Party: Between Steps and Memories

Saya blushed and took Neo's hand with a gentle smile on her face as she said "Yes".

Cassandra was surprised to see the proposal and even more surprised when Saya accepted, "Since when does Saya agree to dance with someone?"

Sunny was also surprised, but she was beginning to respect the boy. She appreciated impulsive actions and to see Neo find the courage to ask Saya to dance with a crowd around them was commendable.

"After you have chosen your partners, please come to the teacher's table and state your names," Karine instructed.

Neo felt a mixture of emotions. On the one hand, he was happy that he had the courage to invite Saya, but on the other hand, he felt an almost suffocating nervousness. His heart was beating fast. He couldn't walk properly.

"Saya and Neo, right? Good luck," Martha said as they appeared at the table next to Pietro and Elena, who were surprised - Elena for the same reason as Cassandra, and Pietro because he hadn't imagined that Neo would also dance, considering he hadn't mentioned anything.

Neo felt the need to clarify something before they continued. He was worried about a small detail and didn't want it to ruin the moment.

"I... just don't know how to dance," he admitted, almost embarrassed. He looked down for a moment, avoiding Saya's gaze.

But instead of showing surprise or disappointment, Saya chuckled softly and took the boy's hand, encouraging him to look up. She had a kind and reassuring look on her face. "Don't worry, Neo. Let's go out and have some fun. Just follow my steps and everything will be fine."

Saya led Neo to the center of the dance floor, where other couples were already beginning to move gracefully to the music.

Looking around, Neo could see Lenner and his girlfriend, as well as Richard and Sarah. As he found himself among these couples, he realized that he no longer felt out of place. He allowed himself to enjoy the moment; being with Saya was what mattered.

As the music continued to play, Saya took the initiative and gently embraced him, placing her hands on Neo's shoulders. Their bodies moved closer together naturally, and Neo felt a wave of warmth and comfort. As Saya guided him with gentle movements, he realized that he was almost instinctively following the rhythm of the music. His initial nervousness seemed to disappear as he surrendered to the dance.

Fragments of memories entered his mind, like distant voices echoing through time. He relived a childhood scene, a cozy room with a soft carpet and inviting sofas. But as he struggled to grasp these details, they slipped through his fingers like the memory of a fleeting dream.

"Listen. Neo, Carolina and Leo, I have something important to teach you," a loving voice said.

Neo was standing next to the caring figure that spoke, Leo was sitting and Carolina was stretched out on the couch, bored.

"Something you really need in your life," the woman continued.

"Like building a robot?" Neo asked curiously.

"No," the voice replied with a hint of amusement.

"Fighting?" Leo asked, striking some martial arts poses from a movie he had recently seen.

"No."

"Cooking?" Carolina asked hungrily.

"You already know that, young lady," the voice confirmed, bringing a smile to her lips.

The trio's puzzled eyes searched for answers until the woman took a deep breath, her eyes gleaming with captivating joy.

"Dancing!"

Despite the woman's excitement, she didn't win the hearts of the three, who reacted with disapproval.

"Hey, what's that expression? It's very important to know how to dance. Especially at social events, you don't want to embarrass yourself."

Still, they weren't convinced. The woman looked at the girl lying on the couch and angrily commanded, "Now! Carolina, get up and come be your brother's partner!"

Carolina reluctantly stood up, moving slowly like gelatin as she struggled to get to her feet.

"And Leo?" Neo asked, as if he wanted to throw his younger brother to the lions.

"Leo is without a mate, but he's not old enough to worry about that yet. I promise to teach him when he's older."

"Phew," Leo sighed in relief as he sat back down on the couch where he had been.

Carolina and Neo took their positions. The woman played a classical piece of music and, as instructed, they tried to dance, tripping over each other. Leo couldn't stop laughing.

Over days of practice, Neo and Carolina progressed from stumbling to synchronized steps. Step by step, they got used to the rhythm of the music and the dance became more fluid. They spun and twirled, each step intensifying the connection between them. The distant room of the past slowly faded, giving way to the present gymnasium.

Carolina's and Saya's movements intertwined, connecting the past to the present as the image of Neo's sister began to fade.

Saya noticed how well Neo was doing and let out a soft laugh, gently teasing him. "See, it's not that hard. You're doing great for someone who claimed not to know how to dance."

Neo laughed along, feeling encouraged and happy to share this special moment with Saya, and she was so beautiful, shining like a star. Saya and Neo were the center of attention for all the dancing couples. Their lightness and happiness filled the gym and everyone present.

The music gradually stopped and the couples struck a pose for the grand finale, accompanied by camera flashes and applause.

A little sweat trickled down Neo's face as he held Saya's hand and waited for the teachers' verdict. He looked at Saya with curiosity; there was something he had wanted to ask for a long time.

"Saya, can I ask you something?"

Saya looked at him curiously. "Of course, Neo. What do you want to know?"

"When I was unconscious in the infirmary, I heard you singing. And your voice hasn't left my head since. You're enchanting when you sing."

Saya looked away and whispered, "It reminds me of that day.

"So, could you sing again sometime?" Neo asked.

Saya sighed; it wasn't that she didn't want to sing, but... the courage from before had faded.

"One day. I promise."

The teachers agreed and handed a piece of paper to Karine, who couldn't contain her excitement when she saw the names of the winners.

"And the prize goes to..."

She paused, and everyone listening was in suspense.

"Neo and Saya."

Murmurs of surprise spread before applause took over.

Each couple received a sheet of paper with comments from the teachers, explaining their scores and justifying their votes.

Diana liked all the couples; to her, they all looked beautiful and deserved to win the prize. Mariana, who everyone expected to be the easiest to please, didn't like any of them and found faults in all of them. Martha, the one everyone feared, gave the best critiques.

Neo and Saya's embarrassment grew as they were called forward.

When Karine approached Neo, she couldn't contain her pride, her eyes filled with tears. She handed them the trophies and positioned the couple for a photo.

Sunny approached Saya after the pictures were taken. "If my boyfriend had been here, I would have won."

"Definitely," Saya replied with a smile.

"At least you won wearing the outfit I made for you. That's more of an honor than winning at dancing."

Neo returned to the baseball team; most of the boys were happy about his victory, especially Maeda and Shike, who wanted the prize.

Pietro, however, was furious. "You traitor! How could you motivate me like that and then steal it from me? I didn't even know you could dance."

"Sorry Pietro."

Pietro rolled his eyes, still avoiding eye contact with Neo. With time, his anger subsided and he began to forgive.

"Fine! Fine! I'll forgive you as long as you teach me what you showed me today."

And so the party ended, the lights dimmed, and the students were free to go home.

Neo, exhausted, walked slowly toward the school exit, alone. A boy approached him, hair similar to his own, similar build, and dressed in formal attire.

"Leo!"

"So you remember me? Brother, we need to talk."