No sooner had the prefectural tournament ended than the very next week they had to depart for the national tournament.

That was because the ability tournaments from D-rank through A-rank were all part of one large unified event and the national tournaments for each rank were scheduled with slight offsets so that they would not overlap.

As a result the time between the prefectural tournament and the national tournament was extremely short.

Just how short was it?

Short enough that the brass band club’s prefectural tournament almost completely overlapped with the national ability tournament.

They deliberately arrange it so that the matches for each rank do not overlap because if you place in one tournament you can advance to the higher-rank tournament.

For the D-rank division that Kurato is competing in, if you place within the top three at the national tournament you earn the right to participate in the C-rank national tournament.

Perhaps because of that the atmosphere at the national tournament was incomparably more tense than any district or prefectural tournament so far.

“Don don don! Don don don!”

“Pa pa paa ♪ Pa pa paa ♪ Pa pa pa pa paa ♪ Pa pa paa ♪ Pa pa paa ♪ Pa pa pa pa paa ♪”

“”Go go Seirin! Win win Seirin!””

“”We wanna see Saito win! Show us Saito’s strike!””

‘Hey, is this Koshien?’

The cheers and support flooding in from the stands were so intense that Kurato could not help being amazed.

Looking around he saw what appeared to be the brass bands, cheering squads and cheerleading teams of each school gathered together and surging like a single living organism.

“This is an incredible number of supporters, Yanagi-san.”

Kurato had only just entered the venue but already felt like he might be pushed back by the pressure so he sought agreement from Yanagi-san.

Yanagi-san nodded once and said, “It seems the match currently underway is between the girls’ elementary school affiliated with Seirin Girls’ High School in Aichi and the girls’ elementary school affiliated with Chikushi Girls’ High School in Fukuoka. Both are prestigious schools so I imagine their supporters are especially passionate.”

“Oh. You are well informed.”

When Kurato said that in admiration, Yanagi-san took a magazine out of her handbag.

On the cover in flashy colors and thick lettering were the words <Complete Ability Tournament Prediction! D-rank Edition>.

“I studied so that I could be of even a little help to you, Kurato-sama!”

Yanagi-san watched the D-rank matches every year but this time for Kurato’s sake she had also researched strategy guides and footage from the previous tournament.

‘Not only delicious meals but support like this as well.’

Kurato felt truly grateful to Yanagi-san.

According to Yanagi-san this tournament has a total of 157 participants.

Three representatives from each prefecture plus five each from Fukuoka, Kyoto, Osaka, Aichi and Kanagawa and nine from Tokyo.

Urban areas have more slots because many players from those prefectures reached the top sixteen in the previous tournament.

If you make the top sixteen, you earn participation rights for the next year’s national tournament.

Prefectures that earn participation rights receive additional slots equal to that number.

Even if the person who earned the right cannot participate due to age, it still counts.

It is like a kind of reward.

The reason the top sixteen are concentrated in urban areas is because those prefectures have large Special Zones.

Prestigious girls’ schools affiliated with those Special Zones attract talented students every year and as a result their dojos and training centers are well equipped.

That is why major cities tend to place in the top sixteen and gain participation slots.

Incidentally Kurato’s hometown has few private schools and few girls’ schools so it is not rare for public schools to advance to nationals.

There is no Special Zone there after all.

If you go as far as Tsukuba, there is a special region rather than a Special Zone.

It is roughly around where the historical Academy City would be.

However, in prefectures that have a Special Zone the schools competing are almost all private girls’ schools specializing in ability development.

In fact, over ninety percent of the participants in this national tournament are from such private girls’ schools.

The problem here was the waiting room.

The waiting room assigned to Kurato had nine girls besides him.

Of course, Kurato was the only boy.

Despite that the girls casually started changing clothes right in front of him.

“……”

Kurato quietly left the waiting room and rejoined Yanagi-san in the stands.

Fortunately, the spectator area was not crowded.

Certain spots like the front rows were packed due to cheering battles but the back rows were sparse.

Compared to ability battles held in Special Zones, D-rank matches are apparently not very popular.

“Is it alright for you to be here?”

“Yes. Being the only boy in the waiting room was rather uncomfortable.”

In truth, he had been driven out by the girls.

Those girls had deliberately changed in front of him.

As if to say this is our battlefield, so boys should leave.

Once again, he was reminded that abilities are a woman’s world.

Kurato watched the matches carefully from the stands until his turn came.

In the middle of an athletics track, elementary school girls were clashing with their abilities.

The D-rank division is scheduled over three full days.

Today, only the first and second rounds are held.

Tomorrow will be the third round of the semifinals.

On the final day, the third-place match and the final are scheduled.

The venue is a large sports complex by the sea in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Therefore both Kurato and Yanagi-san are staying at a hotel.

The expenses are covered by the tournament.

Of course if he reaches the final they will stay for free at a luxury hotel until the morning after tomorrow.

However, that only applies to Kurato and his guardian Yanagi-san.

Other supporters must pay out of pocket.

That is why Keita and the others are not here.

Keita had said innocently, “I will come watch the final!” but he probably did not understand what he was saying.

No other people from Kurato’s school are present either.

The prefectural tournament had not caused much of a stir so they likely would not come even for the final.

Takeda-san and the others had also clearly stated they would not come since Iizuka-san was not competing.

As a result, Kurato’s cheering squad consists of only Yanagi-san.

He does not feel lonely but he worries that Yanagi-san might push herself too hard.

“Well then, Yanagi-san, I am going.”

Since his match was approaching Kurato stood up.

“Best of luck. Please do not get hurt.”

Yanagi-san pleaded with a face that looked like she might cry so Kurato smiled and waved.

She worries about him endlessly.

In Kurato’s heart, apology and reassurance swayed on a scale.

Kurato’s first opponent is a third-grade girl from a public elementary school in Wakayama Prefecture.

She has black hair in braids and her face is pale with anxiety.

She has been swallowed by the atmosphere of the venue.

[Ibaraki Prefectural Momoyama Elementary School, Makishima Kurato!]

The announcement echoes through the venue.

‘Oh right this is where I raise my hand.’

Remembering the explanation he received just before Kurato raises one hand.

Scattered applause comes from the stands.

Ceremonial applause.

That is probably all unknown schools get.

There are no cheers.

The same goes for his opponent.

Even when her name is called it is the same reaction.

‘So you are unknown too. A fellow traveler.’

“Begin!”

‘Even so a match is a match.’

Kurato first takes a defensive stance by summoning a shield.

However, even after the referee’s call the girl does not move.

Her face has gone from pale to ashen and she is completely frozen.

She has been overwhelmed by the pressure of the venue and the national tournament.

‘If I just win like this it might become her trauma.’

Thinking that Kurato moves his shields aside and walks toward her.

She thrusts her hand toward Kurato but seems unable to properly activate her ability.

To come all the way to nationals and still not be able to use her ability means she is in serious trouble.

Kurato takes the girl’s right hand.

She is startled but he ignores it and shakes her hand.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Makishima Kurato. Please take care of me today, senpai.”

“Eh ah y-yes.”

“Are you nervous?”

“Eh… y-yeah. A little…”

The girl nods with a face that looks unwell.

‘Her hand is cold.’

Kurato continues with a smile.

“So am I. Standing in front of this many people makes my shoulders tense up and I cannot help it.”

“…Me too. My body is not listening to me like usual…”

“Which part is hard to move?”

“Um e-everything?”

“That is terrible. We will need to get a massage.”

When Kurato jokes, the tightly closed mouth relaxes just a little.

‘Almost there.’

“But right now we both need to give it our all, right?”

“Yeah. That is right. Thank you.”

The frozen muscles of her face seem to loosen just a bit.

“Let us enjoy this match together.”

Saying that Kurato releases her hand and returns to his position.

Her face is still pale but her body is now moving.

After that they somehow manage to conduct a proper match.

Her ability is Psychokinesis and she uses tactics such as pulling her opponent’s clothes to trip them or manipulating their arms to make them self-destruct.

Perhaps she practices judo.

It is a fighting style Kurato has never seen before and he enjoys it greatly.

Because of that they use the full ten-minute match time and the result goes to a decision.

Since Kurato had attacked throughout the match the win goes to him but the girl’s face afterward is bright with color and a smile.

“Thank you, Makishima-kun. I lost but it was fun!”

“Yes. I had a lot of fun too. Your fighting style was very educational. Let us fight again.”

“Yeah! Definitely!”

“Yes.”

Naturally the two shake hands and return to the waiting room.

Stronger applause than at the start of the match is sent after their backs.

The second-round opponent is also a third-grade girl from an unknown private school in Hiroshima Prefecture but Kurato advances without difficulty.

That leaves thirty-two players.

At this point everyone left is a young lady from a prestigious school.

Among all the competitors Kurato is the only boy left.

That night Kurato and Yanagi-san enjoy fresh seafood from Shizuoka.

Their energy is fully restored.

Keeping training light Kurato goes to bed early.