Aki no Drama

Chapter 7-

Saturday night, flashing colored lights emanated from the gymnasium and loud bass pounded into the air. The muffled sounds of music and partying teenagers sharpened for a second as Miyako slipped out of the stuffy dance room into the parking lot. The metal doors muted the uproar the instant they clicked shut, leaving her alone in the chilly night. She could breathe freely out here, and relished the feel of the wind rustling her dress, the cloth rippling about her legs. Crickets were still audible despite the distant din.

Tiptoeing across the grass, she sat down on the curb and searched the horizon. Momoko had torn herself away from Keiichi enough to notice that Miyako's date hadn't shown yet. Overcome with eagerness to meet this "prince", she had all but hounded Miyako, until she was forced to turn her back over to Keiichi in order to slip out for a while. The blaring music and oppressive heat from so many bodies was weighing on her nerves, adding to her anxiety. She scanned the streets again.

Kaoru still wasn't there . She had called Miyako that afternoon, saying she needed time to get out of the house. Besides, if she came in a little late, people would be too busy dancing to take notice of an extra body. These words kept playing through Miyako's mind, but the dance had long since started. Where was she?

She sighed, laying her head on her knees and wrapping her arms around her legs. She shouldn't doubt Kaoru. She of all people had shown her fierce loyalty. But that didn't stop her heart from being uneasy. Maybe she had done the wrong thing, asking her to go with her. They were two girls; wasn't that a little odd? Miyako started- it wasn't like they were going on a date. They had agreed to go as friends, even if the circumstances forced Kaoru into the part of the prince. She closed her eyes, clearing her mind to the sound of cicadas, but her heart remained full of an emotion she couldn't quite define.

A voice cut through the silence. "Miss me?"

Miyako looked up to see Kaoru- it had to be Kaoru- in a black suit. She had mussed her hair up to look more masculine, and had either worn her clothes loosely, restrained her breasts with cloth, or both. She really looked like a boy, but to Miyako, her shining eyes still held that Kaoru quality. She smiled sheepishly down at the blonde.

"Sorry to keep you waiting…" Her soft cheeks were tinged with pink. Miyako felt color creep into her own face.

"It's okay. I needed to step out for a bit anyway." She stood, brushing gravel off the back of her dress, and glanced back at the gym doors. "…They're looking for you."

"I can imagine."

Miyako smiled. "The suspense even got Momoko to take her eyes off of Keiichi-senpai."

"Wow, it's that bad?"

"I guess it's a really big deal to them," Miyako shrugged.

Kaoru mumbled something that sounded like "yeah", and stuffed her hands in her pockets. She looked off somewhere in the distance.

"Y-You look pretty. Your dress brings out your eyes." She stumbled over the sentence, but her voice was soft and sincere, if not nervous. Miyako's heart fluttered at the sudden compliment, and she knotted some of the dress's material in her fingers. Kaoru was right- the pale blue fabric made her eyes sparkle and her hair seem all the more golden.

"Thanks…" She looked shyly at Kaoru. "You look handsome yourself." Kaoru chuckled. Miyako reached out and grabbed Kaoru's hand, smiling.

"Come on, Prince Charming. Shall we make our entrance?"

Inside, Himeko weaved her way through the crowd. She had been able to keep her date by her side for a while, but had finally let him go for a bit in favor of searching for Miyako and her elusive "prince". She scowled at the thought. Who did she think she was, announcing something like that in front of the whole class? She had to be lying, she had to be. Most people thought the term "prince" was just a nickname, some claimed Momoko as the source of this information. It definitely sounded a lot more likely than the alternative.

So, then, who was the prince? It was a tantalizing circle of rumor and speculation, and it had lodged itself in Himeko's brain. She scoured the mob hungrily, looking for the telltale wisps of gold hair. Suddenly, she saw them streak between two people a little ways off. Locking her vision on the bouncing curls, she pushed her way across the dance floor.

"Miyako-chan!" She called over the music. The blonde turned to see Himeko making a beeline for them, and only barely caught herself from showing her dread and annoyance at the sight. Her hand tightened on Kaoru's, who followed her gaze and groaned. Himeko stood in front of Kaoru and made no effort to conceal her inspection of the long awaited prince. Her eyes travelled up and down the figure before her. At least he was cute, Himeko gave him that much.

"Well, if it isn't the beloved prince!" Her voice was more vexing than ever before, and grated on Kaoru's nerves. "I'm sorry to say I haven't heard much about you, Miyako-chan's been so awfully secretive." She looked Miyako, her gaze approaching accusation. Kaoru took a deep breath and reminded herself she had to play the prince's part. She had to fool Himeko- Miyako was at stake. Beating down her temper, she looked her coolly in the eyes.

"Oh, has she? This whole thing came up so suddenly, I'm surprised she's had any time lately, between arranging the guest forms and securing tickets and whatnot." Her voice was surprisingly smooth and genteel, and left all three of them shocked. Himeko blinked stupidly.

"Oh, y-yes, I suppose that's true." She studied his face with awe. This person was unlike anyone at school. Didn't he say something about guest forms? Yes, that's it, he's from another school. Where did this guy come from?

Miyako recovered first. "Himeko-san, this is my prince; Oji-chan, this is Himeko-san."

"A pleasure." Kaoru took Himeko's hand and kissed it lightly. The redhead all but died that instant. Kaoru smirked inwardly. Just flirt with her a little, play the gentleman card, and she was putty in the palm of her hand. Himeko's brain sputtered back to life.

"N-N-No, the pleasure's all mine!" She giggled moronically. Kaoru forced herself keep irritation from showing in her smile. Miyako, suddenly overcome with a pang of jealousy, twined her arms around Kaoru's, looking up pleadingly into her eyes.

"Hey, Oji-chan, don't you like this song?" The music had changed from a bouncy dance song to a slower number, chimes and mellifluous vocals floating through the air. Kaoru was mystified by Miyako's touch for a second before responding.

"Y-yeah." She looked down lovingly into her eyes, letting a little of her true feelings seep into her gaze. "Would you care to dance?"

Miyako smiled. "I'd love to."

Kaoru led her towards the dance floor, so engrossed in Miyako that she had to throw a fleeting glance back at Himeko to shout some belated parting words. Himeko watched them until they melted into the shifting crowd, her hand still raised tentatively from when it had been kissed. It's not fair that Miyako was dating a guy like him.

I want to date him.

Filing through the crowd hand-in-hand, Kaoru and Miyako noticed someone waving at them. Momoko was a little ways away, clinging to Keiichi.

"Miyako! Is that him? He's cute!"

Kaoru smiled hastily at Momoko. She had been in awkward situations before, but having one of your best friends unknowingly call you cute whilst in the guise of a young man took the cake. She dragged Miyako deeper into the crowd, coming to rest in a gap big enough for the two to dance.

Her heart sped up, nervous about both dancing with Miyako and dancing in and of itself- it was never one of her strong points. Miyako came to her rescue, wrapping her arms around her neck so that it was more natural for Kaoru's hands to rest hesitantly on her hips. She glanced furtively at Miyako as the girl began to sway lightly to the music. A woman's voice crooned out of the speakers.

The summer rain that started to fall gently streaked past my tears. These images resemble my memories- autumn's drama reruns.

Miyako was hyper-aware of her arms on Kaoru's sturdy shoulders, of Kaoru's hands on her waist. She didn't know why she was so nervous; it was just Kaoru. It's just Kaoru… she told herself over and over. Her heart still fluttered and her cheeks still flushed. She bowed her head, leaning forward to hide her blush.

Falling in love, giving it everything with a wish that this is the last heartbreak; Even the cherry tree, swaying through time, will eventually blossom.The lyrics filling the room were making Kaoru uneasy. She was dancing with Miyako, practically on a date with her, and the DJ decided to play a love song. Miyako's head was resting against her shoulder, blonde strands tickling her cheek. She couldn't help but drink in her scent. In a flash of boldness, Kaoru nuzzled her cheek against the top of Miyako's head. She responded by leaning her face beside Kaoru's neck, closing her eyes. She let the music and Kaoru's warmth lull her. Their embrace reminded her of that day in the park, when Kaoru had found her crying in the rain. It was so sweet of Kaoru to comfort her like that, just holding her… like she was now. A smile spread across Miyako's lips; she couldn't help it. Kaoru must seem like just a rough-and-tumble tomboy to everyone else, but she knew how she could be gentle. Kaoru was kind and loyal. Kaoru was… precious. Miyako settled on that word; it made her heart leap. Kaoru was precious to her. I love you, I love you, I can't help it…The music faded, and couples began to break apart, nervous from their proximity in the wake of the song. Kaoru sighed, trying to slow her racing heartbeat. Miyako looked up at her, her hands sliding down Kaoru's arms. Kaoru didn't know what to do, so she smiled. Miyako smiled back, and suddenly leaned forward, hugging her date tightly. Kaoru's breath caught in her throat, and she was stunned for a second before hastily hugging her back. The feel of Miyako pressed against her was amazing. Miyako's voice breezed into her ear. "Thanks for coming." "Thanks for asking me." Miyako broke away, and smiled up at her again. Kaoru stared into her eyes. The desire to kiss her washed over her. No, I can't, I can't… She looked away, letting her hands fall from Miyako's back and stepping back. "I-I'd better go. People'll notice." "Yeah…" Kaoru's gaze wavered between Miyako and the some point in crowd several times. Another song started up, and the dance floor began to fill again. Miyako grabbed Kaoru's hand and nodded toward the door. They picked a way through the throngs of people. Outside again, they took long breaths of fresh air, and let the wind cool them. Miyako's fingers slipped out of Kaoru's, and she turned to face her. "I really am glad you came." "Me, too." "It's good to see you happy again." Kaoru looked at her in mild surprise, but then remembered that Miyako had asked her to go because she had been acting down. If only she knew she had been depressed because she wanted to go to the dance with her. The whole thing seemed laughably ironic now. She chuckled, smiling back at Miyako. The urge to kiss her returned. She blushed, looking away. "Well, thanks for tonight… I enjoyed it." More than you know. "So did I. Too bad it was so short." "Maybe some… other time…" Kaoru bit her lip- why did she have to say that? Miyako smiled. "I'd like that," she said softly. Her words seemed to soothe Kaoru, as she relaxed a bit. She's so cute, Miyako thought, a bit surprised at herself as she thought it. "Do you want me to walk you back?" "I'd love you to, but you'd better not. Grandma might see you again, and she thinks I went alone." "Oh, ok. I, uh… I guess I'll go, then." She let out a short, nervous laugh. Miyako did the same, looking at the grass. "Yeah. Bye." "Bye." Kaoru took a breath, as if to say something else, but turned around and walked away. Miyako looked up to watch her leave, breathless. The whole night was exhilarating, even if they only danced once. She was confused with herself. Dancing with her friend shouldn't be so much of a deal, but her heart was still pounding and she couldn't get Kaoru out of her mind. Why was she acting like this? She sighed, staring into the distance thoughtfully.

I haven't felt this way since Takaaki…

/ end ch 7