Chapter 10
Demon Hunter Queen!

Being popular is a good thing. Most of the time. Sometimes it can be a pain. A really big pain. Sadly for Izumi, her popularity was going to get her in a fight she wanted no part of. It all began one Tuesday afternoon at Demon Eliminator Academy. Izumi and Chiyo had just finished their first class and were preparing to head to the roof to have lunch with the others when a poster caught the corner of Izumi's eye. "Hey Chiyo. What's this Demon Hunter Queen competition about?" Izumi asked as they stopped to take a look at the poster.

"Oh...so that's already starting again this year it is?" Chiyo answered. When she noticed the confused look on Izumi's face, she started to give him an explanation. "It's a competition featuring five students that are voted in by everyone. The main objective is to beat Principal Miyako in a series of contests to determine the Demon Hunter Queen. She hasn't lost in the 12 years since the competition began. That's just how good Principal Miyako is. Gun skills, fighting skills, survival skills, and a swimsuit competition are the some of the contests featured. I wonder who will be competing in it this year?"

"Wait...did you just say swimsuit competition?" Izumi asked.

"Yep," Chiyo replied, "Principal Miyako loves to show off that body of hers in front of the entire school. Let me guess sis...you interested in competing in it? Should've guessed."

"Yeah...no," Izumi answered sarcastically, "I want no part of that. Especially with her in it. She would probably kill me if I won."

"Most likely," Chiyo replied with a smile. She then started to walk forward, "Come on...the others are waiting for us." As Izumi followed after her, she was hoping with all her might that she wouldn't get voted into that Demon Hunter Queen competition. Izumi's wish in turn wouldn't be granted unfortunately, because the next day, Izumi and Chiyo were once again preparing to eat lunch with the others on the roof when they saw that there was a bunch of people crowded in the hallway. The students were all talking in an excited manner for some reason. Curious, Izumi and the other girls pushed through the crowd to see what was up. The next thing Izumi saw was her name in the first spot in the Demon Hunter Queen Competition. Second was Kira, followed by Princess Nishiyo, Ayumi, and Chiyo. Suddenly, Izumi fell to her knees. She was in complete disbelief.

"No!" Izumi screamed. Shortly after, Izumi was shown banging her head against the wall, creating a small crater in the process. Even with her bed bleeding slightly, Izumi didn't care. She had much more pressing matters at hand than a bruised and bloody forehead. Just then, Kira punched her hand together. Izumi knew all too well that look on Kira's face, but decided to ask anyway. "What's she so happy about?"

"Kira participated in the Demon Hunter Queen competition two times, but finished 2nd to my mom twice," Ayumi replied.

"Heh...it will be different this time," Kira said with a smirk, "I'm not losing to her again. You know what...let's have a bet." Immediately, Izumi knew where this was about to go and decided to intervene.

"No! No more bets involving dates with me!" Izumi exclaimed.

"Ah...come on honey," Kira pouted. She tried to grope Izumi, but was stopped again by Princess Nishiyo.

"Fine," Kira said, "But I still won't give up."

"Neither will I," Nishiyo replied. As Kira and Nishiyo started to go at it, Izumi and the others decided to head up to the roof to eat lunch. The Demon Hunter Queen competition would be held Thursday morning on the training field. Sadly for Izumi, that day came to be almost instantly. It wasn't long until the stands were filled with excited students eager to see if anyone could defeat Principal Miyako. Among the students, most were picking Izumi to win. If there was anyone that could win, it was her. As the competition finally got underway, Principal Miyako wished Izumi and the others good luck. This was obviously a bluff. Deep inside, she planned to crush them with all her power. Kira was still angry about her two losses to her and was even more pumped up than usual. While the others girls were also getting themselves ready for action, Izumi was worried about embarrassing herself in front of the entire school. Izumi didn't care if she finished last, as long as she didn't screw up too badly. During the first contest, which was a skill shooting game, Kira managed to beat Principal Miyako by just one point. During the second contest, an endurance race, Kira tried to go for two straight wins, but Chiyo came out of nowhere and won. After that, Principal Miyako was able to win the hand-to-hand combat free-for-all, mostly because Kira and Principal Miyako ended up knocking each other out. For the fourth contest, Ayumi was able to win the demon hide-and-seek game. As for the swimsuit contest, which featured the girls in their bikinis, Princess Nishiyo was somehow able to win even though she wore a one piece. The biggest upset of the day. Mainly because Kira and Principal Miyako wore the most skimpy bikinis imaginable. Izumi got a nosebleed twice. In the end, Izumi won. It turns out that Izumi had placed in the top 3 in all the contests, which helped her take the win with the most points over the others. Principal Miyako finished second, while Kira finished third, followed by Chiyo, Princess Nishiyo, and Ayumi. During the crowning ceremony, Izumi was presented with a crown, sash, and trophy. Izumi was relieved it was over. However, darkness was waiting right around the corner.