The air crackled with anticipation as I adjusted my crimson cravat. Tonight was the night. Third year prom. Our last hurrah at U.A. High before we scattered to the winds, each chasing our hero dreams. And the theme? Fantasy Land. Leave it to Present Mic to pick something so gloriously chaotic.
I glanced in the mirror, not entirely disliking my reflection. Mina had insisted on giving me a 'fantasy makeover,' which involved glitter in my hair (crimson, naturally) and subtle scales painted around my eyes. I had opted for a simple, yet dashing, knight's outfit. Practical and manly, though I drew the line at carrying a real sword. Imagine the chaos that would unleash on the dance floor.
The common room was a riot of colors and textures. Sero was dressed as a magnificent dragon, scales shimmering under the fairy lights. Mina was a vibrant forest nymph, adorned with flowers and leaves. Even Bakugo, surprisingly, had embraced the theme, sporting a surprisingly well-tailored, if still scowling, dark elf outfit. He looked like he'd rather be fighting a dragon than attending a party, but he was here, which was a victory in itself.
"Kirishima! You look amazing!" Mina squealed, grabbing my arm and dragging me towards the door. "Let's get this party started!"
The U.A. gymnasium had been transformed. Fake vines hung from the ceiling, sparkling with embedded lights. Tables were laden with fantastical treats – mushroom-shaped cupcakes, dragon egg deviled eggs, and a fountain of shimmering, green punch that tasted suspiciously like melon.
The music was a mix of upbeat pop tunes and orchestral instrumentals, creating an atmosphere that was both energetic and enchanting. We quickly found our group, which included the ever-enthusiastic Denki Kaminari, dressed as a cheeky, lightning-wielding genie, and the stoic, yet secretly sentimental, Shoto Todoroki, who was a strikingly handsome ice prince.
The night unfolded in a blur of laughter, dancing, and questionable snack choices. We posed for countless photos, Mina orchestrating each one with theatrical flair. We cheered on Bakugo when he reluctantly joined a conga line (his scowl deepened with each step). We collectively lost our minds when Present Mic took to the stage to DJ, his voice booming through the speakers.
I spent a good portion of the evening trying to keep up with Mina on the dance floor. Her energy was boundless, and her moves were... inventive, to say the least. Sero, with his flexible tape, somehow managed to rope us all into a giant, swirling dance chain, which culminated in us crashing into a table laden with the aforementioned mushroom cupcakes.
As the night wore on, the initial frenzy subsided. The music slowed, and couples started to gravitate towards the dance floor, swaying in each other's arms. I found myself standing on the sidelines, watching the scene with a bittersweet smile. This was it. The end of an era.
"Hey," a voice said beside me.
I turned to see Denki, his normally bright yellow hair slightly mussed, his grin a little less electric than usual. "Hey, Denki," I said. "Having a good time?"
He nodded, his eyes scanning the dance floor. "Yeah, it's pretty cool. Though I think Mina nearly electrocuted me with her dance moves earlier."
I chuckled. "She's got a lot of energy."
A comfortable silence settled between us. The soft music filled the air, and the couples on the dance floor seemed to be lost in their own little worlds.
Denki cleared his throat. "So, uh..." He shuffled his feet a little, a rare display of awkwardness. "Would you... would you maybe want to dance?"
My eyebrows shot up in surprise. I hadn't expected that. "Dance?" I repeated, feeling a strange flutter in my chest.
He nodded, his cheeks flushing a faint pink. "Yeah, you know... like, a slow dance. If you want to, of course. No pressure."
I hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "Sure, Denki," I said. "I'd like that."
He grinned, his usual confidence returning in a rush. "Awesome!" He carefully took my hand and led me onto the dance floor.
As we moved into each other's arms, I realized I was surprisingly nervous. I'd never really thought of Denki in this way before. He was always the goofy, energetic friend, the one who cracked the jokes and kept the mood light. But now, holding him close, feeling the warmth of his hand on my back, I was seeing him in a different light.
We swayed slowly to the music, our bodies moving in sync. I could feel the gentle hum of his electricity, a faint tingling sensation that was surprisingly comforting. We didn't say anything, just let the music and the moment speak for themselves.
It was strange, and new, and a little bit scary, but mostly... it felt right. And in that moment, under the shimmering lights of our fantasy land prom, surrounded by our friends and the memories we had made together, I realized that maybe, just maybe, this was more than just a dance. Maybe it was the start of something new, something unexpected, something... real.
The song ended, and Denki pulled back slightly, his eyes searching mine. He was still grinning, but there was a hint of vulnerability in his expression.
"Thanks, Kiri," he said softly. "That was... nice."
"Yeah," I replied, my own smile mirroring his. "It was."
As we stepped off the dance floor, I knew that prom was more than just a farewell party. It was a turning point. The end of one chapter, and the beginning of another. And as I looked at Denki, his smile as bright as the lightning he commanded, I couldn't help but feel excited about what the future held. Maybe, just maybe, our own fantasy was just beginning.