Chapter 151

When I went back inside, the fates of the remaining people were almost decided.

“We’re the last ones.”

“Huhu, it’s kind of romantic.”

The last couple to be formed walked happily, receiving celebratory music.

‘Is this the last time for such a good atmosphere?’

I was suddenly lost in thought as I watched them.

In the game, the protagonist’s first year is the only truly peaceful time.

Starting in the second year, next year, the atmosphere starts to get darker and more serious.

Over and over again.

Of the couples enjoying a happy moment together here, many of them would face a tragic end, with their partners losing their lives.

Thinking about that future made me feel melancholy.

But the future is the future, and now is now.

As Regina said, let’s enjoy ourselves while we can. It was time to enjoy this moment, which would never come again.

“Congratulations to all the students who have successfully found partners. The ball will officially begin in 10 minutes.”

The staff member said in a cheerful voice, trying to liven up the atmosphere.

But despite the cheerfulness, one part of the atmosphere was gloomy.

The female students who hadn’t been able to find partners.

It would have been better if they had rejected it voluntarily, but the female students who hadn’t received a single dance request were practically living corpses.

It meant they had zero appeal to the opposite sex.

“I-I’m going…”

“L-Let’s go…”

They usually only had one option.

To leave quietly.

Staying would only make them feel worse and watch others flaunt their happiness, so it was the wisest choice.

Soon, the unpaired female students all left.

But…

‘Why aren’t those people leaving…?’

The princess and Riviera, the oddballs, were understandable.

They always did their own thing.

But why were Hiresia and Elaine staying?

They must have been upset, but they didn’t look like they were going to leave.

And they were with the princess and Riviera.

A completely mismatched combination.

Did they develop some kind of camaraderie because of this?

Then I’m the reason…

Well…if they’re a little happier with me as their drinking buddy, that’s fine.

“Max, you’re really bold, aren’t you?”

“Huh?”

I turned my head at Diana’s voice.

Diana, with a mischievous smile, was looking at me.

She had taken off her glasses, the beauty suppressor, and as I expected, she had received twice as many dance requests as last year. She had found a partner, a decent guy.

It didn’t seem serious, just a partner to enjoy the ball.

“You’re so nonchalant, even after mercilessly rejecting all those beauties.”

“…Mercilessly rejected? If anyone heard you, they’d think I was a really bad guy.”

It wasn’t like I had made promises and broken them, so it was unfair, even for me.

It was true that I felt sorry for Hiresia, who had officially started a romantic relationship with me.

“Huhu, I’m just kidding. You seem to be taking this too seriously, so relax a bit.”

“Relax?”

“Yeah, don’t overestimate yourself. Just because you didn’t get a dance request at the ball doesn’t mean your world is going to end. Of course, it won’t feel good, but it’s just another thing that will pass, like everything else.”

Diana’s advice.

Made me realized that she thought more highly of me than I thought.

She wasn’t the type to give this kind of advice to an ordinary junior.

“Those are words to ponder. I’ll keep them in mind.”

“Oh, come on, it’s not that serious. Go have a good time with the Student Council President.”

Diana chuckled and waved goodbye.

I saw Amy clinging to her.

She was probably asking what we were talking about.

Amy had also found a partner.

Those two could find a partner easily if they wanted to…

‘Anyway.’

Diana was right.

It’s not like the world is going to end, or our relationship will be ruined, just because I didn’t chose them as partner at the ball.

The game is still in its early stages.

There’s plenty of time to build relationships as we spend time together.

Thinking that, I went back to Regina.

* * *

The lively and upbeat music began in earnest.

It was like a refreshing and gentle spring breeze.

The students dancing had lighter steps.

Everyone had basic motor skills, so their dancing was quite watchable.

But there were awkward couples everywhere.

They were students who weren’t used to dancing with the opposite sex.

It’s not strange that many students, who were all still young, didn’t have much experience.

On the other hand.

I was dancing very skillfully.

Because of my experience in the game?

It doesn’t seem like it’s just that.

This is a movement my body remembers.

I had a hunch.

…Max, who enjoyed drinking and dancing like it was his job, had the dance moves ingrained in his body.

They say even a rotten apple has some good qualities, and it’s helping me in an unexpected way.

“You’re so skilled.”

Regina whispered, as I pulled her closer and she was held in my arms.

“So are you.”

I smiled and returned the compliment.

Even if you have good motor skills, experience is important for dancing.

You could tell just by looking at the couples around us, their upper bodies and lower bodies were moving separately.

But Regina was different.

There was no awkward stiffness or breaks, it was natural, like flowing water.

I could feel the touch of a professional.

“I hate doing things half-heartedly.”

It was a typical Regina answer.

“That’s a great mindset. I’ll do it that way too.”

“That way is too rough.”

“Huh?”

“It’s forceful. It feels like you’re trying to mold a woman’s body.”

“What?”

I felt my strength leave me.

Could it be that Max’s moves, like he was kneading dough, had been ingrained in my dancing?

Ah, that’s not good…

“What are you surprised about? I’m just joking.”

“…”

I glared at Regina, speechless at her words.

“Please, just stop making jokes.”

“I refuse.”

“…”

Is she secretly a jokester?

Come to think of it, I think her sister said something about how she had no idea her sister was like that…

“Why did you choose me?”

Regina’s question was serious, unlike before.

It was a question I expected would come up at some point.

Of course, I couldn’t give a long, rambling explanation.

“I followed my heart.”

I answered.

It was an answer I had prepared beforehand.

Even thinking about it now, it’s a good answer, short and sweet.

It seemed to work on Regina too.

“Hmm, your heart.”

She gave a meaningful, fleeting smile.

I smiled back.

* * *

“They’re really lovey-dovey.”

Riviera muttered.

“They look good together.”

Princess Oscar smiled.

“Tsk, I even bought a dress.”

Riviera clicked her tongue.

“Oh, is that so? That’s unfortunate. Shall I pour you a drink?”

“Okay.”

Riviera casually took the princess’s glass.

Elaine’s eyes widened, but the two of them exchanged glasses without a care.

“Don’t be too upset. It’s not strange to lose to a fiancée, is it?”

“Strange.”

“Huh?”

“Why not two? A man can dance with two women, right?”

“Phoo…! ”

Elaine, who was just taking a sip of water, couldn’t help but spit it out in shock.

It was the first time I had ever seen a female student say something like that.

It was probably the first time in history…

I knew she was a weirdo, but I had no idea she was this weird.

“Cough, cough, cough!”

Even Hiresia, the high elf, seemed to be in a state of cultural shock, bowing her head and coughing violently.

“Ahahaha!”

The princess burst out laughing, as if she had lost control of her emotions.

Then she finally stopped laughing.

“Well…I guess it’s something you could say out of frustration.”

“No, but that’s a bit much…”

Elaine, the good girl, couldn’t help but chime in.

Hiresia nodded in agreement.

But Riviera shook her head.

“Don’t say weak things. Especially you, elf.”

…Iam a high elf, not an elf, you little kid.

Hiresia muttered that under her breath, and looked at Riviera with a look of confusion.

“Different species get special treatment. Human wives and non-human wives are calculated separately.”

“Phoo…! ”

Poor Elaine, who was just trying to take another sip, spat out her water again.

“Ahahaha!”

The princess burst out laughing again.

Riviera, who could make even the princess laugh, was definitely a mood maker.

But she was freaking out the normal Elaine.

“Se-Separately?”

On the other hand, Hiresia seemed to be intrigued by Riviera’s “different species are calculated separately theory.”

Her pointed ears twitched like a rabbit’s.

“Yeah, yeah. That elf is the most advantageous. he has a human fiancée, his non-human slot is empty.”

“Is there a culture like that?”

It was time for someone to refute that, but no one could.

Elaine, who had just choked on her water, was struggling to catch her breath, and the princess was just enjoying the situation.

As a result, a wrong piece of human knowledge was implanted in the high elf.

Even if someone had refuted it, she probably wouldn’t have wanted to believe it.

It was such a sweet thing to hear for her right now.

Anyway, thanks to that, Hiresia seemed to be in a better mood.

In the end, Riviera successfully livened up the atmosphere.

It unintentionally helped Max too.

It was clear that it would make things much easier for him to clean up the mess.

“Ahem, thanks to you, I’ve learned an important fact. Here’s a drink, junior.”

After the princess, the high elf offered her glass too.

Riviera had done something difficult.

“Alright, elf.”

The atmosphere became warm.

* * *

We were definitely getting attention.

The ball was nearing its end, and the music, now at a very fast tempo, flowed like a climax.

Only five couples, including us, were keeping up with the fast tempo.

And we were unique.

Neither of us was lagging behind, and we moved together seamlessly.

Pull.

Push.

Approach.

Retreat.

Spin.

One turn, two turns.

Back to the starting position.

Then, lift and switch positions.

Sweat was dripping down my face.

Sweat was also running down Regina’s forehead.

My body was tired, but I was feeling exhilarated.

She probably felt the same way.

I could feel the heat in one of her eyes.

I could feel that all the couples had stopped dancing and were watching us.

At that moment, we were definitely the main characters of this ball.

How long had we been dancing?

The music, which had been gradually slowing down, stopped.

We stopped too.

But we didn’t let go of each other’s hands, and we stared into each other’s eyes.

Clap, clap, clap, clap!

Applause came from the audience.

Applause for ending the ball with a wonderful dance.

That’s probably what it was.

“…Thank you for dancing with me.”

I said with a smile.

“Likewise.”

Regina also had a bright smile.

That’s how my first ball ended.