Clouds rumbled loudly overhead as Miyari Saruki walked on the gray, cold sidewalk. The moisture in the air made her jittery. She gripped her backpack straps, hooking her thumbs between her chest and the worn leather. The dark silver sky and the slight wind didn't help her uneasiness. It was a rotten day to go to work.
Miyari opened the door to the dance studio. She could feel her boss's eyes on her but she paid no attention to him.
"Cutting it a little close don't you think, Saruki?" her boss snorted, walking up to her briskly.
Miyari aimed her movements towards the locker room, ignoring the fact that her boss was right on her tail. Haru could whine and complain all he wanted but in the end he would still force her under the spotlight for the sake of the studio.
"Saruki, how long are you going to ignore me?" Haru demanded, slamming the door behind them as he followed Miyari to her locker.
"Until you leave me alone," she finally replied.
Haru swore under his breath but Miyari only strode to her locker and proceeded to open it. Miyari didn't hate her boss. Haruka Tachibana was a good guy, twenty three years old with a long history of not just social dance but hip hop and Zumba as well. Miyari just didn't like how he leaned on her so much for the expansion of his dance classes. She did want him walking all over her just because she can dance better than him and she made sure he knew it.
Haru ran his fingers through his dirty blonde hair, dark amber brown eyes slightly irritated.
"I found a new partner for you today," he sighed.
"That's good," Miyari said as she opened her locker, fishing out a wrinkled dress and shoes.
Haru turned around but still remained in the room. He could at least give her some privacy as she changed attire and Miyari was thankful for that. She quickly stripped her clothes and changed into the red and black ruffled dress.
"You need to stop chasing off every guy that offers to be your partner," Haru pleaded, his back still to her. "How can we put on a performance if you are constantly changing partners?"
Miyari shoved her clothes into the medium sized locker then placed her backpack inside gently. She closed it then locked it securely.
"You told me that if I didn't please the audience that you'd release me, correct?" Miyari asked bluntly.
Haru turned around. Miyari didn't even look at him; she had finished getting dressed and was merely putting on her black dance shoes.
"Yeah, but do you think that they will come if they can't recognize the good dancers in the performance," he grunted, hiding his whine behind his manly voice.
Miyari stood up straight, her dark gray eyes locked onto Haru's.
"As long as I'm doing a fancy routine and amusing the audience, you shouldn't care if I have a good dancer with me or not," she said sharply.
Haru froze. Miyari sighed and strut past him.
"Is he waiting in the studio?" she inquired.
"Yeah," Haru replied.
Miyari nodded appreciatively and headed towards the studio. She opened the door and spotted a tall young man waiting by the stereo. Miyari glided over to him, examining his every muscle. He had semi-long black hair with chocolate brown eyes. Rippling muscles showed through his tight quarter-sleeve shirt and it made Miyari raise an eyebrow. 'Not too bad,' she thought to herself. Black slacks and dance shoes finished off his outfit.
"Hello," the man said, extending his hand towards Miyari. "I assume you are the Ms. Saruki I keep hearing about from Haruka."
Miyari took his hand firmly and shook it. The man looked around twenty to twenty-three; not too much older than her.
"So, Haru is bragging to other professional dancers again?" she smiled gently, hiding all mischievous implications.
The youth smiled back.
"I'm afraid so," he chuckled and pulled his hand back.
Miyari chuckled innocently then slowly transitioned into solemnness.
"I don't believe I caught your name," she said, a tad of sharpness in her tone.
The man blinked.
"Oh forgive me," he said nervously. "My name is Kaname Murihake."
Miyari eyed Kaname then walked over to the stereo.
"Did you look over the routine?" she asked as she popped in a CD and turned to the appropriate track.
Kaname nodded.
"I looked it over a few times," he said, still a little nervous.
Miyari grinned and turned on the music, assuming dance position.
"Let's see how well you can perform," she smirked.
Kaname slowly walked over to Miyari. He placed a hand on her shoulder blade and took her hand.
The dance started out slow and Kaname led Miyari through a smooth waltz. Miyari paid attention to the way Kaname led and how he moved according to the music. Miyari smiled, impressed that he was moving so in synch with her. The music suddenly picked up and the dance transitioned to a fast cha-cha. Kaname's leadership grew more over bearing and he became more dominant. The synchronization started to fade away. The music and the beat were pulsing but Miyari could tell that Kaname wasn't feeling it.
The dance grew more and more dramatic then ended. Miyari broke away from Kaname as he leaned in closer to her. He stood in the middle of the room, confused. Miyari turned off the music and pulled out the CD.
"What's going on?" Kaname asked, cocking his head to one side.
Miyari put the CD in its case and aimed for the door, her long strides moving her past Kaname quickly.
"You're no different than the others. Get out," she whispered then let the door slam behind her.