Collision of Heaven and Hell ✅

Chapter Eight

August 17th, 2029

Dance was becoming a new escape for me. When I had my sessions at Sokei-Ryu, I could forget about everything that was going on. Everything that was unpleasant. I felt like myself when I flowed with the movements with my fan and my feet. We had a small audience for our show, and I didn't have a solo but danced with my group, but I found myself feeling genuinely happy and not faking it.

Mama and Papa couldn't come to the small show today, but I did have two guests seated up front; my "cousin" Haruya (who was filming in with his cell phone) and Chikafusa. More than more we made eye contact, and I was both pleased and relieved to see that he didn't look bored. More than once my eyes drifted down and I saw that he was wearing the black pearl I had given him. He promised that he would give me a gift in kind, but I told him he didn't need to. I gave him the gift expecting nothing in return.

Somehow, despite...complications, our friendship had evolved and we were becoming close. We didn't attend the same high school or even live in the same area of Tokyo, but we had daily video calls where we chatted. Or rather, I chatted and Chikafusa listened. Ever since he introduced me to Tako he made sure to include him in every call. I wanted to go over and see him but Chikafusa advised against it. "Chichi doesn't welcome any visitors," he said.

And I already knew that my parents would not have allowed me to go to his house anyway so I was content with seeing Tako on a video call. But at least I can see Chikafusa-kun in person, I thought.

Our routine finished and our audience clapped. Chikafusa clapped for us, still wearing a stoic expression but his motions were enthusiastic. I gave him a smile and a nod as I hurried back to the dressing room. My group only had one dance, so I was free to leave afterwards. One by one we were helped out of our kimonos and the rolls removed from our hair. I washed the makeup off my face when I heard my phone buzz in my bag. I dried my face and quickly checked to see that Haruya had sent me a message. 'Chichi's on his way!'

I got dressed in a white short-sleeved shirt and blue skirt, and I said my goodbyes to everyone before I ran out to meet Chikafusa and Haruya. I could see that Haruya didn't look pleased to be standing near Chikafusa, but he smiled and waved when he saw me. "Mai-chan!"

"How did I do?" I asked them.

"You looked perfect," Chikafusa said bluntly. It was so blunt that it almost sounded like a lie but I knew he was telling the truth.

"I shared your performance with everyone," Haruya said, holding up his phone. "Chichi will be here shortly."

"Then I should get going," Chikafusa said.

"I—" I began but Chikafusa shook his head at me. "You shouldn't offer me a ride when it's not your car, Mai."

"Oh, right." I forced a smile at him even though Haruya visibly relaxed. "Thank you for coming to my performance, Chikafusa-kun."

Haruya blanched when I said 'kun' but he didn't say anything until Chikafusa walked away. "You're a first-name basis with him, Mai-chan?!"

"Why not?" I retorted as we headed outside together. "He's a nice guy, Haruya!"

Haruya looked like he wanted to say something but then he shook his head. "I'll stop complaining. I'd rather hang around that guy than other people anyway."

I wanted to ask him how he was doing, but I knew that he was under a lot of stress. He was in his final year of high school, and he hadn't been truly able to enjoy it. Ever since the war started, everyone was on edge. We didn't have family gatherings anymore; no one wanted to risk it when there was literal gunfights in the streets of Tokyo. There were rumors going around that some of the gumis in Osaka were starting to become unstable. I tried not to pay attention because it terrified me, but at the same time I wanted to know what was going on because I wanted to know if any of us were safe anyone.