ISML 2009: Every girl for herself in the Loser's Bracket

ISML 2009: Every girl for herself in the Loser's Bracket

October 6, 2009

In the Loser's Bracket of the 2009 International Saimoe League Tiara postseason phase, you cannot afford to lose again or you are out of the running. Every match is a must-win. It's every girl for herself.

No need to tell a few of the unfortunate fallen why Tuesday.

At Point Nu, located 4.20 light years to Sirius (a.k.a. "The Big Dog"), Kagami Hiiragi eliminated Horo easily, 1659-1317. The victory comes at the heels of her defeat of Clannad's Ushio Okazaki in Korea.

"In this part of the season," Hiiragi said at a press conference on Nu, "you want to win every match that comes your way. You never want to drop any of them. Taiga (Aisaka) is who I will face in Korea, and if I keep winning, I could be taking her on at the Epiphaneia Stadium on the 26th. It won't be easy, though. For starters, there is the issue of Haruhi (Suzumiya) to deal with."

Suzumiya will be taking on Hiiragi on October 8 at Point Upsilon.

Aisaka, fresh off the heels of sweeping Azusa Nakano in both Japan and Korea, had no problems blowing apart Shinku 1952-1009, at Point Xi, 3.85 light years away.

"I really don't have much to worry about," Aisaka said after the contest. "From this point, the ISML will answer the question of how far I will go. I'm more concerned about the contests in Japan, and especially in Korea. I hope to win that, because it will be good leverage heading into the later parts of the 2chan tournament. But I will never any of these opportunities lightly. That would be the last thing I would do."

Aisaka faces Rin Tosaka at Point Tau next.

Nanoha Takamachi never had a chance against close friend and battle partner Fate Testarossa Harlaown. It was a walk in Point Omicron (located 3.50 light years away from the Big Dog) for Harlaown, winning 1757-851.

"Clearly the road to defending my crown was going to get tougher," she said. "But I am someone that goes down fighting, and even though I am in the Loser's Bracket, you can bet that I will lay my life on the line to defend my Tiara. And that is what I intend to do."

Fate takes on Suigintou at Point Sigma next.

At Point Pi, located 3.15 light years from Sirius, Mikuru Asahina put the clamps down early and often on Suiseiseki, winning in a 1713-1280 laugher.

"This is the business end of things," said Asahina in her adult form, while her younger form was sleeping next to Kyon. "Every opponent is just as good as the other, and the will of the audience determines the outcome. I have never taken a match like this for granted, and I am going to continue fighting until the road ends for me. Hopefully it will lead to what the others still alive are also hoping it will lead to.

"We have our eyes on the prize. This is why you play the games."

In other action, a special match pitted likely at-large qualifiers for next season: K-ON!'s Mio Akiyama and Bakemonogatari's Hitagi Senjougahara in Madrid. If anybody in the Spanish capital (some still reeling from Rioitis) thought this was going to be a close affair, they were in for a rude awakening. Senjougahara got destroyed by the Dangerous Queen of Sakuragaoka, 1812-1105.

Finally, the relegation rounds continued. Mai Kawasumi defeated Ayu Tsukimiya 1397-1076 in Tokyo, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere cruised past Misuzu Kamio 1579-1257 in New York City, Mikoto Misaka electrocuted Chii 1556-1244 in Buenos Aires, Sayuri Kurata rolled past Index L. Prohibitorum 1484-1278 in Cairo, Yuuhi Katagiri prevailed over Hayate Yagami 1342-1290, Reimu Hakurei won a 1337-1319 nailbiter over Nayuki Minase in London and Evangeline McDowell defeated Vita 1311-1199.