Throughout the entire school year, Tanaka Ryunosuke had tried—unsuccessfully—to get closer to Kiyoko. Not in an exaggerated or invasive way, but with the clumsy, sincere consistency of someone who had genuinely fallen in love. Small gifts, discreet notes, invitations to walk with her after class... Each attempt was met with the same polite but firm response: no.

She wasn’t cruel. Kiyoko simply didn’t feel the same, and Tanaka, though hurt, accepted it. Once, twice, three times. Even when news broke that there would be a dance to close out the school year, he held onto the hope that maybe—just maybe—a night like that could be the exception. He gathered his courage once again and asked her if she’d like to go with him.

The answer was the same.

After that, Ryunosuke seriously considered not going at all. But that was when he realized something: not everything about the year had revolved around Kiyoko. By his side, always, had been his closest friend—the one he shared dumb jokes with, long study sessions, and those rare but treasured comfortable silences. Someone who didn’t smile at him out of politeness, but because it came naturally.

So, partly out of resignation and partly because he didn’t want to spend that night alone, Tanaka decided to invite his friend to the dance. He didn’t use big words or build up any expectations. He simply asked if she’d like to go with him—as friends. And she accepted, without overthinking it either, since she didn’t have anyone else to go with.

And so, two weeks later, the two of them walked into the school gym together, now decorated with colorful lights and strings of paper garlands. The chords of a pop song vibrated through the air as students began to fill the dance floor.

Tanaka swallowed hard. The atmosphere overwhelmed him more than he had expected. He stopped beside his friend, who walked calmly at his side with a serene expression that somehow brought him a strange sense of peace.

He tugged at his tie, nervous.

“U-uh... what would you like to do first?” he asked, trying hard to sound natural, though his voice shook just a little.