Chapter 102: Mysteries of the Universe

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Translator: Soafp

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【I think I'll change according to >>5 Pert 17】

232: Username: 1 

So, it looks like I’m going to be dancing alone.

233: Username: Anonymous in Love 

Are there actually classes like that now?

234: Username: Anonymous in Love 

I never had creative dance or anything (feeling like I'm in my thirties).

235: Username: Anonymous in Love 

What kind of “lonely production machine” is that?

236: Username: Anonymous in Love 

Man, I’m glad I wasn’t born in this world… it sounds like hell.

237: Username: Anonymous in Love 

LOL, it would be a nightmare to dance alone in front of the students, right?

238: Username: 1 

Honestly, I’m not that worried about it. If I can just go in and dance like I do at the club, it should be fine.

239: Username: Anonymous in Love 

Speaking of which, isn't 1 into clubbing? (laughs)

240: Username: Anonymous in Love 

Do you really go that often?

241: Username: 1 

Well, occasionally…

242: Username: Anonymous in Love 

Seriously? Be careful, I know it’s strange for us to say this, but…

243: Username: 1 

Thanks. As long as I avoid the entrance area and the restroom, I should be okay, I think.

244: Username: Anonymous in Love 

… Is that really safe?

245: Username: Anonymous in Love 

_AHH-!!

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17:30. 

School's over, and I'm riding the train home. 

Then I changed clothes and got back on the train. 

There's only one reason I went through all this trouble. 

Because I can't go to that place in my uniform.

“Hey! It's the rainbow boy!” 

“Haha, thanks…” 

“What color are you going for next? Maybe pure white instead?” 

“Uh… adding white could be an option…” 

“Isn't that going to be ten colors? That's the opposite of a ‘monk'! Hahaha!” 

“Haha, guess I got one pulled on me! Ha ha (dry laughter).” 

“Man, you're seriously hilarious! Haha!” 

“Haha… (how long are you going to keep laughing?)” 

With a shimmering entrance of gold and silver. 

I handed money to the usual tough-looking security guy—and got caught. 

“Well, the monk comes here often too!” 

“Oh, really?” 

This guy is surprisingly light-hearted despite his appearance. 

When he's bored, he just comes over to chat. He doesn't do that when he's busy; the atmosphere gets tense then. 

Today, he smells like alcohol, which makes it even worse. It's impressive that he can drink on the job at a club. 

“Just keep your womanizing to a minimum!” 

“Thanks (virgin).” 

I headed straight towards the sound. 

I walked alongside the wall until I reached the stairs. 

This club has three floors, and each one has a different music genre. 

First floor: EDM. It's mostly heavy bass sounds. 

Second floor: HIPHOP is the main attraction, and it's probably the loudest. Most of the crowd likes to make noise. It’s a hangout for extroverts. Hell. I went once, and they forced their arms around my shoulders. It was really exhausting. 

And then—third floor. 

《♪》 

This place is a total contrast to the second floor. 

It's centered around calm electronic music and drum and bass. 

Of course, relatively speaking… the volume is still high. 

Instead of a wild party, it's a floor for quiet dancing. 

That's the impression I get. 

——“Hey, want to have dinner together?” “I love that outfit; where’s it from?” “Oh, can I get two Red Bulls with vodka?”—— 

…Well, of course, there are a lot of pick-up lines too. 

I've gotten used to that kind of scenery. 

Even if my hair sparkles in nine colors, the dazzling lights shine brighter. 

Even if I dance to the music, everyone around me is dancing just as well. 

I was really anxious at first, but I guess I still am a little. 

But this other world is surprisingly comfortable. 

[――♪]

I moved away from the entrance area (which I named the pick-up area) and towards the center of the sound. 

People dancing freely, and I blend in with them. 

The sound beats shake my brain, and that rhythm travels throughout my entire body. 

“——” 

All alone. 

I step to the rhythm as I please.

I finished reading the dance guidebook in a month. 

Strangely enough, I didn't stumble at all, mastering everything from the basics to advanced techniques. Now I can dance at an intermediate level.

That's probably because this is fun. Plus, I guess… the experience from elementary school? 

The new advanced book I bought is super hard. Still, it's enjoyable. 

Recently, I've been practicing a stopping technique where I balance on my hands. Got to be careful with my back (failed three times).

“——”

It feels like I'm gliding on ice. 

I extend my right foot forward, then bring my left foot, which I put forward, back with my right foot. 

This is called a “float” technique. 

When I nail this to the rhythm, it feels amazing.

Even though I'm not moving, I have the sensation of walking in place. 

It's like taking a stroll down a night road while loud music plays (suspicious, I know). 

But that doesn't matter here.

No one is watching. 

It's a secret place I don't want my close friends to know about. 

Although those two have already figured it out.

“——♪”

“Ah…”

While I was dancing like that, the DJ switched the track. 

And it was a familiar song that I recognized. It's nice when that happens.

The night has just begun (I check the time).

---

“… Water, right?” 

“Y-yes.” 

“Here you go.” 

“Thanks…” 

After dancing for a while, I went to the bar counter. 

I exchanged the drink ticket I received upon entry for water (probably that flavored water). 

“… Phew (it's so good!)” 

This water is incredible. It feels refreshing, like drawing from a spring in the distant northern mountains. 

This isn't that flavored water. It's Crystal Geyser. Did they change the supplier? (I've got a 1st-grade certification in natural water tasting).

I'm not doing any intense movements, and the air conditioning is working, so I'm not sweating, but I still feel thirsty. 

With my body in this state, it would be easy to get drunk if I drank alcohol instead of water (teenager-level thinking). 

…I still have some time left, but I think I should head home soon.

The crowd is starting to get bigger—

“—Ah!”

Just as I was about to throw the empty cup in the trash.

“That girl from back then?” 

“Oh, haha. How's it going?”

I turn my back. 

It's the usual thing. 

At times like this, I should just sneak away—

“Hey, hey!” 

Huh, that's strange. 

I search my mental bulletin board.

In the club, I remember—

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545: Username: Night Anonymous 

I went to the local club while I was back home recently, and it was funny to see a weird dance trend. 

A group was doing squats. It wasn't dancing; it was a workout. 

546: Username: Night Anonymous 

That's common in rural areas. 

It's fun to watch, but… it's embarrassing to join in. 

Even if you're drunk, it's tough, lol. 

547: Username: Night Anonymous 

Since I started wearing sunglasses, strangers keep greeting me. What do you guys do? 

548: Username: Night Anonymous 

Take them off. 

549: Username: Night Anonymous 

No way!! That cost me ten thousand yen!!! 

550: Username: Night Anonymous 

It's common, so just smile politely and say “Oh, how's it going.” 

251: Username: Night Anonymous 

Agreed. 

If you're a guy, you don't need to take them seriously, lol. 

If it's a girl, then you're lucky instead. 

---

But still. 

This person keeps stopping me. 

It's scary (very scary).

“‘It's not like I'm going to eat you.'” 

“! Oh, that was you.” 

But I remember with that voice and those words. 

It was when I first got hit on at a club—was that a reverse pick-up? 

“Hm~? Your face looks quite different, doesn't it?” 

“R-Really?” 

“Yeah, yeah. Let's chat over there for a bit?” 

“Ah (her hand goes around my back).”

She approaches me. 

Today, there's no scent of alcohol… but the sweet fragrance of her perfume envelops me.

It feels fluffy and unreal.

…Wait, that's bad! 

I've danced so much that I forgot this club is that kind of place.

Right now, Yumesaki isn't next to me. 

But I have something to take care of. Something very important!

“Um, I actually have plans coming up…”

At that moment, 

it feels like something cold is slowly creeping over my back.

“—Plans?”

“Wha!?”

The girl next to me seems to be smiling, yet she's not. 

It's scary. There's an unfathomable something dwelling within her.

A dark, dark star-like presence.

“Show me your eyes?” 

“Y-Yes…”

Her eyes peer into mine. 

It's as if she's seeing right through me, staring intently. 

It feels like a black hole.

My racing heartbeat is a sign of survival instinct. 

I shouldn't have carelessly stepped into this place.

Am I—dead?

“Ha! Ha! Ha! Sorry, sorry, I was just messing with you★” 

“… Huh?”

“Oh, by the way, are you in the dance club?” 

“… N-No.” 

“Oh. Do you attend a dance school or something?” 

“No, not at all…”

“Oh, I see!” 

“Yes…”

What is it? Maybe she's complimenting me? 

I don't understand.

Actually, I can't gather my thoughts at all!

“You're just someone I can't help but tease.”

“… Yes…?” 

“It seems your plans are real, so let's talk again next time we meet~”  

“… Yes (mind blank).”

“My name is Haori. Call me Hao ★” 

“Yes… Hao-san…” 

“Hmm~?? That's not quite right, but it's okay~”

I don't even know what's going on, but I'm alive (probably).

Wait, huh? Something is approaching my field of vision…

“Alright, here comes a hug ★” 

“Ugh (can't comprehend, can't comprehend).”

It's warm. 

The sweet scent spreads, the most intense of the day. 

I only realized I was lightly hugged after being enveloped by everything.

“Bye-bye! Come over to play again sometime ★” 

“… Yes.”

That soft sensation departs, and the shining lights enter my view.

Various pieces of information race through my mind, and I feel dizzy—

“—Oh no, the time!”

But somehow, I regain my senses, brought back by the image of Momiji (background: the mountains with falling leaves). 

I really need to head to the station soon. I'm glad I have plans for today.

Hao the Black Hole (very rude), she might be the kind of person I dislike the most.

“Let's go…”

Still, I think I should avoid going to the club alone for a while… 

Maybe I'll just hang out in the park (suspicious person).