A/N: What's up, everyone? I'm back again with the continuation of Leg 2 of TAR 2.5! I just wanna say that I believe that I may have rushed things a bit. So, if you have noticed that, I'm sorry! I have to finish this since I have things to do IRL. But fear not, Leg 3 will be coming within this month or the first week of November, or longer, if it gets worse. Lol.
Btw, I have posted a poll here at FFN. Go to my profile, find the poll at the upper part of the profile, then read the question and answer it. I just wanna know who your bets are as of this moment. If you want to have a more informative poll regarding the season, you might as well take a poll at the link below:
forms . gle / SYrYL72rcvansABL8 (just remove spaces)
That's it for now, and I'll be seeing you at the next chapter. Peace!
~Aelluminatick
Leg 2, Part 2: Screw the Waters, Screw Aqua! - Kazuma
Port of San Juan
Kazuma & Megumin
"Let's go, Kazuma! You can do this!" Megumin shouted.
"Yeah, I'm going with you!" Kazuma reciprocated the cry, slowly limping and progressing towards the station where Megumin was waiting for him.
"It's not over till it's over," Kazuma said. "As long as my limbs are whole, I'll definitely keep going."
Ryuko & Mako – 7th Attempt
"I think we should just switch the letters," Mako suggested, surveying the letters on their whiteboard.
"Ooh, you're on to something, Mako." Ryuko wholeheartedly agreed. "Which letters though?"
"T and C?"
"Okay, I hope this works out this time." Ryuko wished.
The duo submitted their answer to the captain, who verdicts them correctly, producing a clue from him.
Ryuko & Mako – currently in 6th Place
"Okay, we have to go to this place. That's the gist of the clue." Ryuko said, implying that they should find the place of the image.
Souma & Megumi – 6th Attempt
The chefs presented their answer to the captain as he silently reads it.
Answer: SANTURCE
"That's correct!" He announced.
Souma & Megumi – currently in 7th Place
"Yay!" Megumi exclaimed happily.
"Alright, time to go!" Souma told Megumi, who obliged and left the port.
Shino & Takatoshi – 5th Attempt
"That's not correct." The captain spoke to the student council members.
"Aww, now why are we wrong?" Takatoshi asked.
"This is really stressing, as far as our position's concerned," Shino replied. "Unless we do missionary, if that's fine for you."
Takatoshi frowned. "Why is she being serious and not serious at the time?"
Calle Cerra, Santurce
Kaname & Sousuke
"La Penultima… there it is!" Kaname cried, noticing the sign of the said restaurant as they entered with storage boxes in their hands.
"Hello!" She greeted everyone and made their way to the counter, where they put down the supplies safely. "We're here for the order."
"Chidori, what are their demands?" Sousuke asked.
"They need queso fresco; that's the other cheese." She told the first item.
Sousuke instantly opens the recognizable appearance of the dairy product. "It's here."
"San Marzano?" She reads it slowly to avoid botching the word. "It's tomatoes."
"Roger." He answered instantly.
"Last one is capers, the green one." Kaname reads their final item for the restaurant.
"Which one? I got two green supplies here." Sousuke replied, revealing the ingredients of interest.
"The other one is lettuce, so pick out the other one."
"Roger." Sousuke stacked the three boxes then slowly placed them on the counter.
"I think that's it," Kaname said, presenting a paper to the current attendant there, who signed his signature to the receipt. "Thank you!"
Kaname & Sousuke – 2/3 locations – 6/9 ingredients delivered
"Nice!" Kaname exclaimed. "Only one more restaurant left."
"Roger!" Sousuke instantly replied.
C. Cera St., Santurce
Ryuuji & Taiga
"There's one over there!" Taiga sighted a marked wall and flagged themselves to secure the wall.
"Some unique kind of brush!" Ryuuji said while holding a flat paintbrush. "I think we have to color the boat."
"But I can't reach it!" She complained.
"They have a ladder though." He brought the steel item beside them. "Now, we can start."
Taiga sighed. "Pretty much…"
Ritsu & Mio
After seeing a marked wall, the musicians earned a spot as they began to work with their painting skills.
"So, a skull, huh?" Ritsu said. "Guess this would take us a long time."
"I'll do the background while you're painting the skull!" Mio announced at a hasty pace.
"Yikes, Mio! You're still scared of a skull even if it's a colorful art."
"Stop talking! Let's get started!" Mio glared at her partner, who raised her hands in relenting.
El Patio de Sole
Sora & Shiro – currently in 5th Place
"It's a Detour! Design or Deliver?" Sora reads the options from the envelope. "Okay, it's both physical!"
"If that's the case, we should settle to the task that has the least amount of physical demand by taking a good read from the clue," Shiro replied statistically. "So, with these conditions, we should do Design."
"Alright, if that's the thing that can save us from elimination."
C. Cera St., Santurce
Nagisa & Karma
"Okay, I think we're done," Karma said, looking over at their own work. "Wow! Now that looks brand new!"
"Yeah, I think we have enough of paint, though." Nagisa said, eyeing to one of the cans that were now empty."
"Can we have a check, please?"
An artist showed up to check the pair's work. After seconds of silence, the artist decides it's good and shows an envelope towards the two.
Nagisa & Karma – currently in 1st Place
"Yes!" Nagisa exclaimed, snags the clue from the artist's grasp, and opened it to read. "Make your way to the next Pit Stop! La Fortaleza!
"Also known as Palacio de Santa Catalina, La Fortaleza is the current and official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico. Built in 16th century, this mansion will be the second Pit Stop in the race around the world. The first team to check-in here will receive an Express Pass, while the last team to arrive may be eliminated." Phil stated, standing alone in the courtyard of the site.
"Oh, boy! Express Pass!" Nagisa ecstatically said after reading the details. "We have to get that!"
Because of this, they immediately ran for a few meters to their car as they left the street.
"It would be sweet if we get that Express Pass!" Karma exclaimed.
"Yeah, that would be great." Nagisa agreed.
Port of San Juan
Mai & Sakuta – 4th Attempt
"You think you got it now, right?" Sakuta asked Mai, who promptly nodded.
"I'm pretty sure this is the one," Mai answered.
They passed the whiteboard to the captain, who quietly reads their answer.
"This is correct." The captain told them.
Mai & Sakuta – currently in 8th Place
"Thank you!" Mai bowed to the captain then they left the port.
Shino & Takatoshi – 7th Attempt
Both handed their answer to the captain as they waited for the verification of their solution.
"Please be right, please be right!" Takatoshi muttered.
"That's correct!" The captain announced.
Shino & Takatoshi – currently in 9th Place
"Yes!" Shino exclaimed. "Well, we can catch up to others!"
Both students exited the port, leaving one team alone.
Kazuma & Megumin – 1st Attempt
"Here we go! We're hoping that we can make this right." Megumin said, submitting their answer to the captain.
"It's incorrect." The captain answered.
"Or maybe after a few tries," Kazuma added.
C. Cera St., Santurce
Sora & Shiro
The siblings began their painting experience as Sora took the upper ground, while Shiro is obviously below. Before they could start, Sora's hands began to shake violently after stretching his arms to the wall.
He groaned. "What the heck?! This is gonna be hard in a condition like this."
"I don't mind. As long as we're progressing, we're good." Shiro said, reassuring her big brother.
"You're really strong, Shiro."
"It's a word of encouragement." She replied, painting the background.
Ryuuji & Taiga
"So far, so good." Ryuuji compliments himself after looking at his half-finished work. "What about you there?"
He indirectly called Taiga, who was done with a batch of newly-coated paint from her paintbrush. As soon as he walked to refill, she accidentally kicked an open paint can, streaming the thick paint off the ground. Quickly thinking, she stood the can before it could be empty.
She groaned in reaction. "Damn it! I didn't even see it!"
"Just be careful, Taiga." Ryuuji reminds Taiga of her clumsiness to subside. "I hope that's enough paint for us to finish this."
"Oh, he can check it right now. I mean, you can't use the whole paint in one single piece of art, right?!" She asked unabashedly.
"Well, let's see… after I finish this portion."
Calle Cerra, Santurce
Kaname & Sousuke
The team found the last restaurant off their list as they stacked the last three remaining boxes to the restaurant manager.
"Okay, that's it, right?" Kaname asks the manager.
"Yes." The manager simply answered as he signed the receipt that was brought by Kaname.
The receipt was returned to the blue-haired student with a signature.
"Thank you!" She greeted them as they left the restaurant. "Now, we have to find the starting point!"
After a few minutes of cycling around the street, they found the starting point. Kaname submitted the receipts to validate the transactions. The supplier gave a thumbs up to the team, giving them a clue envelope.
Kaname & Sousuke – currently in 2nd Place
"Make your way to the next Pit Stop!" Kaname's eyes widened after reading the clue with excitement over her face. "Okay, it's our time to shine!"
"Roger!" Sousuke nodded as he followed her to their own vehicle.
As soon as they left, two teams were spotted at El Patio de Sole, where they brought a clue to open it.
Ryuko & Mako – currently in 6th Place
"Hey, guys!" Ryuko called out the other team. "Which challenge do you guys want to do?"
Souma & Megumi – currently in 7th Place
"Oh!" Souma reacted. "Of course, our bread and butter!"
"Design?" Mako took a guess, causing the chefs to chuckle and Ryuko to facepalm.
"No, silly. We're delivering!" Megumi told them. "It's our strong suit! Plus, it's a food-related challenge!"
"Ah…" Ryuko paused and lit up, proposing an idea. "Wanna work with us?"
"Oh, we love to!" Megumi gladly accepts the offer.
"Of course! We love to share assistance with you! That's etiquette!"
"Yay!" Mako exclaimed.
"I am glad that we are working with the chefs since I don't even know which task should we take," Ryuko confessed. "Plus, Mako seems conflicted at both."
"At one point, I love painting, but on the other hand, I love food!" Mako explained her reason.
With this newly-formed association, they helped one another tying the boxes on the back of their bicycles.
"I think that's tied enough," Souma told the other team.
"Same as yours." Ryuko returned the favor to them. "Okay, let's ride!"
"Okay, we're going to the first restaurant!" Megumi exclaimed.
The quartet soon moved to the road as they began their expedition.
La Fortaleza
Nagisa & Karma
"That's the Pit Stop, right?" Karma asked.
"I think it is," Nagisa answered unsurely.
Kaname & Sousuke
"I think we have arrived at our destination," Sousuke told Kaname.
"I think it's that blue building in front," Kaname said. "We should look inside."
Both teams were seen running off from their cars as they ran inside and found the mat in the interior courtyard of the building.
"Oh, that's Phil!"
"There's the mat!"
The suspense broke when the foot of a team was stomped at the mat simultaneously as the team smiled in front of the host and the local greeter.
"Buen día! Bienvenido a San Juan, Puerto Rico! Welcome to La Fortaleza!" The man in a formal suit greeted the team.
"Thank you!"
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"Nagisa and Karma, you are team number one!" Phil announced them as winners of the leg.
Nagisa & Karma – 1st Place; arrived at 10:19am
"YES!" Nagisa jumped in celebration after hearing their placement.
"As the winners of this leg of the race…" Phil presented their prize to the team, Karma instantly picked it up. "You have won the Express Pass. You can use it to skip a task of your choosing. You will have possession of it until Leg 7. Better use it wisely."
"Okay, we got it!" Karma answered, notifying the stakes of their newly won pass.
"It feels great to be in first again," Nagisa said to Phil. "In fact, we even barely saw any teams since we arrived here."
"And that's really good to hear since we have a huge gap from then, thanks to the Salvage Pass!"
After them, another team arrived at the mat to see Phil.
"Kaname and Sousuke, you are team number two!" Phil told them their current position.
Kaname jumped in celebration while Sousuke simply smiled over the news.
Kaname & Sousuke – 2nd Place; arrived at 11:25am
"Pretty impressive performance today, guys." Phil complimented them.
"Well, if it wasn't for Sousuke's knowledge, we would have still placed somewhere in the middle," Kaname said, looking at her partner and smiling at him. "I'm glad he's progressing so far."
"Looks like we're gonna be the next targets from some teams, and I don't like the sound of that," Kaname said.
"If those targets want to annihilate us, then they have to go through me first!" Sousuke added in a serious tone.
"Sousuke, that's a wrong approach. But I get what you're saying."
Port of San Juan
Kazuma & Megumin – 4th Attempt
"I think it's the right one." Megumin assumed while observing their answer.
"We're shuffling letters, and we're risking for it every turn," Kazuma said.
Both presented their answer to the captain, who nodded and turned in the clue to the adventurers.
Kazuma & Megumin – currently in Last Place
Both sighed in relief as they read out the details from their clue.
"Okay, we might still have a chance," Kazuma said.
"Any familiar faces would be a big relief," Megumin added.
"Then let's go!"
C. Cera St., Santurce
Ritsu & Mio
"Hey, Ritsu. Can you pick up the other paint can?" Mio told Ritsu.
"Uh, sure." Ritsu picked up the new can to Mio, who was up on the ladder. She quickly stepped down, rung by rung. Ritsu's hand began to shake as she held it with only her fingers on the bottom. "Come on!"
"I'm coming!" Mio said.
As soon as she is within reach of the can, the can suddenly loses its balance, and the contents were fallen to Ritsu, much to the shock of Mio. The now paint-filled Ritsu froze after what had just transpired.
"What the hell?!" That was the only thing Ritsu said.
"AHHH! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Mio apologizes to Ritsu.
"Just give me something to wash off the paint! Quick!"
"The paint was really sticky, and it kept glued over to my skin. That was a nightmare." Ritsu admitted.
Ritsu's wish was granted after a bucket of water was dropped over her, scalping every possible paint stain over her skin. She manages to remove some parts, but not all of them.
"Let's continue the painting, shall we?" Ritsu said.
"Y-Y-Yeah…" Mio stuttered, embarrassed to look over at her music buddy.
Sora & Shiro
"I think we're almost done!" Sora exclaimed after seeing his progress colored with his work. "Gonna grab the paint can—"
But before he could go back down to the ground to grab another paint can, the ladder shook that sent the content of the paint tray below, falling from the top. Ironically, without prior warning, Shiro became a victim of another paint spill.
"Ah! Shit, sorry!" Sora apologizes to his little sister, which to his surprise, did not bother to look behind as her vision was hindered by paint on her face. "Are you okay?"
"I don't mind." She only replied.
Sora whistled in response.
"As long as we are in a task, I absolutely ignore whatever I have that is obstructing the progress of our work. Like if I am hungry, dehydrated, and covered with paint…" Shiro confessed.
"Now I'm soaked in these!" She added, attempting to look back to no avail. "Now I can't see you."
For the second time, Shiro met with a splashing surprise as she was now drenched in paint and now water, which was effective as she removed parts that hindered their task's progress.
"That's my girl!" Sora bragged.
Calle Cerra, Santurce
Souma & Megumi
"Musa Gastro Pub. There it is!" Souma spotted the restaurant on his left. "Whoo! This heat is scorching!" Souma exclaimed, wiping off the sweat from his forehead with his hand.
Ryuko & Mako
"Nice! Now we have to pick up the items here!" Ryuko said.
"Okay, but which one?" Mako asked as she untied the boxes that were strapped at the back of the bicycle.
Megumi read the list carefully and spoke.
"So, we have to send the spinaches, mushrooms, and a fetta, which is a white cheese." Megumi translated the Spanish list of ingredients.
"Got it!" Souma exclaimed.
With this, Ryuko noticed that the boxes were filled with two white kinds of cheese that she could not distinguish.
"Which one is the fetta?"
"The one that looks like a crater," Megumi answered instantly.
"Ah, this one!" Ryuko revealed the box to the girl chef, who nodded in approval. "Well, let's send this one inside!"
After settling the ingredients properly, they entered the pub to send their supplies to the counter. The teams then presented their respective receipts signed by the manager and gave the receipts back to them.
Souma & Megumi - 1/3 locations – 3/9 ingredients delivered
"Gracias!" Megumi bowed to the counter.
Ryuko & Mako - 1/3 locations – 3/9 ingredients delivered
"Thank you so much!" Ryuko followed the gesture made by Megumi.
"Now, let's head to the next restaurant!" Souma exclaimed.
"Right!" Mako nodded.
El Patio de Sole
Mai & Sakuta – currently in 8th Place
"Let's do Design!" Mai announced, deciding for their team.
"Okay then…" Sakuta replied nonchalantly.
"Looks like someone is against my decision…" She smirked over her partner, teasing him mentally. "But guess what, I'm the one who will decide from now on!"
"Yeah, I know that." He only muttered.
Shino & Takatoshi – currently in 9th Place
"Let's do—"
"Design!" Shino interrupts Takatoshi's decision.
"Well, that was my line. But I guess we're on the same page." He spoke.
C. Cera St., Santurce
Ryuuji & Taiga
"We're done! I think…" Ryuuji said unsurely, calling out the artist for a check. "Hi! We would like to give this one a check!"
"Although we wasted a short amount of paint and a piece of my boot, I hope we get out of here!" Taiga said, looking at hew paint-stained boot, in which she was highly bothered not to lock eyes with it within a few seconds.
"Don't worry, we'll buy a new one once we win the race."
After a careful observation of their artwork, the artist decided that it was decent at its finest. Then, he gave a clue to the couple.
Ryuuji & Taiga – currently in 3rd Place
"La Fortaleza!" Ryuuji reads out the Pit Stop location loudly.
"Good, now I can remove this boot. It's been bothering me for a few minutes." Taiga told Ryuuji.
Calle Cerra, Santurce
Souma & Megumi
"Hola, sabes dónde está el restaurante La Penultima? (Hi, do you know where the La Penultima restaurant is?)." Megumi asks a local in Spanish, questioning the current whereabouts of the second restaurant on their list.
"Simplemente camine derecho y verá una señal ... creo. (Just walk straight, and you'll see a sign... I think.)" The local answered, pointing them straight.
"Ah! He said that we need to walk straight." Megumi told the co-racers.
"Arigato!" Mako greeted the local in another language, causing the others to laugh.
"Mako!" Ryuko scolds her partner.
"Hehe…" Mako nervously replied.
With this new information that they garnered, they proceeded forward and walked on for a few meters until they saw a sign that caught their eyes.
"Ah! Here it is!" Souma exclaimed, looking at the sign extensively.
The teams entered the premises, where they met the second manager and sent out the boxes. But first, they have to recheck the contents to guarantee themselves a second successful delivery.
"Okay, we need to give him the other cheese." Megumi began to enumerate the needed ingredients.
"Gotcha." Souma found the box that contained the dairy food.
"The tomatoes."
"Got it!" Ryuko announced.
"Then the capers?"
"Is this the one?" Mako asked, looking at her box that contained the correct ingredient.
"Yep." Megumi honestly answered. "Okay, let's pass it over, guys!"
They obliged and sent their food supplies to the counter, followed by their receipts signed by the manager, who sent them back to them.
"Thank you!" The quartet greeted in unison.
Souma & Megumi - 2/3 locations – 6/9 ingredients delivered
Ryuko & Mako - 2/3 locations – 6/9 ingredients delivered
C. Cera St., Santurce
Ritsu & Mio
"I think we're out of paint!" Mio said after looking at a paint can and to the other one. "This should be enough… right?"
"I don't know, you be the judge," Ritsu replied in a raspy voice.
Mio looked over below Ritsu, still covered in a significant volume of paint despite being showered with water.
"Sorry!" Mio apologizes to her for the second time. "Hey there, Mr. Artist! Can we have a check?"
The artist then observed their work quickly; although they almost wasted a paint can, this was enough for the artist to approve of their work as he exposed the clue to the musicians.
Ritsu & Mio – currently in 4th Place
"Thank you so much!" Mio said to the artist. "Come on, Ritsu! We have a Pit Stop to visit."
"Yeah, sure." Ritsu groaned and flapped her arms herself to remove the tacky material, but it would not budge. "Damn it!" She then follows Mio.
Sora & Shiro
"I'm out of paint, big bro." The fully paint-covered girl told Sora.
"Yeah, same here. This should be enough!" Sora replied and whistled to call out the artist. "Oi! We need to check this!"
The artist came by to verify their work if it had enough paint from the old mural. After a minute had passed by, the artist came to them and showed the clue to them, approved of their work.
Sora & Shiro – currently in 5th Place
"Make your way to the next Pit Stop! La Fortaleza…" Sora reads the clue info and then notices that a marked vehicle has passed by. "Oh, someone got out the same time as us! We can pass them!"
"Okay…" Shiro muttered, still feeling the effects of the paint shower.
La Fortaleza
Ryuuji & Taiga – 3rd Place; arrived at 12:08pm
"You're team number three!" Phil announced the couple as the second runner-up.
"That's alright, I guess." Ryuuji nervously reacted to their current placement.
"But I'm not!" Taiga replied cynically.
"Oh, we've been down by one place—" He stopped once he looked over at Taiga, who points a finger to her painted boot. "Oh… right! We need to rest and remove it."
"Okay, then. I'll see you at the next leg."
"Thank you!"
El Patio de Sole
Kazuma & Megumin – currently in Last Place
"They are few clues left here!" Megumin told Kazuma, who had just arrived now at the clue box.
"Nah, we're pretty much in last!" Kazuma replied.
Megumin opens the clue for them. "Design or Deliver?"
"Design is the safest bet; I could not afford to ride a bike at this state." Kazuma picked out their task as he reads the details.
"I'm gonna pick up the cans now!" Megumin shouted, carrying all four cans by herself.
"Sure, go ahead! I'll just follow you!"
C. Cera St., Santurce
Mai & Sakuta
The couple silently took their job as painters as they swayed from left to right, upward to downward, whatever method they could perform to cover the whole portion that they needed to repaint.
"So far, so good." Mai then broke the ice.
"Yeah…" Sakuta simply replied.
"You sound like a dead animal, aren't you?"
"Am I? Yeah, it feels like I'm in a desert, alright…" Sakuta added but followed up when Mai shot daggers at him. "With a hot chick! Yes! Mai is super hot, and she's so crispy!"
"Crispy? What's that supposed to mean?"
Sakuta showed signs of himself, freaking out at what his next act was.
"I am really hitting a wall here. Mai being a reigning leader really is a nightmare!" Sakuta confessed.
"What makes you think it's a nightmare?" Mai asked.
"Because it was in my dream because it's a nightmare, obviously."
Because of this sarcastic remark, Mai pinches Sakuta's ear tightly that sending the latter into the world of pain.
"Hey! Let go! Ouch!"
"Nice try, funny man. But I'm not laughing at your dumb retorts." Mai said.
Shino & Takatoshi
"Hey, Tsuda!" Shino called the tall student.
"What is it?" Takatoshi responded quickly.
"Can you paint my face white?"
"What are you trying to say?" He curiously inquires about her intentions.
"Oh, I wanna feel that I have showered with cu—"
Shino paused after seeing Takatoshi swapping colors between them.
"Hey, what are you doing?!"
"Just do the job, already!"
"What kind of job? The common one? Or the—"
"Just burst it!" Takatoshi loudly blurted out but realized that his phrasing was off.
However, Shino took this as an order and obliged, began to paint.
"That worked… somehow?" He muttered.
La Fortaleza
Ritsu & Mio – 4th Place; arrived at 12:45pm
"What happened to her?" Phil asked Mio.
"Well, things did not go well back at the painting challenge," Mio said.
"Ugh! I need this thing to get out of my skin!" Ritsu complained.
"Same here…"
"Who said tha—AHHHHH!" Ritsu screamed after looking at her right side, revealing the NEETs, also arriving at the mat.
Sora & Shiro – 5th Place; arrived at 12:46pm
"Where did you even guys come from?" Mio asked.
"Same place as you guys," Sora answered in a sarcastic tone.
"I mean… Never mind that…"
"I guess the two of you need some hard washing, so I better let you go right now." Phil gave them the go signal to get some rest, clearly referring to both Ritsu and Shiro.
"Finally!" Ritsu sighed in relief.
"Yeah, Shiro looks like a ghost to me!" Sora told Phil.
"G-GHOST?!" Mio became horrified at the mention of the scary creature. "Where?!"
Both gamers looked at each other in confusion.
C. Cera St., Santurce
Kazuma & Megumin
"I guess I'll cover the top for you." Megumin took charge of her partner as she started her painting session.
"Okay then!" Kazuma accepted the proposal of Megumin.
Before he could start, Kazuma caught sight of an interesting matter and smirked evilly.
"I didn't know having a leg cramp could be a blessing in disguise!" Kazuma confessed.
He continuously giggled until Megumin noticed that Kazuma hadn't started to paint. When she looks in the direction of his eyes, she instinctively shrieks and ultimately covers her robe in embarrassment.
"Kazuma!" She shouted. "Did you use your injury to move up your ranks as a perverted adventurer?"
"Wha?! No, I wasn't!" Kazuma denied her allegations.
However, someone other than Megumin doubted his motive as that other made its presence known, dropping itself to Kazuma's head.
"OUCH! Megumin!" Kazuma now threw a protest to her.
"That wasn't me!"
"Looks like even the paint can suspect Kazuma as a sneaky pervert!" Megumin said. "I didn't even know they could even agree to what I said!"
"Ugh! This day couldn't get any worse…" Kazuma only muttered after what had just happened in two minutes.
Calle Cerra, Santurce
"I think that's all of them!" Ryuko surely said after delivering the final batch of supplies to the last restaurant.
"Yay!" Mako exclaimed, grabbing the receipt from the manager.
Ryuko & Mako - 2/3 locations – 6/9 ingredients delivered
Souma & Megumi - 2/3 locations – 6/9 ingredients delivered
"Thank you!" Megumi greeted the counter as they left the restaurant.
"Nice! Now, where do we go next?" Souma asked everyone in their circle.
"It's on the left. It's the same location as the last clue box that we encounter earlier." Ryuko answered.
"Oh, nice! Let's go back!"
"We have a great time teaming up with the chefs, they were honest and the happiest team I have ever met so far," Ryuko confessed. "Especially, the girl is the most hospitable person I have ever seen!"
"Mako agrees to all of it!" Mako added.
"Those guys rocked! They're honest, and one of them was the happiest human being ever!" Souma admitted. "I can't wait for another opportunity to work with them in the future!"
"Yeah, they're a cool team, if we might add up." Megumi followed up.
The two teams arrived at the starting point where they compiled their receipts to the supplier, who rewarded them with two clues.
"Thank you!" All four greeted the supplier concurrently.
Souma & Megumi – currently in 6th Place
"Make your way to the Pit Stop…" Megumi reads the clue first.
Ryuko & Mako – currently in 7th Place
"…to La Fortaleza…" Ryuko continued.
"Alright! We're out of here!" Souma exclaimed, then faced the other team. "Well, see you at the Pit Stop!"
"Yeah, see you too!" Ryuko replied back.
"Bye!" Mako added.
With that, the teams went their separate ways, going forward to their vehicles then to the Pit Stop.
C. Cera St., Santurce
Shino & Takatoshi
"Are we almost done?" Shino asked her partner.
"Not sure, but we're getting there," Takatoshi answered.
She sighed and continued to work on her painting. "It's no fun when no one's showing the fun."
"Can you check it, mister?" Takatoshi asked the artist who put his eyes over their work.
"No." The artist said, shaking his head, emphasizing his verdict.
"Well, more painting, less fun…"
Kazuma & Megumin
"We're getting there! We're getting there!" Kazuma chanted, picking up the pace at his current stance.
"Yikes! Where did you get that energy?" Megumin asked while doing her work.
"Oh, I have my own ways of boosting the mood." He smirked, but that smirk looked familiar to Megumin, who decided to ignore it.
"His phase is gonna come back anytime soon! I can feel it!" Megumin said.
La Fortaleza
"Looks like two teams are coming ahead…" Phil commentated as soon as he saw the glimpse of those teams until they arrived at the mat. "…and they all stomped at the mat!"
With their weary and happy faces, they greeted Phil and the greeter.
"Souma and Megumi… you are team number six!" He announced.
Souma & Megumi – 6th Place; arrived at 1:21pm
"Alright!" Megumi took the announcement well and smiled.
"I'll take that over the bottom placement!" Souma exclaimed as he offered a five to his partner, and they did just that.
Phil then stared at the other team. "Which means that Ryuko and Mako are team number seven!"
Ryuko & Mako – 7th Place; arrived at 1:22pm
"We'll take that, I guess." Ryuko reacted with a shrug afterward.
"Yay! We're still here!" Mako happily took the stage for a quick dance that caused the others to chuckle, even the host.
"It's fine that we're somewhere in the middle, but we need to step up and climb that ladder," Souma said with pride.
"You bet! I am ready for another leg of difficulties…" Megumi added. "As long as they're food-related, we're totally going to nail that!"
"We need to improve ourselves next time, right, Mako?" Ryuko asked.
"Of course, Mako will definitely need something to be better!" Mako answered confidently.
C. Cera St., Santurce
Mai & Sakuta
"Alas! I think we're done!" Mai exclaimed, realizing that the color was brightly stained over the wall. "Can we have a check, please?"
The artist appeared where he took a good look at the artwork. Much to his quiet demeanor, he gave their work a thumbs up, sending them smiles as he presented the clue to the couple, in which Mai claws the envelope to read out the following instruction for them.
Mai & Sakuta – currently in 8th Place
"Make your way to the next Pit Stop…" She reads the complete details in a whispering tone. "Alright, let's go there."
Once they made their way inside the vehicle and left the street, Sakuta breathed and asked Mai for something.
"Hey, Mai." He spoke.
"What? What is it?" Mai replied instantly.
"I think we should resolve this cold environment that we're facing right now," Sakuta answered.
"Are you sure you turned the A/C into its maximum?"
"No, not that! The A/C is alright. But about us, about this day… if you know what I mean."
"Oh…" She paused and realized what he was referring to. "Sure, but first, we should land at the Pit Stop first, then we can talk about it."
That comment alone made Sakuta put a smile on his face. "Thanks."
"Seriously, when we first took the time to talk about us, we addressed how to improve our relationship. But here we are, hoping to be at the same wavelengths once we get through it." Mai said. "And I am hoping we could keep this up until the end of the race."
Shino & Takatoshi
"I think it's done!" Takatoshi judged his effort by one look as he called out the artist for the second time.
"Man! Painting really is hard, if you ever think about it deeply." Shino admitted.
After a minute of observing the mural in the wall, he decided that it was enough as he approved their painting work and awarded them with the clue for their efforts.
Shino & Takatoshi – currently in 9th Place
"Thank you!" Takatoshi bowed after grabbing the clue as he ripped it open to read. "La Fortaleza… Let's go!"
"Okay then," Shino replied.
Both of them left their mural work to their cars somewhere along the street.
Kazuma & Megumin
"I wonder if this is enough." Kazuma thought and firstly checked his paintwork.
"I think it's enough," Megumin answered, also looking at her work.
"Alright, that's enough!" He cried. "Where's the artist? Can he check this one?"
Once he heard the magic word, he simply walked to them and checked the overall look of their artwork. Once he got the whole look of their art, he gave them the clue, approving of their efforts.
Kazuma & Megumin – currently in Last Place
"Yes!" Megumin exclaimed.
"Thank you!" Kazuma greeted the artist and snatched the clue from the hand of the artist. "Make your way to your next Pit Stop… the last team to check-in may be eliminated… Let's go, Megumin!"
"I'm on it!" She said as she slowly climbed down from the ladder to the ground.
"Nice underwear, though," Kazuma told Megumin, who showed an obvious embarrassing blushing form on her face.
"Shut up, you limping pervert!"
La Fortaleza
Mai & Sakuta – 8th Place; arrived at 1:45pm
"How's the race progress for both of you so far?" Phil asked them.
"It's been like we've hit a rocky road today," Sakuta answered. "But once we get to work on how to escape it, then we should turn to the bright side."
"Yeah, I think I may have judged him wrong after all his efforts that have done so far." Mai somehow agrees to the statement, admitting to her mistake.
"Once the next leg starts, we totally should be on the same page!" He assumed.
"I hope so!"
?
Shino & Takatoshi
Takatoshi, who is currently driving the car for their team, notice that the gas meter is almost reaching the lowest point.
"Hey, we might want to refill the car." He told Shino.
"Wait, what?" Shino clearly all of it but was unsure if it was right.
"I might stop by the gas station."
She groaned in reaction after hearing the bad news. "Now I have to take a pee since I have been holding it from the airport…"
"NOW WE HAVE TO GO TO THE GAS STATION IMMEDIATELY!" Takatoshi loudly cried; his urgency kicked in after hearing such worst news.
Kazuma & Megumin
"Can you at least add up some speed?" Megumin told Kazuma, who was still dealing with a cramp.
"No, my leg still hurts at this point. I can't even go overdrive!" Kazuma answered.
"Come on, at least, we should be at the speed limit."
"I'll try."
Shino & Takatoshi
They are currently in a gas station, where their car needs some refilling. But in Shino's case, she needs some removal of excessive liquids over her body.
"I don't know which one will be longer, this one or Shino's…" He said to the camera. "This is stressing me out!"
Kazuma & Megumin
"Ten minutes! I think we can do this!" Kazuma said with confidence. "I hope the other team faced some troubles along the way."
"At least, don't jinx it for us!" Megumin replied.
"Don't worry, the good luck might be calling on me."
"Now you're jinxing us!"
Shino & Takatoshi
"You took five minutes more than the gas refilling!" Takatoshi complained.
"It is way more complicated than you think, Tsuda," Shino replied haughtily, crossing her arms. "Now, let's go!"
He sighed only in a reaction as they left the gas station.
La Fortaleza
A team's car was soon spotted by the entrance of the government mansion as they left their vehicle. Meanwhile, another team arrived at the same place, also leaving their vehicle.
"There he is!"
"There's the mat!"
"Please be worth it!"
"Please don't let us lose!"
Soon after, a team stomped at the mat, simultaneously greeted both the host and the greeter.
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"Shino and Takatoshi…" He paused to stir up the tension in the air and spoke. "You are team number nine! You're still in the race."
Shino & Takatoshi – 9th Place; arrived at 2:09pm
Both sighed in relief after hearing that they spared being last placers.
"Thank goodness…" Takatoshi said.
"Finally, now the tension's off, maybe we should…" Shino said.
"Yeah, let's do just that."
"But I didn't even finish my sentence!" She complained.
"Whatever it is on your mind, just say it!"
"Never!"
After several minutes, the last team arrived to check-in for their placement with gentle smiles over their face, especially for the one who got hurt today.
"Tough day?" Phil asked them.
Both of them nodded in agreement.
"Kazuma and Megumin… you are the last team to arrive…" Phil said.
Kazuma & Megumin – Last Place
"Well, at least, we tried, right?" Kazuma nervously asked Megumin, who did not take the announcement well.
"Oi! We're adventurers. We certainly tried! But I don't want to end it like this!" She whined as she grabbed the collar of Kazuma's green mantle and shook the man uncontrollably. "It doesn't have to end like this, right? Right?!"
Meanwhile, Phil observes Megumin's frantic actions as he coughs to say something to them.
"Megumin, I will answer the question for you." He paused and spoke again. "You're right. It won't end at a time like this because this is a pre-determined, non-elimination leg, and you're both will be given another chance to race."
Kazuma & Megumin – Last Place; arrived at 2:26pm
Megumin's eyes spoke her reaction as she continued to shake Kazuma violently. "What?! Did you hear that?! We're still in it!"
"I know, I know! Can you stop shaking me to the core?!" Kazuma then complains to Megumin.
"However, at the next leg, you'll be encountering a Speed Bump somewhere, where you'll have to finish an additional task before you can continue racing." Phil reminded them of their penalty for arriving last at a non-elimination leg.
"Okay, then! No problem with that!" Kazuma stood up decently. "But I need to rest my leg first. I think it will be fine at the next leg!"
"Are you sure about that?" Megumin asked.
"I am definitely sure!"
"Wishing you a quick recovery and good luck at the next leg! You'll be needing it." Phil said a reassuring reminder to them.
"Thank you! We will be needing that!" Megumin took the message and digested it well.
"If I am 100% recovered from my cramps, we'll be back at high stakes racing! And once the luck replenishes back fully, then I'll utilize it whatever the situation that we're in." Kazuma said.
"You better be, or you'll be facing an explosive trouble!" Megumin sends a threat to Kazuma, who pays no heed to her warning.
"Really? That's the only thing you can say to me? Ha! I have a better comeback from that!"
"Hey! Stop that!"
SHORT END CREDITS
"Next time on The Amazing Race… teams were in for a treat!"
Teams went to eat some delicacy that sends them in pleasure.
"This is great!"
"Definitely a five-star food!"
"And time was money for them!"
One by one, a scene where coins were fallen from a table as a competitor picked it up was captured.
"How many coins are there?!"
"This is the hardest game I have ever taken in."
"And some teams were left behind…"
The train's door began to close as a team was spotted, arriving too late at their schedule.
"Oh, no…"
"We are so doomed."
Current Stats:
1st: Nagisa & Karma; arrived at 10:19am | Roadblock: Nagisa: 1, Karma: 1
2nd: Kaname & Sousuke; arrived at 11:25am | Roadblock: Kaname: 1, Sousuke: 1
3rd: Ryuuji & Taiga; arrived at 12:08pm | Roadblock: Ryuuji: 2, Taiga: 0
4th: Ritsu & Mio; arrived at 12:45pm | Roadblock: Ritsu: 1, Mio: 1
5th: Sora & Shiro; arrived at 12:46pm | Roadblock: Sora: 1, Shiro: 1
6th: Souma & Megumi; arrived at 1:21pm | Roadblock: Souma: 2, Megumi: 0
7th: Ryuko & Mako; arrived at 1:22pm | Roadblock: Ryuko: 1, Mako: 1
8th: Mai & Sakuta; arrived at 1:45pm | Roadblock: Mai: 1, Sakuta: 1
9th: Shino & Takatoshi; arrived at 2:09pm | Roadblock: Shino: 1, Takatoshi: 1
10th: Kazuma & Megumin; arrived at 2:26pm | Roadblock: Kazuma: 2, Megumin: 0
11th: Rin & Nadeshiko; ELIMINATED | Roadblock: Rin: 1, Nadeshiko: 0