Contact From Conarc Editors! Riku's First Sports Festival?

Haru approaches them, shaking his head.

Haru "You really are something else. At least Hiki here has good taste."

He says, pointing to his neck, referencing the collar as Touma nods in agreement. Hikigaya blushes in embarrassment. 

Hikigaya "Would you two shut it!?"

He shouts at them. Chizuru giggles before looking at Sugawara.

Chizuru "Hey, did you see where Lucy and Ryuji went?"

Sugawara sighs and shrugs.

Sugawara "You know how they are. They're probably off messing around-"

Chizuru blushes and covers her ears.

Chizuru "Ah! No, no, I don't want to think about them like that!"

Sugawara chuckles a bit as Hikigaya remembers something.

Hikigaya "Oh, Shiori. Don't let me forget but I wanted to show you something at home later."

Shiori looks at him surprised before nodding.

Shiori "Okay."

He smiles at her as the group continues to hangout in their party until eventually the night comes to an end.

In November…

Shiori works at her desk, writing her book for a moment before pausing to stretch her arms over her head with a yawn. She smiles softly as she stares at her laptop screen and her book pages on it when suddenly she gets a notification. 

Shiori "An email?"

She says with a confused look. She clicks on it and opens it up before beginning to read it.

Shiori "'Dear Ms. Inabi, We are reaching out to you today in regards to your book. After reviewing the information you sent us in your application, we are pleased to inform you that we would like to move forward with the editorial process. Please come to our District 9 BoO to meet with one of our professional editors on November 19th at 11 a.m. Hope to see you soon!

- Conarc Editors.'"

Her confused face turns to an excited smile as she reads.

Shiori "They accepted?.. They accepted! I can't believe this!"

She shouts as she jumps up from her chair and does a little happy dance. She rushes downstairs and jumps on Hikigaya who happens to be standing in the living room. She laughs as he looks shocked before they collapse to the floor.

Shiori "Hiki! They accepted!"

Hikigaya "You mean the editor people?"

Shiori "Yes!"

Hikigaya "Why couldn't you just have my mom edit your book again?"

He says as they stand up.

Shiori "Because I want more than just one opinion. And I think your mom might be a little biased.."

She says with an embarrassed smile. Hikigaya smiles and rubs the back of his head.

Hikigaya "True. So when is your meeting? Next week?"

Shiori "No it's…"

She checks the date while responding before getting a shocked look.

Shiori "The 19th! That's only a few days! The rough draft isn't finished! I gotta get to work!"

She shouts before rushing back upstairs, leaving Hikigaya behind. He looks around before she rushes back to Hikigaya and kisses him. She pulls back with a warm smile. 

Shiori "Almost forgot."

She says softly before actually rushing back up to her room. Hikigaya blushes while looking embarrassed. He then hears Hamasaki cheering in the backyard faintly. He goes to investigate where he finds Hamasaki shouting with a smile at Riku with rushes back and forth between two cones spaced apart. 

Hikigaya "Hey Mrs. Inabi, what's Riku up to?"

Hamasaki "Oh, he's training for his sports festival."

Hikigaya gets a surprised look.

Hikigaya "Oh yeah! It's his first one!"

Hamasaki nods with a soft smile. Riku stops and approaches them, sweating and panting a bit, trying to catch his breath. 

Riku "That's right! You and Shiori are going, right?"

He asks excitedly.

Hikigaya "Of course, little man. What day is it?"

Hamasaki "It's on the 19th. Starts at 9 if you two decide to go on your own."

Hikigaya looks surprised for a moment before getting a slightly concerned look. Hamasaki notices.

Hamasaki "Is that alright?"

Hikigaya sweats before smiling.

Hikigaya "Yeah of course! Shouldn't be a problem, we'll be there!"

He says, knowing this is gonna get complicated. Over the next couple days, Shiori works tirelessly on her book from staying up late to working on it in class as Riku spends his afternoons training for the sports festival. Hikigaya watches as they both work hard to achieve their goals. One day, after school, Shiori continues working as Hikigaya steps into her room. 

Hikigaya "Hey, Shiori. Could we talk for a second?"

Shiori nods as her focus doesn't shift away from her book for a moment before coming to a stopping point and looking at him with a smile.

Shiori "Okay. What is it?"

Hikigaya "Sooo have you heard about Riku's sports festival?"

Shiori "Oh yeah. He's having his first one this year, isn't he? When is it?"

Hikigaya sweats a bit with a nervous look.

Hikigaya "That's the thing.. It's kinda on the 19th."

Shiori gets a surprised look as her eyes widen. 

Shiori "Oh."

She says softly as she looks down.

Hikigaya "Yeahhh.."

He says with an awkward tone while looking away. They pause for a moment before Hikigaya speaks.

Hikigaya "What are you gonna do? He's really working hard for this, I think it means more to him than he's saying. I'm sure he'd really want you to be there."

He says softly as Shiori looks back at her book.

Shiori "I'll.. see what I can do."

She says quietly before looking back at Hikigaya with a soft smile.

Shiori "Thanks for letting me know, love."

Hikigaya blushes a bit before nodding and exiting her room. Shiori turns and stares at her book for a moment.

Shiori 'I know he'd want me there, but… This is so important! I don't think I'd get another chance like this.'

She leans back in her chair and looks up.

Shiori 'Riku will have more sports festivals, right? Yeah, I'll just make sure to go to those. It'll be alright.'

She thinks before getting a softly determined smile and going back to writing. One day before the sports festival, Hamasaki cheers Riku on as he continues to train when Takanou steps next to her.

Takanou "He's really giving this training his all."

Hamasaki "He's trying extra hard because apparently some kids at school were teasing him for being smaller than they are."

She says softly, not removing her gaze from her child. Takanou gets a slightly sad look before turning his attention towards Riku.

Takanou "I see."

He says for a moment before getting a smile and cheering Riku on.

Takanou "Come on Riku! Keep it up! Those kids won't know what hit 'em!"

Riku stops for a moment and sees his dad cheering for him before smiling warmly. Soon, the morning of the sports festival comes. Riku sits on the stairs tying his shoes, getting ready for the day, when Shiori steps down the stairs slowly, a slightly sad look on her face. Riku turns to her with a smile before jumping back and facing her.

Riku "Shiori! Are you ready to see me kick some butt?!"

He shouts excitedly while putting his fist in the air. He then lowers his fist and smiles widely at his sister.

Riku "You're coming, right?"

He asks with excited eyes. Shiori smiles a sad smile at him.

Shiori "Yeah.. about that."

Riku's face turns to surprise.

Shiori "I don't think I'm gonna be able to make it. I've got a really important meeting today for my book and I don't know how long it'll take."

She says softly as Riku's surprise turns to a slightly sad look as he looks down. Shiori has a sad look too before Hikigaya comes up next to Riku.

Hikigaya "But don't worry. I'm gonna be there to cheer you on instead!"

He says with a smile as Riku turns to look at him with a look of disappointment. Hikigaya then angrily wraps his arm around Riku and gives him a knuckle sandwich.

Hikigaya "And we're gonna have a great time, won't we?"

He growls as he walks away, carrying him. She watches them leave with a sad look. A bit later, at Riku's school, the classes prepare for the opening ceremony of the sports festival. Families cheer as the announcer speaks about their classes. Riku marches with the rest of his class when he looks over to his family. Hamasaki and Hikigaya give thumbs up as Asami and Takanou lift their fists, shouting his name. He smiles a bit but it soon fades when he remembers Shiori isn't there. In town, Shiori rushes to and inside the Conarc building. She looks around for a moment before adjusting herself and approaching the counter.

Shiori "Hi, I'm here to meet Murphy Law."

She says to the attendant. The front desk attendant looks up at Shiori with an uncaring look.

Attendant "Do you have an appointment?"

Shiori "Yes, for 11 o'clock."

The attendant looks at the clock slowly so Shiori does the same, slightly confused. They both watch as the clock reads 10:50. The attendant looks back at Shiori with a displeased look.

Attendant "It seems Mr. Law isn't in yet."

Shiori sweats a bit.

Shiori "R-right.."

She responds softly before stepping away and taking a seat in the lobby. She sits as she bounces her leg, anticipation and confliction racing through her body. She turns and looks at the clock as it shifts from 10:50 to 10:51. She sighs a frustrated sigh. At the school, the first event starts, tug of war. His class grabs a hold of the rope and prepares themselves. 

Announcer "Students ready? Start!"

They begin tugging hard, trying to best the other class. Riku struggles hard and pulls with all his might as the opposing class does the same. They struggle back and forth, each class trying to gain the upper hand to the other when suddenly, Riku loses his footing and falls backwards and into the couple students behind him. The crowd gasps as their class loses grip on the rope and are yanked forward by the other class, losing the match. 

Announcer "Class 1-3 wins!"

He shouts as the other class cheers and high fives each other. Riku's class looks back at him with frustrated and angry looks. He gets an upset and embarrassed look.