ISML 2010: Mio chases Mikoto to the top after Aquamarine 5

ISML 2010: Mio chases Mikoto to the top after Aquamarine 5


March 30, 2010

The chase for the 2010 International Saimoe League Aquamarine necklace continued on Match Day 5, and Mikoto Misaka stayed at the top of the table once again. The Railgun blasted her way to a 2855-1262 blowout of Minori Kushieda.

Chasing her at the top is Mio Akiyama. Known around Sakuragaoka High School as the "Dangerous Queen" for her long black hair and slanted eyebrows that imply a mysterious countenance, she slashed Illyasviel von Einzbern 2717-1547 to move up to second on the table.

Yuki Nagato remained third with a decisive 2800-1345 trouncing of Rika Furude. Fourth-place Taiga Aisaka kept her spot with an easy 2676-1456 walkover of Isumi Saginomiya. Saber kept her fifth-place spot with a 2575-1584 slashing of Fuuko Ibuki.

Others with an outside chance of winning the necklace include defending champion Hinagiku Katsura and Shana. Katsura was all over Mikuru Asahina, storming the gates 2764-1495 while Shana torched an overmatched Ami Kawashima 3067-1223.

The news of the seven remaining in the hunt sparked massive debate in the campus squads, co-ops classrooms and halls on who deserves the "Necklace that Controls the Oceans" across Hakuoh Academy in Nerima, Nishinomiya's East Senior High, Sakuragaoka and Tokiwadai Junior High in Academy City.

"I never thought that Mio-chan was going to be this serious of a contender for the necklace," said a beaming Yui Hirasawa, a few hours removed from a routine 2558-1511 domination of Nymph. "But it's looking real good. This is exciting!"

"I would think," Haruhi Suzumiya said after her 2653-1464 pounding of Ushio Okazaki, "that Mikoto has more to lose from the next two matches than anyone else in this tournament. But when Nagato has an outside shot, the ball will always be in her court."

It was made painfully clear that Saki was not going to get the love it earned from its Japanese voting constituents last year. Azusa Nakano destroyed Mihoko Fukuji 3052-922 while Nadeko Sengoku made cream puffs out of Nodoka Haramura 2815-911.

In other action, Rin Tosaka laid the whooping stick on Ikaros 2404-1638, Kyou Fujibayashi defeated Maria 2419-1765, Fate Testarossa cruised by Mei Sunohara 2444-1578, Nanoha Takamachi won a 2063-1976 classic against C.C. and the Shiina sisters chalked up victories: MInatsu with a 2051-1917 upset of Kotomi Ichinose and Mafuyu with a 2310-1682 thumping of Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere.

Nagi Sanzen'in did a demolition job on Hanyuu Furude 2655-1383, Nagisa Furukawa prevailed over Chizuru Akaba 2137-1850, Konata Izumi crushed Chiaki Minami 2358-1553, Horo chomped up Ui Hirasawa 2300-1809 and Tomoyo Sakagami delivered a 2518-1495 beatdown on Konjiki no Yami.

In the special match, Maetel of Galaxy Empress 999 defeated Nausicaä 1413-1080.

Aquamarine Match Day 6 (and this is no joke) will take place on April Fools Day, April 1, 2010. Vote for your favorite candidates online at InternationalSaimoe.com.