The party hall was filled with luxurious piano music, and gradually more guests began to fill the seats.
There weren’t many people gathering around our table yet, but some started to sit nearby and at other tables.
At least at the table where the Commander and I were sitting, no one else was around.
“I overheard that if we go to the other side, we can get some food.”
“They say they have wine and champagne too.”
“Yeah.”
I learned this while sitting with the Commander, eavesdropping on others’ conversations—though I definitely wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. But hey, at least I found out.
“What do you want to do? Go get some now?”
“It seems like most people haven’t gotten their food yet… How about we wait a bit? We can go when others do.”
“Alright.”
“If we stay seated a bit longer, it’ll be starting soon anyway. Just wait a little.”
“Yeah.”
As the Commander said, it would be starting soon.
Staying just a little longer wouldn’t hurt.
So, we sat quietly waiting for the party to start.
The Commander was busy fiddling with his phone while I was looking around.
There seemed to be a surprising number of younger people around, which honestly felt kind of weird.
Not just the Vice Commander, but even the commanders from various regions seemed younger than expected.
I didn’t really care or anything; it was just a little surprising.
“Hmm…”
Well, there didn’t seem to be anyone better-looking than the Commander.
They might be the same height, but our district’s Commander was the best, hands down.
“What are you staring at?”
“Huh? Just… looking at the people around.”
The Commander suddenly asked, and it wasn’t hard to answer since I really was just looking around.
I was wondering how none of these people seemed better than the Commander or me.
It felt a bit narcissistic, but it was true.
“……..”
“Why do you keep staring like that?”
“Nothing. Just.”
“…?”
His look changed suddenly; it was a little weird.
What was that about?
I wasn’t sure, but it felt different from usual.
Anyway, as I knee-deep in vague chatter, time passed, and the lights in the party hall went out.
– Ah, oh.
“It seems to be starting.”
“Yeah.”
When the lights went out, and only the stage remained lit, anyone could tell it was about to begin.
After all, all the lights were off where the tables and chairs were placed.
The Commander and I were looking at the stage when the Boss walked in.
As always… in his unique white suit and sunglasses.
Why does he always wear sunglasses indoors?
It’s not like he can’t see.
*
The Boss’s speech… honestly, was boring.
Well, what could I say?
It was just like a principal’s long-winded speech, which went on for almost 30 minutes.
And then, as if that wasn’t enough, other high-ranking officials started talking too…
“…Finally, it’s over.”
“…Yeah.”
“…I can’t believe I spent over a week on this journey…”
“………”
“………”
Sudden existential dread hit hard.
Anyway, it had finally begun.
The previous dull conversation was just reminiscing about the founding or something.
“Let’s get some food. We’re not here to enjoy a party, and I’m starving.”
“Right.”
The Commander and I stood up from our seats.
Honestly, neither the Commander nor I were the type to wander around and chat with a lot of people.
Filling our stomachs seemed like the right move.
The reason we invited the Commander and the Vice Commander here was to mingle with people from different districts and stuff.
But some things were unavoidable.
Still, if we were going to try and have fun, there should’ve been some interesting stories instead of boring ones.
Boring talks weren’t what we came here for.
“What do you think, Commander? Here?”
“Well… this atmosphere doesn’t really suit me.”
“I figured as much.”
We chatted as we walked toward the food buffet.
Everyone else was busy chattering among themselves while it felt awkward for just the two of us.
It felt like we were the odd ones out…?
“…Hmm. Champagne…”
“Are you going to drink?”
“Just a little… isn’t one glass okay?”
The waiters were busy serving drinks, but I just felt like right then I wanted to sip something.
So, I decided to grab a glass.
It’s not like I was eating much, so I might as well enjoy a bit of this expensive drink.
With one glass of champagne and some food, we started walking back to our seats.
The Commander seemed hungrier than I was and was busy gathering food, so I left him to it.
He’d be fine on his own.
“Hello. Which district are you from?”
“…?”
As I was making my way back, a man suddenly blocked my path.
I didn’t know who he was.
Honestly, the only guy I knew was the Commander.
“…I’m from Zone 07.”
“Ah… I’m from Zone 17…”
The guy in front of me said something, but of course, I missed his name.
As usual.
The man introduced himself as the commander from Zone 17 and mentioned he just happened to see me and decided to chat.
He seemed to be quite the extrovert, unlike me, who wasn’t the type to greet random people.
Usually, I’d be by the Commander’s side at work, and in most situations, I didn’t talk to agents first.
The only ones who’d start chatting first were probably Dolores or Midori…?
“Ah… I’m Lindera, working as the Vice Commander for the Commander of Zone 07…?”
“We’ve crossed paths, so why don’t we share a table? My partner who was supposed to be here is sick today.”
“Um…”
“It’s a shame to sit alone in such a fantastic party. Haha…”
“Uh… that…”
He seemed nice enough, and it was kind of flattering.
He was smiling, so he gave off a friendly vibe… right?
But the issue was, I had a partner already, and the Commander was busy picking out meat over that way.
“I’m sorry, but I already have a partner.”
“Ah…”
“The person I’m with is a bit shy. I’m afraid we won’t be able to join you. Apologies.”
I bowed slightly while apologizing.
Why was this guy bothering me, of all people?
“…I see. That’s too bad, but I can’t help that.”
“Yeah. I’m sorry.”
It was polite to decline in this situation.
I couldn’t just hang out with someone I didn’t even know.
Considering I was about to drink some alcohol and also had the Commander with me anyway.
I returned to my seat and sat down.
Honestly, a lot of people tried to talk to me on the way back, but I just kept declining saying I had a partner.
Why were so many guys trying to talk to me?
Usually, commanders would have their vice commanders with them, but why was I always alone…?
“What the heck…?”
Sitting down felt a bit heavy.
Never before had so many people tried to talk to me, and if they did, it was usually women.
But today, it was just guys, making it rather awkward for me.
“………”
“Oh, you’ve returned? You didn’t bring much food, did you?”
“Just… whatever.”
“…?”
The Commander’s expression seemed off.
He looked a bit… unwell.
It isn’t much different from his usual face, but there was something off about the vibe.
“…Are you okay?”
“Uh.”
“…?”
He spoke as he sat next to me.
Well, he was always next to me, so that didn’t surprise me… but still, why the change?
What was bothering him?
It didn’t make sense why he’d be in a worse mood after coming back with food.
It wasn’t as if he bumped into anyone… and there was nothing on his clothes at all.
He’d seemed fine before getting food; there was nothing excessive.
Just… just right?
“Oh… this champagne is surprisingly good.”
“…Is it?”
“Commander, care to try a sip?”
“…No. I can’t drink anyway. I’m fine without it.”
“Uh… That’s too bad…”
It couldn’t be helped.
The Commander genuinely couldn’t drink, so he’d have to pass.
I had suggested a sip because I thought it was delicious, but since he wouldn’t drink, there was no other choice.
“……..”
“What’s wrong? Aren’t you hungry?”
“Just… nothing.”
“…?”
What in the world was happening?
Just a moment ago, everything seemed fine, and I was looking forward to enjoying the party.
But after just one trip, it was like the Commander’s mood plummeted.
I really couldn’t understand why he was so down.
Was there really something bothering him?
“Commander, is there something wrong?”
“Nope.”
“That can’t be, your expression doesn’t lie.”
Honestly, I couldn’t help but worry about him.
Especially since we’d traveled all this way to finally be at this headquarters party.
We had dressed up nicely, wearing beautiful dresses to enjoy ourselves, and the Commander being in a bad mood just didn’t sit right.
“…Whatever’s bothering you, just tell me, okay? I was really looking forward to enjoying the party with you, so what’s wrong?”
I wanted the Commander to be in a better mood.
I hoped we’d have some fun at the party, interact with others, or at least have a good time together.
We probably wouldn’t have the chance to party again like this.
I wanted us to enjoy it this time. Together.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
