December, 2016
"Will you be my partner on my debut?"
Will you be my partner on my debut?
Will you be my partner on my debut…
Jiro stood frozen for several seconds, trying to breathe in the words Mizuki uttered. His heart jerked. It beats rapidly like a deer escaping for his life while being chased by a cheetah. His ears stood erect and his mouth turned agape. He felt so much happiness surging in every vein of his body.
"You... what did you say?" He asked in disbelief.
Mizuki flashed a sweet smile and walked closer. She looked up to Jiro and repeated her words more slowly. "Will you be my partner on my debut?"
Now that Jiro heard it clearly, darkness crossed his face. His pupils turned into a thin line from large
circles. Mizuki was taken aback by his reaction.
"Are you trying to insult me? Humans can't see me! A human dancing sweetly with an unseen being? Do you want to be called mad, huh, Mizuki?"
Jiro shook her shoulders as he lowered his head to have an intense eye contact with Mizuki. For a
moment, he felt like he saw a frightened look in her eyes. She was scared. Jiro let her go and turned his back. His broad shoulders facing her.
"I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to scare you."
He said with regret. He raised his hand to form a seal. Mizuki recognized it as his seal to vanish on air. She immediately tugged his robe to stop him.
"Wait! It was not my intention to offend you. I'm saying the truth. I want to have a dance with you! I
want you to be my partner on my special day. Actually, I don't want to hold a party but Aunt Sydny
insisted to do so. I don't really care about what other people will say. I... You're the only one that mattered. Your opinion is the only thing that matters."
Mizuki said promptly but Jiro understood it all. He turned around and discovered her serious face.
"I feel happy and content whenever you're here," she said slowly with a hint of embarrassment.
Jiro's expression softened. The stars in his eyes came back as the clouds of rage left.
"Please?" Mizuki plead. Jiro never desired Mizuki to beg him. He always wanted to give her her needs and wants because she never asked for anything. For a whole decade of knowing each other, this was her first time of pleading.
"Will you be okay?" He asked with concern.
"Of course," she smiled confidently.
The day has arrived for Mizuki's 18th birthday. There were close relatives, classmates, and
acquaintances. Mizuki doesn't have a lot of friends as she has Jiro, mere acquaintances were enough. Angel also brought her own circle of friends.
Mizuki was wearing an off-shoulder long A-line gradient emerald sequin gown. She was smiling at her guest but her eyes scream otherwise. She couldn't find Jiro. She couldn't see him. She's been in panic since earlier. What if coming to age removes her ability to see nonhuman beings? What if Jiro was here and has been trying to talk to her but she can neither see nor hear him? She's so close to breaking down. Her thoughts were disturbed when the debut host called her attention.
"Let our debutant, Miss Mizuki, grace us with a sweet dance together with her partner for tonight! Give them a big hand please," the host smiled to the guests and walked towards Mizuki.
"Where's your partner? We delayed it three times now. Please, have a dance—" he stopped speaking
when he noticed the strange look on Mizuki's face. He glanced in the entrance direction but no one was there.
"Jiro," Mizuki suddenly spoke in awe. The host felt goosebumps all over his body and stayed away
from Mizuki.
Mizuki stood up from her chair and walked towards the entrance, like a bride taking her time as her
groom waits for her. But the difference is, there is no groom. The whole venue pacified as if an angel descended from heaven. They all stared at Mizuki who was smiling widely.
"Jiro!"
She ran hurriedly and hugged the air. She rested her head on air as if it has a chest before looking up and uttered a few words.
"You came. I thought something happened. I was panicking."
"I just thought I ought to change clothes for your day," Jiro hugged Mizuki back.
Everyone was dumbfounded. She was talking to no one. She was embracing a human figure formed out of air. Angel and her friends took out their phones to record this unexplainable turned of events. Her cousin was mad! What good news to hear! She looked over her parents and saw their flustered and frightened reactions. She laughed inside.
On the other side, Jiro let go of Mizuki and bent down as he offered his hand.
"Mizuki, will you dance with me?"
"Of course," Mizuki smiled sweetly. They went on the center of the stage, unconcerned of their
surroundings. Mizuki disregarded the commotions happening around her. All she could see was Jiro. He looks beautiful, she thought. Jiro changed his robe into an emerald green kimono. The sleeves were large and his long hair was loose. There were lines of gold that formed a fox with nine tails. If humans could only see both of them together, they would surely think that they were a couple. They are both wearing the same color and they appeared to be born just for each other. If humans could only see Jiro, Mizuki wouldn't have to face her next decade alone.
Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you?
Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
Since Mizuki only reach Jiro's neck, she has her head raised and stared intently at Jiro. She was
smiling widely as they unhurriedly waltz. She was really happy. It was her most genuine smile her
classmates and relatives had ever seen. They were amused but at the same time terrified. Madness had devoured her!
In their eyes, Mizuki was dancing alone with her hands stretched in the air as if it rests on a tall figure's nape.
"Jiro, these two days that you were gone, it feels like my whole world turned grey, all the colors had
faded. They all look the same in my eyes. You.. you're the only one who has colors. You were bursting with different pigments. You were much more fascinating and dazzling to look at than those fireworks 8 years ago. I've realized that I just can't survive a day without you. I've been dependent on you for a decade now. I don't want you to leave me. This may be so selfish to hear but.. can you promise that you'll stay with me? You're immortal right? Will you stay with me until I die?"
Jiro stopped with his step. He looked deep into her eyes and he drowned. Her eyes were enchanting. He couldn't help but think of Nami. Why do they look the same? Jiro has been thinking about it lately. Mizuki's scent and blood were too familiar. He doesn't want to probe more. He's afraid. What if they were related? What if Mizuki left him too for a human? He knew that the difference between deducing and actually knowing is profound. He's contented with just deducing.
Jiro smiled and lowered his head. Too near. Mizuki can feel his breath. Earthy and masculine. Jiro
drew closer until their noses touched. Mizuki instantly closed her eyes. Seconds have passed and nothing happened. But she can still feel him. She opened her left eye to take a look when Jiro held her chin and suddenly pulled her by her waist. In a heartbeat, Mizuki opened both her eyes widely.
Jiro kissed her.