Evidence (4)
"Whoa..."
"Is she human or a doll? I almost didn't recognize her."
"You're gorgeous, unnie!"
"What? You're a third-year! Why are you calling an underclassman 'unnie'?"
"Anyone prettier and curvier than me is an unnie in my book!!"
It was excessive.
"I can die with no regrets... I have witnessed a goddess..."
"Hey, hey! This guy fainted! Call the medics, hurry!"
"What? Why on earth would you call a medic for—wait, huh? Oh... sweet heavens... good grief..."
"Whoa, whoa! Hey! What good does it do if you collapse too?! Argh, seriously! Somebody help over here!"
"Mhm, mhm. Passing out after seeing that? Completely understandable."
"Don't just nod and understand, help me!!"
Utterly excessive.
"Is she... really our upperclassman? I wouldn't dare even walk near her..."
"They say Lady Renias is in a league of her own. Let's just find someone else..."
Seriously, it was beyond excessive!
"I'd give anything just to exchange a single word with her..."
"Same here..."
"She waved at me earlier, you know! How's that for greatness? Bwahaha!"
"Damn you, you lucky bastard!"
"If I gouge out his eyes, do you think it'll erase the fact that he saw it?"
To say they had overdressed her was an understatement of cosmic proportions!
Why on earth did they do this...? Why?!
Renias had been so tense while enduring the maids' relentless fussing and nagging over every detail of her dress and makeup that she hadn't realized the sheer absurdity of it until now. Did the maids conspire together or something? She couldn't begin to fathom why they had dolled her up to this extent. Thanks to their handiwork, the moment she stepped into the banquet hall, she hadn't merely stolen everyone's gaze—every single eye in the room had locked onto her like a vice, turning her into a frightened rabbit caught in the open.
"Phew... I'm so drained..."
Receiving attention at a gathering might be pleasant for some, but Renias didn't care for it in the slightest. The longer she remained in her seat, the more her energy seemed to seep away, while the mounting pressure swelled like a mountain.
I need to find the right moment and slip away fast. Ugh... why did they have to dress me up like this!
As always, Renias intended to flee. Yet who could look upon a woman so breathtakingly adorned and remain indifferent? A man's heart was like a bee drawn to a brilliant bloom. It was only natural to be enchanted by a lovely lady—especially one who had clearly pulled out all the stops tonight.
"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Renias. I am... of the Viscounty of..."
"Ah, y-yes... Pleased to meet you..."
I'm sorry, but I'm really not pleased at all...!
She had caught the mention of a viscounty, but her mind was so preoccupied with planning an escape that his name and house went straight through one ear and out the other. Still, knowing it would be terribly rude to just walk away, she was trapped. Seizing the opening, the man babbled incessantly—talking about where he had been stationed during the subjugation campaign, how he had watched her brilliantly eradicate the devourers, and on and on. Not a single word actually registered with her.
"Well... ahem. I hear the ball will begin shortly. What do you say?"
"What do I... say?"
"Ah, for a dance, I mean. Seeing as you arrived without an escort, surely you require a partner to share the floor with?"
A dance. A ball. A partner!
Renias's mind screamed with one overriding priority: she had to get out of here right this instant.
An excuse... an excuse... what kind of excuse can I make? Please, think of something!
While the flustered girl scrambled for an answer, other people began crowding around, drawn by the hopeful nobleman's approach.
"Wh-what do you think you're—whoa!"
"Greetings, I am... of...!"
"Would I not make a fitting escort for a lady such as yourself?!"
"You seem to lack a partner; might I have the honor of this dance? Surely I would be a far better choice than these upstarts...!"
"Hey! Cut the crap and step aside! I was here first!"
"You vulgar clods who know nothing of propriety...! A lady deserves a gentleman of proper standing!"
"Shut up, it's fair game until she picks someone!"
"Ah... um... excuse me..."
In the blink of an eye, a crowd swarmed before Renias.
Everyone indulged in such delusions—the fantasy of growing close to Renias, the jewel of the academy. To earn even a shred of her favor was a mark of distinction, enough to make any noble strut with pride. To actually court such a peerless beauty? Who wouldn't daydream about it? Consequently, she was already constantly surrounded by opportunistic suitors hoping to spark rumors or harbor ulterior motives, but tonight was particularly intense.
After all, not only was Renias dressed more exquisitely than ever before, but she had also arrived carrying an ornamental gift box meant for someone. Whomever received that gift from the attendant holding it would be crowned the chosen one—the true victor of the evening.
Faced with a throng pressing in with ever-growing fervor, Renias abandoned all thoughts of lingering even a moment longer and moved her escape plan forward.
"I-I already have a partner! Please excuse me!!"
Behind her, a chorus of male voices clamored her name, but she didn't look back once as she bolted out of the banquet hall.
"Haaah... I survived..."
Even the time it took to gather her skirts and slip through the doors had felt agonizingly long. It felt as if their gazes were piercing every inch of her skin. She had been subjected to such looks until she was sick to death of them, yet she could never truly grow used to it.
"I suppose... it's only natural, isn't it...?"
Beauty, family background, unmatched magical talent. Blessed with every dazzling attribute the world could ask for, everyone looked at her with the exact same expression.
And so, she always wore a mask. She matched their expectations, offering the smiling face they wanted to see, repeating the same practiced courtesies out of habit. Even knowing it was all a blatant lie, she had no other choice. Tarnishing her parents' illustrious name was the one thing she could never allow herself to do.
Clang— Clang—
A bell...?
There was no reason for a bell to toll at this hour. Perhaps someone had made an error while timing the announcements for the banquet.
Someone must have slipped up, Renias thought, chuckling softly.
Just as she was about to pull her mask back into place, a figure caught her eye.
"Senior Junon?"
How many minutes had I been pacing back and forth out here? I'd come because they told me to, but... I really had no desire to walk through those doors. Naturally, my instincts leaned toward the path of least resistance.
"...Yeah, this is a bad idea."
Why on earth should I voluntarily waltz in there just to get cursed at? While the subjugation force basked in their triumphant atmosphere, having an eyesore like me crash their party was only asking for trouble. It wasn't as if I were an attention whore. There was zero reason to set foot inside.
The moment the thought crystallized, I resolved to turn around. The only sticking point was the message claiming Renias was waiting for me. Whatever reason she had, I could always just apologize profusely the next time we crossed paths. My kindhearted junior had a generous soul; she'd surely let it slide.
With that settled, I turned on my heel.
"Senior, where are you going?"
Uh... I felt like I was growing a little too familiar with this voice... Just my imagination, right? The person saying "Senior" didn't attach a name, so it couldn't possibly be—
"Senior Junon. Are you going to keep pretending you don't hear me?"
The moment the doubt crossed my mind, she clarified the subject beyond all shadow of a doubt. I knew it.
A prickling gaze bored into the back of my head, accompanied by the light, rhythmic patter of approaching footsteps. My intuition was screaming at me! If I betrayed even a hint of reluctance about entering that banquet hall, she'd flash that mischievous grin of hers and grab my arm without hesitation.
...What should I do? Someone please grant me a foolproof excuse.
As I desperately grasped at straws for a reason to bolt, Renias drew up alongside me.
"...?"
The moment my eyes fell upon her, my jaw dropped slack, words failing me completely. For the first time in my life, I truly understood why the phrase "stealing the spotlight" existed.
I never realized it before... but was she always this stunning?
I had always acknowledged that the rumors didn't exaggerate her beauty, but fully dressed up, this junior of mine bore no resemblance whatsoever to the frantic rabbit who scrambled around the training hall. She looked... like a pure white celestial maiden descended from the heavens...
"Senior?"
I must have spaced out, because her voice snapped me back to reality with a start.
"Ah, y-yeah! What did you say?"
"I haven't said anything yet. More importantly, why did you try to run away the moment you heard my voice? Hmph."
"S-Sorry. I just had a lot on my mind."
"Hrmmmmm... Really?"
"R-Really."
If a man could look at that vision and harbor no thoughts at all, he'd have to be a living Buddha... but let's shelf that for now. Right now, I needed to conjure up a meticulously crafted excuse to avoid being dragged into that banquet hall.
"I'll believe you. But Senior, the hall is right in front of you—why were you turning back?"
"Uh, well... the thing is..."
The banquet hall... an excuse... a plausible reason why I shouldn't enter... Oh, right. That!
"It's my clothes. It'd be a bit awkward walking in dressed like this, wouldn't it?"
Renias glanced briefly at her own attire and let out a wry sigh.
"Ah... As for my dress, the maids went completely overboard today, so you really don't need to worry about that. I'm the odd one out; the others aren't nearly this dressed up."
That was just her roundabout way of telling me I was free to walk in comfortably! If I agreed now, my entrance into the banquet hall was as good as sealed. I had to pivot to another topic immediately! What else... what else was there...? Ah!
"Setting that aside, John and Noel told me you had business with me. What was that about?"
"Huh? I never said that."
"...What?"
"I was worried since you were part of the isolated vanguard, Senior, but I didn't want to disturb your rest. I planned to see you later... Once you felt better, I was just going to ask you to meet in the training hall."
Sensing something was amiss, I pressed her with a few more questions, and she confirmed that she hadn't even mentioned attending the banquet to anyone else. Come to think of it, there was zero reason for Renias to demand to see me out of the blue.
In short: I'd been hooked, line and sinker.
John, Noel... those little bastards... Just you two wait.
At any rate, this meant I was a free man! Nobody was waiting for me. I could simply exchange a few pleasantries and take my leave.
"Lady Renias is waiting for me! Out of the way!"
"Where did that guy who told us to queue up go? I got out here first!"
"I was the first one talking to her in the first place!"
"Who cares? Whoever finds her and confesses first wins!"
Suddenly, a noisy commotion erupted as people spilled out of the banquet hall. To be blunt, I had no desire to show my face to that crowd, and even less desire to invite their scorn. I decided to beat a retreat immediately.
"Renias, I'll be on my—"
"Eep...! S-Senior!"
What the hell? Why was she suddenly ducking behind my back when I was trying to leave? A sinister premonition washed over me. Aside from myself, the only other person out here was Renias. Which meant... could those people be...?
"I knew it, you lot must have made her uncomfortable! Lady Renias!!"
"Oh! Over there!"
"I'm first!!"
"Don't be ridiculous, I am!"
No matter how much she tried to hide, a dress that radiant couldn't possibly go unnoticed in the dead of night!!
Oh, hell no. Don't tell me those maniacs came bursting out here specifically to track down Renias?!
Panicking, I tried to gently pry her hands off me. But my dear junior clung to me like a lifeline, showing zero intention of letting go.
"Uh... Renias? Could you let go of me...?"
"Wh-Why...? Are you really not going to help me...?"
"You know I keep to a pretty strict routine. Yep, so by this hour, I ought to be resting already! You... catch my drift, right?"
"Senior! A proper upperclassman is supposed to help when his junior is in trouble! How could you be so heartless as to make up excuses just to run away?!"
"You knew I was trying to run away?! Then let me go...! I'll ease up on your training intensity in the gym! Wouldn't that be great?"
"I don't need you to go easy on me...! No, I'll gladly endure the usual intensity next time! Just please help me out right now!!"
I was going out of my mind. What on earth did she expect me to do, exactly...?!
The moment I realized Renias was their target, getting cursed out by the crowd was no longer the primary issue. The real problem was that the pack charging toward us with fiery eyes looked ready to grind their teeth to dust!
"Who is that guy...? Was he already out here?"
"No way! How dare he cut in line... How do we get rid of him?"
"Standing in Lady Renias's path! Step aside this instant!"
Wait a second—looking at this, they probably think I'm the one cornering her! She's the one holding onto me!!
My head began to spin. As the distance closed, they'd soon be able to recognize my face. There was no helping it. Apologies to Renias, but even if I had to shake her off by force, I was making a break for—
"Th-This person is my partner!"
...I was just about to execute my escape, but... WHAT????? Partner??????
I glared at Renias as if she had just started speaking in tongues.
"L-Like I told you, my dance partner for tonight's banquet is Senior Junon...!"
The words "dance partner" struck me like a physical blow, freezing me solid on the spot.
Renias had also been looking for a chance to slip away. Yet after bumping into Junon and conversing for just a short while, pursuers had managed to spill out after her.
In that desperate moment, a stroke of inspiration hit her.
"Th-This person is my partner!"
In the end, all those men wanted was to be her dance partner. If she already had one, the problem solved itself.
"L-Like I told you, my dance partner for tonight's banquet is Senior Junon...!"
Once a partner was designated right before their eyes, they would have no choice but to give up.
Even I have to admit, that was brilliant! Pure genius!
No one could contest this choice. A dance partner who happened to be the greatest contributor of the recent subjugation campaign—so long as Junon didn't flee, nobody would dare step forward!
And yet...
The very second the words left her mouth, Renias caught sight of Junon's expression, frozen solid like a block of stone.
A sudden, delightful conviction washed over her: once again, she was going to have endless fun teasing him.