episode_0081

I don’t understand how it came to this.

Bubble, bubble.

People were all eating popcorn and watching around.

I found myself seated at a strange rectangular table surrounded by a crowd, not knowing how I got there.

“Alright! The countdown will begin shortly! Lovely ladies! Are you ready?!”

Someone next to me shouted.

Seemed like they were the host of this chaos.

Whether they used amplification magic or not, their voice boomed loudly.

“I’m ready anytime.”

“Me too!”

“…I will definitely win.”

“How amusing. I am the one who will claim victory over the ladies.”

The four women in front of me were tense, each expressing their determination.

From left to right, Lucy, Aria, Hedy, Iris.

It seemed like the ball had taken quite a turn.

…In essence, the current situation was a dance competition.

A mysterious man suddenly popped up from nowhere, exclaiming, “This is a hit! We can’t just let this pass by!” He then brought out a table, gathered people’s attention, and seated me at the judge’s seat.

Lucy, Aria, Hedy, and Iris were all known for their beauty at the academy, naturally drawing even more attention.

Some spectators watched with serious expressions, arms crossed.

Perhaps because of this, the four women in front of me seemed even more competitive.

“Alright, now our judges will speak! Respond to their aspirations, announce the start of the match!”

“….”

The host handed me a magical microphone-shaped device.

I hesitantly took it and spoke, “Um… well… good luck, everyone.”

“Yes! With such great encouragement from our judge! As soon as she spoke, the eyes of the ladies are burning with passion! Shall we begin? Judge Cyan!”

“…Let’s begin.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the professional musicians at the ball started playing the prelude.

Classical music tailored for graceful dancing.

As the cheerful and serene party music filled the air, the ladies in front of me began to dance.

First was Lucy.

Graceful and refined, she moved elegantly, true to her usual image.

“I’ve never missed first place before… I will grasp victory this time as well to realize myself.”

Her dress swayed cutely.

Before the match began, the relaxed demeanor of this poised lady elicited gasps of admiration from the audience.

On the other hand, Aria.

“In every food chain, only the strong survive… dancing isn’t much different!”

Whoosh!

The sound of wind cutting through the air accompanied her grand movements.

Perhaps due to the mood, it seemed like there was a predatory fierceness in her dance.

…No, maybe it wasn’t the mood.

“Wow! Look there! The harmony between these two is creating a beautiful synergy!”

Everyone turned their gaze to the host’s words.

“Not bad. Are you into dancing these days? Did you go through some professional training somewhere?”

“Hmph, it seems like the professor struggles to keep up with the trends befitting his age, should you give up around here?”

“…It’s not about keeping up with trends, it’s about experience.”

Hedy and Iris were gracefully dancing with fluid and dazzling movements.

‘Oh…’

Sorry to Lucy and Aria, but they were on a different level.

Both seemed far from amateurish. Hedy might have been forced to learn to dance in her household, but Iris was unexpected.

A Swordmaster like her would naturally attract many suitors without having to learn to dance.

She displayed a stature that could only come from consistent practice.

There was something irresistibly captivating mixed into her dance that made it impossible to look away. Is this what experience looks like?

♪♪♪…

Soon, the classic melody fades out slowly.

As the music stops, all four of them freeze in motion, politely bowing to the audience.

Clap clap clap clap clap!

Whoo! Whoo-!

Applause rains down on them.

“Finally, the competition has ended! The audience and participants will now listen to the judges’ comments!”

“……”

What’s so exciting about this?

The host pushes a microphone-shaped object towards me again.

Scratching my head awkwardly, I spoke, “Um… well….”

“How was this round of competition in the eyes of the judges?!”

“It was an excellent dance battle.”

“Who stood out the most?”

Tension builds as the host speaks.

“Um….”

It’s hard to decide on the spot.

Honestly, I’m not well-versed in dancing, nor do I have specialized knowledge.

Lucy performed decently.

Hedy and Iris seem to be on a different level….

I honestly said, “…Hedy and Iris stood out the most.”

At that moment, Lucy and Aria’s faces darken.

Sorry, but the world of competition is ruthless.

It’s a competition. Not definitively choosing is also disrespectful to the other party.

“Well, of course. I’ve dedicated years to dancing. …I didn’t expect it to turn out like this, though.”

Hedy shrugs her shoulders.

…Amidst the commotion, following the host’s request, I carefully laid out their impressions.

And not long after,

The host asked me once again.

“Well, you should start answering now. Who is the MVP who captured Cyan’s heart in this competition?!”

“Um….”

The burdened gazes of the audience and the participants intersect.

It seemed like the time had come to make a decision.

“I… um….”

While Hedy and Iris could be considered winners… this was quite challenging.

It’s difficult to distinguish between the two. At this point, it might come down to personal preference.

‘I just need to choose the MVP who stole my heart, right?’

I ponder deeply.

Then, I reached a conclusion within myself.

‘Can’t help it. Sorry to the others… but this is how it goes.’

“I’ve made my decision.”

“Ooh!”

“I…”

Silence fell.

Everyone was waiting for the words to come out of my mouth.

With hopeful eyes, everyone seemed to have chosen their favorite in their hearts, expecting our choices to align.

In a few seconds, I could shake off these looks.

I said, “I choose xxx-”

“Wait, noooooooooooooo!!!”

At that moment.

A loud noise echoed through the ballroom as if a train had crashed into a drum.

Everyone in the ballroom covered their ears, frowning.

I was the same. Who could it be now?

In the midst of an already confusing situation, this was an absurd continuation of events.

“Who on earth-”

Towards the entrance of the ballroom where the sound came from.

The culprit of the noise stood confidently, bathed in the light seeping through the crack in the ballroom door.

“…I have returned!”

*

Striding confidently.

In the midst of the sudden chaos that momentarily halted the competition.

A man walked across the ballroom.

“I have longed for this moment… and waited….”

The man crossed the crowd and approached us.

Soon, his figure became fully visible.

With a chubby physique, a sagging belly, hair slicked back with what seemed like grease or wax.

His eyes were small, lips protruding like a frog, resembling Prince Verdi.

‘No, wait, isn’t that just Prince Verdi? Why is he acting like this?’

Prince Verdi soon stood boldly in front of a woman.

It was Aria.

Prince Verdi stared directly at Aria, adopting a posture of looking up due to his shorter height.

“……”

“……”

Aria looked down at him with a bewildered expression.

All the uncomfortable gazes that were directed at me shifted to them.

What on earth is Prince Verdi up to with this display?

Verdi Prince, who had been silent for a while, was asked by Aria.

“Isn’t that man you saw with Cyan last time? What happened-”

“Aria. In fact, I’ve been watching over you all this time.”

“You watched over me?”

“Yes, I fucking watched over you.”

Aria, visibly shivering, looked at Verdi Prince with unease.

Meanwhile, the audience was busy tearing open popcorn bags and munching on them.

In the midst of the thrilling situation, the sound of crunching popcorn could be heard from various corners.

“Why… Why did you do such a thing?”

“Aria…”

Verdi Prince clenched his jaw and then made a determined expression.

He then spoke to the still bewildered Aria.

“I, I love youuuu!!!”

“?!”

“Oh my god!”

Oh my god… Oh my god… Oh my god… my god… god…

Silence filled the ballroom as Verdi Prince’s declaration echoed.

Nevertheless, Verdi Prince spoke again.

“Please watch my courtship dance, Aria!!”

Suddenly, he began dancing in front of Aria.

Swoosh swoosh.

If you were to see thin arms moving in a round ball, it might feel like this.

In the shocking situation, everyone remained speechless, simply watching his dance in silence.

‘…I think I need to revise my perception of Verdi Prince.’

Initially, he thought he had recognized Aria as a swordsman with talent.

But after reading the letter, that perception changed to an idiot.

‘He’s not an idiot. He is… He is…!’

He wasn’t just an idiot; he was a complete lunatic.

“Gasp, gasp…! Did you enjoy my courtship dance, Aria?”

“…Yes, I did.”

“Wooohoo!!”

Verdi Prince beamed at Aria with eyes shining like stars.

“S-so…! Can I get an answer now, Aria!!”

“Sure. My answer is….”

Aria’s expression, facing away from me, was unreadable.

Even I became intrigued.

What kind of answer will she give?

Ah, I want to know!

I’m more curious than I’ve ever been about the next episode of the trashy drama I’ve seen!

“My answer is… this.”

“…?”

Huh?

Aria suddenly points at me with her finger while standing behind me.

Why is she pointing at me all of a sudden?

Apparently not understanding, Verdi Prince blinked rapidly and asked Aria.

“Um… Aria? What does that mean…”

“Duel and win. If you can beat him, then we can date. I’m not interested unless you’re stronger than me.”

“….”

Wait, what? How did it come to this all of a sudden?

What does this have to do with me…!

…Verdi Prince’s gaze suddenly turned towards me.

I could feel the intensity in his eyes.

In the midst of this, Aria said,

“Good luck. Cyan.”

“No, what on earth is this…!”

“If he wins… he can date Aria, right…?”

With a lively gleam in his eyes, Verdi Prince was steadily approaching me.