Shocking News
The last day of the festival rolls around and like every morning, me and Tochaki-san gets to school early to start preparing for the day. Since it's the last day of the festival, it will be the busiest day, so everyone is required to work during the morning shift. The bell ranged and the day started. Immediately our classroom was filled with people and a long line was forming with no end. Some people that were advertising were sent back to the classroom to become waiters and I was one of them. The food was coming out of the kitchen left and right and many customers started complaining about how long they had to wait. Where was the mountain of cupcakes that usually sits one of the tables? I didn't think too much of it and kept serving the people.
"Table 3 for 2 cupcakes ASAP!"
"Are the fraps done for table 5 yet?!"
The waiters were yelling towards the kitchen and the bakers were doing their best to keep up with the amount of customers in our store. Even with all of the bakers in the kitchen, they were not able to keep up.
Thiis crazy hour lasted for 4 hours until 12 PM, where the bell finally ranged and the festival was finally over for the students. The customers all left to the gymnasium and the students were left to clean up before also going. I looked around me and finally realized something: where is Kanjiro? He usually runs up to me every morning to greet me but I didn't see him today at all. Its also weird that the day I didn't see him is the day there was no mountain of cupcakes. As I thought about this, I got a phone call and it was from none other than Kanjiro.
"Hey dude, where were you? Our asses were getting beat by the amount of customers in our store!"
"Sorry Juni, I got sick today with a fever. I measured 38° C. I forgot to call in sick to let you guys know and fell asleep as soon as I woke up. I was worried something like this was gonna happen but couldn't do anything about it."
Wait, he called in sick? That means…
"I see, get some rest then… Wait, then what about the festival dance? You're the male dancer! You said it yourself that the dancers were selected based on how good they match. Clearly the school thinks you match Tochaki-san so no one in our school can dance with her!"
"Well I'm sorry Juni, there's nothing I can do. I can't even move my legs right now."
People were already moving to the gymnasium and I became the only one left in our classroom. I frantically thought about what I should do. Should I call the office? Why didn't Kanjiro call in sick himself so this gets resolved earlier? What should I do?
"Juni, you should go dance with her."
"Me?"
What a crazy and stupid solution.
"I do feel bad that I missed the one in a million chance to dance with someone like Kinai–chan, but there is no one I can depend on to dance for me."
"What about one of your other friends?"
"I thought about that but I know this is going to sound weird, but I believe you match Kinai-chan more than me?"
"Me? Who are you kidding?"
"Please Juni. I know I joke a lot, but I am being completely serious. I want you to listen to me very carefully. As you know there are two changing rooms behind the gymnasium stadium. One for male and one for females. The outfit for the dance is already there. We were told secretly to go try it on the week before the festival week. Ten minutes before the dance, go into the boy's changing room and change outfits."
"But–"
"Please Juni. Just please. Trust me, you best friend…"
"Why are you so determined for me to dance?"
"Because you will soon realize something in your heart that you can't express."
What? Something in my heart?
"Sorry Juni, the fatigue is coming back, I'll call you later."
"Wait!"
The call ended. I thought about calling him back but I didn't want to distract him from sleeping. I stood there facing the floor. I was in complete shock at Kanjiro's request. I thought about telling the office but I couldn't. It was Kanjiro's biggest moment and he is giving it to me. I took a deep breath and walked towards the gymnasium. I promise you Kanjiro, I'll do what I can do.