are just simple records of what happened around me. They are far from the level of stories that can be used as books."
"You're just too good at your job!" the player crossed his arms. "Your notebook can definitely be handed over to a publishing house for direct publication. The world literary world will be thrilled by your work."
"Thank you for your kindness," Oda Sakunosuke's ahoge twitched slightly, "but I simply cannot bear to see such simple text published as a book. It would be irresponsible to both the readers and myself."
"Whatever you want," the player shrugged. "Just don't regret it later. If you publish now, you'll have my blessing, okay? Even if the whole book is blank, it doesn't matter. I can guarantee that your reputation among the public will be as resounding as it is in the literary world!"
"Well, I won't regret it. It's good like this now." Oda Sakunosuke nodded silently under the players' disappointed eyes.
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