Chapter 9

After the promised song ended, I took a deep breath and looked around, only to lock eyes with someone staring at me.

In that instant, I turned to stone.

As I stumbled from the shock, about to fall, my brother quickly supported me, but that was the least of my concerns.

Why is Tezuka Masaya here—!!!!!

He and Enjo Shusuke were supposed to be spending the summer in the Mediterranean and not in Japan.

How long have they been here? From where were they watching?

Weren’t you supposed to be in the Mediterranean?

I thought you weren’t in Japan, so I felt safe attending the party. I even felt comfortable dancing among the older people, which would have been embarrassing otherwise!

If I had known you were here, I definitely wouldn’t have done something so noticeable!

"Reika?"

Stay calm, stay calm.

First, I need to figure out how to naturally extricate myself from this situation.

First, I need to look away from those hypnotic eyes and break the petrification spell.

Naturally, naturally...

Ah! I only meant to look away with my eyes, but my neck turned on its own!

This makes me look like I’m being haughty, turning my nose up. Will they think I’m picking a fight?!

There’s no point in worrying about it now. I need to leave this place naturally.

Ah! My knees won’t bend! I look like I’m in the military!

Have my brain and involuntary movements been attacked by those hypnotic eyes? I don’t know what to do.

"Reika, are you listening? Reika—"

I need to blend in with the crowd and disappear. I’ll head straight to the drink corner, where there are the most people.

It’s not that I care about the ladies. I just got thirsty from dancing and wanted something to drink.

Yes, that’s all.

Can I have a sweet juice, please?

"Reika!"

A pat on my back broke the confusion spell.

Ah, I was completely out of it just now.

Thank you, brother, for bringing me back to my senses.

To cast both petrification and confusion spells at once, you’re truly the final boss.

"What’s wrong? You seem off."

Yeah, I’m more aware of that than anyone.

"Brother, I’m going to the restroom for a moment."

I need to reset myself alone.

I want to go to the bathroom and calm down.

I’ll reflect on everything afterward.

"Are you okay? Are you feeling unwell? Should someone go with you?"

"No, I’m fine."

"But... "

I must have been acting very suspiciously, as my brother looks worried.

I’m sorry for causing you concern.

"Hey, Takaki."

"Imari."

Just as my brother’s friend called out, I decided to leave now.

"Nice to meet you, I’m Reika, his sister. I’ll be fine on my own, so I’ll be right back."

I bowed to his friend and quickly walked out of the venue.

"Hey, what’s up? You’re in a hurry."

"Yeah, the restroom."

Don’t say it!

I rushed into the dressing room and slumped into a stall.

Phew.

I’m suddenly exhausted.

The high energy from before feels like a lie.

...I was so surprised.

Why are they here?

Was the story about spending the summer in the Mediterranean a lie?

I heard they weren’t going to attend the summer party at Petit Pivoine.

But, that look on their faces.

It was scary.

They were looking at me, who was happily waltzing, with a “What is this?” expression.

They must have thought I was a delusional woman!

If I had known they were here, I wouldn’t have danced the waltz so confidently!

"Hey, Masaya-sama was here, right? I thought he wasn’t supposed to attend this time?"

Just as I was deeply depressed, I heard a conversation from the other side of the door. It sounded like people much older than me, probably from the middle or high school division.

"Yes, they were supposed to spend the whole summer abroad, but they came back for Yurie-san’s birthday."

"Oh, I see. My sister was making a big fuss about Masaya-sama being here. But, she doesn’t stand a chance against Yurie-san, does she?"

"Hehe, who knows? You should support your own sister. There are many rivals, though?"

"Right. Oh, Mikka-sama, good evening."

"Good evening."

The conversation paused as someone else entered, but now I understand.

It was Yurie-sama’s birthday!

Yurie-sama, who is four years older than us, is the childhood friend of the Emperor and Enjo. She is even the Emperor’s first love.

In "You Are My Dolce," Yurie-sama is a dignified and radiant beauty, the dream of all academy students.

Even Reika admired her.

If Reika had learned from Yurie-sama, who dislikes dishonesty, she might have been better, but as an antagonist, it’s understandable. Poor Reika...

The Emperor liked Yurie-sama until he entered high school, but Yurie-sama has always seen him as a younger brother.

In the end, that love was unrequited, and there are scenes where the protagonist takes it out on him. However, his interest in the protagonist eventually turns to love, and he is able to completely let go of his first love.

Still, Yurie-sama, who is like a childhood friend and an older sister, remains a special presence. When Yurie-sama decided to work for a foreign company and move to the U.S. after graduating from university, despite her parents’ objections, the Emperor helped persuade her parents.

When Yurie-sama moved to the U.S., he said, “If anything happens, contact me immediately. No matter where I am, I’ll come to save Yurie,” emphasizing that she is still special to him.

Seeing this, the protagonist sometimes wonders if he still has feelings for Yurie-sama.

Of course, if it’s Yurie-sama’s birthday, he would return no matter what. It makes sense.

Even at Petit Pivoine’s salon, his face lights up when he talks to Yurie-sama.

He tries hard to get her attention, calling her "Yurie, Yurie."

First love, how sweet. But that love won’t come to fruition, how sad.

I secretly observe their interactions, enjoying their romantic moments with a smile, which makes me realize how bad my character is.

However, now I understand why the Tezuka-Enjo duo, who were supposed to be absent, were at the party.

Spilt water cannot be put back into the bowl.

The past of being seen dancing the waltz cannot be changed.

...I’ll forget it.

I’ll bury this incident in the depths of my heart as a dark history. That’s what I’ll do.

"Here we go."

Now, I should return since my brother must be worried.

I’ve been in the restroom for too long. What if I’m accused of some dishonorable act?

Maybe I should show that my stomach is fine?