Bright and early in the morning, the girls of the newspaper club began their club activities. One of them, holding a camera, decided to take a picture of a dead tree.
"Airi, could you please stop taking so many pictures of that dead tree? That's not what we're here for," said a girl.
"Right, I'm sorry, Kanae. It's just really interesting that it's the only one that's dead while all the others are blooming," said Airi.
"Okay, I get it, but make sure you take the pictures that actually matter since they'll be in the newspaper this week," said Kanae.
Airi really is a weird individual. I can't believe we became friends last year, a girl in the club thought to herself.
The girl then looked over at their fourth member, who was shaking like a leaf, her hands trembling.
"Um, Rie, are you okay? You look pale," said the girl.
"Um… y-yes, I'll be fine, Yuri," said Rie, still shaking.
"Don't be nervous. We're just going to interview the sports teams and extracurricular activity clubs so we can get a scoop for our article. Remember, we're the newspaper club—it's our job to give students updates and feedback on everything happening at school," said Yuri.
"Yes, I know that, but I can't help feeling nervous. This will be my first time talking to complete strangers," said Rie.
"Oh well, there's nothing I can do to boost her confidence," said Yuri with a sigh.
"Is everyone ready?" asked Kanae.
"Yes!" the others responded.
"Then let the exploration begin!"
The newspaper club arrived at the Judo club, where the members were practicing and in the middle of a match.
"You're definitely not going to lift me off the ground, Captain!" shouted a Judo member with enthusiasm.
"Okay, we'll see about that, you little runt," said the captain as he grabbed his opponent's gi and flung him to the floor.
"Point! And that's the match. Great work as usual, Captain," said another member.
"It'll take years before you can beat me, rookie," said the captain as he helped his opponent up.
"Good morning, Judo club members. My name is Kanae Yamaoka, and I am the president of the newspaper club. We're here to interview and observe you for our newspaper articles. If anyone objects to the interview, please speak now," said Kanae bluntly, interrupting their morning training.
"Well, we're in the middle of practice, but if it's for your club, let's get started," said the captain.
"Okay, then I'll start with this: Roman, you've been the captain of the Judo team since your first year, correct?" asked Kanae.
"Yes, I have. I've led this team since I was just a kid," said Roman.
"Under your leadership, do you believe this club has accomplished anything significant?"
"Of course we have!" said Roman, clearly irritated.
"Could you elaborate on your achievements?" asked Kanae.
"Well… you see..."
"We conducted some research and background checks on the Judo team's performance over the years," said Kanae, scrolling through some papers. "We found that under your leadership, the team lost in the first round twice."
"What the hell is with this chick?" the Judo members thought to themselves.
"Further research shows that those losses were the worst defeats in the Judo team's history."
"Are there any plans to change this?" asked Kanae with a straight face.
"For two years in a row, we faced the champions in the first round. It's no surprise that we lost. But of course, there'll be a change! My team and I are going to the championship this year. We're going to be champions," said Roman.
"I see. Then I'll come back for another scoop when you… lose—I mean, win the championship," Kanae said with a smirk. "Let's go, girls."
"Say cheese, everyone!" said Airi as she took pictures of the Judo team before leaving.
"Did she just call us losers?" the Judo members murmured.
"Wow, Prez, that was way too harsh," said Yuri. "You just hurt that guy's pride. You pointed out all his failures, compared them to past Judo teams, and shoved it in his face."
"If facts and the truth are harsh, imagine how much a lie would affect them. Giving people false hope with deceptive words isn't my style. I prefer to tell them their current standings and the chances they actually have," said Kanae.
"Whatever you say, Kanae," said Yuri.
"Rie, which club is next?" asked Kanae.
"Um… let's see… the soccer club," said Rie.
"Alright, let's get this over with."
"Hello, beautiful young ladies of the newspaper club! My name is Maki Abe, the ace of Toshigawa Academy's soccer team. I'd like to say that this team was already exceptional before I enrolled, but now that I'm here, we'll take the Golden Boot trophy and become champions this year!" said Maki confidently.
"It's true that you made it to the quarterfinals last year," said Kanae. "However, the soccer team lost terribly to Yokohama High School by what—oh yeah—ten goals to none."
Maki's confident smile froze.
"I'm not sure 'exceptional' is the right word. How about 'humiliation' or 'embarrassment'? Those words seem more suitable," Kanae added coldly.
"What are you doing!?" Yuri whispered. "I knew they lost badly, but I didn't know it was that bad…"
"But I'm here now! That kind of loss won't happen again!" said Maki, trying to regain confidence.
"How many students do you think get into Toshigawa Academy based on their athletic ability?" asked Kanae.
"Hmm… I'd say roughly ten?"
"Did you know that students who enroll through sports are immediately placed on academic probation? Their first-semester grades determine whether they'll even be allowed to play for the school," said Kanae.
"Is that true? I didn't know about that," said Maki, looking worried.
"Yes, it is. So be sure to get good grades this semester, or you won't be playing in the tournament at all," Kanae said as she walked off.
"Say cheese for the camera!" said Airi as she snapped a picture of Maki, capturing the lost and hopeless look on his face.
"Kanae, that was really mean. That was uncalled for," said Airi.
"Well, that's Kanae for you. She doesn't consider anyone's feelings," said Yuri.