Arata stood hiding in the shadows. "Hello Haruhi-sama."

I smiled gently. "Hi Arata." Then I frowned and set my hands on my hips. "Where have you been?"

"I've been working."

My frown deepened as I repeated him. "Working?"

His cheeks got a pink tinge. "Aneko-sama promoted me."

My eyebrows shot up. "Did she?" I smiled. "Congratulations."

"Thank you." He muttered.

"So… You're working now?" I cocked my head.

"Sort of."

My eyebrows crept up to my hairline again. A cold breeze brushed over my skin and I shivered slightly. Arata noticed, he took off his jacket and handed it to me. I smiled grateful and slipped my arms in the long sleeves. "Thanks."

A somewhat awkward tension filled the air. Inside the music started playing again after a short intermezzo.

"Why aren't you inside?" Arata broke the silence. "Are you not enjoying the party?"

"Oh, no! I'm enjoying it very much but my feet started hurting."

He smiled slightly. "You got tired of dancing?"

"Not really." I replied. "I actually rather like dancing."

"Really?" he sounded surprised.

I nodded. Arata laid his hand at the back of his neck and swallowed visibly, he looked to the floor and then up to me.

"Would you like to dance with me then?" he asked quietly.

I stood flabbergasted for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "Of course."

He stepped closer and took my hand in his, his other hand traveled to my waist while I placed my hand on his broad shoulder. He swiftly took the lead and swirled me around.

Arata turned out to be quite the good dancer. His hands and the heat he radiated, warmed me more than his jacket did.

"Aneko-sama told me she was proud of you." He broke the silence again, a silence which had been more comfortable than awkward this time.

"Did she…" I repeated my earlier words.

His grip on my hand and waist tightened. "She did." There played a soft smile on his lips. "I'm also very proud of you, Haruhi-sama." He said. "And I hope you will allow me to serve you when you become queen."

"Yes, of course. I'd like to keep you by my side." I replied, realized my words and blushed, Arata too blushed and nodded. We stopped dancing though we didn't let go off each other as we kept gazing at each other. Arata's eyes shifted to my lips, he hesitated for a second and met my eye again.

"Asking permission to kiss you." He whispered.

I swallowed hard. "Permission granted."

I'm sorry, homework didn't permit me to update :), next chapter will be the epilogue ^^