Chapter 142 - Where Is Saki's Partner?!

It was already 10 am, and events were starting to take place as the sound of PE teachers blowing their whistle could be heard, as a bunch of students could be seen dispersing towards their respective events.

Luckily, the Kendo event was in the last time slot of 12 pm so there was still enough time for it. An hour before that was Tsūmen's archery event, so I could watch it hassle free.

Gaisen was in the 200 m sprint, which was after Saki's three legged race in half an hour or so. I remember it being in the time slot of 10.30 am to 11 am. As for Kana and Kizhashi's tennis event, I wouldn't be able to watch it since it's also in the same slot as the archery event.

I was gazing over the empty track far away, as participants of the first year were lining up on the starting point for the three legged race. Since Saki was in second year, her slot was different since this wasn't an inter-year event.

Also I don't know where Nee-chan went since she isn't answering my texts. I looked beside me and found Kana and Tsūmen talking with each other, but both of them seemed really serious, which was a rare sight.

As I was observing around me, the sound of the PE teachers commenting over the microphone was being mixed with loud chatter giving rise to an unbelievably loud surrounding. The only thing I hate about sports day.

As I immersed myself in my thoughts, I heard a subtle voice calling out my name in the crowd. Assuming it can very well be a mistake on my side, I didn't respond to that voice.

But again I heard it call out to me, and this time it sounded closer and much more familiar. I slowly turned around and noticed Yuna Senpai walking towards me with Naoto beside her.

What are they even doing here? Was the thought that first popped into my head. Both of them were in their keikogi, as expected since I noticed Tsūmen earlier in his kyudogi too.

Yuna walked up to me and greeted me with a very cheerful and upbeat, "Hello!"

I just gave her a nod and an awkward smile, to which she just chuckled and turned towards Naoto. She had her usual unpredictable face, which appeared as if she was trying to cover for something.

We talked for some time and it was mostly a vague topic, but Yuna every once in a while talked about how she was delighted that everyone who participated in the event did their practice well.

Though every time the conversation actually got on a flow, Naoto seemed to break it off with someone completely unrelated. Though it appeared as if she was trying to say something but she couldn't. Either she couldn't gather the courage to say or her pride wouldn't let her.

Finally Yuna became pissed and just outright said, "Naoto wanted to ask if you'll be there to see the event or not." To which Naoto looked at her with cold blooded eyes and an expression that said "I'll kill you."

I just nodded and Yuna waved at me shortly and both of them walked back. I didn't notice but quite some time had passed as I was conversing with them. Checking the time, my eyes shifted towards my friends. It feels so weird, calling them my friend.

I could see Saki being completely bummed out and others in a pinch too. Not knowing what it is, I just casually asked, "Is everything alright?"

"Does it look alright?" Reina asked sarcastically, her tongue as sharp as I remember it to be.

"Uhh…" I couldn't think of anything to say, as Saki looked towards me with irritated eyes and asked, "Have you seen Tsuyoshi-kun?"

Now that she said it, I don't remember seeing him even for once. At first I thought he was late but it seems like the case is different. I nodded my head from left to right and replied, "Ahhh… yeah… I haven't seen him today."

Kana snapped, "Bruh!! Saki's partner for the race just dipped."

Looking at this whole situation, Saki was already nervous so we didn't need to make it worse for her as Tsūmen said, "I think he is sick or something… because I remember him looking forward to this."

"Wh… what will I do now?!" Saki asked, her voice breaking from the stress.

"Nothing much, they'll just disqualify you since you don't have a partner." Tsūmen replied, to which Kana glared at him and drove a punch on his shoulder, "No shit!"

"Bruh, he should have at least contacted me!" Saki said, which was completely legible as he knew that his absence can affect not only his performance but someone else's too.

"Where will I get a partner at the last second?!!" Saki sighed, and from her tone it appeared as if she accepted her disqualification and just gave up.

Gaisen being the Mr. Goody-too-shoes he is, he said in an affirmative tone, "Oi, Tomose-san just chill out…"

"My event is just starting, Gaisen-kun." Saki snapped at him, her eyes clearly showing her irritation. She clicked her tongue as she muttered under breath, "This is the reason I don't like group activities!"

"Well… let's search for someone who can be your partner then…" Kizhashi advised, as she was also participating in this event with Gaisen as her partner.

"That's the last minute resolution we have, right now." Reina supported her, and Saki looked at them in loss of hope.

"Well… nothing can be done…" Kana also nodded, and taking a deep breath, Saki nodded, "Agh! Better than getting disqualified I guess."

"But who can be her partner?" Gaisen asked the real question. It's easy to say that we have to search for a partner but this event was such that some prerequisite practice is necessary. Not just any random pair pill it off properly.

Gaisen's question made Saki all the little bit of hope she had inside her, and her shoulders slouched with sigh. As everyone was pretty downcasted because of this, Tsūmen looked at me with a smug face and said, "I know someone…"

"Oh… shit!" Is the only word that left my mouth at that moment, as everyone else looked at him and then followed his gaze towards me.