Chapter 20: Masquerade Madness
The moon shimmered over Aether High like a silver disco ball, scattering light across floating crystal banners, enchanted fountains, and levitating benches. Tonight was the Masquerade of Echoes, a night of chaos, magic, and inevitable embarrassment—especially for Kaito Nakamura.
Kaito adjusted his glitter-strewn mask for what felt like the hundredth time. "Why does everything bad happen to me?" he muttered, tripping over a floating ribbon and nearly face-planting.
Jin Lee, standing beside him in a sleek black cloak with silver embroidery, smirked. "Because the universe finds you entertaining."
"I'm not entertaining. I'm terrified!" Kaito groaned.
Across the courtyard, Alexander Brown leaned casually against the fountain, arms crossed, mask perfectly in place. His gaze swept the courtyard with the confidence of someone who could command storms—or crush them with a look. Kaito's stomach fluttered. Not fear exactly, but something far more confusing.
The music swelled, signaling the first dance challenge. Kaito tried to move gracefully, but one step wrong sent him careening into a pile of floating desserts. A chocolate éclair landed squarely on his forehead. Jin rushed to catch him, but Kaito grabbed his cloak, sending both of them tumbling backward and toppling a table of levitating jelly cups. Cups exploded, covering everyone in sticky, sparkling goo. White Louise filmed the disaster from above, laughing hysterically.
David swooped down heroically. "Fear not, citizen of the afterlife! I shall save thee from dessert doom!"
"I'm going to die," Kaito muttered, scraping jelly off his jacket.
The hall then shifted into the Hall of Echoing Masks, a corridor where fears and memories became tangible specters. Kaito's past mishaps—tripping on pancakes, exploding glitter, wardrobe disasters—manifested as tiny, mocking ghost versions of himself. One jumped and grabbed Kaito's hand, shrieking, "You'll fail again!"
Jin groaned. "We're doomed."
Alexander appeared at the end, his eyes glowing faintly. "Control your fear, or the shadows will control you."
Kaito muttered under his breath, "Control is overrated."
David Louise twirled past, cape swirling dramatically, staff twirling. "Let the chaos begin!" he announced, then launched himself into a flamboyant jump that sent glitter into the air. Kaito groaned. "I didn't sign up for this."
The doors to the Grand Hall opened with a musical clang, revealing swirling lights, floating chandeliers, and ghostly music that seemed alive. Students floated gracefully—or flailed horribly. Kaito tried to step forward, only to trip over a ribbon and tumble directly into Jin's arms. Their faces were uncomfortably close. Lips nearly touched.
"Not again!" Kaito hissed, shoving himself upright.
Alexander materialized beside them. "Keep it together," he said, his tone calm but cutting. Kaito's knees nearly gave out.
David hovered nearby, whispering, "It's adorable," before winking at Jin. Jin's cheeks burned red, and Kaito felt like he might evaporate from embarrassment.
Inevitably, he tripped into Jin again. Lips brushed. Kaito froze. Jin's ears turned bright red. "What—how—again?!" Jin hissed.
David hovered dramatically above. "Ooooh, sparks are flying!"
Alexander rolled his eyes, hiding a faint smirk. "Stop whatever that is."
By the end of the corridor, they entered the floating arena, lit with glowing runes. The challenge was to capture their own Phantom Mask, which would test courage, skill, and self-control. Kaito ran forward, tripped on a spectral puddle, and sent Jin tumbling into floating orbs. The orbs exploded into rainbow sparks, leaving them sparkling from head to toe.
Alexander stood to the side, arms crossed. "Focus, or you'll embarrass yourselves further."
"I'm trying, okay?" Kaito muttered.
Jin sighed. "At least we're sparkling together."
Meanwhile, David flirted outrageously with spectral twins, throwing winks and blowing kisses. Alexander scowled. "Stop distracting them."
Kaito tripped again, almost landing on his face. Jin caught him. "You're so lucky I'm here," Jin muttered.
"I'm cursed," Kaito said quietly, glaring at the floating mirrors.
As the arena shifted, a gust of magic threw Kaito and Jin toward each other. Kaito instinctively caught Jin—lips brushing once more. Jin froze. "What was that?!"
"I—I didn't mean—!" Kaito stammered.
David cackled from above. "The sparks are flying!"
Alexander groaned, but Kaito noticed a faint, almost amused smirk. "Limitless embarrassment potential," he muttered.
By the end of the night, Kaito and Jin had survived—barely. Glitter clung to every inch of their clothes, Kaito's hair stood on end, and Jin's cloak had a tear from catching him mid-fall.
Alexander finally approached, kneeling beside them. "You're stronger than I expected. But next time, control is everything. And try not to almost-kiss in front of the whole school."
"I didn't do it on purpose!" Kaito protested.
Alexander's smirk lingered. "Limitless embarrassment potential," he repeated.
From the shadows, a mysterious figure watched, the seal on the Academy pulsing faintly. The Masquerade of Echoes had only begun, and chaos, magic, and complicated feelings promised to continue for everyone.
To be continued
Am not getting enough view and am getting discouraged already