Disclaimer: Full Metal Panic! and its characters are the property of their respective owners. This piece is not for profitable purposes.

Chapter 4: The Dance - Part I

Kaname closes the cashbox with a determined and satisfied motion.

Kyoko turns to her and says, "We did it, Kana-chan, we sold even more tickets than we expected."

Kaname shakes her head in agreement and looks towards Kyoko as she answers, "Everyone did a great job."

"Especially you, Kana-chan, all this planning wouldn't have been nearly as much of a success if you hadn't been leading it."

Kaname blushes slightly and says, "Ah, Kyoko, it was a lot of people's efforts."

Noticing her reacting, Kyoko changes the topic by saying, "Do you have a date for the dance?"

Kaname freezes and the color drains from her face.

She laughs nervously and answers quietly, "Well, I'll be taking tickets at the door and making sure things run smoothly so I…"

Without finishing, her head droops downwards slightly.

"You weren't asked by – anyone?"

"Well, Tsubaki-kun came over to me and talked fast and in a jumbled way, I'm still not sure if he was asking me or not. I was in a hurry at the time, so I apologized and left."

"Sagara-kun didn't say anything?"

Kaname's head shoots up and she answers, flustered, "That idiot? He probably doesn't even understand what a dance is like, he just wants to provide security for anything, the military otaku. Even if he did understand, I…"

Kaname stops quickly and blushes once more.

Wanting Kaname to feel better, Kyoko smiles and says, "I'll be helping you that night, Kana-chan, I'm sure that it will be a lot of fun."

Reassured, Kaname smiles at Kyoko and says, "I'm sure you're right, Kyoko."

Kyoko stands and says, "Shall we go start putting up the decorations?"

Kaname shakes her head yes and says, "Sounds like a good plan."

Kaname sits next to Kyoko at the ticket table. She can't help but be embarrassed, she had bought a new dress for the occasion, but she had come by herself – he had never even brought the topic up of going together, all he talked about was his plans for security.

Her temperature rises as she thinks, 'Security? Why would something like that be needed, it's just a dance, what could possibly happen?'

Angered at herself, she thinks, 'Why am I thinking about him anyway, the way he is, he'd just make a fool of himself and embarrass me if we were together.'

Resolute, she decides to forget about him and do what needs to be done.

Kyoko scans the room and says, "It's sort of surprising, no one's come in saying Sagara-kun did anything like set traps or throw grenades. I haven't seen him yet tonight, is it possible that he didn't come?"

Startled by this, Kaname wonders the same thing, 'Sousuke's not here? He agreed when Hayashimizu-sempai asked him to be in charge of security. He has to be here, for him, duty comes before all else.'

The last thought is painful for her, so Kaname distracts herself by saying, "He's probably just hiding in a bush somewhere, you know how he is."

"You're probably right," Kyoko answers.

Time passes as the two take tickets from students before they enter the gymnasium.

After a while, Kyoko looks to Kaname and says, "Since things have slowed down here, Kana-chan, I'm going to go check to see if the refreshment section needs any help."

Not wanting to be alone, but acknowledging the good sense in her statement, Kaname responds, "Sure, Kyoko, that's a good idea. I'll be here if you need me."

"Ok," Kyoko answers as she stands and leaves.

Alone, Kaname's thoughts inevitably return to the topic she'd been trying to avoid.

She thinks, 'Is it really possible that he didn't come? Why else would it be so calm? Then there's certainly no chance…'

"Leave me alone!" someone yells.

"Oh come on, I know you're just saying that," another voice answers.

Curious and concerned, Kaname tries to discern from where the voices are coming. When she looks at the school entrance, she sees a female student trying to push away an obviously drunk male student.

"Haru-chan, you said you'd be my date tonight," he complains.

"Not the way you are, it's disgusting," she answers.

Angered by her response, he puts his arm around her neck.

"Stop Gin-kun, you're hurting me."

Not listening, he tightens and says, "You're going with me whether you like it or not."

Upset, Kaname stands, starts to move towards them and shouts, "Stop that, leave that girl alone!"

Obviously annoyed, he lets go of her and looks angrily at Kaname.

He moves towards her and says, "What's the matter, girl, jealous?"

"As if that were possible! Who would go for a lush like you?"

"What was that, girl?" he says, furious.

Lunging towards her, he shouts, "You deserve what you're about to…"

The sound of a shot rings out before he crashes to the floor.