"To everyone's hard work, and the excellent results we've achieved so far—cheers!"
"Cheers!!!"
The clear sound of glass cups clinking together rang out, lively and crisp, as laughter spilled across the room.
It was nighttime at the athlete's dorms. While most competitors from other schools were resting, saving their strength for the matches to come, the air in a certain room of First High was filled with joy.
Inside, Yotsuba Mahiro and Shiba Tatsuya sat in the room's only two chairs. Around the beds, the rest of the group gathered: Nakajou Azusa, Ichihara Suzune, Watanabe Mari, Kitayama Shizuku, Mitsui Honoka, Shiba Miyuki, and of course, Saegusa Mayumi—seven girls who sparkled with relief and satisfaction after days of pressure.
The Nine Schools Competition had reached its later stage. On the third day, the girls' team claimed the championship in Star-Picking Mirage, while the boys managed only a semi-final result in Code-Decode.
Still, the scoreboard left no doubts: First High had accumulated such a wide margin that, even without securing a single victory in the remaining two days, they would still walk away with the overall championship.
That was why Mayumi, always the elegant yet mischievous senpai, decided to hold a small celebration party in her room, sharing the moment with her closest comrades.
Originally, the gathering had been meant to include more students—Erika, Sayaka, and Mizuki among them. Yet Sayaka and Mizuki politely declined, insisting they hadn't competed and didn't want to intrude on a party meant for those who had. Erika, on the other hand, flat-out refused once she heard that Mari would also be present. The sharp tension between those two was still unresolved, apparently.
"Then, for the second toast!" Mayumi's voice carried cheerfully as she raised her glass again. "Let's give thanks to Mahiro-kun and Tatsuya-kun for their unwavering support in this year's Nine Schools Competition. Without them, things would have been far more difficult. Cheers!"
"Cheers!!!"
Fruit juice cups clinked once more. No alcohol was involved—it was a school event, after all—but the atmosphere was festive enough to make one forget.
Between sips of orange juice, Mari suddenly turned her sharp eyes toward Mayumi. "By the way, Mayumi, I heard the boys' team has been completely crushed in spirit because of their results. Is that true?"
"Eh… that's right," Mayumi admitted, exhaling with a sigh, her elegant shoulders sagging slightly.
Compared to last year's Nine Schools Competition, this one had been almost inverted. The boys' team had shined brilliantly the year before, while the girls struggled. This year, the opposite was true.
In the boys' events, aside from Yotsuba Mahiro's two championships and Hattori Hanzou's victory in Precision Shooting, the results had been disappointing. Kirihara Takeaki managed a fourth-place finish at best. Many of the others, particularly the rookies, didn't even make it to the finals. Their morale had plummeted as a result.
That was why Katsuto Juumonji, the intimidating leader of the Ten Master Clans' Juumonji family, was preparing for a decisive clash in Code-Decode to restore the boys' pride.
"I see…" Mari crossed her arms. "But Mayumi, won't Juumonji pushing so hard make things worse? After all, it's not entirely their fault. A big part of the problem lies with the engineers. The two best CAD technicians—Mahiro-kun and Tatsuya-kun—were assigned to the girls' side, right?"
Her words carried no malice, but they drew the room's attention. The implication was clear: the girls thrived because the best engineers were with them, while the boys suffered without equal support.
"Well… about that…" Mayumi's gaze drifted uncomfortably, as if the accusation pricked her pride.
Everyone in the room understood the truth. In the Nine Schools Competition, victories were often attributed to CAD engineers. Their adjustments, customizations, and tactical planning could make or break a competitor.
Tatsuya's contributions were undeniable—his precision and efficiency as an engineer had elevated many of the girls' matches. But Yotsuba Mahiro's achievements were almost beyond belief. Not only had he guided Mayumi, Shizuku, and Mari with devastatingly effective tactics, but he himself had also stepped onto the stage and seized two championships under crushing pressure.
The rumors were already spreading through the competition grounds: First High's victories were carried on the backs of two engineers.
"I think there's a problem with that line of reasoning," Mahiro suddenly interjected, his tone calm but firm.
Mari blinked at him. "Oh? And what problem is that, Mahiro-kun?"
Mahiro leaned back slightly, his eyes sharp. "Yes, the work of an engineer in the Nine Schools Competition can influence results. But it's not absolute. CAD engineers aren't gods. We can only draw out the potential already within the players. The rest comes down to their own effort, talent, and resolve."
The girls listened silently as his words carried weight.
"For example," Mahiro continued, "take Kitayama Shizuku, whom I was responsible for. The tactics I prepared for her wouldn't mean anything if Shizuku-san herself wasn't exceptional enough to wield them. Her computational ability, her calm decision-making, her strength in handling multiple CADs at once—those are hers, not mine."
Shizuku, sitting quietly with her juice, gave the faintest nod of acknowledgment, her cheeks coloring slightly.
Mahiro pressed on. "And if that's still not convincing, then look at my own case. I wasn't just engineering tactics for Mayumi-senpai, Shizuku-san, and Mari-senpai. I had to adjust my own CADs, endure the unfair rulings of the Nine Schools Competition committee, and still, I managed to win both of my events. The pressure wasn't any lighter for me. I simply refused to let it crush me."
He glanced around the room, his voice steady. "Or Hattori-senpai. He isn't known for engineering skill at all. But through his sheer determination and training, he pushed through to claim victory in Precision Shooting."
He let the silence hang for a moment before delivering his final words with sharp clarity.
"So if anyone underperforms, they should train harder. There's no need to invent excuses. Losing is losing. It's pathetic to cover it up with blame."
The bluntness of his statement carried weight. Though his tone carried a hint of self-praise, none could deny that his words were true. The fact that he had managed to secure victory despite the committee's obvious targeting was proof enough. Anyone else would have bragged endlessly.
"That's right. Mahiro-nii-san is absolutely correct." The first to speak up was Miyuki. Her clear, melodic voice carried firm conviction. "If they themselves aren't diligent enough, then even if they had engineers like Onii-sama and Mahiro-nii-san supporting them, it wouldn't matter. Talent is wasted without effort."
Her words were even sharper than Mahiro's.
Ichihara Suzune adjusted her glasses and chimed in next, her voice calm and logical. "I also agree with Mahiro-kun's statement. The boys' team should reflect on their own shortcomings instead of making excuses for failure."
"Th-that… I think so too," Nakajo Azusa stammered nervously, raising her hand like a timid rabbit caught in the spotlight.
Then Kitayama Shizuku, with her usual cool tone, spoke up. "Mahiro-kun is right. If you're bad, practice more. Look at Honoka, for example. Even though she can be a bit clumsy, she still trained hard for the 'Surfing Race' under Nakajo-senpai's direction and managed to win the championship."
"Eh?! W-wait! Why are you suddenly bringing me up?!" Honoka squeaked, her cheeks flushing pink as she gripped her teacup tightly. Her embarrassment only deepened under Shizuku's calm, merciless honesty.
"Ooh~ I didn't expect so many people to speak up in your defense, Mahiro." Mari's voice carried a teasing lilt, and her golden-brown eyes narrowed playfully as she scanned the group.
She quickly dismissed Ichihara Suzune and Azusa—those two were predictable enough, given their personalities. Shiba Miyuki's devotion was obvious as well. That left only one suspicious factor…
Her gaze lingered meaningfully on Kitayama Shizuku.
"Speaking of which," Mari drawled, "I've heard that you've been trying to recruit Mahiro lately, Kitayama-senpai. Planning to make him your exclusive engineer, huh?"
"That's right," Shizuku admitted without hesitation. "At first, I did want Mahiro-kun as my exclusive engineer. But now… it doesn't matter anymore, even if he isn't."
Her calm confession, free of hesitation, silenced the room.
"Oh? And what do you say, Mahiro?" Mari teased, shifting her gaze toward him.
Immediately, Shizuku's eyes sharpened, locking onto Mahiro like a hawk.
(…She's staring at me so intently…)
Mahiro sighed helplessly, raising both hands in mock surrender. "Please, spare me. I can't accept."
"Can you tell me why?" Shizuku asked, her voice steady, though a faint note of disappointment slipped through.
Mahiro averted his eyes from her intense gaze. "Don't look at me like that, Shizuku-san. I'll give you one reason. If, one day, I'm forced to return to the Yotsuba…"
The words hung heavily in the air.
"Ah…!" Shizuku gasped softly, her composure cracking for a brief instant.
The others, except for the Shiba siblings, all turned to Mahiro with wide eyes. Mayumi's lips parted as if to question him—Is that even possible?—but she quickly swallowed her words.
After all, the Yotsuba Family Head herself had appeared at the Nine Schools Competition to watch Mahiro's match. That alone proved the possibility was real.
"So, it's not that I don't want to accept," Mahiro continued quietly. "It's that I can't."
If he became Shizuku's exclusive engineer, Yotsuba Maya would almost certainly use her influence to crush the Kitayama family. He couldn't do something so underhanded.
But that didn't mean he would forgive certain provocations either.
Mahiro's lips curved into a faint smile as he turned toward Mari. "By the way, Mari-senpai… I've been curious about something. Where's your boyfriend? He was injured during the Nine Schools Competition, wasn't he? Yet I never saw him visit you. Instead, he freeloads around me every day."
His tone was deceptively casual, but the barb was unmistakable. "A bit unqualified, don't you think?"
The air grew tense. Mahiro leaned back slightly, as though amused at his own provocation.
But Mayumi interjected suddenly, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Um… Mahiro-kun. Don't you know?"
"Hm? Know what?" he asked, tilting his head.
"That Mari doesn't have a boyfriend at all."
"…Huh?!"
Mahiro blinked in shock. His mouth opened slightly as though he'd just been struck by lightning.
Watanabe-senpai… doesn't have a boyfriend?
But it was true.
Back when she was training at the Chiba dojo, Watanabe Mari had been pursued by Chiba Naotsugu—the second son of the Chiba family, Erika's elder brother, famed as the 'Chiba's Qilin Child.' But Mari had rejected him outright, leaving Shuji devastated.
Since then, Erika, who admired her brother deeply, had nursed a certain hostility toward Mari.
The realization left Mahiro staring blankly at Mari, his earlier smugness completely wiped away.
....
The following day, the tournament continued as scheduled.
With only two days remaining in the main competition, every high school brought out the best of their remaining participants. The overall champion had already been secured by First High, leaving no room for upsets. Still, the other schools refused to give up. They poured all of their effort into the matches ahead—each team desperately struggling to at least seize second place.
But even among the roaring cheers and fierce magic duels, some performances stood out.
On the very first day, Watanabe Mari had claimed victory in the "Star-Picking Mirage," bringing a graceful conclusion to her three years of school life. While the event lacked the sheer flash of flight magic, Mari's spellcraft—an intricate layering of movement, reinforcement, and hardening that allowed her to leap again and again as if ascending an invisible heavenly ladder—captivated the audience.
This time, there was no interference from [Headless Dragon].
In the Rookie Events, Shiba Tatsuya once again used his newly developed flight magic to support his sister. After Mahiro had spoken with her that day, Miyuki's hesitation had melted away. With renewed resolve, she chose to confront the competition at her full strength.
The moment Miyuki soared into the sky, shimmering wings of psions trailing like light across the heavens, the audience from all nine schools could only gasp in wonder. The refinement of her control, the radiance of her magic—no one could match her.
And when it came to the final stage—the "Monolith Code"—it became the perfect crescendo for the Nine Schools Competition.
The battle between Juumonji Katsuto, leading Hattori Hanzou and Tatsumi Kotarou, against Ichijou Masaki from Third High, could only be described as a clash between titans. The way Katsuto deployed his "Phalanx" (Ranged Multi-Layered Barrier Magic), weaving tactics seamlessly with his comrades, earned him overwhelming recognition from the entire stadium.
Masaki, famed as the "Crimson Prince," fought valiantly, blasting forth compressed air bullets that thundered across the field. Yet every strike shattered harmlessly against Juumonji's ironclad formation. Despite Masaki's fiery pride, he could not overcome that unyielding wall.
And so, in the end, he was defeated.
The crowd gasped, for this marked the first time in history that a member of the distinguished Ten Master Clans had suffered consecutive defeats in this competition. Yet all his opponents had also been of the Ten Master Clans, turning the event into an internal struggle that drew even more attention.
Perhaps that was why an unusual figure made his appearance in the special viewing stands.
Kudou Retsu—the ancient head of the Kudou Family and one of the most formidable men in Japan's magic world—had come to watch.
As the competition ended, Retsu suddenly felt a presence. Slowly, the old man lowered his gaze. Across the crowd, his sharp eyes met those of Yotsuba Mahiro.
"Old Man Kudou," Mahiro murmured under his breath, "as promised, I've come to see you."
After the Nine Schools Competition concluded, Mahiro met Kudou Retsu as they had agreed, to discuss the international crime syndicate known as [Headless Dragon].
But this time, the old man was not alone.
Beside him stood a tall woman in a white dress, her jet-black hair flowing neatly over her shoulders. Elegant yet commanding, she gave off the aura of a veteran soldier. Mahiro recognized her immediately—[Electronic Witch], Fujibayashi Kyoko. Second Lieutenant of the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion, and Kudou Retsu's granddaughter.
"Yo~ Mahiro-kun, it's been a while, hasn't it?" Kyoko greeted him with a playful smile, waving casually as if they were old friends.
Mahiro returned her smile with calm composure. "Yes, Fujibayashi-san. Three years since Okinawa, if I recall correctly. But… if you're here as well, then I suppose there's no need for me to bring up [Headless Dragon], right?"
His words shifted toward Retsu, who sat quietly sipping tea.
The elder finally set down his cup. "Indeed. I am already aware of the organization, and the traitors who infiltrated the Nine Schools Competition Committee have been purged."
His tone remained even, his face unreadable.
"On behalf of the officials, I thank you, Mahiro-kun. And I also wanted to see you… personally."
Mahiro chuckled, his eyes narrowing. "I can accept the first half. But as for you wanting to 'see me'… let's not pretend, Kudou-jii. You don't need polite words."
He smirked faintly. "I think, among everyone alive, you're probably the last person who actually wants to meet me outside the Fourth Research Institute. After all…" His voice dropped coldly. "The title 'Forbidden of the Fourth Research Lab' came from you, didn't it, Old Man Kudou?"
The words slammed into the room like a heavy weight. Silence spread.
Even Kyoko's breath hitched. She hadn't expected Mahiro to speak with such raw defiance, spitting out accusations without the slightest honorific. To insult her grandfather so openly—it left her stiff with shock.
Yet the elder only chuckled softly. "Heh… your tongue is still as sharp as ever, boy."
That gentle smile of his only made Mahiro feel like he'd struck nothing but empty air. Against these shameless elders, every barb simply bounced off.
"Tch… yare yare da na." Mahiro sighed, standing abruptly. "Since there's nothing more, I'll take my leave. The celebration party is waiting for me. Forgive me if I don't waste time chatting."
Without a glance back, he strode away.
Kudou Retsu's eyes lingered on the retreating figure. He sipped his now-cold tea and exhaled heavily.
That child… resistant to the core. Conversation was impossible. Force was meaningless—no magic could bind him. Only by using another method could this monster be restrained.
"Grandfather, are you alright?" Kyoko asked nervously.
"I'm fine…" Retsu murmured. His eyes shifted slightly. "But Kyoko, what do you think of Yotsuba Mahiro?"
"M-me?"
Kyoko froze, her lips parting in disbelief. The blood drained from her face. Others might not fully grasp the weight of his words, but how could she not? Kyoko understood very well the meaning behind her grandfather's question—yet she never imagined he would drag her into such a dangerous matter.
Her voice trembled as she asked, "Grandfather… do you mean…?"
Kudou Retsu's gaze was sharp, almost cruel, as though he could cut through her hesitation. "You should already know the purpose of the Ten Master Clans' existence, Kyoko. Beyond guiding the progress of Japan's magic society, their true role is to keep one another in check—to prevent any magician from losing control."
Kyoko lowered her head, lips pressed tight. As his granddaughter, she had always been aware of this truth.
"But in recent years," Retsu continued, "the Yotsuba have grown too powerful. With Shiba Tatsuya and his sister Miyuki, and now Yotsuba Mahiro… their very existence threatens to tilt the balance. If left unchecked, the framework of the Ten Master Clans will eventually crumble."
His words cut like a blade.
"And among them," Retsu said, narrowing his eyes, "Yotsuba Mahiro is the most dangerous. A magician's power alone cannot match him. Even the young lady of the Juumonji, or even I… could not hope to restrain him."
Kyoko's hands clenched tightly.
"That is why," her grandfather declared, "to handle such a beast… the only way is to bind it with a sturdy chain, and slowly tame it."
She was struck silent.
Couldn't someone else do this? She wanted to scream those words, but they remained trapped in her throat. According to all the reports, others already held affection for him—Kuroba Ayako of the Yotsuba branch family, Saegusa Mayumi of the prestigious Saegusa clan, even Mibu Sayaka, daughter of Mibu Yozo from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Any of them might do.
But she couldn't say it aloud.
The truth was undeniable. She was already twenty-four, and her family had begun pressing her to consider marriage. In the great clans of the magic world, there was no such thing as "freedom of marriage." It was duty before love.
Yet the thought of marrying a young man nearly eight years her junior…
She swallowed hard, unable to finish the thought.
...
Meanwhile, on his way back to the banquet hall, Mahiro was intercepted near the courtyard garden by a tall, broad-shouldered figure.
"Juumonji-senpai?" Mahiro tilted his head slightly. "Do you need something from me?"
"Yotsuba," Katsuto Juumonji said with his usual imposing presence, "spare a moment of your time."
It was clear he had been waiting for him.
"Don't worry," the towering man added, sensing Mahiro's cautious look. "I only wish to speak briefly. Nothing more."
Mahiro nodded, though the severe, square features of Juumonji's face betrayed no friendliness at all.
"…What is it?"
Following Juumonji, Mahiro was led into a quiet corner of the courtyard garden. The faint music of the banquet drifted through an open window, soft and distant, contrasting with the silence between them.
"Yotsuba," Juumonji began, his deep voice steady, "I recall you were considered a discarded member of your clan, correct?"
Mahiro answered plainly, "Yes. That's right."
It had been his initial role—bearing the Yotsuba name but never fully acknowledged as one of them. Even Yotsuba Maya herself had accepted that arrangement, covering for him when necessary.
"Good." Juumonji's reply was curt. Whether he meant it as approval or mockery was impossible to tell.
The man studied him for a long time, his gaze piercing. Finally, he gave a short nod.
"Then, as the assistant head of the Juumonji under the Master Clans Council, I have a proposal. Yotsuba… do you wish to rejoin the Ten Master Clans?"
Mahiro narrowed his eyes. "…Not through the Yotsuba, I presume?"
"Correct," Juumonji confirmed. "I am speaking of marriage. A formal union."
Mahiro blinked. "…You mean marrying into another clan?"
"Yes," Juumonji said without hesitation. "Let me think… How about Saegusa?" His tone was as serious as if he were discussing a military strategy. "Saegusa Mayumi seems to hold you in very high regard, doesn't she?"
Mahiro's expression twitched. Of course, he was aware of how complicated things had become with Mayumi. Their ambiguous relationship had crossed lines—after that kiss in the reading room, when she hadn't pulled away, he knew the truth.
But still… this?
This was the first time he realized that the stoic, broad-shouldered Lion King of the Juumonji actually had such schemes up his sleeve.
Arranging a marriage proposal? Acting like some kind of… matchmaking uncle from another world?
"Oy oy… what is this, a Lion King Matchmaking Service?" Mahiro muttered under his breath, half in disbelief.
Aloud, he replied firmly, "Let's leave that kind of talk for later."
He didn't owe anyone an answer, nor did he need anyone else to dictate his life. His path was his own. He wouldn't let anyone arrange it for him—not Kudou Retsu, and not Juumonji Katsuto.
After two rounds of mental sparring with both the cunning old strategist and the stoic lion, Mahiro was already exhausted.
Still, he chose to return to the banquet hall.
....
Inside, the atmosphere was completely different from the tense battles of two weeks prior. The hall now radiated peace.
Since the competition was already over, and they were no longer sworn rivals fighting desperately for victory, there was no reason to keep that suffocating tension lingering in the air. Of course, everyone was still young—too young to completely shake off the stubborn spark of pride in winning or losing.
But after ten straight days of intense battles, most students had finally reached their limit. The rebound from that much pressure and adrenaline naturally softened their moods, making the atmosphere around the banquet more relaxed, almost cheerful.
The post-competition banquet, as tradition dictated, was hosted by the Nine Schools' organizing committee. Students attended in their school uniforms, now treated as their formal attire. For the girls, sheer dresses and elegant accessories were permitted—an occasion where they could show a side of themselves not often seen on the battlefield or the competition grounds.
As the orchestra played, students moved gracefully across the dance floor with their partners. This dance was an old custom of the Nine Schools Competition, meant to soothe rivalries, encourage friendships between different schools, and perhaps even create bonds for the future.
Yet, the moment Yotsuba Mahiro stepped inside, all eyes immediately turned to him.
He had been the focus of discussion for the past two days—the prodigy who stood out as both competitor and engineer, winning accolades in both fields. To the students, his reputation was already larger than life, making him the unshakable center of attention the instant he entered.
Naturally, several girls approached him, asking for a dance. But Mahiro declined them all with polite words and a faint smile. Instead, he took a glass of soda, squatted near the corner, and deliberately made himself less visible.
"Ugh, so troublesome…" he muttered under his breath, taking a sip.
"Is that so? Even though you're so popular?"
Mahiro looked up. Standing before him was Watanabe Mari-senpai, her short hair neatly combed, her lips curled into a mischievous grin. She clearly wanted to tease him.
Mahiro let out a tired sigh. "If possible, Senpai, I'd rather just have some peace for once."
Too much had happened during the Nine Schools Competition. What he truly longed for now wasn't more attention or glory—it was rest. A week of undisturbed sleep would've been perfect.
Mari chuckled, patting his shoulder lightly. "Can't be helped! You were way too conspicuous this year. A competitor, an engineer, and pulling off such insane results in both? You basically painted a target on yourself."
"…It's all your fault," Mahiro muttered, rolling his eyes at her sharp tongue.
Of course, he knew she was right. That was what made her remarks so annoying.
But just then, from the corner of his eye, he noticed three familiar figures walking towards him.
Miyuki, Kitayama Shizuku, and Honoka.
Mari caught sight of them too and smirked knowingly. "Looks like the little princesses are here for you. I won't get in the way."
Without waiting for his reply, she gracefully stepped aside, letting Miyuki take her place.
Miyuki approached and held out her hand, her fingers pale and delicate as if carved from white jade. She tilted her head slightly, her expression gentle, her smile radiant.
"Mahiro-nii… may I have this dance?"
In normal circumstances, it was always the gentleman's role to invite the lady. But when it came to Yotsuba Mahiro, conventions often flipped on their head.
Still, how could he possibly refuse Miyuki?
"Of course. I'd be honored," Mahiro said smoothly. Placing one hand behind his back in a gentleman's pose, he took Miyuki's hand with the other, his tone playful yet sincere.
They walked together to the center of the dance floor. Miyuki's soft frame leaned lightly against him, her slender arm resting gently on his shoulder, while his hand settled naturally at her waist. Their eyes met for a fleeting second, and then the music carried them into motion.
He wasn't trained in the refined ways of aristocratic dance. Everything he did now was borrowed, pieced together from half-remembered movements and fragments from his past life. Yet, to his relief, he managed to avoid making a fool of himself.
But agreeing to Miyuki's invitation sent a signal to everyone else.
Once their dance ended, more invitations followed in quick succession. Mahiro quickly decided to only accept from those closest to him—Honoka and Shizuku.
Honoka's nervousness made her steps shaky, but her earnestness warmed him. Shizuku, on the other hand, was calm and precise, her movements measured. At one point, during their quiet exchange, she murmured:
"…It's like dancing with a machine. Perfectly on beat, but without any flair."
"Oi, I really didn't want to hear that from you," Mahiro whispered back with a faint smirk.
But the hardest of all was when Mayumi-senpai dragged him into a dance.
The old saying, "Dance reveals character," couldn't have been more accurate. Mayumi moved with elegance and beauty, her steps refined to the eye… yet every time, she deliberately shifted off-beat, making it nearly impossible for him to follow.
Mahiro could only grit his teeth. "Still the same prankster, huh…"
By the time one song with Mayumi ended, Mahiro felt utterly drained.
And yet—he didn't retreat to the corner. Instead, he walked straight to another familiar figure standing with a glass of champagne.
"Miss, may I have the honor of this dance?"
"Eh? M-Me?" Watanabe Mari blinked in surprise.
"Of course," Mahiro replied with a confident smile, his words sharp enough to provoke. "I've already danced with so many people tonight. Whether it's one sheep or a whole flock, it doesn't matter anymore. Or… could it be that Senpai can't dance at all?"
Mari's eyes widened. "W-Who said I can't!"
Flustered but determined, she set down her glass, grabbed his hand, and dragged him onto the floor.
At that very moment, the orchestra began the banquet's final song.
As Mahiro suspected, Mari's dancing was clumsy, her rhythm breaking often. Yet compared to Mayumi's deliberate sabotage earlier, Mari's missteps felt almost refreshing. Under his gentle guidance, she began adjusting her pace, her movements gradually syncing with his.
By the end, though still awkward, Mari managed to dance along respectably. Mahiro gave her a reassuring smile.
And just like that, the Nine Schools Competition banquet closed on its last, imperfect, yet strangely heartwarming dance.