Mischievous Function

Let's Take This Upstairs

Even later that night...

SLAM!

Barely anyone in the dining area noticed as the door leading into the area swung wide open. Aqua came storming inside and swung the door shut behind her, burning with exasperation. She swiped a to-go box off the folding table and headed to a nearby table, climbing into the chair and tossing the box onto the table in front of her. But she didn't even open the box; she simply rested her arms on the table and her head on her arms.

Dot and Microphone were two of the few people to notice her come in and went to sit down at her table. "Hey, Aqua, you okay?" Mic asked gently.

Aqua scoffed and glared up at both of them. "Adults are freakin' insufferable," she grumbled. "Sometimes I wonder how you people still manage to get your clothes on in the morning."

"Oh, believe me, so do we," Dot smirked. "Staff giving you a rough time?"

"Yeah, they think I don't know what I'm doing. You know, typical reverse ageist prejudice." She sighed before opening up her box and unwrapping the plastic fork inside. "But c'est la vie, I suppose," she muttered as she stabbed a small pile of noodles and shoved it in her mouth.

Mic sighed and leaned forward, smiling at Aqua. "Well, we appreciate everything you're doing," she told her. "Seriously. We really couldn't have done any of this without you."

Aqua looked up at her and Dot for a while before smiling back. "Thanks. Same to you guys."

Ding.

Microphone's and Aqua's phones both went off at the same time, and they both locked eyes as they realized what that meant. Since Mic was the captain of their group, and since Aqua was the manager, the most likely reason someone would have to contact both of them at the same time would be if it was an—

"Announcement about the competition?" Dot guessed.

Mic nodded excitedly, her phone already out as she read the text alert. She gasped and squealed as she showed Dot. "They've got the results!" she exclaimed as she shot up to her feet, getting the attention of everyone in the dining area. "They're announcing the results outside in a few minutes!"

"HEY, POWER BOTTOMS!" Dot called out. "MEET OVER HERE REAL QUICK!"

Just as the inevitable stampede outside began to commence, the rest of the girls understood Dot's call and got up to head toward the three of them. Once all of them had arrived, Mic explained the situation. "Okay, here's what we're doing," she said as she read the alert. "It says that we're going by groups, so we can—and actually should—stay in the audience until the 6–9 results are about to finish. Once it's time, all 10–12 groups need to go backstage and get ready for the award presentations. When they call us, we're all going to stand somewhere near the back of the stage; a staff member should show us where. They're handing out ribbons for 5th and 4th place, and medals for the top three. Also—uh...wow. Apparently, 3rd and 2nd get bronze and silver trophies, respectively."

The girls all made various impressed expressions as Mic continued. "Uh...it says that for 3rd and up, the captain should step forward to receive the trophy while staff hand out medals to the rest of the group. Then, the captain goes back to their group. After the awards, 5th and up needs to stay backstage for a photo."

She put her phone away and looked at each of the girls. "You all got that?" When they all nodded, she gestured toward the stage with her head and began walking toward the stage. "All right, then. Let's go, girls!"

——————————

Several minutes later...

"And now, it's time to bring out the 10–12 groups!"