"...Humiya Omoibushi!" Kyūri declared.
Humiya's chubby face lit up. "That's me!" shi screamed excitedly. "That's me! I can't believe it! I'm going to America!"
Humiya ran up to the pot to accept the honor. The tanuki's massive rolls of fat wobbled like a bowl of gelatin as shi sprinted. When shi reached Kyūri-sensei, the old kappa handed hir a certificate.
"Yes, congratulations Humiya-san," Kyūri said as he handed Humiya the certificate. "You're an official exchange student now. I humbly urge you to make me and this heya proud when you go forth and represent us to America tomorrow. I have complete faith that you will do a fine job. I've long considered you my best student for a reason, after all."
Humiya returned to the crowd, where shi was subjected to numerous hugs, handshakes, and backpats from hir classmates. The proud smile never left hir face.
"Congratulations, Humiya!" Haia grinned.
"You'll love it in America, I'm sure!" Natsuki said as shi hugged hir fellow tanuki, their bare breasts squishing together.
"Be sure to tell us all about it!" Yoshino added.
"Be careful around all those foreign humans," Shizuka warned.
"I wish I were senior enough to go, senpai," sighed Misaki.
"Hey, maybe next year," Akane comforted Misaki.
"Exactly!" Humiya smiled consolingly, placing a hand on Misaki's furry shoulder. "I bet you'll be chosen the next year they do this. If it works out, they might even expand the program to cover more students."
"I sure hope so," said Misaki. "But congratulations, Humiya. I'll miss you. You did a lot to make us newbies feel welcome."
"I'll miss you, too," said Humiya. "Don't worry, I'll stay in touch."
Kyūri scooped the remaining names out of the pot. He then waddled back into the heya and returned with a second sack. This one looked much fuller than the last one. Nariko had to help her grandfather support it, lest it topple over and spill papers all over the lawn. After some fumbling, Kyūri and Nariko were able to pour the sack's contents into the chankonabe pot.
"Whew!" Nariko sighed exhaustedly. "That wasn't easy, Grandpa!"
"I know, Nariko-chan," the old kappa smiled indulgently. "I don't think I could've done it without you."
Kyūri then turned to face the crowd. "Now we come to the entries from Toyoda High School. I have had the pleasure of visiting the lovely tanuki village of Toyoda to give sumo demonstrations, and now I shall give one of its youth the pleasure of visiting America! But who shall it be? That's for the pot to decide. Now, down to business!"
Kyūri plunged his hand into the sea of paper slips. He clutched the first one he felt under his fingers and pulled it out. Nariko was growing excited. "Who is it, Grandpa?" she asked. "Who, who?"
"Patience, child," Kyūri chuckled throatily. He looked at the name written on the paper. "Alright, listen up, tanuki! the exchange student for Toyoda High School is..."