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"Is this really me?"
Atsushi twirls around, watching the high-quality princely outfit of white and blue fold against his every move. Just like any other nobleman, as he gazes at his reflection in the puddle nearby, for that moment, he looks like one. He looks like he finally belongs.
With his proclaimed fairy helper, Dazai, wearing his usual brown coat over his black vest and long white sleeves paired with a funny hat, suddenly coming in with a wand as soon as his stepbrother and stepfather leaves, Atsushi can go to the ball of the princess.
Dazai giggles, catching Atsushi’s worried and unsure eyes.
“Is… is there no way I can repay you? Why are you so kind to me?” Atsushi stares at Dazai. “Um, Dazai-san?”
Dazai’s smile widens as he plays with his wand. “It’s my mission, Atsushi-kun.”
“Mission? To give me this wonderful attire to attend the princess’ ball?”
“Sort of, but not exactly,” Dazai says, turning to the side. “It’s my mission to help hard workers like you achieve what you deserve—what you wish for.”
Atsushi doesn’t answer, he only stares at Dazai’s melancholic gaze into the glistening light in the distance where the palace is.
Dazai has always been doing this and never expecting to receive anything in return. Gratitude, material things, property, whatever it is, he doesn’t care, nor does he want them.
In the community of fairies, Dazai is the odd one among them. His fellow fairies consider him an unusual person who seeks nothing from all his duties. He simply carries his mission out, and that’s it.
Earlier that evening, when he is given the file for his final mission before the committee allows him to quit being a fairy, he stands there frozen in place. He has heard of the ball where the princess of the country is the star and bachelors from all over the kingdom are invited and encouraged to make an appearance and see if they can get the princess’ attention in hopes of becoming her groom. Furthermore, he knows how much Atsushi, his neighbor, and friend, is doing with his stepfamily.
But he doesn’t expect Atsushi to desire to go to the ball. His strong desire to pair up with his patience, understanding, and diligent hard work every day for the past years secures him a spot in the fairy committee. And he ends up becoming Dazai’s last client.
On Dazai’s way to the mini-mansion of Atsushi’s late parents’ now owned by his stepfamily with him acting as their servant, he realizes Atsushi has a chance of catching the princess’ attention. Not only with his delicate manners, inspiring kindness, and good-looking appearance despite his ragged clothes and dirty countenance but also his strong and resilient personality. Dazai guarantees it. The princess will definitely notice Atsushi. And once she does, they will dance and get to know each other and eventually decide to get married.
This way, Atsushi’s life will become better. He will no longer suffer being treated as a servant by his own family, nor will he be pushed around by many. He will become the prince with this. So this final mission becomes important to Dazai. Still, it also turns out to be the end of Dazai’s silent goal.
He wishes to quit the fairy committee to get his savings in check, perhaps land another job, and use it all to help Atsushi out. All this for Atsushi’s sake.
And now, the decision lies in front of him. To let go of his yearning for Atsushi for him to live a better life, or to be selfish and take Atsushi for himself—a mere fairy helper.
Dazai shakes his head and turns back to Atsushi with a soft smile.
“What are you waiting for, Atsushi-kun? Your princess awaits,” he says with an elegant bow.
“Dazai-san… I have a vague idea about the fairy committee.” Atsushi balls his gloved fists gently. “I didn’t know you were part of them.”
Dazai giggled. “Just between us, this is my last shift. You’re my final mission before I quit.”
“Eh? Why would you want to quit?”
“It’s not for me. It doesn’t fit me. Right?”
“I think… it does, though.”
Dazai’s eyes shift to Atsushi’s instantly, widening at how genuine the latter’s words and gaze are. It touches his heart in the most vulnerable places, and Dazai doesn’t know how else he can handle watching Atsushi marry someone else. But for his sake, for the sake of Atsushi’s future, Dazai will put his feelings on hold.
“Whatever.” Dazai chuckles. “Shouldn’t you go now? The ball is starting in a few minutes.”
“Will you go to the ball, too?”
“Me? No.”
“I heard it’ll be fun!”
“I hope you have fun, then.”
Atsushi pouts slightly. “Can’t you go, too?”
“Why should I? I’m not interested in the princess or anything like that.” Dazai crosses his arms and decides to tease. “What, are you inviting me to go with you? Just kidding.” He adds the last part with a little forced chuckle when Atsushi flinches.
“Well, if I invite you,” Atsushi whispers, looking away, the dim lighting of the stars and distant lights bearing fruit to the slight blush on his cheeks. “Will you go with me, then?”
Stunned, Dazai doesn’t answer, only covering half of his face when Atsushi’s blush deepens, feeling his own cheeks heating up.
He forces a laugh out. “What are you saying, Atsushi-kun? Do you know what that sounds like?”
“Of course.”
“Stop joking around. Go to the palace now, Atsushi-kun. Didn’t you wish you wanted to go to the ball?”
“Well, yes…”
“And the only reason you couldn’t is because of your dirty and worn-out clothes and shoes?” Dazai makes a grand little dance. “I granted your wish! Now go on and achieve the dream life, Atsushi-kun!” He encourages with a smile, whispering, “I wish you nothing but happiness.”
“Um… but… I’m serious.” Atsushi steps forward. “Will you come with me if I invite you?”
Dazai flinches, but the calm in his voice remains. “Why? Why would you invite me? I’m… not interested.”
Atsushi sighs and shakes his head, confusing Dazai, but when Atsushi steps closer and takes Dazai’s hands in his, his heart goes nuts.
“My wish… is not to marry the princess.”
“Then… why did you want to go to the ball? Dance? Socialize?” Dazai quickly answers, head turning to the side to hide his burning cheeks and trembling eyes.
“To have fun?”
“Then, why do I need to go, too?”
“I guess the fairy committee doesn’t process the entirety of a wish,” Atsushi says, chuckling.
“What do you mean?” Dazai quietly asks, his fingers flinching against Atsushi’s hold.
Atsushi reaches one hand to Dazai’s cheek, turning his head to face him. Dazai allows him, wishing Atsushi’s warmth can remain with him until the end of time. Their eyes meet, and against the faint starlight, Atsushi blushes at the sight of Dazai’s flushed face and glistening brown eyes.
Atsushi holds Dazai’s face in one hand gently, one thumb wiping a stray tear away.
“I wished to go to the ball,” Atsushi mumbles, his voice clear to Dazai due to their proximity. “With Dazai-san.”
Dazai’s eyes widen. “W-what…”
“Or maybe your higher-ups knew that, which is why they gave you this assignment?” Atsushi wonders out loud, further reddening Dazai’s face.
“A-Atsushi-kun, you… why would you… w-w-wish for something like.” Dazai forcefully turns his head away. “That?”
“Um…” Atsushi scratches his head with his free hand, his voice going quiet. “I-isn’t that obvious already, Dazai-san?”
“...No.”
It is.
It’s obvious already, even to Dazai. But he can’t seem to process it properly right now. Or he may just want to hear it directly.
That his dreams are coming true. That these feelings aren’t one-sided after all.
Atsushi pouts. “Dazai-san!”
“W-what?”
Atsushi pulls his hand, making Dazai look back to Atsushi, his face the same as his—flushed. And eyes glistening and trembling in silent anticipation and realization.
“S-shall we go?”
Dazai purses his lips and gives a slight nod.
With that, hand in hand, Atsushi pulls Dazai to the palace. Their walk is quiet, but their heartbeats are loud enough in their ears that they don’t know how to handle it.
Once they reach the palace grounds, Atsushi stops and turns, taking a different route—the pathway to the palace gardens, where they can still hear the romantic music inside as well as the cheers, with all the bright lights casting a mysterious shadow across the garden.
“Atsushi-kun,” Dazai calls. “The time…”
“Hm?” Atsushi stops walking, still holding one of Dazai’s hands.
Dazai is looking up at the clock tower beside the palace. “The magic of your nice attire will disappear once midnight comes. You will then return to what you were originally wearing. Sorry for not telling you sooner.”
“So, just five more minutes, huh?” Atsushi voices quietly.
Dazai doesn’t respond, but at Atsushi’s longing gaze at the time and darkened form from the shadows over them, Dazai doesn’t try to hold back anymore. He lets go of his wand and it disappears in thin air.
He tugs onto Atsushi’s hand, holding his, catching Atsushi’s eyes right away. Dazai smiles and raises their joined hands between them, then he puts his other hand behind him and bends his body slightly.
“May I have this dance?”
Atsushi’s eyes sparkle, and with a squeeze on Dazai’s hand and a shy smile, he nods and whispers, “Yes, please.”
Dazai pulls Atsushi close, guiding his hand to his shoulder and slipping his arm on his back while their joined hands remain together. The music continues from the inside, echoing outside the palace, and they begin to sway and step to the side, not fully in sync.
Atsushi is lagging behind Dazai, struggling to keep up, but Dazai finds it cute. He giggles, earning a pout from Atsushi. He tries to twirl Atsushi around, who almost trips over, but Dazai catches him right away, and they go back to a waltzing position.
“...I didn’t know you danced, Dazai-san.”
“It happened somehow.”
Lies.
He learns how to dance a while ago because of his imagination of dancing with Atsushi. And if it ever happens, he will know how and won’t make a fool out of himself.
“Somehow, I doubt that.”
Dazai grins but doesn’t say anything else. Atsushi keeps looking down to ensure he’s keeping up with Dazai and to avoid stepping on his friend’s shoes, but then Dazai squeezes his hand.
“Look at me, Atsushi-kun,” Dazai whispers. “Focus your eyes on me.”
Atsushi looks up at him—directly at his gaze. And he can feel his heart and soul melting every second of it.
“Look at me and only me,” Dazai whispers, letting his real thoughts slip away.
Atsushi does just that as if Dazai’s words place him under a spell. The music still continues, but the clock tower gongs, signaling the height of the evening—midnight.
In the soft dance of romance between the two, glimmers of magic surround them, especially Atsushi. His attire starts to glow until the light shatters. All that remains are his ragged clothes and worn-out shoes. Still, they continue to dance until the music ends, only do they stop, eyes still on each other, somehow breathless.
In the silence, Dazai makes the first move, cupping Atsushi’s cheek in his hand, but Atsushi realizes what he’s wearing and how dirty he must be, so he turns his head away.
“Don’t touch me,” he whispers, shutting his eyes close. “I’m… I’m dirty.”
“No, you’re not.”
“I am.”
The breeze of midnight swallows the nearby forest, and the wind makes its way to where they are, forcing Atsushi to hug himself. His clothes are old, dirty, ragged, worn out, and thin. So thin that one blow of the wind makes his skin freeze.
Dazai takes his coat off and wraps it around Atsushi, who flinches and jumps at the action.
“Dazai-san, this-”
Fingers still on either side of the coat, Dazai pulls it close to him, pulling Atsushi close to him.
“D-Dazai-san…”
Dazai smiles briefly before leaning in, and finally, Atsushi lets his feelings respond to Dazai’s as he closes his eyes and allow Dazai to brush his lips against his in a soft, gentle kiss.
Right there, where they stand beneath the cold night with hearts full of emotion and life, both of them decide to work harder and no longer hold back on bettering their lives. The tune of a ballad from the distant ballroom reaching their ears and the warmth of holding each other close as they share their very first kiss battles the freezing breeze of the night.
Dazai holds onto Atsushi’s cheek, shifting his head to kiss his love more, who giggles in between, earning an uncontrollable smile on Dazai’s face. Atsushi holds Dazai’s wrists and opens his eyes shining brilliantly.
For the first time, Atsushi feels like he’s being seen. Despite his humble bearing, Dazai cherishes him so. And the same goes for Dazai. For the first time, he is chosen. It may not be a real competition of sorts, but he feels as though he won against royalty—against the commonplace of fairytales. Because a simple man working as a fairy is not exactly the ideal happy ever after of the poor and abused protagonist in fairytales. But…
Right there, with Dazai’s coat over Atsushi’s midnight rags, the two chuckle together as they embrace and embark on a better life side by side—as they walk on to their own happy ever after.