Before That

“Only one luggage?” Mizuki points with a frown as if displeased by the sight. “Would that be enough?” 

Ren looked down at his side where one suitcase contained his, probably everything, things. No matter how he tried to stretch it and bring more, there’s really nothing he wanted to do. He put a good amount of shirts though, and pants and undergarments. He remembers the small pouch Mizuki gave him, where he stored an extra brush and things for hygiene. What else could he be forgetting? 

After a moment, she gave a signal, as if asking him to personally hand the suitcase for thorough inspection.

“Hand that over and I will check it myself.” 

“Wah— there’s no need!” he cried, just a tiny little bit scandalous. 

Mizuki clicked her tongue. “What are you embarrassed for? It’s as if I haven’t seen your undergarments— I was the only one doing the laundry. I need to remind you. Now hand that thing.” she demanded.

Ren handed it, but not without showing that he’s sulking. 

He busied himself with phone while Mizuki nags about the clothes he put.

“I’m a businesswoman. I travel a lot. I know what exactly to bring and to not take a long time in line.” she babbled. 

___ 

“Don’t you ever get, um, I don’t know, maybe discouraged because you started kinda too late?”

One day one of his friends from ballet class asked him. Van gave it a long thoughtful moment.

Well, what she said is definitely true. It’s only been a while since Van had taken a sincere liking to his current hobby and he’d seen toddlers— mind you toddlers! They’re so tiny! And cute!— with a personal tutor guiding them. Everly said it’s normal and said the sport came with ambitious ones. 

To be honest Van is not bothered by it, he’s only a few years behind but on the other hand thought he had a foundation of ballet. While it is true that too much time has passed, it doesn’t mean he can’t work hard for it… and looks like fate seems to think so.

He shrugged, laying half on the floor, arms reaching past his toes in a flexible position. “Hm.. not really. I do wish that I started early like others, it will give me lots of advantages but that doesn't mean I also don’t like my time being spent in ballet classes.” 

“Really..?”

“Yeah. I think it’s just a matter of what you can still do about it.” 

“Yo Van!”

“Huh?”

“Why do I feel like I haven’t seen you for years?”

Van chuckled, sprawling on the floor, sweating. “Idiot.”

He smiles happily. ‘The feeling of freshly stretched muscles… ahh I think I’m ready.’

Later that day, Everly drilled him thoroughly but he likes it rather than hates it. 

“Has anyone ever told you, you look really pretty?” Suddenly, Everly blurted, making him stop and almost faceplant on ice.

‘The heck..!!’ 

“W-What?!”

—

Ren jolted awake when his temple hit a hard surface. He looked around, still disoriented from sleep. His nerves calmed down to see the half closed porthole on his side and a safely private door giving him enough privacy. 

His hand found his phone on his side and an unattended laptop, the movie had a long end.. the replay button has been on the screen for probably hours. Glad the earphone didn’t pull his laptop. He set it aside and stretched his limbs, muffling a satisfied groan when relief flooded his muscles and meridians.

‘Is it lunch.. or dinner? What if breakfast?’ he asked mentally, half disoriented.

Ren glances at the closed barrier and wonders if Mizuki is sleeping.. but knowing her, she’s probably sorting out some papers for the business meeting or whatever project she has in Boston. He decided not to bother her.