"Welcome!"

The only reaction I'm capable of giving their planned group pose is a blink. Is this what the guests like to see when they walk in every day? I frown just thinking about that; obviously they do, they love everything these guys do. Even if it's just breathing.

"It's Suzu-chan!" Honey shouts, eyes wide.

"Not a guest," Hikaru and Kaoru groan, then suddenly smirk. "Or are you?"

"Not in a million years," I mumble, walking closer to the group. "Sorry I'm a bit late. Kind of forgot where this room was."

"Eh? Late?" question the twins. They turn to Tamaki, who's standing from his chair now, and chuckling to himself. "What's she mean, Tono?"

Honey seems puzzled while Mori stands indifferently and Haruhi is silently perplexed. I send glances toward both Tamaki and Kyoya. They didn't tell them?

Kyoya scribbles away in his folder and Tamaki, ever so surprisingly, takes a turn for the dramatic. His chuckling becomes maniacal laughter and roses appear at my sides. Whatever he's starting is only causing me annoyance, and I think that's the complete opposite of his intentions.

"Introducing~!" Tamaki gestures to me with an outstretched arm, "Ta-tata-taaa~! The official musical act of the Host Club, Ootori Suzume!"

The rest of the club claps; I feel a migraine coming on; Tamaki looks super duper pleased with himself.

"You're going to perform for the Host Club, Suzume-senpai?" Haruhi asks, smiling. She even looks relieved to hear it.

I'm betting we share similar views on the idea of this club. Good, I sense I'll need someone on my side from time to time.

"Temporarily, yes."

Tamaki grabs my shoulders, face aghast. "What do you mean 'temporarily'?" He turns to Kyoya. "Momma, this isn't what we agreed to!"

"You asked me to get her to perform. I did. You should be more specific in your instructions, not blame others for your obscurity."

"Idiot King! Idiot King!" the twins tease. Tamaki easily takes the bait, and the three banter back and forth like children.

Honey, who sits atop Mori's shoulders, asks, "Where is Suzu-chan going?"

What an odd pair. I try to ease my squinted expression of confusion and reply, "The music club starts second term. I'll play until then."

"But I was hoping you'd play the entire year," Tamaki pouts.

"It's going to happen whether you approve or not. Would you rather me not play at all?"

"One term is good! What do you think Kyoya?" he happily switches gears.

Kyoya doesn't care, which is why I don't understand why Tamaki does. Was it that integral to the club that they had a music act? The other hosts seem surprised to hear it, so I'm guessing this is a first for us all. And I'm pretty sure the girls they service would get along just fine without a cellist to add to the choices.

But this was my answer. For now, playing here would do.

"Where can I put my belongings?" I ask Kyoya, because obviously he's in charge here no matter what title Tamaki has been given.

"The changing curtain is fine," he says without a glance at me. I sneak a peek at his laptop screen—some auction on a used mug had just been sold for a number with too many zeroes for me to count. He turns away from the screen. "Is there something else you need?"

Maybe I wasn't supposed to see that? "Uh… When do I play?"

"I believe the arrangement set up on your previous performance will do."

"So whenever Tamaki asks me to?"

I don't know how to feel about that. Tamaki is the last person I want to be bossed around by, plus I would rather play the entire time instead of waiting around all the giddy madness.

"Yes, but not exactly. Tamaki asked you to play halfway through club hours, which will be the preferred arrangement from now on."

"I see." I turn in the opposite direction and take a few steps until deciding to face Kyoya once more. He looks at me from the corner of his eye. "But what do I do until then?"

"As I mentioned before, you are free to request any host of your choosing while you are present. Do you have anyone in mind?"

"No, I don't."

He nods. "I'll be here when you've decided."

Since this room was initially meant for seating a mass of people plus instruments in varying sizes, it's a pretty large area. The Host Club only uses about half of it for club activities. All the way on the other end was an area closed off by a curtain similar to the color of the girls' uniform.

I flick the sheet back and lay my stuff against a wall farther away from everyone else's things. I grab a book from my schoolbag before returning out onto the open floor with the rest of the hosts. They are now greeting customers who evidently made their way inside within the two minutes I spent fiddling behind the curtain.

It's a weird feeling, being in this room. It's like I know that I don't want to be here, but at the same time can't will myself to leave.

"All because of that stupid deal," I say under my breath.

I told Tamaki and Kyoya I would play. Not that their reactions over the deal mean much to me—well, Kyoya's lack of reaction is well substituted by Tamaki's joy. But that's not the point.

I want to keep my word. Backing out now would be like quitting school after four days because everyone keeps looking at me. Besides, I bet second semester will come faster than the speed of light. What's a few months?

And at least I'm not forced to talk to anyone. Yes, that's a silver lining.

I linger by the walls and toy with the pages of my book. I'm not really in the mood to read but it's nice to have something for distraction. As I move about the room, I observe the other residents at the tables, the hosts specifically.

If I have to be around them for a while I should at least see what they're about. And, if by chance I want to associate with a host, I should decide which one.

I fly straight past Tamaki. I already know he won't be a choice, what with his flamboyance and non-stop metaphors. I have to spend most of my day with him anyway. Why would I want to spend more time with him? Especially while he's acting. So far he was holding his side of our deal up; if I'm going to be around him, it wasn't going to be while he's like this.

Kyoya's another cross-off. Same as Tamaki, I see him too often as is. Though, my reasoning for straying from him is different. I'm not afraid of him, there's no reason to be. Yet, there is still something daunting about Kyoya. He's difficult to read and it rubs me the wrong way. The last time I tried to get inside his head was just a lucky break, and probably won't happen again. I won't talk to him unless it's necessary.

Haruhi is a possible candidate. She's much simpler than the other two. I don't know her as well as Kyoya and Tamaki, but I don't need to know her to see how likeable she is. All she has to do is smile and her fans die. Figuratively speaking, I mean.

Out of the blue, she glances in my direction. I look behind me and see no one, so it's definitely me who's caught her eye.

"Hey, Suzume-senpai." She sends me a smile, and her customers look my way too. I can't identify the emotion in their eyes, if it's judging or observing, and they turn away with embarrassed looks on their faces. Haruhi doesn't seem to notice and asks, "Do you wanna join? We've got room for one more."

"Maybe next time," I say as I walk away.

I pass the twins' table next. They strike me as mischievous, something I can't quite form an opinion on. I love a good joke, but my gut tells me that they're the type of people who don't know when they've gone too far. Hopefully I won't be involved in any pranks that go awry.

"Hikaru, no don't tell them that story!"

"Oh, but Kaoru you're so cute when you cry! I have to!"

And then it just gets…weird. Weird and totally incestuous. The girls at their table scream about "brotherly love!" but the act the duo pulls off is on a more intimate level than just love for a sibling.

Basically, I won't be visiting their table anytime soon.

The last table I come across is the one I visited the last time I was here—Honey and Mori's table. These two would most likely be my first choice, and Haruhi second. They're strange, but not in an off-putting way. I guess it's because they're so opposite from each other that it throws you for a loop.

Honey is tiny, blond, and a walking burst of energy and cuteness. Mori is probably the tallest person in Japan, always calm, and silent other than the odd word here and there. It's a good blend that balances out, like a prince and his knight. I wonder if they've always been this way.

Coincidentally, while Honey chats up the ladies about the cake he's eating, Mori catches me in the middle of my observation. I stand still, now locked in a staring contest with him. He doesn't say anything, and neither do I. Eventually, when I'm beginning to get uncomfortable, I wave at him. His expression stays blank but he nods.

Just as I turn away I hear, "Suzu-chan~! Wanna come have cake with us?"

My hold on the paperback tightens. I face the table again and see that Honey has hopped out his chair and over to me, Usa-chan between his short arms.

I glance at the two girls already at the table. "I don't want to intrude on your appointment."

He shakes his blond head. "Suzu-chan won't intrude, not at all! Usa-chan and I really want to have cake with you!"

Why? Why does it matter so much to you?

"Pleeeeeeeeaaase, Suzu-chan?" He bats his eyelashes, almost like he's trying to amplify his cuteness level. He grabs my wrist, and pulls me in the direction of the table. Either I'm really weak, or he has tons of strength for someone his size. "C'mon, you promised!"

"I did?"

The question goes right over Honey's head as he sits me in a cushioned chair on the table end across from him. I look out the corner of my eye and catch the gaze of one of the girls. She blushes when she notices I've caught her staring, and quickly turns back to Honey.

I sigh and settle for staring at the table. I'll eat my cake and leave. That's all he wants. And I did tell him that I would. I take a mental note to ask Kyoya to arrange a table for me to be alone later.

Mori stretches over the side of his chair to grab a plate from the cake cart. He sets the cake and silverware in front of me. I place my book beside it.

"Thank you," I say to him. He nods.

It's chocolate cake with a few strawberries topping the frosting for today's treat. I look across the table at Honey wolfing down his slice. I slide my plate over to him. He tilts his head to the side.

"You don't want your cake?" Honey looks disheartened.

"You like strawberries—take mine."

And he does so gratefully. "Thanks Suzu-chan!"

The girls jump at the chance to share their food with him, too. I suppress an eye-roll by cutting a piece off my cake and stick it in my mouth. I've always liked chocolate, but this stuff is unbelievably good. I bet it cost someone their kidneys to buy something this rich.

I finish my piece within minutes, the same time that the appointment ends. I wait until the two students leave to get up from my chair.

"Let's eat cake together tomorrow, Suzu-chan!" Honey smiles. "You liked it, right?"

"Um, yeah. It was good," I say slowly, picking my book off the table edge.

He looks very focused for a moment, like he's studying me, then brightens again. "Maybe we can ask Kyo-chan to make an appointment for you so it can just be the three of us and Usa-chan!"

Had it really been so obvious to him? You would think someone like Honey would be clueless to everything around him, but by the sound of it, that remark was based on observation. I'll remember not to take such a cute face for granted.

"Maybe," I chuckle. "Thanks again for the cake."

I bid the two goodbye and continue rounding the room until, at long last, I get to play.

"A dance?" I repeat. "Isn't it a bit early in the school year for that?"

"Au contraire, mon cher!" Tamaki slams his hands down on Kyoya's desk. Kyoya shoots him an annoyed glance and continues reading. "With the cherry blossoms in full bloom and the cool air of spring still fluttering about, the atmosphere is perfect for a school dance!"

"I have to agree with Tamaki, for once." Kyoya closes his book and pushes up his glasses. "A dance is a brilliant way to commence the start of a new school year. It's best to have it while students are still in high spirits and the weather permits it."

I shrug. "I suppose."

"And what's even better than a spring dance?" Tamaki pauses for my answer. I simply stare at him until he fills the blank in himself. "A dance sponsored by Ouran's one and only Host Club!"

"That's your definition of better? Sounds like a pain to me."

"To some it may seem that way," Kyoya speaks up, "but the Host Club is highly capable of all the planning that goes into a formal affair such as a dance."

Tamaki nods. "Kyoya here is right! With his business prowess and organization, Hikaru and Kaoru's experience in interior design, and my natural flare for elegance there is no way that the Host Club could go wrong with this!"

"Suit yourself," I sigh and fold my arms across my chest. "I still think it sounds like a lot of responsibility and work for so few people. Especially in such a short span of time."

"I find that our members work most efficiently under pressure," Kyoya says.

"And one week is plenty of time, Suzume-chan!" Tamaki takes both my hands in his. "How sweet of you to worry about your cousins, princess! But rest assured, we have everything under control!"

"Who said I was worried?" I say dryly, yanking my hands from his. "I couldn't care less, to be honest. It's not like I'm going."

And regardless of how bad all their plans could go, students around here would be lined down the block to tell them what a swell job they've done.

"What do you mean you aren't coming?!" Tamaki hollers. "You have to come!"

I back away from him; why he feels the need to scream when I'm standing right beside him is a mystery I'll never solve. "No, I don't."

"Actually," Kyoya's sharp voice interjects, "you do. Since the dance will be sponsored and organized by the Host Club, all club members are required to attend and oversee the event."

"Well, I'm not a club member," I argue. "I don't parade myself around for mindless girls day after day."

We both ignore Tamaki trying to interrupt our conversation with whatever babble he wants to say about his precious club. "Perhaps not, but you are the sole musical act for our club. That on its own is enough to regard you as a fellow club member."

"Gee thanks, but it's still a no. I don't like parties, especially when they're full of people I don't know or intend on knowing."

"But Suzume-chaaaaaan! You have to come!" Tamaki blubbers. "Dances are full of life and bliss! They are a ceremony of youth and cheer! A dance hosted by the Host Club is bound to be ten times more enticing than your average, run of the mill event!"

"I don't care. No."

"The theme is supposed to be a casino~!" Ice cold.

"No."

"You get to see all your favorite hosts dressed up in suits~!" Frostbite cold.

"Double no."

"As the club's musical act, you'll be able to play a few songs for us~!" Melting.

"…No."

"There'll be a packed food table with a medley of dishes you're bound to love~!" Tepid water.

"…Still no."

"That last one got Haruhi to agree," Tamaki pouts. He turns to Kyoya, who had started reading again. "Mommy, Suzume-chan is being difficult with Daddy! Make her stop this instant!"

As if Kyoya cares enough to even bother interfering.

He called my mother. Ootori Kyoya had the nerve to pull the "I'm telling your mom!" card out of his patronizing butt and told her about the school dance that the Host Club would be sponsoring. I'm not exactly sure what he told her but it was enough.

I know for a fact he doesn't care that I attend the dance. There is no plausible reason why he would. But I'm almost sure I know why he would go this far—to spite me. For my insolent pursuit of getting him to show me the slightest bit of truth, he wanted me to suffer. Kyoya was already aware of my opinion on social gatherings and he took his chance to teach me a lesson.

That conniving bastard. He's much better than I thought he'd be.

This tactic wouldn't work on most people, sure. Having a parent know about something this trivial would have no impact on their decisions at all, unless they were under the age of twelve.

But as I've mentioned before, my mother is intense. It makes my stomach churn just thinking about this, but she's almost as excitable as Tamaki is when she has the reason to be. And one of these reasons includes her daughter attending her first ever high school dance. I can't even get a word in before she's decided to have Kenta drive us to her favorite strip of stores in the city.

"Are you finished yet?" I hear her call from her spot on the store's sofa. "I want to see it!"

"I don't think so, Mother."

"Please? I'm sure you look beautiful, sweetheart!"

I don't mind shopping and I like looking at clothes—it's just the "trying garments on" part that I don't quite agree with. Then you add in the fact that all the workers insist on being on-hand for us because we hail from the legendary Ootoris and must find the perfect dress on four days' notice.

This current dress is unbecoming of me. I'm too pale to pull off pastels. The dress is much too long, and on top of that, needs something around the waist. I come out of the dressing room anyway and step onto the pedestal in the middle of the store, knowing full well I look like one of those classic bedsheet ghosts.

My mother's conflicted expression tells me I'm right. She wants to tell me it looks bad but in the nicest, sweetest way possible. Because that's my mother for you—always the bearer of good news.

One of the employees jumps in before she can: "How about a belt? Something to bring a bit of razzle-dazzle, you know?"

Cue the other four employees brandishing accessories from thin air. That's when my mother feels decisive enough to cut in.

"Can we just have a minute?"

The staff line up and sharply bow to us before marching off to another area in the store. I step off the raised platform and rest on the sofa with my mother.

"Do you want to go home?" she prods gently.

We'd been at this for at least two hours. I'd be lying to say I'm not tired. It's almost dinner time, too. But as I glance over at my mother, I catch a flicker of dismay on her concerned face.

She really wanted me to go to this dance. She really wanted to find me a gorgeous dress. She really wanted to doll me up to the nines.

I may not have inherited her endless enthusiasm, but I definitely got my incapability of raining on someone's parade from her. This was classic mother-daughter bonding stuff. She may not have been trying on dresses herself but somehow she was still having fun.

"No." I shake my head. "I'm just feeling discouraged. Nothing seems to be working on me."

She brightens instantly. "How about we give the employees a break and look on our own? And if we don't find anything, we can try again tomorrow."

Thank the heavens I find something because I do not want to do this all over again.

School drones on until the night of the dance is finally upon us. I stand before the tall mirror to admire my mother and her beautician's handiwork. I'm unaccustomed to both putting on and wearing makeup so my mother handled that as her beautician pinned my hair back with a thousand bobby pins.

The final step was adorning the outfit of the night. The dress is royal blue—dark colors look best on me so check; strapless—no need to worry about arm movement restrictions so check; and the skirt flows down to the calf—it's loose and at an appropriate length to play my cello with so double check.

Since only Kyoya knew about my mother, I stressed to Tamaki that playing would be the only way I'd get through the dance. Which was the truth—there was no way on God's green earth I'd compromise a conversation or dance with the other party-goers. Having my cello by my side was the silver lining of the night.

Also if they have good food. See, two reassuring things already! I can do this!

—

I really don't want to do this. But it's too late for that, I guess.

Toughen up! Just remember food and music. Food and music. Keep yourself grounded with those two things.

I shuffle through the crowded ballroom. Should I be surprised that there are only girls here? No, but I still am. Dances are co-ed, aren't they? Unless this was what happens when the Host Club sponsors events; do they invite only females?

Shame on them. Shame on the Host Club for having nothing better to do than lure girls into their perverted mitts. Shame on these desperate girls who are so thirsty for husbands they don't realize what they're drinking is poison.

That in mind, I need to find someone to tell me where to setup. I would ask Kyoya, but I don't feel up to conversing with him. And yes, if you're wondering, I am still angry that he pulled such a childish blow just to get back at me. Not that it would bear any emotional weight on him if I ignore him all night. I just don't want to look at his stupid smiling face.

"Look daughter! Your darling cousin has finally arrived!" Tamaki strides up to me, a reluctant Haruhi standing beside him. "We're glad you came, Suzume-chan!"

I ignore the part about Haruhi and I being related and ask, "Where can I set up?"

"Suzume-chan, don't you ever think of anything other than playing? This is a party~! You should be enjoying yourself like all the other budding roses in this room!"

"If I'm not playing, I'm leaving."

Tamaki's eyes begin to water. "Daughter, why is your cousin so mean to me? Daddy just wants the best for her!"

"Get off me, Senpai. You're not even my dad." Tamaki makes a face like he's had his heart ripped from his chest, and Haruhi turns to me. "I'm sure Kyoya-senpai would know where you should go. He's around here somewhere. I can help you look—"

I frown. "No thank you. I'd rather just lug it around."

"Are you and Kyoya not getting along?" Tamaki asks, fully recovered from his dramatic stint.

"We're fine. I just want to know where I can set up." Neither of them need to know anything, not that it's that worrisome to begin with. I wonder who would look worse—Kyoya for tattling on me, or me for giving him the cold shoulder.

"We set up an area for you near the orchestra over there." Tamaki points to a far corner of the room. Thank god I'm not in the center again. "But you have a while before you go on, so enjoy the party while you wait, okay?"

He gives me a true smile then whisks Haruhi off somewhere near the food table. I move along the walls, deliberately avoiding the people surrounding the floor, and come to the chair I'm assuming belongs to me. I set my cello down.

I guess I could go get some food, since I have the time. I didn't even eat dinner because I was so busy getting ready.

I doubt anyone here will be that interested in a cello, but even so, I give it an occasional glance as I wander toward the snack bar. I grab a teeny plate and pick from the options before me.

"Eh? What's this, Hikaru?"

"No! It couldn't be could it, Kaoru?"

I wasn't going to turn around and look at whatever they were talking about, until I feel the sneaking suspicion what they're eyeing is me. I glance at the twins, and see I was right.

I raise a brow. "Do you need something?"

"No need to be rude, Suzume," Hikaru, I'm guessing, complains. eying

"Yeah, we were just admiring our mother's design," Kaoru pipes up.

Mother's design? I look down at my dress. "Your mother…made this?"

"What, you didn't even know you were wearing a Hitachiin original?" Hikaru laughs. "Don't you read the labels before you put clothes on?"

"The bright side is that you aren't putting our mother's work to shame. Though you could be doing a better job," says Kaoru. Then together they pull out their cell phones and I hear the sharp click! of a camera. "We're sure she'd love to see this~!"

"Hey! Who said you could take a picture!" I try to grab the phones from their paws but they dodge just in time and prance away snickering.

I knew I was right to avoid them.

Most of the night passes by after that. Nothing momentous happens. I eat some of the fancy cuisine offered at the table. I do get to play as promised, just a few songs I know by heart again. There's no need to show off for people who won't appreciate it. I avoid the gazes of my peers as usual, and pack my things to go when a pink, stuffed bunny catches my attention.

Honey runs up to me, Usa-chan waving wildly in the air and Mori trailing behind at a normal pace. I barely get the chance to say hello when Honey wraps his arms around my neck, momentarily choking me before settling his feet on the ground.

"Suzu-chan, you did so well!" he says, beaming cuteness all around. "Don't you agree, Takashi?"

"Ah."

I nod and rub my arm awkwardly. "Thanks. Do you really like the cello that much?" I expect his answer to be along the lines of: "No, I'm only complimenting you because I feel I should." However, that may be a bit too honest for someone like Honey.

I spare a glance up at Mori, and find no tell-tale signs of anything—pitying or praising.

"I don't know much about cellos, but Suzu-chan always looks happy when she plays!"

I stare down at his cheeky grin, half-astonished and half-speechless. I look happy when I play? I've never heard that before. I would figure if anything I looked concentrated but I've never really given it much thought because I was too busy playing. I know I feel happy, but was it evident on my face as well?

"Are you excited for the surprise?" he asks abruptly. I guess I waited too long to respond.

"Surprise? What surprise?"

"That's right! You left before Tama-chan announced it. But it's about to start so you can just come with us!"

I look over at my cello. He never mentioned anything to me about a surprise. "Is it important?"

"Mm-hmm! C'mon! We don't want to be late!"

He takes hold of my hand and leads me to where Haruhi stands with a another girl. Mori throws her over his shoulder swiftly, like she's a sack of potatoes, and the four of us scramble to a hallway leading to a row of doors. Honey opens one and we leak inside.

"It's about time!" gripe the twins. The Hitachiins pluck Haruhi from Mori's hands and push her behind a curtain. She comes out in a frilly, pink gown and a wig. The brothers dab some makeup on her.

"What kind of surprise is this?" I ask no one in particular.

"A romantic surprise!" Honey answers. So it isn't important.

"Hello, Suzume. Wonderful of you to join us this evening," says Kyoya.

I frown and cross my arms. What a smug bastard.

The twins unveil their creation after a bit. I nod, taking in the brothers' work. If their mother was indeed a fashion designer, they certainly gained some of her skill.

"I don't understand why I have to be the one to do this," Haruhi groans while trying to properly steer herself in the heels the twins make her wear.

"Not that Haru-chan doesn't look really cute in her dress," Honey butts in, "but why didn't we ask Suzu-chan to do it since she also looks cute?"

I do my hardest to suppress a shriek. I thought you were nice, Honey! Why would you throw me under the bus like that?!

"While we'll admit that Suzume had been an option, she's too scary. A shy guy like Suzushima would like a cutesy type." The twins shrug. What they mean by "scary", I'm not sure. But it definitely wasn't a compliment. "And we would never miss an opportunity to dress our little Haruhi up!"

The door flies open. "There you all are! What kind of hosts are you, leaving the guests—" Tamaki stands still, face gradually growing redder.

"What do you think, Tono? Pretty cute, right?"

Tamaki, for once, is struck speechless. We file out of the room, Haruhi and Tamaki splitting up to attend to their sides of the surprise. The rest of us float back inside the ballroom like we never left.

"Will you dance with me after the surprise is done, Suzu-chan?" asks Honey. "Takashi, too?"

I glance over at my cello, sitting right where I left it. I guess it won't hurt. "Sure."

"Hear that, Takashi! Suzu-chan's going to dance with us!"

Somehow we've moved over to the windows, when suddenly they open. Outside are a boy and girl with spotlights shining down on them. My guess is that this was the intended surprise, but what I find more intriguing is that Haruhi ends up kissing the girl on the lips. And all because of Tamaki, too.

What an idiot.

Honey gets me on the dance floor first. His footsteps are just as carefree as his personality. There's a lot of spinning and I'm sure by the time we're done we've rounded the ballroom a couple times. I stand in place after, hoping all my food stays down as Honey switches places with Mori.

Dancing with Mori-senpai is much different. I can't help but feel self-conscious because there's more rhythm and grace involved. Every few steps I glance to my feet, cautious of stepping on his dress shoes. I'm sure that if my hands weren't occupied, they'd be trembling.

Nerves of steel my ass.

"You're tense."

The words startle a gasp out of me. My head whips back to meet Mori's eyes. "Oh, sorry. It's just been some time since I've danced with someone."

He simply nods. I think that that's all he'll say to me until I hear: "Relax."

It makes my cheeks burn. I have to be such a lousy dancer if Mori, who barely ever speaks, has to tell me to relax. I nod and try to go with the flow. It seems to work well enough; Mori-senpai comes out uninjured, I don't make a total fool out of myself.

As if it has become our routine, I thank him and he nods. "Ah."

The dance ends not long afterward. And while gazing out the back seat window as Kenta drives me home, I find myself in a familiar position. Not because I couldn't play. Not because I hated the dance—in fact, I liked it more than I thought I would.

Mother's optimism must really be rubbing off on me because, in some tangled web of emotion, I get the sense that I've been disappointed again.

I couldn't find a good place to end this one, so it ended up being much longer than I originally planned. But since it's taken so long to get it up maybe the length compensates for the wait I put you guys through!

Thanks so much for all your support guys! I read all the reviews I get like ten times because they make me so happy. And thanks to everyone who feels this story is worth following/favoriting! Y'all are the bomb dot com ^.^

TTFN