Chapter 5: Game on!
If Nakamura-san said was true…
Sweat dropping, Youko tried to catch her breath while her feet danced with the treadmill.
Then I have to show Hiromu that I've moved on.
She had been running for half an hour. The strong emotion of excitement caused her to give so much energy to her current activity. Even better, Nakamura-san had just spilled to her that Hiromu was resolved enough to find out if she still has feelings for him. Youko could never guess why Hiromu would spend so much time over things that weren't part of his passion. Academic papers, combat, equations, subdimensions—these were the things that he loved. Before she admitted her feelings to him several months ago, sometimes she wondered asking Magiranger-tachi to turn her into a book so that he will find her interesting.
Could he be?...
Ah! She wouldn't want to jump into conclusions. She may never know why Hiromu would be so eager to find out about her feelings, but she will, on her own personal investigation of the matter. She has pride, she has self-respect. She learned by reading from shoujo mangas about coping with major heartbreaks. She had to show him her pride, otherwise she'll be embarrassed again.
Eyes glued to what she's reading (while running of course!), Youko had once again thanked the presence of her friend, Gloria Gaynor, in singing the infamous anthem of coping from major heartbreak from her mp3 player.
You think I'll crumble, you think I'll lay down on the line. Oh no not I-I will survive!
Turning the volume up, she did notice that she was already singing along with the lyrics. To this she didn't care much. Her solitary existence in the gym explains why she would be this eager to sing her heart out. She closed her eyes and swayed her upper body to a particular rhythm as if she was dancing.
"And I've never wondered why females could multitask," a husky voice said.
Seconds had passed and Youko was still not aware of a certain Sakurada Hiromu whose cheeks were already tainted with red for two major reasons: 1) for being unnoticed and 2) for the loud singing. Other minor reasons revolving around the issue of losing his straightforwardness around Youko needed not explaining.
Youko could sing all right. In fact she could produce an album for it. But the lyrics of the song…Hiromu struggled for the right words to explain it.
Seeming that she's still ignoring him unknowingly, he unplugged the mp3 player first and then followed by the treadmill. Pretty soon, the poor girl was flying and Hiromu suddenly became wistful of his favorite subject in high school:
The laws of physics tell us that a center of balance is enough to lessen the activity of a moving mass. I am the center of balance and Youko is a moving mass. Turning kinetic energy to potential would greatly require—
Before he could even finish his trail of thought, Youko's body painfully crashed against him, leaving him pinned on the carpeted floor. The impact was too great that both winced in pain. And to Hiromu's remorse (for she soon found out that her body's intimately contacting with his), she blushed deeply and then she screamed.
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
She screamed with all her lungs out.
Hiromu raised a palm on her mouth to shut her up.
She bit his hand. He screamed in return.
Moving herself rapidly from that awkward straddling position, Youko shifted her body to the nearest unoccupied space from Hiromu's left and struggled to be seated with her legs crossed. Matching the heat coming from her body, she stared at him dangerously while catching her breath, "BAKA! (stupid!) Why did you do that for?!"
It could have been the warmth of her body that the poor boy couldn't think properly.
"H-ha! y-your cheeks are red!" his index finger pointing at her crimson cheeks.
"Y-yours too! HEY! What are you implying?"
Silence.
Silence.
Awkward silence.
"Well, there are only things, either you're ignorant or you enjoy ignoring me so I unplugged both" He answered finally, his confidence creeping back to normal. He thought he'd give himself a slap in the face later for needless pointing her face as red as his fighting suit. Really Hiromu? Is your good judgment lost too?
"Since when did my attention matter to you, Hiromu?!" The sudden retort made her stomach sick.
If there are things in the world that Hiromu and Youko have in common, it will be: 1) pride 2) competition, and 3) constant bickering. Words were flying from both of their mouths that pretty soon people from EMC would be peeking to see the show.
Youko's stares deserted from his. Her feature quickly shifted from anger to gentleness (which to Hiromu was an out of character). "I—I have to go." She muttered softly. I have to go away from you HIromu.
His hand reached hers, replaying his bold move inside the horror house. Her face showing confusion, she shifted her weight a little so that the corner of her eye could see whether he was exactly mirroring the same confusion.
"Do you like him?" Hiromu uttered straightforwardly.
"L—like who?" she asked, masking her ignorance of the subject matter.
"Jinno-kun" he replied monotonously.
She tried to meet his eyes. His black orbs were deeply penetrating her inner being—her soul. She almost felt her pride stripped from her.
I must not feel this way towards him. These feelings must be concealed. I have pride.
She tried to remove her wrist gently from his grasp.
She forced a small smile.
"Let me go, Hiromu"
And added faintly…"You're—hurting me."
His grip loosened. His mouth parted a bit but no words came out. He watched as she exited the premises with her long black hair moving dangerously with her pride. He hoped she would look back as she always did. But to this time she didn't.
He bit his lower lip and anxiously punched the carpeted floor.
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Ryuji thought that Youko had to be given a proper celebration for turning 18 several months ago.
An introduction of Youko-chan to the society as a debutante would compensate for the celebration-turned-devastation that she had overseas. Protective to the self-interests of both his comrades, Ryuji argued instead to Commander Kuroki that Youko had to experience this once-in-a-lifetime tradition.
As soon as the commander gave his permission (despite Youko's protests that she didn't need a debut and that Usada never trained her to dance), invitations were soon sent to Youko's classmates and friends from EMC High and cram school. The labor force of their own district was also invited to participate in this unlikely event happening to the only female in the gobusters team.
Excitement could never be contained as almost everybody helped with the necessary preparations. Nakamura-san tirelessly suggested strict observance of formal attire: long gown for females and suit/tuxedo for males.
And the buddyroids?
They can just wear bowties.
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"…with pride and awe, I would like to introduce to you the newest bachelorette of our district…Usami Youko!"
Cheers and claps filled the whole EMC auditorium, most especially from the tables which seated the Gokaigers and the Kyoryugers. Luka and Ahim of the Gokaigers and Amy and Yayoi of the Kyoryugers couldn't suppress their giggles as the newest bachelorette entered the hall.
Youko donned a pinkish gown that was a bit puffed from the waist to down. The upper part of the gown was dramatized by a large bow while the bottom was decorated with sequins that shone like stars from the sky. Her long hair was styled in dramatic curls and waves, secured to the side with white and pink roses. She looked every inch like a Greek goddess that just came out from Olympus. She gave a very feminine nod to every person who called for her name. When she coincidentally turned to the table where Ryu-san and the others were seated, her face creased when she couldn't spot red buster. She was quick to turn that frown to a smile when Nakamura-san gave her a sympathetic eye. Cheer up, Youko-Chan, she mouthed.
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When music was played courtesy of a quartet, couples began rushing to dance floor with their heart and feet moving to the upbeat tune of the waltz. Ryuji, Commander Kuroki, and Usada glared to each and every male (the young ones in particular) who asked the debutante for a dance. Gorisaki knew that this would happen and he readied his ice packs in case Ryuji turns to heated mode.
Only few from Youko's classmates could dance the waltz. When it was Jinno Masato's turn, their cram school buddies cheered for the poor boy's lack of rhythm.
"Pardon my moves, but I didn't get to learn from my groovy uncle" he sighed disappointingly.
"You were not that bad Jinno-kun" she replied with a chuckle. Good thing that she had learned the perfect steps from no less than Commander Kuroki himself. And it helped her greatly that she was able to escape from Jinno's imbalances and tendencies to step on her gown or foot. Jinno barely finished two dances with her but Youko wished already that someone would be so kind enough to remove her from the misery of being victimized by her dancing partner's clumsiness.
Her eyes shifting back to the table where Ryuji-tachi sat, her eyes fall upon a person who stood out by wearing everything in black.
Hiromu.
His hair was cut shorter but neatly disheveled, leaving only a few bangs on his forehead. His eyes locked with her own, his gazes soothing but deeply discerning. It added more to his charisma that he was drinking leisurely from his wine. Youko's female classmates were eyeing him with too much admiration.
He was no less but the great Sakurada Hiromu. The best pilot of EMC…The best student in Tokyo University…and Future Commander in Chief of the newly constructed EMC at Dainan District. He's everything but perfection.
And to add to her discomfort, Hiromu left his wine on the table and was slowly approaching the dance floor.
He was very careful not to look away despite admitting to himself that she was breathtakingly scenic. He had to secure her attention otherwise the debutant might accept another invitation elsewhere.
Go away, go away Hiromu. She was chanting under her breath.
Lady pride seemed to be testing her for his hand was already offered to her…
"May I?"
Jinno raised a brow but loosened his grip. He took a few steps back.
Youko masked her discomfort quickly by raising her chin (her usual Usami Youko pose). Hiromu soon faced her, his left hand supporting her back and his right hand firmly securing hers. Before Jinno walked away, Hiromu uttered words that made the boy feel displeased,
"This is the right way to hold a woman."
Hiromu moved a bit forward, having only few intimate inches of distance between Youko and him. Youko could smell his perfume— a classic combination of musk and mint. Whatever objective Hiromu had in mind, he sure got her fully interested.
"This is the right way to get her attention"
Youko smiled at his coolness. Jinno walked away muttering curses under his breath.
Their waltz had a perfect start. Every movement or rhythm screamed in sync. Stares were only exclusive, there's no room for betrayal. There was no mistaking to that hidden chemistry between the once child and adult. The crowd was pleased.
"Being in the street performance club paid well" he chuckled
Her forehead creased, eyes turning wide,
"This was an act?"
He smiled widely, the kind that could melt any girl who'd be this intimate with the great Sakurada Hiromu, "No."
",,,"
"You looked like a damsel in distress needed saving from the king of gracelessness."
He twirled her around.
"I don't need saving" she huffed in one breath.
"…"
"…Even if they say you're the best." She added. The best in everything—combat, research, cooking, academics— (even in) breaking hearts. Her tongue was stuck out mockingly at him.
He chuckled and gave her another twirl.
"And you? Do you think of me the same way?" he asked, referring to being the best.
Pause.
Five seconds.
She dipped a little and soon their lips were almost brushing.
"Baka (stupid). I'm a better charmer" she smirked and stepped back to do the twirl.
Pause. He boldly moved closer, his lips almost touching her ear.
"Want to have a competition with that?" he asked.
Pause.
Her eyebrows raised, sending her a query of his terms.
"First to fall for the better charmer wins…Loser gets whatever penalty imposed by the winner."
The waltz had ended. The debutante curtsied while the gentleman bowed low.
She gave him her prideful smile.
"Oh you're so on, siscon"