Chapter 36

"Hey, guys, I'd like to introduce Misaki Minase, our music collaborator and close friend," Ren said, gesturing towards her beside him in the dance studio.

Misaki bowed to them, free of her disguise, because she thought it'd be rude. "Sorry for the intrusion, and thank you for letting me watch." Been a while. She looked at the mirrors lining the walls and couldn't help but look at their dancers, even recognizing a few of them.

"Misaki Minase?" Whispers broke out in the crew.

"If she's here, I should make sure I stand out."

"Think she'll give an autograph?"

"Wonder if she's working on her own music, too."

"Calm down, crew. I'm sure she wouldn't mind chatting and signing autographs, but she's a casual observer today." Ren led her over to the table off to the side near the window, where Daichi was sitting.

"Are you okay with this?" Misaki whispered to Daichi as Ren gathered with the others.

"It's fine." Daichi waved it off. "And Ren's already leaning into the 'working with you' angle all over social media, with a side of 'I'm pining for her'. Surprisingly, more good reactions than bad. You never know what'll happen, I guess." Daichi got up to fix the camera to record their practice.

Misaki took a picture of the group talking and sent it to Emi. 'Out with Hayase as they get ready for dance practice.'

Bing. Emi responded right away.

'Oh my gosh! So lucky! Can you bring me next time? How about a video chat? I'd love to see it!'

Misaki sighed and texted her back. 'I don't think they'd like that. You'd scream too much! Besides, what about school?'

'I'm off today for a national holiday, but I guess you don't notice those anymore. And if I'm loud, then put me on mute if you have to! I wanna see.'

As long as it's not recording, it doesn't count as a video, right?

'Please, please, please! It's one of my Hayase dreams to join them at dance practice.'

'You wouldn't be joining, just watching.'

'Says you! I'd be ahead of the game learning their new dance.'

Misaki sighed, shaking her head.

'Please, please, please!'

'Fine, but no screaming.'

'Thank you! Love you, Misa-nee!'

Misaki quickly put her phone on silent right before Emi's video call came through.

Emi popped up on screen, smiling widely as she waved with both hands. Misaki could read Emi's lips as she yelled 'Misa-nee' at her.

Please don't get me in trouble with this. Misaki turned her phone towards the boys as they set up to dance to Chasing Neon, a pop-rock energetic song.

They set up with the boys in the middle, back-to-back as the music started. The dancers fanned out around them, and they all moved in sync.

Misaki watched their moves with a careful eye, bobbing around to the music. Emi screamed, waving her hands around in excitement until she calmed down enough to focus on their dance moves.

Glad I muted her. Oh! That was an awkward movement... so close to running into a backup dancer.

They repeated the dance several times before taking a break.

"Good work." Misaki tossed Ren and Shun towels as they approached her.

"Oh, who do I see here?" Ren peeked at her phone, now lying on the table, and waved to Emi. "Are you on a video call?"

"A muted one, yes. She was begging me to let her watch, but I promise no videos were taken."

"It's cool." Ren sighed and sat down at her table.

Shun waved to Emi, who vanished from view. "Did she faint again?" Shun asked as he sat next to Ren and grabbed a bottle of water from the table. "We can't be having that..."

"She's just... overly excited." I hope she didn't faint... Emi, what are you doing?!

"I hope she gets used to seeing me. I'm not even shirtless this time, but she still fainted." Shun glanced at her phone to see Emi back on screen, fanning herself.

"So, what did you think of the dance?" Ren asked, dabbing his forehead with the towel.

"You guys were amazing as always..." Misaki trailed off, remembering the close call earlier.

Ren raised an eyebrow. "If you notice something, feel free to speak up. We love feedback, especially from professionals with a keen eye like you."

"There was a movement that came too close to a collision for my liking, and an awkward movement later that I noticed... but I could be wrong."

Daichi brought the camera over and rewound for them to watch.

"Here, see." She paused it where Ren almost running into the backup dancer. "I know some people like keeping it tight like this, but to me it seemed a bit risky. Better to move a bit farther before the next move to keep everyone safe."

"Seems like a good change," Shun agreed with her.

She hesitated, then continued. "And later, over here..." Misaki went over the small things she noticed, but her stomach churned when she finished, worried she'd insulted someone by picking at it too much.

"A couple of things there would be easier to show me rather than just say, so how about you dance with us?" Ren asked and glanced at their dancers, who nodded to him.

"I couldn't... There's no spot for me, and I don't know it well enough."

"I could use a longer break," Shun said, holding up his water. "So you can help fix Ren."

"Hey!" Ren frowned at Shun. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You're the one too close, not me, and this way we get to see Misaki dance again. It's been a long time."

Ren's frown shifted into a smirk as he nodded. "Good idea." He held his hand out to Misa. "How about you do me the honour of dancing with me?" He winked at her.

Way to make it sound like something else! And with all these people around... Misaki took his hand anyway, eager to help. "If we just shift a bit like this, it should give enough clearance for mistakes, so no one ends up injured." She pulled him forward, away from the others.

"What about the other spot? It was when we went like this, right?" Ren pulled off the move, twirling around and thrusting his fist out.

She tugged on his hand, moving it. "It's just small things I noticed..."

"That's fine, so change my angle here. How about we start from the top with the tweaks?"

The music started.

"What are you waiting for, Misa? Get in Shun's spot."

"Oh, this isn't fair; you look better there than I do," Shun said as he took pictures of them dancing together.

After watching them practice for a while, she fell in line, matching their moves.

They stopped a few times when she tried to make small adjustments and did a full run through.

"Damn, Misa, do you know the dance better than me already?" Ren laughed and combed his hand through his hair. "What do you think, Shun? Did she improve it?"

"Definitely." Shun gave them a thumbs-up. "Now I have to remember the changes," he mumbled to himself.

"You know what? I think you could help us with the choreography of a different song. We could go with Rising Stars, which has your voice, or what about Heartbeat Rehearsals?" Ren stroked his chin as he thought. "Daichi, play Heartbeat Rehearsals."

Daichi set up the song for him and hit play.

Do they have a setup for this one already? Misaki froze in the middle, listening to the music.

"I think this would be the perfect song to have us dance more together." Ren ran his hand along her shoulder, down her arm, and kissed the back of her hand as he bowed.

What's he planning?

When the beat picked up, he tugged on her hand and pulled her flush against him.

"Oh!" she gasped and stared up at him.

He smirked and wrapped his arm around her waist, stepping forward as he led her in their swing dance.

A little more warning might've been good!

She followed his lead with ease, their bodies moving in sync with the music.

He twirled her, and suddenly, her hand was taken by Shun on the other side as he joined in.

"It'll be more fun with both of us on this one," Shun said as he pulled Misaki close and dipped her, her leg rising.

As she tangoed with Shun, Ren moved in close from behind, and the three of them danced together.

She ended up in the middle, one hand to each side as she danced with them. As the song came to an end, Ren pulled her close and dipped her.

Both their eyes closed.

His lips met hers.

Her heart skipped a beat. Heat flooded through her, her fingers tingling.

Oh! He just... Her eyes shot open to meet his for a moment before he pulled her up. She swallowed hard, her face flushing as the feel of his lips on hers lingered.

Applause erupted around them.

Phwew! A few of the dancers whistled at them as both Misaki and Ren froze.

"It's getting hot in here!" one of the dancers yelled.

The dancers' comments blurred into the background as Misaki replayed the moment in her head.

Ren turned away from them, hand over his mouth and eyes wide as he realized what he had done. "Wrong timing, Ren," he mumbled to himself, cheeks flaming. He cleared his throat and turned back. "That might be a bit hard to replicate."

"What are you talking about? Daichi's got the whole thing recorded," one of the dancers said, patting him on the back.

It's all recorded! Her breath hitched. Including the kiss... that was in front of everyone. She lightly touched her lips.

"Ren," Shun hissed and shook his head, knowing it was too late anyway.

"I..." Ren swallowed hard and bit his lip as he stared at Misaki, who was avoiding everyone's gazes.

"I think that's all for today. Great job, guys." Shun clapped. "Thank you for everything." He bowed and pulled a few bills out of his wallet. "Take everyone out for a meal," he said, handing money over to the background dancers' leader.

"Yes, sir. Thank you." He bowed to Shun and turned to his crew.

"You three, let's go." Shun ushered Ren, Misaki, and Daichi out of the room, making sure to grab their things on the way.

"I think I should take a shower and cool down." Ren turned away from them in the hall. An arm wrapped around his neck.

"Do it at home."

"But—"

"Ren."

"Please."

"Tch. Fine. Daichi, you stick around with Ren and grab a different vehicle to get home. I'll drive Misa home."

Daichi handed over the keys. "Yeah, I think that's for the best." A conflicted expression crossed Daichi's face as he rewatched the amazing dance on his camera.

"Misa, let's go."

What do I do now? How could he... in front of everyone? It's not like I didn't know he wanted to... but I closed my eyes, too. Did I expect it? Did I want to? Oh, geez... I'm diving in too deep here.

When Misa didn't respond, Shun took her hand and pulled her along.

"Hmm?"

"We're headed home," Shun said.

"Without them?" Where's Ren? She glanced back to see him walking the other way.

"Yes, because he needs to cool his head."

"Okay..." She let him lead her to the van.

Buckled in, Shun drove off.

"Are you okay?" Shun asked, eyes on the road.

"I... I'm... stunned. Wondering how he could do that in front of everyone." Misaki took a deep breath. "Wondering where things go from here."

Shun nodded. "Understandable. I'm sorry he did that." Though he wasn't sure how Ren felt about it.

She held her hand over her racing heart. When will you finally calm down?