With the Nine Schools Competition concluded, the tense atmosphere among the schools dissipated. The after-party dance became a stage where students could let loose, and for some, a chance for cross-school romances to spark.
"It's been a while, Ichijou Masaki," Tatsuya greeted.
"Tch, Shiba Tatsuya," Masaki replied, stiffening.
The Third High prince had come with faint hopes of asking Miyuki to dance, but, as expected, Tatsuya stood firmly by her side. Masaki's guarded posture made Tatsuya inwardly roll his eyes.
"How's your ear?" Tatsuya asked, referring to their earlier match.
"It's fine. And I don't need your concern," Masaki snapped.
His curt attitude seemed to sour Miyuki's mood, and Masaki, sensing it, began to panic.
"Shiba! Wait, are you and her… siblings?!" he blurted out.
"You didn't notice?" Tatsuya replied, raising an eyebrow. "Airi and the others seemed to know."
"Airi? Oh, Isshiki. She never mentioned anything about it," Masaki said, flustered.
Apparently, Masaki wasn't as close with Airi and her group as Tatsuya had assumed, mentally filing away that detail.
"You didn't realize Onii-sama and I are siblings, Ichijou-san?" Miyuki asked, her expression a mix of suppressed amusement and charm.
Masaki's usual gallant demeanor from the field vanished, replaced by a boyish, flustered reaction. Beneath his poker face, Tatsuya couldn't help but think, So the Crimson Prince is just a teenager after all.
"Miyuki, we're just standing around blocking the way. Why don't you dance with Ichijou?" Tatsuya suggested.
"Perhaps…" Miyuki replied, glancing at him for confirmation.
Masaki nodded vigorously, like a broken toy, his enthusiasm almost comical. Miyuki's face brightened further, clearly amused by his reaction. As Masaki escorted her to the dance floor, he gave Tatsuya a subtle nod of thanks. He'd likely been on the verge of giving up, misjudging Tatsuya as a romantic rival, only to be saved by the very person he'd seen as competition. His elated mood was obvious to everyone around.
"What a simple guy," Tatsuya muttered.
"Excuse me, sir? Don't you have someone to ask to dance?" Erika teased, her tone playful as she approached in a waitress-like outfit.
"Why are you dressed like that?" Tatsuya asked, dodging her question.
"It's part of the deal from the start. And what I said was true, you know," Erika replied, her eyes flicking toward Honoka, who was pacing nervously nearby.
"It's up to the guy to ask, right? With a bit of confidence, you'd be fine, sir," she added with a grin.
"They're calling you over there," Tatsuya said, nodding toward a group beckoning her.
"Huh? Oh, right! I'll be right there. Good luck, Tatsuya-kun!" Erika said, dashing off.
Though not exactly spurred by Erika's words, Tatsuya approached Honoka, who'd been lingering in his peripheral vision.
"Honoka," he called.
"Y-Yes!" she replied, startled.
"Want to dance?"
"I'd love to!"
Tatsuya wasn't particularly experienced at asking girls to dance—his history in that regard wasn't much different from Masaki's. But without the capacity for embarrassment, he could make the invitation smoothly. Honoka, on the other hand, transformed from nervous to radiant, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Tatsuya had planned to dance with Honoka once and retreat to the sidelines. But he hadn't anticipated how stepping into the spotlight would make retreating difficult. His rare appearance on the dance floor, especially with Honoka, drew attention. Soon, invitations poured in—from First High athletes and engineers like Shizuku, Mayumi, Amy, Subaru, and Koharu, to Third High elites like Airi, Kazumi, Kanon, and Karen, and even engineers from other schools. In sheer number of invitations, Tatsuya rivaled Masaki.
Unable to refuse, Tatsuya danced until he finally leaned against a wall to catch his breath. His exhausted demeanor was an act—he wasn't tired, of course—but it made girls hesitant to approach, assuming he needed a break.
As he rested, someone offered him a drink. Tatsuya reached for it, murmuring thanks, then froze when he saw who it was.
"…President Juumonji," he said, surprised.
"Not quite like the battlefield, is it?" Katsuto remarked, his tone dry.
"I'm not used to places like this," Tatsuya admitted. "You, on the other hand, don't seem fazed at all, President."
"I'm accustomed to it," Katsuto replied simply.
Unsure of Katsuto's intentions, Tatsuya braced himself, wondering how to handle the situation. Katsuto spoke first.
"Shiba, come with me for a moment."
"Understood," Tatsuya replied, handing his empty glass to a passing waitress.
Katsuto exited the hall, and Tatsuya followed without protest, ignoring the longing glances directed at him. As they moved through the lobby to the courtyard, Tatsuya steeled himself for something troublesome.
"Shiba, you're part of the Ten Master Clans, aren't you?" Katsuto asked, his voice carrying an unyielding intensity.
"No, I'm not," Tatsuya replied bluntly.
His answer was unadorned truth. Though he carried the blood of the Four Leaves, he wasn't recognized as part of the Ten Master Clans by most, nor did he consider himself one. Katsuto's pressure didn't faze him.
"I see," Katsuto said, his intensity fading as if satisfied by the sincerity in Tatsuya's response.
"Then, as a magician acting as deputy representative for the Juumonji family in the Ten Master Clans' meeting, I'll offer you some advice. Shiba, you should join the Ten Master Clans."
Tatsuya listened as if it were someone else's problem. For someone of Four Leaves blood, Katsuto's words were akin to suggesting he fight his own family.
"Maybe something like the Saegusa family?" Katsuto continued.
"You mean… as a marriage prospect?" Tatsuya asked, clarifying.
"Exactly."
"I'm just a high school student, unlike you or the student council president. Marriage isn't on my mind yet."
"Really?" Katsuto said, surprised.
"Yes. Besides, isn't your name linked with the president's?"
"True," Katsuto admitted.
"Do you dislike her?" Tatsuya asked.
"No, Saegusa has her charming side… Wait, are you concerned about age? If so, maybe her younger sister—"
As they spoke, Tatsuya realized Katsuto was a natural adversary, much like the Juumonji family's Phalanx. Their compatibility was simply poor.
"Regardless," Katsuto said, his tone growing serious, "defeating a future head of the Ten Master Clans head-on carries heavier consequences than you might think. Be prepared."
With that, Katsuto returned to the hotel.
"You're one to talk…" Tatsuya muttered under his breath, too low for Katsuto to hear, reflecting on how Katsuto's actions had forced him to face Masaki in the first place. He shifted his gaze elsewhere.
"Something wrong?" a voice asked.
Tatsuya gave a wry smile as his sister emerged from the shadows. "I was just curious about you and Juumonji-senpai."
"It's almost time for the last song," Miyuki said.
"Is it?" Tatsuya replied.
"Yes. Onii-sama, will you dance the final one with me?"
"Of course. We'd better hurry back, then."
"No need," Miyuki said. "We can hear the music from here. Besides, it'd be a waste of time to go back."
Tatsuya nodded at her suggestion, taking her hand. In that secluded spot, unseen by others, the siblings danced until the music faded.
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