The Name in Blue

Natsuki's name was written on the gym schedule in blue marker. The blue marker was ordinary enough. But the longer I looked at her name, the more the rest of the schedule seemed to curdle green at the edges, then the wall behind it, then everything. I just wanted to leave right at this moment, but her gentle hand stopped me in my tracks. But even that was loosening its grip, which was expected in crowds with known faces.

I looked around to distract myself, and was surprised to see the gym so well endowed with decorations. The stands were much cleaner and the lines much sharper.

"Looks like they made you work extra hard."

"Oh, definitely" She said that not with a tired expression, but an uplifting one. I really didn't want to think about it, but it came up unprompted: What if she was looking forward to the match more than the time we spent together? I didn't want to spiral back again into negativity, so I re-grabbed her hand, this time more tightly.

"HMM!" I could see her violently shaking, and seeing someone get close she vehemently shook me off. "Not now, Saya."

So if we are alone it's fine? Just the fact that I have come along this far, gave me some respite. Only to be broken up soon after.

"So senpai, you are here." It was Asuka.

"Uh, yeah. Let's get the final preparations done."

There was a nervous tension between the two of them, and the fact that I wasn't aware of the reason made it all the more worse.

I pull back on Natsuki and wispher to her. "Is something wrong?"

"It would be hard to explain, but ..."

A stretched arm broke the connection between us, as it pulled back on Natsuki's arm.

"I think you had your share enough, Saya-senpai. It's time for the match, so don't mind me if I borrow senpai for some time now." She said with a hostile tone. I grudgingly left Natsuki's arm, and waved back to her.

They continued forward, chatting with an awkward space between them, but still much smaller than the one I was left with. What is it that you are hiding, Natsuki?