The Vices of Oboro Shimozuru
“I thought you’d refuse the dance contest, Chouko.”
I was impressed with Chouko for taking on the challenge, but I was also worried about whether it’d really be okay.
That’s why I’d used the pretext of returning a book to visit and ask point-blank. The response when I did only left me more in shock.
“Oboro, call me Kogetsu. No need to go to so much trouble in the privacy of my own room.”
“...Really?”
I sat down on his bed. It was the only other place, as he had just a bed and his desk. Not so much out of some pursuit of simplicity, but more so that he hadn’t bothered to get anything else.
“Okay, then. But why the change of heart, Kogetsu? You’ve gotten so stubborn lately.”
He had a bad habit of playing dumb even when he knew the answer, but he also seemed more reserved and even bashful about certain things than he ever had before.
“Whatever. It’s because of her, I’m sure, so I won’t push you any further.”
“It drives me nuts how you keep trying to force me to say it, even though you’ve already got it figured out.”
Well, looks like I was right on the money.
We’re the same age and have a lot in common. We’re close enough that we can often tell what the other is thinking. At times like this, though, it can be frustrating. The others, especially Saku, have had it drilled into their heads that they’re to protect and serve Kogetsu. So they wouldn’t dare go against him or Mitsuru. And Kogetsu knows that.
“But why would he choose to do this now?”
“You mean Saku?”
He got it.
“Huh? You don’t seem mad.”
Kogetsu didn’t really care much about anything, so his mood swings were hard to read, save for when he got really angry. When he got angry, it was a quiet, sullen anger.
“Not really. That’s par for the course for him. But I still haven’t forgiven him for what he did to Urara,” he said in a cold voice.
Whoa, scary.
She was somehow the only window into his true feelings. Urara Tendou. No matter how hard Saku investigated our classmate, he couldn’t find a thing to validate his suspicions.
She had been born and raised a commoner, with no record of studying horseback riding, piano, or dance. Especially weird was the way she carried herself.
“By the way, have you gotten any more information on Tendou?” I asked.
“...Information?”
“Come on, I don’t have the time for head games. Did she tell you why she’s so good at everything without even studying it?” I pressed.
It really is an obnoxious habit, the whole playing-dumb thing.
I began tapping my foot to show my irritation and finally got an answer out of him.
“I asked her, but she hasn’t given me an answer yet.”
“Oh, so you have tried to find out.”
Kogetsu was being surprisingly patient with her.
“It’s fine. I don’t want to force her,” he said softly.
The gentle look my childhood friend got on his face when he talked about her wasn’t something he could show out in public. It was a little shocking seeing how much love could change a person.
I heaved a slight sigh, which Kogetsu must have heard.
“You of all people shouldn’t be giving me crap about it right now. You know Mitsuru likes girls who are a little weird like her, so you’d better make your move while you have a chance.”
My heart pounded. I was at a loss for words.
I realized he was talking about Aritomo. I thought she was weird at first, too, but spending more time with her made me realize she was both tough and funny. Not only that, but the face she made when she was anxious about something was so cute, I could hardly stand it.
But it was clear from the start that she was more interested in Mitsuru. She even called him the Prince. I knew that, and so I tried not to get attached. Over time, he had become increasingly kinder to her.
Spurred on by the thoughts in my head, I rose from the bed. “Well, if you’re fine with all of this, then there’s nothing more for me to say. I’m not Mitsuru, but I say do what you want.”
“Yeah. I will,” Kogetsu said with a smile. His words held neither enthusiasm nor deceit, so I thought it might be a good time to leave and put my hand on the door.
I then turned back, and he gave me a look that asked “What are you still doing here?” So I blurted out what had been on my mind all along. “If the Tsukuyomi family ever tosses you out, you can come make your debut with us. You’ve got a lot to offer.”
“Ha! I’ll pass! Go scout Ui if you want someone.”
“You’re right.” I nodded, laughing, and left his room.
Anyway, don’t expect me to keep calling you Kogetsu when you’re dressed like Chouko, I thought, feeling jittery as I left his house.
✦ ✦ ✦
☾☾☾
“THE most important thing when it comes to dance is posture.”
For some reason, Aritomo’s lips were twitching.
“U-Um, Urara?”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Uh, how long do I have to keep this up— Ugggh!”
Aritomo and I had just started our lessons in the studio Shinmyou had promised us, but already she was full of nothing but complaints. I decided to start by teaching her proper posture, since we were far from ready for a professional instructor.
“All we’re doing is standing still.”
“What kind of training is standing still for two hours?!”
It had only been an hour and a half.
“Come on now, your posture is important.”
Shimozuru nodded in agreement.
What was he doing here anyway? He must have noticed I was staring at him.
“You need a partner for your dance lessons, don’t you?” he said, holding up his hand.
“Yes, we do, but is this really okay?”
I got the feeling we’d get an earful for having help from anyone other than our advisor.
“I got Saku’s permission, so it’s fine.”
“Well, that’s good.”
“He owed me one.”
I was a bit surprised to hear that, but the mischievous look on his face when he said it left me feeling as if I didn’t want to press him any further.
“All right, Oboro, you do the lesson, too, then!” Aritomo commanded.
“Shimozuru’s posture is good, so he doesn’t need to practice,” I stated.
“Whaat?!”
Her body seemed to be getting tired, but her mouth was moving just fine, so I decided she could handle another thirty minutes. I kept trying to encourage her, but I was also going to correct her when she needed it.
“You’re a monster.”
“Who is?”
“You are, Urara.”
So I was. What we were doing was exactly what I had been forced to do as a young child first learning to dance. I hadn’t realized it was so hard. Being a teacher is tough work.
“Aritomo, no leaning on the table for support.”
It was time for a break, but that didn’t mean she was allowed to slouch. As I was making tea at the tea corner they had provided us with, I decided to give her an etiquette lesson as well.
Her body trembled as she struggled to straighten out, but somehow, she managed.
“Hmph, I know, I know.”
“Try not to hold your teacup in both hands.”
“...Oh, shut UP already!”
It seemed that my kicking her while she was down had exhausted the last of her patience.
“I’m done for today!”
She leaped out of her chair and walked out the door of the studio, tottering as she went.
“Aritomo...”
Perhaps in my enthusiasm as a first time teacher, I had pushed her too hard.
“I’ll go get her!” Shimozuru exclaimed and rushed after her.
Left alone in the studio, I heaved a sigh and cleaned up. I felt a pair of eyes on me from the door.
“Chouko...”
“Oh, Urara, are you alone? I brought you all some refreshments,” she said, holding out a box of snacks. The moment I saw her, I burst into tears.