𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒂𝒅𝒆 | 𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪 𝘬.

𝟐𝟐

As you stepped into the prom venue, the atmosphere enveloped you like a vibrant embrace. The dimly lit ballroom sparkled with shimmering decorations, fairy lights twinkling above as though the stars had descended just for this night. The sweet scent of roses mixed with the soft notes of music playing in the background, creating an intoxicating blend of excitement and anticipation. Your heart raced, the thrill of the evening pulsing through your veins as you grasped Nanami’s hand, feeling a rush of warmth at the contact.

The grand entrance felt like a moment straight out of a fairy tale, and you couldn’t help but smile as you took in the scene. Your classmates mingled in their stunning gowns and sharp suits, laughter echoing against the polished walls. You spotted Yui and Ayumi across the room, their faces lighting up as they waved enthusiastically.

“There they are!” you exclaimed, pointing them out to Nanami, who nodded with a smile.

“Let’s go say hi,” he suggested, leading you through the sea of colorful dresses and tuxedos. As you approached your friends, their eyes widened in delight.

“You both look amazing!” Yui gushed, taking a step back to admire your stunning blue gown. “I knew you’d steal the show!”

Ayumi nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “And Nanami, you clean up nicely! Who knew you could look so charming?” she teased, nudging him playfully.

“Thanks,” he replied, a hint of warmth creeping into his usually serious expression. The easy banter between you and your friends added to the electric atmosphere, and you felt a swell of happiness.

As you all chatted and laughed, the music shifted to an upbeat tempo, and a wave of energy washed over the room. “Let’s hit the dance floor!” you suggested, grabbing Nanami’s hand. He nodded, the seriousness fading as he followed your lead.

The dance floor was alive with movement and laughter. You and your friends jumped into the rhythm, swaying and twirling as the music enveloped you. Nanami moved with surprising ease, his serious demeanor giving way to moments of laughter as he spun you around, making you feel weightless.

As the first song faded into the next, the excitement of the night swirled around you, but there was a subtle tension brewing in the air. You could feel Gojo’s gaze on you from across the room. He stood with a group of friends, his usual playful grin replaced by a more serious expression. His blue eyes flickered between you and Nanami, a hint of jealousy marring his handsome features.

You tried to shake off the feeling of unease, focusing instead on the joyful moments with Nanami. “You’re a great dancer,” you complimented, your cheeks flushed with exhilaration.

“Thanks, but I’m just following your lead,” he said, his gaze warm as he twirled you around once more. The connection between you deepened, every twirl pulling you closer, until the world around you faded into a blur.

But as the music shifted to a slow song, a moment of stillness settled over the dance floor. Couples paired off, swaying gently, and you felt Nanami’s hand find the small of your back, pulling you closer. Your heart raced as you melted into his embrace, the closeness igniting a warmth that spread through you.

“Isn’t this nice?” he asked softly, his gaze fixed on yours.

“It really is,” you replied, feeling the moment stretch beautifully between you. The vulnerability in his eyes reminded you of the depth of your connection.

Yet, in the corner of your vision, you noticed Gojo stepping closer, his expression stormy as he joined a group of friends nearby. His playful demeanor had vanished, replaced by a serious intensity that made you uneasy. You tried to focus on Nanami, but the tension in the air was palpable.

As you swayed, Gojo leaned over to his friends, his voice rising above the music. “Look at them. What a perfect couple,” he said, a hint of sarcasm lacing his tone. His words were light, but there was an edge of something darker—jealousy, perhaps.

You felt a prickle of discomfort at his words, your gaze shifting between him and Nanami. Nanami, however, remained focused on you, seemingly unaware of the brewing tension nearby. “What are you thinking about?” he asked, his eyes searching yours.

“Just… the moment,” you replied, forcing a smile, but your heart was a tangled mess of emotions.

As the song came to an end, you and Nanami stepped back, and the energy in the room shifted again. Laughter and chatter resumed, but the moment you shared had left a lingering connection—one that felt both intimate and charged.

“Do you want to grab some punch?” you suggested, trying to lighten the mood.

“Sure,” he agreed, leading you away from the dance floor. As you made your way to the refreshment table, you caught sight of Gojo again. He was standing with his arms crossed, watching you intently as though gauging the situation. His expression flickered with an emotion you couldn’t quite decipher, but it sent a shiver down your spine.

When you reached the table, you filled your cup with the vibrant red punch, stealing a glance at Nanami. “So, what’s next on our agenda? More dancing or maybe some food?” you asked, hoping to distract from the tension.

“Let’s grab some snacks first. I have a feeling we’ll need the energy,” he replied with a light laugh, easing the weight of the moment.

As you both moved to the food table, Gojo suddenly approached, his energy crackling as he stepped into your space. “Hey, mind if I steal a moment with you?” he asked, his tone casual but the intensity in his eyes betraying his true feelings.

You felt a mix of confusion and concern. “Um, sure,” you said, glancing at Nanami, who seemed to stiffen slightly at Gojo’s arrival.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be quick,” Gojo said, his gaze flickering between you and Nanami before focusing solely on you. “So, how’s the night treating you?”

“Really good, actually,” you replied, trying to keep the conversation light despite the tension. “Nanami and I are having a great time.”

“Glad to hear that,” he said, his smile a little forced. “You look beautiful tonight, by the way.”

You felt a flutter in your chest at the compliment but noticed Nanami’s expression tighten. “Thanks, Satoru. You look great too.”

“Thanks,” he replied, but his gaze remained locked on you, a hint of challenge in his eyes as he continued, “So, are you two planning to dance some more?”

“Yeah, I think so,” you said, trying to diffuse the situation. “It’s been fun.”

As Gojo smiled, the air thickened with an unspoken rivalry, and you could sense the tension radiating between him and Nanami. It was an uncomfortable weight that you wished would dissolve, but it lingered like a shadow.

“Well, I hope you both have a great night,” Gojo said finally, his tone shifting as he stepped back. “I just wanted to check in.”

“Thanks, Satoru,” you said, offering a tentative smile as he walked away. You turned back to Nanami, who regarded you with an unreadable expression.

“Are you okay?” you asked, concerned at how the encounter seemed to have unsettled him.

“I’m fine,” he replied, though his tone lacked its usual warmth. “Just… it’s a strange dynamic tonight.”

“I know,” you said softly, taking his hand again. “But I want to focus on us.”

He nodded slowly, his gaze softening as he squeezed your hand. “Let’s enjoy the night, just the two of us.”

You both returned to the dance floor, the music pulsing around you. The tension of the moment hung in the air, but as you swayed together, you felt the world fade away once more, leaving just the two of you amidst the chaos of prom.

As the night wore on, you and Nanami danced and laughed, yet the shadow of jealousy from Gojo loomed nearby, creating an undercurrent of complexity in the air. The connection you felt with Nanami was undeniable, but with Gojo’s lingering presence, the night held an unpredictable tension, one that could change everything.