Chapter 74: Banquet

"Kaguya, seduce him and make him your husband."

Last night, her older brother had called her out of the blue. Kaguya knew that the Shinomiya family had been unsettled lately due to their father's illness, and soon the fight for the family's wealth would begin.

However, Kaguya didn't expect her brother's intention.

"You want me to seduce Yanagi-sensei?"

"Don't pretend to be blind. You've heard a lot about him lately, haven't you? Someone like him is worthy of being my brother-in-law compared to Shirogane Miyuki."

So, he knew it already. Kaguya thought. She was well aware that sensei's name had been everywhere after that incident.

Should she ask him for help? Kaguya, who already had a perfect score in Yanagi-sensei's subject, knew he had said he would do anything as long as he could. But isn't it shameless to drag sensei into her family problems?

Today, after a meeting with Shuchi'in's sister school from France, Kaguya was about to meet him again but she ran into her classmate.

"Kaguya, can we talk a little?"

It was Teresa. If it were someone else, Kaguya might have said, "Later." However, her family had said to become close friends with Teresa, and Kaguya knew she couldn't offend the little sister of Queen, Eileen de Luxemburg.

After a while, they arrived at the school park and sat on a bench.

"What can I help you with, Teresa-san?"

Teresa smiled. "I'm sorry, can I ask about the things you'll ask sensei? Well, I'm still not sure about it. But, if you don't want to, that's alright."

So that's what she wanted. At this point, Kaguya still hadn't decided anything because of what her brother told her.

"I haven't decided anything yet. What about you?"

Teresa smiled warmly. "In two days, there'll be a banquet, right? So... I just want to be his dancing partner, I guess? So, I thought... since Kaguya can ask him about it too, things might get awkward then..."

"I see..." Kaguya never expected that reason. "By any chance, Teresa-san, do you like sensei?"

As she asked this, Teresa's face turned bright red. "No no! It's not like that!" Teresa waved her hand many times.

'How cute...' Kaguya thought.

She smiled, "Just ask him, Teresa-san. I'll cheer you up." 

"Thank you..." Teresa shyly looked to her knees.

"I know this might be rude, but have you ever met him before?"

"Yes..."

Teresa nodded shyly.

"It was a long time ago..."

What Kaguya could think of was that she might be a childhood friend of sensei. That could be a possibility since the age gap wasn't that large.

---

The next day, after school, Teresa went to find Minoru. She walked up the stairs, opened the door, and arrived on the school rooftop, where she saw him smoking. She walked toward him slowly.

"Sensei..."

Minoru turned his head and put out his cigarette.

"Are you here to collect on my promise?"

Teresa just nodded.

"Then what do you want?"

Teresa glanced at him silently. She knew it had been a while since he had saved her back then. Teresa, who had already guessed his other identity after his dog's reaction, knew that asking him about it was just a waste of time. He probably knew about it too but decided not to do anything.

"Did Sister Eileen already tell you about my engagement with the Prince of England, Duke Charles?"

Minoru is silent for a moment.

"Yes..."

Teresa widened her eyes, then smiled.

"I see..."

Minoru silently thought about it. Teresa might be Eileen's little sister, but she was just another chess piece Eileen could use anytime. Right now, Eileen was building her allies in Western Europe. The last brick to complete her ambition was England. If Teresa married the Prince, they would have to join Eileen willingly.

"You're being used. Are you angry?"

Teresa shook her head.

"No, it's far better than how brother treats me. I already realized my duty as a Princess to support my kingdom. If it has to be this way, then I'll accept it. Besides, I will never win against Sister Eileen. Even Rachel told me that too; it would be futile."

"I see..."

Teresa knew there wouldn't be a happy ending for her, there's no such thing as the story she heard about because reality is often disappointing.

"You know what, 001? I've always wanted to say this to you: thank you for saving me back then. Are you still open for request?"

Minoru peeked at his ex-client and nodded.

"Since my engagement is still not officially announced, will you become my dance partner?"

Minoru sighed, then nodded. "Alright..."

---

The next day, a large banquet hall in Shuchi'in Academy hosted a banquet to celebrate and welcome their sister school from France.

The event might seem too grand for mere high school students, but these students were not ordinary. Shuchi'in always held this event annually for the sophomores.

The magnificent building, which was specially built and separate from the school building, shone brightly. Luxury cars parked, guests arrived one by one, and students and teachers wore luxurious dresses and suits. Guests included students' parents, alumni, academy sponsors, politicians, ambassadors, and even famous people, and wealthy businessmen.

However, today was unusual.

Considering the importance of guests like the Second Princess of Luxemburg and the daughter of Shinomiya, every corner of the place was guarded at the level for heads of state.

In the grand hall with classical music, bright golden chandeliers, and polished marble floors, the student council was seen together and chatting.

"Kaguya-chan, what a beautiful dress! You are so beautiful!"

"Thank you, Fujiwara-san. You also look good in that pink dress."

"Heheee~" Chika stroked her nose with smug.

Kaguya was wearing a red dress. Events like this are normal for her. However, she was a little embarrassed to be dressed like this among her school friends.

"President, you also look pretty good in a suit."

Chika grinned.

"Shut up." Miyuki bit his finger in embarrassment.

"But where's Ishigami-kun?" Chika looks around like an idiot.

Meanwhile, Mai stood next to Kaguya. After Mai and Ai swapped bodies, after Mai returned to normal, she became close to Kaguya because of Ai's friendly actions.

"Hah..." Mai sighed.

"Did something go wrong, Mai-san?" Kaguya asked.

"No, I just... regret some things in my life."

"Eh? What is that?"

Mai wouldn't say it, but she had promised to get good grades in math, and then she would use it as a chance to dance with Minoru because she had pledged to Ai to keep him away from other girls. Of course, Mai was defeated in terms of intelligence by other students like Kaguya or Teresa.

Until now, she didn't know who Minoru's dance partner was.

She wondered what she should say when she met Ai.

"Whoa! Teresa-chan!"

They looked in the direction where Chika saw Teresa and Alexandra entering the hall. Teresa wore a black dress, her blonde hair tied in two low buns like two flowers, and a necklace around her neck.

"Good evening, I hope I'm not late."

"No no~ but you are gorgeous! Surely, your dance partner will be happy tonight." Chika teased.

"Thank you." Teresa just smiled a little embarrassedly.

"Look! That's Yor-sensei with her husband and daughter. Don't they look good together?"

"Fujiwara-san, you are rude."

"Mou~ Kaguya-san is not cool, but Fiona-san is also beautiful even though I'm still afraid of her cold face. Everyone is dressing well tonight."

Chika commented when she saw teachers like Yor from afar in her red dress, as well as Sae who came in her black dress. On the other hand, groups from France like Fiona and the others also arrived.

"Come to think of it, isn't it a bit crowded?" Miyuki said.

"That's right! I even see familiar faces like the Minister of Foreign Affairs here. I think that's why both my parents could attend. I wonder is it for my sake or their job?" Chika pout.

Kaguya hummed in agreement with Chika's comment.

"Hey, I heard that man is a teacher here."

"Are we talking about Professor Moriarty? Lately, is been chaotic right? A man who was rumored to be a magician..."

"He stops a meteor and turns it into dust. Has he invented a new type of weapon?"

"The rumor says it. That's why... don't you see why ambassadors from America, Luxemburg, and other big shots come to school events like this? Seems obvious. Well, we'll be too obvious..."

Kaguya's interest in the guests' chatter. It seemed that not only her brother who wanted to meet Yanagi-sensei.

The time was getting closer to the start of the event.

Vroom!

Kaguya has sensitive ears.

The slightly loud sound of a sports car could be heard from afar. Kaguya turned her face towards the noise. As she knew about it, the guests should be no more than adults. She remembered that only two teachers used sports cars to school. Kaguya had already seen Hiratsuka-sensei in the hall, which meant...

Clack!

The door to the banquet hall opened, but the feeling was very different from before. The sound of footsteps echoed, and the guests one after another stopped chatting. Because of this, the musicians playing classical music also subconsciously stopped because of the sudden silence.

All eyes turned to the entrance.

"Wow..."

"The main character is here..."

"Isn't he too young to become a professor?"

"But he's Professor James Moriarty... you won't find that name beside him."

A silver-haired man, wearing a luxurious black suit that fit perfectly, entered the hall with a stoic face and looked around.

---

Around 15 minutes passed since the event started.

"Teresa, are you nervous?"

Alexandra, who was beside Teresa, noticed it.

"Yes, Alec."

Teresa smiled a bit.

"It's just a dance. You've done that countless times. Just relax, Teresa."

Teresa sighed, "I know that, Alec."

But this time, her dance partner would be the person she had always been waiting for. Teresa was just so nervous about making a mistake in front of him.

"Speaking of him, people surrounded him in an instant."

"Well, considering what just happened lately. Is he here?"

Teresa looked at Minoru as Alec nodded, "Yes..." What she meant was that Agent Twilight was also there. "We noticed the CIA walking around too."

Of course, Teresa, who was nervous, didn't pay attention to that detail.

At that moment, the music stopped and changed. It was a signal that the guests could start dancing. The first ones to get this honor were, of course, the actual main characters—the students of both Sister School France and Shuchi'in Academy.

The students started walking to the center. However, some students danced with their mothers or fathers, and some male students danced with female teachers because they didn't have a partner to dance with.

When Teresa looked at Minoru, suddenly, he stared back at her and walked away from the people around him.

"Teresa, let's go."

Minoru extended his hand, and Teresa shyly took it. The crowd around them slowly stepped back, giving them space. As they walked at an elegant pace to the center of the hall, they instantly attracted all the attention.

Clack!

The entrance door opened again from behind.

"Oh my..."

A calm yet playful voice.

Teresa's soul was shaken, and her face showed it. The man beside her might still control his facade, but he knew that voice too well. Teresa let go of Minoru's hand as she turned her back, stiffly.

Teresa met the golden eyes of a woman with red hair, wearing a simple and elegant black dress, who calmly walked inside the hall as the big room itself turned silent again.

"Y-Your Majesty!"

Teresa stuttered and hurriedly gave her a curtsy.

"Didn't I say to forget my title and call me sister like usual?"

"Yes... sister."

Teresa then straightened her back, but it felt heavy.

"Aren't you busy, sister? Why're you here?"

"Don't mind it... I'm here to fulfill my cute little sister's invitation."

Teresa remembered sending the invitation to her, but she thought her sister wouldn't come and that Rachel would come instead. But at all times... she came here personally now?

"Your sister finally has time for you. Aren't you happy, Teresa?"

"Y-yes, I'm really happy, sister Eileen..."

Eileen then smiled a little and turned her gaze to the man beside Teresa, who looked at her stoically.

Seeing his face, Eileen smiled more, "It's been a while, James."

---

A/N: Here are some pictures of other students.