A Partner for Pietro

Neo remembered that he had not yet asked one of the baseball team members, Pietro, about formal attire. After class, he went to the place where they practiced.

"Hey guys, I need to talk to Pietro."

Everyone waved at Neo as they walked on. Takeshi approached him and stopped him from continuing.

"Hey, if you want to talk to Pietro, you have to join the training. The training can't stop. We have a championship coming up."

With no other choice, Neo joined them on their run. It was a long distance race, so all he had to do was keep a steady pace. Neo approached Pietro and looked at him expectantly.

"Hey, Pietro, do you have any spare formal wear?"

Pietro sighed, looking a little disappointed. "Unfortunately I don't, Neo."

The boy felt sad, thinking that he had exhausted his options on the baseball team. But then he remembered another member of the team.

"And Lenner?" Neo inquired.

All eyes turned to Takeshi, waiting for an answer. Meanwhile, Pietro was growing increasingly frustrated with Lenner's absence.

"Maybe Takeshi needs to get Lenner's attention," Pietro commented, his voice betraying his irritation.

Takeshi sighed before replying, "He'll show up eventually."

The atmosphere grew tense at the mention of Lenner. To lighten the mood, Maeda interjected with a casual remark.

"You asked Pietro about clothes, but did you know he's training seriously? Neo, he's our new dancer."

Normally, Maeda's joke would have offended anyone, but Pietro's reaction was different - he was determined.

"I'm going to win the competition. I like baseball as much as I like dancing."

Neo was moved by his words, and if he was going to put in so much effort, he wanted Pietro to win.

"But will there be so much technical analysis?" Nagoya asked doubtfully.

"I think they'll end up choosing the pair they like best," Tadashi said somewhat disappointed.

"There have to be several things involved. Dance, charisma and costume. I don't think dance alone will decide it," Takeshi added hopefully.

"But he doesn't have a partner yet," Shike said.

"Sounds like me with the costume," Neo remarked.

Everyone laughed at the joke.

The baseball team spent the rest of the week practicing. The training was hard and included a series of activities such as hitting, catching ground balls, fast pitching, squatting - Takeshi really pushed them hard. Neo participated with them and seemed to give up on the idea of going to the party.

Pietro was still looking for a partner and asked the boys for suggestions. Takeshi liked the idea and had fun thinking about the girls from their school.

"Which girls do you have in mind?" Shike asked while doing push-ups.

"I have no idea," Pietro replied as he joined him in the exercise.

"How about Cassandra?" Maeda suggested panting.

"The competitive girl who likes to swim?" Shike asked curiously.

"That's her."

"Nah. Too rich. She's probably snobby," Shike dismissed.

Later, in the locker room while showering, Maeda had another idea.

"What do you think of that girl from the fashion club? Sunny?"

When Neo heard this name, he felt a revulsion.

"Are you crazy, Maeda?" Shike shouted.

"You're right, she has a boyfriend."

"Not because of that."

"Who else is in the Fashion Club?" Pietro asked.

"Elena!" Takeshi exclaimed, having a revelation.

"Well, that's a good candidate," Pietro said happily. "But if you have more suggestions, feel free to share them, I'm open to them."

The next day, while warming up, Nagoya thought about his day and had an idea.

"I went to the student council today and saw a girl there. I think her name was Sarah. What do you think about her, Pietro?" Nagoya asked.

"She seems interesting."

"I heard that Sarah is going to dance with Richard," Shike said.

"How do you know that?"

Shike grinned. "Information is vital in any conflict."

"Who else is involved in the student council?" Pietro asked, intrigued.

"And what about the girl everyone likes?" Takeshi asked his brother.

"You mean Tamires, she doesn't come to school," Tadashi replied.

Later, they took a break to rest and eat a light snack to replenish their energy. Neo ate a banana while listening to them continue to suggest girls for Pietro.

"There's a girl who wears a witch's hat and spends her time in the library. How about asking her?" Takeshi said provocatively, knowing Pietro well.

"The witch of fate?" Shike asked to confirm.

"Witch?" Neo asked curiously.

"Yes, her name is Luna and her specialty is fortune telling. Many say she has real powers," Takeshi explained.

Pietro considered it, but the witch part didn't sit well with him. He was a bit afraid of the occult.

"Well, I don't know."

"Do you really believe the rumors?" Takeshi teased.

"Thinking about the library, what about that girl who's often at the reception? Natasha?" Shike suggested. "She's quite cute."

Pietro thought about it and remembered that he had talked to her a few times, even though she was always focused on reading. It might not be a bad idea.

"Well, she could be an option. I'll ask her."

"And Monica?" Nagoya suggested shortly afterwards.

"I don't know who that is," Shike replied.

Maeda jumped in and explained, "She's Natasha's friend, and they're always together. She has a rose tattoo on her arm."

"Tattoo at that age?" Neo asked curiously.

"Yes, that's why everyone is afraid of her. Who has tattoos in high school?" Maeda continued to explain.

Shike remembered helping Nagoya deliver packages - it was the same girl they had met.

"Ah! She's the one who takes care of the flowers at school, right?"

"Yes," Nagoya confirmed.

"Now I see why you suggested her, Nagoya."

"She doesn't seem like a bad person, but can she dance? I can ask her if she's interested," Pietro said, seemingly satisfied with the suggestions so far. Takeshi, on the other hand, looked at Neo mischievously.

"And you, Neo? Aren't you going to suggest someone?"

The boy looked puzzled.

"I don't know the girls at school that well."

Takeshi seemed quite suspicious of the boy's answer.

"Are you sure? Isn't there someone you like? Find cool? Pretty?"

Neo looked thoughtfully at the ground for a moment, his cheeks slightly flushed. He thought of Saya, but he didn't want to reveal his feelings. "Nobody," he finally murmured.

"Hmm, really?" Seeing that the boy wouldn't give in easily, Takeshi made his next move. "What do you think about Pietro inviting that blonde girl from your class?"

The boy was annoyed at the suggestion. "How did you...?" He looked at Tadashi and realized who had spilled the beans.

"Who are you talking about?" Maeda interrupted.

"If I remember correctly, her name is Saya."

Neo looked at Takeshi angrily.

"She's quite beautiful," Tadashi commented.

Neo let out a frustrated sigh, feeling cornered by Takeshi's questions. "Hey!"

Takeshi smiled mischievously when he saw Neo's reaction. "Why are you upset? You said there was no one interesting, right?"

Neo clenched his fists, his face slightly red with embarrassment. He was beginning to realize that Takeshi had a knack for reading his emotions.

The other boys pitied Neo. Takeshi could be a real devil when he wanted to be. Takeshi whispered in Pietro's ear, revealing his true plan.

"Yes, I find this girl interesting. I will invite..." Pietro forgot her name and Takeshi whispered it to him.

"Saya, her name is Saya,"

Pietro continued, "I will invite this Saya."

"Well, if you don't go to the party, then Pietro is free to invite Saya."

Now Neo was motivated to go to the party, even if he had to go naked.