Mamie was bewildered.


    "How could this happen?"


    Scales had scanned the list several times, a slight furrow forming between his brows. "Don''t worry, check the list for the first, second, and third prizes again."


    "...Alright."


    Ten minutester-


    Mamie was even more perplexed. "I went over the entire list five times, and our names aren''t there."


    Which meant-


    They hadn''t gotten the grand prize, nor any of the first, second, or third prizes!


    Scales stayed silent, but his brows were now knitted tightly.


    Suddenly, Mamie jumped up. "Impossible! There must be some mistake!"


    Scales remained calm as he analyzed the situation. "I knowpetitions involve an element of luck, and no one can guarantee a win, but... this is just absurd."


    Even if they didn''t win the grand prize, surely they should have at least received a participation award?


    How could their names bepletely missing from the list?


    "Roseanne, what do you think?"


    Both of them turned to look at Roseanne.


    From the moment Mamie opened the list until now, Roseanne hadn''t spoken a word.


    "...It''s definitely strange."


    Mamie pped her hand on the table, feeling a surge of confidence. "See, even Roseanne agrees!"


    “But... the list is out. What can we do? We can''t just march up to the organizers and say we don''t ept their results, can we?"


    She said it offhandedly, knowing full well it was an impossible move. If every team that lost made a fuss, the whole thing would descend into chaos.


    e2


    Roseanne suggested, "Let me check with the faculty. It''s best if we can get our project report back. We should first examine it ourselves for any fundamental issues, like data inuracies or deviations from the topic."


    Thepetition rules had a use: certain infractions could result in an automatic zero score.


    If it''s a zero, there''s no way they''d win anything.


    ...


    Even though it was winter break, there were still staff members on duty at the college office.


    After hearing Roseanne''s purpose, the staff member replied


    straightforwardly, "Yes, ording to the rules, the project reports are submitted to the college first, but the college isn''t authorized to handle them."


    "To put it simply, the college collects your reports and then forwards them, untouched, to thepetition''s judging panel."


    The staff member emphasized four words-untouched.


    Roseanne asked, "Can we apply to have the report returned to us?"


    "I''m not sure about that, but if you want the report back, you should be approaching the organizers, not giving the college a hard time." Giving a hard time...


    That was a rather blunt choice of words.


    Roseanne smiled. "First of all, I''m asking if it''s possible to apply for the return, not demanding the report directly from the college. Secondly, I''m approaching the college first because the report was initially submitted here, so wouldn''t it make sense to start the process here as well? Considering this reasoning, I thought it was worth asking. Is that a problem?"


    "How did it end up sounding like I''m giving the college a hard time?"


    "Is it not okay to ask about the process?"


    "The college collected and submitted the reports. Now that we want to retrieve ours, shouldn''t we start with the college?"


    "When you buy something, there''s a process before and after the sale. So, is the college''s approach to start something without seeing it through? Isn''t that a bit irresponsible?"


    Realizing she wasn''t getting anywhere, Roseanne knew continuing the conversation would be futile.