"Ah... we just finished student council," I say, leaning back. "And they just announced a dance competition. First place gets a prize."
Rin's head snaps up. "No way?!?"
Ivy almost spits her drink. "You're serious?!?"
I nod. "Yeah... but it's a group dance. Minimum of three members."
They both freeze. "...What?!? Oh come on!" Rin says.
"Maann, that sucks ass!" Ivy groans.
Rin suddenly stills. "...Wait a minute!" She slowly turns to me, a smile forming. "Yoou!"
I narrow my eyes. "No."
"Yeaasss, girl! You dance."
Ivy perks up. "Oh my god, that's right!"
I shake my head immediately. "No! No! No! You guys know I can't, right?"
"Quit student council," Rin says.
"I can't."
"You can't... or... you don't want to??"
I don't answer.
Ivy leans in. "You hate it anyway!"
Rin shrugs. "You could just do it your last year. It's not like you won't take over your clan. You're next in line no matter what."
Ivy nods. "Exactly. Why not have fun before that?"
"I know... you two have been telling me to quit student council multiple times already."
Rin sighs. "Oh, come on, Eline. Don't you miss our dance group? Ever since we started university, you stopped dancing."
I look at them.
They're not wrong. I do love to dance. It's one of the few things I really enjoy—aside from reading romance novels. But I can't just quit student council. It's an obligation.
...Hmm. I know. Why not leave it to chance? If it happens, then it's meant to be.
But what?? I need to think of something so impossibly ridiculous—something I know won't happen. Something that would make it clear that if it does happen... then it really is meant to be.
I straighten slightly. "Alright, alright. How about this?"
They lean in.
"If you two can make Luna dance... I'll quit."
They both go still.
Ivy narrows her eyes. "No way. You better swear that."
I sit up straighter. "But she has to do it right in the middle of the school grounds—where they hold flag ceremonies. In front of everyone." I cross my arms. "Then I'll quit. And join your dance group."
Ivy groans. "Eline, you're making it impossible for us."
Rin lifts a hand. "No, wait, Ivy." She looks at me. "...Alright. I'll take it. And you better swear."
—
I'm inside the music room, going over a few notes with some club members. The space is calm, filled with quiet chatter and the soft sound of instruments being tuned.
A knock sounds against the side of the door. I glance up. Rin and Ivy are standing by the doorway.
"Hey, Luna."
"Oh—hey, you two. What are you guys doing here? Everything okay?"
"We need your help," Ivy says.
"With?"
"Eline," Rin answers.
"Oh, yeah? What about her?"
"She's forcing herself to stay in student council. She hates it," Ivy says.
"Ah... yeah. I know. She mentioned it to me once."
Ivy nods. "Exactly. So you know we're not making this up."
Rin exhales. "Anyway, she told us there's a dance competition coming up soon."
I stay quiet, listening.
"Luna, Eline loves to dance," Ivy continues. "She used to be part of our group before university, but she stopped because of student council. We haven't seen her dance since."
"We told her to quit and join us," Rin adds, "but she won't. Not unless—"
"Unless what?"
"Unless someone makes you dance."
"Me?!?"
"Okay." I nod slightly. "If that's what it takes for her to do what she loves, then I'll do it."
Ivy hesitates. "Yeah, Luna... the problem is, she wants you to dance right in the middle of the school grounds. In front of everyone."
I glance at them, a small smile forming. "Right in the middle? Does she think I wouldn't do it? Or is she challenging me?" I lift my gaze. "I don't back down."
They exchange a look.
"So?" Rin presses.
I pull out my phone, scroll, and play a familiar upbeat track that's been trending everywhere lately—the one everyone's been doing the dance challenge to. "I'm pretty sure you both know this."
"Of course we do," Rin scoffs.
Ivy grins. "Eline better be ready."
—
We're in one of the practice rooms, music playing softly as we run through the routine again. The windows are open, letting in a light breeze.
"Again from the top," Rin says.
We reset, moving into position.
Halfway through, Ivy slows. "Wait—look."
We glance toward the window.
Eline.
She's walking across the courtyard when another guy steps in front of her.
Ivy squints. "Oh... isn't that the guy from first year?"
Rin leans closer. "Oh my god, yeah. Didn't she already turn him down back then?"
Ivy lets out a small laugh. "He really doesn't want to quit. Like a year would change her mind."
Rin watches for a second, thinking. "Wait... I forgot why she turned him down so hard."
A pause.
Then—
"Oh."
Ivy looks at her. "What?"
Rin shrugs. "He's from the Land of Truth."
"Oh... that explains it." She crosses her arms. "No wonder she shut him down harder than usual."
I tilt my head slightly. "So what if he is?"
They both look at me.
Rin answers casually, "Oh—Eline just doesn't associate with people from the Land of Truth."
I nod once. "I see."
Ivy adds, "Yeah. Once she finds out, it's a no right away."
Rin hums. "She never told us why though."
I glance back out the window. Eline's already walking away.
Rin claps her hands. "Alright, focus. Again from the top."
—
Student council just ended. I step out, walking with a few members, half-listening—
"Eline!!!"
I turn. Rin.
They're standing in the open field—the center of the school grounds, speakers already set on the ground. I slow down. "...What are they doing?"
"Watch us!!!" Ivy says.
Then I see her.
Luna, standing right behind Ivy. Rin and Ivy move to the side, and Luna steps forward into the middle between them.
The music starts. Students nearby turn, some stopping, others pulling out their phones. Then they move—Rin, Ivy, and Luna.
My breath catches. Luna moves effortlessly, perfectly in sync, but she's looking at me the entire time.
No way. There's no way—
Cheers start building, more students gathering, but I don't hear any of it. I don't see anything else.
Just her.
She's dancing. Right there. In front of everyone.
For me.
The song is familiar—it's that trending track everyone's been doing the dance challenge to. And she's doing it perfectly, like she's done it a hundred times before.
The music ends. Cheers erupt. Rin and Ivy start jumping around Luna, laughing and yelling, pulling her into their chaos. Luna just stands there, laughing with them, then her eyes find mine. She lifts both her hands in a small shrug, smiling.
Before I can even process it, Rin and Ivy are suddenly in front of me.
"You're joining us," one of them says, laughing.
I let out a breath. "...Okay. You guys win."
I look up.
She's gone.
—
I was on my way to the cafeteria when I saw Mira walking toward Eline's table. Rin and Ivy were already there. I slowed down, stopping just far enough to watch without being noticed.
Mira sat beside Eline, setting her tray down, already talking, already part of it. She didn't look like she was leaving anytime soon.
I guess they're close after all.
I turned away and walked back toward the music club. I didn't really feel like eating anymore.
What Rin and Ivy said earlier stayed in my mind. Eline doesn't associate herself with people from the Land of Truth. It seems like that rule applies to... people who like her.
So I don't stand a chance?
Does that apply to friends too? Can we at least stay friends?
Something in my chest tightens.
I step into the music room and pick up a guitar, settling it against me. My fingers move automatically, plucking at the strings, soft and absent.
The notes come out slower. Then— the last sound fades into the quiet.
I look down at the guitar, my grip loosening slightly. I set it aside and just sit there, letting my thoughts drift.
—
I get to Biochem class early, hoping Luna will show up early too. I didn't see her in the cafeteria or on the rooftop. I wanted to talk to her about the dance she did earlier.
God... she was really cute. The way she looked at me the whole time—
I shake my head lightly. Anyway... good thing it's lab day. We'll have time to talk.
She walks in.
"Hi," she says, smiling. "You're here early too."
"Yeah."
She tilts her head. "So... I guess no more student council for you?"
"I made a promise, but I still can't believe Rin and Ivy convinced you to dance. And not just that—you did it in front of everyone."
"It didn't take them that long to convince me."
"Oh? What did they say? Was it for the prize?"
"No."
"Hmm... because they're tired of me complaining about student council?"
She smiles, shaking her head. "Nahh. Not that either."
I cross my arms slightly. "Then what? What made you do it?"
"They told me you love to dance."
"And that was it?"
"Yeah."
"...That's it?"
"Mm... That wouldn't convince most people. It was a hassle. What's in it for you?"
She pauses.
Then—
"Because I knew it would make you happy." She continues, softer. "Like when I play my guitar... it makes me happy. It makes me smile."
Her eyes meet mine.
"So I thought... maybe dancing would do the same for you."
"...I just... wanted to see you smile more often."
I look at her—and something tight pulls in my chest, a sharp pinch that goes straight through me. I turn away.
"...Excuse me."
"Oh—okay."
I walk out. I make it to the bathroom and slip into one of the stalls before it hits.
My hand presses against my chest, my breath uneven—
...Why is she like that? She wants me to be happy? She did all that... just so I could smile more? Why?
I wipe my eyes quickly, pressing my lips together.
Get it together.
I take a slow breath. Then another.
It takes a moment—but I steady myself.
By the time I step out, my expression is back under control.
I return to the lab like nothing happened.
—
Did I say something wrong...?
...But that's what I truly feel.
I... really do want her to be happy.
I start preparing the materials, slipping on my lab gown. A few minutes later, Eline walks back in—just in time. The professor enters right after.
"Alright, everyone. Today, we'll be dissecting a frog."
Oh. Easy. I used to catch frogs and tadpoles back in the village all the time. This should be smooth—kind of fun, actually.
I smile, then glance at Eline—and pause.
Wait. Why does she look like that?
She's completely still. Frozen.
I grab our frog from the front table and head back.
"Eline... are you okay?"
She doesn't look at me. "Luna... please don't laugh."
"...I'm scared of frogs."
I completely lose it. I burst out laughing, tears already forming in my eyes.
"You're—" I try to speak, but I can't. "You're scared of frogs?" I laugh harder. "No way—"
"Yes—hey, stop it," she says quickly, clearly embarrassed.
"I'm sorry—I'm sorry—" I wipe at my eyes, still laughing. "I can't—"
"Luna—"
"Okay—okay," I say, trying to breathe, still laughing. "You can just watch. I'll do it."
"...Thank you," she says quietly. "I'll take notes."
I start the dissection. Behind me, I feel her move closer. She peeks over my shoulder—then immediately pulls back.
I laugh again.
She nudges me. "Stop."
I grin. "I'm not even saying anything."
She pouts, then tries again—a quick glance, then pulls back.
I laugh again.
"Luna—"
"I'm sorry," I say, still smiling. "I really am—but you're just—"
...Cute.
I finally manage to calm down, though a small laugh still slips out.
Eline nudges me again. "Are you done?"
"...Almost," I say, smiling.
"...Good."
I grin and turn back to the frog, while she stays just behind me—careful, watching, but keeping her distance.
Every now and then, she leans in... then pulls back just as fast.
I bite back another laugh.
—
Hmmm... Luna keeps laughing.
I should be offended, but I'm not. The way she laughs makes me happy—so easy, so free. Hmph. Be thankful you're cute when you laugh.
Dissecting the frog is finally done. Luna was actually pretty good at it. Thank god... we probably would've failed otherwise.
I look at her. "Hey... what are you doing this weekend?"
She leans back slightly. "I'm off work, but I'm still pretty new in this area, so I don't really know where to go."
"There's an amusement park here..." I make a small pout. "But I don't really go there much. When I go with Rin and Ivy, I always end up sitting alone or next to someone random. They just sit together, so I don't really get to enjoy it much."
"Oh? Really?!?"
"Yeah!"
"They have, like... real thrill rides? The big ones?"
"...Yeah, they do."
"I might check it out then."
"...Do you want to go together?" I add quickly, "I mean... you danced for me, so... I could show you around."
She gives a small shake of her head, a faint smile forming. "Ahhh, come on... I'd be happy to dance for you. That was nothing—and I had fun anyway. By the way, what's the name of the theme park?"
"Oh—yeah. It's called Starlight City."
She nods and pulls out her phone. "Let me check."
A few taps."Oh. Parking isn't free."
"...Yeah. It is pretty expensive too."
"Hmm... Then I'll just commute and meet you there?"
"Nooo.. I'll commute with you."
"...Really?!?"
"...Of course!"
"Alright. I'll meet you at your dorm?"
"...Okay. Sounds good!"