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— ˗ˋ ୨୧ ˊ˗ —
Your stomach was in a bundle of knots as you waited on the side of the stage. You had been doing ballet since you were five years old—you loved it. Of course, you weren't the best at first but you had gotten to a point where you were the best in the classes you were in.
When you turned nineteen you joined Hana Sasaki Ballet Co. in Kyoto. You had moved from Hiroshima to Kyoto at the age of nineteen all alone to be able to perform there. It was one of the most prestigious Ballet Companies in all of Japan and you weren't going to turn down the opportunity.
It was hard at first too, being so far away from your dad and you had to have a part-time job the first two years because you weren't getting paid. A lot at least. You also didn't have time for college so you never got to go.
Quickly you became one of the best dancers at the company and for the first year in your 18 years of performing The Nutcracker. A classic performance—you were playing the Sugar Plum Fairy. Last year you were Dewdrop which was exciting enough but you were especially excited this year.
Practice after practice even when you were at home you were practicing. You couldn't mess this up.
The night of Open House—the first performance of the show, it was sold out. You stared out into the audience through the curtain from the side stage and your stomach was doing gymnastics.
"Alright, people!" Sakusa exclaimed clapping her hands together to get you—and your peers' attention. Emiko Sakusa was your instructor and had been for the past 4 years. Ever since you joined the company she had been nothing but like to you but especially hard on you when she needed to be.
Everyone gathered around the dark-haired woman and gave her their full undivided attention—you included.
"It's a full house out there and my family is here too so we have to be perfect. No mistakes, I know that's a lot of pressure but I know you guys can do it you've yet to disappoint me at rehearsals." Emiko says and everyone in the opening scene rushes onto the stage behind the closed curtains.
You just watch from the side stage anxiously waiting for your scene.
Act 2 had gotten there at what felt like lightning speed but also ages. When you gracefully made your way onto the stage and began reciting the choreography you had practiced you were nervous.
Not about the big crowd—but the fact that you played a bigger part in the performance than you usually had. You had worried about every leap and turn you did hoping not to make a mistake. You didn't.
In the end, you nailed your performance and ended it smoothly. When you made your way off stage Sakusa was applauding you and atting your shoulder. As well as some of your friends who gave you kind praises. "You did amazing Y/n." Elora--one of your friends said. She was from Canada and had long black hair, she was playing the role of Dewdrop.
Though she had already finished her performance, the two of you stayed on the side cheering on your friends silently.
At the end of the show, you all made your way on stage to bow in the respected orders you had rehearsed. Everyone received loud applause and hollers from friends and family
When the curtains closed Sakusa rushed onto the stage, "Alright guys everyone did great but we could do better, I'm gonna go talk with my family quick but remember, the after party is at Amano Plaza down the street." she said patting some people's shoulders as she moves by all of you.
Everyone was looking forward to the after-party and a lot of people were especially looking forward to meeting Emiko's family, especially her brother, He was a volleyball player for MSBY Black Jackals and he played for Japan's National team in the Olympics. The whole family was widely successful or talented in some way. Insanely attractive too.
Besides you had already met her brother once before when you were out shopping a few months back. Emiko was with him and her sister and she briefly introduced the two of them to you. Sure he was a good-looking guy but you weren't interested in pursuing any kind of relationship with your teacher's brother.
Both you and Elora were headed to the dressing rooms to change out of your costumes. "Are you looking forward to the after party later?" Elora asked you as you both walked down the small hallway. "I guess, but I'd rather sit at home watching rom-coms and eating mac and cheese." you laugh and Elora rolls her eyes sarcastically.
"Of course, you would," she groans and the two of you enter the dressing room and sit in front of your mirrors gather your makeup removing products of choice, and start the process. "You can do that as soon as you get home Y/n." the brunette adds while taking a make-up wipe to her face.
"I could but I'll be too tired by the time I get back home." you said taking your stage makeup off. "this feels pointless because I'm going to put more makeup on in less than five minutes," you complained and Elora laughed.
"What are you wearing to the party?" she asked glancing over to you. You shrugged in response "The usual I guess." you muttered. "A little black dress?" you hummed in response confirming her guess and she shook her head. "You never change," she says with a sigh and you nod.
"Why should I?"
The two of you continued to remove your makeup take down your hair, and change out of your costumes and back into the sweats you wore when you arrived. "Now we all have to go home to change and go to a social party that we won't benefit from at all." Elora smiled sarcastically slinging her bag over her shoulder.
You mirrored her actions and followed the girl out of the dressing room and into the hall where several of your colleagues were also heading out. "Who's excited to see Sakusa's super hot brother?" A voice asked behind you. The low and smooth voice belonged to Andre another one of your friends--he was playing Cavalier in the show. He was French and very tall.
"Everyone except me and Y/n I'm guessing," Elora spoke for both of you. Andre tried his best to squeeze over onto your right side in the small hallway and walked alongside the two of you. "Well Y/n doesn't count because all she cares about is ballet, no love life whatsoever," Andre replied and you gasped dramatically.
"I do have a love life!" you protest in an offended tone. Elora laughed and quickly covered her mouth when it slipped out. You turned to glare at the girl and then back to Andre, who was smiling way too hard at your expression. "Getting advances and turning them down does not count as a love life, you're not out there seeking anyone or showing any interest, period."
You rolled your eyes and scoffed in response because he was right. You had very high standards and at the end of the day were focused on your passion. If you were going to get into a relationship it would be with someone who was just as passionate bout their craft as you. Someone who could understand you.
The three of you were outside now breathing the fresh Kyoto air. "I felt like we were in there forever." Elora groaned while taking a deep inhale of the cold air. It was snowing just barely, really it was flurries of snow and nothing was sticking.
"Might as well have been." you quipped as you rubbed your hands together and blew hot air into them. "See you guys in a little bit?" you say as you begin walking away. Andre and Elora exchanged 'goodbyes' with you as you headed to your car down the street.
It was time to head home for three seconds just to change and go to a party that wouldn't end till midnight.
