how can i compete with that?

Five seconds remain on the screen above their heads as the two last cyborgs continue to eat. Both their mechanical attachments glow a bright red as if overheating with excessive energy, making almost the whole place covered in smoke from their exertion.

“This competition counts the amount of grams of each food and uses a calculation of how much each one ate to set the points. Honestly, I think the other guy with the mechanical torso has a better chance of winning. Part of his digestive system is robotic too.”

Lucil says, looking tired. His mechanical eye is now closed, sweat rolling down his face as he tries to catch his breath while also trying not to vomit. People around start backing away from him slightly while also looking at the screen.

As the timer runs out, both their chairs are moved back from the table and turned around, facing the screen. Johan still has a bit of food in his mouth. He swallows quickly as the two stop eating.

Their breath is heavy as the cyborg with the mechanical torso smirks at Johan with a cocky expression, already claiming victory as he says,

“No one will be able to win against me.”

As he says this, he slaps his torso, making a metallic sound that echoes around the place. Despite how much he ate, he looks empty, as if he hadn’t had any effort digesting all the mountains of food.

“This body of mine will burn as many calories as I want it to. You don’t have a chance.”

The names of the two appear on the screen in front of them. It looks like the other guy’s name is Palato, and the public looks at the numbers increasing right under their names, only to slow down to reveal the final scores.

(Johan Log6: 1.0067P X Palato View1: 1.0000P)

To Palato’s surprise, he hasn’t won. This is actually impressive of Johan. I wouldn’t expect him to be in a competition like this. He looked so uninterested in entertainment before.

Johan gets up and simply goes to Palato with a hand extended politely as he says,

“I’m genuinely impressed. My first objective in this competition was to win the guaranteed trophy, but you were actually much more prepared than I am. You not only were able to score so high but also get the perfect calculation to get such a round score. I still have a lot to learn.”

After he says that, Lucil smirks awkwardly, clutching his stomach as he says,

“I doubt that. Even if he had any informational attachments, he would still need the school metrics. Johan is mocking the guy or something?”

He says, giggling about it. Palato also looks uncomfortable. It clearly wasn’t his intention to get such a well-rounded score, despite the Babi’s announcement playing over the speakers, announcing the victory.

“Hey, awesome competition, student! With an amazing result, the newcomer Johan Log6 was able to get his first achievement in the school! Also, Palato, who has been undefeated until now, will also receive minor accomplishments, as will all the other participants who weren’t able to get to the end.”

As Babi announces that, Lucil checks it out with his eye and sees that he received an accomplishment too.

“I got the participation one. It goes with all the others to my file storage.” Sigh.

I wonder if getting something for participation means anything. Despite everything, Palato sensed what I wouldn’t be able to do. Johan simply left without another word after they shook hands.

After this, everything finishes. People around leave, each going about their own business. I want to ask Cali about these acting classes. Does she still remember that we were going to do that? I’m starting to regret this. I wish she would forget.

“So, what were you girls about to do? I’m quite bored today. Does the cat girl have somewhere to go?”

As Limer says that, I feel the fur on my tail and ears shiver. How could someone know exactly what to do to make me mad?

“Oh, I’m curious, Lucil. Why were you in this contest, by the way? Is there some other reason besides getting the achievement?”

After I try to make Cali forget about the theater classes, Lucil answers. He’s already looking slightly better. It’s a relief, but I can’t help but be a bit scared of him now that he’s feeling better. Something about him makes my skin crawl.

“I was just trying it out since I got this eye, but I was still unable to compete. But it was funny anyway. I never ate so much before. I think I’ll just stick with the classes I was taking before. Any suggestions on what to practice?”

After that, it’s clear to me that I have no escape. My destiny is to go to this class. Sigh.

It’s right when I think about this that Camille appears from a door behind where the stage of the contest was. The place behind her is full of smoke as she gets out, sweating.

She’s wearing protective clothing and a mask. Her hair and ears are trapped by a cooking cap, while her tail swings free from behind her. She looks quite happy despite looking extremely tired.

“Oh, Camille, what were you doing in that place?”

Cali asks, running toward her. I can’t help but smirk as I get freed from the ordeal of having to go to the theater class. If everything keeps going like this, I might not even need to go.

“I was cooking for the competition. Me and my friends from the cooking lessons were having a secondary competition inside the kitchen. We had to make as much food as possible to send to the table. It was pretty fun. You guys should have been there.”

Despite her enthusiasm in telling us this, her breath is heavy from exhaustion.

“Oh, so that’s the reason the food we were receiving was so different.”

Lucil murmurs, coming closer to her. As he gets closer to Camille to comfort her, I just catch a glance at Limer, who just watches in silence, her expression unreadable for some reason.

“That’s amazing, but your body looks hot, and you’re completely tired. You need to rest right now. Me and Layla will go take theater classes now. Do you need some help?”

When Cali says things this way, I can’t help but think she’s doing it on purpose. Well, I wish Camille good luck anyway. I hope she got some good achievements there.