evening blossom (ycsh)

[ evening blossom ]


Yachiyo was more than glad to see Shiori back to the student council office and to the practice hours the day later. Both Akira and Michiru told her to take it easy, but she is faring how she usually is – if, to borrow Mei Fan’s word, Shiori put her 100% on everything.

Just like how Shiori did her practice, she spared an extra time for herself. After she saw that everyone is already leaving, she stepped back to the training hall.

“Working hard?”

Shiori was flabbergasted to see the presence of Yachiyo in the training hall as she entered, her introductory lines were halted. Same as Shiori, Yachiyo was clad in her training leotard, ready for practice.

“Y-Yachiyo-senpai? Why are you here?”

“Aw, can’t I be?” Yachiyo feigned hurt. She approached Shiori to give the younger girl a head pat. “I’m worried if you’re pushing yourself. This is only the first day of your return.”

“Ah …” Frau Jade looked away. Yachiyo could only smiled. “I’m sorry that I made you worry.”

Shiori is always trying her best. Shiori is always doing her best not to fall back from others. Shiori easily adapts to her own environment, to the point that Yachiyo is jealous of her ability.

Shiori is also someone she cherished dearly. Someone she desired to protect.

“Now, now. Since we are here …” Yachiyo clapped, then offering her open palm to Shiori. “How about we dance together?”


- -


Mei Fan ever said something about Shiori’s dance movement being fluid, but lacking flexibility. Yachiyo, too, has something she lacked in her movements, if she compare herself to a genius Yukishiro Akira.

Her skill is enough to keep up with Shiori, at least for now. And Yachiyo thinks that it is enough.

Yachiyo asked for the dance to be the same as Shiori’s choreography that she composed together with Akira. The pinkette learned every single beat, studied every single turns from the one time demonstration from Shiori. They danced together straight afterwards.

Maybe it wasn’t as beautiful as the real one—the one Shiori and Akira will do together—yet, she’s feeling the utmost content. It has been one of her wish to be able to share a movement together with the girl she cherished the most, not as a mere sideline role, but on the equal footing.

They danced without a song, only Shiori humming beautifully to the rhythm. Both of them were smiling despite missing the steps here and there. Both of them laughed at how they took the wrong turn and began with an off-beat note.

“If Mei Fan or Akira-senpai sees this, I’ll be dead meat~” Yachiyo giggled to herself.

“But you’re doing fairly well, Senpai.” Shiori mouthed a praise. They slowly making a transition from the turn to the solo twirl. “I’m happy to be dancing together with you.”

“You’re thinking highly of me, Shiori~”

They repeated the routine three times before they ended with the longer dip than the last. Yachiyo, being the one who supported Shiori for the choreography, pulled the blonde to her chest after the dip.

Both of them were catching their breaths, looking at each other wordlessly.

Full fingers brushed away Shiori’s bangs. It was an excuse, another impromptu, just like the dance. Though, the back of Yachiyo’s mind know that she was entranced.

“Senpai?”

Shiori whispered softly. Yachiyo caressed the blonde’s face in response, stopped on her jaw later, and tilted the smaller face up. Pressing her lips on Shiori’s forehead, Yachiyo took her time to relish on the blonde’s surprised, bashful expression.

“You’re doing a good work today. Please don’t forget your rest.”

They shared another small moment, tangled in each other’s embrace, and called it a day.