[This story had been edited for better reading experience, as of 19 November 2017]

Celebrating Halloween in Tootsuki is much more of a surprise than scary. Especially when love is blooming in the wrong holiday. And it all started with a dance-

Pairings: MegumiXKurokiba, AliceXHayama, SoumaXErina, HisakoXTakumi

-Zenalia

-October's Valentine-

Chapter 1: Halloween Party

Scare, scare, scare everywhere. Tadokoro Megumi disliked Halloween the most. While others seemed to enjoy the thrill of it all, she mostly just cower and wish for the day after to come sooner. Not today however, Halloween in Tootsuki is supposed to be a celebration and festive, with good food and good companies. Of course there will still be some individuals who find that the essence of the event is to spook others- however for Megumi, at least this celebration may mean something beyond that of spooking rituals. Especially when the thought of Yukihira Souma, being in the occassion, smiling at her with that charming boyish- gentle- grin of his.

"I wish Souma-kun is here" she thought to herself, hugging her knees in her dim lit room. Everyone in the dorm had gone to the school main building for the celebration. While Megumi finds the idea of braving through the dark and getting herself spooked, unappealing, the thought of celebrating a fun occassion with her friends and Souma is enough reason for her to move- if not for her injured leg.

Orange glow illuminates the sky above the academy and Megumi just stare through the window, on her bed, envying everyone who's healthy enough to celebrate.

"Yukihira Souma, it is detestable that I have to partner up with the likes of you, usually I would pretty much flat out refuse such unfortunate misfortune but considering the sacred Halloween dance must be uphold, I have no right to object" said Nakiri Erina, obviously annoyed with the current situation she is in.

Souma grinned. "Come on Nakiri, this is just one simple dance"

"You have no sense of refinery and elegance do you?"

Souma ignored her last remark and offered his hand. Erina sighed.

"I guess I'll be washing my hand later"

Flashback

The annual Halloween dance, is a sacred event in which a pair will be randomly picked by the fountain of destiny and this dance is only celebrated every 3 years. So Souma's and Erina's badge were considered as the fated cohort.

"Erina-sama, what number did you get from the fountain?" asked Hisako curiously. Her dark purple dress flowed elegantly as she turned.

"27" answered Erina, exasperated and mostly tired. She gripped her long red satin dress. 'Why must grandfather force me to attend such crowded event?'

"I got 13…"

And as Hisako said those words, she felt piercing glares around her. "What?"

"Ah, Arato-san, it appears that I will be your partner for the dance" said a familiar voice. Hisako turned back.

"Ta-Takumi Aldini?" she exclaimed, shocked and a bit- disappointed. 'If only it was Souma-..' but she quickly shook the thought away, her face red. Though she have to admit, she is quite lucky to be Takumi's partner, especially when he looked all prince-like with his blue suit.

"Is everything alright?" asked Takumi. Realizing she had been quiet for a while, Hisako shook her head.

"Everything is fine, let's go to our seat-"

"WHAT THE HELL?"

Hisako turned towards Erina and saw Yukihira Soma, looking unusually well-groomed and well- handsome. 'Could it be?'

"Ah, Hey Nakiri, it appears that I'm your partner for the dance" he said, grinning. Erina grit her teeth, trying to show her anger, but the blush creeping up her face, betrays all her wanted act.

Of course Hisako suspected such reaction. Her Erina-sama is fond of Yukihira Souma. She had known her too long.

If only she doesn't feel the same way towards the said red-haired chef.

Feeling increasingly terrified by her delusions in the dark emptiness of the polar star building, Megumi gathered her resolve to attend the Halloween celebration.

'My feet doesn't hurt that badly now' she thought 'I could manage'

She then grabbed her short white dress and tied her hair into a neat bun. She put on her pearl necklace and flower earrings. Then she slipped on her white flats, not forgetting to put on a bit of make-up. Powder and lip-gloss. Simple and natural.

Megumi took off the bandage covering her ankle and examined it. It was still blue but the pain wasn't that much compared to before. She smiled confidently.

"Let's go!" she exclaimed.

Kurokiba walked towards the ball-room with his not-so-neat black suit. His tie hanging lose and Alice is getting tired of fixing all of his mess.

"I bet we will get the same dance number, it is the fate of an aide and his master to be together after all!" exclaimed Alice. Kurokiba said nothing and just followed Alice closely behind.

Alice grabbed a glass ball from the girl's fountain and opened it.

"I got number 9 Ryo-chan! How about you?"

"3…" he answered. Alice pouted.

"Oh well, it can't be helped" she said "It's just one stupid dance anyway!"

Kurokiba said nothing and he stared beyond Alice, there he saw Hayama Akira, his ultimate rival walking towards them.

"Damn it all. Don't tell me you're number 9?" asked Hayama as he looked at Alice, disgusted and worried.

"WOW, LUCKY ME! ISN'T THIS OUR DEAR FRIEND AKIRA-CHAN~" exclaimed Alice happily.

'Urgh… damn my luck' thought Hayama, face-palming himself.

"Good luck" said Kurokiba, his face emotionless. Hayama frowned.

"I'll need that very much, though your expression is not at all encouraging"

Alice pouted, both of her hands folded in front of her chest. Hayama can't help but realize how cute Alice looked in her light pink short dress and felt his face growing red.

Kurokiba saw this as Alice hopped happily to the buffet, he took a step forward towards Hayama.

"You seemed happy about the situation" he states.

Hayama blushed. "What situation?"

"And here I thought you were in love with that midget professor"

Hayama eyes widened. No one makes fun of his Shiomi.

"Don't you dare insult Shiomi"

Kurokiba smirked. His face darkens.

"Then you better learn your place"

Kurokiba sat down on his assigned chair alone, watching the rest of the student body dancing away their boring dance in the ballroom. He looked at his number once more. It seems that whoever getting the last number won't come to the ball.

He felt lucky. At least he doesn't have to do a nuisance dancing. Kurokiba closed his eyes and tried to sleep when-

"A-ano" muttered a soft voice. Kurokiba opened one of his eyes, but said nothing back. The girl was Tadokoro Megumi. Yukihira Souma's friend.

"Are you perhaps no.3, Kurokiba-san?"

Kurokiba nods and Megumi sighed in relieve.

"I'm glad I found you, I almost thought no.3 was absent"

Again, Kurokiba said nothing back. Tadokoro Megumi, the fragile looking girl, the naïve one filled with purity shit. He wished nothing to do with her. Yet here she is now, standing brave, extending her hand for a dance.

"Aren't guys supposed to be the one offering the dance?" he finally said.

Megumi blushed in embarrassment.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't know- I was"

"-a princess of a Ryokan, I know my opponents"

"I- I see…" replied Megumi, she was quite disappointed with the brand 'opponent'. 'I was hoping more of a friend'.

Kurokiba stood up from his chair and this time he extended his hand.

"Let's start dancing, it's the last song"

Megumi nods and Kurokiba led her to the dance floor.

To be continued...