I checked the time, and it was 8.30 am. There were still one and a half hours remaining until the events started. Maybe I'll take a nap for some time or maybe I can go and visit Naoto senpai.

After contemplating for some time, I arrived at the conclusion that meeting her right now won't be useful since she is the president of a club, so she might be busy.

I laid my head down on my desk and closed my eyes. The noise around me seemed to fade away slowly as I kept falling into the abyss of my thoughts. I used to overthink a lot too but about things that would happen soon.

I raised my head back up and looked around me. Every face was lit with a smile, if not for those who were like me and had no interest in these things. My eyes shifted towards Kizhashi, who was talking with Kana.

Her hair was tied in the usual high ponytail and flapped from side to side as he moved her head with each word she spoke. She wasn't wearing her jacket instead; it was tied around her waist.

What's the point of doing that if you're not going to wear the damn thing?

Her azure eyes met mine, and she instantly narrowed her eyes. I slowly averted my gaze, as doing it too quickly might make me appear creepy and lead her to form unnecessary thoughts.

Looking around, I noticed that Gaisen wasn't present in the class. As for Tsūmen, he already left for his club meeting. I was looking forward to watching his event.

Also Kizhashi and Kana were in the Tennis event, so that would be interesting too since the only time I watched them play against each other was last month.

Covering my mouth, I yawned and checked the time again. Only 15 minutes had passed since I closed my eyes. I turned my head around to search for Gaisen, but he was also not present in the class.

Well, usually on sports day, Tsūmen and Gaisen are always busy, so it is mostly me spending time with myself. I looked out the window, and the school was definitely giving off some kind of festival vibes.

As for how things are going to proceed, I assume it'll be similar to that of last year too. My eyes gazed towards the crowd outside the gate as the thought of my sister befell upon me.

I quickly took out my mobile to check any pending text from her, but my inbox was empty except for the chats in the class group and Yuna Senpai's texts that I didn't open since I would've had to reply to them otherwise.

Scrolling through that chat list, I noticed Kizhashi's chat, which I opened a few days ago as she was bugging me about the whole Uyeno thing.

She is so energetic while texting that she spams a lot of texts to which I either reply with a sticker or just simply respond. Worst case, I leave her to read. I can't keep up with her vibes.

Also scrolling through my chat list, I noticed the passing profile pictures of Kana, Reina, and Saki. I have recently gained a lot of contacts that I didn't have a few months ago. I was really the type of guy who would never save someone's number unless it's really necessary.

Putting my mobile back in, I stretched my arms and looked ahead of me. The events would start from 10, even though we were to be assembled at the playground by 9.30 am since the principal would brief us and give speeches and stuff.

In my peripheral vision, I noticed someone waving at me. Glancing at the figure, it was Kana who was gesturing to me to go there. With a sigh, I stood up like an old man who had just been watching a game of chess on TV.

I walked up to her desk, and she was talking with her usual group of friends. They all waved at me except for Kizhashi.

"What's up?" I asked with a quick upward nod.

Kana looked at me with a weird smile and said, "Nothing… you're looking sad sitting alone so I called you here."

"Eh…"

"Anyways… so you didn't participate in anything after all?" She asked, to which I replied casually with a shrug, "No I didn't."

Glancing over to Saki, who was sitting next to Kizhashi with her brunette hair tied up in a bun, I asked, "Oh, what is Tomose-san taking part in, by the way?"

Saki looked at me, as well as Kana, who had this smug smile, as she continued, "Hmm? Why do you wanna know?"

"Don't make it weird." I sighed, and she just laughed it off.

"You know the three-legged race?" Saki asked me, to which I gave her a nod, "Oh… that…"

"Why did you ask?" She asked me out of curiosity I guess, as her eyes were staring at me.

Considering the fact it's a three-legged race, she must have a partner, so I continued, "No reason… just curious… So who are you gonna run with?"

"Tsuyoshi-kun… but he hasn't showed up yet." Saki said in a tensed voice, but Kana quickly probed, "Ah… don't worry… it's the sports festival…"

Reina also took part in the conversation as she added, "The only day we are allowed to come late without that being considered as late."

"I know, right!" Kizhashi nodded with an agreeable smile on her face.

Looking at them so excited about the events they took part in, I thought to wish them, "Well… best of luck to you guys."

But it was rare for me to say stuff like that, so Kizhashi as well and Saki looked at me with an unsure look, as Saki muttered, "Ah… thanks."

Glancing at me and then over at Kizhashi, Kana said, "Hear that, Kizhashi? I hope you don't 'unluck' me this time."

"Oh my… this bit…" Kizhashi cursed her as Kana just shook her head from left to right, "Yare yare…"

"I guess it's time for us to leave… see the time." Saki said, looking at all of us for affirmation, to which Reina replied as she looked down at her wrist, "Lemme check…"

"... yeah it's almost 9, let's head down." As Reina said that, we all decided to head down.