Blossoms of the Dark

XXIV Selene: Party

The chauffeur who picked me up from school now drops me at the school gates. Even from the outside, I can hear loud music and shouting. The sounds of a party. The sounds of boisterous fun. The sounds of too many people congregated in a small space.

I'm not going to enjoy this. Most of the parties I have attended were business parties, and only a few hundred esteemed guests were invited. Classical music was played and attendees gathered in many small groups to discuss topics related to business, politics, and news. These parties had a much calmer atmosphere than the one I'm about to attend. And since guest numbers were low and no one paid much attention to me, my agoraphobia was not activated.

Here, however, my agoraphobia will activate soon. I know that for certain. Whatever I must do, I must do before then.

I enter the school grounds and one of the security asks for my ID card. He checks it and lets me through. The party is taking place outside of the school building in an open area. It doesn't seem very open with thousands of attendees, I think pessimistically.

Shoving that thought toward the back of my head, I focus on what I need to do. As much as I would like to talk to Todoroki-kun, I have other priorities now. Make a lasting impression on the staff of U.A. Curry their favor. Charm them.

I stand toward the edge of the crows and peer over their heads to find where the teachers and principal are sitting. They must be somewhere separate from the mass of raucous students. As I continue searching, I see a familiar peppermint head approaching me.

Todoroki-kun stands in front of me with a gentle smile. "You came."

I smirk in return. "So I did." My eyes roam up and down his body. "You dress well. I didn't think you were the type to wear suits. At a party like this nonetheless." It's true. Most of the students here are wearing casual party clothes.

"I could say the same about you. You didn't receive any notification telling you what to wear at a party like this. Besides, I took you for the type to wear suits but not dresses. " His gaze roams my body, observing the indigo sheath gown hugging my body. It has T-shirt-length sleeves, but it is decorated with indigo lace flowers and artificial pearls. He looks at my shoulder-length gloves and choker, which are in matching indigo colors. His smile widens. "We're matching, too. Well, since we are wearing fancy clothes with matching color schemes, may I?" He extends his arm for me to loop mine through.

Hesitant but amused, I ask, "Where to?"

"To the food stands, of course. Loud noises and party chaos are not my kind of thing. I like to stay out of them."

"So the only reason you attend these parties is for the food," I chuckle, very amused at this point.

He blushes a little and laughs too. "Yeah. Most parties tend to have good food. And I like food."

Enjoying this conversation, I continue, "I don't fault you for that. I enjoy chaos but not the kind present here. Loud noises hurt my ears so I avoid these kinds of parties as well. And if it helps, I came to this party for the food, too."

He laughs fully now. It's a beautiful sound. Pure. Innocent. "Shall we go then? I saw that the school has a variety of options. And I want to try them all."

This time I place my hand on his arm and smile at him. "Lead the way."

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