"Hey Yukinon. What do you usually do at those parties?" Yuigahama suddenly inquired.

It was the normal Wednesday evening in our club. Me with my book, Yukinoshita with hers, Yuigahama with a phone, all three of us provided with our respective cups filled with Yukinoshita's delicious tea.

"Nothing especially exciting." Yukinoshita raised her eyes from the book and turned to Yuigahama. "It's mostly polite talks, listening to the music, dancing. Probably some behind-the-scenes agreements too, but I obviously can't say much about it."

"Just like they show in movies, huh..."Yuigahama pondered.

"Well, duh. They ought to have some basis in reality." I noted flipping the page.

Yuigahama nodded thoughtfully. Moments later her eyes shot open.

"Oh wait. Yukinon, you said dance?"

Yukinoshita tilted her head.

"Yes. Why?"

"And you can too?"

"Of course. Both me and Sister can. Mother made us attend ballroom dancing classes." She sighed and looked sideways. Probably not the most pleasant experience for someone like her.

"Whoa! Probably so nice, you know, like, twirling around and all!"

"It's not, Yuigahama-san," Yukinoshita smiled somewhat tiredly, like a mother to an overly lively and curious child. "Ballroom dancing is more complicated and formalized than you think."

"Oh… Can you show us?"

"I don't mind, but I'll need a partner..." She sent a panicking glance in my direction. I turned away reflexively.

"U-ummm… How about me, Yukinon?"

"Eh?.."

"I mean, dance with me?"

"Oh." Yukinoshita seemingly relaxed and put her finger on the chin. "If only the very basics though. Ballroom dancing requires lengthy training."

"No prob! I'm fine with it."

"Then..."

Yukinoshita stood up from her seat and moved to the free spot by the blackboard.

"Yuigahama-san."

"Coming!"

Yuigahama approached Yukinoshita and immediately put her hand on the latter's waist while taking the other hand with hers.

Yukinoshita visibly stiffened.

"N-not yet… I… ummm… wanted to demonstrate first."

"Oh." Yuigahama immediately put her hands off. The other girl sighed.

"So… What I'm going to show is the most basic technique called the box step. It is named after the pattern created on the floor with your feet. It's divided into two parts. Let me show."

Yukinoshita straightened up and somewhat nervously smoothed her hair.

"The lead starts with their left foot, the other partner with right. For the lead, the first part is forward," she took a graceful step, "Side, together."

Yukinoshita illustrated her instructions by another two steps.

"The second part is right foot backwards, then side, then together."

She took three measured steps, her back straight; I couldn't help but notice the swaying of her hair as she moved.

"For the other partner the feet are reversed. Now I will show the steps with the partner."

"All right!"

Yuigahama-san perkily held Yukinoshita again.

"Yuigahama-san… On the shoulder please."

Yuigahama tilted her head.

"Hm? Isn't it always the waist?"

"Only if both partners are familiar enough."

"Aren't we, I dunno, familiar enough?" Yuigahama pouted.

"You'll have to dance with other people too. Not to mention you just used the hand position for the male partner," Yukinoshita sighed. "So shoulder please… and half a step back."

Yuigahama complied. Yukinoshita in turn put her free hand on her upper arm.

"Back straight. Look at my face, not your feet."

Yuigahama raised her eyes as instructed. Upon seeing her earnest expression Yukinoshita appeared taken aback, but quickly recomposed herself.

"Good. I'll lead. So, forward, side, together. I'll count. One, tw- ow!"

She bumped into Yuigahama's nose.

"Owie! Sorry, sorry, Yukinon, once more, please!"

"Fine." Yukinoshita rubbed her forehead. "Hand on my shoulder, back straight… good. Now forward..."

Both girls took decently synchronized steps. Yuigahama diligently followed Yukinoshita's instructions, her face serious and concentrated.

"Yes, now follow me and turn a little counter-clockwise. You'll have to move around the ballroom along with everyone..."

I watched, book forgotten in my hand, as the two girls were slowly waltzing, illuminated by the sunset. They now were fully accustomed to each other and moved slowly to Yukinoshita's quiet "one, two, three".

Somehow I felt envious.

"That's it for now, Yuigahama-san."

… What, already?

"Thanks!" Yuigahama turned to go to her seat, but then her eyes fell on me.

"Umm, Yukinon… What about Hikki?"

I only waved my hand dismissively.

"Don't need. I know Oklahoma Mixer already."

"Isn't it the Air Oklahoma Mixer?" Yukinoshita asked, though without her usual teasing.

"Yeah, yeah, exactly. Just leave me in some dark corner and I'll be fine."

Yukinoshita looked at me for about five seconds. I could see hesitation in her eyes suddenly changing to resolve. Then she abruptly turned and briskly walked to me.

"One step at a time," I heard her whisper. "One step at a time..."

With the final click of her heels she stopped in front of my seat.

"Hikigaya-kun, this frankly will not do. I need to teach you as well."

Here she stood before me, looking me straight in the eye, her hand outstretched, half ordering, half inviting. No traces of fear or hesitation in her eyes anymore, just sheer determination. Her usual look when she wanted to chide me, the only difference this time was her crimson cheeks.

I opened my mouth to object and closed it, not knowing what to say.

"... Okay."

I carefully stood up and followed her to the space by the blackboard. There I raised my hand to reach hers. Millimeters before my fingers touched her palm I hesitated, realizing I was about to touch it for the first time in my life.

She lifted her palm and our hands connected.

I felt the warm softness of her skin.

There, we now were holding hands. Process it, stupid brain, process it and let's move on already!

Yukinoshita made a noisy sigh.

"Do you remember my instructions?"

I nodded. My throat was too dry to say anything.

She gulped.

"Fine. Then take my hand palm out..."

I did as I was told, hearing my idiotic loud heart in the ears, carefully squeezing her delicate hand, feeling a barely noticeable apple aroma. Probably her shampoo, or perfume… How the hell do you distinct them anyway?

"... and put your right hand onto my shoulder blade. Not the back and n-not the small of back, if you please."

"I know, okay?"

"Good to hear." She firmly nodded.

I hesitantly moved my hand to her upper back. Upon touch Yukinoshita reflexively tensed and arched her back some, but then fixed her posture and put her hand on my shoulder. Damn, her blazer really felt different…

I looked down.

"Look at me and set your back straight."

Having raised my eyes from the soles of my shoes I looked at her face, trying hard not to get transfixed by her sky blue eyes. Our faces were just a palm's length from each other. The skin of my chin felt a faint air movement. Her breath, I realized.

"Good. You lead."

"Right."

We continued standing.

"Hikki?"

Shaken out of trance, I turned my head to Yuigahama, who was carefully watching us all this time.

"Remember? Forward, side, together."

"Yeah, yeah. Backwards, side, together." I paused. "Ummm… starting."

I took a careful step forward. Yukinoshita promptly set her foot back, her back straight and eyes tracking me.

Okay, now left foot. I moved it to the right one; Yukinoshita did the same.

"Back straight."

"Ugh." Last traces of trance-like stupor wore off; I straightened up again.

"Good. Now side."

Now I felt like that edgy gunblade owner.

I clumsily shifted to the right first, then corrected myself with a more firm step to the left. Yukinoshita copied my movements without any concerns. That's daughter of a rich family to you-

"Back straight!" Yukinoshita sent me a stern glare. "How many times do I have to say that?"

"Can't help it," I grumbled. "Us loners have to be extra unnoticeable and stuff-"

"Nevermind. Yuigahama-san, if you please..."

"Aye!"

I felt a firm poke between on my back.

"Ugh!"

"Don't 'ugh' me, Hikki."

"Right."

"And we're not even finished with this iteration."

"Sure, sure. Backwards… Side, together-"

"Yuigahama-san."

"Aye!"

"Ugh!"


I entered my room, locked the door and tiredly plumped on the bed, not even bothering to change into the indoor clothes. I think my face was red all the way back home, coldness notwithstanding. Good thing the only one to meet me at upon entering was Kamakura, and I could trust the lazy feline on not speaking about my state.

I rolled on my back, brought my hand over my face, then clenched and unclenched it. I thought I still could feel the warmth of Yukinoshita's palm. The thought made me cover my face with both hands. I grimaced and rolled over on my stomach, burying my face into the sheets.

No way in hell I'll sleep tonight...