French Cup: A Neighborhood Story

Chapter 122: -Gyeong-Wan- Rainbow Rhapsody

Nikki was having the time of his life up on stage, a glass of champagne in his hand. The champagne swirled around in his glass as he gestured, dancing along with the music just like the people on the dance floor. Hardly anyone was sitting at the tables, the majority of them having already destroyed the buffet in the last hour. Even the people who worked at the hotel were dancing, further having the time of their lives, too. 

Some people in the crowd had brought rainbow and transgender flags, wrapping themselves in them. I saw a few flags that I didn't recognize, but they were all bold and gorgeous. Kazuya and I had eaten again, having some of the pork roast that we'd seen being carved and helping ourselves to puffed potatoes and Mexican corn. There was so much there still. I wanted to try the shrimp in particular later. To finish it off, we'd shared one of the mini cakes and declared it absolutely inferior. A travesty among the offerings. We'd shoved it away on our table, laughing and holding our bellies, with Kazuya saying it was good, but not that good. I had to agree. 

We saw some of our friends off toward the windows, so we joined them. Hanako was holding Chidori from behind, swaying with the music of the little orchestra. They looked absolutely delighted. Miyuki was holding a glass of red wine and observing the festivities, having her own little party in the corner with them. Nearby, Prin and his boyfriend were dancing gently together, really into each other as only a couple can be. I was pleased to see they were dressed matching as well. So, Kazuya and I weren't the only ones. They were wearing matching dark red vests, but otherwise their outfits were different. 

It made me wonder how many opportunities there are to dress like that. Getting all dressed up, able to show you are a couple. I couldn't count many, other than major life events such as getting married. It made me want the hotel to hold another dance. Then, another and another. Maybe every day, but that was impossible. I just wanted it to happen again. 

Charlotte came to join us, and we saw she was alone. Miyuki invited her to dance, and they took hands. I invited Kazuya into my arms and felt his heat as he touched my body. Hugging him like this, swaying to the slow song playing. I didn't recognize the song, but that didn't matter. It just allowed me to focus on him more. 

We started talking all together about the dance, how it went above our expectations. They were absolutely right. I was so impressed by the people I used to work with, to put this together.

I began explaining that. "They really don't know much about us as a community, but I bet that will change with this. They're truly seeing us now. They're dancing with us, enjoying themselves."

We were looking toward the stage, seeing Nikki slow dance with himself. He turned around, his hands flying over himself as if there were someone in front of him dancing. Some people were laughing at this display, his spoof of what he was seeing on the dance floor. 

"Ooh, I'm so in love," he was saying into the mic sarcastically. "Goddamn couples, can you be more subtle?! I'm single! Where's my date?! All of you abandoned me! Where is the date for Nikki?!" 

So much laughter went up like this, just like every time he opened his mouth. Even we were laughing, having heard that whining leading up to the dance over and over. The crowd didn't know how true it was. 

While watching him, I noticed something odd. Refocusing on the stairs, seeing something I shouldn't be seeing. Or rather, someone. I gripped Kazuya suddenly, and he turned around as I pointed, my mouth open. Immediately, I started going towards the stairs in a speed-walk. 

"Oh wow, is that-" Kazuya started, but we both knew it was true. I was grinning so much, I didn't know what to do. 

Descending the lovely light blue carpeted stairs was a vision in bold red. A slinky, sexy dress that really showed off her perfect body. Her hair was up in a 1960's style, a few silver decorations in it to really offset the inky natural black. Her lips were the same bold red, and she didn't look one bit nervous as she went down the stairs. How she wasn't nervous, I didn't know. She'd just entered this world a couple of weeks ago.