Chapter Twelve: Future Flicker
1952 Words
Tori's POV
"Tori, let's go! I need to cheer for Caius!"
Today is the day of the tournament between our school and Caius's school, and it's being held at Caius's school court.
Rose brought a green banner for Caius, while I brought a blue one for our school.
"Hurry up, Tori," she said.
"It hasn't even started yet," I replied.
"We need to be there when Caius sees us," Rose said with determination.
When we arrived at the stadium of Caius's school, we scanned the crowd and searched for seats.
"I don't think Caius needs your cheer anymore," I teased, nudging Rose. "Do you see those?"
I pointed toward the sea of banners with Caius's name printed on them. "You've got a lot of rivals, girl."
"I won't back down," Rose replied with a confident smile.
The whistle blew. The game had begun.
I suddenly felt a pair of eyes on me, so I scanned the crowd. That's when I spotted Ryan and Rain, both wearing our school's varsity uniforms. Ryan was staring directly at me, while Rain waved enthusiastically.
"So, they're playing for our school too," Rose whispered.
The referee blew the whistle, and the game kicked off—fast-paced and electric.
"Go, Caius!" Rose screamed, while I focused on cheering for our schoolmates.
Caius and Ryan clashed on the court, both playing with intense energy and fire.
Then it happened—Ryan suddenly shoved Caius during a play.
I shot up from my seat, heart pounding. "Is he okay?" I tried to get a clear view.
Caius caught my eye and gave a small wave, signaling he was fine.
We sat back down as the referee gave them both a warning.
The game resumed, and this time, it flowed without incident. In the end, Caius's school claimed the victory.
I smiled.
The girls from his university erupted in cheers—including Rose, of course—so loud that I half-wondered if Rose would lose his voice from cheering Caius.
We made our way down to congratulate him. I was just a few steps away when someone grabbed my hand.
It was Ryan.
I tried to pull back, but his grip tightened.
"Stop it, Ryan! What are you doing?" Rose snapped, stepping between us.
Before Ryan could answer, Caius appeared. He walked straight toward us and grabbed Ryan's wrist, his gaze sharp and unblinking.
"Let go of me. It hurts," I said quietly.
Ryan finally released my hand.
Caius immediately checked my wrist, then gently took my hand and pulled me over to his team—without saying a word.
"Are you okay?" Caius asked as he gently guided me to sit down.
"I'm fine. It was just a bit tight when he grabbed me, but really—I'm okay."
"That jerk!" Rose fumed, crossing her arms.
"Relax, or your makeup's going to melt," I joked, trying to lighten the mood. But both of them just looked at me with the same worried expression.
I gave a small smile. "Hey, I'm fine. And I already moved on... since high school."
Rose gave me a warning look. "Just make sure, okay? We don't want to see you crying like last time."
I just nodded.
Caius looked serious and said nothing.
The host called both teams to shake hands, but I noticed Ryan and Caius lingering a little longer when they faced each other. The coach pulled Caius aside and whispered something to him.
The game ended, and we waited for Caius to finish washing up. Suddenly, Rose stood up.
"Tori, my father just got back from overseas. Mom told me to be home for dinner."
"Say hi to your father for me, okay?"
Rose only nodded.
"I won't be around at home. Will you be, okay?"
"Definitely," I replied.
Rose turned to me, concern in her eyes. "Tori, let Caius, walk you home, okay? It's not safe for you to walk alone."
"I'll be fine—"
"Tori, please. Listen to me."
"Okay, okay,"
Rose said her goodbyes and walked out.
I stayed seated and checked my phone, scrolling through the pictures I took earlier while Caius was playing.
"I look good in that one," a finger tapped a photo.
I saw Caius wearing a white shirt, his hair still wet.
Then suddenly, my mind flashed forward—I saw him smiling at me, waiting at the altar, dressed in a fine tuxedo.
I stood up abruptly and shook my head. Why was I imagining him getting married? I shook my head again. What was wrong with me?
"Are you okay, Tori?" Caius asked gently.
"Yes," I answered casually.
"Come on, he said. Rose told me to walk you home because he won't be around tonight."
I just nodded.
"Are you sure you're okay, Tori?"
I took a deep breath. "Yes, I'm fine."
That was just a brief glitch in my mind, I told myself. I must've been reading too many books lately.
"Let me show you around the campus first. You can also come here anytime you want—just let me know, and I'll pick you up at the gate." He said and walked first.
As we walked, I stayed quiet, lost in my thoughts.
"Tori?" he called softly.
"Tori?" he called again.
"Hey, Tori." This time, he gently cupped my face, while looking down at me. Caius was so much taller than me.
That's when I snapped back to reality and realized that, besides holding my face, his face was now very close to mine. His eyes were locked onto mine, searching, questioning. His smooth, fair skin, his sharp nose, and thick, perfectly shaped eyebrows only made his eyes look even more striking.
Suddenly, I felt my face flush with warmth. What's happening to me? I asked myself. My heart was pounding so fast.
I was confused and couldn't think straight.
I pulled his hand away and looked down.
"Tori, you were spacing out just a moment ago—I thought you were listening to me," he said.
"I was just thinking about our project. I don't know how to start," I stammered.
Tori! What are you even saying? I scolded myself silently.
"I can help you. I don't have anything to do right now," he offered. "Let's go to the library."
But I didn't actually have a project since we just passed it yesterday.
"Ah, I can handle it on my own," I replied.
"Tori, are you really, okay?" he asked, worry in his voice. "Is it because you saw Ryan earlier?"
"No, no. I just have a lot on my mind."
"If you say so, then let's go," he said as he started walking again.
"Where are we going?" I asked while walking beside him.
"There are a lot of booths around today, run by different clubs. You might find something you're interested in."
"Did you join one?" I asked.
"I don't have time. I'm really busy with everything right now."
"But we're required to join at least one. I actually joined the theater club because it was the only one with a slot left."
"I don't need to join a club—I'm already part of the varsity team," he explained.
"Oh, I see."
Every booth we passed had its own gimmick—some students were in cosplay, others were running small stalls, and more.
"There's no school festival yet, so why do you have all this going on?" I asked Caius.
"As far as I know," he replied, "the clubs need to reach a certain number of members to stay active. I'm not completely sure, but from what I understand, some clubs might get shut down."
"Hey, pretty! Join our club, please," said a girl with glasses as she pulled me toward their booth.
"You're already accepted!" a guy added enthusiastically.
"But—" I was about to say that I didn't even study here.
"Come on, we're just short by one member," the girl insisted.
"She doesn't study here," Caius said seriously.
"Oh, is that so? Sorry," the girl replied, looking disappointed.
Their booth looked like a small café. There were five of them—four girls and one guy.
One of the girls pulled me into a corner and whispered something to me.
"Really?" I asked, and she nodded.
"Yes, but you just have to play the role of a waitress here. Once it's done, that's it," she said, her eyes pleading.
I glanced at Caius—he was watching me too, clearly wondering what was going on.
"That's it? I just have to pretend to be a waitress? You'll take care of everything else?"
She nodded again. "Please? You have no idea how much I love this café club."
"Why don't you just pay other student to join then?"
"If the student council finds out, our café will be disbanded," she said with a sigh.
I was still thinking when she showed me a picture—it was a pair of original white Jordans, worth around twenty-five thousand.
"He can definitely afford that," I said.
"But you can still give it to him as a gift."
"His shoes are way more expensive than that," I replied. "Why would he even like something I picked?"
"He'd be happy to receive a gift," she insisted.
"You think so?"
"Of course! Deal?" she asked, extending her hand for a shake.
I took her hand and said, "Deal."
"I'm Mika," she said
"Tori," I smiled politely.
"Caius, you should go," I said as I turned to him.
"Why?" he asked, clearly confused.
"I want to stay here and play for a while."
He hesitated, looking like he wanted to say something.
"But—"
"Please," I cut in gently. "I just really want to stay here and have a little fun."
"Alright, just don't do anything that—"
"I know, I know," I interrupted. "Just go already."
"Fine. I'll head to the library first and get the books I need."
"Sure," I said with a small smile.
After I change, I look into the mirror from the anime club where we borrow the clothes.
I wears a short, puff-sleeved white blouse with a rounded collar, adorned at the neckline with a delicate red bow. The gently ruffled sleeves add an extra touch of charm.
Layered over the blouse is a baby blue pinafore-style dress, fitted at the waist with a wide ribbon that ties into an oversized bow at the back.
The skirt flares into a playful A-line silhouette, ending at mid-thigh and trimmed with soft white lace for a sweet, girlish finish.
A white frilly apron is fastened over the dress, featuring ruffled edges and a tiny, stitched heart near the pocket—a subtle but adorable detail.
Completing the look are thigh-high white stockings topped with small ribbon bows, paired with glossy Mary Jane shoes in a pastel shade to match the dress.
To top it all off, she wears a dainty lace headband perfectly finishing the cute and classic anime-inspired ensemble.
"Oh my! You look like the perfect anime cosplayer. Why don't you join our club later, please?" the president of the Anime Club said with a bright smile.
"Nah, don't poach our waitress! We really need her to save our club," Mika said firmly to the girl. "We're just borrowing her for now, and later I'll treat you to drinks and cookies. Okay, bye!"
With that, she gently pulled me along, walking slowly toward their booth.
I found myself really enjoying my outfit and how I looked.
Maybe I should switch to the Otaku Club once I'm back at my own university.
Meanwhile, the others at the booth were busy discussing how they would attract new members to join.
............................................
Hi-Yu
- Writer
