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"For our 17th roses, Zenitsu Agatsuma!" the emcee announced. Another spotlight follows Zenitsu as he approaches the debutant. It's the last dance of her 18th list.
The blonde boy walked towards her with the stem of the red rose between his teeth, making the audience clap and shout at his extra entrance. Zenitsu wears a light blue suit matching Aoi's theme. His shoes were light beige yacht loafers.
"So extra," Aoi murmured, smiling at her friend. Aoi wears an elegant blue beaded with white pearls tulle ball gown paired with white heels that are barely see. Her hair was fixed in a braid crown, and a silver tiara was on top of her hair. Her make-up was light, which was exactly what she desired. Her Farah earrings were glistening when a light met them. Zenitsu flashed a smirk.
"For our debutant," he said before giving his rose to her. The two spotlights emerge, making a big circle and landing on the two.
"Don't worry, I did make sure that my saliva won't touch the rose," he defended. Aoi chuckled and accepted the rose. She rested her hands on his shoulder.
"I wasn't even gonna say that," she replied. Zenitsu put his hands on her waist. The two chuckled, then they slowly danced as romantic music played in the background while the spotlights followed them.
"Why didn't you invite him?" he started. Aoi looked at him in bafflement, then it hit her.
"You mean HIM?" she questioned, emphasizing him in her words.
Zenitsu nodded, and she looked away into his eyes. Aoi focused on the audience who were watching them with a smile carved on their faces.
"Well, uhm—," she sighs, why didn't she invite him again? Oh, she remembered she saw him that day. And that exact day, she had her first heartbreak.
"I saw him with a girl when I was going to invite him last Friday," she said, pain evident in her voice. Aoi looked down, still dancing. She wraps her arm around him, then Ino leans down so the girl can kiss his forehead. The scene flashes before her eyes.
"Did you see what she looks like?" Zenitsu asked, she snapped back at reality, and looked up at him. She shakes her head. Aoi focused again on their feet, trying to hold her tears. It's her birthday, she can't be sad or cry to some guy.
"I did see her, but only her back. She has blue tips down to her long hair, and she's also petite," she replied. "Can we switch the topic?" she asked, looking up at him. Zenitsu smiled softly, making Aoi confused.
"That Friday, if I'm not mistaken, Inosuke told us that his mother would fetch him," he stated.
"Also, from your description, I think that's his mother. I saw his mother when he invited us to his house---," his voice became distant when she saw a familiar figure standing in her peripheral vision. She looks at the figure intently to see it.
"What the fuck?" she replied, looking at the boy who was dancing with her.
"So you were saying that's his mother?"
Zenitsu nodded in response, "And the guy who was standing there was him?" she continued.
His lips rose, and he nodded again in response. "I figured it out when you told me that she has blue tips 'cause I've never seen a girl with blue tips in our school," he says, "And yes, he's here," he continued. Zenitsu winked at her before the emcee announced the last dance.
Aoi looked at him in confusion and anger, but before she could pinch him, Zenitsu parted her quickly and left with a teasing smile. He winked at her and bowed before he left the spotlight.
"But how did you figure it out that we had a misunderstanding?" she murmured to herself, staring at the back of the blonde confidently walking off to the table where their friends were. She has a lot of questions, but it is interrupted by the voice of the emcee that rings in her ear.
"And for our last dance, Inosuke Hashibira!" the emcee announced. The crowd went wild and clapped their hands with enthusiasm. They shout and tease them. A lot of people know what's going on between the two; it is obvious, but the two are unaware of it.
Aoi just stands there staring at him while walking towards her. She can't describe how gorgeous he looks. He wore a black tuxedo and a blue necktie, and his hair was tied in a ponytail. He sweetly smiles at her with his other hand in his pocket and a rose in his right.
"Hey there, gorgeous," he said when they were finally close to each other. Inosuke kneels and kisses her hand while looking intently into her eyes. Aoi felt the soft warmth of his lips brush on her thin gloves. She can't help but blush; she looks away.
He reached her hand and gave her the blue rose, then placed it on his shoulder. They look at each other lovingly and in adoration. Inosuke gently placed his other hand on her waist before he intertwined their hands that were hanging in the air. A piece of lovely music was being played, different from the music that they had played earlier.
"You know, I called you three times when I saw you, but you didn't turn around," he started. Aoi raised her eyebrow.
"Oh, I didn't hear you," she replied. Aoi watched their shoes move in rhythm.
"I thought that was your girlfriend," Aoi murmured; her voice was enough for him to hear it. He chuckled lowly.
"What? That was the first time I've seen your mom," She raised her head, ready to defend herself, but was mesmerized by his dazzling emerald eyes. He was smiling at her.
"She knows about you 'cause you know I always talk about you," he chuckled, "My mom is so eager to meet you, but—I told her that I would bring her to our house once I introduced you as my evermore," he said, smiling. A shade of red spread across her cheeks. He twirls her and lets her go. Aoi was confused when he let her go; she spun herself to see why he did that. The venue was filled with enthusiasm and shouts of excitement.
She covered her mouth in astonishment. Aoi forgot that there were people who were watching them and cheering for them.
He was kneeling, holding a midnight blue box with a jeweled necklace inside it.
"Will you be my evermore?" Inosuke asked sincerely. He was smiling at her, but she knew he was nervous. She can see the light shake of the box in his hands.
She pulled him up to his feet and dangled her arms around his neck. Confusion was written all over his face; he was about to speak, but she shut him up by giving him a peck on his lips. The crowd went wild and cheered for the new couple.
For them, everything was blurry. Sweet smiles and blushes that crept on their face were the only ones that were clear in their eyes. Aoi broke the silence that lingered between them.
"Yes, I'll be your evermore," she said in a hushed voice. He broke the hug and put the necklace on her neck with the box pressed between his arm and body. His hands were fumbling locking the necklace. Aoi chuckled when she felt the shakiness of his hands. After like eternity to him, he slides the box onto their friend's table. Zenitsu picked it up and put it on their table.
Inosuke winked at her and held onto her waist. He raised her and spun her happily. The crowd screamed for them and happily clapped in support.
"Oh, my goodness, Inosuke!" Aoi screamed in horror, but he slowly put her down and held her face softly.
"My evermore," he says. Aoi screamed again when he leaned her little down on his arms and kissed her. She slowly put her hands on his neck and kissed him back. He picked her up to stand carefully, not breaking their kisses. The crowd went feral.
••••
"The trouble we make is worth it," Zenitsu smiled, and Tanjiro nodded his head in agreement. They sneak Inosuke in and let him talk to her parents while the party is ongoing. They knew that Aoi's parents were fond of Inosuke since he was always at her house and accompanied her whether going to school or going home. It took minutes before he came out of the room. The two boys think that they will probably interview him about them.
He talked to the emcee to manage to remove the late escort's name and write his name instead. It was indeed an exhausting mission, but it was worthwhile.
"How did you know that they had a misunderstanding? They didn't say anything to you," Tanjiro asked him. Tanjiro also wore his light blue suit. His blonde friend looked at him with a fond smile. He looks back at their friend, arms snaking around his girlfriend and chatting to her parents. Inosuke already talks to her parents before asking her out.
"When Aoi invited us, I noticed that her smile didn't reach her eyes. Then, when we got to our apartment, Inosuke was pacing around the living room, murmuring something on his breath," Zenitsu shrugged, taking a sip of his drink.
"Usually, he's in high spirits, smiling like an idiot on his phone, but that day he was anxious about something. When we asked what was wrong, he said nothing. Typical Inosuke," Zenitsu continues as he puts his glass on the table. The debutant hugged her parents and sisters, then her partner shook their hands. They were official.
"We asked him about Aoi, but he didn't know. Usually, he's updated whenever she is or what she is doing, not to mention he doesn't have an invitation in his hand," he resumed. "That's how I concluded it."
The emcee announced enthusiastic news: it was the newly formed couple. Tanjiro chuckles as he turns his attention to his burgundy-haired friend.
"I'm glad that you looked out for them," Tanjiro said, placing a hand on his shoulder, a warm smile plastered on his face. The party was still ongoing, rock music blasted on speakers soon the guests gathered around the open space at the center. They partied and danced like there was no tomorrow, oblivious to what people thought.
"Y'all like a family to me," Zenitsu replied.
"Except to your sister," he murmured, looking at the other side.
Tanjiro removes his hand and looks at the couple dancing and whispering to each other, laughing. Aoi changed her outfit into a maya blue neck tulle lace short puffy dress paired with white Mary Jane heels that were now seen with her dress. The straps were pearls with an additional gold chain on the side, dangling a white pearl, and a cute, large, satin bow was placed at the back of the heels.
"Anyway, aren't you going to make your move?" he perks in. Tanjiro looks at him in confusion. "You know who I mean," the blonde boy says, looking behind him where Nezuko and Kanao are present on the table.
"What do you—," he stopped when he saw she looked at their way. Kanao smiled at him, and he politely gave it back to her. She looks stunning in her a-line chiffon with ruffles off-the-shoulder dress partnered with white Chelsea bow front kitten heels. Of course, her dress is baby blue, which matches the debutant theme. She wore light makeup and long pearl drop earrings.
They broke their eye contact when Kanao stared lovingly at her best friend and sister in the heart, Aoi. She's happy for her; she even shed a tear when they finally announced their official statement about them.
Tanjiro can't help but stare; he adores her. Every little thing she does. The way she talks politely looks with her found sisters, how her cheeks flushed whenever they were together-- he could go on a days talking about how he adores her.
A snap of a finger in front of his face drifted him back to reality. He looks at Zenitsu, confused. Why is his friend grinning?
"Do you adore her?" his blonde friend asked. Tanjiro didn't hesitate to nod his head with a warm smile.
"Wow, I didn't know that someone here was going to be so clueless about that new couple," Zenitsu answered, shaking his head like he was disappointed with what he was witnessing.
Tanjiro was about to ask, but was interrupted by a romantic melody. It is time for a cotillion dance, and the people in the center knew that it was their cue to leave the couple to dance alone.
Aoi was leaning on him with her hands on his chest. He slowly encircled his hands on his waist and leaned into her ear, talking about something that made her blush. They saw how Inosuke grinned and chuckled. They watched the couple in awe, a young love. The spotlight also follows them.
Minutes passed, and people also gathered there and danced with their partners. The spotlight was gone, and it was replaced with a warm light surrounding the area. Zenitsu stood up, and his friend looked at him.
"May I ask your permission to let me dance with your sister?" Zenitsu asked nervously. He was sweating bullets, his friend is protective of his younger sister, and he's not an exception. Tanjiro nodded and smiled.
"Really?" He asked with enthusiasm.
"But remember I'm watching you," Tanjiro told him, wearing his menacing smile.
Zenitsu shivered and slowly nodded his head, walked to the lady's table. He stopped in his tracks when he saw someone approaching her.
Nezuko smiled and politely refused the guy who was asking her. She looked around to find the blonde boy; it was easy since he was the only blonde person inside the facility. She waves her hand and smiles.
"If you'll excuse me," she said to the guy and stood up. "I'll see you later, Kanao-san," she waved at Kanao, who was quietly observing the guy. Checking if he pushed himself to her friend, he'd break a bone if he did. Her friend smiles and waves.
Zenitsu was stunned and looked at her. She looks so stunning. A spaghetti strap vintage dress, light blue bow front, with her cute moon silver earrings. She paired her dress with white ballet flats and a little ribbon in front. She also has light makeup that enhances her features.
"You looked so pretty, Nezuko-chan," Zenitsu smiled at her softly. The girl blushed and looked away.
"Thank you, Zenitsu-san," she said, tucking her hair behind her ear.
"May I ask to have this dance?" He offered his hand to her, bowing a little. Treating her like a princess. Nezuko looked at his hand and him. It was evident that he was nervous, given that his hand was trembling a little.
She put her hands on his and nodded. The two happily walked in the middle and started to dance. Zenitsu was happy when she chose him to be her escort tonight. Not just happy, he wants to tell everybody that she rejected someone for him. For them, to have this dance.
Kanao can't help but to awed seeing her friends happy and in love. Sometimes she ponders how someone can fall in love with someone.
Someone poked Kanao on her back, and she slowly turned her head away from the scene. The lights blinded her eyes, which were on her back, so she slowly squinted her eyes.
"Hi," the burgundy-haired boy smiles warmly. He scratched his nape, and the blush slowly crept on his face, but he tried to calm and compose himself.
"Would you like to dance with me?" He asked, extending his hand in front of her.
The girl was left stunned; there's that feeling again. The beating of her heart wasn't normal, and her face started to heat up, but she wasn't sick; she was sure of it. His steel-blue suit and gel-styled hair complement his style. He looks like an angel in her eyes, especially with the lights on his back. A ray of sunshine, indeed.
"It's okay to refuse—," retreating his hand, she snapped on her ponder and reached his hand. She held it and smiled. Tanjiro looked at their hands, shocked, but then smiled.
"I apologize— and yes, I will have this dance," She smiled. Tanjiro looked at her and softly smiled. Kanao could feel her cheeks hot. What's this feeling again?
Whenever he is around, new feelings come that she isn't familiar with. For her, it didn't matter, and it felt good. When she asked her sister, Aoi.
"You're in love," she said with a smile. She won't forget that she was in a hot seat that night with her two best friends, Nezuko and Aoi.
Tanjiro slowly guides her to the dance floor with their hands holding each other. She slowly intertwined their hands. Kanao sensed the stiffness of her significant other, but he looked calm and collected. She giggled.
Although they'd already told her that she was, she wasn't sure. It's new to her, but as long as she's with him, she knows that she will figure this out.
At the dance floor, Tanjiro guided both of her hands to put her hands on his shoulders, staring at her with sweetness and fondness.
Kanao jumped a little when he slowly put his arm near her face.
"Are you uncom-," Before he could finish his words, she cut him off with a shake of her head. She looked away from him.
"No, I was just startled."
From her peripheral vision, the boy smiled as they slowly moved into the rhythm of the song.
The people slowly dispersed, leaving the three in the center. Each of them has a spotlight. Indeed, a night to remember.