Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage

Character page: Here

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Chapter 202 – I spoke with the vampire lady

“You look pretty satisfied with yourself, huh?”  [Youki]

I called out to him after we put some distance between ourselves and the couple.

“Oh? You two came as well?”  [Caius]

“Yeah, well… a lot happened, and we ended up here. We’re laying low, so don’t call us by our names, got it? Anyway, you really can’t help giving love advice everywhere you go, huh? And in such a dramatic way, too.” [Youki]

Rather than just offering advice, he outright threw himself into their situation. He wasn’t even advertising his services, so I had no idea how things escalated that far.

“This masquerade ball has a way of drawing in lost souls… I can feel the struggles of so many couples here. That pair just now was already the fourth one I’ve helped tonight.”  [Caius]

“You’re kidding.”  [Youki]

Are there that many people here with relationship troubles?

Even though Cecilia remained silent, she looked just as surprised by Caius’s words. Maybe the masks made it easier for people to hide their true feelings. Every couple probably had their own circumstances, but it was kind of amazing how naturally Caius just threw himself into these things. Gotta admit, that takes guts.

“Because of all that, I’m way behind schedule. I had a promise to keep… I hope she’s not mad.”  [Caius]

“She? You mean the one who sleeps in the coffin?”  [Youki]

“She told me she wanted to go outside. I figured I had to do something, and that’s when I heard about this masquerade ball. One of my visitors at the castle happened to mention it. Lucky timing, really.”  [Caius]

“So that’s what she meant by wanting to go outside…”  [Youki]

Not from a house… but from a coffin, huh? Which means I should probably confirm it with him.

“Did your girlfriend just learn how to dance recently?”  [Youki]

“Ah, yes. She wasn’t raised in an environment where she had to learn formal dancing. So I personally, and very gently, taught her step by step. Though, whenever I got a little mischievous and sped up the tempo out of nowhere, she’d puff out her cheeks and get huffy with me. Man, calming her down back then was quite a challenge…”  [Caius]

“Alright, let’s go. She’s probably been waiting forever for you.”  [Youki]

Before he could keep rambling about his girlfriend, I grabbed his arm and yanked him forward. I hadn’t even realized it until now. I had met her before, but only once. And back then, she was still asleep. The rest of our ‘meetings’ were just me talking to her while she was inside her coffin. But still… seriously?

As we made our way back to where we had separated earlier, I spotted her leaning against the wall, drink in hand.

I did tell her to wait for me, but she actually stood there the whole time? 

“Hey, sorry to keep you waiting.”  [Caius]

Caius strolled right up to her, completely unbothered.

Come on, man. If you know you made her wait, maybe act a little more apologetic – wait, huh!? 

“Did he just… hug her like it was the most natural thing in the world?”  [Youki]

Without waiting for a response, he gently pulled her into his arms. She didn’t seem surprised at all. It looked as if she was used to it as she wrapped her arms around his back in one smooth motion.

“I’ve been waiting… this whole time. But since you took so long, I ended up dancing with another gentleman instead.” 

“My apologies. There were just far too many lost souls here. I got caught up talking to them, and well… time got away from me. Will you forgive me?”  [Caius]

“You granted my selfish request, didn’t you? I suppose I can let this much slide. Besides, it was fun dancing with someone other than you for a change~.” 

“Oh dear, was that an affair I just heard? What a tragedy… The so-called ‘Cupid of Breitling’ being cheated by his own lover. How utterly heartbreaking… Will you comfort me?”  [Caius]

“Don’t be ridiculous. As if I would ever cheat on you. You worry far too much, Caius. And you’ve got the nerve asking for comfort when I was the one left waiting… for so long…” 

“Hahaha, no need to worry. I’ll be sure to make it up to you tonight. Just the two of us… alone…”  [Caius]

Does he not realize that Cecilia and I are standing right here? If we keep listening to this conversation any longer, I’ll start feeling bad for his lover. But, good grief… they’re alone, so they can take all the time they want to confirm their love for each other…. Wait, doesn’t that apply to us as well? This is a masquerade ball. Everyone here is spending precious moments with someone important to them.

If I let things end like this, nothing will ever change.

Quietly, I took Cecilia’s hand and led her towards the center of the ballroom.

“Dance with me.”  [Youki]

“…That was rather sudden. Are you sure? I am dressed as a man, you know.”  [Cecilia]

She kept her voice low, probably to conceal her identity. But that didn’t matter in the slightest.

“It’s a party. We should enjoy it. Caius and Raven are both having the time of their lives dancing with their loves… And yet here I am, all alone. Unless… dancing with another woman means I’m unworthy of being your boyfriend now?”  [Youki]

“That’s not true at all! …Fine, I understand. The party is nearly over, but let’s dance. I won’t hold back, though. If you can’t keep up… be prepared.”  [Cecilia]

A chill ran down my spine.

What the hell is she planning? Well, as long as I don’t mess up, I should be fine.

“My dance instructor will be dancing with me now, so there’s no way I’ll make any mistakes.”  [Youki]

“Then… I’ll be happy to be your dance partner.”  [Cecilia]

Taking Cecilia’s hand, we began to dance.

To people around us, we must have looked like an odd pair – two figures in suits, one wearing a tengu mask and the other a turtle mask, moving together across the floor.

I couldn’t see Cecilia’s face behind her mask, but I hoped she was smiling. However, the moment that thought distracted me, I messed up twice. Cecilia probably laughed at me. Meanwhile, I must’ve had the most pathetic expression on my face.

The masquerade ball ended without issue… well, aside from a few surprises, but nothing went too wrong.

Since it was a rare occasion, we all moved to a quiet spot outside the venue to remove our masks and meet face-to-face.

“I appreciate everything you’ve done for Caius. My name is Shea. We’ve met a few times before, though I was mostly inside my coffin during those visits.”  [Shea]

“Oh, uh… nice to meet you. I’m Youki. Never would’ve guessed I unknowingly danced with Caius’s girlfriend.”  [Youki]

Seriously, coincidences can be terrifying. But right now, there’s something even scarier looming over me.

The girl standing beside me, Cecilia, was smiling. But it wasn’t her usual warm and gentle smile. No… it was a lot closer to the one Sheik has when he’s having way too much fun.

This has never happened before. And because of that, I had no idea what awaited me.

I’m scared.

“…Satisfied?”  [Happiness]

“Yeah. Sorry for dragging you along with my selfishness, Happiness.”  [Raven]

“…You can pull me along as much as you want.”  [Happiness]

“…Then, how about coming here again?”  [Raven]

“…Bring it on.”  [Happiness]

“…You’re really kind, Happiness.”  [Raven]

Over there, the two lovebirds were off in their own little world, flirting away. Honestly, it made me feel like they would do well even without my advice. They were fine all along.

Raven’s occasional outburst doesn’t last long anyway… But I guess I shouldn’t underestimate the influence of a ‘Hero’.

“My, my… Those two seem rather passionate, don’t they? Love is a beautiful thing.”  [Caius]

“Caius, you shouldn’t tease them. More importantly, I’d like to hear that you were doing while I was waiting for you. If you caused anyone trouble, you should apologize properly.”  [Shea]

“Hahaha, I simply guided some lost little lambs onto the right path. Whether they choose to walk it is up to them… And whether happiness or misfortunate awaits at the end? Well, that remains to be seen.”  [Caius]

“You weren’t just saying reckless things and making things worse, were you?”  [Shea]

“Come on, my dear. You wound me. I am the ‘Cupid of Love’, after all. I would never carelessly trouble others. Surely, you understand that?”  [Caius]

“…Yes, I do. I know how much you’ve helped others and how earnestly you’ve listened to their concerns. But still, the fact remains… You kept me waiting.”  [Shea]

“I truly am sorry. But you see, the ‘Cupid of Love’ must always be there for those who are lost… However, Caius belongs to you and you alone. The night is still young, after all.”  [Caius]

“…Then, I suppose I’ll set my expectations high.”  [Shea]

All around me, people were flirting. The sheer amount of romantic energy in the air was surreal. I wanted to throw my hands up and shout, What the hell is this situation!? Shouldn’t our meeting be more serious than this?

The bubbly, pink-hued atmosphere was getting to even me, so there was no doubt Cecilia felt the same. And if that was the case… then a storm was brewing—a Cecilia storm.

Just as that thought crossed my mind, Cecilia suddenly grabbed my arm, firmly.

“You made two mistakes. We’re going.”  [Cecilia]

“Eh? Going? Going where-“ [Youki]

“Youki-san, I want to experience what it’s like to stay up late.”  [Cecilia]

…Is she telling me to stay up with her until morning? Cecilia, a responsible, prim, and proper person, wants to stay up late? This doesn’t match her vibe at all. She’s the type to sleep early, wake up early, and live a healthy, structured life.

But the way she held onto me left no room for escape. And considering I did mess up during our dance…

“You’ll keep me company, won’t you?”  [Cecilia]

“…Yes.”  [Youki]

In the end, with Celia-san’s approval, Cecilia locked me into an intense late-night dance lesson.

Man… Cecilia was relentless.  

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