Susumu left me to go get a quick drink, and seconds after drinking it he held his stomach and rushed for the bathrooms. So I sat down waiting for him. The lights dimmed and stage lights lit up the dancefloor. Everyone got their partners and held each other, awaiting the music to start.
I kept watch over the mens bathroom, waiting for Susumu. Kotetsu announced that there would be three rounds of dancing before the disco starts at 12.
Susumu never came out, so I studied the people dancing trying to teach myself to dance. Halfway through the dance, he finally came out, and apologised for taking so long.
I took his hand and he lead me to the floor, where he placed a hand on my hip and held my hand in the other.
"Put your hand on my shoulder Setsuki." He instructed. So I did. He didn't look all that well.
He started pulling me around slowly, until I found my footing and might I say he was a good dancer. I had no idea what I was meant to be doing so I kept watching our feet, trying to match my movements with his.
After that hour-long dance, I sat down again, I had fallen over more times than I could count. But it was fun.
I grabbed a few dumplings to eat and took a large glass of water and Susumu and I sat there talking, having a great time.
The second round was about to begin, Susumu warned me this time would be a quicker paced dance, but I was prepared! At least I thought I was.
Again, another hour passed, I felt exhausted already, who knew dancing was so tiring? We were given 30 mins break until the final round. Susumu rushed off to the bathroom again, and when he came out he had to leave because his sister had come to bring him home.
So I decided I'd sit there, and watch the last dance instead. Considering I don't have a partner. I saw Neji and Tenten come out of the crowd together, out of breath. I smirk at the sight, I knew Neji would turn up. I continued looking around at the people while they ate and rested. Then at a lonely table.. I saw Lee, sitting there alone. His arms folded across the table, his head buried in them. I realized, did that girl ever come to find him!?
I get up to approach him, but I was stopped by the girls at a table, Hinata, Ino and Tenten who had just sat down with them.
"Setsuki! We were wondering where you were!" Tenten called. I walked over to the table. "You were dancing with Susumu right?"
"Yeah, but he's gone home now..." I turn my attention to Lee again.
"What're you looking at?" Ino asked, following my eye sight. Tenten and Hinata peered over too.
They all made a somewhat pitiful noise.
"Oh... yeah Lee's partner never showed." Tenten said.
"What?!"
"The one he was apparently waiting for, she never showed up.. poor guy." Tenten trailed off into a mumble. Ino and Hinata lowered their heads too.
"I kind of feel sorry for him.. hey, Setsuki, go cheer him up will ya? I know you two are good at making each other happy." Ino said.
"Yeah that's right. If there's anyone who can cheer Lee up, aside from Gai-sensei, it's you Setsuki." Tenten said. I smile and nod at them.
"Yeah I was on my way to.."
"I-I would... g-go try and cheer L-Lee-san up... b-but I don't.. like dancing... that m-much.." Hinata mumbled. Dancing! Of course! I got an idea.
"The third and final round will begin now, please station yourselves onto the floor." Kotetsu announced.
"Oh, lets go girls!" Ino said, standing up, she strutted off to find her partner, and Tenten left to find Neji. Hinata gave a graceful smile.
"D-don't worry about me, Setsuki-san.. go cheer Lee-san up." She stuttered. I nod and run to Lee.
He was either silently crying or he was sleeping. I hold my hand out to him, and clear my throat. Lee tensed for a moment.
"Lee-san.""
He raised his head, looked at my hand, his eyes widen and he looked up at me. "O-oh.. S-Setsu.."
"May I.. have this dance?" I inquire, smiling down at him, feeling happy to see his sad expression turn into joy.
"S-Setsuki-san.." He slowly smiled and took my hand. I pull him to his feet. Without saying a word we walk to the floor, and get into stance. It was a slow dance, rocking back and forth slowly with our partners.
Mid-way through the dance I felt tired, I rest my head against his shoulder without even thinking. But he didn't mind, because I felt his cheek rest on my head. We didn't say anything just rocked in time with the slow music.
By the end of the dance, I felt very sleepy. Lee did too, and unlike last time we were in a similar embrace, Lee was fully relaxed, his breathing moderate. I was sure our breathing was in perfect sync. But because we had our eyes closed, what we didn't realize was a large number of people watching us with amusement.
"Setsuki-san.." Lee finally spoke, breaking the everlasting silence.
"Mmm?"
Lee stopped swaying and stood still, causing me to do the same. I opened my eyes in curiosity, then saw all the faces gazing upon us. It made me flinch.
Lee whispered. "Why are they all watching us..?" He lifted his head and scanned the area.
"... I don't know.." I felt a little shy. When we caught sight of Gai-sensei hiding behind the crowd, he was in tears of happiness for some reason.
We decided to leave the dancefloor and sit at a table together. But we weren't alone, Gai-sensei, Tenten and Ino quickly joined us. Gai-sensei sat himself beside Lee, wrapping a manly arm around his student's shoulders.
"You did it Lee!"
"D.. did what, Gai-sensei?"
"Do I even need to answer?" He laughed quite loudly. Lee's clueless expression grew bigger.
Tenten and Ino leaned in close to me, smirking somewhat evilly.
"See, I told you Tenten~" Ino chimed.
"No I told you~" Tenten replied.
"We knew you wouldn't keep your secret in for long~" Ino said.
"What secret?" I ask.
The girls glimpse at Lee's massive clueless expression then sigh. "Are they really that oblivious?"
"Seems so.."
"What're you all talking about?!" I question. I just wanted to talk to Lee. The girls giggle quietly amongst each other, before standing up.
"Lets leave them be~ Come on Gai-sensei." Tenten said, as they started walking away, however Gai-sensei was too busy drooling over Lee's 'success'. Tenten ended up dragging him away by his ear.
Lee faced me with a strange expression. "What was all that about?"
"I dunno.."
Lee's eyes suddenly widened, as if realising something. He fell backwards out of his chair. I stood up with concern. "L-Lee-san?"
Lee stood up with a panicked expression. He points at me and speaks with a loud, shocked tone. "I think I know! Gai-sensei saw you dancing with me, Setsuki-san! He must thing you are the girl he was talking about!"
I cringe. "W-what?! You're right! That must be it! It's all a misunderstanding.. I mean, did that girl ever show up?"
Lee shook his head. "No she did not!"
"We have to clear this up with the others before they spread the word! They'll think we're in love!" I explain. Lee's jaw fell open.
"R-right! Let us go, Setsuki-san! I will talk to Gai-sensei, you talk to the girls!" It was a deal, we run off to tell them.
"Tenten! Ino! Wait!"
"Huh?"
I explain the truth to them, but they only laughed and they didn't believe me. I didn't want the whole village thinking Lee and I were... I shook the thought from my head. My cheeks were warm, I don't know why. I had to find Gai-sensei now, at least if we convinced him then he might tell everyone else that this is a misunderstanding.
Lee was already trying to explain it to Gai-sensei, but he was too convinced otherwise.
"Nonsense Lee! I told you, the girl who asks you for a dance is the one who truly loves you!"
"B-but Gai-sensei, Setsuki-sa-"
"GAI-SENSEI!" I call, running over to the pair.
"Setsuki! I knew you would-"
I cut Gai-sensei off. "Gai-sensei! You've got it all wrong! I only asked Lee to dance because his 'partner' you were talking about never showed up! I didn't want him to be alone tonight!" I explain.
"Nonsense! She did turn up!" Gai-sensei announced. We both faced Gai-sensei with a questioning expression.
"She's right here!" Gai-sensei placed his hand on my shoulder.
"Gai-sensei! Setsuki-san was only-"
"No no no Lee! Setsuki became your partner, did she not?"
"I- uh.. It was only for once dance, Gai-sensei."
"Exactly! And you cannot dance if you don't have a partner!"
"But Gai-sensei.. I don't.. think I'm utterly in love with Lee!" I imply.
"Right! See Gai-sensei?" Lee concured. Gai-sensei shook his head with a sigh.
"Lee likes Sakura-chan and I-... er.."
"Well Setsuki, tell us who you like, hm? Everyone your age has to like someone, that's all part of youth!" Gai-sensei explains.
I really didn't know what to say at this point. "Um.. I.. don't really think about that.. I-I prefer to train!" I lie. Gai-sensei kneeled down to my height and looked me in the eyes. "You really don't like anyone?"
"Um.. no." I reply.
"Gai-sensei, it is not nice to pressure someone into liking someone else of which they do or do not like!" Lee scolded. "You taught me that yourself!"
Gai-sensei stood up in defeat. "I guess I need more convincing.. to show these two..." He stood there talking quietly to himself while scratching his chin.
A firework suddenly lit up in the sky. "Oh! Setsuki-san!" Lee took my hand and eagerly gazed at me. "Lets go watch the fireworks!"
"Yeah! Lets go!" We ran off together to find a good spot. We didn't know it, but Gai-sensei was very proud.