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Phantom of the Opera www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL7D9e…
Masquerade www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Bn4BA…

“I would rather be working on my robotics project right now,” Go Go grumbled.

“Aren’t you excited though?” Honey Lemon squealed waving the playbill in her friends face. “The drama, the music, the ROMANCE?”

Go Go took in a deep breath and sigh out a deep sound of exasperation. The gang of SFIT engineers were on their way to the premier of San Fransokyo’s College of the Arts “Phantom of the Opera.” It was time for the engineering and robotic students to fulfill their art requirement for the semester before spring finals. They collectively decided to go to the play together and then to ice cream afterwards. Fred was mostly in it for the ice cream.

“You know, you never appreciate fine art, Go Go,” Wasabi complained.

“It’ll be fun and at least we just have to watch a performance instead of take an actual theater class,” said Tadashi as he mussed his friend’s hair.

“Gahh, whatever,” she growled out as they climbed the steps of the theater.

When they were finally seated, they browsed to playbill for entertainment. Tadashi eyes stopped on a particular face. (F/N) (L/N). He read through the description. Apparently it was your first leading role in a production after attending an arts high school on the east coast. You were only a freshman at San Fransokyo’s College of the Arts and dabbled in all things ranging from painting to musical theater. It would seem that you were playing the role of Christine.

The light in the audience faded and Tadashi tore his eyes to look at the stage. Beside him, Honey Lemon giggled excitedly.

~~~

The play was spectacular, even Go Go clapped and smiled although she tried to look disinterested. Fred was entranced by the fancy costume and asked every once in a while when the Godzilla monster would appear. Wasabi rolled his eyes and would politely clap with every scene. Tadashi, however, was hooked onto every word you sang. Every twirl of your dress. Every smile. You were amazing.

You sang an impossibly high note in the “Phantom of the Opera” number and received a standing ovation from the audience. You did your best not to break character but a large grin gradually overtook your face until you were positively beaming.

From his seat, Tadashi found himself smiling at you. He heard a light cough and look to his right where Wasabi was sitting. “You should try to find her after the show, ask her to ice cream with us or something,” he commented.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, I mean, I, uh,” Tadashi swallowed. Wasabi shook his head and laughed a bit.

~~~

The masquerade ball scene was massively popular with the audience and received another standing ovation. This time Tadashi stood with everyone else but had eyes only for you. You looked so beautiful in the pink gown; your (H/C) locks pinned and curled elegantly.

He made up his mind. He was going to ask you out after the show, even if that meant sneaking backstage afterwards. He started thinking of ways to approach you. What if you laughed at him? What if you already had a boyfriend? You and that Raoul guy seemed to have natural chemistry. Maybe he would as you the next time he saw you around town. Like that would ever happen. Yeah, that was a better idea, he decided.

The rest of the play seemed to fly by with the thoughts swimming in Tadashi’s head.

The cast bowed again and again. You received numerous roses thrown to the stage as you curtsied and waved, a tear sliding down your bright and delighted face.

~~~

You went backstage and hugged your cast members and as you all emotionally congratulated each other on a phenomenal opening night performance. After half an hour or so of reorganizing the backstage area, you decided it was time to go. You bid your friends farewell and left the theater.

“I could really go for something to eat,” you thought was you walked down the empty nighttime streets of San Fransokyo. “I think I definitely deserve ice cream after all that singing, in fact, I deserve a hot fudge sundae. With sprinkles,” you mentally added.

Just your luck, there is a small ice cream parlor just down the street from your apartment. When you arrive, the shop is empty aside from a group of people about your age that you pegged to probably be college students in the far corner. The tinkling of a little bell signaled your appearance and the employee took your order from behind the counter.

While waiting for your masterpiece of a sundae you suddenly hear quick, hushed whispers from the group behind you.

“Dude, that’s totally her! I’m telling you guys!”

“Shhh, Fred, don’t be rude. She’ll hear us.”

“Guys, it’s totally too late for that.”

They all turn to face you as you watch them, curious and a little bit nervous. You stared at them and they stared at you. Silence. That was when you noticed a playbill on the corner of the table. It was for “Phantom of the Opera.” You visibly relaxed and smiled shyly at the group.

“Um, did you guys enjoy the show tonight,” you shifted your weight from one foot to the other, back and forth.

“Miss (Y/N), I’ve got your order ready,” the boy behind the counter interjected giving you a little fright.

“Hey, maybe, would you possibly like to sit with us,” Tadashi asked and raised a hand to awkwardly rub the back of his neck. Your eyes focused on him. He was pretty cute, you thought. His hair cleanly cut and dark was ruffled as though he had recently been wearing a hat. He gave you a lopsided grin and your small smile widened in return.

“That would be great,” you said but hastened to add, “That is if everyone else is okay with that.”

Instantly, everyone scrambled to make room and a seat for you. You blushed but sat down and looked around the table.

“Um, well, my name is (Y/N). I’m a freshman at San Fransokyo’s College of the Arts.” You look around again expecting introductions. Everyone introduces themselves and you find out that they are all robotics students at SFIT. Wow, you thought, I’m surrounded by geniuses. Honey Lemon gushed over your performance with remarks here and there from Wasabi. You blushed when Go Go told you she appreciated your power as a leading woman and laughed when Fred gave you a suggestion or two about adding some sci-fi elements to the script.

“Oh and you looked really beautiful.”

You turned to look at Tadashi and you were positive your cheeks were the reddest of reds and a thousand degrees. Go Go looked between the two of you and quickly devised a plan to get you and the big dork alone.

“Hey Wasabi, Honey Lemon and I need to get back to campus right now. Right this second. Drive us. Now!” She slammed her spoon down on the table causing everyone to jump.

“Wait wait wait, Wasabi is my ride home!” Fred protested.

“Looks like you’re coming with us, bozo,” Go Go said as she grabbed him by the collar and stood up dragging Honey Lemon with her. She grabbed Wasabi’s keys who in turn whined loudly but followed the group to the door leaving two very confused individuals behind watching the whole spectacle. “It was great meeting you, I’m positive we’ll see you around soon.” She gave a pointed look at Tadashi. The rest of the group said their goodbyes and were out the door in seconds.

It all happened so quickly. You lowered your hand that was still raised in a wave to the sundae and glanced at Tadashi on your left. His mouth was agape and strawberry ice cream was melting off of his spoon. You cleared your throat and his eyes met yours. They widened a bit, he cleared his throat and blinked a few times.

“Well, uh, I guess that’s, um, well, I guess it’s just us now, huh?” Tadashi stammered and turned a little pink.

“I guess so,” you laughed and bit your lip. “So- what’s SFIT like?”

~~~

And just like that the conversation went on for a little over an hour until the ice cream parlor closed and the two of you stood outside. Tadashi offered to walk you home and you pointed to the building directly across the street, the two of you heading in that direction.

He is so sweet, you thought. And he was handsome and smart and friendly. His eyes just warmed your heart and he acted so interested when you were rambling on and on about your favorite plays and musicals. He was a really great guy. You could just feel it.

You stood outside of your door and turned to look up at your new-found friend.

“I hope I’ll be seeing you around sometime soon. I had a really great time with you and the others tonight. Really, it was a lot of fun!” You brushed your hair behind your ear timidly.

Tadashi smiled and looked at his feet for a moment before taking in a deep breath. “Actually would you like to get coffee with me sometime after classes? You totally don’t have to if you don’t want to, I just-“

He was cut off when your lips met his cheek, softly and only for a brief second. But it made his heart race and his lips twitch up in a smile.

“ I would like that, Tadashi,” you giggled. “I’ll see you soon?” Without waiting for an answer, you unlocked your door and slipped inside. Once the door was closed, you slid down to the floor and squealed. You had a date! And with a super cute guy, too. You jumped back up and looked through your peephole. Tadashi was still in front of your door looking a little dazed before he broke out in a giant beaming smile and did a little happy dance.

You laughed to yourself. This, you thought, will be the first of many dates.

And it was.