The grand tree in the heart of Sumeru that towers over mountains stood firm on the ground. The streets bustled with the vendors coaxing some possible buyers of their products.
And in the streets of the Sumeru City, a child with black hair with unique golden eyes with rims walked with a red haired girl and teal colored eyes. Her expression harboring muffled giggles with a slightly guilty look.
"Nilou, I swear in my decayed and mighty ancestors that I won't let this transgression that you've committed slide." Lux said, his expression firm and his tone rough.
Lux, is a reincarnator who has never properly danced before in his past life and he felt like puking right now. All because of a childhood friend that he has that without his permission, signed him up to be a dancer at the Sabzerus Festival.
Don't get him wrong, Dancing is a great way to express oneself, it is sacred, an art. But, it is only good if the one that is participating truly wants it and loves dancing, and unfortunately it contradicts Lux very well.
Nilou coyly took a peek at me, "I'm sorry... But I properly got permission from Aunty Deyna first before I asked Uncle Zubayr to add you to the choir!"
Ofcourse Mom would agree. She would agree at almost anything as long as she can see me acting all awkward which in her eyes is probably me acting all cutesy.
"...So, asking for my permission- the person in question first was unnecessary?"
Nilou's eyes darted away from me in embarrassment, knowing that she made a mistake.
"W-Well..."
She did it seems.
I sighed before I faced her, "When we get to the theater, explain to Uncle Zubayr what happened and properly ask him to remove me from the list okay?"
Nilou's eyes widened at that and she furiously shook her head in denial.
"No!"
Realizing her slip up, she quickly restated what she said. "I-I mean, dancing would be incredibly beneficial for you, you know, for health? And, Aunty is actually really looking forward to seeing you dance."
Unfortunately it was already too late as it has already aroused Lux's suspicion.
She is clearly hiding something. She is so obvious that it is almost adorable. Almost, since she has put me in a difficult spot which in my book isn't adorable at all.
Still, it isn't Nilou to lie and plot something behind someone's back. I might be overthinking it but is something else going on here...?
Lux looked at Nilou, his face showing no signs of what he is thinking. "Nilou, come on, out with it."
Nilou by now has a flushed face as she tried to find the words to refute my accusations.
"I-I uhh.."
"Nilou, what are you hiding-"
Suddenly a voice from the stalls cut Lux's words off, "Oh? If it isn't our precious Nilou and Lux."
It was an old woman in a street vendor who called out Lux and Nilou out.
Lux looked in slight surprise, the Grandma looked familiar. "Oh? If it isn't Granny- Uhh... Sorry, What was her name again?" Lux asked after a pause genuinely confused.
Nilou seemed to have forgotten my supposed interrogation and ran to the old Woman and hugged her fondly.
"Granny Lidna!" Nilou cheerfully called out, tightening her hug. "How are you?"
Granny Lidna chuckled, patting Nilou's head fondly. "Still breathing, dear. Which, at my age, is considered a win. And you two, still such a sight for these old eyes especially your beautiful eyes Lux. Thank you again for helping me out the other day. The rampant sumpter beast the other day would've gotten me and old Beryl if you two didn't distract it.
I felt embarrassed by the sudden mention of my eyes, it has been a sensitive topic for me. At first, people in bazaar were pretty curious and cautious about me due to some rumors about my unique eyes but thankfully, thanks to Nilou, they warmed up to me quite fast.
Nilou showed a happy smile, "Hehe... It was nothing Granny, besides, it was Lux who did most of the work."
Oh yeah, a few days ago, a Sumpter Beast who was carrying goods of a merchant suddenly ran rampant and started twarting around the Grand Bazaar destroying stalls after stalls. It almost tackled Granny and her Husband but it was Nilou who aggravated it by throwing it some things at it.
"Ah? That? I remember dragging Nilou out of the Grand Bazaar because the Sumpter Beast was about to turn Nilou into minced meat after aggravating it. Didn't knew it counted as me saving everyone."
Granny chuckled, "Well, it did, you two did save everyone. For that, you have this Old Lady's thanks. Here, Take a few Sunsetias, it's on the house."
Granny held some sunsetias for the two of us but Nilou quickly shook her head refusing her kind offer. "You don't have to give us anything, we both did it because we wanted to, really!"
I held my hands up about to take the Sunsettias ignoring Nilou's refusal, "Don't listen to her, she's just acting all coy. I'll take it off your hands thank you very much."
But before I could, Nilou pinched my sides and shot me a knowing look which made me contimplate before making me sigh. "...I meant- if you were going to give it away then eat some for yourself, it's good for your health Granny."
But even with the two's refusal, Granny insisted and gave the sunsettias to Nilou who held them in her small arms.
"Ahh, It's refreshing to see such a freespirited kid like you Lux, as for you Nilou... these Sunsettias are going to go bad soon anyway so you two taking it off from my hands would be you doing me a huge favor so take it."
Nilou showed a troubled look before her head turned into a reluctant nod before giving Granny a smile. "If that's the case... Then, thank you Granny!" She cheerfully said which I repeated.
The Granny showed a fond nod before we said our goodbyes and started going on our way to the theater.
Now that we were walking all alone together, the previous atmosphere returned but she quickly tried to divert it by starting a conversation while we snacked on the fruits.
"G-Granny was really nice wasn't she? She even gave us all of this Sunsettias.."
I showed an unknowing smile which made Nilou think she succeeded from the smile she showed on her face. Truly, you're too innocent to be able to try to deceive anyone.
"Yeah, really kind, truly kind. Now out with it."
If you think I will waste my time and slowly preach her for answer then you're dead wrong. I am an avid believer of straightforwardness.
Nilou was surprised by my bluntness and when she saw my face that was looking at her suspiciously, she knew the jig was up and couldn't be hidden anymore. She then turned her head down and fidgeted with her red hair, her cheeks slightly flushed red.
"U-Uh... I-It's a surprise, I promise I will tell you at the theater so..."
"A surprise..?" Repeated Lux his face showing curiosity tint with skepticism.
Nilou affirmed which made Lux think of what could possibly be a greater surprise other than him being suddenly enlisted to dance in a festival.
Can't be good if it makes Nilou this desperate to have me dance is what Lux thought.
Looking at Nilou's face, Lux knew that asking her for more information would be useless and that made him sigh.
He just hoped that whatever this surprise might be. It wouldn't be something troublesome since he is already in a troublesome situation.
And thus, the two went to the theater with a quiet atmosphere where a girl was continuously fidgeting and a boy was sighing repeatedly as they walked.
.
.
.
"What..?" I asked, hoping that I heard it wrong.
Me and Nilou after arriving at the theater, I was led by Nilou to the backstage of the theater where we met her Mom- Niva in her dancing outfit. An outfit that showed a lot of skin.
She was beautiful.
If it was me in my past life and saw this mature beauty infront of me then I would've most likely would've had tried my luck on her even if I knew she was married.
Yes, past me was quite scummy with how much acursed anime he has watched back in the day and I'm ashamed to even admit it. But a good thing is now, I'm a changed Man!
Yes, after a few years of being a baby without the accursed thing called internet, I have successfully straightened myself and have disciplined my mind to never fall again to such things again.
Anyway, that's how beautiful she is, alas, a lot of people in this World is above average in looks but Aunty Niva is different breed.
And Nilou looks just like her in a child form.
ANYWAY, that's not important. After seeing her, Nilou whispered something to her and Aunty Niva showed an understanding nod.
Aunty Nilfa affirmed Nilou's decisions, "Are you sure you don't want to tell him yourself?"
Nilou nodded and didn't say anything more but her face looked slightly embarrassed.
I had a confused look, "Tell me what? If it has something to do with Nilou suddenly being so motivated to make me dance then pray tell.
Aunty Niva nodded with an understanding smile. "Lux... I'm sorry about her actions, I'll explain why Nilou signed you up. You see, the theme for this year's opening dance is quite different from the past. Zubayr changed the theme for this year's festival to make it unique and as a way to please the audience since we failed to uphold the Festival last year."
I showed an understanding nod, "I see.. If it is different from before then what would this year's theme be?" I asked in curiousity.
Aunty Niva sighed, "The opening dance which Nilou and you are in are Partnered dance themed."
"Partnered dance? You mean, something like me twirling her in my arms and all those fancy movements?"
"Exactly that."
I see, I think that I now know why Nilou signed me up for this...
I looked at Nilou and her look gave me all the confirmation I need. She shrank slightly, cheeks red in embarrassment.
"So," I began, voice flat, "you signed me up for a public performance that involves synchronized movement, physical coordination, and prolonged eye contact?"
Nilou fidgeted, her fingers tangling in her red hair. "I-I just... I thought it would be nice."
"Nice?" I repeated.
Aunty Niva cleared her throat delicately. "Actually... Nilou insisted on being paired with you specifically. She told Zubayr that if the dance meant anything this year, it should be with someone meaningful to her."
I knew it...
Shit.
Nilou looked like she wanted the floor to swallow her whole.
"She overheard some of the older dancers," Aunty Niva added, "talking about how the partnered dance this year is supposed to symbolize a bond. Trust, connection... sometimes, even love."
I slowly turned to Nilou again, who now looked like a tomato with legs.
"You believed that?" I asked, voice softer than I expected.
She hesitated, then nodded, still not meeting my eyes.
"I just..." she finally muttered, "I thought... if it really did mean something... then I wanted to dance it with you after all you're my one and only best friend."
"..."
After a moment, I sighed and rubbed the back of my neck. "…You know, you could've just asked me normally."
Nilou gave a tiny laugh, sheepish and shaky. "You would've said no."
"Yeah," I admitted. "I definitely would've."
But I wasn't saying no now.
I would've normally still refused but that would just guilt Nilou more and make her sad.
Besides, being active would be also great for my health (copium).
I sighed in resignation, "Alright, I'll do it..."
Nilou's eyes light up and she quickly ran at me and hugged me in delight.
"Yes! I promise you won't regret it Lux!"
Aunty Niva just looked at us from the back with a smile and a hint of something else that no one other than her will know.
I just hope I won't regret this.