56 Days of Anime!

Day Seventeen

Day Seventeen: You compete in a tournament. How does #9 support you? (Ritsu Kasanoda)

I flop on the couch of the host club and lay on my side. "Hey, guys," I yawn. "What's going on today?"
"Not much, Haruhi went home early and Honey-Senpai has a doctor's appointment, so we've cancelled for today." Kyoya informs me.
"Good, so I can go home, right?" I yawn again. He nods and shoos me away. Dancing happily, I grab my bag and start walking home.
"Saeko!" the twins call after me. I stop and sigh. "Hey!" They appear on either side of me and grin wide.
"Can I help you?" I poke at their faces.
"Well you know how we're boys right?"
"And since boys can't be in beauty pageants..."
"We were wondering if you'd do us a big favour!"
"Me?" I scoff. "In a beauty pageant? Are you insane..? Go ask Ashlei."
"Ashlei's really shy, she couldn't stand in front of a crowd like that!"
"Come on, Sae-Chan. You're basically a Hitachiin,"
"And this is for Mom! She really wants someone to wear her new dress in the pageant.."
"We would do it if we could!"
"So come ooonn~! Please?"
I stop walking and glare at them, then groan. "What colour is the dress?" I say in a childish voice. They both stike their fists in the air.
"I knew we could count on you!"

The twins smile at me. "We'll make you look gorgeous, okay? Then all you have to do is win!" Hikaru starts pulling off my clothes.
"H-Hey!" I gently shove him away. "Isn't that a little.. inappropriate?"
The boys look at each other. "Not really. You're like our.. triplet, I guess, so it doesn't really bother us."
"But if it bothers you.."
"N-No, it's okay. I was just surprised." I take a deep breath. Calm down, Saeko. Why're you so worked up today? God. I just hope Mori doesn't see me like this... That'd be terrible. They somehow manage to get me in a soft blue, strapless, mini dress. "O-Oh god.." I cringe at my reflection.
"What's wrong?" Hikaru hugs me tight.
"You look cute, sis!" Kaoru pats my head.
"I look.. like a.. girl."
"You.. are one..?" They laugh slightly.
"But.." I pout.
"Oh, look how cute! Just like a porcelain doll~!" Yuzuha, the twins' mother, smiles brightly. "I'm so glad you're the one wearing it, it compliments your pink hair very well." She nods. "Speaking of which, what should we do with it? I was thinking ringlets.."
"Good idea. That would go well with the bouncy flow of this dress," Hikaru agrees.
After they plastered my face with makeup, curled my hair, and accessorized me, they finally let me take a breather. The pageant doesn't start for another ten minutes. I'll just sit here and wait.
"Hey," Hikaru takes a seat next to me.
"What's up, Hika-Kun?" I adjust myself so I can look at him.
"Kaoru and I felt bad about making you do this.. So we did something that should cheer you up."
"R-Really?"
"Yeah! We got everyone to come and support you!" I stare at him, wide eyed. "We figured having your boyfriend and friends here would make it easier for you." He fixes my curls.
"Y-You.. Thank you." My life is over. Mori's going to see me dressed like a loli. What'll he think of it..? And the others.. I swear, if they take pictures, I'll murder them.

"And now, contestant #107, Saeko Tanaka!" Applause immediately shoots out from the room. I stride out to center stage and give my best fake smile.. then I notice my friends, all cheering me on, wearing shirts with my name on them. My grin becomes real as I wave in their direction. Even Mori cracks a smile. Wait. I look closer. Is that.. Kasanoda? What's he doing here? 

"Too bad you didn't win," Hikaru throws his arm around my shoulders.
"At least you got second!" Kaoru wraps his arm around my waist.
"I-I'm really sorry, guys." I sigh obnoxiously.
"Hey, Sae-Chan!" I look up and see Mori, Honey, and Kasanoda.
"Hiya, guys." I'm immediately scooped into Mori's arms. "Let's pretend like you never saw me dressed like that, mkay?"
"But, Sae-Chan! I took pictures so we could remember how cute you were!"
"G-Gah.." I hug Mori tighter. "Kasanoda-Kun, I didn't expect to see you here."
"Ack!" His face turns slightly pink. "Uh, Mori-Senpai invited me here to help cheer you on.." I look at Mori, who nods.
"Well then, thank you. Nice t-shirts, guys." I shake my head and sigh. "I hate you all."
"We love you too!" they all cheer before group glomping me.