Showered by the Stars

31. Face it

Wah! What a dreadful day! Ever since this morning, I kept hearing those stupid comments. Urk! I’m not even anyone’s girlfriend. Geez—

“Whew! It’s still the first day of class and yet I’m tired already.” Kana said.

“Shall we go?” Ran-chan asked. “Mizuki?” she said when I just stared off into space.

“Er—yeah. Let’s go.” I said, getting up. I looked at Eri-kun, he was just putting his things in his bag. “You’re going home after this?”

He nodded.

We got up and went down the lobby.

“Ryu!” Ran exclaimed when we saw Ryu-kun talking to another student near the gate. It looked like their conversation has just come to an end. The student bowed to Ryu-kun and left.

“What was that about?” Ran asked.

“Um—Just some things about challenge and stuff.” He said, then looked at me. It gave me a shock. What did he mean?

“What is it?” I asked.

“What exactly happened about you and Takeshima?” he asked. Ugh! So it was about that? Why is it that people are so concerned about people’s business?

“Nothing really.” I said, shrugging.

A car stopped in front of the school gate. The driver stepped out and opened the car’s door then bowed in front of us.

“Konoe-san, Young Miss—please, get in.” Chou said, still bowing.

Oh man! I thought this won’t happen again.

“Ah! Chou! Raise your head up!” I said. Darn! We’re really taking so much attention. He did.

“Please get in.” Chou said.

“B-but. Chou! Did grandfather send you again? What for? You could’ve just picked me up later when I get home.” I said.

“Yes, he did. But, you have to be in the dance studio at exactly  5:30 pm.” He said. “We only have 30 minutes left. Please, get in.” he said.

Ack! What did he just say?

“D-dance studio? Why?” I said.

“It’s part of the preparations. Both of you, please get inside.” He said.

Huh? Eri-kun too? I looked at him. He looked pale.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Ah! Y-yeah.” He chortled. “Dance studio, right? Let’s go.”

I sighed. Well, there’s no helping it. “Guys, I’ll go on ahead. Bye.” I said to the others.

“Yeah. Call later.” Kana said. I just smiled.

I have a feeling I won’t have time to call anyone tonight.

On the way to the dance studio, I kept on thinking that my life really is beginning to make a lot of changes.

The car stopped. Chou opened the door for us.

Ugh! Even the studio looks so classy. Man! I’m not really the type to dance.

Eri-kun stayed silent even when we arrived in the 4th floor.

“Oh? So these are the new students?” A woman in her late 40s said, wearing a red gown and high-heels.

“Yes.” Chou said.

“Good afternoon.” Eri-kun and I said, bowing.

“Hmm—Yes. Yes. Now, go to the changing room and get changed. There are clothes with your name on it. Just change into those. Now go!” she ordered. I was startled.

We quickly went to the dressing rooms. I found it. The violet sleeveless gown and high heels were really uncomfortable. It doesn’t bother me that it shows off a bit of skin, cleavage and such. But these heels are killing me!

I walked slowly out of the changing room and met Eri-kun with his long sleeves. The first thought I got when I saw him was, Spain.

I tried not to laugh. He looked ashamed himself.

“Alright! Let’s start. 1,2,3—1,2,3—“ The dance instructor said.

If it’s hard to walk in these heels, it’s definitely much harder to dance with it. I kept on making a lot of mistakes. It was a good thing that the partner that was assigned to me was patient. But the instructor gave me a hard beat on the part of my body that she finds stiff.

I took a glimpse at Eri-kun. He was really flustered. He’s also a newbie at dancing. But why is it that the instructor just scolds him—lovingly? Huh?

Grr—

I felt infuriated and yet I don’t want to cause some scandal while I’m here. Whatever.

I tried to make my movements become more graceful. I was able to pick it up after awhile. Whew! It’s thanks to sports, I guess? It looks like Eri-kun was starting to do well. Though the instructor missed scolding him. I chuckled.

After 2 hours of dancing, we were finally allowed to go home.

Chou drove for us again and dropped me off at home.

I leaned on the house gate. My legs really hurt. My feet were bleeding. I was too tired to get inside already. I sat on the floor outside, leaning on the gate.

“Mi-chan?” Dad said.

“Mmm—?”

“Why are you sitting here? You’ll catch a cold. Come, let’s get inside.” Dad said, supporting my shoulders.

Mom tended my wounds and put cold compress on my feet and legs. We ate dinner and hurried off to sleep with my legs raised up with some pillows.

I wasn’t able to call Rana and Kana. In the end, I just drifted off to sleep.