Operation Dancefloor Romance (part 4)

Sunday came, and the three friends were soon at the dance club hall, preparing for the competition. The place was buzzing with anticipation, the chatter of voices echoing through the halls. Ryota could not help but feel overwhelmed by the sudden change in the environment, the unusual chaos making him uneasy.

“Hey, are you okay?” Sato asked, his tone filled with concern. “You look a bit... spooked.”

Ryota looked up, meeting his friend’s eyes. A sheepish expression painted his face as he sighed.

“Yeah, I just feel awkward being here,” he admitted, his gaze wandering to the surrounding crowd.

Sato smiled at him and reached out, ruffling his hair playfully. “Come on, Ryota,” he said. “There’s nothing to worry about. You’ll have a great time.”

The young man nodded, trying to contain his anxiety. He was not used to this kind of situation, and the pressure to do well weighed heavily on his shoulders.

The hall was filled with the sound of enthusiastic voices as the students took their places. They seemed eager to show off their dance skills, a sea of youthful bodies moving in unison to the rhythm of the melody. Ryota watched the dancers gracefully move. Each step they took seemed effortless as if they were born to dance.

His heart sank as he compared himself to the other participants. He doubted himself, whispering words of inadequacy. He couldn’t help but feel like he didn’t belong in this vibrant and talented crowd. The unease he had felt earlier intensified, making his palms sweaty and his breathing shallow.

He tried to keep his eyes trained on the stage. However, no matter how hard he tried, his mind kept wandering, distracted by thoughts of inadequacy. The incessant whispering in his mind grew louder, becoming a cacophony of voices that drowned out everything around him.

“You know, we shouldn’t really be here,” Ryota muttered, his tone laced with bitterness and irritation.

“Why not? Aren’t you excited?”

“Yes, but... what if we mess up?”

Sato laughed softly, shaking his head. “Did you forget why we’re here? It’s finding that shy couple, right?”

Ryota fell silent, his gaze drifting off into the distance.

“Are you worried about dancing with Mai? Is that it?” Sato asked, a smirk on his face.

The young man froze, his eyes widening slightly. He opened his mouth, wanting to deny Sato’s statement, but he couldn’t find the words. Instead, he looked down at the ground, his heart pounding against his chest.

“Huh? Dude, what kind of reaction is that?” Sato asked, clearly confused. “Really?”

Ryota remained silent, unable to speak. A million thoughts swirled in his mind, making him dizzy. He struggled to regain his composure, trying to fight against his panic.

“You guys are already here?” A familiar voice interrupted, causing the young man to turn his head towards the sound.

It was Mai, her hair tied back in a bun, her outfit a blend of elegance and simplicity. She looked radiant as if she had stepped straight out of a fairytale. Her appearance took Ryota’s breath away.

“Prez,” he muttered.

“Lazy-kun,” she replied with a soft smile. “Are you ready for the competition?”

The young man could only stare at her, unable to utter a word. A wave of conflicting emotions washed over him as he gazed into her eyes, his cheeks flushed with warmth.

“I’ll be watching you guys,” Sato interjected. “Break a leg.”

Mai stepped closer to Ryota, her eyes sparkling. “Oh, come on, Lazy-kun. You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Is my dazzling beauty too much for you to handle?” she teased, striking a mock glamorous pose.

“Well, um... yeah, you look... stunning,” he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. He felt his face flush even more, the warmth of the moment overwhelming him.

Mai’s cheeks reddened slightly, a shy smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She quickly composed herself and cleared her throat, diverting attention to the competition.

“All the participants will dance together in pairs. The jury will choose the best eight pairs to advance to the quarterfinals. We aim to pass to the next round but remember, we’re also keeping an eye out for the shy couple.”

The young man nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked over at Sato, who flashed a quick smile and gave him a thumbs-up.

“Alright, I think it’s time,” she said, her eyes shining with excitement.

****

As the music swelled, couples took the dance floor, each pair gracefully moving to a different dance style. The hall came alive with a vibrant display of diverse rhythms and elegant movements. Ryota watched in awe as the dancers expertly showcased their skills twirling and gliding across the floor.

Mai led him onto the dance floor, her hand clasping his as they positioned themselves among the other groups. The intensity of the atmosphere was palpable, causing him to feel a mixture of nervousness and exhilaration. He closed his eyes, trying to shut out the daunting presence of the surrounding dancers, feeling self-conscious in their midst.

“Open your eyes, Lazy-kun,” she whispered, her warm breath caressing his ear. “Look at everyone around you.”

Reluctantly, he complied and slowly opened his eyes. What he saw surprised him. Amidst the sea of dancers, each couple was absorbed in their routine, focused on their movements and partner.

“They’re all immersed in their dance. No one is watching us specifically. Just relax and let the music guide you.”

Ryota took a deep breath, his tensed muscles gradually relaxing. He allowed the music to seep into his veins, syncing his movements with Mai’s. As they swayed and spun together, he found his rhythm, his initial unease gradually giving way to a growing sense of confidence.

As they moved across the dance floor, their steps in sync with the music, the simple waltz they had trained for became their guiding force. They effortlessly executed the familiar routine, each movement flowing seamlessly into the next. The once chaotic and overwhelming environment seemed to fade away as they focused on their dance.

Feeling the warmth of Mai’s hand in his, Ryota leaned closer to her. As they spun together, Mai’s voice barely audible over the music, she whispered in his ear, “You know, Lazy-kun, I got super happy when I heard you thought I looked beautiful. It was worth all the effort of dressing up for this event.”

Her words caught him off guard, and his grip on her hand tightened instinctively. A rush of emotions coursed through him, a mixture of happiness, confusion, and a lingering sense of self-doubt. He didn’t respond to her comment, but the increased strength in his hold conveyed his conflicted feelings.

“Why do you always get all worked up whenever I whisper something?”

Ryota’s breath hitched, and he momentarily stumbled on his steps. Collecting himself, he exhaled slowly, trying to regain his composure before responding. “It’s... it’s not that. I just think it would be better if we stay focused on finding the shy couple.”

Mai's eyes sparkled as she met his gaze. With a confident smile, she replied, “Lazy-kun, you underestimate me. I’ve already found them.”