The world became engulfed in a flash of bright light. Nishinoya blinked his eyes. Gradually the room came back to him—the large bay window, the orange sofa, and a rather excited woman holding a camera.

"You guys look adorable! Just one more shot, please? Nishinoya, can you move in a little closer?"

Nishinoya looked down at his feet, finding not much space left to shuffle. His dress shoes, hand-me-downs from his dad, were a roomier fit, making any precise foot placements an awkward endeavor. Instead, he opted to lean in further towards the girl standing next to him. The girl was wearing a red, sleeveless dress with accents of golden sequins that ran down the shoulders and along the neckline. Her hair was done up in an intricate bun, which Nishinoya had to dodge standing so close behind her.

Click.

Another flash of light enveloped his view.

"I'm so glad we're doing this!" The girl squealed.

"So am I, babe," Nishinoya whispered into her ear.

Nishinoya Yu was by no means thrilled to be attending junior prom, let alone having his vision worn away at by all the camera flashes. But if there was anyone Nishinoya had to blame, it was himself for taking his best friend's advice.

"Come on, she's totally into you," Tanaka exclaimed to him one day during lunch.

"Just because you're dating a junior doesn't mean I should also be dating one."

"Really? Is that why you think I'm telling you this?"

They were sitting by a fence that ran along the far side of the school parking lot. Other students rarely frequented the area; thus, the spot became their preferred place at school to talk and hangout. If someone were to eavesdrop, it would most likely have been the neighborhood residents on the other side of the fence whom neither Tanaka nor Nishinoya had ever seen before.

"Noya, she thinks you're hot. And she's hot too."

"So what if she is?" Nishinoya fired back.

"Dude."

"There's got to be more than looks, right?"

"You're in high school," Tanaka rebuffed. "No one has a personality yet. Don't overthink it and just give it a try."

After a week of Tanaka's persistence, and thinking he had nothing better to do, Nishinoya asked her out. The girl said 'yes'.

Mizuki Okemura was known to be a hard-working girl. She was president of the yearbook club, captain of the girl's badminton team, and got top marks in all of her classes. She was highly extraverted and well-loved in all of her various social circles.

By comparison, Nishinoya frequently took naps in class. He kept a small group of friends, including Tanaka, and they'd only ever attend club events if free food were being served. The only extracurricular activity Nishinoya took part in was when the school produced a play. Nishinoya helped out by building and painting some of the stage props and backgrounds—he enjoyed the creativity and handiwork that it required. Aside from that, Nishinoya was itching to finish high school and content with but a handful of social ties to help bide the time.

At first, running through the gauntlet of typical high school couple dates with Mizuki wasn't intolerable. They went to the movies, hung out at the mall, and took walks around the school grounds during lunch. What he didn't realize was how uninteresting he would find Mizuki to be. Her life was school, and her passion was to excel at it both academically and socially—none of such resonated with Nishinoya. On the other hand, Mizuki never seemed engaged whenever Nishinoya talked about himself. Then again, he didn't have much going on aside from hanging with friends and working part-time as a grocery store clerk.

As they continued dating, they went on fewer dates by themselves and attended more group functions as a couple. First, it was double-dates with Tanaka and his girlfriend Rina, which Nishinoya enjoyed. Then Mizuki started introducing Nishinoya to her own social circles. With each of her friends that he met, Nishinoya found they were, like Mizuki, a little too prioritized with academics and social status for his liking. Hence, he found no interest in interacting with Mizuki's friends. Moreover, none of her friends talked to him except to ask the occasional yes-no question that didn't spark further discussion.

"Did you see her badminton match last Tuesday?"

Yes, he did.

"Have you two checked out that new mini-golf place?"

Yes, though, they left earlier than expected because Mizuki was bored.

"Did you guys make out already?"

They have. It was as far as they ever went. When Nishinoya told Tanaka about it, the latter's advice was, "You got to put in more initiative. Girls dig that."

Nishinoya had made his attempts, but Mizuki was reluctant to do anything physical. Such was evident whenever they made out—Mizuki would simply close her eyes and present her sealed lips to Nishinoya. There would be no movement, and the kisses aroused no desire in him. If ever Mizuki initiated, it coincided with her asking Nishinoya to accompany her to another social event—like dangling a carrot in front of a horse. He'd say yes only to please her.

Nishinoya was stuck in a performative relationship he never wanted, nor found any fulfillment in, and pressured to stay in it by a friend who believed he was of good intentions. The only silver lining was that maintaining the relationship only required a few hours a week with Mizuki and her friends, and a few more to answer her texts. Finding a suit for her junior prom admittedly did present more of an obstacle. For his height, it was rare Nishinoya found anything that fit him, let alone a suit. Thankfully, his mom knew a thing or two about using a sewing machine. She managed to hem the sleeves on a suit jacket that Nishinoya bought on discount several weeks prior. Despite the jacket still being a bit roomy around the waist, it fit rather well. The suit was black, and underneath he wore a white shirt and a maroon tie to complement Mizuki's dress.

"So, Mizuki tells me you're going to graduate this year?"

The question caught Nishinoya as he was in his thoughts. Mizuki's father was now standing next to him, while Mizuki was gone off to the other side of the room to review the pictures with her mom. Mr. Okemura was a tall, quiet man, of average build. There were wisps of grey in his hair, and he wore glasses with thick frames that intensified a gaze that never failed to appear unimpressed.

"Yes, I am," Nishinoya replied.

"What do you plan to do?"

"I'm going to take a year off and spend the first few months visiting my dad in the States. Then I'll return home and work before I start school again."

"I see." Mr. Okemura grunted. "You know my daughter is attending that engineering summer camp?"

"Yes, I heard—

"Her mom and I were worried she wouldn't get in. We heard that it's highly competitive."

"I've heard that too," Nishinoya replied. "You and Mrs. Okemura must be very proud."

"Yes, indeed, we are. I'm sure your parents are proud of you too."

"Thanks."

"You didn't say what you applied to?"

"I didn't apply to anything yet. I'm taking the year off to figure it out."

"Oh."

…

Nishinoya and Mizuki were picked up by a group limo that they and several of Mizuki's closest friends had rented out. When they arrived at school, they were ushered towards the gymnasium by teachers acting as chaperones, and students who were on the Junior Prom Committee. Right outside the gymnasium doors, there was a table with a ballot box and some ballots for students to elect the Prom King and Queen. Nishinoya placed his vote in favor of him and Mizuki, at the latter's request.

Upon entering the darkened gymnasium, they found a photo booth set up in one corner by the entrance, with a background of navy blue drapes and a beaming spotlight. Running along one wall was a table of refreshments with bowls of punch and platters of assorted pastries. On the wall behind the tables were cardboard cutouts of stars covered in paint and glitter. Patches of magenta and blue light descended onto the floor and over the bustling crowd of students, radiating from implements that sat on a stage erected at the far end of the room. On the stage was the DJ standing behind several speakers and a turntable. Hanging above was a disco ball that blanketed the entire gym in specks of white light. As the ball spun, the specks of light swam hypnotically around the room, like a ballet of fireflies. Directly behind the DJ was a large banner with the words: Welcome to Junior Prom!

Mizuki and Nishinoya walked around the room. Every time they bumped into someone, Mizuki would engage in a lengthy conversation. She seemed to sparkle with every interaction, wielding the tact and grace of a diplomat on a peace mission. Nishinoya followed her like her bodyguard, ever-present but unacknowledged. One thing he noticed was that several of her friends were wearing masks. The masks were gold with accents of black feathers adorning one side, and secured to the head using black ribbon. The masks covered only the top of half of the face, allowing wearers to drink and talk. Overhearing one conversation, Nishinoya realized it had to do with the theme of the event: Night at the Masquerade.

As the evening progressed, he became more disconnected from reality. The chatter began melting into the music, and the music into the chatter, until everything was white noise. He was running on autopilot—whenever he saw someone was smiling or laughing, without knowing what they had said, he would do the same. The trance broke when he felt a hand gently squeezing his arm.

"Babe, I'm thirsty. Could you get me some punch?" Mizuki asked.

"Of course babe," He answered, smiling politely.

He then walked away, brushing past bodies and stepping over skirts, towards the edge of the room where there was less traffic, and then circled the room towards the refreshments. When he arrived at the punch bowl, Nishinoya poured a cup for himself. He drank slowly, wanting to relish the moment of not having to behave for the expectations of others. Between sips, he scanned the room for Tanaka—his girlfriend was also a junior student, and, like Mizuki, she also persuaded Tanaka to accompany her to junior prom. The two of them were so far nowhere to be seen by Nishinoya.

That was when he heard a voice behind him.

"Would you like a mask?"

He turned around.

"I'm sorry?"

"Would you like one? They're compliments from the Junior Prom Committee."

It was another boy, holding several of the masks Nishinoya had seen Mizuki's friends wearing. The boy was about Nishinoya's height, lean in build, and he wore a blue suit with black lapels over a white shirt and black bowtie. His hair sprouted in messy tufts that nested playfully over his ears and a little over a mask that the boy himself was wearing. In the dimness of the gym, Nishinoya could guess the boy's hair was probably orange.

"Sure. Thanks." Nishinoya reached out to receive the offering.

"You're welcome. Would you like one for your date too?"

"That would be great, actually. Thanks," and Nishinoya extended his hand to accept another. "How'd you know I have a date?"

"The flowers on your jacket." The boy gestured to the lapel of Nishinoya's suit jacket. Pinned to the fabric was a boutonnière of pine leaves and snowbells.

"Good observation," Nishinoya replied. He then observed that the boy had no such adornment for himself.

"Do you not have a date?"

"Ah, no, I don't. I umm…I didn't know anyone to ask," the boy responded, shyly.

"Sorry if that was rude I wasn't—"

"No, it's fine."

Nishinoya felt his cheeks redden. This was his first interaction with someone since he arrived, and he feared he might have embarrassed the boy.

"So, umm…who made all these?" Nishinoya asked, gesturing with the masks in his hand.

"Ah, me and some other members on the committee. We got them plain, and then we just painted over them and glued on the decorations."

"They're pretty neat," Nishinoya replied, turning the items in hand to admire the craftsmanship.

He noticed there were plastic jewels that lined the edges of each eyehole. There were also black lines in the shape of vines and leaves that ran across the front.

"Thank you." The boy replied. A brief moment passed when the boy offered up another question. "Say, I think I recognize you. Didn't you paint props for the school plays?"

"Yeah, I have," Nishinoya confirmed, surprised at his apparent renown. "Were you in any of them?"

"Yeah, I was the tree in the play last year."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, in Twelfth Night."

"Oh yes, I remember that tree. It's umm…it's probably one of my favorite trees." Nishinoya joked.

"Yes," the boy giggled, "it was a really good tree, I guess. It made me look good, so thank you."

Nishinoya laughed a little himself at the boy's well-humored reaction—the genuineness was refreshing to him.

"Well, these are cool masks," Nishinoya replied, holding one up to his face playfully.

The boy smiled. "Thank you."

Nishinoya put his hand back down. That was when he realized the boy was a stranger to him. Even as the mask obscured his face, the boy's physical characteristics didn't remind Nishinoya of anyone he knew. Nevertheless, Nishinoya had to admit he enjoyed his company.

"I'm sorry I don't remember you from before," Nishinoya ventured, "maybe I never got to introduce myself." He held out his hand. "I'm Nishinoya."

The boy replied, "Nice to meet you, Nishinoya," and took Nishinoya's hand to shake it.

"And you are…?"

"Oh, sorry."

The boy then removed his mask, and Nishinoya got a better look at his eyes. The first thing he noticed as the boy pulled away the mask was how soft the boy's gaze was. His eyes were large and round, the color of amber, and had an uncanny sense of depth to them—as if another world lay within them. And at that moment, Nishinoya felt himself falling into the boy's eyes, into an endless sky of amber. His heart skipped a beat as if to assure him that wherever he landed, he would find a measure of comfort there like a warm blanket for a cold winter night.

"I'm Hinata."

"Nice to meet you, Hinata."

All of a sudden, they heard the sound of glass breaking, followed by the splash of liquid. Someone had knocked over a punch bowl at the far end of the table.

Then they heard the words shouted, "Hinata?! Oh, Hinata, there you are."

A girl approached the two of them. It was Tanaka's girlfriend, Rina.

"Hey, I'm sorry to interrupt but I need you at the refreshment table? Clean up on aisle four." Rina joked.

"Alright, I'm on it."

Then Hinata began to walk away, though not before turning around to say farewell.

"It was nice talking to you, Nishinoya." He said warmly.

"Nice meeting you—" Nishinoya replied, cutoff as Hinata disappeared into the crowd.

"Hey, Noya!"

Nishinoya turned around and saw Tanaka walking towards them.

"Tanaka! Where have you been?"

"We got here late. Then Rina still had some stuff for the event to set up," Tanaka explained, placing an arm around his girlfriend.

"Well, we wouldn't have been late if you got to my house on time." Rina asserted.

That was when Nishinoya remembered Rina was president of the Junior Prom Committee, hence how she knew Hinata, and why she had directed him towards the punch bowl disaster.

"You look great, Nishinoya!" Rina complimented.

"Thanks, you too."

"How are you finding the party so far?"

"Yeah, how are you finding this kiddie prom?" Tanaka joked, smiling smugly. Rina rolled her eyes and dug her elbow into Tanaka's rib.

"Ow." He murmured.

…

Nishinoya returned to Mizuki with a cup of punch, and he once again resigned to be a passive observer of her conversations with others. Eventually, Tanaka and Rina came by, and the two girls talked briefly before deciding it was best to allow the two boys to go off on their own.

Tanaka and Nishinoya stood at the edge of the room, happy to catch up and to make the occasional visit the refreshments table. Now and then, Nishinoya looked up to search the room for Hinata. The boy was nowhere to be seen.

Mizuki stole back her boyfriend right before the Junior Prom committee announced her year's Junior Prom King and Queen. The honors went to a couple that Nishinoya was unfamiliar with. Following the announcement, Mizuki became rigid, losing all sense of elegance and flair she had from when they first arrived.

"What's wrong, babe?" He said.

Mizuki was unresponsive.

Nishinoya tried to think something to cheer her up. Then he remembered the photo booth. "Come, let's get our photos taken." He led her through the crowd of people until they were at the lineup. They stood there silently, watching other people enjoy their evening until Mizuki finally addressed her boyfriend, albeit in a frustrated tone.

"Why didn't you say anything tonight?"

"I beg your pardon?" Nishinoya replied in disbelief.

"You haven't said a word to anyone except Tanaka and Rina. All my friends think there's something wrong between us."

"Mizuki, I don't have anything in common with them. What are we supposed to talk about?"

The girl asserted no defense.

"Is this what I think this is about?" Nishinoya pressed on, piecing together the puzzle. "Are you upset about not being Prom Queen?"

"Couldn't at least put in the effort to try and interact with my friends?" Mizuki blurted out.

"Yeah, and what about me?" Nishinoya countered. "You've talked to everyone at this party except me."

"Because you never seem like you want to talk to me," Mizuki fired back. "You're the one who asked me out. You knew I liked you. Why'd you do it if you're so uninterested in me?"

Nishinoya stood speechless. He thought about how he should defend himself. But then he was struck the expression in Mizuki's eyes. For the first time since they started dating, he could find no sense of determination or resolve in her eyes. The trembling in her brow made it clear she was struggling to hold back tears.

An attendant of the photo booth appeared to direct them towards the camera. Mizuki walked ahead as if she couldn't continue looking at Nishinoya. The boy didn't know what else to do but to follow her. At the center of the booth, there was a large "X" taped on the floor. The attendant directed them to stand on a mark, where a light shone directly at them.

"Alright, lovebirds!" The photographer exclaimed. "Young man, can you stand behind her? Yeah, and get your arms around her waist?"

Nishinoya proceeded to wrap his arms around Mizuki. He felt her diaphragm shudder at the touch.

"After tonight, we're through," Mizuki, her words trembled with grief as they fell.

"Alright, and big smiles!"

Click.

A flash of light engulfed the world.

"Noya, you're stepping on my skirt."

"Oh, sorry."

He looked down and saw that indeed the tip of one shoe sat on top of Mizuki's skirt. He immediately stepped back, only to kneel down and pat away at the mark on the fabric he saw the shoe had made.

"Everything alright?" The photographer asked.

"What are you doing? You're embarrassing me."

"Yeah, sorry, just give us a second." Nishinoya directed towards the photographer, patting away at the fabric even faster out of desperation.

His mind was racing. He yearned to leave, but he didn't care for Mizuki so little to do so. He wanted to console her, but the words he needed—to convince her to doubt his indifference—would not manifest in his mind. He then realized that the words would not come to him because he couldn't even convince himself.

"Looking good, Noya!"

Nishinoya looked up. It was Tanaka and Rina, smiling and waving at him while they in line for the photo booth.

Click.

"Alright, I'm sorry, miss, but you blinked."

"I'm sorry," Mizuki replied, breathing deeper to steady herself.

Tanaka's presence reminded Nishinoya of that afternoon they spent by the fence in the parking lot. Nishinoya genuinely agreed with him when he said that Mizuki was beautiful. She was also undeniably intelligent and popular, perhaps more than any other girl in her year.

Click.

He had believed that if he were patient, the feelings would come. He thought that if he waited, he might have fallen for her. The attraction never surfaced. Maybe he was just naïve. Maybe he was lying to himself all along, too scared to admit it to himself. Whatever it was, foolishness or indifference, he never imagined it would lead to this. He never imagined he would hurt someone.

Click.

The light blinded Nishinoya briefly before everything reappeared as a smudge of color and darkness. He strained to recognize Tanaka's silhouette based on where he was before the flash. Using Tanaka as a landmark, Nishinoya then identified Rina, who was still standing next to him. Beside Rina, there was a boy. The boy was her height, and his hair came out in tufts that nested playfully around his ears.

"I need you to look this way, young man."

"Pay attention, Noya," Mizuki barked.

"Sorry."

"And smile!"

Click.

The room disappeared behind a veil of white. Sound was the only sense that permeated his mind, and the sound was deafening. Through it all, he could make out Rina saying something in a worried tone.

"Hinata, are you okay?"

Click.

"What's wrong, Hinata, why are you crying?"

"Alright, and one more?" The photographer ordered.

When Nishinoya realized who was beside Rina, he became all the more desperate to be done with the photo booth. He did everything he could think of to satisfy the photographer—straightening his posture, smiling as wide as he could, and pulling Rina towards him. He struggled to keep his eyes open to be assaulted once more by the camera flash.

Click.

The world was utterly gone to him.

"Hinata, wait!"

"Alright, perfect!"

Nishinoya unclasped his arms from Mizuki's waist and stumbled out of the booth. He blinked rapidly, yearning to pull his vision back into focus. He tripped and fell, though someone caught him before he hit the ground.

"What's up, man? Are you okay?" Tanaka asked, pulling Nishinoya back onto his feet.

As Nishinoya's vision returned to him, he fervently scanned the crowd. He searched for that mess of hair, for those soft amber eyes, among the sea of masked strangers in a darkened room. Nishinoya couldn't find him.

Hinata had run away.