Shuichi stood awkwardly in front of the mirror in his bedroom, needlessly adjusting his bowtie and hair. The doorbell rang suddenly, pulling him out of his stupor. Standing behind the doorframe was Kaito, wearing a strapping black suit with a purple cape that was decorated with metallic planets and stars.
"Hey, Shuichi! What's up?"
"N-not much, just finishing up. You look nice!"
"Thanks, man! So do you! Listen, I'm just waiting for Maki Roll to finish getting ready, but I was thinking we could all take some pictures together in the school courtyard. You, me, Maki, maybe even Kaede?"
Shuichi's face froze as Kaito mentioned that final name.
"O-oh! Uh, sure!"
"Didn't get the chance to ask her, huh?" Kaito asked, patting Shuichi's shoulder sympathetically.
He shook his head in response.
"Hey, no worries! The night is still young, so let's go over there and you can ask her right now!"
Before he knew it, Kaito was dragging him across the dorm room hallway towards Kaede's room and ringing her doorbell.
"Well, I gotta go get Maki Roll, but you come find us when you're done!"
"Wait, Kaito -!"
Too late. Shuichi was calling for someone who was already lightyears away from him.
"Shuichi?"
He turned back around to see Kaede, who stepped out of her room in a gorgeous, ruffly orange ball gown. She was adjusting one of her hairclips as she watched him curiously.
"Oh, Kaede! H-hi."
"Hi! Did you need something?"
"W-well, um – I was thinking. You know, prom is tonight."
Kaede giggled. "Thank goodness I'm dressed for the occasion, then."
"Right…you look really pretty."
"Thank you. Y-you look pretty too."
Shuichi laughed, caught off guard. That stutter…could she be nervous as well?
"So…I realize that it's kind of late, but, Kaede…would you like to go to prom with me?"
Her face softened before breaking into the kind of smile that made her eyes sparkle.
"I'd love to."
He grinned before offering her his arm, which she accepted. She gently ran her fingers across his forearm as he led her down the stairs.
"C'mon, Kaito and Maki said they were gonna take pictures out in the courtyard."
"Let's go!"
They met up with Kaito at the foot of the stairs, and his eyes lit up when he noticed Kaede on Shuichi's arm.
"Hi, Kaito!"
"Hey, Kaede! Looking good!"
"You too! Where's Maki?"
As if on cue, Maki's bedroom door opened as she made her way down to her friends. She wore a pretty pink and white dress, and her hair was completely down with a pink flower tucked behind her ear. Kaito jokingly wolf-whistled as she approached.
"Look at you, Maki Roll! You look like a million bucks."
Maki smiled an uncharacteristically-shy smile. "Thanks. You did a good job picking out our outfits."
"Did you ever doubt me?"
"I don't think you want me to answer that question."
Kaito laughed, clapping her back good-naturedly. "Come on, gang! Let's go take some photos!"