Part 4: The Dance and Surprise
The day of the Yule Ball…
"What are you gonna get her?" Yashiro asked. They were standing outside the Hall, waiting for their partners to show up. "You don't want to lose to Kotonami this year again right?"
"Don't worry, Yashiro. I have a plan. You really like to remind me of last year huh?" Ren flashed him one of his most (im)famous gentleman smile, and a shiver run through Yashiro. It's only a joke!
"Ann's there! I better go now!" Yashiro's voice was a pitch higher than usual. He patted Ren's shoulder. "Good luck with Kyoko! I need to hear ALL details tomorrow!" Ren shot him a deadly glance, but Yashiro was already ignoring him, waving his hand and walking toward Ann. Yashiro… Ren gave out a long sigh. Sometimes he wondered if Yashiro is a girl. He was definitely a great friend, somehow getting Kyoko's schedule from others so that Ren could pretend to be around and spent some time with her. Yet he was so concerned about their relationship like a fangirl shipping her favourite couple.
"Ren?" Ren opened his eyes as he heard a familiar voice, and found the girl of his dream. Her raven hair, usually pulled into a ponytail, was twisted up into a simple yet elegant bun at the back of her head. The light makeup only touched her face a bit, enhancing her features. Her eyes were like the melted gold under the light of frame. She wore a floaty, blue dress that match the sapphire stone necklace he gave to her (not that she aware of this fact), showing her graceful collarbone. She titled her head a bit, her eyes with concern. "Are you all right?"
"I'm alright." He cleared his throat. "You look stunning today."
She felt like her cheeks were on fire. "Thank you. That's all thanks to Miss Wood." Calm down Kyoko! He was only trying to being polite! Don't take his words too seriously! She inhaled a deep breath, hoping to slow down her fastening heartbeats. "Where's Professor Sawara?" She tried to look though crowd of students, and failed to spot him.
"Please! The champions and their partners!" Professor Sawara shouted from the end of the corridor. Ren offered his arm and Kyoko put her hand through his.
"Here we go."
Kyoko couldn't help but gasped at the sight of the Hall. Fake snow was falling from the starry black ceiling, giving her a sense that they were outside. The Houses tables were nowhere in sight, replaced by a few ice sculpture that changed its color whenever some couples pasted by. Definitely Professor Takarada's work, she thought. She shifted uncomfortably as she felt the deadly stare of other girls. Ren seemed to sense her uneasiness and squeezed her hand, giving her a reassuring smile. She flashed a nervous smile back.
They finally reached the large round table at the top of the Hall, where the judges were standing. Professor Takarada smiled happily as the champions approached them, but Kurosaki Ushio wore an expression as if he was bored. Mr. Anna was clapping as enthusiastically as any of the students; and Sir Ogata, was applauding them politely. But Mr. Konoe, Kyoko suddenly realized, was not there. She scanned through the crowd and could not find him.
"Where is Mr. Konoe?" Kyoko whispered to Ren. He shrugged and was about to answer when the music started. He put his arm around her waist, proper and distant. She was hyperaware of every single inch his fingers rested on her body. And they started moving to the music.
Ren was leading the dance like a pro while she tried to recall all she knew about dancing: follow the music and do not step on your partner's toe. She found it easier than her thought. He clearly knows how to dance. Everything is natural to him. She caught the sight of Murasame Taira, the champion of Durmstrang; he kept treading on his partner's feet, making her wince frequently. The Beauxbatons' champion, Momose Itsumi and her partner, Kijima Hidehito, were dancing nearby as well. Soon the other students joined the champions and came onto the dance floor.
"You're a good dancer," she commented as he swept she into a turn. She realized that along with their bodies being nearer, so were their faces. "My mother taught me dancing when I was 5. She said it would be useful someday. I didn't believe her words until now," Kyoko noticed a touch of sadness in his words, almost unnoticeable if she hadn't been closer to him this year.
"Do you keep in touch with your parents frequently?" She asked without much thought. She regretted immediately the moment the words slipped out her month. Even if they've become friendlier through their practice, she noticed he rarely brought up his parents. Maybe he has a strained relationship with his parents? She had thought of it, but Ren seemed to have a fairly happy childhood judging from his words. She had asked Yashiro about Ren's family yet he seemed as clueless as her.
"Not really," he said. "It has been…" he counted the number in his mind "… 6 years since I last saw my parents." Time flies so fast. I felt like all of that happened yesterday. "My parents and I … wouldn't it be quite awkward if I send them a letter nowhere, telling them all the things I went through in Hogwarts?"
"Perhaps you could start with something small, like sending them a Christmas card? It would be less awkward than sending a letter," she suggested. She gave him a sad smile , shaking her head slightly, "Sorry, but I'm not the one who give best advices about parents." A silence hung between them. He swept her into another spin, and she kept up with him perfectly. An idea came to his mind. "If I send them a card," he said with a smirk, "will you go out with me?"
She was so stunned she nearly tripped. Ren tightened his grip to keep her from falling. His face inches from her, his eyes bright and intense. His lips are only a breath away from her. The smell of mint filled the space between them. All she could think of was how close their lips were and how it would be to kiss him. An alarm in her head was screaming DANGEROUS! That's way too CLOSE! Her heart was beating out a quick rhythm, and she felt like her knees was turning to jelly and would melt anytime. He saw her frozen status "Relax, it's only a joke."
He is teasing me again! "Ren!" She shot him a glance, face blushed. She is even cutter when she's angry. She need to stop looking like this otherwise every man in the room will eat her alive. He swallowed the urge to kiss her, not wanting some baka to disturb them.
"I'm sorry, Kyoko. I shouldn't have said that. Would you forgive me?" He gave her the puppy eyes level one. AHhh that's cheating! He knows I wouldn't be able to resist him… She gave him a weak nod just the moment the song ended. And Ren stepped back, releasing his hands. With a bow, he gestured to aside and she followed without a word, her head spinning with the words he just said. Why would he say something so misleading? It is as if he is flirting with me! No it's not possible!
"Would you like a drink?" his words pulled her back to earth. ".S…sure."
"I would get us some. Wait here," he turned around, heading to the bar. Kyoko's body relaxed when he was out of sight. Who know dancing with high heels would be some tired? She fought the idea pulling off her heels and massaging her sore foot. She was about to do it when she heard a familiar voice in her ears.
"Do you miss me, Kyoko?"
A little cliffhanger won't hurt right? *wink*
I'm so sorry that it has been so long since the last update. Schoolwork suck. I was filled with homework, reports and tests in the past two months that I barely have time to read and write. Your patience is noted, so this part is longer than the previous part ^^
Instead of giving a trivia like what I usually do, I decided to give you the reason why Yashiro's partner is not Moko: Moko and Yashiro are nothing but acquaintance in my mind. Yes, they may have a common goal: pushing Ren and Kyoko together. But I don't think they have the chemistry.
AH I almost forget to mention that Part 5 will be the end of The Yule Ball! TYB is my first fan fic ever and I still have a long way to be a great writer. Thank you for your support!