The week had flown by and the Night of the Cherry Blossoms dance was here.
All of the student council members were excused from class, including me, and were preparing the assigned courtyard for the dance that would happen that night.
Yuki had been pestering me all week for just a little description of the dress, but I kept my lips sealed. However, Yuki insisted on coming with me to get it from Ayame's shop.
I couldn't resist the urge to see Yuki's reaction to the dress. I was either terrified or thrilled thinking about how he would react; there was no in between.
Everything had been set up, things had been tested, and we were ready for the dance!
We all gathered in the center of the courtyard when we were finished and looked around together to admire our hard work.
"Alright everyone, it all looks great! I think we're ready!" Kimi said excitedly, clapping her hands with a smile.
We all high-fived each other happily with smiles all around until Kakeru spoke out.
"Wait… wait everyone." He said seriously, which caught us all off guard since Kakeru was never serious.
He eyed each of us, "Yun-Yun." He said, deathly serious, making Yuki blink in slight surprise.
"You're missing something." Kakeru continued, stalking slow circles around Yuki, as if carefully studying him.
Yuki tilted his head to one side, only a bit nervous, "What could I be missing Kakeru?"
Kakeru's serious face twisted into a teasing smirk as he stopped in front of Yuki, poking his nose.
"A date." he said simply.
Yuki frowned in annoyance, "I don't need a date…"
"Aw, come on!" Kakeru said, pouting innocently with his arms crossed over his chest.
"I know someone who can help you with your little problem." Kakeru finished, grabbing my wrist and pulling me into his chest.
"Or, I'll take her…" He breathed, watching Yuki out of the corner of his eye.
I blushed vibrantly and tried to pull away, but he wouldn't release me.
Kakeru stared at Yuki as he embraced me.
"What about your girlfriend?" Kimi said, staring daggers at Kakeru who smiled sheepishly, rubbing his head with a nervous stutter.
Yuki scowled irritably, "Kakeru! Let go of her!" he demanded.
Kakeru rolled his eyes, "Oh fine…" he said letting me go and turning my back to him as he grasped my shoulders.
He then pushed me right toward Yuki.
If I didn't act fast enough I would bash into Yuki and he would turn into a rat in front of everyone! What else could I do?
I had the control panel for the lights in my bag and, as if time had slow down to help me, I pushed a random button in my panic.
The button I pressed just so happened to control some colored strobe lights. Just in time, everyone turned their attention away from Yuki and me to stop or admire the lights.
I crashed into Yuki and, upon impact; he changed into his rat form.
Everyone was concentrating on the lights so I was able to collect Yuki and his clothes and then make a swift getaway.
We were outside of the school grounds when I finally stopped running.
I was so out of breathe from our little escape, but it's not like I was ready to be running a mile today.
Yuki sighed in relief, "That was close… but what you did was very impressive, how did you do it?"
I set Yuki down on the ground and sat down too, waving around the remote that controlled the lights with a smirk, panting lightly.
Little rat Yuki nodded, chuckling in amusement, "That was great, Miss Suzumoto."
I put the remote back in my bag, narrowing my eyes, "Yeah, but if it weren't for me, you wouldn't have transformed at all…" I said.
I was a bit guilty about putting his secret in danger again.
"I know I have to be more careful…" my words trailed off and Yuki then spoke.
"Please Miss Suzumoto, don't worry about me…" he said, his little paws stroking the palm of my hand reassuringly."Besides, it was Kakeru who caused it anyway.
I blushed in surprise, staring down at the little rat, his paws stroking my palm gently as his beady eyes met mine.
Time had stopped again.
Suddenly, Yuki transformed back.
He was in my hand when he was a rat, so when he changed back my hand was against his bare chest. Luckily, that was all I saw.
I stuttered a pathetic attempt at an apology, but instead I handed him his clothes, my cheeks flushed bright red.
He grabbed them quickly and changed when I frantically turned around, his cheeks also dusted pink.
"S-sorry about that, the time in which we change back can vary." He said buttoning his shirt quickly before playing around with his undone tie.
I nodded slowly and slowly grabbed his tie, tying it properly while avoiding his gaze shyly, "Don't worry, it's not your fault, so there's no need to apologize." I said, reassuring him as I tightened it.
He held his tie gently and smiled back at me.
I heaved a sigh and heard the bell ring its monochrome tone.
It was already time to get my dress from Ayame's shop.
I narrowed my eyes some before tilting my head with a soft smile. "Hey… do you still wanna come see my dress?" I asked.
Yuki blinked in surprise before smiling excitedly, "Of course, Miss Suzumoto… besides I don't exactly trust my brother around you." He said rubbing the back of his head, eyes narrowed almost innocently.
I giggled and nodded, taking his hand, "Then what are we waiting for?"
He blushed in subtle surprise at my more bold action, but nodded slowly, lacing our fingers together as he walked me to Ayame's shop.
When we arrived, Mine greeted us and brought us to the back, where my dress was displayed on a mannequin.
However, before Yuki could see it, Ayame covered his eyes, much to both Yuki and my surprise.
"Ah ha-ha, eager are we Yuki?" Ayame said chuckling teasingly as he held his squirming little brother.
Ayame greeted me and Mine joined us, Yuki's eyes still being covered by Ayame.
Mine was guiding me into a changing room when Ayame spoke.
"Mine… how about you do the thing."
"Oh… Oh yes… doing the thing will definitely help." Mine said eagerly.
Yuki and I asked simultaneously, slight panic in both of our tones, "What's the thing?"
Mine dragged me into the changing room as Ayame released Yuki.
"Wait, what's the thing?!" Yuki shouted anxiously before being drowned out by the room I was locked in.
Mine forcibly stripped me, creating some questionable noises that I knew I would have to apologize for later, and slipped on the beautiful purple dress.
It was still just as gorgeous, if not even better than I thought before.
I twirled in it a little, grinning like a fool before stopping, "So… what's the thing?"
Mine smiled, "Don't worry." She said bringing over three boxes.
In one box was a pair of silver high heels, one other had makeup supplies, and the final had hair accessories and jewelry.
"We're just gonna amp you up!"
At the speed of light, Mine sat me down and wrapped a smock smeared lightly with makeup over me.
Mine quickly but delicately applied my makeup and curled my short brown hair.
When she was satisfied, she took off the smock and grabbed the shoe box. She daintily helped me into the heels, which took some time to get used to since I'd never worn anything like them.
With a bright grin and fake tears in her eyes, she pulled over a mirror and I gazed at my memorizing appearance.
"Oh, Mine…! Thank you, I feel so… beautiful…" I said, feeling a lump in my throat.
I thought to myself, 'the Sohmas really are too good to me…'
I took a deep breath and walked outside with Mine following behind me in case I fell.
Ayame was putting Yuki in a handsome tux that perfectly matched my dress when we entered the room.
They both turned when they heard us in the door.
Both Yuki and Ayame were completely silent. At the time I didn't know if that was a good thing or not.
I felt a little discouraged, "Is it bad?" I asked timidly, playing with the skirt of the dress.
All of a sudden, Ayame shot up next to me.
"OH MY! You look absolutely stunning Ayumi! I told you I would put my heart and soul into this dress and it couldn't have turned out any better!" he said excitedly, spinning me around like a ragdoll.
I have no idea how my ankles didn't shatter after all that.
I truly appreciated Ayame's input, however…
The only opinion I really wanted was Yuki's.
"Yuki?" I said nervously. He walked over to me and, upon closer inspection, Yuki was blushing brightly, looking me up down, his jaw dropped slightly.
He smiled softly, meeting my anxious gaze, "You look beautiful Miss Suzumoto…" he breathed, not taking his eyes off me.
I blushed before exhaling in relief, "You like it?" I said twirling in the gown.
He nodded, "Yes, you look truly beautiful…" he said, his blushing becoming more vivid.
I smiled to myself when Ayame and Mine joined us.
"Well you two better be going, the dance should be starting soon if I am correct." Ayame said flipping his hair triumphantly.
I raised my eyebrow, "Is there some reason why you made me and Yuki matching outfits.
Mine winked at us as Ayame smirked, "Maybe…"
They saw us off and we walked down the street.
We stopped awkwardly on the sidewalk near the school, where we could already see people arriving.
"Miss Suzumoto?" Yuki said suddenly.
"Hm?" I responded quickly, surprised.
"I have a question…" he stepped in front of me and looked away shyly.
I titled my head in confused and, before I could ask he blurted out.
"Will you be my date to the dance tonight?"
Muhahaha I finally edited it. And things are about to get drop dead adorable. Or hella awkward. Ah well- that's for my inner author to decide XD Anyways I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter!
Stay creative my friends~