Disqualified

 FUTABA

A few hours earlier, at Tsukuhara high school.

"Where is the next performer?"

Futaba blinked seeing a red head man. Kai-kun? Kai is a member of the Holy knights. But, she seldom sees him since he is in another division from her. It's not unusual for yankees to have other occupations, but she didn't know he would be one of the judges. 

Kensho sighed. "Are you really going to ask that?"

"Unfortunately for you it's my job. I'm guessing she isn't here then?"Kai said, scanning the room.

Arashi and Kensho bow. "We're sorry about this. But please disqualify her for this round."

Futaba's eyes widened, disqualify? But she was practicing so hard. Even now the image of her friend practicting had yet to leave her head. Despite Succhan's surprise about being told to participate, she quickly adapted and started practicing more than anyone else.

Yet before the words could leave his mouth, the pale green haired boy stepped up.

"Fifteen minutes more. Give her that much time, if Ibuki-chan still doesn't show up. Then disqualify her for this round"Tooru stated. 

Kai nodded. "Alright, but it's not going to make much of a difference." He scanned the room. "Ibuki aside, is her accompanist here?"

At those words Futaba frowned and looked around for the girl who was supposed to be Succhan's accompanist. Not here. She isn't here. Why? 

'I knew I had a bad feeling about her. I should have said something.' Futaba turned to her phone angrily. Come on already, pick up. Why isn't Aki-san answering? 

"She isn't. Do you think-"

"Isn't it obvious? Even if Sumire showed up here, that woman wouldn't have and she would have still ended up disqualified." Ran snapped. "I should have told her." 

Futaba blinked surprised and for the first time looked at her fellow contestants. Everyone wore the same determined expression on their faces. Ah, it's not just her. Everyone has seen how hard Succhan has been practicing. It seems they also picked up that there was something wrong with that girl. 

'Succhan, don't you see how many people are drawn to you? How many people care?'

Even down to the last minute, everybody was praying for a miracle. But the doors didn't open.

Kai returned to the stage and grabbed the mic from the side. "Due to failure of showing up in the allocated time, performer six freshman A class Ibuki Sumire has been disqualified for this round.

The hall quickly filled with chatters and murmurs. Futaba didn't need to listen to know what they were saying. She already knew. She clenched her fist. All of Succhan's hard work for nothing. It's not like her to do this. 

Even if he sent her on a job, Succhan would have done everything she could to wrap up the job quickly and come here.

What kind of job did Aki-san send her on? 

"Moving along to the next performance. Performance #7 Freshman A Class Hamano Atushi and his accompanist 1B Toragara Mikan" Performing a Pierre Thibaud composition Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen."

 To her surprise Atushi-kun suddenly approached Kensho. "Tell the judges that I am quitting too."

Kensho didn't look surprised but he was sighing deeply. "I'll be seeing you and Ibuki in detention it seems."

Atushi laughed. "Yep, word it so I look bad." He turned to her cousin. "I guess we can save the competition another time."

"Find her, and I'll accept your challenges any day." Arashi trailed off. "Futaba, you go too."

Futaba nodded. She already planned to leave. Mamoru-kun is already looking for her and Nao also disappeared but, it won't do any harm for her to go too.

 _______________

Present

Even after searching the town for two hours, there was still no leads to where she could have gone. They checked every alleyway and even went to a few bases. But there was no sign of her. Where could Aki-san have sent her?

"She's going to be so angry with you for letting yourself get disqualified." Futaba lectured.

Atushi grinned. "It's not the first time she has gotten mad at me. Besides, we both know if she got disqualified on her own. People would talk."

Indeed, this way there will be rumors. But different ones. People saw Hamano show up to the venue. But nobody saw Succhan, meaning it would be easy to make an excuse for her. Moreover the way Kai-kun ended up wording it 'Hamano Atushi has decided to drop out for this round.' In other people's eyes, he will look like a selfish rich brat.

Is he truly okay with that? The students aside, the judges are going to have a poor opinion of him too. It may even impact him being able to enter in other contests.

"You really do like Succhan." Futaba commented. "Succhan does like guys who act like heroes."

Atushi's cheeks coloured and he coughed. "That's not why I am doing this you know? If she is in danger, as her friend. I should help her."

Futaba laughed. "You don't have to get embarrassed about it."

"My feelings for her won't be going away anytime soon. But I have the decency to not make a move."

"Because of Mashima?"

Atushi paused. "Him aside. I'm becoming quite close with the guys in Nanairofeather. It wouldn't be right for me to make a move on Sumire knowing they all like her."

Futaba blinked. "You noticed that?"

"Anybody with eyes can see that they like her." Atushi trailed off and sighed. "Most people would say bad things about a women being liked by so many guys. But, I don't see it that way. Sure, I was surprised when I found out but at the same time I thought it makes sense."

"Why do you think it does?" Futaba said curiously.

Is he just saying this to continue acting like a good guy or is he genuinely being sincere? Where do the lies, and where do the truths start with this person?

The rumors are they have gotten closer, and she has indeed been spending a lot of time with him. But, only because she wants to keep him under wraps. If she is watching him, he can't hurt Succhan again.

"Sumire has this charisma, that draws people towards her. Like a magnetic pull. People can't stay away. That, and her caring personality. It's not surprising that so many people end up in love with her. Being around her brings out people's dreams, hopes and their smiles."