"Don't be so upset. If we're only talking about the stage performance, we really didn't beat you.
Show some grace as the first-place winner and go up to accept your award! You can't go around looking so gloomy~
How about a smile? Smile, smile~"
At that moment, Lingmeng looked just like a certain Happy Hero.
Still, she genuinely didn't want Miku to stay unhappy.
But Miku herself didn't seem to appreciate it. She clenched her fists and spoke in a trembling voice.
"Stop joking... Wh-what is this supposed to mean...? Isn't this strange...? How could I possibly lose...?"
"Miku...?"
Ignoring Shiori's call, Miku staggered to the center of the stage.
"I'm Miku Izayoi! I... I...!"
"Are you sure you should be doing this? Throwing a tantrum onstage?"
Clearly sensing Miku's agitation, Lingmeng scratched her cheek and muttered.
Miku's body trembled.
"No... I... I didn't lose...! This only happened because those people were so useless!"
"Wow, you're really taking passing the buck to a whole new level."
The corner of Lingmeng's mouth twitched, her expression turning awkward.
Then Shiori hurriedly stepped forward as well.
"You can't say that... The Ryudouji students must have done their very best too—"
"I... I don't care! I don't care at all! I didn't lose...!"
"Don't act like a little kid who can't take a loss."
Lingmeng covered her forehead with one hand and sighed helplessly.
"Now you understand how important companions are, right? Even with everything we had, we could only tie with you in the stage performance.
But thanks to the classmates running the girls' café behind the scenes, we were able to beat you."
"Wh-what are you saying!? Don't be ridiculous...! Companions...? Haha... How could creatures like humans possibly be useful?"
"But humans were the ones who let us really beat you in