The Oracle

Chapter 68: Fun and Games

AKARI

"Kaito?" I blink in surprise and watch as he makes his way over to me just inside the new arena, being dragged alongside Sora by Merrick. "Did you ask Sora and Merrick to join us?"

"Maybe?" Kaito rubs the back of his neck sheepishly, grinning.

"I see," a wry smile forms on my face, my eyes flickering between the three of them before I make my way over to Kaito and kiss his cheek lightly. "Well, thank you. That was very sweet of you."

"Y—yeah," Kaito stammers, blushing. "No problem."

"I'll go register us for the tournament," I say and head over to the new lobby area that was added to the arena so that we wouldn't have to sign up and prepare in the dispatch center.

I make my way over to the wooden structure, the scent of freshly stained wood filling the air. The lobby area where we sign up has two wooden pillars and three short and long stairs that lead to a wooden deck with a wooden roof and open sides, a wooden railing running around the structure to keep people from falling off. Upon climbing the stairs, I walk a few feet forwards to where the hexagonal wooden bar is, one attendant standing at the front and one at the back for two lines to form.

"Hey, Penelope," I smile, the blonde in front of me beaming in return, her green eyes vibrant.

"Hello, Akari! Would you like to sign up for the tournament?" Penelope asks, holding up a clipboard with a pen attached to it.

"Of course," I grin, taking the clipboard from her to write down my team name and team members names before I glance up with a slight frown. "You aren't participating? I mean, you are a champion, after all."

"Me?" Penelope's eyes widen before she smiles and holds up her hands. "That's okay. I've had my fair share of tournaments. Besides, I have...other arrangements."

"Other arrangements?" I furrow my eyebrows in confusion.

"Hey, Penelope!" A brunette shouts from the right as he jumps onto the deck and leans against the railing from outside of the lobby, his green eyes bright yet warm. "What time did you say you got off again?"

"Uh," Penelope stops to check a clock that rests at the corner of the bar, "I'll be ready in about a half hour, once the tournament begins."

"Alright," the brunette smiles. "I'll be waiting."

"Okay," Penelope nods with a smile, blushing lightly as he jumps off and jogs away.

"Other arrangements, I take it?" I grin and Penelope nods, her blush getting darker.

"Yeah," Penelope smiles. "His name is Braxton. He was in several of my classes and I participated against him in a few battles. He asked me to train him and then we became friends and he recently just asked me on a date. I'm hoping all goes well."

"I hope so too," I smile. "You deserve it, Penelope. Well, I'll see you around!"

"See you!" Penelope smiles back with a wave as I turn to jog down the stairs, making my way back to my teammates.

While waiting for the tournament to start and for our bracket, I glance around the arena as the four of us walk around the stands and a frown crosses my face, thinking of everything that's happened here before.

"Hey," Sora says softly, placing a hand on my shoulder. "She would be proud of you."

"Yeah..." I breathe out quietly, smiling sadly. "I know she would."

On the other side of me, Kaito squeezes my left hand gently, and Merrick loops his arms around my neck. I lean back to look up at Merrick and smile, glad that I have all of them in my life.