The ballroom buzzed with chatter and laughter, a kaleidoscope of brightly colored uniforms swirling across the polished dance floor. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow on the scene, and the lively melody of a waltz filled the air.
Ryusei stood near the drinks and drank a cup of punch before scanning the crowd for Reimu. When he had arrived at their hotel room, Reimu still wasn't there so he decided to wait for her at the location of the ball. A few moments passed and she hadn't shown up. As he was about to leave though, he felt someone tap on his shoulder, grabbing his attention.
Turning around, he saw Reimu in her school uniform, reflecting her youth, beauty, and excitement. With a playful smile, Reimu asked him one question, "Ready, samurai?"
Ryusei chuckled, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "As ready as I'll ever be, miko." He offered his hand, and Reimu took it with a flourish.
As the two entered the dance floor, Reimu, her initial nervousness replaced by a mix of excitement and anticipation, stood next to Ryusei, his hand resting lightly on her waist.
Despite the unfamiliar setting and the curious glances from other guests, a sense of calm settled over Reimu. Here, in this whirlwind of music and movement, the chaos of their recent adventure seemed to fade away. Ryusei's presence was a comforting anchor, his gaze meeting hers with a warmth that sent a pleasant flutter through her chest.
As the music swelled and they reached the center, Ryusei dipped his head in a slight bow, his samurai upbringing lending an unexpected elegance to the gesture. Reimu mirrored his movement, a playful smile dancing on her lips. The moment their eyes met again, the connection was undeniable. It was more than just a shared experience; there was a spark of understanding, a sense of belonging that resonated deep within them.
They moved in perfect harmony, their steps light and graceful. Ryusei, despite his initial concerns about etiquette, seemed to possess a natural rhythm, his movements fluid and confident. Reimu, ever the quick learner, followed his lead with ease, her playful spirit adding a touch of whimsy to their dance.
Onlookers couldn't help but be drawn to their effortless grace. Whispers fluttered through the crowd, speculating on the nature of their relationship.
"Look at them," a young girl murmured to her friend, "they seem to be made for each other."
An older student chuckled, nodding in agreement. "A beautiful couple, indeed. You can tell just by the way they dance."
Their movements spoke volumes. A gentle touch of Ryusei's hand on Reimu's back conveyed a silent promise of protection. A playful twirl initiated by Reimu, met by a soft laugh from Ryusei, spoke of shared joy and companionship. Even the simplest steps, executed with such perfect synergy, hinted at a deeper connection, a bond that transcended the boundaries of their worlds.
As the music reached its crescendo, Ryusei led Reimu into a final flourish, their eyes locked in a silent conversation. Applause erupted from the crowd, punctuated by appreciative whistles and cheers. Reimu, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of exertion and delight, beamed at Ryusei. He, in turn, returned her smile, a warmth radiating from his eyes that spoke volumes more than any words could.
"Nice dance," Reimu finally said.
"Thanks," replied Ryusei. He took her to the balcony where the two looked up at the night sky, where the moon provided illumination.
"So did the Church Ryu teach you how to dance?" asked Reimu.
"Nope. I have a cousin who's about the same age as me and really likes dancing," answered Ryusei. "I ended up being her dance partner for a long time so I had to learn in order to avoid getting stepped on."
Reimu giggled at the prospect of a young Ryusei trying to run away from a cute young girl with similar looks trying to get him to dance. The thought in itself was more than enough to give her a good chuckle.
"What about you?" asked Ryusei. "Got any guys that I don't know about at home?"
Reimu shook her head. "Yukari taught me when I was young. My mom also helped a bit but she wasn't as good as Yukari when it came to dancing."
"I see," replied Ryusei. "So how are you feeling about this trip?"
"Love it. Best trip I've had in decades," replied Reimu. "I'm finally making some money and having a good time while at it. I wish I could do this all the time."
Ryusei smiled and put an arm around her shoulder. "Maybe one day you can. Still, sometimes living a quiet life is more interesting than traveling all the time."
The two headed back inside the hotel where Reimu grabbed a few snacks before joining Ryusei in their room.
"We've got a big day tomorrow. I hope you're ready."
Ryusei woke up to the unusual sight of a girl in the same bed as him. "Ugh, what happened last night?" asked the samurai.
"I don't know but it seems you've made some progress and kept some restraint," replied another man in the room.
Ryusei looked up to see Mordecai standing in front of the bed and holding a phone.
"Delete those!" yelled Ryusei.
"Relax, I didn't take any photos. In any case, it seems your date's been going well."
Upon hearing this Ryusei realized what had happened that night. He and Reimu were so tired that he had to carry her back to their room which was easier said than done. He was also tired as well and collapsed into the bed with her upon reaching their shared room.
"Don't tell her," commanded Ryusei, a crimson flush appearing on his face.
"I don't think I need to," responded Mordecai. "Judging by her position, it seems like she woke up a few hours ago and pulled some blankets on you. Seeing as you're still in the bed, I doubt she would get mad."
Moments later, Reimu yawned and got up as well.
"Hey Ryusei, what happened last night?" asked the dazed shrine maiden.
"Let's just say, you two got some really good sleep together," replied Mordecai. "On a more serious note though, the chopper's ready and they've increased the bounty to 100,000 gold."
"And Belloq, does he know anything?" asked Ryusei.
"Last time I checked, he was still celebrating his victory," replied Mordecai. "He hasn't claimed the reward yet and I have no idea what he is going to do about the fake."
"Well, I hope he'll remain fooled. Besides, does he know we're alive?" asked Reimu.
"Not yet. He hasn't gotten any news yet."
He then checked his watch before gesturing for the samurai and shrine maiden to follow him.
"In any case, we need to get going, follow me."