Respawn

Chapter 29: 12 O’clock

"Now go back to your room since no one should see us talking, and make sure you're prepared to fight if anything horrible happens," she advised. I simply scratched her head, as if she were a child. "I am always prepared to fight, and I will not allow an innocent person to be dragged only to settle my personal problems," I stated. We go our own ways, and thankfully no one sees us together. I'm not sure I'm ready to fight because I'm still recovering from an injury. This is a struggle I must fight on my own. Today will put my strength to the test, but no matter who stands in my way, I will ensure that they experience failure, especially if they damage the only lady I care about.

I returned to our room and spotted Takahashi, who was still unsure about his tuxedo. "What are your thoughts, brother? Is this one attractive to me? ", he said while wearing a dashing tuxedo. I think it'll look good on him, and he's just being picky because he wants to look good tonight. "It does, indeed, look good on you. All of the tuxedos look great on you, "I stated. While he searches for a tuxedo to wear, I seek mine. My attention was drawn to a basic yet gorgeous tuxedo. This is the one I'm thinking of wearing. I said, "I think I found the one I want to wear." I walked to the dressing room and got my tuxedo. I put on the tuxedo and was pleasantly surprised because it looked better than I had anticipated.

I'm hoping Lyka thinks I look fine in this tuxedo. Why am I thinking this way? I should put her out of my mind. It makes no difference whether she thinks I'm attractive or not. I also need to concentrate and prepare myself in case something horrible occurs. I should remember that I don't have time for love. I step outside the dressing room and allow Takahashi to assess my attire. "What do you think?" I inquired. He looked surprised and pleased with me. "In that tuxedo, you look like a royal! You have a nice appearance, "he stated. Well, I'm happy to hear that the outfits look fantastic on me. Since I've found what I'll be wearing, I'm assisting Takahashi in his search for a tuxedo he can wear to the ball tonight.

We're already dressed and set to go to the ball in an hour. We're just waiting for 8 p.m. to arrive so we can go in the main hall and start. Takahashi appears ecstatic, as though she desperately wants to dance with Tori. "Are you nervous?" I asked, tapping his shoulders. When I tap him, he appears surprised, as if I've interrupted his daydream. "Did I stop you from daydreaming?" I inquired. He says, pinching his cheeks. "No, you didn't do it. I'm just thinking about dancing with Tori, and the fact that she's now my lover makes me happy, and we're so lucky to have a daughter already. Things are moving at a breakneck pace, and I couldn't be happier. " He does appear to be in a good mood. I'd be content, too, if I were him.

We agreed to go to the main hall at 8 p.m. because it was already 8 p.m. Everyone appears to be well-dressed and wealthy. I had completely forgotten that we were ordinary people in this place, and that we could only afford to visit because of Saki's mother. People would never guess that we aren't wealthy because we dress so elegantly. We should simply enjoy this evening and create many memories. We kept looking for Saki and the others, but they were nowhere to be found. There are a lot of people, and finding them is difficult. Somebody hugged me from behind. Lyka was the girl who hugged me behind my back. "We were searching for you guys, and I was lucky enough to find you," she said.

My stomach is churning with butterflies because she won't let go and keeps hugging me. I took her hands away from me and let go of her hugs. I shouldn't feel this way, especially in front of my brother's daughter. "Papa!" she exclaimed. When she noticed him, she hugged him. I guess she didn't notice Takahashi standing next to me. "I didn't realize it was you," she admitted. Takahashi simply smiled at her and said, "I'm not sure if I should take that as a compliment. I am starting to wonder if I really look good in this tuxedo. "

"Well, you do look nice in those clothes! I'm sure your mother will think you're a handsome young man. Come on, let's go! Let's go to our table," she said, holding my arms. As we walk to where we can see Tori and the others, she grabs my forearm. "We've arrived!" Lyka yelled. They all look fine and lovely. I didn't think Saki would look good in a gown because I always thought she was too boyish. Then I recall that I have a mission: to protect Lyka. I keep looking around to see if there is anyone following us or staring at Lyka, but I don't see anyone.

With Saki and the others, we took a seat at the table. Lyka is seated next to me, which is a good idea because it allows me to keep a better eye on her. The waiter brought us a glass of wine. I'm beginning to suspect that Lyka's wine contains poison. "Can I have a sip of your wine?" I inquired to Lyka. She appears shocked that I have asked her in this manner, and her countenance reveals that she is perplexed as to why I have asked her in this way. "Yes, but you have your own wine. But if you truly want a taste of my wine, go ahead, "she said.

I take a sip of her wine and find nothing strange about it. The wine is ordinary, and nothing unusual has been added to it. I'm starting to overreact, but it's my job, and I have to stay on top of things. "Your wine is delicious. I was just thinking that my wine might be different from yours, "I explained. Do I come out as a moron when I say that? Well, I guess I do come across as a moron when I say that. "There is no need for you to believe that because they serve the same wine flavor," she explained.

I look up at the ceiling to see whether there was anything that could fall on Lyka's head, but all I see is a lovely looking ceiling. Nothing is strange that makes me more alarmed. While we wait for the food to arrive, the waiter brings us some dining utensils. I began to suspect that her spoon and fork were laced with poison, so I hastily switched our eating utensils. She inquired, "Did you just switch our eating utensils?" "No, I didn't," I stated emphatically. She said this while laughing at me. "I had no idea you could be amusing at times. You can have mine if you want". This is awful because I'm making a fool of myself, and she's starting to believe I'm having too much fun with her. I lick my finger after touching the spoon with it. Her dining utensils do not contain any poison.

The drinks are not poisonous. Her utensils are also poison-free. Then it's possible that the food she'll be served contains poison. The waitress brought our dinner, which made me even more apprehensive and worried. When I hold Lyka's wrist and stop her from eating, she is about to eat her dinner. "Can we switch meals?" I inquired. Takahashi and Tori are looking at me now. "Is everything well with you, brother? You appear to be in distress, and you're acting strangely, "Takahashi remarked. Takahashi seemed irritated by my behavior toward Lyka. "No, Papa, it is fine," she stated. I tasted her food after she swapped ours, but there was no poison in it. I'm overthinking things and need to calm down.

Right now, I have no idea where the danger will come from. All of the guests that attend the ball are entertained by performances in the center of the hall. They put on a spectacular show, and their performance is genuinely world-class. I keep gazing at Lyka while watching other people's performances. She notices that I'm staring at her. "I thought you hated me because you weren't paying attention to me, but you look like you really care about me right now," she says with a smile. When she said that, I felt embarrassed. I didn't pay attention to her and kept watching the show. Being in love with someone causes you to experience strange and incomprehensible emotions, which I both despise and like.

A lady's voice said, "Hey Yuu." I turned around to see who it was, and it was Aiko. I said, "Hey Aiko." She looks lovely in her gown, and I'm guessing it's a lot more expensive than I thought. She inquired, "Can we have a dance later?" That's a wonderful idea because I don't know anyone else here and can't just ask a stranger to dance with me. I answered, "Sure, I'd love to dance with you." When I agree to dance with her, she beams. "I might be busy dancing with others," she explained, "so I'll just come to you when I want to dance with you." "You can dance with me at any time," I added, smiling. She walked away from us and went to her own table.

She appears to have a large number of friends at this party, so she can dance with any of them. She is really well-known. "Who is she?" Lyka enquired. As I try to avoid answering her inquiries, she pouts at me. She said, "Hey, tell me who that girl is." "I don't know if we are friends, but she is someone I know," I remarked, looking at her. We are not friends, and we are not close friends, in my opinion. I was taken aback when she stated she likes me because she is a personality and any guy would probably like her back straight away if she confessed right away.

Well, I'm just not into relationships and prefer to spend my time alone or with my buddies. "I was under the impression she was your lover. I'll be extremely proud of you if you find a lover and have your own child, "she remarked. All of my sacrifices will be for naught if I acquire those things. I am someone who does not require those things to survive in this world. I'm fine with myself, my friends, and the individuals I help on a daily basis. My life is already meaningful because of those people, and I couldn't ask for anything more.

"I don't want to have a partner and a child," I explained. She had a sad expression on her face when she heard that. "So, I won't have a cousin?" she wondered. I'm starting to imagine she'll be the mother of my child, and we'll have 10 children in the future. That's a terrible fantasy that I need to get out of my head. I said, "Stop talking to me." The clock is ticking down to midnight, and the romantic dances are about to begin. So, I guess Lyka will be my final dance of the night. I'm going to dance with her until 12 a.m.

People started dancing in the middle of the hall while the orchestra played beautiful music. "Can I dance with you?" I asked as I approached Tori. She initially appeared hesitant, but she also nodded yes. I extended my hand to her, and she took it. We walked to the center and danced together to the beautiful music. Takahashi and Saki appear to be having a good time dancing together. I was under the impression that no one was dancing with Saki, but to be honest, she had a lot of attractive men approaching her for a dance. Because she is famous, many men are striving to get her attention.

After I danced with Tori, I approached Saki and asked, "Can I dance with you?" She turned away from the other males who were asking her to dance and joined me. We danced together, and I could feel her gentle hand on my hand. I said, "This is the first time I've been able to hold your hand." She is blushing and appears to be very shy. Takahashi and Lyka are dancing together, and it appears that they are having a good time and bonding. We all appear to be having a good time. Dancing with Saki makes me feel like she's a princess and I'm her knight in shining armor. I'll always be there for her, but she'll always be destined to be with her prince.

The time is now 11:58 p.m. Because 12 o'clock is approaching, I should ask Lyka to dance with me and enjoy the moment, as she will be my final dance. Takahashi is now dancing with Tori, and the two of them are dancing passionately as lovers. Saki is dancing with a random guy who approaches her and asks for a dance. I approached Lyka and asked, "Can I dance with you?" I took her hand in mine and led her to the center of the ball. We dance graciously while listening to the orchestra's beautiful sound.

"I am overjoyed that you asked me to dance," she said as she joined me in the dance. "Do you?" I inquired. The time of 12 o'clock is approaching. I'm glad she'll be my last dance, and I will be her last dance. A man snatches her from my grasp and begins dancing with her. He was attempting to dance with her while moving away from us. I was about to run after them when a lady approached me, and it was Aiko. "Can I dance with you?" she inquired. I dance with Aiko while searching for Lyka, but the place is too crowded.

"Are you okay?" Aiko inquired. I don't have time to respond to her because I'm looking for Lyka. "Hey, you're not paying attention to me," she pointed out. I noticed Lyka walking out of the hall with a man. I was about to run when Aiko grabbed my arms tightly. "Where are you going?" she inquired. I was starting to have bad feelings, so I quickly took her hands away from me and walked over to Lyka. I noticed she was with a man. Lyka is admiring the nighttime view of the sea while the man tries to s***h her back. I quickly summoned a shield and dashed to her, blocking the man's sword. I was surprised to see him wielding a virus sword. "Lyka, stay behind my back, he's a hacker!" I yelled.