red string of fate 《bakugou katsuki》

07 | free tickets

Your homeroom teacher struts into the classroom and without uttering a word, uses a whiteboard marker to write two words in capital letters across the board. Everyone, inclusive of yourself, holds their breaths as they await for your teacher to complete writing those two words: spring ball.

Although you only are in your first year, you know that it has been your school's tradition to host a Spring Ball for its students every year. Alongside this annual event was another large-scale event: Prom, which takes place after the final examinations and the Winter Ball, which takes place on the eve of Christmas. These three school events are the highlights of each school year, exclusive only to your school, in addition to usual school events such as the sports' carnival. You always wondered how much the school's fund actually was in order to organise three major events of ridiculously high cost for its students but never dared to question it openly.

Setting her teaching documents onto the teacher's stand provided at the front of the classroom, your homeroom teacher clears her throat before she speaks. Everyone keeps silent as they patiently await for her to elaborate on the details regarding the spring ball. Without a doubt, everyone was bubbling with excitement but tried their best to conceal it.

"Each year, our school organises the Spring Ball for the students and this year is no exception," your homeroom teacher announces and a handful of your classmates start to murmur soft cheers of glee under their breath. "There's a new addition to this year's spring ball. Students are allowed to invite one outsider to this year's ball. You are all encouraged to bring an outsider as those who report to the ball with one will receive a special and exclusive door gift."

Sena raises her hand immediately. The teacher notices her not long after and  grants her permission to speak. Sena hesitates no further as she lowers her hand and proceeds to raise her question.

"Teacher, what will the gift be?"

"They will be tickets to Universal Studios Japan," your homeroom teacher did not miss a beat. "The numbers are limited so they will be given out on a 'first come, first serve' basis. You will be competing with your seniors for them as well. Only a hundred tickets will be given out and only two are given per pair, thus only fifty students can receive the tickets."

The classroom explodes into a series of chatters the moment your teacher completes her statement. You turn your head towards Sena immediately, your eyes almost dropping out of their sockets as you gawk at her wide-eyed.

"Seriously? This school is filthy rich to be giving us tickets to Universal Studios!" Sena raises her voice a little over the noise.

"I really need those tickets," you stomp your foot childishly as you pout at Sena. "I have never been to Universal Studios Japan after all!"

Sena's eyes widen even more than before. "So you've never been to Osaka before?"

"Yeah," you smile sheepishly. "I have only been to Tokyo, Yokohama and well, Musutafu."

Sena squints at you as she taps her chin slowly with her index finger. "You have more reason than others to want them then," she nods. "But you don't have anyone to bring to the ball, do you? Your family's in Yokohama, aren't they?"

"Even if they were in Mutsutafu, they won't be able to come," you grumble, crossing your arms unhappily. "They are always busy working, they wouldn't have time for their daughter's school event."

"That sucks," Sena sighs. "What will you do then? Do you have a back-up plan? Who will you invite?"

You do not answer her, mainly because you were about to have a mental breakdown anytime soon. Your cheeks burn and you can feel them turning even redder as the time ticked by. Pursing your lips, you shrug before you face back forward, giving Sena an indefinite answer.