CH. 102 - A New Dance on the Horizon!

 In December, the students are in class, fooling around and chatting before class starts. Alice tries to balance a pencil on her upper lip, quickly tapping whoever is next to her to get their attention. Sugawara looks at her with a slightly annoyed look as she speaks through pursed lips.

 “Hey.! Look.! I’m doing it.!” she says, careful to not drop the pencil.

 “Wow, can you do tricks with it too?” Kitaro asks sarcastically. The pencil then falls as Alice’s eyes roll back and she slams her head into her desk with a groan of disappointment, startling Ryuji and Sugawara at the force of her head hitting the desk. They sweat nervously as she doesn’t move.

 Touma takes a seat, setting his bag down as he looks up and notices Chizuru smiling at him from across the class. She bats her eyelashes at him before motioning for him to check his desk with a soft giggle. He blushes and does just that, finding a note. He opens it and reads it before looking a little confused. He pulls out his phone and points at it, looking at Chizuru for reassurance. She nods while biting her lip, so he opens his phone and looks at something, only to blush intensely, close his phone, then slam his head into his desk just like Alice did. Suiyoubi and Airi are startled too. Chizuru giggles as Samuel walks into the class, smiling with a raised eyebrow at the students.

 “Is it Slam Your Heads Into Your Desk Day or something? What’s going on?” She asks as the others shrug. Samuel sets her bag down, shaking her head before reaching into her bag and grabbing a sheet of paper. “Anyway, let’s get started… with this!” she shouts before slamming the poster paper onto the chalkboard behind her enthusiastically. The class stares at the poster as Samuel looks excited. “It’s time for your Senior Prom! The biggest school dance you’ll have that’s purely dedicated to you! Isn’t that exciting??” she asks happily. The class stares at her for a moment, not really reacting at all. This reaction from the class causes Samuel to sweat and look confused. “No? I guess it isn’t exciting?..” she asks rhetorically with a mumble. Lucy smirks as she crosses her arms.

 “We are fourth years, Ms. Samuel. We’re keeping tabs on EVERYTHING the school has planned this year.” Lucy says.

 “Yeah, we saw this coming.” Haru says with a snicker. Samuel sighs as she smiles, relaxing.

 “Phew. Good, cause if you weren’t excited about this, I’d just assume I was actually WAY too old already.” She jokes as some students laugh. “Well, anyway. Yeah, the Senior Prom is coming up, so just make sure you keep your test scores up and while you’re at it, why don’t you score yourself a date? Eh? Eh?” Samuel says with a proud smile. Some students try to smile back awkwardly as some cringe a bit. Alice lifts her head with her eyes closed and blows a raspberry at her, disapproving the joke. Samuel sweats and clears her throat. “Ahem. Well, can’t say I’m not trying.” She says softly. Daiki then chuckles to himself with a smug look.

 “Yeah, well finding dates should be easy considering most of the class is already dating each other.” He teases as some blush a little being called out.

 “Not me. I got two dates in class 4-4.” Kuzan says, flicking his hair back with a cool look.

 “Oh yeah. I think a few guys asked me to the dance from 4-2.” Hisana says, putting a finger on her chin. Kitaro looks at her with an upset look, putting his head down on his desk under his arms.

 “Sameee. Danny and I are going with a couple from that class too.” Chikao says as Danny nods behind him. Samuel frowns as the class discuss their dates happily. She mumbles to herself as she writes something on the chalkboard. Chizuru notices and speaks up.

 “What is it, Ms. Samuel?” She asks. Shiori and Hikigaya look up too as Samuel turns around with a sigh.

 “It’s just.. I feel bad for you guys.” She says, shaking her head as the rest of the class starts paying attention. “Asking out your date to the dance is like one of the biggest parts of Senior Prom, and since you’re all already dating, you won’t have that chance. It’s a real shame.” She says with a disappointed sigh. The class looks at each other, hearing her words before Lucy looks at Ryuji with a smirk.

 “She’s right. You haven’t even asked me to the dance. I bet you assumed I'd just go with you.” She says as Ryuji is surprised. Haru looks at Sugawara with a smug look too.

 “Yeahhhh, what she said!” He says. Sugawara sweats at his words.

 “What is even happening..?” He mumbles. The class then erupts in couples discussing the act of asking their dates to the dance as Samuel smirks.

 “Worry not, my dear students. For today we shall have a lesson unlike any other before..” she says before stepping aside, revealing the things she was writing on the board with an excited look. “Behold! Today we shall study the art of asking your date to the dance!” She says happily. The class lights up a little as they get excited.

 “Are you really that experienced asking people to dances, Ms. Samuel?” Shiori asks, interested in the topic. Samuel grabs a wooden pointer and steps closer to the class with a smug look.

 “Heh. Am I experienced? …No. I never asked anyone out and no one ever asked me.” She says with a smirk as she thinks about her nerdy self alone in her highschool days at her dance. “But! As an adult in a steady relationship with a janitor, I think I know what I’m doing.” She says smugly as she bends the wooden pointer in her hands before it suddenly flings out of her hands and right through the classroom window. Everyone turns their heads to the broken window as Mr. Goda’s pained scream is heard outside. Samuel sweats a little as she smiles at the class. “Anyway, let’s begin!” She says as the class cheers.

 Later on in the day, Shiori and Hikigaya drop some boxes off for a different teacher, then say goodbye with a wave before walking back down the hall to class. They walk in silence for a moment as Hikigaya smiles happily, but Shiori looks more expectant. She opens an eye his way for a moment before speaking.

 “So, about that dance.” She says. Hikigaya looks at her.

 “The Senior Prom?” he asks. Shiori looks a bit annoyed.

 “Duh. I’m not asking about some random dance party on the other side of town.” She says back. Hikigaya sweats and looks away awkwardly.

 “Oh, right.” He says. Shiori huffs before speaking more softly.

 “Do you wanna go?” She asks.

 “Sure, if you want to.” He responds casually as Shiori grits her teeth but tries to keep herself composed.

 “We totally don’t have to. I know you’re not a big fan of dances.” She says.

 “Yeah, and the last one we went to was a total disaster, haha!” he responds with a laugh.

 “It was also almost three years ago.” She says, emphasizing as if trying to make a point.

 “It has been that long.. wow, time flies.” Hikigaya says casually. Shiori huffs as she mumbles to herself.

 “I’m getting nowhere with him…” she then stops and turns to face him, getting in front of him. Her sudden stop surprises Hikigaya as he looks at her. “Hikigaya. I want to go to Prom.” She says, blushing but determined. Hikigaya stares at her before smiling.

 “Okay.” he says happily. Despite that, Shiori comes moments from strangling him but stops herself with a growl. She exhales and tries to smile cutely.

 “Isn’t there something you want to ask me?” She asks, controlling her anger. Hikigaya sweats as he tries to think.

 “Uh… no?” he says with an awkward smile. Shiori then grabs onto his shirt angrily and shakes him around a bit.

 “Why you..! I should just-!” She shouts before lowering her head. Her body relaxes a little as she takes a breath in. She then slams her forehead against his.

 “Gah! Shiori, what the Hell?!.” Hikigaya says in pain before looking surprised as Shiori presses her head against his.

 “You’re so dumb…” she says before pulling back and smiling softly with a blush on her cheeks. Hikigaya blushes too, pouting a bit as he rubs his forehead.

 “Yeah, you’ve always thought so… Too bad I can’t just stop being dumb, huh?” he asks her, playfully teasing. Shiori steps back gently as she shakes her head, humming in disagreement with his words. She then walks past him with her hands behind her back as she leans forward a bit, smiling at him as she flicks her hair slightly.

 “It’s what I like most about you.” She says warmly before walking away. Hikigaya watches her and blushes as he takes in her sight. He then rushes up to her and grabs her from behind, kissing her face and neck as Shiori screams and giggles. “Gah! No, Hikigaya! Haha, not here!” She says from down the hall.

 Later, on a different day, Shiori sighs as she leans on her hand at a bench. As she sighs, Chizuru and Sugawara notice.

 “What’s wrong, Shiori? You’ve been sighing for a while as if trying to tell us you have something to say without telling us you have something to say.” Sugawara says casually. Shiori glares at him from the corner of her eye before speaking.

 “Well, thank you for noticing.” She says before sighing once again, then smiling a bit. “I’m just kidding. Sorry for being annoying.” She says.

 “No way! If you’re not ready to say what’s on your mind, then you don't need to tell us.” Chizuru says supportively.

 “True, but then don’t taunt us with your incessant sighing.” Sugawara says before Chizuru punches him on the arm playfully. Behind the three of them on the bench, Alice and Lucy ready themselves with smirks as if preparing for a scuffle.

 “Haha, I get it. I’m just thinking about some stuff.” Shiori says softly.

 “Like what?” Chizuru asks.

 “Probably wishing Hikigaya wasn’t so stupid, huh?” Sugawara says with a smirk. Shiori looks surprised as Alice and Lucy tackle each other and start wrestling on the floor.

 “Woah~ can you read minds?” Shiori asks playfully. Sugawara smirks as he crosses her arms.

 “Wait, check this out. You want him to ask you out to Prom but he’s just not smart enough to get your hints?” Sugawara asks. Chizuru’s eyes light up.

 “You really can read minds!” She says excitedly. Shiori giggles.

 “Am I that obvious?” She asks as Sugawara giggles back to her.

 “Nah, I was just feeling the same way for a few days, but Haru already asked me to the dance. Even if.. it was rather unconventional…” Sugawara droops thinking about the moment.

 Sugawara works hard on a piece of equipment, doing fine work when suddenly Haru jumps up next to him dressed as a clown.

 “Sugawara!” he says sharply, causing Sugawara to scream and fall back onto the floor. Haru looks concerned and rushes away. “Sorry! I thought you’d like clowns!” he says before running off.

 Back in the park, Sugawara sighs and shakes off the thought.

 “Anyway, yeah. I feel you. I’m sure you’re not the only one feeling that, right?” Sugawara asks, looking at Chizuru. She gets a little embarrassed as she looks away.

 “Heh.. maybe a little. But I know Touma is rather shy so I’m not expecting him to… though it would be nice…” she says softly. They smile at her before Shiori suddenly stands up with a determined look.

 “That’s it! Guys, I know what we’re gonna do today!” She says, catching the attention of the others. Alice and Lucy stop wrestling as Lucy holds Alice in an arm twist and Alice struggles beneath her. They look at Shiori as she continues. “We’re gonna get our partners to properly ask us out to the prom! In big flashy ways like Ms. Samuel said!” Shiori says excitedly. Lucy shrugs a little.

 “Yeah, could be fun.” She says.

 “I don’t have a partner. Wait! Does that mean I can ask you and Hikigaya out to Prom!?” Alice asks excitedly, still under Lucy.

 “Alice, you do whatever your heart tells you.” Shiori says with a smile. Alice gets excited.

 “Sweet!” she says before Lucy gets up and steps on her back over to the others.

 “How’re we gonna go about telling them without telling them?” Lucy asks.

 “I dunno but have fun with that. Since I’m all good, I’m out.” Sugawara says as Chizuru grabs onto him.

 “Not so fast, buddy! You’re gonna be our little helper in this!” Chizuru says with a smile. Sugawara looks confused as the girls get it.

 “Yeah~ you’re gonna infiltrate the boys and play your mind games to convince them to ask us, while making it seem like it was their idea.” Lucy says. Sugawara sweats a little as Chizuru hugs him from behind.

 “I think you’re greatly overestimating my abilities…” he says softly.

 “Don’t worry, Sugawara. You got this!” Alice says with a crooked thumbs up from the ground. Sugawara sighs before smiling at them a bit.

 “I guess I’ve got no choice. What am I gonna do? Say no to you?” He asks as the girls giggle and hug him tightly. This action causes him to laugh awkwardly as steam comes from his head and a dumb smile spreads across his face.

A bit later, Sugawara approaches Kitaro’s home and knocks on the door. After a moment, Kitaro’s mom answers the door with a surprised look.

 “Hello? What can I do for you?” She asks.

 “Hello ma’am. My name is Sugawara. I’m a friend of Kitaro’s. I heard some of our friends are hanging out here right now?” He asks, looking in a little. The mother instantly smiles and understands.

 “Ah, I see. Hang on.” She turns a little. “Kitaro! Another friend is here!” She shouts into the home. Then from around the corner pops out his head, followed by Ryuji just above him, then Hikigaya and finally Touma. They all look surprised before smiling.

 “Sugawara! I thought you were busy today?” Hikigaya asks as the boys step closer.

 “Nah. I was bored, so I figured I’d hangout with you guys!” Sugawara responds. Kitaro crosses his arms as he stands behind the others.

 “That’s cool and all, but our game only has four players. I don’t think you’d be able to play with us until the round’s over.” He says as his mom glares at him a little.

 “What’s wrong with you?? Invite him in and play with your friend!” She shouts as Kitaro rolls his eyes a bit. She then turns back to the friends. “Don’t mind him. He's as rude as they come.” She says with a smile.

 “I know.” The boys all say at the same time. Kitaro clicks his tongue with an annoyed look before marching back up the stairs.

 “Whatever. Come on.” He says, so they follow. In his room, Sugawara lies on the bed on his tummy as Touma leans against the side of the bed on the ground. The other three continue playing, sitting on the ground too.

 “You’re not playing, Touma?” Sugawara asks. He shakes his head.

 “I l-lost already. I’m not very good…” he says softly. Sugawara smiles at him before looking at the other guys.

 “So, you guys going to Prom?” He asks plainly.

 “Obviously.” the three say at the same time. Sugawara sweats a little.

 “Was it that obvious..?” he mumbles.

 “Lucy loves dancing.” Ryuji says.

 “Shiori was mentioning it before and I told her I would if she wanted. And she seems like she really wants to.” Hikigaya says. Sugawara then looks at Kitaro, who doesn’t give an explanation. Without looking away from the screen, Kitaro finally speaks, feeling Sugawara’s gaze.

 “Don’t expect me to have an excuse. I’m going cause you guys are going. I don’t really care for dancing nor school events.” He says plainly. Sugawara exhales softly as he raises an eyebrow at them.

 “And have any of you actually asked your partners to go?” he asks. The boys pause their game and look at him surprised, then at each other with a sweat. They look at Kitaro, who lifts his hands.

 “Don’t look at me. I’m not dating anyone.” He says. His cold words suddenly summon a noise that sounds distinctly like Hisana whimpering in pain. They look around, shocked for a moment.

 “What was that?” Ryuji asks.

 “Don’t mind that. It happens sometimes when I think or say something like that.” Kitaro explains casually. The guys stare at him for a moment before continuing. Hikigaya looks down a little.

 “I guess I haven’t…” he says softly.

 “I didn’t think I had to. Lucy and I are together so I figured we just automatically would go together.” Ryuji says. Sugawara sits up a little.

 “That’s not the point. Weren’t any of you listening to Ms. Samuel’s lecture?” He asks. They look at each other but sit in silence. Sugawara sighs and shakes his head.

 “Hey, why're you lecturing us? I bet you haven’t asked Haru!” Hikigaya points out. Sugawara looks at him.

 “You’re right. I haven’t. But at least he put in the effort to ask me out in a special way.” Sugawara says back, crossing his legs and arms as if looking down on them. They look defeated as Touma speaks up.

 “I think he’s right.. I want to go to Prom with Chizuru and I want her to feel special about going with me.. but I get so anxious… how would I even ask her?..” he asks softly with a worried look. Sugawara smiles before dropping down to the ground and wrapping his arms around Touma and Hikigaya’s necks.

 “Don’t worry! That’s why we have each other! We’ll come up with ideas and help each other make it a reality. You’re gonna ask out your dates to Prom and make a memory they’ll never forget!” Sugawara says excitedly as they smile back. Kitaro watches before exhaling and standing up.

 “Yeah, well, have fun with that. I’m outta here.” He says, heading towards the door.

 “Woah, where do you think you’re going?” Sugawara asks as Kitaro looks at him.

 “I ain’t asking anyone out to the dance so why should I listen to this?” he asks. They look at him before nodding at each other. Kitaro notices and puts up his hands defensively. “Don’t give me that look. Don’t even look at each other like that. I am not asking anyone out.” He says.

 “Come on, dude! We’re all going so might as well partake in the activities!” Hikigaya says enthusiastically.

 “And we all know someone who would potentially literally kill for this.” Ryuji says as Kitaro sweats a little.

 “She would be really happy…” he says softly. They light up noticing his weakness, but he shakes his head a bit. “But that doesn’t mean I will! What will I even do?” He says back.

 “Perfect! Let’s start with you. Hisana will be super easy because she’d love anything you do.” Sugawara says, sitting on his bed.

 “But it should still be special.” Ryuji adds.

 “Right… You said she’s asked you out hundreds of times. Surely one of those times were, like, special. You should just do what she did for you back to her!” Sugawara says with a big smile. Kitaro sweats hearing his words as he thinks about her attempts.

 Kitaro opens the door to his room to see Hisana naked, only covered in ribbons and bows. “Kitaro!” She shouts happily as he slams the door shut.

A different time, he does the same and sees the same but with whipped cream this time, repeating the process.

 Once again, he opens the door but cautiously, only to find nothing. He steps into his room with a sigh before closing the door and setting down his bag. He then hears something move on his bed and turns to see Hisana tied up to his bed. She looks anxious as she smiles awkwardly.

 “This was way harder than it looked and now I’m stuck… help me?” She asks as he gets up and leaves his room.

 Back in real time, he shakes his head as he blushes. He looks nervous as he speaks to his friends.

 “I… don’t think that’d be a good idea.” Kitaro says.

 “Aw, come on! You have to at least try!” Sugawara insists. Kitaro gets flustered and argues back.

 “No, I don’t! Why should I? It’s not like we’re dating!” Kitaro argues. The boys look at him for a moment before Ryuji speaks.

 “True. But then again, do you want to see her go with anyone else?” He asks with sharp eyes, knowing this is checkmate. Kitaro looks down as he blushes, thinking of seeing Hisana in a pretty dress, smiling happily at someone else. He presses his lips together before finally giving in.

 “Fine… I’ll do it.” He says. Hikigaya and Sugawara cheer before Kitaro points a finger at them. “But I’m not telling you what I’m doing! You’ll have to use your imagination, but… I promise I’ll ask her to the dance…” Kitaro says softly.

 “Good enough for me.” Sugawara says with a smile as Touma nods. Sugawara then hops off the bed as he stands and stretches. “Welp. We better get to work. The Prom isn’t too far away and we still have to get ready for it. So let’s get to asking!” He pumps his fist as the others happily do the same.