Round 3

"So the mechanics are the same as the last round?" Ichijou inquired.

"No, not really. Three contestants will be singing the song this time, a trio. And the judging system is also different. They'll put up a poll online, and the results would be 1/3 of our total score." Takao crossed his arms against his chest, looking a tad bit worried. "It's unpredictable, we don't know what'll happen when the crowd's included in the voting."

"Don't worry about that. You've got Shutoku by your side, and we're a large school. We could ask the students' friends and the friends of their friends to vote for you," Miyaji said. "And the judges have bigger part in this. They comprise 2/3 of the votes. If you win them, you're guaranteed the winner."

"Hmm... This is actually getting hard already..."

"Oi, are you going to lose your spirit now that you're only a few steps towards the top? Just believe in yourself, we're here to support you," Kimura said.

"Thanks, everyone," Takao said, now smiling.

"Um..." Midorima adjusted his glasses. In his other hand was the paper with information for round 3. "I believe there is a slight problem. No, this is a big problem for someone of Takao's intellect-"

"What the heck, Shin-chan, that's totally condenscending!" Takao pointed an accusing finger at the guy.

"I'm just stating the truth."

The others looked really confused. "What do you mean, Midorima?" Miyaji asked.

The boy in question cleared his throat first before speaking. "The song they'll be singing is in English."

"WHAT?!"

"Hey!" Takao protested. "Is it really that shocking?"

Everybody looked at him. "YES!"

"Y-You guys...! I'll have you know that my best subject is English! Don't underestimate me!" Takao said, seething with anger.

"It is his best subject?"

"What?"

"I didn't know.."

"Takao actually has his best subject?"

"I-I'm not dumb! My pronunciation's even better than Shin-chan!"

"Oi-"

"You shut up, Shin-chan," Takao said, glaring at his teammate, effectively silencing him.

The point guard stomped away from them, muttering things like 'you'll see' and 'assholes' and 'I'm not dumb!'

They pissed him off, now.


Takao pretty much ignored them for a whole week, but they weren't exactly bothered by it. They spent the whole week announcing to the whole student body that Takao needs their support. They even booked some minutes off the P.A. system to inform the students about the poll. The students reacted positively to it and are now certainly rooting for Takao.

"I guess this is penance for our sins," Ichijou said, chuckling as he waved a banner around with the words:

Takao Kazunari Needs Your Support! Please Call XXX-XXXX For Additional Information Or Approach Us!

"We don't have shit to say sorry for! Work your butts off! And I'm sure," Miyaji grinned. "I'm 100% sure that Takao's more fired up than ever. He wants to win, and we'll help him win, got it?!"

"Yes, sir!"

A certain point guard's containing his laugh in one corner.

"Yes, sir."


"This is so intense. To think that we're here again...!" Kimura said. "The goosebumps won't go away. And Midorima, you even brought red bean soup here?!"

Midorima ignored his senior and focused on drinking from his can.

"Takao's attire is a suit, right? Which means they will all wear suits, which means-"

Cheers and screams filled the hall as Takao and his opponents, Okubo Rei and Miyagi Hiiro, owned the stage. The three wore suits that hugged their bodies so nicely that Midorima was absolutely sure he heard whistling somewhere.

"Wooooooooohhhhhhhh!"

"Hot~!"

They were honestly ashamed for the person who voiced out her personal comment.

"Which means fangirling and screaming, which means Takao's potential votes may decrease if his opponents are more handsome than him," Ichijou finished.

Women, they all thought.

Not only was it a battle of voices, but it also became a battle of looks. And the more you charm, people, the more they'll be drawn in to you.

Okubo was on the left end of the stage, Miyagi was on the right, and Takao was on the center.

Okubo was given the spotlight first.

I'm just the boy inside the man, not exactly who you think I am

Trying to trace my steps back here again, so many times

Miyagi was next, his melancholic eyes giving out strong emotions.

I'm just a speck inside your head, you came and made me who I am

I remember where it all began, so clearly

Everybody was anticipating to hear how Takao will sound like, and there they stared in awe once the boy started singing. Takao took a step forward and opened his mouth to sing.

I feel a million miles away, still you connect me in your way

And you created me, something I would've never seen

When I can only see the floor, you made my window a door

So when they say they don't believe, I hope that they see you and me

What's this...? Midorima placed his hand on his chest. My heart feels like it's about to explode. What is this foreign feeling?

And he sings English so perfectly.

He took a look at Takao. The boy just stood there, body relaxed, eyes promising them a win. While the others were still singing, Midorima wasn't entirely sure, but it looked like Takao was looking at their direction. Finally, he sang the chorus, and the point guard's friends flinched at how high Takao's voice could reach.

We all wanna be somebody, we just need a taste of who we are

We all wanna be somebody, we're willing to go but not that far

Kimura tried to suppress a smile but he can't. "He sounds so amazing," he said softly, sagging in his seat.

Miyaji nodded his head. "He does." Ichijou also nodded in agreement.

When the three sang together, their voices did not clash but instead blended together in perfect harmony. Nobody dared to avert their eyes at the magnificent performance happening in front of them.

When it finally ended, many people gave them a standing ovation, including the hawk-eyed boy's friends.

"Our airheaded shortie had matured," Miyaji remarked.

They're more than happy at what Takao had achieved for the past months, and they would certainly be contented even if he loses this round.

But they won't give up, not just yet, because Takao deserves to win, and they'll do everything in their power for him to win.


Takao, Okubo, and Miyagi are in Poll C in the online poll. All the voters have to do is to log-in their e-mail accounts and click the circle beside the name of the person they want to win. They were, however, surprised that aside from the polls per group, there was also a Crowd's Favorite at the bottom. The voters are allowed to write one name out of the 24 contestants they consider as their favorite. There was a note at the bottom that states that the one with the most votes for Crowd's Favorite will have an advantage in the next round. As expected, the ones who voted for Takao typed his name.

"We'll rush to Hoshi Hall tomorrow as soon as the results come out," Miyaji said.


Takao wasn't entirely sure whether he could still manage to win round could be considered as the quarter-finals. After all, he was absolutely sure that next round will be the second to the last. He hasn't tried entering such a large-scale competition before, and it was squeezing his guts so hard he's afraid he'll throw up anytime soon.

His parents noticed his distress and came to talk to him.

"You know," his mother started, rubbing his ear just like when he was just a kid. Takao's parents knocked awhile ago, and they were now sitting with their son in the middle. He unconsciously leaned in to the touch. "We have noticed your talent a long, long time ago, but not once did we make a move for you to actually cultivate it. But your friends, they were the ones who encouraged you, weren't they?"

Takao nodded at that.

"I'm sorry if we didn't have the time to watch your performances. We were just too busy, and..." Takao's father started, but Takao quickly interrupted him.

"No, no, you don't have to apologize!" He said, waving his hands and shaking his head. "I personally didn't think I'd go this far, anyway."

"But you did." Her mother smiled. "And you have the power to blast your way to the top. You just have to believe in yourself."

"I..." Takao bit his lip. "Sorry if I'm being unreasonable. It's just that..." He sighed. "I feel like if I mess up, my friends and supporters will be disappointed in me. I'm pressured with the fact that they have always been there for me and I can't pay it back."

"But you do. You did. The mere fact that you joined to represent Shutoku made them more happy than you could ever imagine."

Takao's eyes widened. "You think so?"

"Of course," her mother said, eyes gleaming.

The point guard just smiled.


Now that he and his friends, along with his sister, were now standing in front of the information board, he found his actions from the day before stupid.

He should have never doubted himself.

Because in front of them, the words they've been wanting to see are present in big, bold, letters.

Miyagi Hiiro vs. Takao Kazunari vs. Okubo Rei

Judges:

Miyagi: 96

Takao: 97

Okubo: 94

Voters:

Miyagi: 4215 votes, 31%

Takao: 5372 votes, 39%

Okubo: 4139 votes, 30%

Winner: Takao Kazunari

One step away from the grand stage!

TBC


A/N: Song: Be Somebody by Thousand Foot Krutch because let's all admit it: Takao singing an English song is a yes-yes!