Watch and Learn

The cheerdance competition started on time in the afternoon.

Every participating school is required to use a pre-selected song from the judges, much like the contest piece in chorale competitions. They will then be judged according to their interpretation and execution of stunts. This way, the winner will be determined by creativity and holistic team performance.

Being the last to perform, Midori's team gets to see others perform first. Some sneered, others are disheartened when they see other teams perfectly execute difficult stunts.

Midori can feel their different emotions around her. She clenched her hands into fists.

'This is not good. At this rate, it might affect their performance.' she thought.

Just then, the squad before them was about to perform.

Madeline Song deliberately walked past them as she snickered, "Watch and learn!"

They started with popcorn tosses, middle flyer first, followed by 2 flyers from both sides. They proceeded with their dance routine. Jumps and side tosses followed. Lifts of arabesque, scorpion, then bow and arrow come after the other. Another routine followed with tumbling and tosses. The pyramid was also flawless at the end. Overall, it was as expected of the defending champions.

Midori knew she needed to do something about her squad, so she gathered them as organizers fix the mat for their performance.

"Alright guys, listen up. At this point, we can do nothing about the routine. I know that some of their stunts were extremely difficult and different from ours. However, we cannot dwell on that at this point. Remember that we have been enduring body aches after every practice. Some even suffered injuries..." she looked at a few people including Mei. "Let us not waste each other's efforts. We are sticking to our routine, so let us follow it completely and perfectly. I believe in everyone. Let us believe and hang on for each other. Let's do this!"

"Yeah!" Unanimous cheers were heard with the host introducing their school.

They started with a mix of arabesque lifts at the back, with a front group, doing a cheerdance routine. The flyers at the back were twisting, changing into scorpion then needle, in sync with the splits on the ground. They then dismount and dispersed, followed by another set of bases with flyers. They made succeeding basket tosses ending in twists in sync with the double front handspring on the mat. A cartwheel proceeded from the opposite direction which was synchronous with the pretty girl tosses at the back. Another dance routine followed ending in jumps. Then 3 sets of bases and flyers gathered. Flyers went up for prep, made superman stunt, then thigh stand. They dismount, another set is up, forming their pyramid perfectly.

Mei was hugging Midori tightly after their performance. She does not want to share her friend with other members exchanging 'we made it' and 'good job' while going back to their area. Their coach was smiling brightly, all giddy from their performance.

"Great job guys! I believe we have a chance!" Their coach was not simply flattering them over some bias. She actually compared her squad's performance with the others. She actually believed what she said based on her professional assessment. She was certain that her team would be in the top 3. She however cannot yet claim the championship since the defending champion also did a great job.

The announcement for the cheerdance competition winners will come after the awarding ceremony for the games held within the entire interschool competition.

Being consoled after the match, the basketball team was exceptionally looking happy receiving their silver trophy. Dan, being himself, was flashing his toothpaste commercial smile on the camera, every now and then glancing at Midori. This attracted girls from different schools, leaving them lovestruck. Some of them even had the courage to come close to the basketball team after the photo ops, wanting to at least know his name. However, before these kittens could even get their claws on Dan, the other members would pounce at them, striking conversations. These let Dan 'escape' his 'predators' to sit beside Midori.

"Scared?" he asked her with a smile.

Midori raised her left eyebrow as she turned to him. She sighed, then said, "No." Then revealing a faint smile.

"Excited then." Dan concluded, wrapping an arm on her shoulders.

Midori had a shy smile. "Maybe."

Finally, the winners for the cheerdance competition will be revealed.

Midori pursed her lips. All members of her squad did not want to hear their school to be called for 3rd place. When another team was called, they all had sighs, exhaling from the breaths they were holding.

Madeline Song was confidently sitting with her arms crossed on her chest, her chin up and looking mockingly ar Midori's team. 'Looks like history will repeat itself.' she thought with a smug face.

"This year's second place is none other than..." the host paused for drum roll and dramatic effect.

All eyes from Midori's team widened. Mei hugged Midori, beginning to squeal.

Madeline Song was flabbergasted. Her face twisted in rage as she was dragged by her squad towards the center for their photo.

Finally, Midori's squad rejoiced after they were officially announced as champions. Some even tossed other members in their delight.

After having their photos taken, they went back to cheer happily in their area, endlessly chatting.

Shaoting went up to Mei. Mei smiled back at him, but was taken aback when he suddenly embraced her tight. Then he looked into her eyes. "Congratulations!" he said with a smile.

Mei was stunned, mouth gaping. She froze even more when he kissed her warmly.

Cheers from other members echoed in their area.

Then one member asked, "Where's Captain Xiu?"