Sandra’s POV:

That damn Hikaru. Without a care in the world, he just sends me to my doom. I couldn’t deny his request, but still it was a bit too much for me. I tried to talk my way out of it; unfortunately, it seemed his plan didn’t have errors, big enough for me to escape with.

“Sigh. I will have to think of a way to get in first. I will think about how to get on stage with my current getup later. Can’t that guy be more considerate? At least once in his life?”(Me)

On the road to the stadium, I continuously cursed at him. Even with all my current rage, I still respected his intellect and strength. I hated to admit it, but not many could come up with such a scheme, moreover, I bet it was on a whim.

The break was 3 hours long and I still had about 2 hours left, so time wasn’t the problem. My anxiety came from how I should enter. I’m not someone with a school background like Hikaru.

The next issue was that it wasn’t possible to enter with my identity as a retainer as well. I couldn’t even enter as myself, because Hiro would enter as me. Two Sandra’s would attract attention and that is exactly what Hikaru hated the most. Attracting attention came right after making mistakes and things not going his way.

“This is making me crazy. The only option is sneaking in. But where?!”(Me)

I checked the surroundings. I was alone, so it was ok to go crazy and shout my thoughts out.

“Should I just break through the front door and hope no one sees me?”(Me)

I mumbled all the time and was deep in thoughts. I was so focused that I didn’t even notice someone approaching me. Even if I was on guard, I don’t think I would have been able to notice him, if he hadn’t tapped my shoulder.

“Huh?!”(Me)

I was startled and let out a short scream. I came back to reality and analysed the situation before I did anything else. Some stranger sneaking behind me could also mean I encountered an enemy.

“Yo. If I’m not wrong, you are the one who was with the nightmare before?”(?)

“W…What are you talking about?”(Me)

“Come one. Don’t play dumb. I also know that you want to participate in the second round.”(?)

I was ready to fight at any time. It was strange that someone else except Hikaru, Hiro and me knew about it. I categorized him as an enemy and prepared myself to react as quickly as possible.

“How do you know that?”(Me)

My dumb and innocent voice from before change to a serious one.

“Wow, hold on. Calm down. You were blabbering about it all the time. I just happened to pass by and hear your mumbling.”(?)

I forgot about that. I was a complete idiot. Still, why did he listen to a stranger, much less approach me?

“I also heard you have problems to enter the colosseum.”(?)

“I’ll ask this only once, but who are you and what do you want?”(Me)

I had enough of whatever I said. No random by passer would listen to my stupid mumbling and approach me afterwards without a scheme in mind.

“I want to help you.”(?)

“Help me?”(Me)

“Yes.”(?)

“You want to help me?”(Me)

“Yes.”(?)

That’s a good joke. Why would you want to help me?

“Of course there is a reason.”(?)

“I knew it.”(Me)

“I want to somehow get closer to the nightmare.”(?)

If that was his only wish, it was fine, but it was unbelievable that he’d help me just for that.

“You want to get closer? Is that your only reason?”(Me)

“Yes. Why do you have to ask everything twice?”(?)

He was too suspicious that’s the reason.

“Who are you that you desperately need a connection to him?”(Me)

I turned around and asked that question.

Green hair?

“Yo. The name’s Hayate. You should already know me. I mean you watched me from a pretty good spot. So what’s your name?”(Hayate)

“Ah?”(Me)

I opened my mouth but no words came out. I have thought of some strange people that would want to help us, just to form a connection with the nightmare, but this person was still a surprise.

“Hm? What did you say?”(Hayate)

“My name is Sandra.”(Me)

“Nice to meet you Sandra.”(Hayate)

I didn’t feel any enmity from him. Nevertheless, he was someone who only needed one strike to finish of Ryan, the son of the human king Arthur, so it was also possible that all of this was merely an act.

“You said something about helping me.”(Me)

I decided to take the risk.

“Aha. Now that you know who I am, you believe me?”(Hayate)

“It’s your own fault for sneaking me up from behind.”(Me)

“Hm. You’re right. My fault, forgive me please.”(Hayate)

It was hard to take him serious. He acted as if he had not a single care in the world.

“So?”(Me)

“Isn’t my plan obvious? We’re gonna act like you’re a friend of mine, or something like that. I’m a participant; the guards shouldn’t be that strict with me.”(Hayate)

What the fuck was that plan? If it failed? No, if we’d try and he came with that half assed motivation, it was bound to fail. Did he think about what would happen to me?

“Isn’t there a better method?”(Me)

“You can also try to get a ticket or sneak in if you want. I give you this opportunity now, but I don’t have that much patience. I wish you good luck on trying, even more so in less than 3 hours.”(Hayate)

Damn it.

It wasn’t about what I wanted or what would happen to me, I had no other option.

“Could you at least show more motivation when we’re there?”(Me)

“Haha. Sure thing.”(Hayate)

I somehow couldn’t believe him.

“Sigh. Looks like there is no other way around.”(Me)

I hated it, but it looked like it was the only way. I still hesitated a bit before I took of my hood. Together we went to the front entrance and acted as if we were acquainted. Hayate caused a commotion when the bystanders saw him, but luckily, everything else went smoothly.

I made passed the first and most difficult hurdle. Now I had to think of a way to appear on stage without attracting much attention.