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Tsukasa had always wondered about different forms of dancing... Ballroom, Foxtrot, Waltz... They were all so beautiful. But he never paid real attention to genuinely learning how to dance properly.
Perhaps it was the amount of time he spent every day in school, having to do homework once he got home. And even if he had nothing left to do, he was trapped in the tight schedule times of practise for him and his troupe.
Despite loving acting, it ate most of his time, leaving him with even less time to spend carelessly learning something new and harmless. Of course, dancing traditionally fell under this category.
However, he did not expect to finally learn something exciting and fun this very day.
"Tsukasa..."
Emu's breath was airy and soft, but unsure and worried. Almost as if she was embarrassed by her own vulnerable-sounding voice. She fiddled with her fingers as she carefully tip-toed up to him from behind, blush swarming her face.
He turned his head back slowly to face her, a broom in his hand, gently sweeping the Wonderstage. After a long day of practice, they were the only ones there left. Nene and Rui had already gone home, and their audience from earlier was long gone.
"Hm?" Tilting his head to the side, he raised an eyebrow at her. "What's up, Emu?"
"Y-Y'know..." She fiddled with her fingers even more, now bending her legs nervously at the same time. She really looked as though she were about to melt. "W-We're both alone here... Together."
Tsukasa furrowed his brows back at her, unsure as to what she was possibly implying to him. "Yeah, we are... What do you have in mind?"
He could feel his face heating up, weirdly. It was rare for him to blush, especially without any plausible reason. But maybe the temperature in the air was just coincidentally heightening as they spoke together.
Her eyes widened suddenly, and she practically hopped on the spot as she let out a very high-pitched squeak. Defensively, Emu shook her head from side to side, her hair flying in several directions as she claimed, "I-I swear it's nothing weird..! I just... really want to try something out! Please!"
His suspicions only raised, but it didn't bother him all too much in the moment. Emu was always like this - roping other people into her silly shenanigans. If anything, this was completely normal, healthy Emu behaviour.
With the benefit of a doubt in his mind, he asked smoothly, "OK, OK, fine... But you have to tell me what it is before you run off, dragging me behind you as you act out some stupid idea!"
"It's not like that!" She protested, before drawing in a sharp breath, confessing to him. "I want to teach you... how to slow dance."
Immediately, she peaked his interests with those very words, his ears practically perked. He had always wanted to learn a fancy form of dancing, and this truly seemed like the best opportunity to do so. He recalled telling Emu once about wanting to dance, but surely she didn't remember that one specific confession for so long?
"To... slow dance?"
"I think you might like it. I learnt how to do it a couple years ago and it just seems like something that'd interest you!"
Tsukasa let out a deep sigh as he looked at the sweet girl in front of him, her eyes pink pools of purity. He couldn't say no, even if he really wanted to. Those eyes, so dedicated to making others smile, should never be seen disappointed. At least, that's what he thought.
"Fine," he finally spoke aloud, gazing at the floor. His face felt as pink as her hair; he couldn't stand to look her in the eyes in such a flustered state. "As long as you don't try anything stupid, OK?"
"I won't, I won't, I promise, Tsukasa!" She chanted and cheered, now tugging on his arm in impatience and ecstasy. "C'mon, c'mon, let's put that broom away!"
She snatched the broom in his hands right off him, tossing it to the side. He lightly jumped at the surprisingly loud clatter, but felt his shock ease as he saw Emu eagerly stare back at him, clearly trying to hold back her excitement.
"W-Well..." She stuttered, obviously not knowing how to begin. Emu took out her hand, palm side up, encouraging him. "Sh-Shall we dance..?"
He shot her a puzzled look. "Huh?"
"All good slow dances start with an invitation to dance! This shouldn't be any different, right?" She explained briefly, sweat dripping down her forehead. Maybe she wasn't as experienced as she had proudly claimed to be.
"I see," he chuckled, placing his hand over hers, cupping them together. "I suppose we shall... dance."
She giggled at his sweet words. Slowly, she lifted up her other hand, hovering it over his waist, but continuously coiling it right back to her. Tsukasa couldn't help but notice how much even thinking about doing the gesture made her blush darken.
"I... Uh... Is it OK..? If I hold you... down... there-? I..!"
Suddenly, she turned into a mushy version of herself just talking about touching his waist, as if it were the most forbidden, taboo thing on Earth. Drawing out a huge sigh, he moodily shook his head, his own cheeks going a darker shade of red.
"It's only weird if you talk about it..."
Upon gaining his blessing, she reluctantly placed her free hand on his waist, looking away from him in embarrassment. If she was this iffy about just touching his hip, God knows how she'd react if she kissed someone?
"N-Now you hold onto my shoulder..."
Obeying her instructions, he got his free hand and lightly placed it on her shoulder, causing her to let out a muffled squeak of shock. He wondered if he had hurt her somehow, but there was a far more innocent explanation for her sudden surprise.
"So..." He awkwardly mumbled, trying his best to not look her in the eyes. "What do we do now?"
"Dance... I think."
With the two of them awkwardly blushing side by side, she initiated the first move boldly, raising both their hands above her shoulders but below his. She took a few initiative steps to the side and back, with Tsukasa simply copying her actions.
And with that, they both began dancing.
As they swayed back and forth, Tsukasa found himself deeply enjoying dancing alongside Emu.
Perhaps it was the limited space between them, being able to hear her gentle breath as they drifted from side to side, perfectly content beside him as they moved in almost perfect, peaceful synchronicity.
Perhaps it was seeing her beautiful face so close up, being able to see her gorgeous eyes, gentle lips, glossy eyelashes... Every element of her face was beautiful the way it was, because of her graceful smile she passed onto everyone she saw.
Perhaps it was being able to finally hold the hand of the girl he had loved ever since they had first met, being as physically and intimately close to her as possible, being able to clench as softly as he could onto her, making sure to never let go...
His thoughts were broken upon hearing the smooth sound of humming escaping Emu's mouth as she shut her eyes lightly, still moving as if upon total reflex. Her voice was always so beautiful - it was the one thing he had wished to hear last in his life, no matter what.
"Tsukasa..." She abruptly cut her singing off to ask him, slowly opening her eyes. "You're... an angel."
He simply blinked back at her. "I... I'm an angel? In what way?"
"Well, you're just so heavenly..." She giggled softly, "Um... Speaking of, did it hurt when you fell?"
"Fell? When?"
"F-From Heaven. Y-Y'know... Actually, nevermind."
There was a sense of defeat in her words as she spoke, clearly disappointed in her failed flirting attempt. Nonetheless, they continued dancing. In fact, they danced for a long amount of time, almost into the night if it wasn't for Tsukasa noticing the Sun setting.
That day, they seemed to have gotten even closer, and their feelings only got that slightest bit stronger with their intimate dance. But, there was one secret Emu hadn't told Tsukasa.
She hadn't known slow dancing for years.
She had only learnt it the night before, just to try and impress him.