Chapter 10 – Wishing Stars
"Atsushi." Kinshiro confronted the salutatorian. Classes had just ended, and Atsushi motioned towards the Chikyuubouei-bu meeting room. "There's a GSA party tomorrow. Seeing as how you're the vice president, I imagine that you are going."
"I can't, actually. En-chan is down with a really bad cold virus, and his family isn't home to attend to him. So, they've asked me to take care of him."
"That's…" Kinshiro spoke with sadness, "That's too bad."
"Please understand, Kinshiro. I really would like to go, but-"
"Oh, you're going all right," Akoya, who had been listening to the conversation from afar, cut in.
"No, I'm not. Didn't you hear me talking about En-chan?"
"Yufuin's family just told us that he's going to be cared for in the school infirmary," Ibushi added. "You've got nothing to worry about."
"B-But…"
"Kinugawa-sempai." Akoya stared at Atsushi, getting uncomfortably close, and whispered, "Your boyfriend is going to be okay. Please trust us."
"Meep!" Atsushi, in an attempt to prevent Akoya from saying more revealing things, held two hands over the secretary's mouth. "I'm not out yet, so I would appreciate it that you keep that a secret. Especially from Kinshiro. How the heck did you find that out, anyway?"
"We gays can identify each other easily," Akoya replied with a wink, still mindful of his voice volume. "Plus, I've been watching you guys canoodling during GSA meetings."
"You're something else, aren't you?" Atsushi backed off a little. "At any rate, I trust you guys. By the way, thanks for attending our GSA meetings. Are you coming to the party?"
"You bet!" Akoya displayed a thumbs-up with pride. "I've got a date, too."
"Really? And who might it be?"
"It's a secret." Akoya mischievously brought his finger to his lips. "Well, we better get going. We've got more student council business to take care of."
"You hypocrite." Atsushi watched the student council take their leave. "A nosy person who wants to keep secrets. Go figure."
Upon arrival at the student council meeting room, where no other students were within earshot, Kinshiro decided that he found Akoya's tendency to keep secrets annoying. "Akoya, what in blazes were you talking to Atsushi about?"
"It's probably better if I don't tell you – I don't want him to give me hell for it later."
"Damn you…" Kinshiro sneered. "Damn you and your still tongue."
"Come now, calm yourself." Ibushi placed his hands on Kinshiro's shoulders. "Be thankful that we got Kinugawa to go to the party. You don't even know how hard it was just to get Mrs. Yufuin to let us near her son."
"I thank you for that…" Kinshiro stared out the window, wishing for the stars to come. "It should be a fun party, then."
As if to answer Kinshiro's wish, the sky granted the party many a gorgeous star. Inspired by the night's beauty and calm weather, he anxiously awaited the opportune moment to act on his feelings. Though the party thus far roared, he knew he would see his beloved among the rowdy crowd.
"And now, I welcome you to GSA's fabulous second party of the year!" Yumoto, with a mask and a red gown, broadcasted. "This is your emcee, Anita Phart! You all look great tonight!"
"We love you, Ms. Phart!" A group of students hailed Yumoto, even attempting to steal his red high heels.
"Now, now, boys." Io, in a tuxedo that somewhat resembled his Battle Lover uniform, restrained the students. "Ms. Phart is a person of high status. You don't want to rough up her wonderful clothes, do you?"
"Aww, you're no fun, Naruko-sempai," Dixie Normus whined.
"By the way, do you know where Yumoto went?" Heywood questioned. "I've tried looking for him everywhere, and no luck. You'd think that the president of the GSA would be present at his own party."
"Oh, he's around…" Io spoke sneakily. "This is a masquerade party, after all."
"I guess that's true, haha." Justin turned his attention to Yumoto. "At any rate, Ms. Phart, you're one of the finest drag queens I have ever heard of. You should audition for a drag competition; you'd surely win."
"I'm flattered, my dear. Of course, I could say the same for your significant other there."
"Thanks." Justin gave his boyfriend, dressed in a mask and black dress, a side hug.
Before Yumoto could add more compliments to the conversation, a rather lost Kinshiro wandering about the dance floor caught his eye. I see that Kusatsu-sempai hasn't found his beloved yet. Poor guy. If this weren't a masquerade party, I'd totally be able to help him.
I guess he's not showing after all… Kinshiro sighed, leaning against the wall next to the punch bowl. Ibushi's and Akoya's efforts were for nothing, then. I don't suppose that that lazy buttmunch had anything to do with it? If that's the case, then I'll totally-
"Kinshiro!" Ibushi called, having just entered the party with his date.
"Hey, there…" Kinshiro sounded apathetic. Looking at Ibushi's date, with a pink braid and white mermaid-style dress, he felt even more saddened. "You're lucky you've got someone with whom to dance, at least. She'd seriously compete with Anita Phart in the next drag queen competition. It's a shame Akoya isn't here to see her."
"Right…" The date displayed a somewhat impish smile. "My name's Shitona Sheengle. How do you do?"
"Pleased to meet you."
"What's wrong? You look sad."
"I'm just a bit jealous of you and Ibushi. I thought that the guy I like would show up to this party, but I haven't seen him at all."
"Don't worry your pretty head!" Ibushi assured. "I saw him by the ice cream bar. In fact…"
When Kinshiro looked in the specified direction, his eyes met a drag queen clad in a green dress adorned with emeralds. Despite the overall difficult handling of the dress, the drag queen carried her gown gracefully, not tripping despite her dark green heels.
There's no doubt about it. Kinshiro felt a blush come on as the drag queen approached him. That's him, the man I love.
"Fancy meeting you here," the drag queen spoke, using a rather authentically female voice. "I'm Kirei Koibito. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance."
"We've met before, though. You don't recognize me?"
"Hmm…" Kirei eyed Kinshiro carefully. "No, I don't think I do."
"I see…"
Actually, I do, Kirei thought to herself. But if I acknowledge you as someone whom I've known for a long time, then a certain boyfriend of mine would have a fit.
"I don't see you with anyone." Kinshiro, who never learned how to socialize properly, stumbled upon his words. "I… I don't suppose I could… I mean, if you like… Would you care to dance with me?"
"Oh, I don't…" Kirei, knowing that her boyfriend would not approve of her dancing with another guy, hesitated. After studying Kinshiro's yearning expression, however, she began to rethink her choice. Poor Kinshiro… I don't know why the heck he'd want to dance with me, seeing as how I'm the dorkiest person on this campus. Still, I feel that refusing him would break his heart, for whatever reason that may be. "Sure, why not?"
"That's great!" Kinshiro did not bother suppressing the smile now across his face.
Hmm? Yumoto, who had been watching the pair from afar, looked at Kirei interestedly. That must be the guy Kinshiro's in love with! I better keep my promise, then.
"Ooh, this is a good one." Justin tapped his foot in time with the music before taking his boyfriend by the hand. "It's a staple of parties that involve couples dancing with each other."
Despite seeing several couples take the dance floor, Kinshiro dawdled, feeling accomplished from exchanging a mere word with Kirei. It was not until he noticed Yumoto's anticipating gazed that he made a move.
Kusatsu-sempai, don't ruin all the hard work that I've done! Yumoto appeared to convey with his eyes. Come on, you can do it!
Inspired by that gaze, Kinshiro offered a hand unto the drag queen, guiding her with the song and rather inexperienced dance moves. Easier said than done, Yumoto. This is the first time I've ever danced with anyone.
As the pair danced gracefully, inciting the attentiveness of every student in the room, Yumoto contemplated the air of royalty Kinshiro seemed to exude. One wouldn't think that someone that inexperienced in dancing could move so well. It's a shame, though. I would love to be the one being guided by those arms of Kusatsu-sempai's. He's rather… enchanting.
All of a sudden, as if to prevent Kinshiro from discovering his attraction, Yumoto swiftly hid behind the ice cream bar. What the heck am I doing? I'm supposed to be helping Kusatsu-sempai with the man he loves. I don't have the time for this! There's just no way!
"Thank you for that, Ms. Koibito." Kinshiro spoke as the dance song ended. "It was an honour."
"Same here." Kirei curtsied, making way for the punch bowl. "May you enjoy the rest of your night."
That felt simply wonderful, Kinshiro contemplated, not moving an inch. Maybe I do have a chance with him after all.
In the meantime, Yumoto still hid behind the ice cream bar, counting his lucky starts that Kinshiro turned in the other direction. He was shocked, then, when he heard footsteps from behind.
"You okay, Ms. Phart?" someone asked.
"It's nothing, Zaou-sempai. I'm just a little taken aback by Kusatsu-sempai's dance skills, that's all."
"He's just a big showoff, if you ask me." Ryuu felt his eye twitch as he watched Kinshiro. "I can say the same for the entire student council. There's no way that I would ever-"
The abrupt approach of a white-clad drag queen prevented Ryuu from uttering another word. Her beauty mystified Ryuu so much that the dunderhead truly believed her to be a cisgendered female.
"Yumoto, could you take your leave, please?" Ryuu asked. "There's… something I have to do."
"Oh, okay." Yumoto left while Ryuu approached the drag queen, not quite sure what to say to her. To his fortune, she noticed Ryuu faster than he thought.
"Hello there," greeted the drag queen. "They call me Shitona Sheengle. You're looking quite handsome tonight."
"Why, thank you. You're far more lovely than any woman I've ever met, and I've met many."
"Charmed." Shitona took a bowl of dark chocolate cherry ice cream and offered it unto Ryuu. "Would you care for some ice cream?"
"Unfortunately, I can't eat it," Ryuu admitted. "I'm lactose intolerant, and I left my lactase pills at home."
"That's too bad. I was hoping we could talk over some ice cream, for I really love it so." Shitona frowned as she left to find Ibushi.
Damn it all! Ryuu began to throw a small fit. The one time I forgot my lactase pills, I had the chance to flirt with a girl over ice cream. This is simply unfair. I guess I really-
Ryuu did not expect for a certain yellow-clad person he knew to approach the salad bowl, a mere three meters away. That's Io! I finally get to see him after he's been avoiding me for days. I wonder if it had anything to do with how I rejected him. If that's the case, then I feel utterly shameful for what I've done. I better tell him I'm sorry. "Io… Can I talk to you for a second?"
"Crap!" Io exclaimed. "He spotted me."
"Wait!"
"You saw nothing," Io insisted. "What the heck are you doing here, anyway? I thought that you didn't have time to deal with a bunch of queers."
"Be that as it may, I…"
"Damn it, leave me be!" Io shouted in Greek, much to Ryuu's surprise. "I know you came here to make fun of me – don't deny it! Seeing you is just excruciating!"
"Come on, Io. Don't throw Greek insults at me – you know I can't understand you when you do that."
"That's exactly the point! Good day!" With that, Io stormed out of the party, stirring chaos throughout the room. Knowing instantly that Ryuu caused it all, the students simply stared at him in disgust.
Io, please… Ryuu roosted on a nearby bench, now unable to look up, for he knew that he would only see dirty looks. If I had the chance to apologize for the atrocity I visited unto you… I wish to the stars above that you would give me that chance.