Beauty Contest

Friday, 8:46 a.m. The long-awaited day of the Beauty Contest has finally arrived.

For 25 years, the Beauty Contest has been a cherished tradition at The Bratislava High School. Every summer, students and teachers gather in a grand vestibule, typically used for graduation ceremonies and other important events. The vestibule is located outside the main school building.

The teachers are naturally not allowed to vote in any student competitions and so aren’t the members of the student council. There is one exception, however, and that is when a student council member assumes a position of the judge in the contest awarding points which equal votes.

Zhang had actively pursued the opportunity to be a judge this time, and his nomination was approved by the student council. Two other students who applied were also selected as judges through a majority vote, completing the trio of important decision-makers.

Silveria, the current Student Council President from class 4.A, holds a remarkable record as the only person to be voted as the Beauty Queen three times in a row. This has earned her immense respect among all the students.

The competition is meticulously organized thanks to the dedicated volunteers who handle stage decoration, sound system, lighting, and refreshments for staff and contestants. The teachers usually don’t meddle with these projects. Everything is delegated to the student council.

The official title for the Beauty Queen is actually Miss Bratislava High School, who is given a tiara – a decorative crown-like headpiece that is usually worn by beauty pageants. The crowned Miss often delivers speeches at other events until it's time to pass down the tiara to the next Beauty Queen. The second place is often referred to as Vice-Miss BA High School but other than the prestige of being the second most beautiful person in the school, they are given no actual prize. And finally, there is a Judge Prize. The judges select among the other 6 contestants one that had a so called “X-factor”. To put it simply, they choose somebody that has a unique quality worthy of being praised. This could be anything, being a congenial individual, having a distinctive appearance trait, or simply having the ability to impress with their words and actions throughout the contest.

Fantasia and Ravel enter the vestibule, holding hands. The space is still half-empty and the final preparations of the stage are underway. They make their way towards the stage, their steps filled with a mix of anticipation and nerves.

“Are you nervous?” Ravel asks Fantasia.

“No. As long as I’m with you, I have nothing to fear.” Her hand grip tightens, reaffirming him that they’re in this together.

“At least someone. Because I am nervous as fuck.” Ravel laughs under his nose, not trying to hide his anticipation of what’s to come.

“Hey, that’s him! Our one and only!!! Ravel the Beauty Queen, aaaaay!!!”

Passing by the front seats, Seko and Yutaka decide to ridicule Ravel for his unfortunate decision till the very last moment.

“Guys, friends like you? I don’t need any enemies,” he mutters to himself.

Ravel looks back into the audience, finding Ares sitting right behind Seko and Yutaka. Ares gives him a cold glare.

On the stage, there are three chairs and a table covered in white fabric, Zhang and another student girl are already present, while the third judge is missing. On a lower platform opposite the judges, eight chairs are arranged for the participants. Everybody is already sitting idly, including Eleona and Zinia. The participants are still wearing their usual, blue and white school uniforms.

Ravel and Fantasia head on stage through the stairs that are situated below the judges’ desk. As soon as their feet tap on the floor, the vestibule erupts in boos, which makes Fantasia flinch and halt momentarily.

“Hmph,” Ravel is not fazed at all.

Fantasia, encouraged by Ravel’s spark in his eyes, takes a deep breath and with a smile continues to walk beside him.

“Guess they never saw a guy in a beauty contest!” she remarks, convincing herself that this must be the reason for the negative reaction.

Ravel smirks and nods at Zhang sitting in the center, who greets him back. Then his eyes fall upon another girl sitting to Zhang’s right, who he wanted to greet as well but then he realized who it was.

“F-fuck!” Ravel says to himself as his eyes were struck with fear. What the hell is she doing here?!

“Oh hello there~! This is the first time you honored me at least with your glance since we brok-“

“Hi! Good to see you, I’m glad you’re doing well!!” Ravel interrupts her, taking Fantasia and hurrying up to their designated spots.

That idiot must have joined the judges just to mess with my and Fantasia’s ratings!! The girl’s name is Diantha from the class 3.C, Ravel’s ex-girlfriend. A pretty girl with eyes and hair of scarlet color, fitting for her flaming energy she gives off.

“Hey Eli! So the day is finally here, eh? Good day, Zinia!” Fantasia enthusiastically greets her classmates, while bowing her head and greeting the other contestants. A girl with brown hair looks pissed off and doesn’t respond to Fantasia’s greeting.

“When did we become friends?” Zinia retorts antagonistically.

“Good to see you two! I thought you would run with your tail between your legs, Ravel, but you’re actually here!” Eleona teases already.

Fantasia turns to face Ravel, who is still looking back at Diantha, who gives him a fake smile from across the stage.

“Aren’t they all beautiful? Come on, say hello!”

Poking him with her elbow, Ravel finally faces the girls to greet them.

“Y-yes, you look all fantast-,” his honest compliment is shut down by his own thoughts, “…-ic.”

Of course, she really is here... He locks eyes with a pretty girl with long raven black hair.

“H-Hello, R-Ravel... Y-you look great as always...“ The girl is tapping her index fingers against each other, barely able to make eye contact with Ravel. She gazes at her own knees.

Ravel’s mind drifts into a flashback of seeing the girl's name, Leanna from class 2.C, on the results board. Ravel had spent a lot of time with her last year before ultimately choosing to date Lady D. Leanna was left heartbroken, but she never harbored any ill will.

“Do you know each other?” Fantasia asks surprised.

“Yeah, we do… I’ll fill you in later.”

Silveria, the Student Council President and reigning Miss Bratislava High School steps onto the stage, capturing the attention of the now nearly full vestibule. A member of volunteer staff rushes towards Silveria looking concerned, she whispers something into her ear.

“I see. Okay, thank you.” Silveria acknowledges before taking the microphone into her hands in order to announce the start of the Beauty Contest. The volunteer girl steps aside.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 25th annual Beauty Contest of Bratislava High School!”

The crowd erupts in enthusiastic cheers and applause, with some students even confessing their love for Silveria. "I love you, Silveria!" "Please, marry me, Silveria!" "You're our only Beauty Queen!"

“Awww, such obedient puppies.” Silveria feigns gratitude, playing her role as the Student Council President who values order. The cheers continue.

“Now, shut up! That’s not how you speak to your Queen, you plebs! Hmph!” She abruptly changes her speech pattern, giving off an intense aura as her actual personality closer to her Beauty Queen status starts pouring out.

Silveria seamlessly switches between personalities, as if she has a genuine disorder.

“Unfortunately, my assistant here informed me one of our judges won’t be able to make it today. So we have a vacant position,” Silveria starts explaining in a regretful tone.

“’Assistant’?!” The volunteer girl is already fed up with Silveria’s behavior. “I’m gonna reveal her secret, if she doesn’t behave!”

“Is there any of you lowlives who want to support their Queen and help with judging? Huh?!” Silveria raises her voice dominantly but switches to a smoother one. “Come on, boys, I am sure you would like to help me out in a tight spot, right~?” She blinks quickly with her eyes, exuding cuteness captivating the entire venue.

Out of nowhere, dozens of mostly male students raise their hands and clamor, vying for Silveria's attention, claiming they're willing to help her and imploring her to choose them.

“Damn, that chick really knows how to rile up a crowd,” Seko sighs, only to be drowned out by Yutaka's exuberant screaming.

“Choose me, please, look at me, Queen! I said it first, I SAID IT FIRST!”

Yutaka turns into a fanboy, losing his whole personality in the eyes of Silveria’s superiority.

“Oh~? Nobody? Then I suppose I’ll assume the position of the third judge, fufu!”

Silveria’s decision shuts down the whole crowd, proving she is in complete control of the hearts and minds of these hopeless creatures.

CHAPTER 15: END