10

[EDITED]

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"Around the school ground, there are 16 blue flags that's hidden in the deepest part of the school grounds. All you need to do is find 4 of the flags within 60 minutes with your partner. The fastest duo that could bring us the four flag will be announced as the winner. Simple as that. Then the prize will be.... A SUNDAY DATE WITH OUR BELOVED PRESIDENT YAMADA-SAN! "

What in the world...

Eichi began to panic as no one told her about this. They didn't discuss something like this and no one asked for her permission first before it was announced.

Baji... That's the first word that popped in to her head. She need to talk to him to participate for their year level and be the winner. She can't have a Sunday date with anyone, it's alright if it's Baji. But other people? She would never. It has to be him.

"Pres! Come up here!" Aya called her, inviting her to be onstage. She can't do anything, not even reject her offer and take advantage of being the President of SC. In short, she doesn't want to be a kill joy in front of this crowd.

Shaking and sweating, she come up on stage. Fidgeting her fingers beside and impulsively searching Baji using her eyes while maintaining a calm and cool senpai poise.

"Alright! Participants please come up here!" Aya continued to host the activity and Eichi is slowly losing hope of finding Baji on the crowd. It's too dark, he's too far or maybe he's not here either.

"Aya," she pursed her lips, "Can I make a request?" Aya turned to her and lowered the mic so no one in the crowd could hear what they were talking about.

"Yeah! What's is it? Do you want to change some rules or nah?"

"Actually, can I request someone from the second years to be the representative? If it not against the rules." she nervously asked. Actually, she'll be fine if Baji will join the game. At least she knows that once he join, there's a huge possibility that he can win especially the prize is her.

It's not like she not taking privilege of being Baji's type, but it somehow like it. I need to do this or else I would be dead by Sunday!

Aya squinted her eyes and gave her a smirked, she's sensing that something is being fishy around their SC president and the oh-so-called guy.

"Hmm... If they argeed, why not. What's his name by the way so I can announce?" Aya asked.

"It's Baji Keisuke, from class 3"she answered. Yup. I already said it. Now, all I have to worry is him winning the game.

"Ohh... I see. Now I know why there's something fishy about you guys." she played her brows before turning again to the crowd, "Okay! Second years listen up!"

"Someone requested that Baji Keisuke from class 3 should be one of the representatives of  your year. Is that okay?!" still full of energy, the students from second year agreed which made Eichi, somehow less nervous.

Baji's name was paged and now they are waiting for him to arrived up stage. But minutes passed there's still no sign of him. If they wait way more longer they'll be behind the schedule.

"Yama-chan, Are you sure he's present today?" Aya asked also worried about being behind the schedule. Eichi pursed her lips and crossed her fingers.

"Yeah. He's with me earlier."

Aya nodded and called Baji's name once again. Eichi began to feel nervous again. What if he already left the school? What if something happened?

She doesn't know what to do anymore. She can't negotiate now about being the prize to the other council members because in the first place, she asked them a favor and in return they asked her one too. Though they didn't literally even asked. But still.... She can't do anything.

I guess, I just have to endure the said date on Sunday.

If only Baji is here, she can assure that somehow she would enjoy the date if he happened to be the winner. She's comfortable around him, she is used to his presence and there's no awkward silence between them.

The game started without Baji showing up after many times of calling. The first representatives from the second year remain as the representatives to play the game.

-

An hour passed, all she can do is wait for who the winner is. Her mind is flying. Can't believe that when she needs Baji, he's not around. Is it a coincidence?

In the end, the third years won and since there's two representatives per year, the two winner decided to play rock, paper and scissors to know who will be the one who can go on a date with her.

"Hi, I'm Jino from class 4"the guy who wo said when he approached her. He lend his hand for a handshake that she accept.

"Eichi."

Aya and others told them about the said date. They even gave the two of them an allowance to use and decided to exchange numbers for further information about the said date. Now, she can't do anything. Really.

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Lighting of lanterns began. Each students were given their own lanterns and pen if they want something to write on it. But Eichi didn't write anything on it and just lit her lantern before letting it fly away.

The day ended with her coming home alone. She didn't bother to wait for Baji since she already know that he's not around anymore. When she reached home, she didn't ate dinner and walked straight to her bed without even taking a bath. For the first time, she cried.

She admit, she is kinda angry at him for not showing up. No... She's angry at him for leaving her alone. This is not him. This is not the Baji I know. If he would left he would definitely let me know.

Now she's having second thoughts. Why am I reacting like this? Am I really feeling angry or... am I hurt? Why am I sulking? By any chance, do I already like him?

"Eichi honey, can you go get some ice cream from the store?" her mom suddenly entered her room without even a knock. That's why she didn't have the chance to cover her crying face. But thankfully, her tears are not many as it would be so it's not noticeable.

"Yeah. I'll just change clothes." she answered.

"By the way, I didn't notice Kei-san dropping you off. Did you guys fight?"

"Leave the money on the table, mom. I'll just change clothes. Any flavor will do right?" she said avoiding the question her mother asked. Please, don't ask anymore. Please...

"Alright." finally her mom left after she said that.

She sat up and wiped her tears. I should not be crying for something so small. I'm not a kid and I'm never going to cry for a mere man.

She changed clothes from uniform to coordinated color sweatshirt and sweatpants. She tied her hair up and wore her glasses. Eichi left their house to buy the ice cream her mom asked.

When she arrived at the store when she suddenly received a message from her mom saying that she can eat the ice cream alone and spend the rest of the money's change. She sighed.

She really know me, huh?

Eichi decided to just buy a soda flavored popsicle and keep the change to herself. She will just keep the money instead of buying some other foods that she know she wouldn't eat after losing the appetite to.

On her way home she unexpectedly encountered Baji. Sitting on his bike while looking like he's waiting for someone inside their house. Obviously he's waiting for me.

"What are you doing here?" she asked coldly. Baji stood up straight and gave her smile.

"Waiting for you."

"Hmm.... Yeah. I can see that but for what reason? Do you have some business with me because if not then you're free to go, I don't have time for bullshits." she said seriously. Eichi didn't expect that she would react like this after seeing him. She saw how his smile faded.

"Are you mad?" he asked carefully asked. Baji knew to himself that something is off with Eichi. The time he returned to their school, she's already gone.

"I'm not." she said and was about to turn her back but he pulled her wrist to stop her.

"Your action said otherwise."

Eichi pursed her lips and harshly pulled her hand from his grip. "It's not. This is how I used to act, right?"

Baji didn't have any clue but he's sure that she is mad. Like really mad. It worries him that maybe something happened when he's gone or she's just tired.  Either so, he doesn't want Eichi to be in this kind of act again. Not when I'm already one step closer...

"I'm going." Eichi said and finally turned her back.

"We're.... We're okay, right?" he asked softly, "We're gonna still talk right?" it pains him. Seeing her like this when he's all clueless... He doesn't want this. He didn't even know how would he deal about this. Only if he knows something...

"Sunday." Eichi stopped walking towards the door and said that. Avoiding to answer his question because even herself, she doesn't know too. Baji raise his head to see her even he's only seeing her back. "I have a date on Sunday, which I really hate.... And that is thanks to you, dumbass." after that she left him.

A date? And that's a thanks to me?

"Just what happened when I'm gone?" he asked himself.

Thinking about it frustrates him. It's the worst when you're too clueless. It's like taking a test without learning anything.

He rode his bike and head back to Mitsuya's. He asked him to make a cardigan for Eichi as a present that supposedly, he will give her tonight after inviting her over. He prepared a small date for them that's why he left earlier and promised that he'll be back. But after what happen, it seems like he'll be continuing the small date for some other time.

And who the hell is the guy she's going on a date with?

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:)