Halloween Masquerade

Sumireko encounters a familiar stranger at a Halloween party.

Yes, Sumibanba pairing is finally here, enjoy. Don't forget to give it a review, I need validation.

Sumireko Hanabusa has been invited to a masquerade Halloween dance by someone anonymous. She couldn't figure out who sent it to her as she kept flipping the envelope to see if it had a name from where it came. But nonetheless, it didn't matter to her. She had her butler order a masquerade costume as she prepared for this lovely event.

"Yes father, I have received an anonymous letter from some unknown individual."

The voice of her father can be heard from the other side of the line. Sumireko nodded as she was telling her father goodnight. She hung up and sighed. She then proceeded to drink her green tea.

"What does your father think of this unexpected news?"

"He's fine with it. He will allow me to attend this party so he ordered me a masquerade costume for me to wear."

"I see. Are you sure this isn't a trap from some assassin organization, milady?"

"I don't think so. Besides, all assassination attempts have failed thus far."

The butler placed Sumireko's empty tea cup on a plate he was holding.

"In that case, you should go."

In the coming days, Sumireko waited for the day to come, which was on October 31st. Her costume had finally arrived. The butler made sure to hand it over to her carefully to make sure he doesn't ruin it.

"My, it's precious. Is this a Cinderella dress?"

"Yes, do you like it?"

Sumireko smiled.

"I love it. This is the dress I wish to wear to the ball. Butler if you'll excuse me, I need to dress myself for this wonderful event."

"Of course, milady."

He quietly made his way to the door and closed it leaving his mistress alone.

Sumireko couldn't stop smiling at the stunning blue dress. She had everything she needed: her white gloves, her bright clear slippers, and a Pastel blue masquerade mask that will match with the dress's colors. She made sure to apply some make up first before anything. She easily slipped into her dress and gently placed her soft feet into the slippers. Her gloves fit perfectly and she placed her masquerade mask to hide her identity. She opened the door to reveal to her trustworthy butler, her elegant beauty dressed as Cinderella.

"Well, how do I look?"

The butler gasped in amazement.

"Milady…you look stunning. No words can describe how beautiful you look in that dress. You will attract many viewers, I assure you."

"I'm flattered, thank you. I feel like perhaps I should contact some of my father's colleagues and see if any available young gentleman wishes to be my partner for the ball."

"Milady, if you would allow for some of my advice I feel you should go alone."

"Oh, and why is that?"

"Just intuition. I will escort you there but if you do get lonely then I will be there for the whole night to provide company."

Sumireko stifled a few chuckles.

"My, you truly are too sweet. I'll take your advice instead."

"Very well. Let us head there now."

The ballroom of an opulent hotel was packed with people; the cacophony of chatter and laughter and orchestral music filled the ball. It was indeed a young night for this many people to go to a ball. Sumireko saw many hidden faces, she thought to herself maybe no one she knows might have gone to the ball. She will probably just meet a stranger to chat with and maybe dance and then once the ball is over, she'll depart from that stranger, never seeing him again.

"Thank you for driving me here."

"It is my duty as your butler to provide service to you, milady. Please be careful, I wouldn't want to receive a call telling me my mistress has been hurt or anything like that."

"Do not worry I can handle myself. Until then Happy Halloween."

"Happy Halloween, milady."

As soon as Sumireko walked to the entrance she was greeted by many people who seemed to have taken an interest in her dress.

"Lovely dress, did you make it?" Someone asked.

"No, I actually bought it."

"Did you come here alone?" A second voice asked.

"Yes."

"Care for a drink at the bar?"

"Champagne is all I can have. No alcohol."

"What a shame."

Sumireko kept finding herself being asked such unexpected questions that she couldn't understand why they could ever apply to her. But as she kept walking farther away, the voices of these partygoers had stopped. She sighed in relief. Her feet were a bit sore after all that walk so she decided to sit on an empty table. She rested a bit before some unknown person sat next to her.

"You new here?"

"Yes I am."

"Mind if I chat with you?"

"Not at all."

"It's quite noisy here. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Yes it is."

"So are you supposed to be a princess from some famous story?"

"I'm dressed as Cinderella."

"I see. So Cinderella where is your Prince Charming?"

"Unfortunately, I couldn't find a suitable person to be my Prince Charming."

The man dressed as a peasant sighed in disappointment. He felt bad for her.

"Such misfortune. No beautiful lady deserves to come here without a gentleman."

"Did you also come here alone?"

"No, actually I came here with a few friends of mine. But we just came here to get drunk and pass out afterwards. But someone needs to drive us home so I had to make sure to not get too drunk."

"Hope you had fun here."

The man elicited a few chuckles as he looked as his empty glass of beer.

"I wish the same for you, Cinderella. Well, I believe it's my time to depart from this place. I hope you find your Prince Charming before the night ends, ciao."

And again Sumireko found herself alone. She watched as the couples dances to the music. Sumireko wished she could be there, dancing as many spectators laid their eyes on her and her partner, whoever that may be.

"Here ya go." A waitress said as she placed a napkin and drink down in front of Sumireko.

"Oh, um, I didn't order anything."

The waitress smiled.

"Complements of the masked gentleman over there."

Sumireko looked to where the waitress nodded and saw a masked male figure lifting his drink to her in salute and smiling. Sumireko smiled back. She picked up the glass and raised it to the man with a nod. She took a sip. It was champagne. She stared at the glass and looked at the man but he wasn't there. Sumireko looked everywhere but it was like he was ghost and just vanished. Sumireko was puzzled but took another sip.

"I'm glad you're enjoying the drink." Said a soft voice behind her.

Shivers ran down her spine. She turned to see the masked gentleman looking down at her grinning. That look made Sumireko feel uneasy but had an oddly familiar feel to it.

"Hello, and thank you for the drink."

"My pleasure. Is this seat taken?"

Sumireko looked at the seat and bit her lip.

"Of course not. Please sit."

The masked gentleman smirked and sat down.

"Thank you, Cinderella."

Sumireko was impressed at the quick statement of this stranger.

"So you know who I'm dressed as."

"I've read the story. But there seems to be something missing here."

"What's that?"

"You've got no Prince Charming, mademoiselle."

Sumireko mentally face palmed herself. She felt a little embarrassed.

"I'm aware of that."

"No need to feel ashamed. I came here alone."

Sumireko's lips curved into a grin once she heard that.

They have been chatting for over an hour and Sumireko noticed a change in the man's voice. His voice sounded feminine. She could also tell his hair looked out of place.

"I feel like I know you."

"I'm sure you must have me mistakened for someone else, Cinderella."

"Maybe, but your voice sounds like someone I met before."

The masked gentleman was getting quite nervous.

Don't lose your cool, Shinya. If you mess up she'll find out who you really are.

"Maybe I just sound a little like that person."

Sumireko averted her attention to the couples who were dancing. She gazed upon their swift movements and daydreamed of her dancing with her partner. The masked gentleman noticed this and watched them dance. A bit of sweat ran down his forehead.

"Something wrong, Cinderella?"

"I want to dance!" Blurted out Sumireko as she got up with excitement in her eyes.

"Um, what?"

"I said I want to dance. Now. Please dance with me."

The masked gentleman's whole body felt heavy. He wasn't sure if he could do this. He inhaled and exhaled slowly.

"Alright, let's dance."

He held out his hand to her. She took it and let him lead her to the dance floor. Her entire body felt electrified by his touch. No one had ever elicited such a sensation from her just by touching her. No one has ever held her the way he was holding her now. Her body was pressed hard, almost crushingly against his. He had his arm around her waist securely, in a possessive manner. Sumireko hadn't thought she would enjoy being held in such a proprietary manner. But she did. She enjoyed the way their bodies fit together. She had never danced with a man her size. She had waited so long for this moment, it almost felt like a dream.

She gazed into the man's crystal purple eyes. They were so deep they were almost hypnotic. And familiar, as well. Her mind was searching frantically to make the connection. But then his face moved closer to hers. Closer, closer… And then her lips met his. They were soft. Her mind went blank after that. She let herself wander the taste of those soft lips. She'd never kissed lips so soft. The taste zinged down from her mouth all the way to her toes. Leaving a particularly strong impression deep down in her belly.

Shinya's head was spinning. She couldn't believe it. She was kissing Sumireko, the girl of her dreams. She was getting drunk in the taste of her. She gripped tightly to her hips as if for stability. But she knew sooner or later, she would found out the true identity of this masked gentleman.

The ball was soon to end. But Sumireko needed to do one more thing.

They were alone, farther away from the crowd. She turned to the masked gentleman who was blushing lightly.

"I need to know something."

"What's that?"

"Who are you?"

He sighed upon hearing that question.

"It's best that you don't ask me that."

"No, I deserve to know who I've been talking, with, dancing with, and kissing."

"I am afraid I cannot answer your question."

"Why not? Are you afraid what I may think of your appearance?"

The masked gentleman took a moment to think clearly before replying.

"I feel like you won't accept me."

"That's not true. I'll accept anyone for simply being here with me, and never leaving me alone."

The masked gentleman walked closer to her and felt her bright red cheeks.

"Very well."

He slowly took off his masquerade mask and what seemed to be a hair wig. Sumireko gasped at the sight she bestowed.

"S-Shinya?"

"Surprise."

"Wait! You've known who I was from the beginning?"

"I sent you that invitation. It was sent to me previously but I thought of you."

"Then how did you get in the ball?"

"That is a secret," said Shinya as she grinned.

"Was all this for me?"

"Yes. All I wanted was to be your Prince Charming. Hope you don't mind."

"Not at all. I am appalled however. But I'm glad you did this for me."

Sumireko wrapped her arms around Shinya's neck.

"Mahiru would have wanted this too."

"I know, and please let her know I said thank you."

Both girls enjoyed the rest of the party until it ended. Shinya escorted her Cinderella home.

"Goodnight, Shinya. Thank you again for this lovely night."

"It was my pleasure. And Happy Halloween, Cinderella."

"Happy Halloween, my Prince Charming."

Did you shed a tear? I did. And this is not the last chapter, there is one more. Also please forgive me for the long ass wait, I was in hiatus for reasons but I hope this helps you know I'm still alive XD