True God In Another World (Tensura x Tbate)

Chapter 74 - The Academy Ball

Rimuru POV

I stood in front of my mirror, probably looking like the biggest idiot in the academy with this permanent grin stuck on my face. The festival yukata was gone, replaced by a half-buttoned dress shirt and what had to be my tenth attempt at tying this stupid tie. But even the formal wear hassle couldn't dim my mood. Every time I closed my eyes, I could still feel everything - Sylvia's warmth against my chest, the way she'd kissed me under that maple tree, Ciel's knowing smile when she'd caught my eye afterward...

"You're doing it again," Arthur's voice cut through my love-struck haze. He was sprawled across my bed, already perfectly dressed in his formal wear because of course he was. The smug jerk hadn't even broken a sweat getting ready.

"Doing what?" I fumbled with the tie again, somehow making it worse.

"That whole 'I'm so in love I forgot basic motor functions' face." He rolled onto his stomach, propping his chin on his hands. "You've been staring at that tie for ten minutes. It's not that complicated, bro."

"Says the guy who probably came out of the womb wearing a perfectly knotted tie," I muttered, starting over for the eleventh time.

"Hey, some of us just have natural talent." He watched me struggle for another minute before adding, "Though I guess having two gorgeous girlfriends would short-circuit anyone's brain. Even the mighty DC Leader, and the great demon lord."

I couldn't help chuckling. "It's still kind of surreal, you know? Like, Ciel's been there forever, being absolutely amazing about everything, and now Sylvia..." The tie slipped through my fingers again. "I keep thinking I'm going to wake up."

"Oh please," Arthur finally took pity on me, getting up to fix my tie himself. "Ciel's been trying to get you two together for months. Pretty sure she had this planned before YOU even knew you were in love with Sylvia. Hold still, you're making this impossible."

"She did say something about 'finally completing our family circle' after the kiss," I admitted, remembering Ciel's delighted expression. "Right before she started listing all the times I'd been obvious about my feelings."

"You mean like the wall incident?" Arthur grinned, deftly knotting my tie. "Or the time you accidentally called Sylvia 'dear' and then tried to pretend you were talking to your tea cup?"

"I hate that you remember these things."

"Speaking of memorable family moments," he stepped back to admire his handiwork, "Remember when I used to call Sylvia 'Grandma'? So now she's gone from dragon grandma to your girlfriend to my sister-in-law? That's some family tree we've got going."

I snorted, adjusting my collar. "Oh god, please bring that up at the ball. I really want to see her face when you call her 'sis.'"

"Right? Like, technically, I went from having her as my grandma to having her as my sister-in-law." He flopped back onto my bed, messing up the perfectly made covers. "Does that make you my grandpa now?"

"I will end you," I threatened, but we both burst out laughing. The whole situation was ridiculous, but somehow it worked. "Man, Ciel's gonna have a field day with this. She's been waiting for this moment forever."

"Yeah, while you were being Mr. Responsible, the rest of us were watching this soap opera unfold," Arthur snorted. "Though I gotta say, having Ciel orchestrate your love life is pretty on-brand for you, bro."

"She's... amazing," I said softly, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Most people wouldn't be okay with their boyfriend falling for someone else, but Ciel just... she knew. She understood before I did."