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It had seemed like a good idea at the time. Everyone on the team kept asking him about it, even teasing him.
“You should ask Houzuki-san to the Yule Ball,” Tetsuki said nonchalantly a couple days ago.
“Hah?! Why would I do that?” Tetsuki gave him that look that implied he was being stupid. “What?” he asked defensively. “You got somethin’ to say?”
Tetsuki stared a little longer before saying “It’s nothing.”
What’s with that?
But despite letting the subject go, Chika found himself thinking about it.
The Yule Ball.
He didn't really care about it that much, but the idea of asking her became rather appealing.
He’d known her for long enough that it’s not like it would’ve been weird or unexpected.
…Right?
He thought about it for days, his brain going back and forth.
Someone probably asked her.
Yeah, but she’s Houzuki. Even if they did, they wouldn’t get far.
So what makes you think you would?
On and on until he couldn’t take it anymore. They’d just finished a scrimmage, Houzuki shaking his hand out of courtesy and walking off with the other Slytherins.
“Hey, Houzuki!” he called out across the field.
She turned around, a curious look scrunching her face. “What?”
He clenched his fists, his heart starting to beat faster. What’s the big deal? We’re friends, right? And rivals, sorta…but that was mostly one-sided.
“Anyone asked you to the ball yet?” he ended up asking.
Houzuki raised a dry eyebrow. “Would it make a difference if they did? I’m not interested in that sort of thing.”
A pretty predictable answer from her. Well, no time like the present.
“Go with me,” he blurted out.
There’s a gasp behind him and he remembered that they weren’t alone. They were surrounded by their Quidditch teammates.
Houzuki realized this at the same time as all that bravado immediately fell into bluster, her cheeks pink.
“Wh-What are you saying?! Idiot. Don’t joke about that.”
“I’m not joking.” He did need to save face though because he felt bad about embarrassing her. “If we win our game this Sunday, then you have to go with me to the ball.”
She flushed, but this time in annoyance.
“That’s stupid.”
He smirked. “Why? Afraid you’ll lose?”
He knew it was cheating getting through to her competitive side. And he was giving her an out. If she won, and he could begrudgingly admit she probably would, she didn’t have to actually reject him. It was all just a wager.
She saw the challenge for what it was. She scoffed, “Of course not. Fine. Just don’t get too depressed when you lose.”
There was that haughty confidence he learned to love; it drove him forward.
He regrets that decision now. He made Seeker in 3rd year by sheer willpower. But Houzuki? Houzuki’s a prodigy. She made Slytherin Seeker in her 1st year and has remained undefeated up to this point, not for lack of trying on his part. It’s been 3 years and he still can’t beat her.
Not that he hasn’t wanted to, but it always feels like every time he improves, she just gets further and further ahead.
He hadn’t really bothered to get to know her, or anyone too much, those first couple years. Except Tetsuki, who ended up in Gryffindor with him, somehow. Personally, Chika thinks he would’ve been better off in Ravenclaw, but who was he to argue with a magical old hat? His grandfather had passed away right after he got accepted, only leaving him a custom-made broom and he found it hard to cope with at the time. He didn’t even touch the broom for months. But then in 3rd year, he’d finally tried out for the Quidditch team. He met some good people when he joined and that’s when he’d truly gotten to know Houzuki too.
Him and Houzuki hadn’t gotten along at first. His house had always told him Slytherins were arrogant and snobbish, but he tried not to judge based on what other people would think. Unfortunately, Houzuki fit that stereotype a little too perfectly. Or so he thought.
In 1st year, when he had to partner up with her for a Potions assignment, he hadn’t understood at all and the cauldron had exploded all over both of them.
“Are you serious?! How much of an idiot can you be?!” she yelled at him. She never quite forgave him for that, refusing to even acknowledge him for years.
"You're the new Seeker? I'm surprised you even know how to fly ” she had sneered at the time when their new teams were announced. He had almost gone against his own moral code that day about hitting girls.
And then after their first game, when she’d handily kicked his ass, she caught him alone practicing, frustrated at the loss.
“What do you want? You here to gloat?” he snapped.
She ignored him. “You’ll get the most speed when you lean forward with your chest.”
“What are you talking about?”
She rolled her eyes. “When you’re on the field, idiot. You’re already big and heavy, so you need to let the wind carry you forward.”
He paused, giving her a skeptical look. “Are you…helping me?”
“You said you wanted to beat me, right? You should atleast know how to ride a broom properly.”
He narrowed his eyes. “How do I know you’re not just trying to sabotage me?”
“Please, you’re not even close enough to my level to where I’d need to resort to that. Not that I would, anyway.”
This girl pisses me off.
“Y’know, that attitude is probably why you don’t have a lot of friends.”
“Thanks for the tip.” She started walking away. “Whoever made that broom clearly put a lot of care into it. You should treat it with respect.”
He wanted to snap that it was none of her business, but he was a little floored. That almost sounded like a compliment.
He had snuck into the Slytherin Quidditch practice the next week to watch. He didn’t get much chance to appreciate her in action while he was trying to win, but watching her from the stands was a whole different experience. The way she moved, almost like she was flying, it was breathtaking.
It was like she was meant to be in the air, not on the ground with the rest of the mortals. Maybe she’s part bird.
“It’s rude to watch people without permission,” she caught him as he tried to sneak out. “Don’t tell me you’re spying.”
Oh right, that was a thing, wasn’t it? He didn’t think of that.
“No, I just-” he sighed, “what you said the other day, I didn’t really understand.”
“I’m not surprised.”
He ignored that jab. “I learn better by watching, so I wanted to watch you do it. That leaning thing. No one knows I’m here.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Guess we’ll see how true that is at your next game. You’re playing Hufflepuff, right?”
“Yeah."
“Good luck then.”
That interaction had almost been…friendly.
Houzuki was…fascinating to him.
So many walls, but she was still weirdly easy to read. And she wasn’t exactly as arrogant as she came across, either, not really. She was just a girl who happened to be good at Quidditch and knew it. But she never seemed too happy about it. Almost like she wanted someone to beat her.
One day, he’d caught her in the hallway, tucked away in a corner. Was she crying? As if to answer his question, he heard a loud sniffle.
“Houzuki?”
She didn’t respond, just tucking her legs in tighter. Maybe she was hoping he would go away. He would’ve wanted that if it was him. But it wasn’t like he could just leave her there. He sat down next to her and she stiffened.
Her eyes, so large and full of tears, widened. “Kudou, what-”
“You don’t have to tell me anything,” he interrupted. “But is there something I can do?”
“Why do you care?”
Why did he care… It wasn’t like they were friends.
“I dunno. It’s just weird seeing you have actual emotions.”
“Shut up, idiot.”
She’d become his Potions partner again after that, giving him a small bag of strawberry snacks as a peace offering. She never told him what caused the change of heart and he didn’t ask.
He lies there on the grass. He's used to losing to Slytherin, but it's more disappointing than usual. Maybe because of the goal…? Not that Houzuki would’ve been required to go with him anyway; he just wanted to rile her up.
"Why are you laying on the ground?" Houzuki is peering down at him.
"No reason."
She sighs, sitting next to him. "I'm wearing red by the way, so you should probably make sure you can match me."
What the-?
"What are you talking about? Wearing red for what?"
She rolls her eyes. "The ball , dummy. You wanted to go, right?"
The- he scrambles himself up, eyes wide. "But I didn't win, though."
She never shrugs. "I never said you had to."
"But-"
She doesn't let him finish, blushing. "If you wanted to go with me, all you had to do was ask. No winning required. It’s not like I would’ve gone with anyone else, anyway.”
She bursts into shades of red, like she hadn't meant to say that out loud. It makes him wanna kiss her…wait.
"You can just forget I said that," Houzuki blusters, "Um- I just meant that-"
"Can I kiss you?" He blurts out in interruption.
She freezes like a taxidermy exhibit. He doesn't make any moves forward. He probably shouldn't have said that. Maybe I really am an idiot.
When she gets her bearings, she heaves a breath. "No." He tries not to let that sting. "You should atleast take me on our date first, don't you think?" She adds on.
A…date…So the ball is a date then. And Houzuki wants to go with him. He's processing a lot today.
"So, red then?"
"Yep." She stands up, brushing off her knees. "You can pick me up outside the Slytherin commons. Don't be late."
"Okay," he responds absently. She walks off, long ponytail swinging behind her, and he falls back to the ground, dust swirling around him.
A date, huh?
He can't stop the grin from creeping on his face.
A date with Houzuki. He never thought it would go this way, but it sounds right.
"So if she was gonna go with me the whole time, that means she likes me, right?" He asks, looking in the mirror at himself, fussing with his hair. It needs to be parted better.
Or maybe she just took pity on him.
Tetsuki sighs, "Ask her yourself when you see her, stupid."
Can he really do that?
He went with a black dress robe with red undertones. He hopes she'll like it.
"I think I really like her." He admits and his chest feels weirdly light. Huh. He thought the realization would be more dramatic, but it’s kinda like everything just sorta clicked into place.
"Congratulations. Only took you 3 years to figure it out. Now go pick her up and tell her that. You're gonna be late."
It's already time?
"Right. Wish me luck."
"Have fun on your date."
He's never liked the Slytherin commons. Why do a bunch of stuffy purebloods live in a dungeon anyway? Doesn't make sense to him.
He can see a couple of Slytherin girls snickering as they walk by in their dresses.
"A Gryffindor boy? Which desperate girl had to go with him?"
He's used to being talked about, so he just ignores it.
His breath nearly catches when he sees Houzuki waiting outside the common room door.
Is there a light shining on her or is he imagining it?
She's in a long, jewel-encrusted red gown, her hair up and curling along the side of her face and a matching shawl around her shoulders.
He's never seen her like this before. She's the most beautiful girl he's ever seen in his life.
She doesn't seem to have noticed him, so he takes a moment to just take her in before clearing his throat.
Her head jerks up, a gasp leaving her when she spots him.
He gives a little wave. "Hi."
She smiles, slowly and warmly, like he’s the only person that exists and his heart skips a beat. More and more, as he’s gotten to know her, he sees that smile and it’s like the world stops just for her.
"Hi." She responds, breathless.
What should he do now?
He can see other Slytherins staring at them funny as they maneuver around them.
"Should we-uh- go?" He asks awkwardly. "I think we're in the way."
"I guess we should." She approaches him slowly, wrapping her small hands around the crook of his elbow. He’s never really noticed before how small she is compared to him. Out on the field, she's larger than life.
But there's something that just feels so right about how she nestles into his side.
They're not really saying much. Should he say something? What does he talk about?
"So, you're playing against Ravenclaw next week, right?" He cringes. Really? Quidditch? She probably gets enough of that.
She latches on to his lame attempt, sighing. "Yeah. Their new seeker is a bit…intense. Apparently she's from a family of pro quidditch players. Not sure I can compete with that."
"You're the best player I know.
She snorts, "You don't have to flatter me."
He stops. "I'm not. That first time I saw you out there all those years ago, I thought I was dreaming. You were so-"
Beautiful. Breathtaking. Incredible.
"So what?"
He's already said too much. But she's looking at him so expectantly, almost..hopeful.
"Beautiful," he sighed out. "You were the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen." He lets his eyes roam over her, at the little jewels in her hair he didn't notice before and how the light makeup brings out her huge, brown eyes. "Still are."
Her breath hitches. "You don't look so bad yourself." She reaches a hand up to lightly touch his hair. "Didn't even think you were capable of combing."
"Shut up, my hair is great. It suits my image."
"I'm sure."
This banter is familiar. Maybe this is how it's always been.
The hall is already packed when they arrive. Someone gasps out, "Eh?? See, Kazusa? They're totally dating!"
Another one from the corner. "Oh, that guy is pretty cute."
Houzuki's grip on his arm tightens and something warm flares in his chest.
Is she…possessive?
God, he wants to kiss her so bad. But she asked him to wait, so he will. He'll just have to give her a good time.
"Oh, a slow dance has started," she points out softly.
"Do you wanna dance?"
She huffs. "Isn't that why we're here?" She wraps her small arms around his neck, pressing him flush against her.
She's a little infuriating sometimes. It just makes him love her more.
"I'm trying to be a gentleman," he retorts, putting his own hands gingerly on her waist.
"You don't have to try to impress me, Kudou, I've been in love with you for 3 years."
His grip goes slack. She's blushing up a storm, but her eyes are challenging. He just stares at her. "What?" She gets defensive. "You got a problem?"
She just said-
"Fuck," he groans.
"What?"
"I wanted to say it first."
She blinks and then chuckles. "Too bad for you. Guess I win."
"Guess so."
And then it seems to dawn on her. "Wait, do you mean-"
"I mean I love you too.” The way she’s looking at him now, almost like she’s skeptical, he just wants to kiss all those fears away. “You wanna get out of here?"
A soft huff. "We just got here."
"Yeah, but I'd much rather take you out on a real date. Just the two of us."
"We can plan that for next week. I didn't spend an hour on my hair for nothing."
That long?
"You didn't have to do all that for me."
"I didn't do it for you, I did it for me. Couldn't let you outdo me." She gives him a once-over. "I lost that battle, apparently."
He did try really hard to look good for her, but there's no way she actually thinks that.
"If you say so." He twirls her around and she trips over her heels, almost falling straight to the floor, but he catches her with one arm.
She glares at him. "Jerk. I almost fell."
"You really think I'd let you fall?"
“Atleast warn me next time!”
He pretends to ponder it. “I’ll think about it.” He twirls her again and she’s more prepared this time, glowering at him.
“You’re so annoying.”
“That’s not what you were saying 5 minutes ago.”
“Shut up.”
He should get a medal for self-control.
He had Satowa Houzuki pressed close to him all night, laughing and looking radiant, and he didn’t kiss her.
He had to slam his head against the table one too many times, but he pulled through.
And now they’re sitting alone on the stairway. It’s quiet, but it’s not awkward. Just sitting here with her pressed up next to him, he could stay like that forever.
“Hey, Kudou,” she mumbles.
“Hmm?”
“Were you serious earlier? About the date.”
Does she really think he would joke about that? “Yeah, ‘course.”
“Well, if that's the case, can we go to Hogsmeade?”
“Sure. wherever you want.”
“I meant to say it earlier, but thanks.”
“For what?”
“For asking me. You probably could’ve gone with someone else if you wanted, someone less-" she bites her lip "-difficult.”
Who else is there?
He wraps an arm around her neck, squeezing her into his side. “I wouldn’t have asked anyone else.”
Her ears go red. Has she always been this cute?
"It's getting late. I should probably get going."
He grabs her hand. "Can I kiss you?"
She stiffens, but he doesn't move. She stands up abruptly.
"I have a game tomorrow morning."
"Hah? Yeah, but what does that have to do with-"
"Ask me again after I win. You'll come to watch, right?"
Well, it's not a 'No'.
He smiles gently. "Wouldn't dare to miss it."
She beams. "Great. See you tomorrow."
She leans over to kiss his cheek, lips lingering.
He clenches his arm to keep from grabbing her and finishing the job.
She's testing him.
Houzuki is unbelievable.
She's always incredible in the air, but today she's unreal.
If he wasn't in love with her before, he certainly would be after this.
"Satowa Houzuki got the Snitch!" He hears over the intercom. "Slytherin wins!"
He can see the Ravenclaw Seeker having a meltdown on the field.
She's…intense.
But that Seeker isn't the one he’s focused on.
He runs out of the stand towards the field.
Where is she?
He finds her hanging back, the rest of her team already headed to the Fieldhouse.
She waves at him shyly, her ponytail falling out of place, covered in dust and sweat. Despite seeing her like this all the time, she's never looked more beautiful to him.
With a bout of determination, he marches until he’s right in front of her.
“Hou-”
She yanks him down by the scarf, cutting him off with her lips. He presses her in closer, the taste of strawberries hitting him as he pulls away.
He rests against her forehead. “You were amazing out there.”
“I had something to look forward to.”
He leans down to kiss her again.
He’ll have to thank Tetsuki later because asking her to that ball ended up being his best idea ever.