Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage

Character page: Here

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Chapter 201 – I chased after that person

“…He’s looking at me, right?”  [Youki]

A man in a full-head turtle mask and a suit was staring in my direction. I was pretty sure he was watching me. Could he be the one?

I had no idea how long he’d been standing there, but if he saw us dancing together, he was probably upset. Anyone would misunderstand if they saw their partner dancing and chatting with someone else. I figured I should clear things up before any misconceptions took root.

“Please stay with me a little longer.” 

“Eh?!”  [Youki]

But before I could act, a new song started. Since the four of us had been deep in conversation, the mood had shifted. Before I could say a word to that person, the girl took my hand, caught up in the moment.

The rhythm was different from before; if I lost focus, I’d end up stepping on her feet.

“Hey, isn’t this tempo a little fast?”  [Youki]

“I need to… concentrate too. I was taught this dance, so I’ll see it through!”

As beginners in dancing, we somehow managed to get through without stepping on each other’s feet. The sense of accomplishment after the song ended was amazing. Maybe because we had focused so much, we were both drenched in sweat, but our expressions were refreshed.

“Whew, that went pretty well.”  [Youki]

“Yes, I never thought I’d be able to dance a song like that without making mistakes.” 

“It would’ve been even better if you could’ve danced with your actual partner, though.”  [Youki]

That kind of joy, this feeling of accomplishment, was something best shared with someone important.

She fell silent, probably because my words struck a chord with her. Even though we had been enjoying the dance, I ended up saying something that put a damper on the mood. But this was for the best, for that person who had been watching, and for her.

“…Even so, I really enjoyed dancing with you. We were both inexperienced, but we worked hard together to match our timing.” 

“I appreciate it too. If you hadn’t invited me, I’d probably still be standing against that wall, eating and drinking alone.”  [Youki]

“If I hadn’t mustered up the courage to ask you, I might still be wandering around looking for my missing partner.”

She still hadn’t found her partner. That man in a turtle mask watching us earlier must be him.

I need to get them together before the party ends. Since I got to know her and danced with her, it was the least I could do.

“Wait here for a bit. I’ll be right back.”  [Youki]

Without even waiting for her response, I took off running. That mask was pretty unique, so it should be easy to spot.

“…There he is!”  [Youki]

He was casually walking while glancing around, probably searching for someone. I grabbed his arm and led him to a quieter spot.

“You were watching us earlier, weren’t you? Sorry about that. You’re her partner, right?”  [Youki]

I waited for confirmation, but he didn’t say a word. Still, since he wasn’t denying it either, I took that silence as a ‘yes’. He was probably mad at me and didn’t want to speak to me.

I need to clear up this misunderstanding before I cause trouble for her.

“I get why you’re upset, but hear me out. She was having a hard time finding you. You’re the one who taught her how to dance, right? If she never got to dance, all that effort would have gone to waste. So, when she saw me standing alone, she invited me.”  [Youki]

He remained silent, but he was at least listening. I could tell from the occasional nods. Good. This might actually work.

“I also learned how to dance from someone important to me. She couldn’t make it today due to circumstances, but… since we were both taught how to dance, it would’ve been a shame not to put it to use. That’s the only reason your partner invited me. She even brought you up a few times during our conversation. And honestly, this might sound rude coming from me, but I already have someone precious to me. Someone so incredible that I could go on and on about her.”  [Youki]

Why the hell am I even saying all these to a guy I just met?! Well, at this point, it should be obvious that I didn’t approach his partner out of romantic interest. She was nice to talk to, sure, but my heart belongs to Cecilia and Cecilia alone. That will never change!

“Just like she’s the most important person to you, I already have someone who means the world to me.”   [Youki]

Alright, after saying all that, he should understand by now. Time to take him back to her.

I grabbed his arm again, only for him to suddenly grip my wrist instead.

…Huh? His hand feels kind of soft for a guy.

“…It’s me.”

“…Huh?”  [Youki]

That familiar, gentle voice…

“I never expected to hear those words from you while I’m dressed like this.”

“…Wait, what?”  [Youki]

“Are you trying to escape reality, or is it just not sinking in yet? I may be dressed like this, but… it’s me, Cecilia Aquarain.”  [Cecilia]

Wait, hold on. What the hell is happening? Cecilia had clearly stated she wouldn’t be attending this party. And yet, the suited-up turtle in front of me… is apparently her. Even my sense of smell confirms it. This is Cecilia. The real deal. No doubt about it. But why is she dressed like this? Why is she disguised as a male? And why a turtle, of all things?

“You see, Youki-san, since this is Happiness-chan’s first time at a party like this, and well… Raven-san seemed rather, um, excited as well, I was worried. So I came to check on them. But, I thought it would be inconsiderate if the acquaintance who invited me found out I was here, so I came dressed as a man. And, well… I used this mask to hide my hair.”  [Cecilia]

“A-Ahh, I see. Yeah. That makes sense. Perfect sense. I get it now. Totally get it. I’m fine, I’m fine. No need to worry. Everything’s normal. Completely normal.”  [Youki]

“…You don’t look fine at all.”  [Cecilia]

Hahaha, what’s Cecilia even talking about? I’m completely normal. Totally calm. Inner peace.

“Still, I was genuinely happy to hear what you said earlier, you know?”  [Cecilia]

“That was… just how I truly feel.”  [Youki]

“I really love that part of you, Youki-san.”  [Cecilia]

“Gahh!”  [Youki] 

If she keeps saying things like that, I won’t survive. Wait – calm down, me. If I think about how this must look to an outsider, I should be able to regain my composure.

A tengu-masked man in a suit kneeling before a similarly suited-up turtle. What an utterly surreal scene.

“Man… this is one hell of a sight.”  [Youki]

“What are you talking about?”  [Cecilia]

“Us. Right now. This whole situation is pretty ridiculous, don’t you think?”  [Youki]

“Huh? Ah… Fufu, you’re right.”  [Cecilia]

Laughing together like this felt just like always. However, this wasn’t the time to be chatting so casually. The person I assumed was the girl’s partner turned out to be Cecilia herself. Because of my misunderstanding, I had left that girl all alone. It wouldn’t be fair if I were the only one who got to meet my partner while she was still searching for hers.

I explained everything to Cecilia, and once she understood, she agreed to come with me.

And so, the two of us headed back to where I had left the girl, intending to clear things up.

“Huh?”  [Youki]

On our way back, I noticed what looked like an argument between a couple and another man. The male half of the couple seemed flustered, his ears bright red as he shouted at the grinning man before him.

A love triangle, maybe? Best not to get involved.

I averted my gaze and walked past, but something about the grinning man’s voice felt oddly familiar.

“Hahaha, what a pathetic sight. Why not be honest with yourself? It’d make things a lot easier.”

“Why the hell do I have to hear that from you, someone I don’t even know?! All we did was grab drinks from the same table a moment ago!”

“Fio-sama, please calm down! If you cause a scene, your father will hear about it!”

“Tch… I know that! But, Shion, doesn’t this piss you off?”

The one stirring things up was a man in a bat mask. His laughter… I knew that laugh. A name came to mind.

“This is supposed to be a party where everyone wears a mask over their true selves. A place where you can forget who you normally are and enjoy the moment with your loved one… But, watching you two is just painful.”

“How we enjoy ourselves is our business. We don’t need some stranger telling us what to do.”

“Enjoyment, huh? It doesn’t look that way to me. If anything, it seems like your mask is hiding sorrow.”

When the man in the bat mask pointed it out, the couple visibly flinched.

“Your attitude towards your partner is a bit lacking in consideration. Despite your perfect manners, that part is rather rough. On the other hand, she seems overly mindful of you. Even your outfits don’t quite match… Judging by the difference in quality, I’d say your relationship is that of a noble and his household servant.”

Creepy… Can he really tell all that just from their behaviour and clothing? Judging by their stunned expressions, he must have hit the mark.

“…Was this my father’s doing?”

“I’m just a passerby.”

“Don’t lie! What do you want? Money? Or something else? Whatever it is, if you’re not working for my father, then I’ll do whatever I can. Just don’t involve Shion. She has nothing to do with this. I was just dragging her along for my own amusement.” 

“Fio-sama!”

“Rest assured. I only ask for one thing from you… No, from both of you. There’s just one thing I want to know. Why?”

The couple’s eyes were wide open in shock. They were probably confused.

“Aren’t you two in love? And yet you call it mere amusement. How can you say that so easily? I could feel it… just how much you both truly care for each other.”

“W-What are you talking about? We only just met, and yet you act like you know everything…”

“Then tell me… do you not love her? Was she just anyone who happened to be free to attend the party with you? Is that all she means to you?”

“Wha-! Shion is… Shion is important to me!”

The moment he blurted it out, he looked frustrated, as if he regretted it. The girl looked worried about him, too.

“Hah. With feelings that strong, you won’t need to hide your love behind a mask anymore.”

“…Who are you?”

“Hahaha! Didn’t I say so already? I am just a passerby. Maybe I was meddling a little too much… but if you ever find yourselves struggling against the wall standing in the way of your love, come find me. I’d be happy to lend an ear. The cupid from the town of Breitling, at your service!”

As the male with a bat mask walked away, laughing triumphantly, the couple could only stare after him in stunned silence.

…Seriously, Caius. He always acts as he pleases, regardless of the consequences.

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