We’d all listened to the dance music Komae composed beforehand. In my opinion, it was a quality track, very typical of Komae, who was known as the Five-Staff Prince. That was a relief, and I was glad I’d entrusted the composition of the dance music to him. I’m not familiar with the dance world, so maybe my judgment wasn’t the most informed, but it worked for me.
“I’ll teach you the choreography piece by piece, so first try to imitate me.”
““““Yes!””””
Ootsuka began to move to the beat of the song.
Shiika stared at her, moving her body little by little. Her movements were jerky, but I could tell as a spectator that she was taking care not to come in late, and to follow all the steps.
“All right, and TURN! Try not to fall, everyone!”
“We GET it ALREADY!” Gasping to the rhythm, Shibuya kicked off from the ground, dancing lightly.
Shibuya and Komae were sharp dancers. They had flow. And the ability to quickly pick up Ootsuka’s unfamiliar choreography.
It was Shiika and Akiba I was worried about. But they were keeping up all right, even if they weren’t doing as well as Shibuya and Komae.
It may have been the result of our recent morning workouts and Ootsuka’s crash course on the fundamentals of dance.
“…Hmm! ♪” Shiika smiled, looking satisfied. She seemed to really enjoy moving her body.
A small smile meant a lot, when Shiika was usually so expressionless.
But no one other than me could have picked up on that tiny, brief smile.
It was a splendid moment, a moment that would be burned into my memory.
By the way, unlike the grounds of Ryouran High School, this park was a public place. In other words, a place where ordinary passersby walk, uh, by. A group of people dancing with music playing… That’s bound to attract attention.
“_____Hey, check that out.”
“_____I wonder if it’s a street performance.”
“_____A high school dance club?”
“_____So cute and cool!”
We could hear passersby commenting and glancing at us as they passed.
“And then JUMP! You’re landing late, Shi!”
“Mn… Hup…”
“Sharpen up those movements, ManaMana!”
“Gah! All right!”
“All right, and the last bit! Stick the landing!”
Almost exactly in time with the end of the music…
…Ootsuka and the four others struck a final pose.
“And we’re done! Good job, everyone!”
““““Gah!””””
The four dancers sighed pitifully and collapsed onto the grass.
“Hah… Gah… Hah… Gah…”
Shiika was gazing up at the sky, shoulders heaving as she gasped for breath. Beneath her long bangs, her face was shining with sweat. Her chest rose and fell, rose and fell, seeking oxygen.
“Hah… Gah… Hah… Gah… Gak… Was I good?”
“Yes, yes, you were great! Here.”
I pressed a sports drink against Shiika’s cheek.
“Cool… Drink…”
She grabbed the plastic bottle and began chugging the drink. Gulp, gulp… Her throat bulged as she swallowed.
“Gakuto… Over here, too… Please…”
“All right. But just this one time. You’re supposed to be OUR maid, you know.”
“Me too, me too!”
“You’re fine, though, aren’t you, Shibuya? Well, all right. Here you go.”
“Thanks! Gulp… Gulp… AHHH!”
“Me too, man.”
“Go get your own drink, Komae.”
“The way you treat me just isn’t right, you know?!”
“I’m sorry. When I saw a handsome man sweating, I felt this murderous reflex take over me. Here, have a sports drink, as an olive branch.”
“Ah, thanks, Gakuto. You’re a real pal, I— Gah! Bleurgh! Hey! This is carbonated!”
“I thought a soda would be refreshing.”
“You were trying to choke me!”
“Whoops, you caught me.”
“Gakuto, you jerk!”
My jealous act had Komae half in tears. Ah, sweet satisfaction. Being mean to handsome guys helps me stay balanced. Forgive me, Komae. And if you want to blame someone…blame your own face.
“That wasn’t bad at all. To be honest, I thought Shiika and Akiba would be a lot worse.”
I gave my honest impressions to my pals who were recovering while relaxing on the grass with their drinks.
“Right? To be honest, I didn’t know I could move like this! It’s tough on my body, though.”
“Mana, you’ve gained a lot of strength, haven’t you? Did you do something special?”
“Ah, well, I wonder if running and doing muscle training every day was effective.”
“Seriously. It’s all thanks to me.”
“Grrr! I don’t want to admit it when you say it all boastfully like that!”
“Did Gakuto give you some special training?”
Shibuya’s eyes were wide with surprise. Come to think of it, I didn’t tell Shibuya and the others about the morning training.
I mean, it was just a slight change of morning habits; I didn’t think it needed announcing.
“Yeah. Well, just a little.”
“Gakuto, you’re quite the quiet strategist, aren’t you? You always seem so unmotivated, but maybe you could actually be a super manager after all!”
“I don’t know. I’m just trying out methods I found online.”
“And you used your quick wit at the Fashion Department, too…”
“I was scared of that delinquent guy and just wanted to lighten up the situation.”
“Hmm, well, if you say so.” Shibuya shrugged.
Despite Shibuya’s abrasive personality, she was oddly particular about small details. I didn’t want to be praised as some good guy. I’m mediocre, so far from being a genius like them. I can’t even do high-quality behind-the-scenes work.
To be honest, I don’t like having expectations placed on me. That’s why I avoid the burden whenever I can.
I turned to Ootsuka to hopefully change the subject.
Ootsuka was looking at her phone, which was set up on a tripod, and playing back the video she took. It looked like she was scrutinizing Shiika’s every move.