「 A YOKAI? 」| RC9GN

02 • got stank?

"So... what was that all about?" I asked.

"That incredible display of school spirit was supposed to get us in the fish cage." He gestures over to a section of the bleachers, fenced with golden railings and lined with velvet seats, occupied by the cool kids. A student, Doug, can be seen trying to enter, but was blocked by a person guarding it. "Only the cool de la cool get to sit there. No freshmen have ever gotten in." Doug was eventually thrown out, his body slamming down in front of us before bouncing off to the side. My face cringed at his pain.

"Nice try, Doug." He says as he rests his chin on his palm. His face showing an unamused expression.

"Well, it's nice to find out that this school gives special treatment to those with more popularity." I say sarcastically "And what part of showing up half naked, covered in blue body paint is cool?" I say confused. 

"I don't know. It was cool when I first thought of it. Now I'm thinking this wasn't such a great idea."

"Hey, at least we're not sitting with the marching band. That section's got a splash zone." Looking over where the marching band sat, snacks and beverages were getting thrown at them while they perform. 'Wait, is that a whole car tire??'

Meanwhile, one of the members is jamming it out on the triangle. "Bucky, there's no triangle solo in this song. Or any song." The girl beside him told him off. Her words were ignored as he kept on playing causing spectators on the side to boo at him. 

"Bucky! What'd I tell you about showboatin'?" The band instructor scolded him as she pulled him aside. "Hensletter, your triangle's writing checks your dinger can't cash. You're benched till further notice." 

"But the triangle's my life." He pleaded.

"Put your dinger in my hand, son." She puts out her hand to confiscate it. He looks at it with hesitation before ultimately handing it over in defeat.

"You can take my dinger. But you'll never take my back-up dinger!" He pulls out another dinger from his pocket as he runs away whimpering, running into the carp mascot who flops like a fish after falling to the ground. After that, a band member with a trombone plays a sad tune. 

"Ho-ho! Sad trombone." Howard shakes his head.

"Ultimate band burn." Randy agrees with a nod.

"I kinda feel bad for the guy." I frowned.

‐ – — — ★ — — – ‐

After the game, I waited outside of the boy's bathroom, leaning against the lockers. Howard already gave me back my jacket beforehand, I fiddled with the sleeves while waiting. 

The door was then kicked open. Randy and Howard now paint free but still half naked. The paint was acting as a cover up before, but now with it off, they're a bit more exposed. I quickly turn my head away with a hand covering the side of my face, feeling embarrassed about seeing bare skin of the opposite gender.

"Ah, feels good to be out of that humiliating body paint." Howard said wiping his face with napkins.

"Yeah, now we're just two freshmen kicking it in speedos. Nothing embarrassing about that." Randy said with sarcasm in his voice.

"Yeah um about that, did you guys not bring your clothes?" I asked them and they both realized my presence, they shyly attempted to cover themselves with their arms, though it isn't really doing much to help. "We didn't really think this through." Randy said. "No, YOU didn't think this through." Howard points an accusing finger at him. "You've gotta be kidding." I sighed at their idiocy before sudden screams can heard from down the hall. It was coming from one of the classrooms.