Amidst the noise, Katakura High School from Chunri Bu, Saitama Prefecture faintly heard that they had won the silver prize.
After all the results were announced, the venue exploded.
Schools that did not win the gold award naturally felt so devastated they wanted to withdraw, but for the schools which won, the real highlight was about to begin.
The air inside the concert hall grew even hotter.
Those who had won the gold were yearning for even higher honors.
"Next, we will announce the schools qualified to participate in the national competition."
The emcee pushed up his slipping reading glasses.
"The first school, number thirteen, representing Tokyo, Juze High School."
Piercing screams erupted from the venue as the girls from Juze High School huddled together, and the boys pushed each other around with an imposing air, not hiding their joy.
"The second school, number twenty-one, representing Tokyo, Katakura High School."
