We had arrived at imposing iron gates, the shadows stretching over us as if to choke us. They looked as if they were built to keep people like me out.
I tugged at my collar.
The limousine driver checked with the intercom, and a click was heard, the wheels under the gates dragging the iron bars open. I was about to enter a different world, a world of minglings between ball gowns and tuxedo dresses. Where fae-like women sparkle in the chandelier light, the men ageless like fine wine, and the children forever young.
In comparison to my surroundings, I was barely dressed for the occasion. My mother had searched high and low for my father's old business tuxedos that barely even fit me once worn. As quickly as the invitation was sent out to attend the older Yukinoshita's birthday, she ironed, glimmered and glittered the old dress cloth.
"Kid, you okay there?" a surprisingly smooth voice spoke from the driver's seat. The old man looked at me once over, before chuckling. "It gets easier, trust me."
Perhaps, with age, it does. But I feel like I shouldn't be here.
As the gardens and fountains that lined up the small thoroughfare towards the parking lot blended into abstract images, I found myself in a state of high. The world felt lucid, like I was floating, and all I could hear was myself and the beat of my heart.
The limousine stopped to a halt. The rumbling of the engine ceased and the driver, in his duties, opened the door for me as I stepped out to breathe in the fresh air. Too much fresh air, as if the place wasn't near the city at all.
The driver smiled at me, tapping my shoulder once, and when I turned to look at him, he pointed behind his shoulder with a thumb. "The reception is over there, champ."
Winking, he entered back into his car, and I found myself alone, for the first time this whole trip. I tried walking, but my feet were in chains, so I ended up dragging them towards the main doors.
When the wooden carved doors appeared in my midst, I took a moment to breathe. I was about to enter that same world. That world where my girlfriend had spent her life in. If I couldn't do this, I wouldn't deserve to be in the same place as her.
I rang the doorbell, once, twice, and waited. The doors opened in, allowing me to view for the very first time the life inside the Yukinoshita household. A red carpet flowed into the marbled floors, and antique vases with flowers of a rainbow disposition lined up next to it. The man who opened the door wore a tuxedo, similar to mine, but with gloves, a bowtie, and a relaxed face.
The perfect picture of a manservant.
I was led into the dining hall, where a short table was fixed. It had all the high class silverware, with meals designed to fit all appetites, and chairs with red cushions that curved upwards into opulence.
And seated among them, the family I was to meet.
Yukinoshita Haruno was the first one who stood up, greeting me. "Hikigaya-kun, glad you made it!"
Followed by a man of short stature and refined features. "Welcome my boy, I hope everything was alright on your way here."
Last was Yukinoshita's mother, whom I already met beforehand. "Hikigaya-kun, I welcome you to our humble abode."
I shared a glance with the silverware, spotting my unnerved expression. I quickly schooled it, and completed the exchange of pleasantries.
"P-pleasure to be here. Please take care of me." My voice was almost clipped, but I managed the best I could.
The short, regal man imposed himself upon me, his presence feeling like a choking hazard, before deigning to let me sit. I bowed, and lifted the wooden chair up, careful not to scratch the marbled floors.
Yukinoshita's mother smiled patiently at my display. And while I was trying not to make a fool out of myself, Haruno grinned and coughed cheekily into her hand. Yukinoshita's father raised an eyebrow, and now I felt like I had committed a faux pas. Too late for take-backs though, I thought.
After I got seated, once the spoon had left the man's plate and shoved into his mouth, like an unseen signal, we all started eating.
"Hikigaya-san, was it?" the regal man spoke, wiping his lips with a napkin. "Tell me, just who are you."
"Excuse me, sir?"
"I'm just curious." The man's blue eyes gleamed. "Just what does my daughter see in you?"
"To be honest, I don't know myself." I passed it off as a joke, but the Father merely hummed in acknowledgement.
"I'll be looking forward to getting to know you then." With that, he stood up, and the servants jumped towards his seat like sharks out for blood. Everything was arranged neatly as if he hadn't eaten there at all.
"Likewise…" I trailed off, not knowing whether my reply would be heard.
Either way, the man, tight in his suit, disappeared from view. The two women went with him as well, and I was left alone at the dining table, wondering what went wrong.
…
I found Yukino by the gardens, sitting in her lonesome.
"Hey."
"Hello, Hikigaya-kun." she smiled at me. "I trust that dinner with my parents went well?"
"Why weren't you at dinner?" I asked, looking at her.
Her light blue ball gown sparkled in the dim lamplights that dotted the gardens. Her dark hair was as dark as the midnight sky, and it contrasted with the light she shone.
And oh, how she shone. She was like ice, in the tiniest movements had light reflecting off of her like glitter in the sunlight. She looked ready, no, she looked like she was made for ballroom dances and high-class dinner.
"I…"
"You know what, don't answer that." I said, sighing. "Are you bored?"
She smiled. "Very."
"Then, will you take my hand?"
She grasped my outstretched hand. And we both started dancing. One, two, our steps matched. Her gown flitted across the air like water under a whisk. Sweat drained down my forehead as our movements became more bold, more intense.
Then, the finale. A dip. Downwards we went, as low as could be. Her eyes shone like sapphires, and her face was either red from exertion, or from the closeness. We rose together, our steps matching in sync. Never before have I felt so connected with her.
It was perfect.
And we danced all night long.
...
Hey guys, miss me?
To be honest, I didn't like how this one turned out.
I'll try my best to write something with more substance.
- Xynovitch
