Eri, Hoshino Kasumi, Aris, and Makoto finally reached an agreement in that order.
The orchestra began to play a waltz.
“Come on, Kim Deok-Sung. Let’s dance together!”
Rin approached me, extending her hand with a faint smile.
“Because I’m first!”
I have no idea why she’s emphasizing being first.
“Yeah, that’s the way to go.”
Damn it, I really have to dance.
My head hurts.
I take Rin’s hand.
She giggles and leads me to the center of the ballroom where everyone is dancing in pairs.
Rin grips my hand tightly and presses her body close to mine.
Her ample chest squishes into me.
A faint scent wafts up to my nose.
“Alright, you step like this. Just follow my lead, and you’ll be fine, Kim Deok-Sung.”
She whispers in my ear.
My heart races against my will.
Isn’t this a bit too close?
Following Rin’s lead, we start to dance.
I’ve only danced during the forced talent shows at university MTs back in freshman year, but surprisingly, following Rin’s steps isn’t that hard.
“Like this… Yes, you’re doing well, Kim Deok-Sung.”
Rin smiles faintly.
Maybe it’s the brilliant lighting, or maybe it’s her dress that hasn’t been shown in the original, but Rin looks unnecessarily pretty today.
Plus, being this close, I can feel her body warmth and breath.
“When dancing, it’s customary to wrap your arms around the waist. Kim Deok-Sung.”
She forcibly places my hand on her waist.
With the classic melody playing, we continue our dance.
“Hey, Kim Deok-Sung…”
She says in a trembling voice.
“…Thank you for choosing me first.”
Rin looks down, a light blush on her cheeks.
“It’s because you’re being so unnecessary.”
“I know you’re not someone who would be swayed by tears. So… thank you. I’ll work harder from now on. I’ll do my best to always be your first! I won’t lose to anyone anymore.”
Rin laughs at my rebuttal.
Maybe it’s the chandelier lighting, but her smile seems both poignant and pretty.
I can’t find the words to say.
“…Yeah, sure.”
That’s all I can say in response.
Hearing my answer, Rin looks up at me with her burning dark blue eyes.
“All the girl power training and bridal classes! I’m gonna ace everything!”
Wait, why is that coming up now?
I was wrong to think she looked poignant just a moment ago.
Sigh.
It’s a relief that everyone around us doesn’t understand Japanese.
“Cow. It’s over now. Next is Eri’s turn.”
“Hmph, I don’t like it, but it can’t be helped.”
“I can’t help it.”
Eri, who switched places with Rin, takes my hand.
“Master, this time Eri will lead!”
Thank goodness we’re in France, so she speaks in Japanese.
Holding Eri’s hand, we dance to the rhythm.
Maybe it was the tips I got from Rin earlier, but I feel a bit more accustomed to this hellish social dance.
With the spotlight on her, Eri, already the prettiest heroine, looks even more beautiful today.
Though that dog collar around her neck is a bit mismatched.
Seriously, why did she come to this event wearing a dog collar?
She smiles and says, “Eri will not lose… Even though my chest is… a bit lacking, I will do my best. I won’t lose to anyone, because Eri is the most beautiful girl in the galaxy!”
Eri leans in close, whispering in my ear, “So, Master, watch over me. I’ll prove that I am your number one slave.”
Hearing her say “number one slave” in that sweet voice leaves me speechless, caught off guard by her resolute expression.
This is nuts. Seriously.
“…Indeed, Eri can only have you, Master. It has to be you. Hehe.”
Eri blushes and giggles.
Seeing her like this reminds me of that day when she was holding her lunch box in the rain.
My heart softens a bit.
We continue dancing in time, and following the steps Rin taught me, Eri’s dance time comes to an end.
“Next is me, Junior.”
Grab!
Kasumi-senpai takes my hand.
Her purple hair shines under the lights like amethyst.
“Junior, you’re a bad boy.”
Kasumi-senpai says this as if it’s second nature.
At first, it was dizzying, but now I’m alright with it.
Have I really gotten used to this?
“Junior has stolen a girl’s purity and continues… to neglect me. You’ve been too distant lately. Does that mean I’m just a fish caught in your net? Bad Junior. Scoundrel.”
Kasumi-senpai pouts.
She shoots me a glare.
In the past, I would’ve called her out on her nonsense, but now I’m at a loss for words.
That day, in the basement of Meijin Hero Academy in Kyoto, comes to mind.
When I was in danger and she jumped in front of me, taking a hit for me.
Kasumi-senpai risked her life to save me that day.
In a way, I owe her.
“Uh… I’m sorry, senpai.”
“Bad boy Junior. I hate you, but I’m still your dutiful spy…”
Kasumi-senpai laughs as she steps to the beat.
“Just one date and I’ll forgive you. Thinking about it, I’ve never gone out with Junior alone.”
“Understood.”
“Is that a promise, Junior? If you break it, you’ll have to swallow a thousand needles…”
Finally managing to secure a outing promise, Kasumi-senpai ended her dance time with a satisfied expression.
Next up is Aris.
“I really don’t understand why I, Kim Deok-Sung, have to dance with you.”
Aris, pushed forward, blushes slightly and avoids my gaze.
“Would the President not dance then?”
Makoto jumps in as if waiting for this moment.
Surprised, Aris looks at me and says, “I never said I wouldn’t dance. I’m just reluctantly joining you this time, Kim Deok-Sung.”
Grab!
She takes my hand and steps.
Her moves are so smooth and graceful, it’s hard to believe she’s from the countryside of Kansai.
I already know this is the result of immense effort to perfect her lady-like demeanor from the setting book.
I already know that this is the result of Olivia’s desperate efforts for perfect lady acting, thanks to the setting book.
Aris’s silver hair and skin as white as snow, with silver eyes that gleam elegantly.
Aris’s face turns slightly red.
“As the Student Council President of Shuo… Mr. Kim Deok-Sung’s recent actions were unreasonable, reckless, and dangerous. It is indeed something that deserves reprimanding.”
She looks at me and speaks.
“However… I believe your intention to save Miss Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte deserves praise. Considering that… I will make an exception this time. Cadet Kim Deok-Sung.”
Aris averts her gaze.
The tips of her ears turn red.
She presses her body against mine.
I can clearly feel Aris’s warmth and fragrance.
Her beautiful face is right in front of me.
Before I was reincarnated, during my time as a fan of the original work, the character I adored so much.
All kinds of merchandise like dakimakura, figures, and tapestries were bought up, and now this favorite character is right in front of me, alive and moving.
To be honest, until now, I had consciously separated my favorite character Aris from real-life Aris, but seeing this serious side I originally liked in this atmosphere…
I shake my head slightly to break my train of thought.
“Thank you.”
“From now on, you must not do that again, Mr. Kim Deok-Sung. You must follow the rules.”
With that final piece of scolding, Aris’s dance time concludes.
“Master, it’s my turn now, right?”
Makoto approaches me.
I take her hand.
“Uh, uh uh…”
Makoto can’t dance worth a dime.
Well, she has only ever undergone assassination training.
There hadn’t been any time for her to learn social dances.
“I-I’m sorry… Master…”
A pale-faced Makoto lowers her head.
[Partner, the lady is flustered. You need to lead her as a gentleman now.]
‘But I don’t know how to dance either.’
I just learned a little from Rin and am merely mimicking it; I’m not in a position to lead anyone.
[…I’ll help you, so try to lead a bit. Partner.]
The Black Prince speaks again.
‘Well, guess I have no choice. Fine.’
Since we’ve already started dancing, there’s no way to stop mid-way, so I have to follow his instructions this time.
[There, left foot. Turn…]
Under the Black Prince’s coaching, I dance with Makoto.
Suddenly, I glance over and see the gray-haired beauty in a suit, Han Seo-Jin, filming this scene with a camcorder from afar.
Please tell me she’s not recording all of this?
What the heck.
I did vaguely say it was okay to record, but now that she’s filming so openly, it feels a bit burdensome.
I’m already scared about what kind of thumbnail this video will end up with on YouTube.
“Ugh, ughhhh… I’m sorry for not being helpful to you, Master… I should have led…”
Makoto says to me with tearful eyes.
“It’s okay, stop crying over something trivial.”
Who cares if someone sees this?
Why is she crying so much?
“Okay, Master… Thank you.”
Hearing my words, Makoto smiles brightly.
Her smiling face is unexpectedly pretty.
Is this the effect of the dress and the ballroom?
“I’ll practice more dancing next time. I’ll practice enough to be able to lead you, Master.”
With her determination set, Makoto’s dance time also finished.
Now all that’s left is…
“Finally, it’s my turn, your devoted maid, Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte!”
She strikes a pose.
With her hand on her chest, the platinum-haired beautiful girl is Olivia.
Covering her mouth with her white-gloved hand, she lets out a refined “Oh ho ho ho ho ho ho” laugh.
Olivia, the charming lady, lets out a giggle.
Seeing her, the Black Prince mutters inwardly.
[After all, the protagonist usually appears last.]
Who’s the protagonist again?
Anyway, is the dancing finally over?
Honestly, it felt more like manual labor, but at least the end is in sight, which is a good thing.
Click, clack.
Olivia walks over, heels clicking on the floor.
“Heh······.”
“Tch······.”
Rin and Eri bite their lips.
“Geez······.”
Makoto stares intently at Olivia while Kasumi puffs her cheeks.
Thud.
She stops right in front of me.
Her dazzling platinum hair pairs perfectly with her snow-white dress.
[Indeed, our lovely Olivia is unequivocally beautiful.]
The Black Prince can’t hold back and blurts out another foolish remark.
I don’t know if it’s uniquely beautiful, but she’s definitely pretty.
Is there anyone here who’s not pretty, really?
Anyway, he’s such a fool for his little sister.
Snap.
She grabs my wrist.
“I won’t be dancing!”
What?
Everyone’s happiness.
Olivia shouts with a red face.
Not dancing, huh?
That’s fine by me, but what’s she thinking?
“Wha, what, what do you mean······?”
Olivia stammers.
Turning her gaze away, she continues.
“I, I want to have some time alone… with you!”
With her crimson face, she neatly clasps her hands on her dress, sticking her butt out as she shouts.
As soon as she finishes, Eri puffs up her cheeks.
“Your Highness, that’s not fair. You already had a secret meeting with the Master last time! So not cool!”
Thwap.
Eri points her finger at Olivia.
“This time, the laundry board is right. Bonaparte. Monopoly is a no-no.”
Rin joins Eri.
Weren’t they supposed to have a bad relationship? When did they become so close?
“Bonaparte, that’s bad.”
“Geez······.”
Kasumi, with her habitual complaints, and even Makoto, who adds sound effects.
Four girls’ gazes are fixated on Olivia.
“I told you, inappropriate romantic relationships are prohibited, right? Bonaparte.”
Finally, Aris joins in, but Olivia’s expression remains confidently defiant.
“You all had your own time with that fool, didn’t you? I just want a little time with him too. Instead of dancing, of course. Hehe.”
Olivia covers her mouth again and lets out a lady-like giggle.
[As expected from my lovely little sister, that’s perfect logic. No room for counterarguments.]
Unlike the Black Prince’s foolish comments, Olivia’s words are closer to fallacious reasoning than perfect logic.
But since we’re in this kind-hearted light novel world, fallacies are actually the most effective.
“Tch······. I can’t argue with that. Guess there’s no choice.”
“Heh······.”
With Eri and Rin leading, the girls slowly retreat.
Seeing that, Olivia beams a victorious lady smile and pulls me by my arm.
“Come on, what are you waiting for? Let’s go, you.”
The Black Prince’s voice echoes in my head.
[You have no choice in the matter anyway, partner.]
I knew that much already.
But still, it’s better than dancing.
Sighing inwardly in resignation, I say,
“Okay, let’s go.”
“Hmph. Fool.”
Listening to her tsundere tone, I hold onto Olivia’s hand as we exit the ballroom.
As we leave the mirror room and walk down the corridor, the place we arrived with Olivia is a small platform.
There, a little train, the kind you’d see in an amusement park, is waiting.
‘What’s with this train?’
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