Snitch

"Joe Finn? As in the one that was on the newspaper?" I asked.

"Yes, exactly."

"Wait! Your partner disappeared?" It didn't need a genius to know how surprised Haru was with how big his eyes have become.

"You just repeated what he said," I told him.

"Ahem! I mean… don't get me wrong. But like, don't you need training or something? You see, uhm… the tournament will be in two days and you've yet to find a substitute. Will you somehow make it? I don't mean to offend you. It's just that I'm a fan and I've been rooting for you specifically since the elimination round."

"No, don't think too much about it. And about your concern. I don't think that will be too much of a problem. All we need is someone who is good at following instructions and someone who has a decent amount of stamina."

"I see. Then I'll be rooting for you!"

"Thank you."

In the midst of our conversation, we suddenly heard someone tapping the table. It was Mr. Alec.

"Mr. Alviar, I understand your concern. But as of now, only these two are available," he said as he pointed towards our direction. "Everyone else have taken a request already. And I don't think anyone will finish anytime soon."

Mr. Alviar seemed to be thinking for a moment as he was staring at the floor with his right foot tapping.

"Are you good at following instructions?" he asked the two of us.

"I'm confident with following instructions but I'm not so sure about my stamina. I might only slow you down," I told him truthfully.

"Hmm… Following instructions is not hard at all. But I want to see the match from the audience's perspective. I don't want to be the one playing. Besides, I don't like drawing attention to myself too much." Haru explained.

Mr. Alviar seemed to be disappointed with his response because he frowned slightly. He then looked at me expectantly.

But seriously dude, don't look at me like that. I don't even know what this tournament you lot are talking about.

"I — I haven't watched the tournament ever. I don't know what to do there. I might just become a laughingstock once I went there."

"Are you serious, Mr. Jack?" Haru asked in an over-the-top manner. "Like, are you for real? Nah! I don't think so. You're trolling."

"No, I'm not. I'm being honest here."

"Seriously, even a 5-year-old kid knows about that sport. I mean… who hasn't heard of the sport called Snitch? It's famous all over the kingdom! Not to mention that almost everyone are dying to join but they can't even get past the elimination round. Which planet did you —"

"Ahem!"

"Uhh… Sorry. I tend to forget about the things around me when it comes to snitch, Mr. Alec."

"It's fine. As long as you're good at following instructions and has a decent amount of stamina. I wont complain," Mr. Alviar told me.

"By decent amount. Exactly how decent are you talking about?" Because looking at how muscular he was, I'm afraid that we have a different definition of decent. In my previous life as Sean, I can run up to ten miles no problem. But now that I'm in this body. I'm not so sure. I haven't exercised since the night that I arrived here.

"Decent, huh." Mr. Alviar murmured to himself. Probably thinking for an example. "Let's say that if you can walk fast for an hour without getting out of breath. That's decent, probably."

"Just walk?" I asked — trying to make sure.

"Yes."

"But I'm curious about one thing though, Mr. Alviar. Hope you don't mind me asking."

"No, I won't. Please, go ahead." He then motioned me to continue.

"Uhh… Why go here instead of asking some of your trusted friends to partner you? I think many will be willing enough. Because with what Haru mentioned earlier, almost everyone are trying to get in."

"That's exactly the reason. There are no strings attached here. There's already too much backstabbing in the competition. Besides, this tournament is important to me."

"Backstabbing is allowed? And no one gets disqualified?" Goodness! What kind of tournament was that?

"Of course, it's not. But here's the thing. It's not really backstabbing if you don't have any evidence to back it up. And if you report it with no solid evidence, it will only backfire."