Phantom Awakening

Niko Saga: Chapter 8

The Academy halls buzzed with excitement as students prepared for one of the most anticipated events of the year: the Academy Prom. The normally rigorous atmosphere had softened, filled with laughter, hurried whispers, and last-minute adjustments to outfits. It was strange to see people Kujo trained alongside every day preparing for something so... normal.

Kujo, however, was less enthusiastic. For him, the event was a distraction from his training. The idea of dressing up and socializing for a night didn't appeal to him, and he hadn't even considered finding a date. While other students were busy with bouquets, compliments, and hand-in-hand whispers, he'd been in the sparring room, working on his aim with his non-lethal shotgun.

But now, as the music and laughter drifted into the empty training grounds, Kujo felt a faint pang of something he couldn't quite place. It wasn't loneliness, exactly, but a sense of being on the outside looking in.

He leaned against the wall, glancing out at the Academy grounds, now strung with lanterns and delicate lights that glowed against the evening sky. Just as he was starting to slip into thought, a voice interrupted him.

"Why am I not surprised to find you here?"

Kujo looked up to see Mira, standing a few feet away, her arms crossed with that familiar smirk. But tonight, she looked different. She wore a simple, dark-green dress that brought out the color in her eyes, and her silver hair, usually tied back for training, fell loose around her shoulders.

Kujo blinked, feeling unexpectedly self-conscious in his plain shirt and jacket. "I didn't think you'd care about something like prom," he replied, attempting to keep his voice neutral.

Mira shrugged, moving closer. "I don't, really. I just didn't want to sit in my dorm alone, listening to everyone else having fun." She gave him a small smile. "Guess I'm not the only one who thinks this whole thing is a little... pointless."

Kujo nodded, letting out a faint breath of relief. "Yeah. It's just... noise, lights, and pretending, right?"

She laughed softly, a sound that was surprisingly warm. "Something like that. But sometimes, the pretending can be... nice." She glanced over at the lit-up grounds, the faint strains of music drifting through the air. "You know, I didn't expect you to still be in here. Thought maybe you'd find someone to drag you along."

Kujo raised an eyebrow. "Not really my thing. Besides, who would I go with?"

Mira tilted her head, her gaze searching his for a moment. "Funny. I was thinking the same thing."

For a second, there was a silence between them, heavy with unspoken words. Kujo wasn't usually one to pick up on subtleties, but even he could feel the way her eyes lingered, her expression softened. Something shifted in him, a quiet realization settling in his chest.

"Maybe... maybe we could go together," he said, his voice cautious, almost hesitant.

Mira's eyebrows raised, and for a moment, Kujo worried he'd said something wrong. But then a smile spread across her face, one that was both surprised and pleased. "You're asking me to prom, Kujo?"

"Yeah. I mean... if you want to," he replied, managing to keep his tone even. "We're both here, after all."

She chuckled, a warmth in her gaze that made him feel strangely lighter. "Alright. Let's go, then. But fair warning—I don't dance."

"Good," Kujo replied, smirking. "Neither do I."

They walked together toward the grounds, the faint strains of music growing louder as they approached the makeshift dance floor set up under a canopy of stars and strings of light. A few students glanced their way, some with surprised expressions. Kujo noticed Rei giving them a thumbs-up from across the lawn, a grin plastered on his face.

"What are you looking at?" Mira asked, following Kujo's gaze to find Rei and the others.

"Nothing. Just... glad they're not asking questions," Kujo replied, his voice low.

Mira smiled, nudging him slightly. "Relax. You're allowed to have fun, you know. Even you, Mr. Stoic."

The music shifted to a slower song, the lights casting a soft glow over the gathering. Students swayed together, laughing and whispering in each other's ears. Mira and Kujo stood awkwardly at the edge of the dance floor, neither quite sure what to do.

Finally, Mira broke the silence, holding out a hand. "Come on. We might as well give it a try."

Kujo looked at her outstretched hand, feeling the odd flutter of nerves—a feeling he didn't usually experience, even in combat. But he took her hand, his fingers wrapping around hers as they stepped onto the dance floor.

They began to move, a bit stiffly at first, swaying back and forth without any real sense of rhythm. Kujo kept his gaze focused just over her shoulder, trying not to overthink the fact that they were here, together, like this. But after a moment, he glanced down, meeting her gaze. Her eyes were warm, a hint of amusement dancing in their depths.

"You're not terrible at this," Mira remarked, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

"Neither are you," he replied, a faint smile breaking through his usual stoicism.

For a moment, they fell into a comfortable silence, moving together in time with the music. The world around them seemed to fade, the noise and chatter of the other students dissolving into the background. Kujo could feel the warmth of Mira's hand in his, a quiet, steady anchor that reminded him of the unexpected connections he'd started to form.

After a few minutes, Mira broke the silence, her voice soft. "I never expected to be here with you, you know."

Kujo glanced at her, surprised. "Why?"

She shrugged, her gaze thoughtful. "You keep to yourself, don't let anyone in. But... you're not as cold as you think you are. I've seen the way you look out for Niko, how you've been there for the team. There's more to you than you let on."

Kujo felt his cheeks grow warm, a rare flicker of embarrassment creeping into his expression. "I just... do what's necessary."

Mira laughed softly, squeezing his hand. "Maybe. But for what it's worth, I'm glad you're here. I wouldn't want to be with anyone else tonight."

They fell back into silence, swaying together under the starlit sky. Kujo didn't know what the future held, but in that moment, with Mira by his side and the quiet hum of connection between them, he felt something he hadn't felt in a long time—a sense of peace.

And as the song played on, he allowed himself, just for a little while, to be part of something more.