Saijo no Osewa ~ Takane no Hana [LN] - V2 Chp 3 part 4
Two weeks have passed since I started spending time with Tennouji-san after-school
The study sessions were scheduled to continue until the next competency exam, so today was the turnaround point.
[We’re also starting dance lessons today!]
Less than two weeks remained until the final exam.
Tennouji-san and I were facing each other in the gymnasium.
[I’m sorry. You had to go all the way to rent the gymnasium for this]
[It’s not a big deal]
I thanked Tennouji-san, who was wearing the academy’s designated sportswear.
We finished practicing proper etiquette, and today, we started practicing ballroom dancing. I’ve received some simple instructions from Shizune-san in the past, but I’m far less knowledgeable and experienced in this area than I am in etiquette. Put it simply, I lack confidence in this area.
[Now then, shall we begin with a slow waltz?]
Saying so, Tennouji-san began to play music from a speaker in the corner of the gymnasium.
A waltz tune started playing.
[Come on, what are you just standing there for? Come quickly to my side]
[R-Right]
Ballroom dancing is performed by men and women facing each other while in close contact.
After all this time, I’m still conscious of the distance and my body movements become awkward because of the fact.
[Come closer]
[C-closer, is it..?]
The distance between me and Tennouji-san was already less than 50 cm, but I took another half step closer. Then, Tennouji-san also took half step closer. Our bodies were basically touching, and I could feel her soft touch and sweet scent.
[With your left hand, take my right hand. Then shift your body about half a body length…]
Desperately suppressing my embarrassment, I adjusted my position in accordance with Tennouji-san’s instructions.
I put my right hand on Tennouji-san’s shoulder blade, and she put her left hand on my other arm.
[This is the basic posture called the hold. …You’ll dance slowly while maintaining this posture]
[I see, but I still don’t really know how to dance…]
[There is a saying “It’s better to learn by doing”. I will lead the way, and you follow carefully]
Tennouji-san quickly retracted her right leg.
As if caught in the movement, I stepped in with her left foot. Slowly, she moved counterclockwise around the gym, repeating a similar exchange.
[Here’s a half turn to the right… Okay, keep going, half turn again…]
When I was busy trying to not release the tightness of my body, before I knew it, I found myself dancing as if I was being drawn in by Tennouji-san’s movement.
Once the loop of the song was over, I stopped dancing.
[How was it? You can dance better than you think, can’t you?]
[I thought so too. …Somehow, I think I kind of got the whole thing figured out]
[Tomonari-san is also adapting very quickly, even though I was leading the way. …Are you maybe athletic?]
Well, I’m inherently better at physical things than etiquette and studying.
I’m not bad at sports, so ballroom dancing is probably an area I’m suited for.
[Then let’s start again with the hold]
As before, I danced following Tennouji-san’s lead.
Ballroom dancing is supposed to be led by a man so Tennouji-san must’ve had a hard time dancing in an unfamiliar position. However, she never showed any emotions on her face and just kept pulling me along.
[….It takes a lot more energy than I thought]
I said while wiping the sweat dripping from my chin with the collar of my workout clothes after an hour of dancing.
[That’s right. …Well, it should’ve been done with a moderate amount of relaxation in between]
Saying so, Tennouji-san also wiped her sweat.
[Come on, let’s resume our practice. Tomonari-san, hold]
[Yes]
As I straightened my back and spread my arms, Tennouji-san approached me.
As I remembered what I had been taught and tried to adjust my posture―I suddenly remembered something important.
―Transparency.
Perhaps because she had been dancing indoors for so long with no ventilation, Tennouji-san was also sweating quite an amount. Her yellow underwear was showing through her white workout clothes. (TN: WHERE IS THIS ILLUST DAMN IT)
This… I shouldn’t look at this directly.
I paid my respects to Tennouji-san, who was teaching me how to dance. I kept my stance, averting my gaze as much as possible.
[Hold on, where are you looking?]
While I looked in the direction of the day after tomorrow, Tennouji-san questioned me.
[Look at me properly. Dancing is not only about the way you move your body but also about the way you look at me and the expressions on your face, desuwa?]
[No… That may be so but…]
There are circumstances that aren’t easy to notice. But it’s also difficult to tell.
As I was thinking about how to answer―Tennouji-san grabbed my face and forced me to face her.
[Come on, look here, look at me like this]
Right in front of my face and nose, Tennouji-san’s face was spread out.
Just below that was a sweaty, skin tight workout suit.
[Um… Tennouji-san. I’m very, very sorry to say this, but…]
I can’t keep looking at her as she is.
With that in mind, I gathered my resolve and decided to come clean.
[Your…. clothes are transparent from your sweat….]
[Clothes?…..!?]
Finally understanding the situation, Tennouji-san hid her breasts with both her hands.
[W-W-Where are you looking!?]
[I’m sorry!!]
You told me to look at you.
After Tennouji-san changed her sweat-soaked outfit to another outfit.
We resumed our dance practice and waltzed for almost another hour.
[….Well, you’ve become better at this]
[Thank you very much]
We did a right-handed natural turn and a left-handed reverse turn in a flowing motion.
When to open your legs and when to close them. If these two timings don’t match with the partner, the dance can easily fall apart.
The reason I’m able to dance more comfortably than I expected is because Tennouji-san matches my movements. Even when the angle at which I open my legs becomes too wide, Tennouji-san responds flexibly. She must have a very flexible body. As I followed her graceful movements, even my stiffness seemed to loosen.
[I think that’s enough for today. I think I was a little overzealous in my first practice]
[That’s true… My stamina is already on the edge]
We took a breath together.
Perhaps because I used muscles I normally don’t use, I was also very fatigued.
[A-and by the way, you know…]
As I was packing up my belongings, Tennouji-san called out to me, as if she had some difficulty saying something.
[…In the future, if you ever find my clothes see through again, please let me know as soon as possible…. Well, it would be embarrassing to find out later]
Fidgety and embarrassed, Tennouji-san said.
[No, but… it’s better if you notice it yourself, as much as possible… If I tell you, then I’m the one who sees it…]
[I-I don’t have a problem with that either. I believe Tomonari-san isn’t that kind of person…]
I don’t want to be trusted that easily.
Thanks to my daily contact with Hinako, I’ve developed some tolerance, but even I have a limit.
Nevertheless, this is probably proof that Tennouji-san trusted me.
I nodded my head to reciprocate that trust.
As I put away the equipment used for the dance and walked out of the gymnasium, orange sunlight shone on my face.
The sky was completely tinged by the sunset.
[I’m used to ballroom dancing, but I don’t think I’ve ever danced for this long]
Tennouji-san muttered as she lightly stroked her sweat-stained hair.
[Well, if it’s a family as big as the Tennouji family, wouldn’t you be able to have a lot of opportunities to do so?]
[It depends]
While walking, Tennouji-san explained.
[Unlike a simple dinner, a ball is an event that cannot be held without careful preparation. In most cases, you will receive an invitation in advance to affirm whether or not you will attend. Those who don’t like ballroom dancing usually choose not to attend]
[I see. …Unlike a dinner, it’s easier to turn down, which means that there’s a split between those who enjoy dancing and those who don’t]
[That’s what I mean. Nevertheless, if you decided to attend a ball, showcasing a sloppy dance would be disgraceful, and, of course, being a wallflower would be too.… Dance should be considered a kind of culture that’s well worth learning]
I nodded my head to that statement.
[I’m rarely invited to balls, so I don’t know when that’ll be… but I hope to be able to dance in front of an audience the next time I am]
Now that you’ve got a new technique, surely you’d want to show it off.
If there’s a ball that Hinako attends, that could be my ballroom dancing debut.
[…Although, we can’t afford to wait too long]
At that point, Tennouji-san drops her gaze and says.
[If my arranged marriage is approved, we will no longer be able to spend time together after school as we have now]
[…I see, why is that?]
[Of course, if there’s a man to whom you’ve pledged your future with, you should spend as much of your free time as possible for him]
If you ask me, that may be true. Since she has a fiance, she would be afraid to meet with other members of the opposite sex in private more than necessary.
[That’s… that’ll be lonesome]
I couldn’t help but mutter something like that.
Then Tennouji-san opened her eyes and looked at me.
[Lonesome, is it?]
[Yes. …I thought about it again, but I enjoy doing things with Tennouji-san. I’m honestly sad that we will no longer have this kind of time together] (TN: Well why not volunteer becoming said fiance?)
When I told her my true feelings, Tennouji-san looked away, her cheeks flushed.
[I-I-Is that so…?]
She responded in an unusual way and did not look at me.
I wonder if I was being too familiar with my statement.
[…Fufufu~]
Tennouji-san, who turned her back on me, let out a small chuckle.
[Uhm, Tennouji-san?]
[I-It’s nothing]
Looking flustered, Tennouji-san shook her head.
[Then Tomonari-san, I’ll see you tomorrow]
[Yes, see you tomorrow]
We parted ways in front of the school’s gate.
Behind me, she looked happier than usual.
[Fufufu~]
Enjoy these for now, rest is being edited.
Donations are very much appreciated.
TL: Ezu
ED: Animu
PR: Mateo