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I always wondered how long it was until someone would make me happy during a valentine’s day. Three years previously, Rantaro and I went to the valentine dance as friends. Nowadays, he goes with Kaede. I’d been teasing them for two years about making wedding outfits, but they both get extremely flustered when I’d bring it up. Today, I sit here, plastic cup in my hand, watching as Shuichi and Maki danced away in front of me. I groaned and got up, trying not to think of how damn lonely I always was on this very day.
Hey, if I’m lucky enough, I just might grab a date right before the night ends. I gulped down the last of my punch disposed of the plastic cup and walked past Kokichi and Himiko, both passed out in the corner from dancing. I went to the bathroom to throw up and wash my hands, when someone appeared behind me. “Koizumi-san?” I asked, staring at the Ultimate Photographer. She glanced over to me. “Ah! Shirogane-san! I didn’t know you were here, considering how...” Mahiru broke off, giving me a sheepish smile.
Placing a hand on my shoulder, she sighed. “Someone will come soon, I promise. I used to always just imagine I was with someone special, and the person didn’t approach me until last year. After getting rejected by Sonia for the dance, he looked for a date, and we went together as friends. Well, I guess it’s now blossomed into more than that,” her freckles became more defined as she blushed, “But enough about me. Try to savor the night while you still can, and party cause you’re still single.” she encouraged me. I grinned.
“Thank you Koizumi-san, I’ll take your advice. See you!” I called back as I exited the bathroom. She waved back with a smile. Even though I doubted I’d get a date any time soon, I still heeded my upper classman’s advice. I headed to the dance floor and danced like crazy since Washing Machine Heart by Mitski started playing, and every couple stared at me like I was a weirdo. From the corner of my eye, I could see Kaede and Rantaro approaching me and started dancing along. I giggled to myself as Angie and Kaito joined in.
Soon enough, the others joined in, even Kirumi, who was dancing like a robot with Keebo. Kokichi started flinging his hair like a maniac, and everyone else started dancing too. When I sat down on one of the nearby chairs to catch a break, a small figure walked towards me. “Hello, Hoshi-kun.” I greeted, holding up my hand. He sat down next to me and chuckled. “You looked sick out there, in a good way.” he told me, giving a small thumbs-up. I exhaled and thanked him. “Hey, I haven’t seen you with a date before.” I said suddenly.
He pulled his hat over his face and sighed. “My girlfriend passed away some time ago. I haven’t danced with anyone but her before, so it’s pretty awkward when someone asks me out to the dance.” he explained, gazing at the gym roof and holding up a small arm. “She’s watching me, I know that. And I hope when the time comes, we’ll be able to reunite and live happily ever after,” he put down his arm. “But that still seems like another lifetime.” he said bitterly. I felt bad for him, since I never knew he had a girlfriend who... died.
I slowly stand up and hold out a hand. “Well, I’m sure what she’d want is for you to be happy, so better dance along with us and celebrate the fact she was there for you at one point. That she’s still buried deep into your heart, and will never disappear.” I said to him sternly. Ryoma looked at me with a surprised face, and gave me a weak smile. “You really are something else, Shirogane-san. But...” I cut him off by grabbing his hand and leading him to the dance floor. “Please stop sulking and be happy of what you had.” I began.
It was like the DJ was teasing us, as the music that started playing was Lover by Taylor Swift. Ryoma looked up at me and took both of my hands. “Look, we have a major height difference, so don’t do anything dumb that makes my height a disadvantage.” he indicated. I nodded and held his hands as we both simply twirled around with other couples. The others were now slow-dancing, and it was a little weird for us. Kaede had her head on Rantaro’s shoulder, Kazuichi and Mahiru were dancing like a princess and her prince.
Ryoma didn’t seem to mind though, and when the party was over he pulled me aside. “So... I just wanted to thank you for making this dance better than usual. I’ve been pretty lonely, but to hear those words from you are like hearing my girl’s wishes. Thank you again, Shirogane-san.” he told me. I picked bent down, and to his surprise, I hugged him. “You don’t have to be alone, Hoshi-kun. You can always talk to someone when you’re feeling down. So..” he deliberately placed his arms around me and gave in a small smile. “So?”
“So just remember I’m here for you. Whatever the cost.” And with that, both of our valentine’s day were better.