Underneath the Moonlight: REBOOT! || Osorō Shidesu x OC

20 - Party Prep

Week 4

Friday morning I went around to everyone invited to the party to ask if they'd picked up their outfits for the party, since it was tomorrow. As well as reminding them that the party started at 7:30 and went on until well past midnight, but that they were welcome to leave anytime before that if they needed or wanted to.

By the time I got to the plaza, I approached a sad looking Taro-senpai on the fountain with a tilted head and a frown. It wasn't often Taro-senpai was sad, and I wanted to know why.

"What's got you down this time, Taro-senpai?" I asked as I sat next to him.

Taro-senpai sighed. "Well... maybe it's stupid, but... it seems like everyone around me is getting into a relationship, and I'm getting left behind."

I sighed, too. "I understand how that must feel, senpai. It's not easy, watching couples around you."

"It's not even just that..."

"What is it, then?"

He sighed again. "Well, the same people getting into relationships are girls who used to be interested in me — just before getting into those relationships."

I frowned, furrowing my eyebrows. The Taro Yamada Mystery, or TYM, for short, was still alive and kicking around in my brain — and him having said that, only fueled it even more. At this point, I was beginning to wonder if he, just like I had at Pennystone Academy... if Taro-senpai had a murderous stalker.

I shut my eyes tightly. Don't think about it. Don't think about her. I let it go momentarily. After all, there was no evidence of a murderer even being at Akademi... yeah, we never found out what happened to Osana, and in my brain, it was safe to assume she'd been murdered in secret, but... I couldn't jump to that conclusion until I'd cracked the Taro Yamada Mystery wide open. Or found out the truth — whichever came first.

"I'm sorry to hear that," I finally managed to say, opening my eyes again. "I actually... think I understand what you must be feeling. I had something... similar, happen back in America to me."

His eyes widened. "Really?"

I nodded. "Yeah, to be honest. I don't... know if it's quite the same but, there are some unsettling similarities."

"Huh." He sat up a little straighter and managed to smile. "Somehow, knowing that cheers me up a bit."

I sat up straighter, too. "Well, I'm glad to have accidentally cheered you up." I giggled, then added, "By the way, my party is tomorrow. Have you picked up your outfit yet?"

He nodded. "Yes, my mom went and got it yesterday evening, just before dinner."

"Good. Are you excited?"

"Yes. A-and nervous, if I'm honest," Taro-senpai admitted.

"It'll be alright. You can leave whenever you want, no obligations to stay the entire time," I said, waving a hand dismissively.

"It's not that..."

"Huh?"

He gulped. "Never mind. I'm excited!"

I smiled. "Me, too. It'll be a night to remember." I stood, dusting off my skirt. "Anyway, I've gotta make my rounds. I'll see you around, Senpai!"

"Bye, Athena-sama!"

I waved, and he waved back before picking up a book to read, and I moved onto Amao next, heading towards the cooking club just as he was exiting. The moment Amao saw me coming, his face visibly lit up, his eyes lighting up with a sparkle and his smile growing wider at the sight of me. "Ah, just the girl I wanted to see!"

He gestured towards the cooking club, and I followed him inside just as he set his tray down and picked me up in a hug. I giggled at the sweet action. "Hey, Amao! Did you pick up your outfit for the party yet?"

He nodded after he set me down. "Yes, I got it as soon as it was ready on Wednesday. I'm actually really excited, for everything! The dancing, the wine, the food, the desserts... all of it!"

"Oh, wow!" My eyebrows shot up in amusement. "You really are excited!"

"Yes, I am! Athena-sama, will you please save me a dance?" Amao grabbed both of my hands and gave me the cutest puppy-dog eyes I'd ever seen a boy make at me before, ever. How could I refuse when he did that?

"Of course I will, Amao!" I smiled and patted his head, ruffling his hair up. "With eyes like yours, how could I say no?"

He beamed, and it felt like I could literally see the flowers around his face as he smiled that angel-like smile at me. "Alright, I've gotta hand out these snacks," Amao said, grabbing his tray again. He kissed my cheek and asked, "See you in class? Want an octo-dog?"

I nodded. "Of course, to both!"

I grabbed an octo-dog, this time remembering to grab a toothpick to grab it, so I didn't burn myself. Then, I went on my merry way, finding Kizano next in the gymnasium, prepping for our first on-stage rehearsal.

"Athena-sama!" He called as I approached. "There's my leading lady! My mother is on her way to pick up my outfit as we speak. I cannot wait to dance with you at your party tomorrow!"

"Ah, the answer I was looking for before I even asked!" I exclaimed dramatically as he took me into his arms for an embrace — an intimate one.

"I always deliver," he said with a wink. "Are you ready for rehearsal?"

"Almost, there's just one teeny tiny thing I've got to do first," I said, turning to leave.

Kizano grabbed my wrist to stop me. "No time — can it wait until after?"

I sighed, then nodded. With the delinquents getting to class on time now, now was my chance to meet up with Osorō before class. At this rate, I'd have to just text him. "Alright."

"Excellent! To the stage, mi Belle!"