2017-01-20 - Ohtori Post Exam Ice Ball

Title: Ohtori Post Exam Ice Ball
Summary: Ohtori throws a ball celebrating the end of exams! This time on ice! There's mean spirited girls, elegant dresses, dignity destroyed, and a Council Member charmed.
Who: Kasagami Araki, Chitose Shiratori, Nori Ankou, Fuu Hououji, Hikaru Shidou
Where: Snow Rain Ice Rink
OOC - IC Date: <1/20/17 - 12/22 >

<Pose Tracker> Kasagami Araki [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

For once, Ohtori is holding a ball somewhere that /isn't/ on campus grounds. Of the many things they have, they don't have something properly icey. Hence, with construction crews working furiously for the past few days, Snow Rain Ice Rink is back in business! The banner outside reads 'Grand Re-Opening'! and 'Ohtori Ball on Ice!' proudly.

And with Ohtori money thrown at it, they've set up something rather interesting. The theme is typical Ohtori: roses feature heavily, there's large tables set out with fancy finger foods, punch, soda, and wines. There's cheese and crackers too. Kasagami made sure of that!

But the strange thing is that the tables are all on the ice rink itself, thankfully made so they won't slide around. The various flowers are all parts of large ice sculptures set out artfully, icey 'ivy' winding around much of the rink's outer walls.

It's a slightly smaller party than most, given the distance from Ohtori and the sheer oddity of it. Not everyone's a fan of ice skating.

But Kasagami is here as the time for the party ticks down. She has a microphone as she skates in, taking a few laps before leaping into a triple-spin! Sticking the landing, she dips into a deep bow.

"Goood afternoon Ohtori and Sister School's students! Congratulation! It's been a long, hard road, but you've done it! Every late night, every last minute cram session, you'll soon forget the pain! Well, some of you will be in pain when the results get posted, but who's counting right?" Grin!

Her arms open in welcome! "Eat, drink, and let loose everyone! Go wild! And show us some great skating out here!"

A full orchestral band in the audience stands starts to play low, party music on cue.

Kassie dress: http://www.topsprom.com/images/dress/Classical-Red-Strapless-Silk-Floor-Length-Bridesmaid-Dress-Suits-For-All-Seasons.jpg

<Pose Tracker> Nori Ankou [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

The behavior of Nori Ankou has been slightly troubling to her friend and confidant, but the weather still isn't right for the journey they must take: before Christmas, he hopes (though he knows it by another name.)

But he isn't here.

Nori Ankou, face of Akamira, IS here though.

She has been made up, her already pale face now even paler, her lips a sharp crimson, with an affixed black beauty mark at the edge of her lips. She is wearing a body-con dress with spaghetti straps in a faded-looking embroidered textile, accented by satin-like opera gloves. It goes down her calves. Her hair is bound up, with a long lock hanging loosely and asymmetrically over her right eye. Several long and elegantly-decorated accessorizing sticks pierce the binding.

Only her shoes don't match... because they're ice skates.

But she tried! Black patent leather. She is also gliding loosely, as best she can in this unusual environment, towards Kasagami - and past her, the snacks.

<Pose Tracker> Kasagami Araki [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

Kasagami, of course, is a fan of that particular line's more bold numbers. The colors of course, call to her easily. As Norie skates towards her, she skates backwards in time. Plucking up a wine glass, she leans down a bit to offer it an a 'gentlemanly' move. A smile comes easily to her features. And for once, it isn't menacing. No, it's warm and welcoming as the Disciplinary Executive peers her over.

"If I'm not mistaken...Nori Ankou, right? I /love/ your work! Thank you for coming. The Student Council is /honored/ to have someone of your stature and abilities here tonight." The young woman knows how to oil up the rich. It's practically a survival instinct at Ohtori.

Seems that Chitose isn't the only one that has problems with ice skating! An Ohtori girl in a blue dress is flailing as she comes skating past with a plate of cheese! Right towards the door leading out of the rink!

"Ahhhhhhhh heeeeeelp meeeee!" Flail flail! Suddenly the tall wielder of that massive ponytail would have cheese flying at her! And a flailing middle school girl!

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.

The last time Fuu went to a formal ball held under Ohtori auspices, somebody blew up a bridge and everyone got stuck on Southern Cross Island for several days of hair-raising adventures, up to and including a massive forest fire and (for the magical girls in attendance) a series of desperate efforts to dodge paramilitary troops, tanks, and the occasional enemy magical girl. And that was a NORMAL ball with NORMAL shoes.

Given that this affair (soiree?) is being held, not merely at an ice rink but *on* the ice, Fuu has decided her dress needs to be a little more practical. Obviously she couldn't fall back on a skating leotard with one of those insanely short vestiges of a skirt - that would be 'too practical' in one wrong direction - but she wants to be sure she won't snag her skates on what would normally be a floor-length skirt, either. *That* could be not merely embarassing, but actively dangerous ... and not only to her.

So when Fuu ventures onto the rink, her (rented) skates are clearly visible; the hem of her skirt is just a bit above ankle-length, and the skirt itself consists primarily of overlapping panels in two shades of green (very dark for the outer panels, and a more grassy shade for the inner). It's designed so that, should Fuu begin twirling or pirouetting or the like, the panels will spread out some; about halfway above her knees, though, there will be no actual separation.

And the bodice itself? The same colors are in use as for the skirt, with a downright demure underlayer in that middle-green grassy shade, where the darker outer layer would be almost scandalously revealing if it DIDN'T have that inner layer. She's modestly covered, and should be warm enough ...

If she ventures far enough onto the ice to actually get to any of the tables, at least. She's also aware of her limitations, and when it comes to ice skates, she has a lot of limitations to be aware of. She can't even move to help the flailing middle-schooler, only wincing at the sight ...

<Pose Tracker> Chitose Shiratori [Infinity Institute (U)] has posed.

Chitose is still bemoaning her lack of ice skating grace when suddenly CHEESE. The girl flailing towards her falls, and Chitose tries to catch her so she doesn't eat the floor. Chitose's not that great at doing so, though even she could hold up a girl if she catches her.

Except... she doesn't. She swoops in to try and catch the girl (getting cheese /everywhere/ as she goes), but the girl falls faster than she can swoop-- and by the time it's too late to catch the girl, it's too late for Chitose to pull up, so she falls into the door and nearly faceplants onto the ice, crashing down onto the floor.

And there Chitose lies for a few moments, unwilling to perform the effort to get back up for the time being. "Oww."

<Pose Tracker> Nori Ankou [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

She's being smiled at. Nori blinks once.

It feels... well: It doesn't even really feel warm to her, not now, as she realizes that she's being spoken of in such flattering terms, that she's being, in a sense, embraced. It feels, aptly enough for Akamira, hot: almost too hot to bear.

Somehow, however, Nori Ankou is able to survive the heat of this radiance. Somehow. The wine is offered to her and she takes it and she takes, in turn, a sip. "Oh, you're flattering me, Araki-san," Nori says. "I'm just the vessel the style travels in." This is said with a little smile and a careful cocking of one foot as she strives to keep balanced.

Unlike Miss Blue Dress and the tumbling Chitose. "Oh!" Nori says, though she... doesn't... do anything to go help. Instead she has another sip of the wine. "Are they alright?" There we go, sentiment.

Her attention rests on Fuu's dress, abstractly. It's weird, Nori thinks, but clothes feel far more important to me when I'm in the brand's outfits.

<Pose Tracker> Kasagami Araki [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

Fuu's style does /not/ go unnoticed! Several of the girls huddled near a rose-sculpture titter to each other with flutes of punch in their hands.

"She's so elegant!"

"Hee hee, I wonder if she'll trip!"

"Don't be so mean Oka-chan!"

Chitose's would-be rescue-ee is about as facefalted and cheese'd as Chitose is! One or two of the Ohtori student body outright laugh. Others politely joke and say mean things. Ohtori girls are /jerks/.

Speaking of, Kasagami notes the sudden crash. "You put a pretty face to the brand. That's important. You /are/ the brand, Ankou-san." Kassie's even being polite. A flashed, cocky smile, and then it kind of just fades.

"Disciplinary Executive to the rescue. Catch you for a dance later?" Wink!

Then she's off, weaving in between a few students that skate-walk awkwardly. One of them almost trips, she catches the student, and spins them around with her! They get deposited safely near a nice, stable table out on the ice.

And then, a few seconds later, the middle schooler is lifted up by the scruff and sat down gently. Dust dust dust. "Be more careful! You could've been hurt." She adds with a little concern. Then...shove!

"Now try again!" There's another scream, and eventually, a less swift crash. Kassie sighs.

Then, Chitose. Down she leans, and with a chuckle, there's a hand offered. "Been a while, Chi-chan." As ever, she presumes a first name when she can get away with it.

"Come on. Up with you. Can't wallow in your spilled dignity and cheese all night." Even for Kasagami it might take some doing to help the taller girl up. The student council member will then motion to the tables. "Want something to eat? I'll help you."

A dark haired girl, the mean Oka-san, has a wolf's grin as she starts skating off towards...and past Fuu. The jerk 'accidentally' tries to kick at one of Fuu's ice skates as if trying to discretely trip up the elegantly dressed woman!

<Pose Tracker> Chitose Shiratori [Infinity Institute (U)] has posed.

Chitose groans.

Chitose continues laying there for a few moments when Kasagami rolls up. When she's addressed, she still doesn't move much past her eyes, which looks up towards the other girl as much as she can. "Hello." She takes the offered hand and pulls up. Once she gets high enough she grabs the door to the rink and uses it to help pull herself up, which might help Kasagami out a bit.

When she's fully standing, though, she smiles. "Yes, it's very nice to see you again." The use of first name goes by without comment. Chitose's fine with it, admittedly.

Chitose sweeps her eyes, now that she's on the ice, before sighing and saying. "Sure, let's go." And she follows Kasagami to the tables.

Well, mostly. She has to be dragged by Kasagami before she goes faster than 'walk-skate' speed.

<Pose Tracker> Nori Ankou [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

"Oh -- I would love one. At least," Nori says to the Disciplinary figure, the last coming out before she can engage her brain. She giggles a little then, a glittering sort of sound, but then she lets herself sink with elegance into a chair. Her legs cross at the ankles.

When she sees Chitose being helped in, that tingling heat in her stomach gets a little green and envious. Sipping her wine, she regards them steadily, though that shy bang of hers means it's a rather monoptical look.

<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Shidou [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed. Meanwhile, Hikaru remembers the time that she went to that formal ball and a bridge got blown up, but she's not about to let that get her down or discourage her from going to this one. After all, you have to let go of the past and move forward. Which is why Hikaru has arrived tonight with a big smile on her face and a nice crimson dress that covers her torso and arms well, while her skirt goes down to just above her knees, giving her modesty without hindering her movements too much either.

It's not quite as fancy as Fuu's, but it's still nice definitely, and it looks nice on Hikaru while she's going out to ice skate as well. Her skates are rented too, but she's a fairly decent skater, that's for sure. She shows no difficulty getting onto the ice and begins to stride around slowly, warming herself up for a little skating while getting the feel of skating once again.

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.

If Oka-san weren't skating past her at such a close angle, the ever-polite Fuu would probably try to bow to her. She doesn't have time for a full and proper bow, though; she just nods her head politely, attempting to retain her balance long enough to curtsey.

.... and that's when one of her skates gets kicked out from under her. "Awawawawa--!!!!" yelps Fuu, flailing in a desperate effort to retain her balance; Oka is probably already out of flailing range by that point. Fortunately, Fuu's still close enough to the rink's boundary retaining wall to try and grab onto it while reclaiming her balance.

Even more fortunately, she didn't have refreshments in hand at the time.

End result, Fuu manages to remain more or less upright, getting her skates back under her and casting a somewhat bewildered look in Oka's wake. She's probably trying to sort out whether it's feasible, or indeed worth the effort, to try and show her up in some small way. Given the way Fuu returns to her rough equivalent of being a wallflower, though, she seems to have decided that it's not worth the trouble (or even feasible to begin with). She's not an Ohtori student, no need to descend into that kind of jockeying for social position.

<Pose Tracker> Kasagami Araki [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

Kassie doesn't miss that look. But she doesn't let it phase her. After all, she has a large Chitose to ferry to the sea of food on display.

"One of these days..." She remembers the last time there was skating involved. It was kinda nice actually.

"I'm going to get you properly skating. You're too pretty to /not/ be doing something like that." A horrible, horrible tease is this Kasagami. Grin.

It's a slow time over to the food. Slow, but elegant! Chitose will even get slowly spin with a bit of work. The height difference is something of a problem, but Kasagami is flexible.

A plate is offered. "See? Not all that bad. How have you been, Chitose?" More cheese. At least this time it's not on Chitose. Nomf!

One of the Ohtori girls finds the seat right by Nori. She outright /glares/ at Kasagami. "How can she be so...so /forward/! She should show some class!" Complains the girl, whose dress oozes high society money.

Arms fold. "Someone like her shouldn't be at Ohtori."

Luckily for Hikaru, there's no explosions. Yet. Unless you count Kasagami's grin shot her way. She doesn't know the girl, but she's a good host.

"Welcome, welcome! That's a wonderful dress! Show all of the Sister Schools your passion and skills!" Encourages the woman. She even gives a single fist-pump into the air! Goooooo!

Then she's laughing.

Fuu catches herself, and Oka-san frowns. The mean rich girl skates right back on by.

"You should be careful! You might rip that nice dress if you fall~." There's a mean-spirited little giggle.

One of the other girls, one of Oka's friends, does find her way near the wallflower-fuu!

"I'm sorry. She can be mean." Whispers the girl lowly. There's a drink of punch offered over in apology by this purple haired, bespectacled girl.

The music, however, starts to get more active! A slow-dance song comes on as the band switches gears. Already, the middle of the rink starts to become various levels of skating with their chosen dance partner. Kasagami hasn't yet dove in, instead overwatching Chitose in case of falls. She /is/ watching though, chuckling as one of the students trips, only to be caught by a Juuban boy in a stylish sa

<Pose Tracker> Chitose Shiratori [Infinity Institute (U)] has posed.

Chitose continues dusting herself as she is led down the rink. She actually kind of blushes when Kasagami suggests that she's too pretty. "Ah, I don't think I'm that pretty." Chitose smiles.

...Though it suddenly stops the moment Kasagami asks how she's been. Let's go down the list!

- Got recruited for some sort of magical girl gang war - Got wounded by mysterious women so hard she lost a part of her soul for a week. - Went down to forgotten areas and almost got killed a few times. - Had to walk a friend home because they themselves almost got killed.

It takes a few moments for Chitose to realize she's zoned out. But her smile comes back when she does. "Oh, um... I can't... complain?" True only in that she can't complain here. But she has been, and quite loudly at that. "Exams were easy, I suppose. How have you been?" She chuckles awkwardly.

<Pose Tracker> Nori Ankou [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

"I think there's a certain class in what she's doing," Nori answers the girl sitting next to her. She's speaking, she thinks, as the star of Akamira here... it feels good. Her lips spread into a small smile; a powerful one. Looking at that girl from the side, Nori says, "Some people like to define the space, after all. Today's dramatics can be tomorrow's normal..."

And with that she rises upwards.

Walking is difficult on her skates, so Nori floats forwards. This is done with more or less main willpower and manages to look gracious enough for her to close the distance with Kasagami. Without warning, Nori moves to slide her gloved arm through the crook of her own.

I can't believe I'm doing this, she thinks.

Nori says in a low and curiously resonant tone, "Araki-kun..." Her voice becomes more... normal? as she gives Chitose another look and a small smile. "I do hate to interfere, and I hope you can forgive me..."

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.

It would be rude to refuse the punch that's being offered, so Fuu bows her head briefly, accepting the glass (or plastic cup, which is probably more likely). "That seems to be the case, yes," she agrees quietly. "I have to wonder why she feels the need to resort to such petty tactics .... or am I happier not knowing?"

She lifts the punch to her lips, subtly sniffing at it before taking a small, judicious sip. She's trying to be cautious - just in case the punch has an inappropriate kick to it, or something. Oka's put Fuu on her guard, apparently.

<Pose Tracker> Kasagami Araki [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

Kassie is nothing if not willing to overlook the zoned out Chitose. Her good eye meet the other girl's gaze. There's a steadying hand on her shoulder.

"It could be worse then. Heh. I've been out of town the last few weeks. Dealing with some slimey bankers trying to eat into Father's estate." There's a look of utter fury on her face for a second.

"Oh, and I was in a kendo exhibition! I won! Should've brought the medal to show y..."

Before she can start bragging about her victory in full, in comes one Nori Ankou! In a bold move that has half of the people looking on gasping. Already, the rumor mill and social clashing is starting up. By tomorrow, it'll be all over campus.

The girl near Nori just shakes her head dissapprovingly.

An arm finds her own, and suddenly she's looking at Nori completely. For just a second, there's surprise. Then a momentary blush at those tones. But she manages to recover before her dignity sinks. She slides a little closer to Nori. There's that cocky grin again.

"Nori-san, this is no imposition whatsoever." There's just a hint of newfound respect in her voice. Seems someone's impressed.

"Chi, I think I'm being kidnapped. Help. Save me! For I am doomed!" A wink to the tall girl as she pours on the drama, and then she's trying to pull Nori into a full on start of a dance. It's a slow series of graceful spins. Somewhere in the middle of it, she'd swept up a glass of her own and offered a clink against Nori's glass. It's then devoured with far less savoring than it really deserves. A passing Infinity student suddenly has an empty glass perched atop their head. They look utterly confused as to how this happened.

"I think I can find it in my heart to forgive you. I hope you've been enjoying the party so far."

Fuu, after a sniff, will find it utterly unspiked. This might be a record for how long the punch at a party has gone untainted. Seems this girl is less acidic than Oka.

"She's always been that way. ...Honestly if she wasn't so rich and influential, I wouldn't hang out with her. Eeek!"

There's a student, having had a little too much chardonnay, that falls on his rump after a too-tight turn! A cup of punch goes flying through the air, arcing beautifully, and falling towards Fuu and the girl! If they don't act quick, someone's getting all be-punched!

<Pose Tracker> Chitose Shiratori [Infinity Institute (U)] has posed.

Chitose nods as she listens to Kasagami talk about what she's been up to. "Oh, yes, I understand. That's happened to my own father a lot, as well."

She continues to listen to Kasagami, but before she can reply Nori comes up and sweeps Kasagami away. "Oh my." Chitose actually covers her face with her mouth as she witnesses the spectacle, and smiles as she watches Kasagami and Nori dance away.

A few moments pass before Chitose realizes she's still standing on the ice.

"Woah!" Her legs start to slide around for a moment, before Chitose manages to turn her body and make her way out of the rink, keeping an eye on the dance happening.

...Though not before she grabs some cheese on her way out, munching on it even with the slightly-less-dignity that is her walk-skate speed. Forgive Chitose, she is graceful like a gazelle.

That is, a gazelle here in the rink skating around.

<Pose Tracker> Nori Ankou [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

Nori smiles at Kasagami, a little wryly. Then she says, with a small nod, "Yes - you certainly are," and then WHOOSH! She's being whirled away.

Oh, what have I gotten myself into, Nori thinks even as she moves with her. The motions are smooth but she doesn't put her glass down, at one point raising it high during a particular centrifugal spin, no doubt to the consternation of onlookers. They're going to talk, Nori thinks.

I don't care!

She's drawn inwards to clink her glass against Kasagami's, her grip shifting smoothly, letting the stem of it rest between her middle and ring fingers as she remains close for a moment. "You must be thirsty," she says, before lifting her glass to her lips again.

It's nearly empty, but /nearly/. She seems glad to be holding it. "But I'm so pleased, that you aren't finding me too undisciplined... I thought I was going to end up sitting in a corner, honestly, but I suppose you dragged me out."

<Pose Tracker> Kasagami Araki [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

"If I don't survive, I donate all of my belongings to Ohtori and its charities!"

Kasagami finds herself enjoying the dance, a smile brought to her face and a flush that isn't from the wine. When they get looks? Kassie returns them with a smug smirk. The attention and Nori's grace is basked in willingly, the Student Council Member all but showing off for the growing rumor mill.

In Chitose's defense, she's not the only one. That middle schooler from before, now festooned with a few bandaids on her forehead and cheek, is skate-walking right beside her! She'll eventually latch onto the taller girl's arm! She actually manages to steady a bit.

"You're very tall, Miss! And your hair's so pretty! Sorry about earlier, umm...here!"

She takes something out from a purse! It's a little necklace of flowers woven together! They smell wonderful and the girl's handiwork is skilled!

"I'm Akari!" Friendly, this girl. She doesn't seem to be one of the more cruel members of Ohtori!

Back with Nori, Kasagami looks Nori in the eyes. "You work up a thirst when you're dancing with a beautiful lady. Nori-san, you're the first person to approach me like that since I came to Ohtori. Brave and bold things...I like that. I like that very much. Show me how bold and graceful you are."

The music begins to pick up, and then she's leading Nori into the center of the dance floor. At first, she sets the tone. More graceful spins, leading to a deep dip. Very close for a moment, a ghost's whisper away, and then she pulls back from the dip with practiced ease. Other dancing couples fade in and out, glances are given, some envious.

"Maybe I should drag you out more places. There's a lovely restaurant in town you might like." A smirk, just a little challenge in her voice, and then she lets Nori lead as the music picks up in tempo.

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.

Fuu hasn't been to enough Ohtori parties to know how often the punch gets spiked, but content that her drink is safe, she sips a little more deeply. She's about to answer the purple-haired girl when somebody takes a turn badly (don't skate under the influence, kids) ...

And before Fuu can react, part of a flying cup of punch splatters across Fuu. Her glasses keep the beverage out of her eyes, at least, but her dress hasn't got much to protect it.

At least it should wash out without too much trouble, right?

Fuu glances down at herself, grimacing, then bows politely to the girl who's been so friendly and hospitable. "I suppose I'd better excuse myself early, but thank you for the punch and for the friendly conversation. Hopefully our paths will cross again at some point; it's always nice to meet new friends." Her usual smile has returned by the time Fuu straightens up from her bow ... even if it's a little bit strained, a little bit chagrined by the various humiliations of the evening - those deliberately inflicted, and those which are nobody's fault.

<Pose Tracker> Kasagami Araki [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

Luckily, the punch should come out with a little bit of fabric cleaner added to the mix in the laundry! The beautiful dress is safe!

There's definitely a little bit of dignity to be picked up for poor Fuu. But as the other drenched girl turns, she smiles. There's a few napkins headed Fuu's way helpfully. The bow is returned.

"You too. And don't worry! This kind of thing happens a lot at Ohtori. Goodbye!" A big healthy wave for Fuu!

<Pose Tracker> Nori Ankou [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

Nori's cheeks color a little. But the makeup hides it. She does let herself quirk her lips again, and then -

Spun...!

And yet, perhaps Nori Ankou the clumsy princess from Hokkaido would have fallen. But the avatar of Akamira, though she would have spilled her wine if it weren't almost all gone, /doesn't/. Some frost is thrown up from the blades of her skates as she looks forwards again...

And then she's dipped round.

As she's given the initiative, Nori pulls Kasagami closer then, twisting round in what is really not the most artful skating pass /but/ may be made up for by what she says: "You want to take me out for supper...? I think I'll permit you to do it, if you won't be breaking the rules... Kasagami~."

<Pose Tracker> Chitose Shiratori [Infinity Institute (U)] has posed.

Chitose smiles at the small girl. "It's okay." She breaks vision and looks away for a moment, muttering. "I'm used to it." BUT then she turns back. "But thank you!" Again, the smile happens, and it only gets wider when the girl presents to Chitose the flower necklace. "Thank you very much." She bows just a little bit, before taking a sniff of the flower necklace. "It's very nice."

But with all that said, Chitose makes her way to the edge of the rink and hops off, letting the girl use her as a stabilizing force. She, at least, can do that.

Once that does happen, she huddles over to a bench and drops unceremoniously onto it, sighing heavily now that she's not on the icy deathtrap.

Well, it was kind of fun, at least.

<Pose Tracker> Kasagami Araki [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

Make up for it indeed. She takes the twisting pass with enjoyment. It only grows faster as the music reaches a climax. Soon enough, held close, those words are said. There's silence, so close, only the beating of her own heart hammering in Kasagami's ears.

The laugh, utterly without the bitterness so often found in her introspective moments, is amused and charmed. The face of Akamira has Kasagami's full attention. Her heart skips a beat.

"Rules should be followed. But for you, I can bend them just a little, Norie~."

Tonight, Kasagami will go home with a smile and spring to her step that's been missing as of late. A number is slipped into one of Nori's pockets.

Elsewhere, amidst a beautiful flower necklace, Chitose is finally free of the icey peril. The party winds down, the festive spirit slowly leaving the building. Dignity has been shattered, hearts set aflame, the rumor mill is abuzz and there's a happy middle schooler dreaming of becoming a tall, ponytailed princess.