8

[EDITED]

-----

The day of the school festival finally came. After weeks of preparation, Eichi could only feel the excitement for resting once the festival is already done.

The same day, Eichi and Baji didn't came to school together like how it used to for the past week and a half because for some reason and that is...he didn't drop by her house. Which worries her. But since she's running late, she had to leave early and didn't bother to wait for him any longer.

The student council members and officers got a last minute task from their adviser. That is, they will be in charge of the security alongside with the scouts. The scouts are being shorthanded unexpectedly that's why they got no choice but to help them in their duty.

Eichi was assigned at the main stage security with four some other guys. There will be a main event where each club assigned performers to perform on stage. The festival will be held for two days in a row. Outsiders are also allowed to build funds for the school, as it is the main point of the event.

"Senpai, the guy from the scouts said we can take a short break before the event start." Ryui said. She sighed in relief after hearing what he said. Finally, she's getting a break. It's too tiresome to just stand in the corner without talking to someone that can divert the time. Though it is also too tiresome to talk to someone alone especially she's not the friendly type of person.

She nodded and eventually left the side of the stage. Now, where shall I go? Yeah, she got a break but she don't know where to start enjoying the day while she has some time.

Comfort room is the thing that came first to her mind. If she is given a chance like this in on this day, it is the better place to go to since she would never know when is the next chance to relive herself.

She began walking towards the nearest ladies comfort room. On her way, a guy suddenly stopped in front of her. He got a blonde neck length hair and is wearing something casual, like way too casual or way too comfortable, a slippers. 

He's not alone, there's also another guy who is way too tall for her to talk to. Like the short one, he also got a blonde hair but he has a dragon tattoo on his temple.

"Yama-chan." the short-guy said that surprised her. Yama-chan? Is he talking about me?

"Oi Mikey, you didn't introduce yourself. She doesn't know us." that tall guy then said. Eichi raised a brow. Totally. I don't know anything about you after all. Who are these guys anyway and why'd they call me Yama-chan like were close?

"My bad." the short one, Mikey said. "We're Baji's friend." Eichi's mouth formed an 'oh'. I see... But why?

"Do you perhaps know where we can find him? He said he's already here." the taller one asked. Eichi didn't have any idea that Baji is already here. Then why didn't he dropped by?

"I actually don't know where that guy is."

"Is that so? Hmm...where could he be..."

" Sorry, if you excuse me I need to go to the bathroom." Eichi felt something unpleasant after hearing what the tall guy said. She didn't wait for their response and immediately left.

-

After she had gone to the bathroom, she wondered herself just to get rid of Baji inside her mind. She don't have any idea how long that 'short break' is but she's gonna spend it completely.

She bought different kind of snacks, such as Takoyaki and okonomiyaki. A big fat corndog and some popcorns. She stuffed herself up so she will have energy to do her duty when the event on the main stage starts.

Eichi got worried about the time and decided to return to the main stage. When she got there, Ryui unexpectedly gave her a plastic bag full of snacks and water.

"Someone gave that to me and said to give it to you." Ryui said. She frowned, thinking that it might be from Baji. Is this a peace offering or what? Then, why didn't he gave it to me personally?

Eichi accept the plastic bag and when the main event started, she's just holding it. Not bothering to eat or drink something that came inside of it. Obviously, she's sulking but she's insisting to herself that she's not. That's too childish of me to do. He's not even important...

After the performance of the representative from the Glee club, representatives from photography club are already on stand by.

Apparently, she saw Chifuyu along with the representatives. She got caught by him because she's starring and eventually came and talked to her.

"Hey, Senpai. Didn't know you're on duty here?" he asked.

" Uh... Yeah. The scouts are short-handed so we had to help out. "she said, finding it awkward to talk to him. They're not close to begin with and the times they're just seeing each other is her being a hellcat and that is because of his stubborn-ill friend.

"I see. Have you seen, Baji-san?" he asked again. Eichi rolled her eyes secretly. Why are they asking me about him? Do I look like a walking list of missing persons?

"No, I haven't and I don't know where he is. Aren't you guys  friends?" You should know where he is. She wanted to say that but she doesn't want to be ride to him since he look so nice and his attitude is too far from that long hair dude.

Chifuyu smirked. "Aren't you two  going out already?" he fired back that made Eichi frown. Is he teasing me like his friend or what?

"What? We're not going out at all, jeez. What's up with you people?" she didn't take it anymore and said that, but she just whispered her last sentence to avoid being rude, again.

"Kidding. Well then, see you later." with that Chifuyu left her and started walking towards the main stage.

The program was too long for her to handle while standing so she asked for a chair and sat on it while guarding. There are a lot of people watching each performances. Some of them even have a banner to show support to some performers. Now she wonders, how could they handle this many attention while doing something?

Honestly, when she's speaking in front of a crowd as the President of the student council, it kills her. She can't handle attention as many as these people watching that's why she always keep her speech short as possible.

And ever since she won the title, there was a time where she had been chosen as one of the candidates before for a pageant but she rejected and reasoned out that she's busy and don't have any time where in fact, she doesn't want to and it's not her thing.

"We still have 2 groups. I guess you guys can leave early, we can handle this" the leader of the scouts informed them.

It's already past lunch and she's getting hungry despite of holding a bunch of foods in her hands. Them from the council nodded and decided to leave as what the leader scout said.

The weather is somehow became very hot that it made her unbutton her two upper button. She grabbed herself a handkerchief and wipe all those sweats from her face.

Tomorrow by sunset is their main assignment which will be held at the track field. Their first day should be their free time but since scouts asked for help, they just had to drop their free time.

"Senpai!"

Finally. She composed herself and even fixed her uniform when she finally heard his voice. She turned around and saw him walking toward her.

"What are you wearing?" She asked, scanning his outfit from head to toe. Baji's wearing something casual and not their uniform like how it is supposed to. He's wearing a white shirt that pairs with a nude color pants and a pair of sneakers. He's unusually also wearing a bonnet and even his hair, they're wavy.

"Uh... My clothes? My handsomeness?"

She wanted to punch him. For his silliness and for not showing up early in the morning. But instead, she just sighed.

"Enough. Where were you, SIR? You didn't dropped by my house, now my allowance was cut off since I took the train. What happened huh?" she asked, raising each tone for each sentence. Just to scare him.

"I'm preparing of course." he confidently said, hands on his pockets and shrugged his shoulders.

"For what?"

"For our date!" he said and even raised his hands in the air like a child. "I mean, this is the only time that I would get a chance to date you for free." he added, smiling and playing his eyebrows.

Eichi rolled her eyes. Because again, there's nothing she can do about it and arguing with him is pointless.

"Fine."

Baji dragged her hand and eventually placed it on his arms. Now she basically looked like she's the one who cling to him when its not.

"Wait a minute." He suddenly stopped walking that made her do the same. Baji then turned to her, brows frowning." Why did you unbutton this? Other guys will see your chest... "

" It's hot, geez. "she rolled her eyes. Without saying another word, Baji fixed her uniform blouse and seconds after he stopped again.

" This is not gonna do."Eichi is confused on his acts." Come, you need to change. You're also soaking in sweat, you might stink later if you don't change clothes now. "she smacked his head that made him chuckle.

Baji brought her in the locker area of the second years then eventually stopped in front of one which she assumed it's his.

" Here. Change into these. "he said and handed her a white shirt.

" But I have my own in my locker. I can use that." she said and refused to accept the shirt. That's too big for me. Baji squint his nose.

" So you want to walk too far instead?"

He has some point. Their locker area is far from the second years. Eichi didn't have any choice but to accept the shirt. It's just a shirt anyway.

After she changed clothes the left the locker area, he cling again her hand into his arms again. While walking, he's being talkative again.

"Now where shall we start?" he asked.

Apparently, Eichi remembers that there's one club from that prepares a horror house as their booth. If she's not mistaken, it's from the swimming team.

"We can go to the swimming team's booth. Their is kind of interesting." she suggested that made him sparkle his eyes.

"Really? Then what are we waiting for?!"

They made their way there with him being too excited that he even carried her in his back just so they can arrived there quickly. Eichi's kind of tired to, so she just let him. 

"Oh, I see. No wonder you mentioned it's pretty interesting." he said, smirking.

"It really is." she said, smiling evilly. I wonder if it scares him. I know deep inside him he's a scaredy cat.

Baji bought tickets for them.

It was dark and kinda smell awful, mix of paints and the smell of the fake fog. There's also a creepy song playing to add for the scary ambiance.

" Woah, they really made a huge effort here." He commented.

"I should go down now so you can walk properly." she said and was about to get off his back when he tighten his grip on her legs.

"No. This should be easier."

Eichi chuckle because of his reaction. "Are you scared?" she teased him and chuckled.

"I'm not. I'm just worried about you."

"What worries you of me? I can handle myself. It's not even scary so please... I'm gonna get off." she said. Luckily, he didn't bother to be stubborn again and let her off.

"If you ever get scared just cling onto—AHHHH! SENPAI!"

Both of them jump in surprise. Baji felt something cold that touched his ankle and made him scream in surprise while Eichi jumped because of Baji's loud voice.

She then laughed because of how hilarious his reaction is. He dragged her while she's still laughing. That's awful! Eichi thought while being dragged.

They began walking faster than the moment they entered the booth. All the time Baji screams, she just laugh at him until he is nowhere to found, that's why she had to finish the booth alone while laughing.

"Ya! Why'd you left me there?!" She asked still laughing when she reached the end of the booth.

"It's hot in there! And you're walking too slow, senpai!"

"Oh really?" she asked sarcastically and laughed again. If she had just brought a camera, she would have taken shots of those.

They left the booth and Eichi finally calmed down. They also tried different booths from different clubs and also tried eating some foods that sells.

She even got an octopus plushie after Baji won it for her from a punching machine. Now he's the one who's holding it for her since it's too big and heavy.

"Do you want to take some pictures?" she asked when she saw a booth that takes picture from students who bought tickets from them.

Baji turned to her and gave her big smile. She suddenly felt something like sinking inside her stomach. It's the same weird feeling that she felt that night. What is this?

"Really?!" he asked, looking excited. Eichi nodded as a response.

Baji dragged her towards the booth and immediately talked to one of the student assigned there.

Eichi put her hand above her stomach, feeling it. Tons of questions are flowing inside her head right now. What is that feeling? Why is she feeling like this? Is it because of Baji's smile? But it's just a simple smile and nothing else. If it not his smile then what else? She's confused.

"Ei-chan!" Eichi snapped out of it when Baji called her. She walked towards him who's already sitting in one of the chairs there. Their background is a gray washed wallpaper.

"What's up, Yama senpai." she turned and saw Chifuyu again. He's holding a camera and then she suddenly remembered that he's a member of the photography club.

"Oh, hey." she greeted back and smiled. Then she sat beside Baji who's smile won't fade, obviously happy.

"This will take six shots for two bookmark size photo strip. Anything else you want to add, Baji-san?" he asked Baji

"Six? I thought I said four?"

"Shh... It's on me." he then winked and said.

They immediately prepared themselves for the photo since they're not the only one's whose going to take a shoot. There were shots where the both of them felt very close and some shots that looked like they are a real couple. After that, they wait for a couple of minutes for the printing of the photos.

"I didn't thought that you would take a picture with me. This will be a keeps." Baji said while looking at the photo strip.

"It's a once in a lifetime decision so you better keep that." she said.

They're on their way to his bike now and the sun was about to set. Eichi's kind of tired but it's fine. She did enjoy the day with him.

"Once in a life time? Nah, senpai you're wrong. This is the FIRST TIME, which means there will be the second, the third, the forth and many more times! Remember that. Period."

She just smiled. Thinking that what he's feeling for her and what he's telling right now will eventually fade once she graduated. And eventually, he will forget her. The time will come when he will just remember her as part of his high school life.

For now, she will just let him enjoy her presence and she will do the same.

-

" Thank you for today, I really did enjoy." Eichi said once they reached her house.

"That's good to hear. After all, that's what the plan is, to make you enjoy your day, senpai." he said smiling.

"You know, once you have your girlfriend already, she will be lucky to have you." she said out of nowhere. Not trying to be sentimental because of the sunset.

"I know." Baji said, giving her a smile again. She just nodded and once again, thanked him before entering their house.

"Welcome home!" she heard her mom.

She's here already?! Geez! How would I explain this big ass octopus and where I got it from?! I thought she'll be home late?

"M-Mom! You're early... What's with that?!" she nervously asked when she entered their living room where she find her mother chopping some veggies while watching tv.

"Huh? I finished my work early so.... What's with that big plushie?" her mom asked, imitating her voice.

"Uh.. This? Oh, Someone gave it to me as a present." well, at least she didn't lie about giving it to her as a present.

"Oh. That's so sweet of Kei-san."

"Yeah... Wait what?!" what'd she say?! Kei-san?! How did she know?

"What? Isn't that from Kei-san?" she said and continues to chop the veggies.

"Yes it is. But how did you know?! I didn't mention his name." she's panicking, yes. There's something fishy about her mom and Baji.

"Cause he's your only friend? And he got the guts?...I don't know, I just thought about him, didn't know he actually is the one."

Sheesh. A mother's instinct really is unbeatable. Eichi thought before heading towards her room where she dropped the big octopus plushie.

She sat on her chair and looked at her copy of their photo strip.

First time, huh? Not really sure it we can able to take another shot.

-------------

:')