It was the school's annual winter festival, and the gymnasium was transformed into a dazzling wonderland. Soft lights hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow over the entire room. Students dressed in their finest outfits danced to the slow rhythm of a love ballad, while laughter and the sound of conversation filled the air. Mayu stood near the edge of the dance floor, her fingers nervously clutching the hem of her dress. She had always been shy at social events, preferring to stand back and observe rather than participate.
Across the room, Kyle was talking to his friends, looking relaxed as usual. Mayu's heart raced as she watched him from afar, feeling that familiar flutter in her chest. She knew it was silly to keep these feelings hidden, but every time she thought about confessing, her nerves got the better of her. He looked so handsome tonight, the suit fitting him perfectly, his hair tousled just enough to make him look effortlessly cool.
As if sensing her gaze, Kyle looked up, and their eyes met. Mayu's breath caught in her throat, and she quickly looked away, her face flushing with embarrassment. She felt silly for staring, but before she could compose herself, she heard a voice behind her.
"Mayu."
She turned around, and there stood Kyle, his eyes warm and kind. "Hey, you alright? You've been standing here all night."
Mayu swallowed, her heart thudding in her chest. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine. Just... not much of a dancer, I guess."
Kyle raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Who said anything about dancing? I was just going to ask if you wanted to get some air."
Relief flooded through her, and she nodded. They slipped out of the gymnasium and into the quiet courtyard, where snow was gently falling. The cool night air felt refreshing against her skin, and the world seemed so much quieter outside.
Kyle shoved his hands in his pockets, glancing at her. "You look beautiful tonight, Mayu."
Her heart skipped a beat. "T-Thank you. You look great too."
They stood there for a moment, the silence between them growing heavier with each passing second. Then, Kyle took a deep breath and extended his hand. "Dance with me."
Mayu blinked, her heart leaping into her throat. "W-What? Here?"
"Why not?" Kyle shrugged. "It's quiet. No one's watching. Just us."
She hesitated for a moment, her mind racing. But then she placed her hand in his, and he pulled her gently closer. They stood under the falling snow, the world around them still and peaceful, and began to sway to the distant music from the gym. Mayu felt her body relax in his arms, her head resting lightly against his chest. She could hear his heartbeat, steady and strong, and it matched the rhythm of her own racing pulse.
In that moment, everything else faded away—the cold, the festival, the nervousness. All that mattered was being there with him, feeling his warmth and the closeness they shared. Kyle's hand gently rested on her waist, his fingers brushing against the fabric of her dress, sending shivers down her spine.
They danced like that for what felt like hours, lost in each other's presence. And though neither of them spoke, Mayu felt something unspoken pass between them—a connection, a bond that neither could deny.