T Y D O T S F

162

What else could make my heart pound when I hear this?

"Wouldn't that work?"

I looked up at him again, asking for permission. I felt possessed by something.

"Irene."

"......Why do you keep asking for answers when you already know everything?"

If they knew each other's feelings, they would have already read what each other would say just from their eyes and facial expressions.

He seemed to think that it was not complete like that.

I see you are still waiting for my answer.

After the song that was being played ended, the banquet hall became a little chaotic. I took a sip of the fruit wine that was on the table.

Come to think of it, we haven't even danced properly yet. This is our first banquet as adults.

Both of them were so surrounded by people that they didn't even think about dancing.

Sage, who must have had the same thoughts as me, looked toward the orchestra for a moment and then approached me.

"Shall we sing a song first?"

"......huh."

I put down the fruit wine I was drinking and took his hand. As if they had been waiting, the band started playing the next song.

As I walked to the center of the hall, I felt eyes glancing at me.

"If this continues, after the banquet, things might be quietly dealt with in the south."

"What are you talking about?"

"Because the gaze there is so stinging."

As I was dancing under Sage's guidance, I tried to look where he was lightly pointing.

Then he stepped on his foot.

It was because my mind was wandering somewhere else that my feet ended up moving in the same direction.

Sage flinched, thinking that while the shoes weren't high heels, they weren't without heels either.

I said it with full regret.

"Sorry. ......I did two things wrong at once. I looked away for a moment. Does it hurt a lot?"

It must have hurt a lot. I could clearly feel the sensation of my foot being stepped on.

I was becoming cautious, worried that I might step on it again, when suddenly he let out a cheerful smile.

I looked at him curiously.

"Why are you laughing?"

"I like hearing that. It means you were only focused on me. Please continue to do just one thing from now on."

"......."

"I have to go back north after this banquet. To be honest, I don't want to leave you behind."

That happened to me too.

Sage can't stay in the South forever. After this banquet, his justification for staying in the South will disappear. He will have to return to the North with Muhela.

He has his own things to do too.

They couldn't stay stuck together in the South forever.

"Then should I go with you?"

"If it's okay that I never leave the North again."

"The heart is like a chimney. It is always the same."