Posting Chapter 2 (luckily I have this and 3 already made a while ago as they need to be proofread) and once my midterms are a bit finished, then we can get to working on Chapter 4 of the story.

To sum this up, Naomi belongs to  joe-schmendrik (and thanks to his proofreading)

Charlotte Ishizu and the other characters belong to me

. Chapter 2

Throughout the whole day at the college, Charlotte thought about the World Tournament, and about Suzuka’s boastful comment. She couldn't get those insulting words the ostrich said to her, when Suzuka called her a poser. That really stung the firebird's pride. From the start of her class and until dismissal, she continued to think deeply about what she could do. She would be walking out of the classroom until she could hear the familiar yell of her friend nearby.

“Charlotte!” Mizuki yelled out loud. “I found out where the sign-ups are being held.”

Upon hearing Mizuki’s statement, Charlotte quickly ran toward Mizuki. With eagerness and impatience, Charlotte asked, “Where are the sign-ups being held?”

“At Akasa Central Park,” Mizuki replied. She adjusted her glasses. "I'm just curious, but what made you want to sign up this year for the tournament?"

The firebird sighed a bit. “Well … it was, more or less, convincing Sofu about the sport and how it’s not some fetish as it was years ago.”

“It was?” asked Mizuki. “I assumed it was due to age or something. Can you explain to me about the rules of this world tournament?”

“Explain you the rules? Let me explain this to you,” the firebird replied.

Charlotte began a very long and lengthy explanation about the Plus World Tournament as they began their walk to Akasa Central Park. Mizuki nodded as Charlotte explained the basics such as the required minimum age of eighteen; the implementing of a progressive weight tier in order to ensure competitors couldn’t gain weight at the start of preliminaries; and, the basics of fighting rules that ascertained that legitimate fighting styles were recognized. The two schoolgirls reached their destination as they saw a massive crowd forming around the central stage, and near the sports field as well. Charlotte couldn’t believe how many women -- anthro, and human -- were all lined up and signing paper after paper for the officials accepting registration entries.

The human girl was amazed at the sheer number of women all clustered together. “Whoa! I haven't seen so many people here,” Mizuki exclaimed. “And I think I see a few older women. I never imagined they would all want to be so massive, just to fight.”

"I'll bet the older women are mothers with children", Charlotte explained . "Anything to make end's meet, right?"

“Mothers?” Mizuki asked quizzically. “What makes you think that?”

“Well, the older women have brought their kids over here,” Charlotte said as she pointed to some children playing games, trading cards and just exploring the park to pass the time.

“Well … that’s new to me,” Mizuki replied.

“It’s not,” said Charlotte. “Mothers have participated in the World Tournament, and in some of other tournaments, too. For example, one woman from Australia participated in the Melbourne Summer Cup.”

“Who was she?” Mizuki asked.

“A lady koala. I forgot her name, but I know she made it to, at least, B-Rank in last year’s tournament.”

Just as Mizuki was about to ask another question, the two were greeted by one of the staff workers. The worker was a human female dressed in a full track uniform with white sneakers and had the word “STAFF” etched on the front of the track jacket.

“Are you two signing up for the tournament?” the staff worker asked.

“She is,” Mizuki replied, pointing to Charlotte. “I’m just tagging along.”

"That's right", Charlotte said to the staff worker. The firebird then received a clipboard containing a variety of questions about personal information such as name, age, height, address and hometown.. Once finished, Charlotte handed the clipboard back to the staff member and completed her registration. Or so, she would have, except for one question that caught her eye: "Are you currently sponsored? If yes, then who?"

“It says here that I have to sign in a sponsor,” Charlotte explained. “But, I don’t have any at the moment.”

"Oh, that? Don't worry about it." The staff worker assured her. "If you do find a sponsor, we'll update your information once you compete. Though getting one as soon as possible is strongly advised, since training is rather expensive." Once the staff worker was done, she asked if there was anything else she could help the firebird with.

Charlotte blushed a bit as she moved her finger on a part of the sign-up sheet asking for not only height and weight, but also anticipated height and weight. The staff worker would then guide Charlotte into a medical tent nearby, where other women were being weighed. Each woman stood on a designed scale that didn't show their weight directly except to the staff workers. Once one woman was done and the scale was free, Charlotte stood on the scale.

“Okay, I got your weight recorded,” the receptionist said to Charlotte. "Nearly sixty-six kilograms." The staff worker smiled and began to shake the firebird’s hand. “Congratulations, Charlotte Ishizu. You are officially registered for the World Tournament. The D-Rank Preliminaries will be hosted at the Edion Arena, six weeks from today at 9:00 a.m. Therefore, it's advised that you arrive at the destination on time, and with a sponsor if possible."

Charlotte received a brochure titled “World Fighter Plus: Weight Recommendations for Beginners.” With that, she held onto that item and began to head to a spot where Mizuki waited for her.

“How did it go?” the human girl asked.

“It went well,” Charlotte replied. “I’m signed into the roster. So, is Suzuka here?” She began to look around the crowd, trying to peer over each head and shoulder for her nemesis.

“I don’t think I saw her,” Mizuki replied. “I think she signed up somewhere else. I mean, this isn’t the only registration kiosk."

“You might be right,” Charlotte acknowledged as she rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment. “So, I guess that chicken-legged snob's somewhere else, then."

“That’s okay, Charlotte. I’m sure you’ll get your chance,” Mizuki encouraged. “Anyway, did they provide you a sponsor?”

"No", Charlotte answered. "They require all combatants to find one, though it's not mandatory. But, don't worry; I already have a plan for a sponsor.”

**************************************************************

Later that night, Charlotte was back home with her grandfather. She sat at the knee-high dinner table, explaining to him about what she needed. Unfortunately, however ...

“Absolutely not!"

Charlotte was about to help herself to some tempura shrimp, when a shocked look appeared on her face.

"B-But, why, Sofu? I mean, I know it's going to be expensive. Couldn't you just open your dojo like before? I know it could bring in some money. I know we --"

"I'm too old for that," the old sparrow groused. "However, I'm not going to tell you that you can't do this, Charlotte. You are an adult, after all, and you really love that sport. I might not be able to be your sponsor, but I do know a place I frequent that wouldn't mind. Look to my old friend I always chat with named Rensei."
The firebird smiled widely as she swallowed her meal. "Oh,thank you, Sofu! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Charlotte cheered with glee, tightly hugging her grandfather.

******************************************************************************

By the next day, Charlotte and Mizuki left their school for the day. Charlotte began to lead her friend where Sofu told her to go.

“So, tell me why we’re heading down this street,” Mizuki asked, watching Charlotte looking about. The firebird, who had a meat bun in her beak, continued to search about until she found that place. She took a bite of that meat bun in her mouth before announcing to Mizuki

“There it is!” Charlotte announced as Mizuki looked at their destination. She was a bit surprised at Charlotte's potential sponsor's location.

“Wait a second,” said Mizuki with a mix of disappointment and confusion. "This is a barber shop. Why would you grandfather point you here?”

“Sofu always goes here for either a haircut or a match of mahjong with his friends. He suggested this place, as Rensei-san's been trying to find an advertisement. If I can get him as a sponsor, I'll help attract new customers and earn the funding I'll need for my training." The human girl nodded, understanding why Sofu mentioned this place. “Well, it certainly is a good start.”

The sound of a ringing bell announced the two schoolgirls' entrance. The inside had an old-fashioned look to it, but this small yet spacious room looked well kept. At one corner, there resided a table at which the customers would sit for a game of mahjong or poker. The barber chairs were rustic and looked like refurbished chairs one might see in any 1950s American barber shop. The cushions had the hint of being worn from all those years of being sat on by the various customers that came and left for a shave, a trim or a haircut.

“Rensei-san,” Charlotte called out. “My grandfather pointed me to your space. I’m just here to --"

Charlotte could see someone opening a door on the other end. The apparent owner resembled a balding lemur man in his sixties, wearing a pair of long white pants, sandals on his feet and a gray button-up shirt. The owner shot a glance and welcoming smile, recognizing Charlotte right away.

“Ah, Charlotte-chan!” Rensei greeted before hugging her. “How is your Sofu doing? Still friends with Gendo?” the old lemur asked.

“Sofu and Gendo are doing fine," answered Charlotte. "I'm here because he told me that you were in need of some advertisement help. So -- "

Charlotte’s explanation was interrupted as Rensei raised his hand and finished her sentence .

“-- that I needed a sponsor? Yes, yes, I was in need of some assistance. But ... a certain someone is in my office, and I already got her as a sponsor."

The Firebird’s face looked completely baffled. “What do you mean? Who would that be?”

That question would be answered as Charlotte saw the door open. Lo and behold, it would be Suzuka, striding out of door with a large drink in her hand.

“Rensei-san, I need to head back home for the competition. When will I expect the money to arrive?”

The ostrich suddenly noticed Charlotte was in the room. With a pompous, patronizing sneer, Suzuka taunted, “Well, well, well. Didn’t know you were sponsor-hunting. Or are you just here to become my fan?”

Charlotte glared angrily at Suzuka, showing that ostrich her sign-up sheet. “Actually, I signed up for the competition. So, I’m not going to be your fan and I am sponsor-hunting. I can’t wait to knock you out of the preliminaries!”

The ostrich gave a puzzled look before she just burst out, laughing, “Oh, ho, ho! How charming! First off, I’m not from the Kansai region; I’m from Chugoku. Any idiot knows the preliminaries are held in whatever region you're born in. That way, there's a balance of population and registered competitors.” She paused, taking a sip from her fizzy soda. “You really are a rookie, aren’t you, fangirl?”

“I’ll show you! Rensei’s going to give me a sponsor and --“, Charlotte’s rant would be interrupted by Rensei himself as he interjected.

“Suzuka-san has my sponsorship,” Rensei said to Charlotte, all while the ostrich gave a smug smile. “Suzuka came by and said that her club would also help spread the word about my barber shop. Sorry, Charlotte-chan, but the early bird gets the worm. Or, in this case, the sponsorship”

“Too bad for you, Charlotte!” Suzuka chuckled maliciously. “But, I’m sure you’ll be able to spend your money for your training; that is, if you don't mind going broke before the tournament starts." The Ostrich would then steal one of Charlotte's meat buns before taking a big bite out of that. "Oh, and thanks for the meat bun. I’m going to need every bite of protein for my competition. I’m sure that you won’t make it past the preliminaries; and, even if you do, I’ll just beat you in the nationals.” With that Suzuka just laughed, heading outside while Rensei went back to sweeping the floor, giving a look at Charlotte to emphasize his apology.

"Oh, don't worry about her, Charlotte." Mizuki said in a reassuring matter, “I know you got a plan 'B.' Right?”

The firebird shook her head, her eyes closed with despair. “I don’t. That was my only hope of getting a sponsor.” She simply left the barber shop, defeated and confused, with Mizuki calling Charlotte’s name and tailing her from behind.

Now what am I supposed to do? Charlotte thought to herself. I don’t have the money for training or for food. Maybe, I’ve bitten off more than I can chew.

She would walk past a community board which had various advertisements and call numbers. The defeated firebird would spot an advertisement that looked like it was placed up not too long ago with the instructions printed:

"Seeking out first-time rookies for the World Fighters Plus. I will provide sponsorship, training food and various other needs that are requested (so long as they are in good taste). Head to this address if interested and do mention the advertisement so that I know you are interested in this partnership."

As soon as Charlotte saw her opportunity staring her right in the face, the fires of determination burned brightly in her. "That's it!" she shouted out loud. "This person will be my sponsor!" Mizuki saw Charlotte take that advertisement off the bulletin board and rush off with a feverous speed toward her new destination.

“Wow," exclaimed Mizuki. "She found a new one, just like that."

Mizuki pursued, hustling as fast as she could in the hopes of keeping up with the firebird. Charlotte was heading over there and she wasn’t going to let anyone beat her. Especially Suzuka