On The Side Of The Pitch With You

Interval 7 - Absurdity

Perfectly styled hair? Check.

Unwrinkled suit and properly tied tie? Check.

Formal shoes? Check.

Light makeup? Check.

He lost count the number of times he had gone through the mental list, but one can never be over prepared. Especially when they're representing a renowned family, like he was.

... Well, his parents were the ones who were invited to represent the family, but as they had asked him to be in their company, how could he let them down?

After another check at everything, and he really did mean everything, he mustered up enough courage to walk towards the banquet hall. His parents, knowing this was his first formal party since entering junior high and his debut performance, were kind enough to wait for him right by the doors. They gave him comforting smiles as they walked in together.

Dozens of people from all sorts of backgrounds were there. He recognized some of them as politicians, and others were highly ranked in other fields.

(He had only recently gotten used to the intense gazes of the audience as he was performing, but the judgemental stares of people in power felt far different from that.)

"Zanakurou." His father called for him and gestured with his eyes to follow them faster.

He must've been lost in thought. "Apologies." He then picked up his pace and they found a space by the long table to watch the event from.

A blonde man with blue streaks in his hair got up on the podium. He gave a speech about soccer and what his intentions are in becoming the next head of the company that was hosting the party. The crowd began to whisper among themselves. Words like "Holy Emperor", "Fifth Sector", and "The Fifth Law" were thrown about, though he didn't quite understand them. Well, he was never into sports to begin with, so that made sense.

The audience gave the man a standing ovation, and that was when the true purpose of the party was brought to light. Politicians, entrepreneurs, CEOs, and celebrities all mingled to find opportunities from one another. His family was no exception. If he recalled correctly, they were aiming to establish connections with the owner of a rather large theater in―

Something bumped into his back roughly. It was a good thing he wasn't holding anything or he was sure to drop it.

"S-Sorry!"

Turning around, he found a young girl bowing. She looked no older than ten years old, which, even with the somewhat mature dress she was wearing, made her seem very out of place within the hall.

"Do not worry. I am fine." He gave her a kind smile. "Though, I am inclined to ask, are you alright?"

She looked up at him with wide, purple eyes. "W-What do you mean?"

"I notice your legs are shaking. You do not seem very comfortable in those shoes."

She looked down at her own legs as if to confirm his words, and then bit her lip. She proceeded to meet his eyes again with a very child-like pout. "Can I be honest?"

He blinked. He didn't know what he expected her to say, but it was definitely not that. Still, he nodded, though only because he wasn't sure how else to respond.

She cupped one of her small hands around the side of her mouth and used the other to beckon him closer. It seemed like she wanted to whisper her next words. He obliged and leaned down enough so she could reach his ear.

"Heels suck!" Came her quiet exclamation.

He blinked again. He never had the experience of wearing them, but he had heard his mother agonizing about how much pain her feet had been in when she wore them. As it was the most proper thing to wear for a lady, she had to sacrifice her comfort to maintain her image.