Chapter Text
Ichika, along with the rest of Miyamasuzaka High, have gathered in the gymnasium because the principal wanted to announce something.
"Hey, Icchan, what do you think the principal is going to announce?" Saki asked.
"I don't know. Hopefully it's something interesting." He answered the blonde girl.
Chatter began to fill the room as the staff got everything ready as the principal walked up the stage.
"May I have everyone's attention now, please?" The sound of the principal's voice rang throughout the room coming from the multiple speakers in the gym, obviously everyone's attention was now focused on the person on the stage.
The principal continued and greeted everyone. After endless amounts of reminders, the big announcement is about to be announced.
"Ahem. I have gathered you all today for a very special announcement. And that very special announcement is that Miyamasuzaka High is hosting a Winter Ball next month!"
Chatter began to flood the room once again.
"Aren't Winter Balls like a party where you wear formal outfits, but there's one part where everyone gets to dance with their dates, also known as proms, which is really cheesy looking back at the amount of movies that used these for romantic scenes…?" Haruka questioned.
Ichika's eyes widened, he also wore a small blush on his face when he heard the words dance and dates.
"Oh, yeah! I loved watching those scenes." The girl with blonde hair and pink tips said. "I wonder who's going to be my date to the Winter Ball…"
Instinctively, Ichika glanced over to Haruka with a smirk as he raised his eyebrow. Haruka, as if he knew the reason why Ichika was looking at him like that, glared at him with a faint blush on his face. It was obvious that he had a crush on Saki. Actually, this has been going on for a while. It was obvious enough for Ichika to notice, but somehow Saki hasn't taken the hint… or did she?
After the raven hair let out a chuckle, everyone's attention was called once again for additional reminders about the Winter Ball and some people went up stage to help with the decoration committee and party organizers.
Once they were back to their respective classrooms, there was one thing that kept Ichika's mind busy. How is he going to ask Ena, his long-time crush, to be his date to the Winter Ball?
A lot of scenarios filled his mind. One was to try serenading, but that might bother a lot of people. Two was to try to keep it simple and just ask her to be his date with a bouquet of flowers. Three was just… Meh. Like just texting her to be his date? Nope. Ichika did not like that idea as the list keeps going on and on.
—
After practicing with Leo/need, they decided to stop by a ramen shop nearby. They sat at one of the tables as they waited for their orders to come.
"So… Are you guys going to ask someone to the Winter Ball next month?" Saki asked.
"Ah, well, I don't really plan on going to the Winter Ball with a date, but what about you guys?" Honami said.
"I'll be going with Minori, of course. Well, the funny thing is that Minori immediately asked me out just when I was gathering the courage to ask her…" Shiho said as they laughed it off.
"Say, Icchan, are you going to ask out Ena-senpai?" The blonde girl asked again.
Ichika hesitated to answer. How is he going to ask her? Is Ena even going to be his date? He doesn't know anything about that. But it won't hurt to try, right?
"Ah, I plan on asking her. Just not like anytime this week or I don't know…" He said.
"You're not so sure about that, huh?" Shiho said.
"I'm sure you'll be fine even if you go to the Ball without a date. I mean, having a date is only optional." Honami said. Ichika really loves Honami for that.
"But having a date to one is like where you'll get the full experience of going to one!" Saki protested.
"Saki, I just noticed that you kept on asking us if we'll be going to the ball with a date or not. What about you though? Are you going to the ball with a date?" Shiho said, only to tease Saki.
"I… Look this isn't about me! Let's try to help Icchan here." The three laughed at Saki while she pouted her lips.
"I appreciate that, but I'd like to think about this by myself." Ichika said.
"Well, good luck with that Ichika-chan. And if you do ask Ena-san, I hope she'll be your date." The brunette said with a soft smile on her face.
"Thank you, Honami."
"Ah, look, ramen's here!" The other three glanced over to see the waitress already putting their ramens on the table. The waitress gave them a soft smile before turning to leave.
"Thank you for the food!" They all said in sync before digging into their food.
—
"Thank you so much everyone! I'll see you guys tomorrow." Saki said as they all said their goodbyes before parting ways.
—
Ichika flopped onto his bed as he groaned into his pillow. He rolled onto his back and stared blankly up his ceiling. How should I ask her out? He thought.
He kept on staring and staring until a lightbulb lit up. That has gotta be the perfect way to ask her out. He thought.
—
"Hey, Yuki. Whatcha doin'?" Mizuki asked.
"Just listing things down for the Winter Ball event we're having." Mafuyu said before muting himself again.
"A winter ball? Sounds fun… And romantic!" Mizuki said.
"Hey, Enanan, doesn't Ichika study in the same school as Mafuyu?"
"I think so?" She responded.
"Do you think he's going to ask you out?"
"W—what? Why me? I'm sure he already has a date—"
"He doesn't have a date… Yet." Mafuyu said.
"Hey, imagine if he did ask you out—" Ena cuts Mizuki off.
"Shut up. I'm sure he's going to ask someone else."
"Eh? The blush on your face says otherwise." Mizuki teased.
"I said shut up."
"Alright, let's not get heated here. We're not entirely sure who's going to be Hoshino-san's date." Kanade said.
"Thank you, K." Ena said.
Ena sighed. A Winter Ball, huh? It does sound romantic, but is she even going to be his date? She doesn't have any high hopes for it. But the thought about dancing with him in the ball makes her heart flutter.
Meanwhile, Mizuki's wearing a smug smile on their face as they watch Ena daydream as the blush on her face becomes more and more visible.
"Hey, Enanan. Are you daydreaming about him again?"
"Shut up and mind your own business." Ena said as Mizuki giggled before they continued to tease her.