Paradox

8: Details

*Image of the fountain on the right side

8: Details

Gyakusetsu rested after playing seven songs. They were all back at the exhibit hall, which was now—to everyone’s surprise—decorated with metallic black and silver streamers, and several small round tables about four feet in height. Sonya noticed there was a bar serving drinks at the far left. There was also a long table on the other side with five chairs behind it.

It was a fan meet. Gyakusetsu was going to sign autographs after thirty minutes.

And of course, Sonya noted the relentless giggling around her. It was almost like an annoying echo bouncing off the walls.

Near the long table, a disc jockey stood behind his music equipment and was mixing tracks from Gyakusetsu’s album.

Sonya and Etsuo stayed close to the bar while Hideki and Izo found partners to dance with.

“Uh…” Etsuo stammered slightly. “Do you… a-ano… Aren’t you going to dance?”

Sonya shook her head.

“Well…”

“I think I’ll just walk around.”

Sonya sauntered away but Etsuo grabbed her wrist. She stared from her wrist to Etsuo and he pulled his hand straight away. He opened his mouth but he didn’t say anything.

“There are so many girls dying to dance with you. Why don’t you ask one of them? I’m sure they’d gladly leave their own date for you.”

Etsuo frowned.

“But I—”

“Fine.” Sonya agreed, not waiting for Etsuo to finish his sentence. “I’ll dance.”

There was a small smile that appeared on Etsuo’s face, but it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. But not quickly enough for Sonya not to notice. He pulled Sonya on the wrist like she was a kid.

“Etsuo! Slowly, please! You’re going to break my wrist off!” Sonya begged, also afraid she might stumble on her high black pumps.

“Oh, I… Uh, sorry,” he apologized.

The trance music switched to a ballad when she and Etsuo arrived at the dance floor.

Oh, what great timing, Sonya thought sarcastically.

Etsuo looked around nervously at the couples closing their arms around each other. He grew tense as he placed his hands on Sonya’s waist.

“Relax. You won’t die,” teased Sonya as she placed her hands on Etsuo’s neck.

“Yeah,” Etsuo replied, trying to sound as though he didn’t care.

Sonya’s thoughts drifted away as she danced with Etsuo. She imagined what it would be like dancing like this with Kenoyo. A while ago… Was he really looking at her? Or had she spaced out that moment and only imagined him looking at her? She still doubted it. But there was no other girl near her at all. Every girl at the exhibit had pushed themselves to the front of the stage, well, figuratively.

She took a deep breath and smiled. She decided to just go along with it. It didn’t hurt to want to believe impossible dreams every once in a while.

Without even realizing it, Sonya had rested her head on Etsuo’s chest, still imagining a night with Ukita Kenoyo.

“I really like you,” he said.

“So do I,” Sonya replied happily.

Sonya pulled her head away. It was reflex. She totally forgot it was Etsuo she was talking to and dancing with.