Chapter 14 – If You Confess Under The Legendary Tree, That Kind Of Legend
What the hell is happening right now…
Looking at the figure of me wearing a tuxedo and a black tie reflected in the mirror, I sighed.
The information provided by Hizumi in the pool was actually something that even I found shocking.
— Devil religion will attack the cruise tonight.
Tonight, that is the issue.
Originally, the attack of devil religion should be an event that will be happening on the third day of the recreation camp… In other words, it is supposed to occur tomorrow.
Which means, the flow of the scenario is changing, and I don’t know whether it is a good thing or a bad thing.
Although I can’t immediately judge what was the case at this point, the fact that the flow of the scenario has changed means that there have been some changes from the game… and if we’re talking about the difference from the game, the only thing I can think of is the fact that I’m taking Hiiro’s place.
And I will protect Yuri… no, those girls. I made this resolution long ago. Especially if I’m the cause.
Attack of the devil religion. If the attack happens just like the way it should be, my intervention should be unnecessary. Tsukiori alone should be enough to handle the matter, and I just have to watch that gallant figure of her and root for her while swinging my light sticks, shouting 『Yuri!! Oh, Yuri, awaken!!』.
However, there is something that I am curious about. Originally, retainers of the devil religion were bound by a mark that such 『As long as the brand of Arshariya is engraved in their bodies, they can never say something disadvantageous to her.』. And although hidden with a flesh-colored sticker, Hizumi was properly marked by the mark of Arshariya. Yet, she could tell me, 『There will be an attack tonight』.
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There are two possibilities. Hizumi might be lying or a strong higher up is coming, so she doesn’t have to worry even if she told me that. Also, Hizumi was attacked by some monsters, probably to seal her mouth. At that point, it is certain that a high-ranking magician is involved in this attack. But, if the magician is just to that extent, it would be fine…. yes, if the magician is just that much.
However, if a magician whose rank was higher than I could imagine came… at that time…
“…”
I looked in a mirror and saw the blonde bastard also laughed when I laughed.
Looking at that, I sighed.
Why did I become the most hate-collecting character in the Esco world and flirted with the heroines… 3000 leagues in search of Yuri… No matter how long I walk, if I go the wrong way, there is no way I can reach my destination.
“Oi, bastard.”
I laughed at the trashy blonde insect in the mirror.
“We might face a do-or-die situation… so, be prepared… I don’t think I need to get permission from garbage like you, but… in case of emergency…. you know what to do, right…?”
I then gave a bitter smile to the garbage who can’t even reply.
“I’ll protect everything you’re trying to break.”
With that, I leave the vacant room with Kuki Masamune in my hand.
“Maybe that’s why… I came here.”
Closing the door, I raised my middle finger at the guy in the mirror in the darkness.
“Yuri is the best.”
Locking the mirror in the darkness, I headed into the light.
—-
Recreation camp, main event of the second day. It was a dance party held at the dance hall on the Amethyst deck, the lower deck on the cruise.
Splendid spiral staircases, gorgeous chandeliers that lighten the place with its brilliant light, and marble-lined floor that colored the place with a dazzling atmosphere.
Although this dazzling hall I was in right now is quite large, sure enough, it is still not enough for every student from A to E class to enter. Therefore, the event is divided into 5 parts of 30 minutes each time, which makes the party 2 hours and 30 minutes in total.
It is up to each student to decide when to dance from the 1st to the 5th part, but due to the number of people, they are not allowed to participate in all the parts. A student can only participate in one of the five parts of the event.
Just like every other Yuri game… or rather, any other romance simulation game, there is a legend in this kind of dance event.
— two people who danced together at this dance party in the recreation camp will be together with each other forever.
A very romantic legend.
It’s like a legend made by an evil spirit that said if you get confessed by a girl under a certain tree and become a couple there, you will be happy forever with that girl (extreme type).
Anyway, here, Tsukiori Sakura (player) will be forced to make a choice.
That is, who she will dance with.
Since the favorability of the heroine who danced with us here will be raised, the players need to be careful when they choose here. Mulle wasn’t here, after all. I often heard people talking about how they failed to enter another heroine’s route because they selected to dance with a heroine here without thinking and ended up entering Lapis’s or Rei’s route, making their effort go to waste.
If you’re not aiming for Lapis or Rei, then you unfortunately have to select 『Go back to the room and sleep.』 or 『Joining the part where no heroines are attending.』 here.
Needless to say, in this kind of event where the heroines’ favorability toward me could increase tremendously, I will– not participate, of course ^_^
So, I have to select 『Go back to the room and sleep』. It’s basic, you know? Basic.
That’s what I wanted to say, but as you can already see from this gallant tuxedo appearance (I’m not saying Hiiro is gallant), as long as I know the devil religion will attack tonight, I decided to participate in this event in case of emergency.
Of course, I’m not going to dance with anyone. I will just behave well and enjoy the meal and Caprese.
Subsequently, I will also hide Kuki Masamune at the party hall. I will use my newly acquired power 『Distortion Field』 to erase its presence in the corner of the hall.
Kuku… with this, no one can find it anymore… This is precisely me, perfect camouflage… this is the ultimate form of watching Yuri… hmmm, let’s call it Dailily Note… the current me is invincible… (Feeling invincible)
I am having so much fun right now. Tsukiori, Lapis, Rei, Hizumi, and Ojou… I’m so looking forward to seeing who dances with whom and make the Yuri bloom… ^_^
When I was thinking about something like that… the hall suddenly became noisy.
As if afraid, the Ojou-samas who gathered in the hall made way for someone.
Blue dress. Like the calm ocean, the dress spread its gentle blue color to the floor and seemed to be shining under the light. To put it simply, it was gorgeous. But more than that, the girl wearing such a stunning dress is more beautiful.
Wearing a tiara with jewels, Lapis Klue La Lumet, who is advancing through the hall gracefully, instantly draws the eyes of everyone in the hall. Her long hair that has been put together seemed to emit a golden light, like an eternally beautiful blue and gold that is tearing through the darkness. Overwhelmed by her beauty, everyone in the hall had their breaths taken away.
The elf princess, who sucked in the light emitted by the chandelier and made it her own brilliance, was just so beautiful that anyone would nod if she was introduced as an angel.
Then, with her hands covered by long gloves, she, who silenced the hall by her appearance, brought her eyes down and stood quietly. It was as if she was waiting for someone.
Subsequently, the orchestra that has been waiting in the theater begins to play a song that shines in this moonless night. Hearing that, the young ladies who were mesmerized by Lapis regained themselves and picked the hands of their partners and began to dance.
“…”
Lapis raises her face and looks around the hall.
She must be looking for Tsukiori.
Lapis, who doesn’t seem to belong to this world, was completely cut off from the surroundings, no one tried to invite her to dance. That is why no one could take her hand other than Tsukiori Sakura.
One minute, five minutes, and then finally, ten minutes have passed. However, neither Tsukiori nor Rei appeared.
Gradually, uneasiness began to appear in Lapis’ face, as she squeezed her hands many times and nervously looked at the surroundings.
However, I cannot make a move here. Because this dance event is one of the important events and will determine the future direction of the MC. Thus, who she will dance with must be chosen by Tsukiori herself.
“… If it’s like that, even the princess of Alfheim will also lose her face.”
“… Ee, pitiful.”
While giggling and laughing, the duo in front of me happily looked at Lapis.
“Looks like it was true that the Princess of the elf country has no friends.”
“She is an elf, after all. She is different from a human. Besides, she is also a princess. No wonder she doesn’t feel like dancing with anyone.”
The two with a nasty smile gradually increased the volume of their voices.
Perhaps hearing the two, Lapis grabbed the hem of her blue dress tightly. And I looked at that figure of her from the corner of the hall.
— School is about to start, after all, and as soon as we enter, ‘that’ will be held, right?
She was so looking forward to this dance event.
— that’s why I thought I’d buy a dress.
She even took me to buy a dress especially for this occasion.
“Even though she appeared extravagantly, pitiful.”
“Ah~, even though she used such a wonderful dress, what a waste.”
And she came here wearing such a gorgeous dress, without bringing any escort regardless of the danger, just to make some friends.
“Won’t she cry?”
“Ahaha, look, her eyes started to become teary.”
Lapis grabbed the hem of her dress stronger, as tears started to pile up in her beautiful eyes.
The moment I saw that– my body was moving, as if it was natural. I walked straight and charged into the duo.
“Oi.”
They turned around and took a step back as they saw me.
“Can you withdraw from here?”
“W-what is it all of a sudden! E-even though you’re just a man–”
“This is a place for Ojou-sama to deepen their interactions with each other, not a place where people without manners can come. Go back to your parents’ house and relearn everything from table manners.”
“L-let’s go! T-this guy is dangerous!”
Just like that, they leave.
Then, I walked to Lapis and, in her surprise– kneeled while extending my right hand.
“Would you please dance with me?”
Looking up at Lapis whose eyes were widely opened, I smiled.
“The dress suits you. It’s beautiful.”
Hearing that, she smiled and tears ran down her cheeks.
“You’re too slow… stupid…”
Lapis and I then stood in the dance hall hand-in-hand.
A man and a woman. Moreover, one is a Princess and the other is a frivolous blonde man.
Automatically, the chatter in the dance hall disappeared, and only the performance of the orchestra dominated the place. The glow of the chandelier dances right above us, and we step matching to that glow.
In this brightly colored dance hall, we matched our breath, dancing, while Lapis was staring at me with a dreamy look. And unable to look back at such a dazed look, I could only stare at her shoulder.
“Hiiro, you suck.”
“It’s natural. My dance history is 0 years, 0 months, 0 weeks, and 0 days, after all.”
“Then, let’s take this opportunity to learn. I’ll teach you.”
“Oh, I’m honored to be taught directly by a Princess.”
With that, we continue our dance. And before I knew it, time had passed, and as the song was over, Lapis stared at me.
I then let go of her hand and raised my voice.
“I can’t believe this!! To think Lapis-sama even agreed to dance with me even though I am a man, how merciful she is!! Eh?! You’re saying you will dance with anyone?! Are you serious?! First come, first served?!”
Thanks to my declaration, the hall became noisy, as the Ojou-sama in the hall whispered with excitement.
“She danced with a man?! That Lapis-sama?!”
“I-in that case, will she dance with me too?”
“I-I mean she danced with a man, you know?! If she is fine dancing with a man, I’m sure she will dance with me!!”
I hold Lapis’s hand while showing an overreaction.
“If no one comes, then I’ll have you dance with me aga– gebu!!”
Being pushed aside by numerous Ojou-sama who rushed to Lapis, I was forcefully kicked out from the side of Lapis.
In no time, she was surrounded by girls.
“P-please!! With me!! Please dance with me!! I’ve always been your fan!!”
“Hey, please don’t cut into line?! Lapis-sama will dance with me next, you know?!”
“L-Lapis-sama, I know this is disrespectful, b-but, this is my contact information!! I-if you like, can we go somewhere together next time?!”
“Ee… etto… ano…”
Lapis, who had suddenly become popular and surrounded by many people, stared at me through the gaps in the wall of girls.
Looking at that, I smiled at her.
“Have fun.”
“Ah… H-Hiiro…!”
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With such a satisfying result, I leave the place with a grin.
With this, the number of girls aiming for Lapis has increased at once… the possibilities are endless… At worst, I’m fine even if she isn’t with Tsukiori… Yuri had to be free, after all… Lapis, do your best to find your fated girls among them…
While leaving the place dashingly, I waved my hand with my back facing her. The man who gets in the way of Yuri will coolly leave.
However, when I tried to return to the corner of the hall, my road was suddenly blocked–
“Good evening, Hiiro-san.”
“Tsukiori… you bastard… where did you go…!”
In front of me, who subconsciously spit out a curse, Tsukiori smiled.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Anyway, the line is waiting, so come back to the dance hall.”
“O-oi, don’t push me, and what do you mean?”
“Sakura-san, next is me, okay? I have a reservation to be Onii-sama’s next partner. Please do not make a mistake.”
“No, no, no, how about the legend?! Do you girls know about the legend?! Hey?! You can’t dance with anyone casually– Tsukiori, you bastard, don’t strengthen your body with magic?! Help me!! Anyone!! I’m being forced to dance!! Anyone!! Help me please!! This is a forced dance!! Noo!!!! I’m being forced to dance in front of everyone!!”
Without being able to resist, I was dragged to the dance hall.