Nana Maru San Batsu

Shiki Koshiyama is forced into a quiz bowl contest at Buzou High School.

Shiki Koshiyama, an introverted bookworm and new student at Buzou High School, typically spends his lunch breaks in the library. During the welcome ceremony for new enrollees, he is unexpectedly volunteered by Gakuto Sasajima, the leader of the quiz bowl circle, to join an impromptu quiz match. Although Shiki possesses the correct answers to the questions posed, he struggles with the speed required to buzz in before his opponents. The dynamic shifts when he observes a distinct change in his classmate, Mari Fukami, who begins answering questions with remarkable speed, often buzzing in before the questions are fully read.

Shiki and Mari Attend a Quiz Bowl Meet at Sekigawata High School

Impressed by Shiki's intellect, Mari persuades him to join the quiz bowl circle. He agrees to accompany her to Sekigawata High School to observe a competition. Daisuke Inoue appears, hoping to get closer to Mari. It is revealed that Sasajima has already entered both Shiki and Mari into the meet. Consequently, they are forced to participate in their first quiz bowl event. This experience provides them with an initial look into the competitive world of quiz bowl, marking the beginning of their involvement in the activity alongside their peers.

Shiki Faces Frustration as Miyaura's Mikuriya Dominates the Quiz Bowl Classics

The quiz competition involving Sekigawata, Miyaura, Asagaoka, and Buzou schools has commenced. Shiki and Mari successfully advanced through the initial round, yet Shiki encounters difficulty with standard quiz bowl questions referred to as classics. Meanwhile, Chisato Mikuriya from Miyaura High School continues to provide correct answers consecutively. This streak causes Shiki to feel increasingly frustrated due to his inability to anticipate the second half of the questions posed during the match. The narrative focuses on whether Shiki can manage to buzz in at the critical moment despite these challenges and his growing anxiety regarding the predictable nature of the classic questions.

Shiki and Inoue join the quiz bowl club after seeing Sasajima with a mysterious girl

Shiki feels the depth of quiz bowl while heading to school, where he spots Sasajima riding his bicycle with an unknown girl. Curious about their connection, Shiki and Inoue decide to join the quiz bowl circle. After their first quiz meet, Sasajima invites them to ask questions. Mari raises her hand and asks, "How can we win in quiz bowl?!"

Shiki Investigates the Girl from the Library Before Joint Quiz Bowl Practice

Shiki recognizes a girl from the library as the passenger on Sasajima's bike. She left a book behind with a marker on a page about quiz bowl buzzer systems, suggesting her involvement in the activity. While Shiki ponders this connection, Mari informs him of a joint practice session with another school scheduled for the day. The opposing team is identified as Miyaura High, which notably includes Mikuriya as a member. This revelation adds a layer of complexity to the upcoming practice, linking the mysterious girl to the rival school's roster and raising questions about her role within the quiz bowl community.

Mari and Yuki work while Shiki and Inoue face Chisato in an arcade quiz battle.

Mari and Kouzuki Yuki hold part-time jobs in Akihabara to save funds for a buzzer set. Meanwhile, Shiki and Inoue visit the area to practice for a quiz bowl game at the arcade. They compete against a participant known as Second Lieutenant Chisato. Ashiya appears during the match, revealing that the opponent is an acquaintance of the group. Shortly after this discovery, a strange and suspicious individual approaches the gathering, adding an element of uncertainty to the scene. The narrative focuses on these intersecting activities within the arcade environment.

Mikuriya's declaration echoes as Buzou High prepares for the quiz bowl hosted by Asagaoka Girls' High School.

Mikuriya's declaration of war to Shiki remains in his mind, reminding him not to forget the regular meet. This event is a recurring quiz bowl tournament hosted by various area schools, with Asagaoka Girls' High School serving as the host this year. Consequently, all members of Buzou High's quiz team are required to participate, leading to the start of a rigorous practice schedule. During this preparation period, Mari is questioned about her motivation for joining quiz bowl. She responds by recounting the story of how her brother, Fukami Shinji, influenced her love for the activity, providing insight into her personal history with the competition.

Asagaoka Regular Meet Begins with Teams from Yokohama, Chiba, and Kaijou

The Asagaoka Regular Meet commences with participation from Buzou, Miyaura, and Sekigawata. Competing teams include Kannami University High School from Yokohama, led by president Hanabusa Minoru, and Leoneil High School from Chiba, led by president Tozuka Koutarou. Additionally, the veteran team from Kaijou Academy, commanded by Ookura Kunimitsu, arrives for the competition. Shiki and his teammates face the initial paper quiz round. They subsequently proceed to the second round, which is a fastest finger contest requiring participants to be divided into pairs. This event marks the start of the tournament featuring these diverse high school quiz clubs.

The narrative contrasts the High Road with the Low Road

The Unparalleled Super Ace

The Question Regarding the Reasons for Answering

A. Because the Question Is There!