Chapter 121: One Night Stage

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Translator: Soafp

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After completing the procedures for being late in the staff room, I ran to the gymnasium.

At the entrance, the music playing indicated that the dance presentation was still ongoing.

I opened the large doors, changed my shoes, and quietly entered the gym, trying not to disturb the current performers.

“…Momiji-san.”

In the brightly lit space I had just entered, I spotted her dancing at the front. I could see her movements were different from those of the pair next to her.

“She's offbeat.”

I realized this in an instant.

From the expression of anxiety on her face, I could tell she was aware of the mistake.

Drenched in the rain of gazes, and amidst the occasional shouts of the audience…

Still, Momiji-san somehow managed to sync her movements and complete the dance. Despite the pressure, she persevered and did her best.

“…”

That's why I was the first to applaud. I thought she was amazing.

And I ran. I wanted to do so before the applause faded.

“Good job! You did your best until the end! Well then, let's—”

“Excuse me!”

“!? Toumachi-kun! I heard from the homeroom teacher that you were absent…”

“I somehow got better. Is there still time?”

I called out to the teacher, who was about to step forward.

All eyes turned to me in shock, and among them were five girls.

There were nearly 80 students altogether.

But I could still recognize them immediately.

Perhaps it was because their gazes were different when they looked at me.

“Yes, there's still time to spare, so it's okay.”

“Thank you very much. I appreciate it.”

Amid the lingering buzz in the gym, I stepped onto the stage.

Both the boys and girls were now focused on me.

“Ten seconds before we start the music!”

I didn't take a deep breath.

Strangely, I felt calm in this situation.

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——“He wasn't absent?” “I thought it was over.” “They were talking about him in the dance club, right?”——

——“Why is he here…?” “Playing the late protagonist?”——

After I took the stage, I could hear the heartless whispers of the students. Still, I maintained a composed expression, waiting patiently for the music to play.

He seemed like a different person.

No, I had seen him like this a few times before.

That time, when he went to help the two former members… the time we headed to the karaoke room.

[——“I came to help.”——]

He must have been just like this then.

And in that moment, as the teacher's voice counted down the last ten seconds—

[——♪]

The music began to flow, and he started to dance.

He stepped in rhythm, as if he were melting into the atmosphere. In contrast to the sparkling rainbow colors, he looked mature, as if dancing with the night.

I wasn't the only one who sensed the change in atmosphere.

The silence in the gym answered that.

His dance instantly captivated the attention of the students.

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In my life, I've had many opportunities to dance.

In elementary school, middle school, and now high school.

There were sports festivals, of course. Dance is now a required subject in physical education classes.

And dance isn't something you do alone.

If one person in a group is bad, they stand out too much.

I hated that, so every time I had a chance to dance, I practiced at home constantly.

I learned how to move my body, the tricks to keeping rhythm.

I memorized everything out of obligation.

Even if I got better, it was never enjoyable.

I wanted to avoid standing out. I didn't want to be laughed at.

That was my only motivation.

——But.

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636: Name: Anonymous in Love

>>540

Let's check out the club. Oh, obviously the popular one!

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People's tastes can change.

In a fleeting moment.

A month ago, that message came in response.

[……♪]

The music started playing.

The first step was “Pow Wow.”

I kicked my left foot out and pulled my right foot back in rhythm.

Next, I kicked my right foot out and pulled my left foot back.

It was almost reflexive.

Just like usual. Exactly like when I was dancing at the club.

Without even having to think, my body moved naturally.

It was fun.

The gazes that I had been so conscious of felt strangely absent.

“!”

As I studied music composition, I gradually began to understand the depth of music.

How much information and intention can be packed into just two minutes.

The song that Yumesaki-san gave me was no different.

Though it had no lyrics, listening to it painted vivid images in my mind.

Late at night, neon lights brighter than the moon.

The figure of a man stepping rhythmically.

“A dance floor all to myself.”

[——♪——]

So, I mustn’t interrupt that.

I embraced it, merging my own self with the figure that emerged.

Before I knew it, I started matching my movements.

Simply, thoroughly.

“To become one with that music.”

“!”

Before I realized it, the song had reached its midpoint.

“Charleston”—I lifted my legs and stepped alternately forward and backward.

“Drum and Bass”—I dropped my heels onto the floor.

I shuffled between the two.

Surrendering to the rising tension, I moved my legs, arms, and entire body.

I didn't need to be flashy.

I just let myself be carried away by the music.

I wanted to believe I was a bit better than the first time I danced at the club.

[♪——]

Ah, this is so much fun.

If I hadn't joined the club, I would have never discovered this joy.

With the music resonating in my mind, memories began to float up.

[——“No way? Seriously, Toumachi?”——]

[——“You're surprisingly homely-looking, aren't you?”——]

[——“Would you be my friend?”——]

[——“Nice to meet you, Toumachi.”——]

[——“Hey! Icchi!”——]

Thinking, “I want to change,” after a month… I realized.

Miraculously, I had made five important friends.

And I wanted to stay just like this forever.

Eternally.

As if I could stop time.

Though I knew that was absolutely impossible.

[——♪]

In the end, I wasn't ready.

To face the world that was changing around me.

To accept the fact that my important friends would change their perceptions of me.

I hadn't prepared myself to face it head-on.

The “I want to change” me was afraid of “changing.”

I had continued to run away from the advancing world, turning my back on it.

“!”

Before I knew it, the song had reached its climax.

And now, I finally turned around.

Whether I went to clubs or stood out in dance, I was ready to embrace who I am.

With this technique—this was my farewell to the self I had just been.

[♪]

In the last three seconds, six counts.

The past me desired eternity.

That's why I had chosen this choreography.

“MAX”—a move where I handstand with one hand and strike a pose, a moment of utmost stillness.

Of course, no mistakes would be tolerated.

I kicked off the stage, swinging my legs into the air.

Supporting myself with just my left hand. My arm straight, pushing against the ground.

I gazed upward. My right leg stretched out, my left leg bent, freezing into position!

“——”

Only 1 second left, 2 counts.

As if to shatter the ticking second hand.

As if to erase the cacophony of sounds.

—Stop.

And look at me!!

[————]

Count zero.

As the music ended, I released my stillness.

“——Ha, ha…”

On the stage.

Once both feet touched the ground, the time I had stopped began to move again.

That dreamlike state had come to an end.

In the gym, I could only hear my own breaths and heartbeat.

All I could see were the gazes focused on me.

It was quiet.

But.

The ticking of the clock was nowhere to be heard.