Chapter 133: Birthday

After the midterms, a period of relative calm settled over the school. As mid-November approached, Takamari Academy was abuzz with excitement for the upcoming ball. Ballroom dancing was even part of the official P.E. curriculum.

During a break in the music, I excused myself from my dance partner, Nishimura, and retreated to a bench in the corner.

“Ugh… A ball? In a modern high school?”

I muttered to myself. It was absurd. Why would a school have a ball, and why was it part of the curriculum?

I’d hated physical activity in my past life, and even as Kurosawa Rina, with her athletic abilities, I didn’t enjoy dancing. I sighed, slumping on the bench, when Aya approached.

“Rina, are you having trouble with the dancing?”

I looked up. Aya was smiling down at me, a gentle, breezy smile… Her white hair shimmered under the bright LED lights. Even with the light behind her, she looked beautiful.

“No… It’s not that I dislike it… I’m just a little tired…”

I didn’t dislike dancing, honestly. It was just a little unfamiliar, and perhaps having Nishimura as my partner made it more awkward. Ballroom dancing was traditionally between men and women, with the man leading and the woman following. Nishimura, perhaps due to his academic diligence, was a surprisingly competent leader, but… we weren’t exactly in sync.

“Then, want to dance with me?”
“Eh… But I only know the follower’s steps.”
“It’s okay. I’ll lead.”

Aya’s confident words made my heart flutter. I took her outstretched hand, and she pulled me up gently, smiling.

“Just place your hands lightly on my shoulders.”

Aya’s hand rested gently on my waist. I placed my trembling hands on her shoulders. We’d held hands and kissed many times, but being this close, feeling her breath on my skin, made my heart race.

The music started.

“Ready?”

Aya whispered, her voice calm, and led me into the dance. I tried to match her graceful, flowing movements.

“Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot.”

My initial steps were hesitant and clumsy, but with Aya’s guidance, I started to feel more confident.

“Relax, just follow my lead.”

“Okay… Are you sure you’re okay with leading, Aya?”

“I’m fine, as long as you’re following. And I’ve had a lot of ballroom dancing lessons.”

Aya was the perfect young lady.
If this were a fantasy novel, she would be a duchess.
I smiled shyly and moved closer, and Aya pulled me closer still.

“Light steps when you move, and a little more elegance when you place your foot down. Just like that. I’m stepping to the left.”

Aya’s sudden movement startled me, and our clothes brushed against each other as I stepped back.

“Eek… Is this okay?”
“Yes, perfect.”

Aya’s whispered words sent shivers down my spine. The casual intimacy of the dance felt… romantic. Just matching our footsteps made my heart flutter. The music seemed to draw us closer together.

Then, I glanced around and realized that everyone in our class had stopped dancing and was watching us. Their expressions ranged from wide-eyed surprise to amused smiles and shy blushes. But they’d all stopped dancing.

“Aya… everyone is watching us…”

“Let them watch. We’re just dancing.”

Aya, seemingly unconcerned by the attention, pulled me closer. As the music swelled, nearing its end, Aya looked into my eyes and whispered,

“Rina, you look so tense. Relax and smile.”
“Easy for you to say… My heart’s about to explode.”
“Then should I come closer?”

Aya smiled mischievously and leaned in. I looked away, flustered, but I was already trapped in her embrace.

As the music faded and a short break began, I took Aya’s hand and whispered,

“Aya, will you dance with me at the ball?”
“Of course. If it weren’t for P.E. class, I’d only dance with you.”

“Then… only dance with me that day. Don’t mind the others.”
“I promise.”

Aya, sensing my sincerity, smiled and finished the dance gracefully. Then, as if on cue, our classmates erupted in cheers and applause. My face burned with embarrassment, but Aya, unfazed, held my hand.

“See? Everyone likes it.”
“Ugh… Aya, you’re… really…”

I was flustered, but I went back to Nishimura and resumed our practice. I glanced at Mizuki. She was leading her partner. Aya’s dance partner was Kitamura, the tallest boy in our class and a member of the basketball team, but he was a terrible dancer.

So… that’s why everyone was watching us.

****

After P.E., it was shower time. I didn’t want to be the creepy girl showering next to Aya and having a nosebleed from fantasizing about her, so I found a quiet corner stall.

The ballroom dancing had been more strenuous than I’d expected, and I was sweating. The P.E. teacher had warned us not to underestimate it.
As I was getting dressed, I heard a familiar voice.

“Rina-tan~!”
“Huh? Mizuki…?”

Before I could turn around, Mizuki wrapped her arms around my shoulders, leaning her weight against me. I stumbled slightly, but she held me steady. I could feel the softness of her chest against my back… No, I shouldn’t be thinking about that!

“Mizuki, stop it! You’re making me shorter!”
“Hee… Rina-tan, I’m just tired. Let me lean on you for a bit.”
“No… I’m shrinking…!”

I tried to push her away, but Mizuki, grinning mischievously, just clung to me tighter. Aya, watching us, just giggled, not offering any help.

We bickered until we were back in the classroom, just in time for lunch.

“Should we go to the fancy restaurant today?”
“Eh…?”
“If Mizuki wants to, I don’t mind.”

Aya agreed gracefully, as always, and Mizuki cheered, patting my shoulder.

“Aya-ring agreed, so you don’t have a choice, Rina-tan~!”
“Eh… I didn’t even say anything…”

“Aw~ You’re not going to say no~, are you, Rina-tan~?”

Mizuki beamed and led the way. I sighed and followed her and Aya to the fancy restaurant inside the school. The interior was surprisingly luxurious, with soft lighting and attentive waiters.

“It’s been a while since we’ve been here.”
“Heehee, it’s on me today, so don’t hold back!”

“Mizuki, you seem to be in a good mood. Did something happen?”
“I’m happy because I saw Rina-tan and Aya-ring dancing!”
“I don’t think that’s it~?”

Aya chuckled, nudging Mizuki playfully.
Aya was right. Mizuki was definitely hiding something…
They both just grinned, refusing to tell me.

Was Mizuki also… experiencing a springtime of love? I quickly dismissed the thought.

We sat down, and our food arrived, along with a cake.
Wait… what? The cake had 16 candles…?!

“Rina-tan~! Happy Birthday!!”
“Happy Birthday, Rina~!”
“…Eh?”

Eeeeeeh?!
My birthday?
My birthday was… wait, in spring… right?
Then I realized I’d confused my birthday in this life with my birthday in my past life. My birthday was today, November 19th.

“H-How did you know…?”

“We checked your LINE profile~!”

Mizuki’s words made everything click.
Ah… it was my birthday!