Let's pick up some girls for the ball!

ㅤ "Oh, don't worry, I'll be with you!" Spada gave Ruca a friendly, hard slap on the back, goading and encouraging him. Spada was already popular with girls and could choose, if not any, then certainly find someone to his liking. Ruca, however, was too shy, tender, and vulnerable to even consider asking anyone to the school prom. "How do you like that one?" Spada pointed with a sly glance at the girl in the park, animatedly discussing something with her friend. "No, how can I!" Ruca protested, genuinely frightened. "She's too beautiful!" 'Someone like that would never notice me…' he thought, dejected. "That's the whole point! Show up with a gorgeous girl and impress everyone! Make them jealous," Spada laughed, winking. "But I… I-I can't! It's… it's just…" "We'll find you the most gorgeous girl!" Spada deliberately didn't mention the ball. Spada truly wanted the best for Ruca. And out of sheer, obsessive, and rude concern, he dragged his friend along, ignoring all objections. The girls turned their attention from their conversations to Spada, seemingly oblivious to the "dead weight" behind him. They looked at him with interest and suspicion, waiting to hear what the handsome guy who had so decisively approached them, his gaze piercing them, would say. "Hello, beauties! How about going to the ball with my friend?" he deliberately didn't offer his company; there was always time. The smiles on the girls' faces froze unnaturally, and then slowly began to fade. Not a trace of interest remained, and a silent question froze in their eyes, soon voiced: "With him? Are you kidding?" "If only you'd invited us…" her friend chimed in. "Well, I did," Spada said, throwing up his hands. "Really!?" the girls perked up. "But…" he didn't let them say another word, "you failed the test. Come on, Ruca," he continued to lead his friend down the path of the heart, "these aren't for us. You deserve better!" And he truly believed it. Even though he teased him regularly… It was from the heart, not malice! Spada knew what Ruca was capable of. And how pure his heart was. If those girls were in danger, Ruca would undoubtedly have called upon his powers even without Spada's prodding. Gone were the days when he would stand aside, looking uncertainly, afraid to take a step in the face of danger. Only sincere feelings evoked fear in him… Because it was his heart that was unprotected. Especially since he knew the truth: that once, in a past life, he had already experienced the greatest pain. "…Uh, no," a girl from a parallel class said with an awkward grin, even before Spada could say anything. "I know you two—inseparable hamsters. You don't have to ask my friend either." And so Spada led Ruca from girl to girl until exhaustion caught up. Not Spada, Ruca, who had begged for at least a break, knowing full well that Spada wouldn't give up so easily. "Wait here, I'll get us something," Spada agreed to give his friend a break, but he wasn't going for food or drinks… Sitting alone on the bench, Ruca hung his head in resignation, hiding from the world. All these attempts to find a partner were incredibly embarrassing. He hadn't felt so ashamed in a long time. And it would have been perfectly natural for him to come alone—no one would have been surprised or judged. But now… Many of those they'd asked about would be there, looking at him, and it would be a good thing they didn't point fingers or sneer… 'This is simply ridiculous,' he chuckled bitterly. He'd been through so much, saved the world, and yet everything at school remained the same. "…Ruca?" He didn't immediately hear his name. He didn't immediately realize the voice was female. And when he looked up… "Thitose?! What are you doing here?" he asked, genuinely surprised, embarrassing the girl. "I came to visit you. Graduation is coming soon…" she hesitated modestly, constantly looking away. "I heard you're holding a screening for girls to take to prom…" 'Screening is a bit of a stretch,' he recalled all the rejections. "And I came here hoping to go with you. So… could you give me a chance?" Ruca couldn't believe his ears, staring at Thitose, mesmerized. She was incredible. In everything. And she'd even come to him from far away. His heart fluttered, warmth spreading through his soul. "If…" he began hesitantly, still not believing himself. "If you don't mind…" "I'm all for it!" ㅤ Spada froze mid-step, nearly tripping the two girls he was leading. He gazed enthusiastically at the couple: Thitose and Ruca—they couldn't have asked for a better choice. Thitose had always had feelings for Ruca and supported him. Her sincerity was unquestionable, so… "Change of plan," he spoke to the girls, not looking at them right away. "How about you both come with me?" he smiled radiantly, believing he was doing them a favor, leaving neither one behind. However, in response, he received two reproachful slaps. "Pervert!" "Really?" he asked, genuinely surprised. 'Strange, some girls ask themselves…' Spada glanced again at the sweet couple, radiating tender innocence, and quickly forgot about his burning cheeks. ‘Oh well,' he exhaled. Even if it didn't turn out the way he expected, his goal had been achieved. ㅤ