Euphoria

Dancing In The Dark

He drove the length of about 5 five songs, so about twenty minutes total, very close to his estimated fifteen. You felt more scared than ever now. As he stopped the car and directed you outside of it, with no sight or hearing, the anticipation inevitably turned into questioning.

"Toshi, am I going to be able to see where we are now? I'm starting to think I may be in the middle of the woods for a potential murder to be committed tonight." You whipped your head back and forward, unsure where he was standing in your proximity.

Right then your ear buds were taken out just to be filled by more music, with the addition of idol chatter. Then, when he took your blindfold off, you were finally able to see where the noise was coming from.

There was a large open area covered in concrete, near a small stage filled with instruments and musicians. Many people were dancing to the upbeat tunes that were being played. All of them were underneath string lights, and above them was a clear sky full of stars.

"Where are we?" You changed your gaze from looking around the area to looking at the man next to you.

"This is the burrow. It's basically just an open air concert that takes place every weekend it possibly can. Again, I can't take full credit, it was my parents' suggestion after I told them you liked dancing."

You couldn't help a bright smile, something was so pure about the fact he had tried so hard to find things you would like. Even getting help from his parents was endearing too.

"This is amazing, I had no idea there was something like this near here! Thank you." You hugged him and then grabbed his hand, leading him to the dance floor.

The first few songs were faster paced and you catered your dancing to them. Recognizing some and learning with others. Which made the two of you need a small break to regain some energy. You made your way to the left side of the stage, which contained many different concession stands to choose from.

"Okay, do you want: teriyaki, onigiri, spam musubi, or sushi for a snack?" You chimed in while scanning the area.

"You get whatever you think I would like. I am going to use the bathroom super quick, I will be back in like...5 minutes."

And so he was, in less than the time he predicted, he was by your side. He joined you in line to get some musubi, when you got to the front though, you ordered for the two of you. Actually able to pay for it before Hitoshi could get his card out this time.

"Finally, I was finally able to treat you to something today."

"Believe me when I say, you will have plenty of opportunities to treat me in the future. Why couldn't you just let me spoil you today."

You wondered how he could say such things so seriously. With a stoic straight face, he knew exactly what he was doing, yet didn't let it show. Your ears reddened a little, the implications of his words not going over your head, but quickly shook it off.

"Whatever." Somehow, that was the only thing you could muster out of your mouth before stuffing it with food. Hitoshi just let out a soft chuckle and joined you in eating.

You two had finished in a few minutes, Hitoshi spoke cryptidly again.

"Well, let's do this."

"What are we doing...?" You were confused by what he meant and apprehensive of his words.

"We are going to finish our dance, from New Years. We never got all the way through Paul's song, so let's do it now." And only a few seconds later the air wasn't filled with silence from your confusion, 'Put Your Head On My Shoulder' filled it instead.

"You're kidding, you set up the song? Just for us?"

"You didn't actually think I went to use the bathroom, did you? I didn't even go the right way to get to them." You hadn't noticed before, but as you looked back towards the direction he originally took off in, it indeed was the opposite of the bathrooms.

You just laughed and threw your arms over his shoulders, giving him a hug that turned into a slow dance. It was heaven, this was easily the best way you had ever spent your birthday. It made you so happy, you could only hold yourself closer to Hitoshi.

"I hope you know that you are easily the best thing that has ever happened to me." You paused after that sentence; There would have been contemplation on whether to say your next words but it just seemed right. So as the song ended you continued. "I love you, Hitoshi. So much, thank you for everything today." You continued to hug and sway with him into the next song.

He pulled away only slightly, not to break your connection, and looked down at you. His eyes had widened as if in shock, but then he smiled; toothy and hearty. Which made you mirror his expression, you were incandescently happy.

He leaned in closer again.

"I've loved you since the first day I met you. I'm glad that you trust me enough to let me be the one to love you. To love me back." You met him in the middle for your lips to connect as so many other parts of your body did at that moment.

It was the definition of admiration in a physical action. Soft and sweet, but passionate and lingering. His hands were soft on your cheek, gently stroking his thumb over you. He used it to help move away from your lips, but couldn't until he left one last peck on them.

"I don't know how I got so lucky, as to have you as my lover." He said very elegantly while pushing a small piece of your hair behind your ear.

"Believe me, I have been asking myself that question since the first time we danced to that song." You paused as he gave you a small peck on your forehead.

"Speaking of dancing, let's get back to it. It isn't even close to midnight yet and we aren't 30 minutes from the dorms. We have all the time in the world." You continued after basking in his small intimacies.

"As you wish." We're the three words to his response.

And with that, you danced under the stars until you couldn't any more. Taking your shoes off; almost falling asleep on your way home. It was about half past midnight when you finally made it to your dorm, you dealt with the hassle of getting ready for bed, but finally fell into your mattress.

Hitoshi had it easier and was already there so you wrapped your arms around him.

"Goodnight love." You said, exhaustion filling your voice. You had wanted to use that name with him for a while now, even if there was a time you hadn't realized it.

"Goodnight love." You couldn't see it, but Hitoshi took notice; you fell asleep with a content smile on your face. And he was holding you feeling like the happiest man in the world.