As Takashi approached Kaguya and extended his hand to invite her to dance, the eyes of the entire banquet hall fell on them.
She had jet-black hair, fair skin, and a slender figure.
He had striking silver hair, handsome features, and long legs.
Together, they were beauty and charm incarnate—just standing side by side was a visual feast.
Kaguya didn't take her eyes off Takashi as he crossed the room to her.
Because of the height difference, she had to tilt her head up to meet his gaze.
Her cherry-pink lips parted slightly.
"Using me as a shield?"
Takashi answered in a clear voice,
"Yep."
"Yozakura Hitomi hates me, you know?"
"I do."
"And yet you still dare to invite me to dance?" Kaguya's tone turned playful. "Aren't you afraid of her punishing you?"
Takashi answered earnestly,
"That's not punishment. That's a blessing."
It's not like she'd kill him.
At least, not over something this small.
Her version of punishment would probably just be… licking her toes.
Call that punishment? That's basically dessert.
"…"
Kaguya sweatdropped at how calmly he said something so utterly ridiculous.
Seriously, can you stop being such a clown?
"Looks like Yozakura's trained you very well."
"Or maybe…" Takashi replied,
"…this is just my true nature."
I used to be normal. Now I'm a pervert.
"You—never mind."
Kaguya looked like she was about to say something, but gave up halfway.
To Takashi's surprise, she gently placed her hand in his.
"You're not rejecting me?" he asked in disbelief.
Given their relationship, he'd fully expected her to turn him down.
Saying yes was the unexpected part.
"It's just a dance."
"Even if I don't dance with you, I'd still have to dance with someone else."
"Today's my birthday—and you're my guest."
Her tone was calm and composed. She didn't like Takashi, but she wouldn't embarrass a guest at her own party.
That was just basic etiquette.
If she humiliated him here, who knows how the others would gossip afterward?
"And also—"
Kaguya paused for effect, glancing sidelong at Hayasaka Ai.
"If Hayasaka sees me dancing with you, what do you think she'll feel?"
Takashi's face turned pale, then green, then white again—like a Sichuan opera face change.
By now, the two had reached the center of the dance floor and begun the basic steps of the waltz.
Kaguya studied him with amused curiosity.
"Then let me ask you—" Takashi said as he gently held her slender waist and her hand.
"If Shirogane Miyuki sees you dancing with me, what do you think he'll feel?"
Now it was Kaguya's turn to scowl.
"I'll play this video in front of him on a loop on your wedding day."
Bring it on!
Let's hurt each other!
You might win big, but he won't be losing either.
The Bull-Horned Cuckold Chief… activated!
Kaguya lifted her heel and mercilessly stomped down on Takashi's foot.
"UURRGHH!!"
Since it was a ball, Kaguya was wearing crystal high heels that night.
The sharp pain made Takashi instinctively tighten his arms around her waist, pressing her body even closer to his.
"Oh no! Are you okay, Kitahara-kun?" Kaguya asked in a sweet, concerned tone.
Though she'd done it on purpose, she feigned total innocence.
This was a signature negotiation tactic passed down in the Shinomiya family from their imperial diplomacy training.
Her expression and voice were precisely calculated. Even gods would fall for it.
Thanks to this inherited technique, everyone watching thought Kaguya had stepped on him by accident—distracted by their conversation.
In short—it was all Takashi's fault.
Alright, alright… so that's how we're playing it?
But who was Takashi?
He wasn't the type to take a loss.
In less than a second, he adjusted his expression, burying his face in Kaguya's soft hair, inhaling the scent of her shampoo, feeling the warmth of her body, and the sweet moisture of her breath.
He opened his mouth and said: "Baby."
Just that one word—"baby"—made Kaguya break out in goosebumps.
"Why are you rewarding me all of a sudden?"
She still hadn't moved her foot during her apology, but now, after hearing that, she quickly pulled it back.
She didn't dare step again—
Because she was afraid Takashi might like it.
"You smell so good, baby."
Kaguya backed away, but Takashi had no intention of letting her off.
He went on the offensive.
"Can you move a little further away from me?"
She had been so focused on his expression earlier, she hadn't realized just how close they were. Now she did.
Their limbs were tangled, bodies pressed tightly together.
There was barely enough space for a breeze between them.
Kaguya tried to push him away, but whether it was the high heels or the pressure of all eyes watching, she couldn't make any big movements.
Her face was now buried in Takashi's chest.
At least, that's what Kotonoha, Eriri, and Hayasaka Ai saw.
All three cursed her in their hearts:
"Shameless vixen!" ×3
To Kaguya's "Get away from me," Takashi only responded with:
"Hehe~"
Hehe your ****!
Kaguya was a lady of exceptional breeding—but right now, facing Takashi… She broke character.
She cursed him again and again in her heart, venomous and vulgar like a telegraph operator sending encrypted war codes.
During the rest of the dance, she kept "accidentally" stomping on his foot—like she was performing a tap dance routine on his toes.
But Takashi was stubborn to the core.
No matter how many times she stepped on him, he refused to let go.
It was supposed to be one dance.
But Takashi wouldn't release her. He just kept going, tireless, as if he intended to dance with her until the end of time.
In truth, Takashi was monopolizing Kaguya—but that wasn't how the others saw it.
"How long have they been dancing?"
"At least ten minutes?"
"Looks like the Shinomiya girl's taken quite a liking to him."
To the onlookers, it looked like Kaguya was the one monopolizing Takashi.
After all, who would dare force the Shinomiya heiress?
If she didn't want it, no one would dare press her.
Is this a declaration of war?
Kotonoha was normally gentle and quiet, but hearing the murmurs around her, she felt that Kaguya was silently saying:
"He's mine now."
"What the hell? Why him?"
A rich young man who secretly loved Kaguya was furious.
He was a guest representing the Konoe family. Former fiancé of the Sawamura heiress.
Currently dating the proud and elegant Yukinoshita second daughter. And now… even the Shinomiya princess?
How is this guy getting so much love from rich girls?
Answer me, God!
Is this fair?
"He's just… really good-looking."
"Come on, I'm not bad-looking either. Why didn't Lady Kaguya choose me?"
You wish.
All the rich daughters glanced at him once, then immediately returned their gaze to Takashi.
No use staring.
They feared even one second more would pollute their eyes.
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