The school ships landed this morning in the paradise port of Honolulu. The bright sun was beaming down on the white sand beaches. The wind was wishfully gliding through the palm trees and over the manicured grass. The clear, teal ocean waves lapped against the shore bringing with them a cool salty breeze. All along the beach people basked in the perfect weather beneath parasols or frolicked in the ocean. And here we were, stuck inside staring at a whiteboard and a map discussing plans for the approaching match.
"Miho, Sugar's Blues," said Momo, "Your plan please."
"Our plan is simple," began Miho, "At the start of the match all tanks will move into this forest here and defend our zone from Saunders."
"Once Saunders engages you, the Bomber Babes should be overhead to begin an attack run. Tanks will mark targets for airstrike. The bombing run should eliminate all of the enemy tanks, barring that the enemy force should be weak enough to breakthrough" I said.
"After the bombing run, we need to run from our position straight to the next forest and repeat. As we move we'll need to deploy smoke to make it harder for the enemy planes."
"At which point, fighter group will have intercepted and eliminated the air threat. Typhoon wing will be free to attack enemy tanks once you arrive."
"If there'll still fighting though, we'll have to make a decision to either hold to push through to the objective zone" finished Miho.
Anzu munched on a dried potato, "What's the operation name?"
"Umm… Operation Leap Frog" said Miho.
Melody raised his hand, "Sounds like bomber group doesn't get any cover."
"That's right" I said, "You'll need to drop your bombs and head back to resupply and join up with us again. Fighter group will be pushing ahead to intercept Screaming Eagles. If we're right, you should have a jolly time plinking tanks without seeing a single plane."
"Commander, er… commanders" said Erwin, "How will we signal AirCom where the targets are?"
"Purple smoke" replied Miho, "We're going to give every tank several smoke shells to mark targets with."
"It'll be easier for the air group to find targets this way. Radio ranging doesn't work in these cases" I said.
"Alright, that's the plan then" said Momo, "Dismissed."
"Let's hit the beach!" said Azusa, "Let's a go!"
The rest of the commanders cheered in approval, well except for Sodoko. She promptly reminded us that Tankery and AirCom was still a class and not for free time. Her nagging fell on deaf ears as the commanders grabbed their cell phones and called their team mates to the beach. Lucky, Melody, and I followed suit to tell the team the good news.
The lads will love this.
The scene was like something out of a movie. Gorgeous women in various forms of swim suits were illuminated by the shining sun. Their hair blew in the ocean breeze while the ocean spray washed over them. It was a good thing you needed to be fit to fly a plane otherwise the lads would have been a horrific sight.
"Come on lads, don't just stand there. Let's have some fun!"
Many of the boys immediately ran down the beach into the water to join the frolicking girls. There were a few exceptions. Peacock Paulie grabbed a book from his satchel and sat on a beach towel beside a snoozing Mako Reizei. Ashley Waters was having a difficult time just jumping in, shy lad I guess, but he was soon pulled in by a couple of freshmen building sandcastles. Nolan isolated himself a bit choosing to hang around the snack bar.
"Alright!" said Noriko, "The net's set up and it's time for beach volleyball!"
The volleyball team cheered gave each other high fives. Duck Team was a magnificent sight, fit varsity physique with feminine charms accentuated by their swimsuits. The tomboyish Noriko wore a one-piece suit with red, white, and orange stripes. Shinobu's athletic form was sleek and strong in a two piece grey competitive bikini. Taeko's sweet nature and red bow was complemented by a pink top and yellow frilly skirt. Akebi, the blond bombshell, was absolutely stunning in a two piece, boy shorts, orange swimsuit trimmed in crimson. Her hair was kept in her signature style leaving only the spiral lock to frame her smiling face.
The four girls jumped high into the air reaching over the net to hit the soaring ball. Sand sprayed into the air when they dove and slid just barely reaching in time. The ball bounced over the net to be greeted by a gentle push or heavy hands that spiked it toward the sand.
I clapped, "Good hit, Striker!"
"Thanks" said Shinobu, "Did you call me 'Striker'?"
"Well now, I guess I did."
Noriko passed me the ball, "Come on; let's see what a Bluebird can do!"
"I'll need a partner" I said spinning the ball.
Memphis grabbed my shoulder, "Look no further."
"Alright then" I said, "Which of you lovely ladies are up first?"
Akebi and Taeko took their positions and readied to receive my powerful serve. I slammed the ball over the net. Taeko bent her knees and bumped the ball into the leaping Akebi. A loud thud and a burst of sand was followed by some claps from spectators.
Memphis passed the ball to the girls, "Good shot, good shot. But we're just getting warmed up."
Our little match carried on for a fair bit of time and drew a small crowd. The girls were in perfect synchronization as they dove and leaped and ran across the sand. It was as if the volleyball would freeze in the air just moments before their superb spikes. Memphis and I on the other hand were a small embarrassment. We weren't completely incompetent but our coordination was horrible. When he dove, I would trip over him; when I set the ball he would have to bump it back up. The girls' spikes were impossible to stop, when it looked like they would strike one way the ball would speed the other. When we could manage to finally leap into the air, our spikes were snuffed out by the expert blocking of Akebi. Now I could make an excuse that Memphis and I were focused on a different set of volleyballs, but that would just be lewd.
The volley ball buried itself in the sand right between our feet.
"Game, set, and match!" said Noriko, "Congratulations, Ooarai!"
"Better luck next time" smirked Shinobu.
I walked to Taeko and Akebi to congratulate them with a hug. With smiles and laughs the two teams left the court in high spirits.
"Wow, you too are really good" I said catching my breath.
"Thank you" said Taeko, "You're not too bad yourself."
"Oh, no" I replied, "I was pretty bad out there. It's a good thing we're good looking otherwise it might have been a little embarrassing."
"Well, I'm good looking. You? Not so much" said Memphis said with a small chuckle.
Yuzu approached us still clapping, "That was a good match. Anyway, are you ready for shoulder wars?"
"Shoulder wars? I didn't know we were having a game" said Akebi.
"The president had a sudden whim. You four can be a team" said Momo.
"So what are shoulder wars, exactly?" I asked a little embarrassed by my ignorance.
"It's fun" said Anzu, "Three of you will carry one and try to knock the other teams over. Like this!"
Yuzu and Momo hoisted Anzu on their shoulders. The group moved like a single organism and playfully attacked Memphis. They lost their footing however and toppled all over him.
"Best game ever" mouthed Memphis beneath the pile of women.
"Oh!" I said as I pulled Memphis from the pile, "It's chicken."
"Chicken?" asked Taeko helping Yuzu.
"That's what we call this game back home" I said, "Though we play with just partners. A large group seems really fun though."
"See you in the water" said Anzu being carried away.
"Well, who's on top?" I asked.
The mixed teams rocked slightly in the ocean waves, water up to our waists. Akebi Sasaki balanced precariously on our shoulders, with Memphis and me bearing most of the weight. Across from us was the freshmen team, the rookies Nolan and Ashley carried Azusa with Karina. On the beach were several team members basking in the sun, cheering us on. A whistle blew and the teams were off, barreling through the waves.
"Forward!" ordered Akebi.
Our strange mass awkwardly rushed forward bobbing left to right as we went. The freshman moved to oppose us. Azusa and Akebi laughed as they tried to grab the other's headband. We on the bottom splashed and kicked, trying to trip the other group up. By complete accident our group spun, our legs caught the others and all of us fell into the drink. When I broke the surface, Akebi was clenching Azusa's headband. We splashed about with the freshmen before cordially parting ways and hoisting Akebi back on top of us.
"There he is!"
Smilin' Susie was proudly seated a top the shoulders of Lucky and Suzuki and Tsuchiya. Unfortunately for us the defining feature that caught our eyes was not the pretty women playing in the surf, but Smilin' Susie's red speedo.
"Alright cap'n get ready for a whoopin'!" shouted Smilin' Susie waving around a few captured headbands.
"You alright Akebi?" I asked.
"Yes, let's go!"
We rushed toward Susie and locked horns.
"Ever play rugby, Taeko?" asked Mephis.
"No, why?"
"Just wondering" said Memphis, "Stick your feet out and try to trip 'em up."
"Like the scrum" I replied, "Good idea."
The three of us pushed against the other group like two stags locking horns. Memphis and I dug hard into the sandy floor. With a little encouragement, Taeko jetted her foot out and tangled it with Lucky's. The two hookers pulled and yanked against each other while Akebi fought above. We felt Taeko pull her foot in hard. Our shoulders felt her arms push forward and our legs replied by propelling us forward into the group. The change in momentum lurched Smilin' Susie forward. Akebi grabbed my shoulder as she fell backwards.
"Got it!" cheered Akebi as we fell into the sea.
The last teams all barreled into each other. The waves rocked us back and forth, left and right. It was like a scrum between four tough rugby teams. Our little game ended theatrically when the four riders leaped from the chariots and into each other creating a massive splash of salt water. The carriers followed suit grabbing the nearest person and in good spirits tumbled each other into the water. The last four teams smiled and laughed as we stepped onto the beach.
"So who won?" asked Miho with her gentle smile.
"I guess no one" said Yuuki, "I lost the bands when I fell in."
"Same here" said Caesar.
Akebi nodded, "Me too."
"Well then, it's a four way tie" said Anzu, "Are you hungry? We've started a small picnic by the snack bar."
On the picnic tables was something I didn't expect. Instead of Japanese dishes or British food that we had grown accustomed to, hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, chips, crisps, wings, and other junk meals were spread across the tables and piled higher than I had thought possible. After the surprise of the sheer amount of food, both teams grabbed seats at the table and filled their plates.
"How were you able to get this prepared so quickly?" asked Miho.
"More importantly, why did you bring so much?" I asked.
Anzu nibbled at a French fry, "Oh, we didn't bring this. They did."
"Hey Miporin!" shouted a friendly voice.
"Kei?"
Before Miho could say another word a girl with full body, wavy, blonde hair and green-blue eyes and dressed in a pair of very short denim jeans and a red sleeveless shirt embraced Miho tightly. Miho returned the hug and smiled kindly when they parted.
"How have you been, Miporin?" said the blonde girl with large amounts of enthusiasm.
"I'm doing fine. How about you, Kei?"
"Great!" Kei's eyes examined me from head to toe, "Is this guy your boyfriend?"
"No, no, no" said Miho trying to clear the confusion, "We're not –"
I stammered "But that doesn't –"
"He is –"
"She's very –"
"Yo!" called a manly voice.
A tall, strong, dark skinned man walked along the beach carrying a red cooler. His short black hair was curled in such a way that his head resembled a hedgehog. He had dark brown eyes and a big white grin. His white t-shirt had sweat stains around the neck and back. A small patch of an eagle's head was sewn onto the left leg of his shorts.
His smile melted away when our eyes met, "You!"
I stared him down, "You!"
We were nose to nose, growling as we glared at each other.
"Get off of my beach!" he snarled.
"It's a free country, and I want to stay."
"I thought I told you that I never wanted to see you again" he said in a deep husky voice.
"Me neither, but here I am staring at your ugly face."
"Sugar's it's fine we can go somewhere else" said Miho a little frightened.
"Ted, back off" barked Kei.
I tried to reassure Miho, "It's alright, Miho. This guy is just barking."
"Don't make me bite" he warned.
"Yankee" I challenged.
"Cockney" he retorted.
I grabbed the neck of his shirt and raised my fist. He pulled my arm and raised his fist in return. The teams became silent and stared at us waiting for the blows. We growled and glared. I brought my fist to his face and lightly slapped him on the cheek.
"Tuskegee, you Yankee Doodle dandy" I said excited, "How have you been?"
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm doing fine" he replied, "You gave us a hell of a fight during the qualifiers."
I grinned and said, "Well, just so you know, we were holding back just to make you feel better."
"So were we."
"Miho, this is Ted "Tuskegee" Franklin, squadron leader of the Screaming Eagles. Ted, this is Miho, commander of the Ooarai Tankery team."
"It's nice to meet you" he said bowing his head, "Your girlfriend is very polite."
"Oh we're not…" we stammered.
"Hello! I'm Kei" said the blonde girl in a sing song tone.
"Kei, this is Captain Johnny Walker" said Miho, "We just call him Sugar's Blues."
Kate whispered in Miho's ear and made her face blush. There were a few mutterings and murmurs at the table, but they could be about anything. The sun had turned orange as it lowered in the sky; the beach staff lit some tiki torches as we ate. Melody, in his wisdom, brought a record player and introduced Ooarai to his taste in music. Lucky for us, it wasn't the classical music from centuries back, but swinging tunes from the last one. Tuskegee and I excused ourselves from the party and found a quiet place for some talk between squadron leaders.
"I trust we'll be following Gentlemen's Rules" I said taking a swig from a bottle.
"Always" said Tuskegee, "How many rookies do you have?"
"Two. Why?"
"We've got several that joined up after the qualifiers and want a crack at a tournament match."
"Alright" I took another drink, "You're a fair cop, you know that right?"
"I learned from the fairest of them all" he clinked his bottle with mine, "Have you heard anything from the other matches?"
"Only that Jaeger got through. You?"
"The Centurions are out."
"That's not a surprise. What I'm concerned about is round two. They'll be three teams up there, but there's been no indication of a round robin."
"The eliminated teams will get a consolation elimination round" said Tuskegee, "Winner of that faces one of the other teams. But it won't be the same team to keep it a little fair."
"A consolation bracket with three teams, same problem."
"The Centurions are out though."
"Like I said, not a surprise."
"No, they've forfeited along with Anzio."
I nearly spat out my drink, "What? Why?"
"There was a falling out between the commanders and they got completely annihilated. And let's face it; their stuff isn't as good as ours. They know when they don't have a snowball's chance to win."
"They had Ohka in the first round, didn't they?"
"Yup."
I nodded, "So the consolation round is going to be between Sturmovich…"
"And the losers of our match."
"Well then," I raised my bottle in toast, "I wish you luck against Sturmovich."
Ted laughed, "Same to you. Hey, so is there anything between you and Miho? She's kind of cute."
"Is there anything between you and Kei?" I said dodging the question.
"Nah, she's not my type."
"Blonde?"
"American."
Dusk was giving way to evening by the time the celebration had ended. The skimpy swimsuits sadly disappeared into bags while hoodies and trousers kept them warm. I grabbed my bag and headed down the street toward the ferries.
Damn, I forgot to study. Well better do it while I walk.
The street lights kept me on a straight path while I read over the tedious old English of Romeo and Juliet. The sunset breeze danced with the tiki torch flames. Tourists in the stereotypical Hawaiian shirts and leis walked the streets, some of them greeting me when we passed. Something bumped into me and together we tumbled to the ground. Books fell out of my satchel and my legs entangled with whatever it was that hit me.
"Terribly sorry, I was reading and walking, dangerous I know –"
"No it's my fault I wasn't paying attention –"
"Oh!" we both said.
"Hello Akebi. Heading to the ferries too?"
"Not yet" she said, "I wanted to pick up a couple souvenirs, but I'm not sure what to get."
"I've got a couple of ideas," recalling several shops I passed, "Mind if I join you?"
Akebi's smile was all the invitation I needed. We strolled around the bright streets of Honolulu popping in and out of various shops. We found a variety of exotic items, from glimmering stones and glass from the foot of a volcano, to lizards and birds native to the island. We tried on Aloha shirts and pants, but they weren't her style. She laughed when I put on a tiki mask and did a little ditty. After I made a fool of myself, she did the same with a grass hula skirt. There were simple things, nicknacks, mugs, plastic hula girls, and the like, but they weren't for her.
One item caught her eye however. There was a simple necklace with a simple ornament made of wood and white bone. Wood was polished to such sheen that one could see their own reflection. The bone had been smoothed and polished, and engraved with Hawaiian symbols. The two materials were seamlessly shaped into a hook shape. The magnificent piece was hung around the neck by a simple braided rope.
Akebi stared at the necklace and asked, "What is this?"
"It is a makau, fish hook necklace" said the clerk, "A good luck charm here."
I was looking at the novelties while Akebi purchased the good luck charm. She donned the necklace as we walked toward the ferries.
"Looks like you found the perfect souvenier."
"Yeah, I got a couple things for the volleyball team too" Akebi pulled out a couple Aloha shirts, "Think they'll like it?"
"Certainly" I fumbled with the gift in my bag, "Here, I have something for you."
A necklace of seashells rose from the bag. The darkness covered the shells' colours, but the fire light danced across their milky interior. Between the shells were small shark's teeth, polished and clean. A simple black thick thread held it all together.
"Thank you" Akebi smiled and asked, "But, why?"
"Well, for a while it looked like you couldn't find the perfect souvenir. So I got to thinking" I said a little embarrassed, "I found this hanging with a few others and I thought it would look nice on you."
Akebi pushed back her hair and put on the seashells, "You're right, they look very nice. You shouldn't have."
"It was my pleasure."
We boarded the ferry just in time to see the first stars twinkle through the night sky. The deck was filled with girls from Ooarai and the lads from Excalibur. Clearly, we weren't the only ones enjoying a night on the town. Akebi and I sat near the prow of the ship, the ocean wind playing with her hair, and rustling the pages of my book.
"What's that?" she asked.
"Romeo and Juliet. It's for my literature course."
"Oh I love Shakespeare. The romance, the comedy, tragedy, it's all so wonderful. The story lets us escape into another time. Another world. Like a midsummer night's dream." she said with a tired yawn.
"Really? It all kind of goes over my head."
"It's not that hard. Let me show you" Akebi ran her finger over the page, "The famous balcony scene, two lovers charmed by the beauty of the other, kept apart by their parents. But love pushes them closer together, even if they must give up their families to be together. 'Deny my father and refuse thy name or if thou wilt not be but sworn my love and I will no longer be a Capulet.' The happiest scene in the entire play. But also the saddest."
"How is it the saddest scene? They've met each other for the first time, they're in love, they say they're in love, you know? All the good stuff."
"There secret love fosters hate in others and that is why it's sad. After the balcony, everything is set to end in tears. The comedy becomes a tragedy."
"Can you tell me more? I need a hand understanding all of this."
"Of course" yawned Akebi, "I'll help you study any time, just give me a call."
"Great. What's your –"
Akebi's head was resting on my shoulder and she was peacefully snoozing. I gently put her head on my lap and leaned back in the bench. The ferry docked with Ooarai and the horn sounded. The sleeping passengers groggily awakened and began to file off the ship. I walked Akebi home before jumping on a helicopter back to Excalibur.
The incessant ringing of the alarm forced me out of my blanket cocoon. I unhappily put on my uniform, straightening the tie to perfection and putting on one of the several pairs of pressed trousers. The book bag pulled my shoulder toward the earth as I walked out the door and down the street.
Huh? Why are the school doors locked?
"Here you are!" hollered Piccadilly, "What's with the uniform?"
"Classes, mate" I replied, "Why aren't you in yours?"
"What day do you think it is?"
I put my face in my palm, "Saturday."
"A couple of us are heading to shore, want to come?"
The Bluebirds had decided to take a day of rest before spending tomorrow enclosed in their cockpits for hours on end.
"Let's check out that one over there" said Checkmate Cathie.
"Did you only come for food?" asked Lucky.
"Look, I've had nothing but British gruel since I've come to Excalibur" said Cathie, "Now with Ooarai visiting here and there, I've had some good oriental food and while in the USA I'm going to eat as much of their grub as I can before I'm subject to the slop again."
"But American food will kill you," said Piccadilly, "Heck, I doubt it's even food!"
"Still taste better than your English stuff."
"Don't disrespect the English food mate, I've tried your Czech stuff and that ain't food" replied Regal.
"That's because I can't cook" replied Cathie.
"Aye, I'm with you Cathie" said Smilin' Susie, "English grub ain't that good. Now good ol' Scottish cuisine, that's something you should eat every day."
"We want food, not poison" said Peacock.
"Hello boys!"
Saori, Miho and the others of the Panzer IV strolled down the street toward us. Saori ginger hair framed her face, while her brown eyes hid behind a pair of red rimmed glasses. She wore a light blue blouse with a flowery design along the edges, with a long white skirt with a matching blue trim. Her petite feet were comfortably kept in a pair of black Mary-Jane shoes. Miho's white blouse was beneath a thin red cotton jacket. Her denim capris showed off her slender legs and on her feet she wore a pair of white sneaker shoes.
"Hi girls, what brings you here today?" I asked.
"It's a beautiful day, so we came out to enjoy the weather" said Miho.
"Indeed" said Hana in a lovely summer dress and large wicker hat, "There are some beautiful flowers here that we don't see in Japan."
"How about you guys?" asked Saori.
"We're just here for some R&R" said Piccadilly, "Tomorrow's our heavy day of practice, practice, practice."
I counted the girls, "Is Yukari with you?"
"No" sighed Saori, "She wanted to spend the day with the Panzer IV and the other tanks. She's kind of obsessed."
"Perhaps passionate might be the better word" said Regal.
"Where are you going now?" asked Peacock.
Mako pointed to a small shop, "We were headed to that cafe."
"What a coincidence, we were just about to go in" said Smilin' Susie, "Let's go, the Captain's buying."
I protested, "I'm not buying for you. But ladies, the first ones are my treat."
"Such a gentleman" Saori pulled Miho aside, "He's quite a catch."
Damn, I was hoping she'd see I was kidding.
"Oh I'm sure he's just kidding" Miho replied.
Yup, I'm definitely stuck paying for the first round now. I'll look like a total dick if I don't.
The little street side shop had some small patio tables beneath parasols that were enclosed by a small white wooden fence. The door was painted in creamy beige and shaded by a red and white awning. Inside was a different story. Contrary to the small quaint appearance on the outside, the interior was rather large with several tables on the floor. The walls were painted in a mix of complementary dark and bright colours. Paintings and pictures of tank and war planes were hung on the walls. At the back of the shop were all the pastries and cakes neatly displayed on doilies and napkins behind a glass window.
"What can I bring you today?" asked the waitress dressed in a pilot's uniform.
"Can you bring us an assortment of cakes" ordered Hana.
"Certainly, anything to drink?"
"Tea, please."
"Darjeeling? Anything else?"
"Earl Grey for me" I ordered, "Hot. Milk and honey for it also. Thanks."
"Absolutely, it'll be right out."
We had some nonchalant idle chit chat as we waited for our order. The store owner opened the windows and let in the sea breeze. It was such a lovely day we moved from out to the patio. Birds chirped and sang as they flew overhead. A peculiar little birdie landed on our table and hopped around and pecked at the wooden table. A few moments passed and the little things flapped its wings and perched on Hana's hat.
"Hana, hold that pose" Regal grabbed a pencil from his breast pocket, "Just a few seconds more."
The small bird had a red head and orange beak. The black wings looked like a jacket over the light blue-grey breast. Regal sized up the picturesque Hana with his thumb and closed an eye. The bird hopped on her head while she grinned and sighed heavenly sighs.
"Got it!" said Regal as the bird fluttered away.
He unfolded the paper napkin and pressed the soft graphite tip against it. A light touch here, a gentle stroke there and the sketch was beginning to take form.
"Are you an artist?" asked Miho.
"Not exactly" winked Regal, "I'm a just a man that sketches the odd thing that catches his eye."
"You're too modest, mate" I said, "Regal here is always sketching away. Planes, people, trees, the man draws everything. We've even got a couple of his sketches hanging in the lounge."
"Like a child's picture on the fridge" he said, "They're not that good."
Hana's eyes watched the gentle tip of the pencil, "No, you're wrong. Every stroke you make is like a breath of the wind, light, gentle, and free. The line and shade is done with care."
"Much like your flower arrangements" he said, "There, finished."
The simple sketch amazed everyone. From the bird to Hana's face, every detail had earned an amazing amount of attention. It was only an image of grey and white, a shaded bird, and an elegant face drawn on the thin paper of a napkin, but to us it was a portrait worthy of a canvas.
"Amazing" said Saori, "And you drew that all from memory too."
"A recent memory" Regal handed the image to Hana, "For you."
Hana blushed at the gift and accepted it with grace.
"Thanks for making us look bad, Regal" said Checkmate.
"Well Cap, you need to one up Regal otherwise your girlfriend might leave you" said Smilin' Susie with a smirk, "And Regal, you owe the Captain an apology."
Where are those cakes? Please hurry up and arrive.
"Miho, is this true?" asked Saori with a mix of apprehension and excitement, "I'm so happy for you! How long have you two been going out? I hope you're treating her right, Johnny."
I met Miho's eyes and they were saying the same thing. A mixture of confusion, embarrassment, and a little bit of desperation.
Are we? I mean, you're cute and all, but I'm… well I'm me. Come on cake, show up already.
"Sooooo…..How are you, Miho?" I asked nervously.
She smiled nervously, "Fine, thank you. You look very smart in your uniform."
"Thanks, I kind of forgot it was the weekend. You look very nice too."
"Thank you."
"Well, this is awkward" said Piccadilly tapping his fingers on the table.
No shit. And it's your entire fault, all of you. Quick! Think of something funny or witty to say. No that's just lewd. That's too silly, that's too serious. Think dammit, think!
By luck or through the intervention of fate, music began to ebb and flow around the patio and into the small street. The melody was energetic, made of a mix of brass, deep strings, with the saxophone leading the way. The tenor voice of the saxophone mixed long and short, high and low, with the accompanying piano. The bass strummed only three deep notes to a beat that was kept vibrant by the rapid soft sound of the cymbal that was like the ocean waves.
"What is that music?" asked Miho getting lost in the sound.
"Jazz" I replied, "You like it?"
Miho nodded.
"Melody would love this place" said Smilin' Susie.
"It's very pleasant and I want to dance to it" said Hana, "But I'm not sure how."
"Would you like to learn how?" I asked.
Hana smiled and glanced at Saori who was also grinning. The two had a conversation without words.
"Thank you" said Hana, "But the heat has made me a bit dizzy, perhaps later."
"Miho, you should dance with him" said Saori helping her out of her seat.
"Oh, no, I don't think. It's not that… It's just that… I'm not a good dancer and –"
"Nonsense Miporin, you danced the Anko Dance like a pro, this should be nothing" said Saori gently pushing her into me.
Well that was subtle as a hurricane.
"Come on Cap, let's see how well you can cut the rug" Piccadilly pushed me toward Miho.
"Just don't step on her toes" joked Checkmate.
You're not helping guys.
I bowed slightly and offered my hand, "Ms. Nishizumi, may I have this dance?"
Miho took my hand nervously, "Yes."
The tenor voice of the saxophone allowed the beautiful soft sounds of the piano. The rhythm had picked up making it easier to step to the melody. My right hand was on Miho's back holding her close, not too close but not too far. My left hand held hers, we both shook a little bit, nervous from the awkward situation. My hands were clammy and sweaty, hers were calm and soft. I guided her through the steps. Miho smiled as she glided past me. My face turned red with embarrassment.
"No need to blush old boy, I'm sure her feet will be fine by tomorrow" taunted Piccadilly.
The table laughed. Miho and I glanced at each other across the table. Embarrassment cracked through her meek façade, but there was something more. Despite the smile and giggling, the little rose red on her cheeks, there was an air of uncertainty.
