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“Hey, Kou. Hijiri. How are you holding up?”
“…Ah, Subaru.”
“I’m so tireddd.”

Hijiri and Kou had spent the evening in the party hall, standing as a pair of radiant figures. Various adults had approached them throughout the night to chat, and by now, Kou’s cheeks were starting to ache from forcing a smile for so long. Once there was a lull in the conversations, Subaru made his way over to them.

“How’s everyone else doing?”

Kou was slightly concerned about the other guests Amari had invited.

Everyone was dressed in outfits Amari had arranged for the evening, and Hinagiku and Miyuki’s dresses were just as impressive as Kou’s, enhancing their natural charm. Kou couldn’t help but wonder if they were also being stopped by adults or if they’d at least managed to enjoy some food.

“Ah, don’t worry. They’re both eating to their hearts’ content. Thankfully, no one’s rude enough to interrupt kids while they’re eating—most are just watching from a distance.”
“I see… That’s a relief.”
“If anything, you two are the only ones who haven’t had a chance to eat yet. Here, take this and get something in you.”
“Aww, thank you, Subaru! I’m so lucky to have such a thoughtful brother!”

Subaru handed them plates of food. He played it off as nothing, but it was clear he had carefully selected items to suit their tastes.

The girls gratefully accepted the food and, now free from their social obligations, began to eat.

“Still, I almost didn’t recognize you two. You both look stunning.”
“Eheheh, thank you. It’s my first time wearing a dress like this, so I’m constantly stressing about not spilling anything on it…”
“Ahaha, same here… But thank you. You look really sharp, Subaru.”

Kou smiled earnestly as she returned the compliment, finally able to relax in the company of someone familiar and comfortable.

“…When are you going to learn to be more careful…” Subaru muttered under his breath.
“Hm?” Kou tilted her head, puzzled.
“Never mind… it’s nothing,” he said quickly, looking away, his gaze avoiding hers.

Hijiri, watching the exchange, chuckled softly at her brother’s reaction, leaving Kou even more confused.

Regardless, the compliment had been genuine. Subaru really did look impressive.

Though not in a dress, Subaru wore a casual suit appropriate for the evening’s dress code. His hair was neatly groomed, and his outfit was spotless, with not a single wrinkle in sight. He resembled a younger version of Kaname, who had finally recovered from his emotional reaction to seeing Hijiri in her gown and now looked like the lead actor in a film, charming the ladies as he made his way through the room greeting guests.

Subaru might have found himself in a similar position if not for…

“It must be frustrating that the only other guy your age here is that, though,” Kou remarked.
“Not really. At least no one’s paying attention to me like that. Honestly, it’s better this way.”

Subaru adjusted his glasses as he explained, seemingly unbothered and even relieved by how things had turned out.

“On the other hand, you and Hijiri are the center of attention, so if anything, I feel bad for you two.”
“Yeah, I really wish his little sister would suddenly appear and steal all the focus…”

The three of them glanced toward a lively corner of the hall.

A silver-haired youth stood there, completely surrounded by women. Despite the attention, he seemed utterly unfazed. It was Kuga Reo.

“Sigh… I don’t get how he does that…” Kou muttered.
“I guess you have to be really used to socializing to pull that off…”

Hijiri and Subaru were both quietly impressed by the prince-like manners Reo displayed so effortlessly.

The only explanation was that Reo had been exposed to social situations from a young age, so he was entirely unfazed by being the center of attention.

After observing the hall for a little longer, something caught their attention.

“Well, he’s certainly used to this kind of life. He’s a bit of a special case, so it’s pointless to compare yourselves to him.”
“Oh, Mom, you’re back.”

Amari had rejoined the group after finishing her rounds greeting the other guests.

“Pay attention now… He’s about to come over. You’ve been wanting to meet him, right, Kou?”
“Ah…”

They turned to see Reo excusing himself from the group of ladies and making his way toward them, accompanied by a towering man walking behind him—his grandfather.

That man was Aureo Uber, the principal of Morinomiya High, the school Kou and her friends attended. Aureo was one of the pioneers of full-dive VR technology, widely regarded as a genius. He also happened to be Kou’s idol, someone she deeply admired and aspired to emulate.

“…Kou?”
“Hyawhat?!”
“Yeah, she’s hopeless. She’s already too nervous.”
“She’s admired him since she was little, so it’s only natural…”

The moment Kou realized he was heading straight toward her, her mind went blank, and she began trembling nervously.

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