Sports Festival (part 4)

Afternoon, Seika HS, Courtyard.

If someone knew Tadao's habits, that person would feel really awkward all times near him. It wasn't like he was hateful, but you would be feel a uneasy felling come from him, like he wasn't a teenager but a mischievous cat.

The moment you lower your guard around him, he would strike you with worst outcome you could bear. Like... now.

"Takky, I heard there's a maid cosplay among those sacks. Do you think Prez will be enough jinxed to pick it up?" (Tadao)

It was time for the 3rd race of afternoon, the Costume race. In this race, you have to to pick up a sack between many hung on bars hung up in the middle of its course. Most of these costumes are embarrassing to wear on in public and its prize wasn't tempting; principal's treasured top student pen. It was a item that could rise the user's intelligence, or the principal claimed so.

In this race, a participant of each team have to take part it it. Apparently, they were chosen through a vote and often they were the slowest of their team.

Since she was the slowest one of girl team, Shizuko wanted take part in instead of her Misaki who refused her because she would have to change in front of other (male) participant. So Misaki signed in instead and was waiting the announce of gathering of the Costume race. She was zoning around mumbling about she won't be exposed all time with Takumi following her, or so until Tadao came near them to reveal something casually but a doom-like information to Misaki.

Just when Misaki heard Tadao's news, she startled and suddenly turned her head towards him. If a students saw her face right now, he would be petrified by fear. Her pupils were shrank, her eyes wide open, her hair moving without wind like haunted, a cold vibration from her body and a dark expression in the end. Immediately, Tadao took a picture without she knowing.

"Ohhhh, that's interesting. Did you confirm it?" Asked Takumi while he was watching Misaki's actual look, and that bright smile on Tadao's face said everything. It wasn't Tadao's fault if the Trio Moron hidden their handmade maid uniform between the sacks of Costume race after he asked a teacher to control the sewing room where they were, right?

"Hey...I won't be exposed right? How can I be so unlucky to just pick it?" Asked Misaki. She made peace with the presence of a maid costume in these few seconds, but she wanted a mental insurance for her secret. She was still paranoid with her stiff movement showing her worries.

"Just do your best, Prez. Yukimura is joining as well. Don't let down him. He's one of your few sincere followers. However, Don't worry about that. You're our Prez, the last boss of Seika. Now I need go away, bye." Said Tadao before he fled. He had put that maid costume according Misaki's psychology process, so she'll definitely pick it up.

Nothing change, nothing can be replaced. Misaki was still worried but Takumi got a bit serious on this race but he still wanted tease her. In that moment, a voice from the horn speakers.

"Coming up is the 12th event, the Costume race. All participants, please gather." (Member of P.E. Committee)

Hearing that announce, Misaki and Takumi started heading to the start line. It was time for her execu-, erm, her race.

"Prez, you're walking with the same leg and arm." (Takumi)

"Ah." (Misaki)

Misaki really was walking with the same leg and arm with a serious and tense expression. Just from that, anyone could tell what she was thinking: 'It'll be fine. It'll be fine. I won't pick up that maid costume. No one will found out it. NO ONE!'

"What make you think you'll be fine but not the rest of the girls?" (Takumi)

"Because I'm the Prez." (Misaki)

"Mmhhh..." (Takumi)

Misaki was still worried about the race. She just wanted finish it quickly and smoothly. About her answer and her trust on Tadao, it was because he was a reliable helper when came to paperwork, making her believe he was trustable fellow in these last days. She was still too naïve.

Meanwhile, Takumi was thinking about his cousin's intention because he knew him really well. Just from the mention of Yukimura presence taking part in that race was reeeeeeally suspicious.

It was true Yukimura was his friend since Tadao liked people with 'pure souls', or whatever he called them. Or perhaps he just wanted turn Yukimura into a 'subject', who knows. The last time, Takumi entered accidentally in a secret passage in Tadao's design studio. In that room, he saw literally a row of mannequins with realistic face and various sizes. One of them had his face and he found that mannequin had his exactly sizes. After further search, he saw one with Yukimura's face too. Since then he never tried to explore further his cousin's seven apartments on the same floor of him.

"Man, it started." (???)

"Doesn't it make you feel tired just looking at it?" (???)

"Everyone isn't into it and the costumes are half-assed." (???)

"It's a complete turn-off that no one even wants to talk about." (???)

"Is there even a point doing that?" (???)

"The prize is lousy, too." (???)

"The Principal's treasured top student pen..." (???)

"It's such a downer." (???)

On the way, Misaki and Takumi heard such comments on this event from some students who were complaining about it. Meanwhile, Misaki was speechless from how much was hated this contest. She didn't expect such lack of interest.

"Oh, you'll be competing for the girls' team, Prez?" Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind them. They turned and saw Yukimura there.

"Yukimura! Are you sure joining this race?" (Misaki)

"Tadao-san already told you eh... Ah, Usui-san, too? But this race is mostly for people who are bad at sports." (Shōichirō )

"It's fine, since Prez is taking part as well." (Takumi)

"!?" (Misaki)

Yukimura was embarrassed since he was happy with a friend who care about him. If Tadao heard it, surely he would say 'why are you blushing?! You are a male, damn it!' or such like.

Knowing Tadao didn't tell him they're joining too, Takumi could guess part of his cousin's intentions. He didn't hate Yukimura, 'So, why not go along with it?' thought Takumi as he threw some look to Misaki who was alarmed from his amused look.

"Yukimura, you're not good at sports, right?" (Misaki)

"Yeah, I'm completely bad at it. I have always been the slowest runner with not much strength. So I'm always a drag during Sports Festivals. But coming to Seika, I'm really happy since there's a program that even I can participate in. That said, last year I was out with a cold. So this is my first year doing it." (Shōichirō)

"I see, you must be determined. Do your best." (Misaki)

"Yes!" (Shōichirō)

Both of them were warmed by Yukimura's pure determination. Misaki was happy for him since he was a guy she didn't hate, while Takumi was surrounded by a warm feeling known as happiness. But both showed the same expression: a warm smile.

Takumi rarely feel empathy since childhood. Tadao always tried to make him feel more human and the empathy was a its requisite. Now, after love, even the empathy has been obtained. Next was friendship.

"Prez, make sure you do your best with cosplaying, too." Whispered Takumi after he got closer to Misaki who just wanted punch that sneaky face.

...However, Tadao need still work on Takumi's teasing habit, even if it was his way to get closer to her.