Chapter 1185: An Easy Woman to Handle
"This is the situation—I have to attend a banquet tonight, but I must bring a female companion. After much thought, you're the only one who can help me!"
"...Only me?"
A hint of delight crept into the voice on the other end.
"That's right. I really need your help!"
"R-really, you're so hopeless. Fine, I'll be magnanimous and accompany you just this once!"
What an easy woman to handle!
...
East Island, Demon Island.
A massive ocean liner over four hundred meters long was docked by the shore, its snow-white hull resembling a crouching swordfish.
This vessel was among the largest cruise ships in the world, rumored to have cost hundreds of millions to build, with annual maintenance expenses reaching tens of millions of dollars. It stood as the ultimate example of flaunting the wealth and status of vampire nobility.
Standing before the colossal cruise ship, Kojou Akatsuki stared in stunned disbelief.
"Y-you mean the banquet you're attending is on this ship...?!"
"Exactly."
Eiji nodded calmly.
Damn these rich people!
When will I get to rob one of these tycoons and share the wealth with a poor soul like me?
"Why are you attending such a high-class banquet?!"
Sayo hugged her head, completely distraught.
"Is there a problem?"
"A huge problem! This is Duke Ordia Lu's cruise ship! To receive an invitation from him—just how much influence do you have?! And I only put on light makeup! I didn't prepare any proper evening gown at all!"
Sayo crouched on the ground, wailing in despair.
The latter part was the real issue!
She had assumed the banquet Eiji mentioned would be something casual among classmates or at most a company event. She never expected it to be on such an extravagant scale!
She wasn't even wearing a formal dress—still in her Kaiminami Academy high school uniform: a white blouse paired with a blue plaid skirt. While it gave her a youthful and vibrant look, complemented by her pretty face and slender figure, nobody would likely complain about her appearance.
But wearing a school uniform in this setting was beyond embarrassing!
"Originally, the invitation was for Natsuki, but she said she was busy and shoved me off to come instead."
Eiji fabricated casually.
"Don't worry, look—I'm in casual clothes too. Once we're on board, we can just ask the host for two sets, right?"
Such a massive cruise ship must have plenty of nice outfits, right?
"...Two sets?"
Sayo choked up instantly.
She stared at Eiji in disbelief.
Do you have no sense of shame at all?!
"What have I gotten myself into? I'm starting to regret coming with you..."
"Too late for regrets now. Come on, let's go!"
"Wait, at least don't drag me!"
Sayo steeled herself.
Since there was no escaping it, she might as well face it head-on. Once on board, no matter how much others mocked her, she'd simply ignore them!
One more thing—she absolutely must not reveal her identity as a Maihime. It would be utterly disgraceful to the Lion King Organization!
"Hello, please present your invitation."
"Here."
Eiji handed over the invitation that had arrived with the envelope.
Seeing the two in casual attire, the boy with a very gentle face showed no trace of contempt. Instead, when he noticed Eiji's sunglasses and mask, a faint look of surprise crossed his face.
After examining the names on the invitation, the boy raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Please come in."
He politely ushered the two into the cruise ship.
"Excuse me, could you get us two sets of formal wear?"
Eiji raised his hand and asked very directly.
Sayaka covered her face beside him, trying to hide her flushed cheeks.
If I can't see the embarrassment, it doesn't exist! If I can't see the embarrassment, it doesn't exist!
"Get two sets… of formal wear?"
The boy was taken aback, then let out a dry laugh.
"You two are quite amusing. Please come this way."
The boy beckoned, and a vampire subordinate respectfully approached to take over his hosting duties.
Then he bowed to the two and led them into the ship's cabin.
This vampire boy seemed to hold a fairly high position on the ship.
"This is the room where the formal wear is stored. Unfortunately, we cannot have them custom-made for you, so please choose styles that suit you. With that, I'll take my leave."
After saying this, he bowed once more and departed.
"How generous. Aren't they afraid we'll pack up the clothes and take them with us?"
Eiji chuckled as he opened the door.
The room, though not spacious, was bright and impeccably clean, with not a speck of dust in sight. On either side were men's and women's formal wear, likely prepared for the servants, but the styles were surprisingly varied.
Sayaka rolled her eyes.
What kind of people do you think attend such high-class events?
How could anyone of that stature be as shameless as you!
After spending so much time with Eiji, she no longer cared whether rolling her eyes would damage her image.
"Alright, let's change too!"
Eiji promptly took off his clothes.
"Wah! What are you doing?"
Sayaka suddenly shrieked, covering her eyes in panic.
A flash of pale skin suddenly filled her vision. Though it was her first time glimpsing a male body, she didn't find it repulsive. Instead, she was captivated by its sculptural beauty and biological perfection.
Is his physique a bit too good?
You couldn't tell from his appearance, but he actually has an eight-pack!
That's not a common physique even among men, is it?
Is this what a martial artist's body looks like?
I… I kind of want to touch it—
"You're not covering your eyes properly."
Eiji kindly pointed out the mesmerized gaze peeking through her fingers.
"…"
Sayaka remained silent.
She pulled the curtain to separate the men's and women's sides.
Then she crouched on the floor, clutching her head tightly.
"Eeeek—"
Stifled, shame-filled sounds escaped her throat.
"Are you done changing?"
"A-Almost!"
Before she could compose herself, the voice from the other side made her panic.
He changes clothes so quickly!
She hurriedly picked out an evening gown and changed into it.
When the curtain was drawn back, both were stunned by each other's appearance.
Eiji had casually chosen a black suit to wear, but his physique was naturally that of a top-tier model. Even an ordinary suit fit him perfectly, accentuating his long legs and slender waist.
Sayaka changed into a cheongsam-style halter dress that revealed her pale arms and smooth underarms. The slits on both sides of the skirt gave glimpses of her delicate legs, and the wine-red color complemented her milky-white skin exceptionally well.
"Not bad!"
Eiji praised.
"Eh? Ah, thank you."
Sayaka was taken aback for a moment before softly expressing her gratitude.
Was this guy actually capable of giving sincere compliments?
"Let's go, we mustn't keep our hosts waiting!"
Eiji opened his arm in a gesture.
"Y-yes, you're right!"
Sayaka took a deep breath.
With flushed cheeks, she stepped forward and linked arms with Eiji.
The two walked side by side toward the banquet hall.