Translator: “Kell” Editor: ”Weasalopes”

I got the skill so I was ready to dance . Thought it seemed my turn won’t come any time soon . There were generally two kinds of dances at n.o.ble parties . First, was where anyone could dance regardless of cla.s.s . The second was where people took turns on the dance floor with the ones belonging to the highest cla.s.s of n.o.bles going first then gradually going down the ranks . Right now, it was the latter .

Musicians played music then a couple moved to the center of the room and started dancing . The man was of the highest cla.s.s of n.o.bles: the marquis . Though in his fifties, the man danced the waltz with his beautiful wife skillfully .

Proper etiquette dictated that when someone of higher cla.s.s than you danced, you were supposed to watch them and not touch your food . However, talking quietly with someone beside you was allowed . In fact, a man about twenty years old was talking to Emma .

「It’s me, Mike, second son of the Kentoll family . You’ve gotten more beautiful, Emma Brightness-san . 」

「It has been a while . You’re still a smooth-talker, Mike-sama . 」

Emma has been in these formal occasions since she was young and it showed . She was used to interacting with n.o.bles and was a lot better at it than me . Usually she was blunt, but times like this, her manner of speaking and her gestures were refined .

I felt just a bit jealous because it was a side that she didn’t show much to me . But this was not the real Emma… I think . I really don’t know .

「Emmsan, can you reconsider my courts.h.i.+p with you? I’ve grown a lot in different ways since then . I’m confident I won’t lose to other n.o.bles who court you . 」

Now this I’ve witnessed a lot . Boys would always ask her out in Hero School .

「Well, uhm, like I told you before…」

「Do you already have someone you like?」

「Yes, something like that . Ohohoho~」

She tried to dodge the question with a laugh she clearly wasn’t accustomed to . The man sighed and finally noticed me . Well, that took long enough! If I were a monster, I would’ve devoured you already .

「Is he your brother?」

「No, he’s my childhood friend . He’s the third son of the famous Stalgia family . 」

Sorry, Emma . I know you’re just trying to make me look good, but the Stalgia family isn’t exactly famous . Infamous would be a bit more appropriate, honestly .

「I’m sorry for the late introduction . I’m Mike Kentoll from a viscount family . I just turned nineteen . 」

「I’m Noir Stalgia, from a quasi-baron family . Sixteen years old . 」

「A quasi-baron . No wonder I never heard of the Stalgia family . 」

I shot him a cursory glance and I could see the triumphant look on his face . Not that it was anything new . After knowing of my lower rank, he changed his tone to a more coercive one .

「What’s your relations.h.i.+p with Emmsan?」

「Like she said, I’m her childhood friend . 」

「So you’re not lovers . Then can I ask her to be my dance partner?」

「Yes, you can ask her, technically . You’re free to do so . 」 I said with a hint of sarcasm .

He immediately asked Emma but got kindly rejected . I was to be her dance partner after all . But the man was persistent and wouldn’t back down .

「How about this, Emmsan? When it’s the viscounts’ turn, you dance with me . Then you dance with Norsan when it’s the quasi-baron’s turn . 」

「It’s Noir, Mige-san . 」

「Ah, I apologize . Also, my name is Mike . I hope we get more acquainted . You won’t run away from a challenge, would you, Noir-san?」

Even though I tended to avoid pointless disputes, I couldn’t back down this time . Not when he was asking for it .

「I don’t mind . Since this a contest, there will be a loser and winner, correct?」

「That’s right . It’s a contest to see which one of us can better lead Emmsan in a dance . We decide the winner by the applause and the reaction of the crowd after the music is over . 」

「Very well . I accept . 」

「Are you sure about this, Noir? You’re not good at dancing . 」

Mike-san wore a smug expression while glancing at Emma who couldn’t hide her worry .

「Oh, dear . That’s information I shouldn’t be privy about . 」

「It’s quite okay . There’s no problem at all . 」

「Noir…」

It’s okay, Emma . Sure, skill wasn’t everything . Even with the【Dancing】skill I just learned, I might not please everybody . But I’m not losing to this Mike guy .

After the marquis finished dancing, a roar of applause rang through the entire hall for a moment . Next was the host, the Counts’ turn to dance and the place erupted in cheers . It was finally the viscounts’ turn and a number of couples moved to the dance floor . Among them were Emma and Mike .

The music played and everyone started dancing . It was waltz . There were a lot of them but I could follow the two of them with my eyes . While she wore a not-so-revealing dress, Emma still looked s.e.xy and most of all, she was beautiful than the rest .

Mike was a really good dancer . I wouldn’t have had a chance had I not learned the skill I needed . He looked like he had ample experience as he managed to lead her almost perfectly . There was a round of applause as soon as the music was over, mainly for the two of them . Emma came back to her seat, a little bit short of breath, sweat on her forehead .

「Let’s do our best next . 」

「Yeah . I’ll make sure I win . 」

「I hope you do well, Noir-san of the Stalgia family . 」

I didn’t respond to my compet.i.tion . Emma and I moved near the center of the hall to prepare ourselves .

「I’m all warmed up so I can go all out now . 」

「I’m gonna win for sure . 」

I was getting fired up, but Emma tapped my shoulders to calm me down .

「You’re too tense, Noir . The contest is important of course, but we should also enjoy ourselves . This is our chance to dance together . 」

「I know, but…」

「I came to this party so I could dance with you . Stop looking at Mike-san . You have Emma in front of you, Noir-dono . 」

Upon seeing Emma’s lovely smile up close, I could feel the vigor leaving my body in a good way . I was finally calm and relaxed . I realized that the most important thing was to enjoy the moment .

「It’s okay if you’re not good . It’s okay if you fall over . Let’s just dance together!」

「You’re right . Thanks . It’s time to get down . 」

And then the music played, as if the musicians read our minds . I straightened myself, took Emma’s hand, and began dancing the waltz . I knew how to do the waltz, albeit poorly, but with my recently-acquired skill, my steps tonight were light . Emma was surprised as she watched me moved .

「Y-You’re good . Even better than me . How?」

「I’m sorry I didn’t say anything, but I actually acquired a dancing skill . You don’t have to worry about me holding you back, so dance to your heart’s content . 」

「Okay! Let’s have some fun! 」

They say that the flow of time is constant, but that is not how the body perceives it . During rough times, it feels like every minute, every second is longer than usual . Inversely, when you’re having fun, you could easily forget the time . We spun, our backs arched, and our arms extended . With perfectly matched steps, we danced and shared the same moment . The entire hall turned into our very own world .

We finished at the exact same moment the music stopped . Then a roar of applause and cheers echoed throughout the hall, the loudest so far this evening . Even the people on the dance floor applauded . Her hands still on mine, we raised them both, and bowed deeply .

「It was really fun dancing with you . 」

「Same here . I hated dancing before, but I’m starting to like it now . 」

「Let’s do it again some other time . 」

I’ve completely forgotten about the contest . I only remembered after seeing Mike-san near our table, disappointed .

「I lose . I don’t think I can win against you . I wish you both happiness . 」

He quickly gave up . Or maybe he didn’t want to be persistent and be seen as a sore loser . Well, it was better for me this way anyway .

「That was amazing! When did you get so good at dancing, Noir-kun?」

「Yes, it was fantastic . You used to fall over a lot before . 」

Ladan-san and Romy-san recalled the past me and was surprised at how I changed .

「I’d like to be cool and say “People grow and improve . ”」

「I like that, Noir-kun . That kind of mindset is important in life . 」

Ladan-san wanted to dance with me next, but I was silent . The thought of dancing with a guy, an old— no, a senior at that, bodies close and holding hands, didn’t sit well with me . I tried to change the subject .

「By the way, Ladan-san . Please tell me about the Phantom . 」

「Ah, right . That . 」

His cheerful expression quickly changed to that of gloom . His next words would shock me .

「The Phantom is not only after the Mermaid’s Tear tonight . A few days ago, we received a notice from him saying he will… steal Emma . 」

「Steal Emma? That’s ridiculous . 」

I inadvertently took a step back from astonishment, and then it happened .

「Kyaa! What’s going on?!」

A lady was fl.u.s.tered . Completely understandable . After all, the lights suddenly went out . Anyone would panic if they were cast from a bright and colourful place to one of complete darkness . Amidst the heightening confusion, a young man’s voice rang from the ceiling and echoed through the entire hall .

「Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for waiting . It’s me, Phantom the thief . As per my notice, tonight, I’ve come to steal . 」