BALLROOM DANCE. . .

Puppy love.

Is that what you call it?

This intense feeling he feels towards the girl with a green bob haircut? Maybe, yeah. But Natsuhiko knows that his admiration for Sakura is more than childish, intimate attraction.

He's devoted, that's for sure. More than devoted, actually. He's obsessed, but not unhealthily. At least, he thinks it's not.

He'll risk his life if it's for his lady — no matter how stupid it sounds because Sakura is more than capable of defending herself, and really, Natsuhiko is the one who needs more protection.

Natsuhiko is just that type of person: reckless enough to give up everything for a girl.

But! Natsuhiko would protest. Sakura isn't just any girl!

And it's true. She's different, odd, but somewhat better (for Natsuhiko) than any of the girls he knows. Because seeing her be her aloof self reminds him of when they first met.

Natsuhiko was scrawny back when he was in first year, awkward, and tried too hard to be cool. It was an awful sight, really, and a waste of such good looks, his girl classmates would say. Natsuhiko didn't like them.

(Because he asked one of them out, and literally everyone in the group rejected him).

It was a horrible time for the redhead, until he met the love of his life a certain second-year high-schooler.

She had walked through the hallway with ease, not at all bothered or uncomfortable with all the stares and attention she gained. Her steps were light and confident — even the way she walks is superior.

She's gorgeous, literally everyone in the hallway had thought, because it was true. Even the girls were at awe.

Who wouldn't be?

Her bright green eyes — that even from afar, Natsuhiko knew had specks of yellow gold — flitted from one student from another. It then dawned on Natsuhiko on that time that she was looking for someone.

Her eyes continued studying each person, not even bothered to change her deadpanned expression. Not that Natsuhiko cares, her half-lidded eyes suited her.

And then their eyes met.

And she smiled.

Holy mother of all, she smiled! And at him.

It was small, barely visible, but it was something.

Please save him.

"Natsuhiko Hyuuga-san, right?" She asked, and oh God, even her voice is angelic.

Natsuhiko, who finally had the courage to speak, gulped down all urges to just run away, nodded and smiled. It wasn't his (pathetic excuse of a) flirty smile, the one he'd usually throw and then get slapped at. He was nervously smiling at her.

"Yeah, I'm—" he mentally cursed himself for stuttering— "that's me."

Sakura nodded, and her smile had disappeared (which actually made Natsuhiko disappointed at that time). "Please come with me. Someone is looking for you."

Natsuhiko didn't know why he was scared back then.

Because the person who actually wanted to meet him was a childish (b)rat who found him interesting.

(Tsukasa actually sent him away when he realized Natsuhiko wasn't that interesting but the redhead insisted he'd stay).

He and Sakura began to get closer that day. He had learned she tied her bond with the rat ghost, and had no choice but to oblige to all his commands. Natsuhiko actually pitied her, but he was more jealous than anything.

He stood by Sakura's side a lot after that memorable day. And if Natsuhiko isn't mistaken, Sakura actually grew fond of him.

Who would've thought that all happened a year ago?

- - -

"My lady!"

Sakura lifted her gaze for a second from her book, then resumed her reading. "Natsuhiko," she acknowledged. "You're late."

Natsuhiko beamed at her almost instantly. "Have you been looking for me, my lady?" He asked excitedly. He knew chances were far, but it wasn't often Sakura showed her concern.

Sakura didn't bother glancing up again and responded with a dull, monotone, "No. Why would I do that?"

Okay, ouch.

But Natsuhiko is used to his lady's apathetic words and actions. It may not seem like it, but Sakura just had a hard time expressing feelings aside from being always deadpanned, as Natsuhiko noticed.

There were these rare moments where Sakura would smile, and Natsuhiko would go through hell for it. What can you say? He's madly in love with her.

(And no, it's not a phase).

"My lady, do you know what day it is?" Natsuhiko casually asked, weirdly walking towards Sakura with his hand hidden behind his body. Sakura narrowed her eyes on it for a quick moment, but it was as quick to disappear as soon it appeared.

"No." She sounded bored — and knowing her, she probably is — but if she's responding to him, then it means that she must be interested. "Enlighten me."

Natsuhiko grinned and extended his hand that held a bouquet, which was poorly hidden a while ago because Sakura actually caught more than a glimpse of the red petals.

"Today's the day we first met!"

Sakura didn't actually hide her surprise. She eyed the bouquet and gently accepted it from a lit up Natsuhiko. "Thank you," she mumbled softly, barely heard, but it reached Natsuhiko loud and clear.

"Think of it as our anniversary in a way!" Natsuhiko suggested, watching the way Sakura studied the roses with interest.

"That wouldn't be much of a celebration then," Sakura said.

Natsuhiko feigned hurt as he slapped a hand on his chest where his heart is. He knows Sakura is just teasing, though.

"I have planned this whole thing out for you, My Lady! Please, help me with this," Natsuhiko told her, basically whining.

Sakura carefully placed the bouquet on the table near her book and stared at Natsuhiko. "What do you want me to do, then?"

"I want to do the ballroom dance with you!" Natsuhiko (rather gently) grasped Sakura's hand and made her stand up before she could respond. "You know, the waltz!"

Sakura frowned a bit. "But I don't know how to dance."

Natsuhiko gaped as if he had heard the most absurd thing in the world — with Natsuhiko, though, it probably is the most absurd thing in the world. "That's utter nonsense, my Lady! You carry yourself with such grace, it brings lesser people to their knees!"

Sakura lightly smacked Natsuhiko on the head. "Don't be so dramatic." She then sighed and looked away. "I just never found interest in dancing unlike reading."

"Of course that would be the case for you," Natsuhiko whispered to himself, sort of relieved in a way that Sakura is exactly what he predicted her to be. Well, kind of.

"It's actually pretty easy, My Lady," Natsuhiko said, surprised with himself with how confident he said that. "Do you want me to teach you?"

Sakura hummed thoughtfully for a minute, her gaze trained on her unfinished book, until she just glanced back at Natsuhiko. "Alright. I don't see why not. But if you try something funny I will resume my reading," she warned, her face and tone still somehow stoic.

Natsuhiko just shot her a cheeky grin, before his face morphed seriously. "Do you mind if I. . ?"

Sakura shook her head, making Natsuhiko offer her a grateful smile.

Natsuhiko placed his hand on Sakura's shoulder blade, while his other hand intertwined with Sakura's. "You have to put your hand on my shoulder, my Lady."

Sakura did so.

The redhead felt so happy he swore he would cry right then and there. But alas, he must not crack his facade in front of his lady, his queen! A man shall act like a man.

"For ladies such as yourself, you start backwards. Place your right foot at least one step behind you, and then before your left foot can meet your right, slide it to the left. Like this."

Natsuhiko showed her, all the while Sakura is following his actions.

Soon after, Sakura understood the dance and could easily sway along. Natsuhiko was genuinely impressed with how fast she caught on.

"Such grace, my Lady!" Natsuhiko cried out dramatically, earning a swift glare from Sakura. "Now, once you get the hang of it, we can twirl around."

Natsuhiko tried to guide her to change their rhythm, but apparently, Sakura was caught off guard and stepped on Natsuhiko's foot.

"Sorry." She blushed.

Natsuhiko's eyes widened at the sight before him. But he forced himself to not fanboy because it would ruin their mood and all of his plans might come crashing down — he got far, and he'll make sure he won't ruin it.

Even if it means staying still when Sakura Nanamine is blushing before him.

"Want to try again?" Natsuhiko offered, smiling at how Sakura nodded eagerly.

They began dancing for God knows how long. Natsuhiko actually grew tired, but when he saw Sakura enjoying the dance, he couldn't bring himself to stop it.

Sakura's skirt twirled along the wind when they spun. A strand of green hair was on her face, but she easily placed it behind her ear. She then breathed out and paused her actions.

"I'm getting tired. Let's take a break," she said. Natsuhiko brightened at the mention of 'break' because it means they'll do it again.

But his smile faltered into shock when Sakura smiled up at him, her lips curled upwards in a way that can't be considered small.

"Thank you for everything, Hyuuga. I had fun."

- - -

Requested by: haihainoob 💕💕
thanks for being so sweet with your requests! 👉👈💞

I actually really enjoyed making this! These two are underrated so badly so they deserve love!

You can tell I love Sakura lol I fell in love when she first appeared in the manga 😔💕

Thanks for reading!