The Orange Star High Science Fair and its surprise Guest!

Misuji Mishima road a bike to school. Not the simple, purely pedal-driven, economic mode of transport most often associated with toddlers rolling around the playground (and also people that join those silly bicycle races as well), but a veritable hot rod on two wheels. It was a motorcycle, a chopper, with a distressingly large engine and handlebars higher than any stoner that sometimes loitered across the campus. The point was, the teenager's ride wasn't exactly inconspicuous. It made sense, he had to drive halfway across the world sometimes just to get to his actual home, when he wasn't lounging around at a local dorm in Satan City. Yet even with that established flashiness in mind, the lad being a professional wrestler after all, the booming sounds of steel blades hovering about trumped anything that the lad's bike could muster. So he could only stare up at the helicopter, accompanied by other clueless, curious students, and nod in disbelief. "What the HFILing fu-"

"Language, Mishima!" A random teacher cut into the crowd, voice somehow still louder than that of the flying butcher's cleaver that aimed to land.

"Sorry Mrs. Potstickers!"That shook Misuji out of his trance fast, as he began to process what was going on. Could this be someone's flashy entry into the science fair?

---

PL: 5400

Ghoti made his way downstairs, one of the teachers from the Science department there to greet him! The teacher, an individual looking as though they sprinted up to meet them at the stairwell, introduced themselves as Mr. Tang Ernie. He was in not the best shape, but he certainly wasn't in the worst shape. He was also in charge of the school's football team. He bowed to Ghoti, who bowed in return, and the two made their way down the stairwell and through the halls of Orange Star High!

As they walked, Ghoti tapped his pin scouter in his left breast pocket, which came to life and started video recording the state of the old school, to account for anything that the school might need. Have a means of getting a foot in the door to collect any seniors that would graduate with hopes of becoming a scientist, mechanic, nurse, doctor, or businessman of sorts! Even the kids were business opportunities waiting to be used. Ghoti should know: He was a kid too before becoming one of CURE's most successful projects to date!

"So, Ernie," Ghoti spoke, keeping partly behind the science teacher, "What made you decide to become a science teacher instead of taking your knowledge to the field of medicine?"

"Degrading spinal disc from an injury back when I was about 17 years old," Mr. Ernie state, "A bit too much pressure applied to it and shattered the disc the first time around. We later found out that I had a bone disease causing some of my bones to degrade faster than they should."

Ghoti hummed in a negative tone, feeling pity for the man. He patted the man's shoulder, saying, "There's always an opportunity to get that taken care of, Tang. Whether or not you have a family, you owe it to yourself to take care of yourself! Too much waiting will make it increasingly more difficult to resolve that issue."

"Indeed, this is true. I'd been planning to get it taken care of at the hospital some time next week, but I'm here to teach my students and run the science fair!"

"How tenacious! I don't suppose you're looking for other employment currently?"

Ghoti's pin scouter flew back upon his breast pocket, while the science teacher explained that he was happy with his employment here at Orange Star High. Ghoti shrugged, stating, "Fair enough! Now lets go exploring this fair of your school's..."

The fishman begun perusing the floor, taking a look at the projects around. There were several miniature volcanos talking about their function and how they served as one of the major reasons for why the waves in the planet's oceans developed. The first couple of displays were fascinating, at first, but after a few more, they lost their splendor. He wound up in a section that was scattered, in the sense that the displays and subjects the students were teaching were heavily different from each other! Gravity, mathematics of a doctorate level, electrical impulses, genetically modified plants... The fishman came to a stop and pulled out his glasses as he looked at the display.

"Hmm... Fascinating," Ghoti thought aloud, reading over the subject matter of how to modify these plants anywhere a person was, even at their household! The students were in the auditorium yet, but Ghoti was assuredly excited for this science fair. He tapped his pin again, which brought up the time in a digital hologram in front of him. He nodded, thinking to himself, "The students should be getting out of class shortly. Excellent! We'll be able to start this fair, shortly!"

"Ah, there you are, Mr. Ghoti," Mr. Ernie spoke, having been looking for Ghoti, "The Fair hasn't quite started yet, but as soon as the students arrive, we'll begin! By the way, the Superintendent told me that you've a surprise for the students here with your visit. Might I inquire?"

"Of course! The plan is to offer the best student here an opportunity to earn an internship over at CURE industries," Ghoti spoke with a salute with his middle and index finger, "On top of a scholarship to a college or university of their choice! Runner ups in second and third place will also be given major recommedations by myself personally to those whichever college or university they so choose. Of course, on top of all of this, all participants in this fair will be given a complimentary CURE industries hoodie, free of charge and free of choice among all 150 of these designs."

Ghoti tapped his pin scouter once more, a holographic display of dozens of dozens of hoodie sweatshirts done in all sorts of artistic styles. Mr. Ernie, however, couldn't help but notice that half of the sweatshirts were baring a lot of likeness to the Fishy businessman, who'd been smiling and giving a Thumbs up to the science teacher. Tang respond flabbergasted, "I-I see! That's quite generous of you, Mr. Ghoti!"

"All is fair when the future of tomorrow is on the line, Tang! It'd be good to remember that!"

"That I will! In the meantime, let's get you seated with the other judges over at the main stage, Mister Ghoti!"

For context on a lot of the sweatshirt designs: https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22815442_1948089058779070_4647916880695972191_n.jpg?oh=2355942e6960f7e1615c15df7bdddc14&oe=5B1BA9B4

Shaking her head as the science fair would begin, Kari looked around at her fellow student's projects. Immediately she felt self-conscious of her work. Everyone around her had such great ideas and amazing projects and she was here testing out genetically modified seeds. Thinking back to what she had said earlier, her eyes widen as she caught her mistake. Darn it! She was so nervous and had spoken so fast that she had completely explained and labeled her experiment in such a confusing way. Looking at her project once more she had realized that one could assume she was making genetically modified plants from her house, something she didn't have the time nor the knowledge to do. Immediately she tried to usher her project away but it was too late. People were already looking at her work. Crap. Now all she could do is just smile and nod as she pretended that she had done something she never did. This science fair had been going great for her so far.

Turning back at the familiar boy's direction she nodded. "Yeah, I didn't expect you to attend this school either Misuji." As he turned his attention towards her project immediately she tried to play it off. "Y-yeah. It's mine but it's nothing great. Hey, we should check out yours later instead." Kari desperately ran in front of her display, using her body to block his view of her screw-up as she tried to change the subject. Listening to what he had to say, she shook her head. "I'm guessing this is a fish zoan most likely. Although he seems to be professional. A special guest maybe?" At least they had left the subject of her project.

Misuji Mishima seemed unaware of the young woman's woes, as his cursory glance at Kari's project wasn't enough to help him dissect and discuss the mistakes that she had apparently made in regards to how she labeled and presented her project. Though even if he had been given an infinite amount of time to just sit down observe what the chameleon demon had to offer to the world, it was incredibly improbably that the meaty, muscular pup of a man would have even spotted a single discrepancy. Given how easily impressed and intellectually bereft the youthful prizefighter was, the more likely scenario was that the Mini Mastiff would have stared on with wide, innocent eyes, asking chains of questions that eventually linked back to his curiosity and gluttony.

It was why the lad seemed so lost when he noticed Kari try to block his field of view with a dash. The lad could only raise his brow in confusion, before nodding along to go with the girl's flow. After all, Misuji didn't have many friends in the first place, and he figured that upsetting the ones that he did have would not be the smartest move on his part. Yes, even someone with the constantly dwindling and disappointing mental capacity of the Mini Mastiff was capable of processing the thoughts that flowed all throughout his skull-space. It just so happened that he was a little slower in that regard, which explained why it took him a good few seconds to respond to the girl's suggestion. When he did, however, the child looked downright delighted to hear what really should not have been spoken.

"Kari, wait... You- actually want to see my display?" He said with a shocked expression, jaw dropping down in sheer surprise. "You aren't scared of being covered in hummus?" His mouth continued to hang agape, as he took in a deep breath, disbelief still spelled out on his tiny face. "By Bao, I didn't think anyone would care much for it after last year!" After a moment to realize that the Zoanthrope(?) was serious, Misuji's entire expression perked up significantly, his form seemingly rumbling with glee as he struggled to not bounce along with glee. "I would so hug you right now if I knew how to do that without breaking people's ribs!" He declared with delight, daintily placing a finger on the girl's shoulder. This was as much contact as he was willing to make it seemed. At least, the sentiment showcased the lad's awareness of the consequences of his strength.

The lad seemed too engrossed in his joy to really take note of the fishman. If he had, Misuji would have known that it was high time to prepare his project for mass consumption, even if even he knew that it had no real possibility of winning the year's Winter Science Fair. The Mishima Theorem may not have been as violently as the Foreign Fluid Fusillade, but it required the same lack of any form of cohesive thought or common sense open-mindedness and creativity to properly comprehend.

Still, it sat there with all of its calculations and measurements, on full display for the world to see. It may have looked like a cross between a messy chart used for investigating crime scenes, and an even messier board built from scratch to attempt proving a potato conspiracy theory, but it proudly stated its message to the world. Misuji showed that he truly believed that becoming at least four and a half Baos would save both the wrestling industry, and the world at large when the giant alien lizardmen from outerspace arrived to invade the Earth. Sure, it was an impossible and stupid scenario to behold, but darn it the lad's heavy brush strokes, written in red paint on a green canvas, showed conviction.

Many of the displays had merit in their designs! Some even got applause and good points from all the teachers and Ghoti. While they wrote down their scores, Ghoti would keep track with his scouter pin that flew up from his left breast pocket, forming a digital display as it recorded the students' projects. There would be a flow chart visible for those looking at it from behind Mister Ghoti. Scores were varying based on several factors: Confidence, processing the idea they spoke of through the scientific process, and experiment containment. If these students were to become scientists, they had to be sure these factors were in tip top shape! Especially if one of them earned the opportunity to become an intern at CURE all the while going to college with the CURE sponsorship! These were rated on a scale of 1 to 10 for each factor.

Few were scoring sevens and above in certain areas, while others barely got above scores of 2, due to their factors. He had their names written in this digital sheet, too, so that he could determine whom was best so far. Those who had good biology projects and confidence were doing better on average than those who were simply not caring about this fair. It annoyed Ghoti and the teachers, but rather than scold them on the spot, they only recorded their scores. When they got to Misuji's project, a gangly mess of paint, words, and ideas trying to wrap up how to protect the world from the World Trade Fleet, the teachers simply gave the lowest possible scores for Misuji's project.

Ghoti, however, gave a boastful chuckle at this, reading the information to himself! He stated aloud, "This lad has some gall! He took one of those, 'turd posts,' littering the web now these days and turned it into a wildly impossible theorem. He is wrong, but by my stars, this exhumes great confidence."

The fishman, while he gave a 2 of 10 on the scientific process to prove this, and a 1 of 10 on idea containment, due to it being a gargled mess, he gave it a 10 out of 10 in confidence! He walked over to the display next to it, a smile on his face as he approached the two students with the teachers, astounded by Ghoti's reaction to the work Misuji, of all their students! Upon walking over, Ghoti greeted Misuji first, telling him, "Young Misuji, your project may have been one of the most bonkers thing I've seen in quite some time, the amount of confidence you've displayed is quite astounding! You should apply that to your lessons, especially with the proper guidance. There is great potential there you've yet to tap into!"

After that, Ghoti directed his attention to the Chameleon student, who'd been already quite nervous and talking about how they should check out Mishima's project, saying her project was boring. The teachers shook their heads, writing down their scores for Kari's project, while Mister Ghoti responded while looking for her name on her project, "Fret not, Miss... Yudan! I had actually inspected your project earlier and was intrigued by it. Tell me, what is the intent of these genetically altered plants? Is it so that individuals can develop those plants that would help construct medicine?"

Some of the teachers, upon hearing Ghoti's questions, erased their scores, while smiling to Kari. Mr. Tang even mouthed to Kari, with a small wave to suggest that she should try for it! However, those that didn't proceeded to the next projects.

Misuji has impressed Ghoti with the sheer confidence his presentation is displaying, even if it's a mangled mess! After that, he questions Kari, his interest in the project having been piqued to begin with prior to the Fair having started!

For a moment, Kari was sure she had managed to divert the attention her project received elsewhere. All hope was shattered when the guest judge had walked over to her project and dismissed her actions. The chameleon was even able to feel all the color drain out of her face when Ghoti had mentioned that he was intrigued by her project earlier. Completely dumbfounded, she froze and was unable to create a cohesive sentence as all the attention was placed on her and her failed project. A wave of emotions overcame her mind, ranging from embarrassment from what was yet to happen to fear with all the attention that was directed towards her. Try to relax Kari, she told herself. If you freak out and run out now you'll make an even larger scene than if you were to stay. Just act natural and tell them the truth. I'm sure he'll understand.

Taking a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heartbeat down she gave herself a few moments to collect her cool. With a sheepish smile on her face, Kari glanced at her own project. "I guess I can't avoid it anymore. My science project isn't as cool as it makes out to be. I've only realized this morning that I had messed up the description. I didn't modify any plants from home, I just tested them against regular plants. The people who actually modified them were the people from the factory, I'm assuming." A huge weight lifted itself off of her chest as she managed to get the words out of her mouth. However by the crowd surrounding her had gone from amazed to completely shocked. Her smile began to falter as an heavy atmosphere began to fill the air. Not wanting to contribute to it any longer, Kari ran out of the room, to the hallway and into the unlocked supply closet. Within the darkness of the small closet, the sense of fear and nervousness she had felt earlier began to disappear. "It would have been better if I just lied." Grasping her head in her hands, Kari let out a small scream, the volume would be muffled by her hands so no one would be able to figure out her locaction. She wished she was home right now and away from everything that happened today. She could only hope that the crowd wouldn't stay too long at the failure of her project and hopefully forget about it all.