#dancing hall

Oikawa was moving along the crowded street as the lights and music were dancing together. He holds onto the crumpled piece of paper that announces his impending conscription before the month ends. Because of his service in the military, his dream of becoming an engineer was destroyed since the war won't guarantee survival. As he busied himself looking for something, someone attracted his eye. He noticed a pretty girl wearing a red floral dress and a red ribbon as a headband. He assumed she was with her friends because she was happy and playing the piano. He was amazed by her music and...perhaps her beauty. She looked harmless, carefree, and gentle. When their eyes met, he felt a sudden unfamiliar emotion. He gulped. His heart began to beat faster when she gave him a timid smile.

He was sleepy when he arrived at the firm where he was working as an apprentice. He had a hard time falling asleep as he had been thinking about her the entire night. His head almost fell on the counter, but he suddenly woke up when he heard a lovely voice. He was startled by her unexpected appearance, which caused his eyes to widen. He was too nervous to speak, his palms were sweating, and he couldn't even smile. His heart raced when he saw her sweetest smile again.

Throughout the week, he couldn't take his smile off his lips. He believed that was their final encounter, but perhaps heaven wanted them to run into each other once more. They met in a dancing hall. He watched her playing the piano. He couldn't believe he had been in love with her from the moment he saw her. He plucked up the courage to ask her to dance. She laughed when she noticed his trembling hands. Shame caused heat to spread on his cheeks. He was fixated on her the entire time they were dancing. He thought he was the luckiest boy in the hall since he was dancing with the most attractive girl that night.

He wasn't expecting love to show up at the worst possible time. He would get ready for himself after this evening, as he would be sent into a perilous and unfamiliar place. Fear crept inside him, afraid to die. He had never before experienced fear until that moment. He was back in his reverie as she patted his shoulder. She asked him what his problem was since he looked so gloomy after they danced.

As the day goes by, the day of his conscription is drawing near. He was so uneasy and unsure of what would happen to him after being sent there. He missed her touch and her warmth. He wished he could stay by her side, but he had to go to the battleground.

He came to a halt when he heard someone sobbing. His eyes widen when he saw her crying in the middle of the street. It was a cold evening in December and the ground was covered with snow. She nearly slipped, but he caught her. When their gazes met, a flush spread across his cheeks, and his heart raced.

"Why you didn't tell me about the conscription?" She said sullenly. He looked away before telling her the reason.

"It has nothing to do with you-"

"Nothing to do with me?" Tears flowed from her eyes. She looked so mad. Mad at him. "How can you say that? Am I not important to you?"

"You are important to me," she whispered, too enough to hear.

His lips parted. He couldn't utter a word. He was surprised by what she said.

She tip-toed and kissed his cheek. The sudden touch of her lips made his heart race.

"By any chance, do you..," he looked into her eyes. "Do you like me?" he whispered.

He locked his gaze on hers. Their faces were about an inch apart. He was tempted to kiss her, but as he leaned closer, someone cleared their throat.

"Kids, stop kissing in public."

The flush over her cheeks was just too noticeable. He cleared his throat as they stepped back. They were filled with embarrassment. They continue to avoid eye contact and even physical contact.

She wanted to say good night to him, but the atmosphere was still too embarrassing. She bit her lower lip as she looked at him, but when their gazes met, she swiftly diverted her gaze.

He sighed, breaking the silence between them.

"I think,..." He wasn't sure what to say for he didn't want the night to end and he wished to spend more time with her. He'd probably miss her after this.

"I...I need to say good night,..my lady."

Part 2

Edited Note: Hello! I'm done with the part 2. Yay! Anyway, this was inspired by Julie Berry's Lovely War. Because this is a historical au, I have made some changes. I believe people in the nineteenth century were conservative, hence NO KISSES ON THE LIPS IN PUBLIC. Thank you for reading!