For those who want an explanation please read on. For those who rather read about the major point, please skip to the third paragraph and onwards.

Sorry that this isn't an update but I just wanted to let you know what is going on. Yes, this story is being continued and yes, I do have nine chapters of the revised version done. I realized that I didn't like the old version and how it was so cliché and verbose. I don't claim that my new version is any better but I have put in effort and hope that it is more appealing. The reason why I keep rewriting this is because I feel that the story could be better and I would like for you guys (the readers) to be able to enjoy a good story. I've realized that I'm always going to find flaws in my story so my goal this time is to be able to complete the plot first, and satisfactorily. Any major revisions can wait… I hope. And onto the point:

I have rewritten nine chapters of the contest. It's slightly different from the old version but has the same concept and major characters. However, I don't know what the best way of posting it should be. I'd like to keep the old version up so should I post it as a new story? Please drop me a review or message and let me know if you're still with me and this story. Even a smiley face would be fine. I'd just like to know if you're still interested in the plot and if I should continue it. As much as I write fanfiction because I enjoy writing, I also write it because I'd like to give back to the fanfiction community and allow others to read a story they may like.

Also, my writing style has changed a bit… but I don't know if it's for the better or worse. I've posted a story, called His Amusing Secretary. If you happen to read it, let me know which writing style you preferred (the one I used for The Contest or His Amusing Secretary). I'm still trying to discover which style is more appealing.

Thank you so much! I'm still a beginner at writing so please guide me! All sorts of critique are appreciated! :) Special shout out to blondie and CuteSherry for their long, phenomenal review/critique!

As I'm not allowed to post an author's note as a chapter, here is the first page of what chapter 13 (of the old version) was supposed to be:

The distorted image of her reflection in the mirror filled her glimmering emerald eyes. She moved her hands so that her palms were firmly planted on the edge of the sink counter, her fingertips pointing towards her with her wrists facing the mirror. Her legs became weak, their lack of energy making her rely on her arms to keep her from collapsing. She leaned over the sink, her back slouched above it. Silent, incoherent words filled the air as her lips moved in a repeating pattern. But the second that she blinked, her tears were released from her hold, diving freely onto the white sink, not even touching her face. She suddenly backed away from the sink and took a few steps back, leaning against the marble wall behind her. She slid down onto the floor, her knees bent and her feet touching the floor.

"What's going on? It's like I've awoken from some dream that I had."

She recalled the memories that she had acquired that morning, when she was walking through the halls. Accidentally overhearing a conversation, she found out that there was another girl who was stressing out about the contest. From the talk, Sakura was able to pick up the facts that the girl wanted to win, so she could pay off the enormous debt thrown onto her family.

A painful smile formed on her face. The stuff about debts and money was happening so much around the castle, it was becoming cliché. "Really… It's really like I've opened my eyes. I wonder why I feel this way. It's so weird how the world's problems just suddenly come smacking into me. I've never really, I mean I have paid attention to all the problems going on before, but it seems like it's the first time that I… feel like I'm feeling what everyone else is feeling. I can't explain it, but I just used to accept everything the way it was. I tried to help when I could, but the problems never truly made an impact on me. I would be upset, hearing that someone was going through problems, but it would just be some thing that bothered me just a bit. I would sympathize and do what I was able to do, but otherwise it was just another thing that happened daily in my life. I knew that they were in pain, but I never really understood it, or rather, I just didn't really think about what kind of degree of pain they were going through. I… can't explain it."

Sakura closed her eyes, bringing one hand up to cover them. She breathed in deeply and dropped her hand, wondering where her thoughts were going and why she was suddenly so emotional.

"Days and days would pass. I would go to work and go home. The next day and the day after that… and all the others days that passed, it would just be the same. Now that I think about it, I kind of was like a robot. I just tried my best to help those around me and just listened. Life was just like a simple schedule. It was just something given to me and everyone else. It's what I thought. I just thought that it was just my job to live through my life. But now, it seems like the world is so much bigger. Have I been fooling myself? What are my true emotions? What do I truly feel? Why am I so confused about what's going on! Why… Why can't I understand myself?"