Title: A Feather's Memory
Fandom: High School Star Musical (Starmyu)
Prompt: Feathers (AllBingo)
Word Count: 1812
Rating: G
Warnings: None.
Summary: The Kao Council participates in the city-wide Youkai Procession for Setsubun this year, and as per tradition, Kyouji is forced to dress in drag to 'change his luck' for the following year. He never expects his luck to change almost instantly and for his number-one rival to ask him out immediately after.
Notes: Set after first season of anime.

 

"Before we adjourn for the day, I have a special announcement," says Tsubasa with that subdued smile of his, glancing at his twin brother seated to his left.

Itsuki beams right back at him, aware of how much his brother has changed over the course of a few months. Exams and the New Year's festival are proof of the positive turn their relationship has taken, and Itsuki couldn't be happier right now. His eyes flick over to the student next to him, a redhead with a serious expression, and he grins even wider.

"What?" Kyouji seems to silently ask with one of his eyebrows shooting up into his forehead. "Pay attention to the President."

"As is tradition, our Team Leaders and the Kao Council have been selected to participate in the citywide Youkai Parade this Setsubun. I've already placed Yuzuriha in charge of the costumes because he was aware of the event beforehand, and the Chairman also tapped his family to help with costuming needs." Tsubasa passes the rest off to the half-French student to his right.

"So, you have nothing to worry about! All you have to do is show up for the parade ahead of time and we'll see to your costumes then!" chirps Lion, clapping his hands together. "I collaborated with Ootori-kun on them to get a second opinion, too. Just so they wouldn't be too biased!"

The sunken look on Kyouji's face speaks volumes in his stead. "We don't get to see them until the day of the parade?"

Lion smiles and wags his finger. "Non, non, Akatsuki-kun! Seeing them beforehand would spoil the surprise!"

"And we both worked hard to pick one especially suited for you," adds Itsuki with a chuckle after, leaning on his fist. "Don't look so worried! You'll age faster if you keep up an expression like that."

Something about his two most mischievous friends choosing a costume for him doesn't sit well with Kyouji, but it's something he'll wear in public, so he trusts them enough to hope they wouldn't humiliate him. Then again, he thinks with a little sigh, what Lion considers attractive is oft times a bit embarrassing in his opinion.

There's nothing to do but wait.

The eve of Setsubun is clear and crisp, and with the parade starting at City Hall, all Team Leaders and the Kao Council fill the employee restrooms in preparation.

"Akatsuki, you have to come out some time." Sakuya knocks on the stall door again. "The parade is starting soon."

But it is, dreads Kyouji with a hard swallow. No force in Heaven or Hell would move him from this spot, either.

Lion approaches the stall next, dressed to the nines in a white kimono and with glittery snowflakes pinned in his long hair. "It's customary to cross-dress on Setsubun and you're not the only one who will be doing it!" He spins around and admires how the sash and obi flutter behind him. "Come on, mon cher, it couldn't be that bad!"

"I look ridiculous," mutters Kyouji through the door. "Who the Hell will want to carry a lantern with me looking like this?"

"I do," pipes up Itsuki from the back of the group, gently parting Sakuya and Lion to approach the stall. "That is, if you'll have me as an escort, Akatsuki."

The lock on the door slides and Kyouji peers through a little crack. "Is this a joke or something?"

Itsuki's costume is elaborate enough, with a white GI and dark hakama, and a beak-like mask obscuring the lower half of his mouth. The makeup that Lion boasts about only enhances the illusion of a grand Tengu, and it's hard for Kyouji not to stare.

"It's not a joke. I decided it weeks ago," Itsuki reassures his friend and pushes the door open a little. "Besides, I liked your costume when we picked it out and…Oh."

Kyouji makes for a very convincing kitsune, he agrees right off the bat as he takes a step back to appreciate the costume he picked out with Lion. The color of the tail protruding from the back of his kimono and the ear band on his head almost match his hair color perfectly, and the makeup scheme around his face adds to the mysterious charm surrounding him. A hair ornament of fiery flowers and golden beads also adorns the right side of his head, and its vivid colors are akin to the loose kimono he wears.

"You look beautiful," finishes Itsuki at length, smiling. "I would be crazy not to ask you as an escort tonight."

"Yuzuriha also worked hard on your makeup and costume fitting," joins in Tsubasa for extra measure, standing behind his twin. "And I agree with Itsuki; you do look nice in it."

"And you'll have better luck this year because you're cross-dressing! I thought of everything, see?" chirps Lion, laughing and taking Kyouji by the wrist to pull him out of the stall. "Ahh, tres bien! You look simply gorgeous!"

A gasp flees Kyouji as he's shoved in front of a mirror. It doesn't look like the same person staring back at him from the other side; this person is much more delicate-looking, a dangerous beauty, and it delivers a shock to his own system as he runs his fingers over the hem of his kimono.

"See?" Lion clasps his shoulders and leans over. "You look great!"

"T-Thanks," murmurs Kyouji with flushed cheeks and the smallest hint of a smile. "You did a good job, Yuzuriha…"

Lion giggles and nods to the man beside him. "And?"

"Ootori, too." Kyouji sighs and looks over his shoulder. "Though I don't know why he'd want to act as my escort in the parade."

All Itsuki offers him is a charming grin in return. It's a little unsettling for Kyouji, but he just dismisses it as Itsuki being his vague self. An announcement blares over the PA and Itsuki offers his arm to his Kitsune, laughing as Kyouji reluctantly accepts. A grunt sounds up ahead while Lion entitles himself to Sakuya's company, snatching up his arm and snuggling into his side. Tsubasa leads them out of the bathroom with a knowing smile himself, more than content to watch his friends roil in their own excitement.

"Just consider this a part of our show, hm? Like we're acting onstage," whispers Itsuki the man beside him, feeling a tremble along his arm as Kyouji takes shaky steps into the lobby. "I'm almost certain that no one will recognize you, anyway."

Kyouji whips his head up and grumbles, "What does that mean?"

"Nothing negative," answers Itsuki straightaway, drawing Kyouji closer as they exit City Hall. A vendor offers them a large paper lantern and Kyouji takes it, unlinking arms with Itsuki. "We'll do fine."

Their hands meet in the middle of the lantern's handle and it takes a moment for both of them to catch their breath as their eyes meet also. Lantern light flickers off of their faces and it's difficult to look away from its softening effects on the face.

"I like your costume, too. Yuzuriha really outdid himself this time," admits Kyouji as he turns and starts down the stairs. "He always goes overboard with things as is, but for a Youkai Procession, I think it's fitting."

"Indeed," agrees Itsuki as they stroll along the street with their fellow demons and monsters. "I especially enjoy the work he put into the wings. Aren't they realistic?"

Kyouji looks at the back of Itsuki's costume and notices the hand-crafted wings, obscured from a frontal view by the large haori Itsuki wore. They aren't made of paper or plain cloth; it's a multitude of feathers stitched and sewn onto a wire frame, all intricate and detailed. Kyouji remembers seeing those black wings once or twice before, as all members of Team Tsukigami had.

"Typical," he says with a huff. "Yuzuriha always makes more work for himself than necessary when it comes to clothing."

"What do you think of them, though?" presses Itsuki, staring down at his lovely escort. "Kyouji?"

"They're not the real thing so they really don't compare," confesses the redhead a moment later, averting his eyes so that he's looking straight ahead. The lantern light hides the blush on his face almost perfectly, and for that, he's thankful. "T-They are nice, though. Yuzuriha put a lot of effort into the design."

Itsuki's heart leaps. "Oh, so you do remember?"

"As I'm sure everyone does," adds Kyouji quickly, "so what?"

Again, all Itsuki does is casually shrug and smile back at his friend, but the way he squeezes Kyouji's hand in his is more than answer enough for the two of them. Kyouji hazards a glance up at him and their eyes meet again, and he swears his heart's about to come flying out of his chest.

"It's not a big deal," he says again, pursing his lips.

"No, but you did remember when you saw the wings, though." Itsuki laughs and moves a little closer. "That entitles it to some significance."

"Fine, fine," mutters Kyouji as they walk along. "I suppose it does carry a little significance."

That's all Itsuki needs to know for his heart to take flight also. His hand receives a soft squeeze and he looks over to see Kyouji marching right along with his eyes fixed on the path before them, his cheeks aflame. Itsuki refrains form making any further commentary, simply enjoying the moment and chuckling when Kyouji gathers the courage to glance up at him again.

"What?"

"Nothing much," he says quietly, "except that you look beautiful in the lantern light."

Kyouji's wide-eyed expression tightens into a mock scowl. "You talk too much sometimes."

"We have a shortened schedule tomorrow. Do you want to grab a bite to eat after classes?" asks Itsuki, eyebrows raised.

"Like I said, you talk too damn much," parrots Kyouji, fingers squirming beneath Itsuki's gentle grip over them. He flicks his line of sight up at his Itsuki again and sighs. "If we do go then I'm paying for my own meal. None of that chivalry crap."

Itsuki snorts and sputters, "Who said it was a date?"

"Don't put words in my mouth!" whisper-yells Kyouji through clenched teeth. "Or I may not go at all!"

A loud, hearty laugh escapes Itsuki. "If you want to call it a date, though, you can. I wouldn't disagree or anything."

"Only when you call it one first," fires back Kyouji, twisting his lips into a tight, thin line.

"Maybe I will start calling our little outings those," suggests Itsuki with a waggle of his eyebrows as their gazes meet in the middle again, "someday."

Kyouji rolls his eyes and groans, "Just shut up already."

Itsuki does as he's told this time, grinning like an imp and anticipating the outcome of their game in the near future.