Chapter 1186: The Cruise Ship Banquet
The grand hall was brilliantly illuminated.
Every guest attending this banquet was a dignitary or noble from Itogami Island, all dressed in splendid attire and putting on refined airs. Servants carrying drinks weaved through the crowd, and under the neon lights, the clinking of glasses among the guests showcased both luxury and decadence.
The joint arrival of Eiji and Sayaka attracted considerable attention.
Sayaka's striking features naturally made her a focal point, but many also cast puzzled glances toward Eiji.
"You should probably take off your sunglasses and mask by now, right?"
Sayaka, well aware of the reason for their confusion, whispered the suggestion to Eiji.
"Can't."
Eiji shook his head decisively.
"Why?"
Sayaka furrowed her delicate brows, utterly perplexed.
"I'm too handsome!"
Eiji sighed deeply, speaking with exaggerated distress.
"If I take them off, I'll definitely make many people lose control of themselves!"
"..."
Sayaka looked at him with an expression reserved for idiots.
Forget it.
If he didn't want to take them off, so be it.
The guests at this banquet should all know proper etiquette and wouldn't rudely provoke others. Those spoiled brats who mock everyone they meet probably wouldn't catch Duke Ardeal's eye.
"Miss, may I have the honor of dancing with you?"
"Actually, I'm not feeling very well~"
Sayaka held her head, her delicate body swaying as if she were weak.
Understanding the polite refusal, the man drawn by her radiance had no choice but to retreat regretfully.
"Phew..."
Sayaka breathed a sigh of relief.
"Did he just ignore me?"
Eiji rubbed his chin, eyeing the departing man.
"Don't cause trouble!"
Sayaka looked at him warily.
Although she had only known this jerk for a few days, for some reason she deeply understood his personality—fearless to the extreme. He even dared to throw a punch at the Fourth True Ancestor face-to-face. If ordinary people offended him, there was no guarantee he wouldn't do something drastic!
"As someone as kind-hearted as me, it's always others who provoke me, okay?"
Eiji said discontentedly.
Why do you only target good people?
If you have the guts, go stop those idiots from bothering me!
Sayaka remained skeptical of his statement.
"Since we're at such a high-class banquet, aren't you going to dance a couple of times?"
Not wanting to argue endlessly with this completely unreasonable person, Sayaka wisely changed the subject.
"Not interested."
Eiji curled his lip.
"What about you?"
"I don't want to attract attention together with a weirdo like you.Sayaka also showed a look of polite refusal, casually dissing Eiji in the process.
"Besides, I have a slight case of androphobia. There's no way I could dance with a man."
In all her life, only the guy next to her made her feel no fear.
Too bad he's a jerk!
His personality is regrettable in every way!
...Though occasionally he says things that are somewhat pleasing!
Remembering his earlier words, "You're the only one who can help me," Sayaka's evaluation of him softened slightly.
Really, just slightly!
"Huh? So you're not afraid of me?"
"...Drop dead!"
Sayaka's face flushed slightly as she punched him in the chest.
"Of course I'm afraid of you too, so stay away from me!"
If I admitted it, wouldn't that be indirectly saying "You're special to me" or something like that!
Remembering they were at a banquet, she quickly softened her strength.
To outsiders, the two of them looked exactly like they were flirting.
Among the crowd.
A middle-aged man noticed their subtle interactions.
His gaze lingered on Sayaka for a moment before he walked straight over.
"Again?"
Feeling that gaze, Sayaka couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
"No, he's here for me."
But Eiji's words surprised Sayaka.
"Are you Nanjo Eiji?"
The middle-aged man wore a men's kimono, his expression carrying a calmness that wouldn't falter even if the sky fell, with a hint of fierceness between his brows. His authoritative presence was quite strong.
"That's me."
Eiji replied indifferently.
"Who is she?"
The middle-aged man shifted his gaze to Kousaka Sayaka beside him.
His eyes held appreciation, but without the eagerness of the previous man. Instead, it felt like he was scrutinizing something.
Sayaka didn't sense any offense from his gaze.
But she subtly detected a hint of displeasure.
What are you unhappy about, old man?
Sayaka inwardly complained.
"She's my classmate, and also my friend."
Eiji stated frankly.
Sayaka couldn't help but feel a warmth in her heart, deeply moved.
Wait!
Why am I so moved just because he considers me a friend?!
Sayaka suddenly came to her senses, abruptly feeling a belated fear.
How strange!
"Why didn't you bring Asagi as your companion?"
The displeasure in the middle-aged man's eyes became more apparent.
"What kind of question is that? Why would I bring Asagi?"
Eiji spoke as if he'd encountered a weird old man.
"..."
The middle-aged man remained silent, giving Eiji a deep look.
"I've heard some rumors about you. Hearing you say that actually makes me somewhat confident in Asagi's judgment."
He turned around and left straightforwardly.
"However, I'll relay what just happened to Asagi exactly as it was."
With those words, only his retreating back remained.
"Who was that man?"
Sayaka crossed her arms, accentuating her ample curves, speaking with slight displeasure.
"He seemed so arrogant!"
"Aoi Senzai, a member of the Itogami Island Council. Former yakuza."
"So he's a council member!"
Sayaka suddenly understood.
No wonder he acted so arrogantly.
"You said his family name is Aoi... Could he be related to Aoi Asagi...?"
"He's her father."
Sayaka showed an expression of understanding.
She knew Aoi Asagi too.
In Class 1-B, she was very popular. Rather, with her stunning gyaru appearance, she was actually popular throughout Saikai Academy.
Of course, more importantly, Aoi Asagi was Eiji's good friend and always found ways to get close to him.
Her obvious affection was clear to everyone in Class 1-B. Even Sayaka, who was new, could tell. However, everyone kept it to themselves for entertainment, quietly watching to see how far Asagi's misfortune would go!
"D-don't tell me he thought I was your l-l-l-lover or something?!"
Sayaka suddenly became nervous, stammering as she spoke.
"Don't worry, as long as I don't treat you as one."
"Go die!"
Sayaka's nervously pounding heart was abruptly disrupted once more.
The familiar "drop dead" slipped out, but she suddenly felt something was off.
"What?"
As expected, Eiji turned to look at her, his tone dripping with malice.
"Don't tell me you actually want to be my lover?"
Sayaka's heart skipped a beat.
"Of course not!!"
She vehemently denied Eiji's assumption with all her might.
"Could you two tone it down a bit? This is a public venue after all."
A thoroughly exasperated voice sounded beside them.
"Are you really so impatient that you have to flirt like monkeys right here?"
"Sorry, sorry!"
Noticing the disapproving glances from the banquet guests, Sayaka realized her mistake. Though the newcomer's words were sharp, she hurriedly apologized.
The next second, her eyes focused abruptly.
Standing before her was a girl about her own age.