ARCHIVED HEARTS - The Party

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The lady led me toward the dressing room with a bright smile.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8W18o1UcKv

"I already have the perfect outfit for you."

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A few minutes later...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtq3UYqkFN

She came back carrying a beautiful outfit.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VCRW5mN3I

A soft pink top.

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A short black skirt.

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And a pair of elegant heels.

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I stared at them.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchf83gdmfo

"...This is for me?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6CVmH2J0V

She nodded proudly.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlCFBC5eQl

"Trust me."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7nFLOGRsy

"You'll look beautiful."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNp4NEjlK8w

After changing...

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I slowly stepped out of the dressing room.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO96ozSc4J8

"Rei...?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQn72TPuxSe

He turned toward me.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZasWzO6ur

For a moment...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3leYzeknuR

He didn't say anything.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ohHHdZ8b6

He simply stared.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz6pdrAbnK

"...Rei?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgLSpQKEw4

"Yes, My Lady."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMI9YWZNfg

"How do I look?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUfq5OlnLm

He paused for a few seconds.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWK7TqoKLy

His eyes carefully observed every detail.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhURAFRzQzB

Then he answered honestly.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnhalx5x33

"...You look pretty."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fy2VuHTQh

A faint blush spread across my cheeks.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1UDGdojFg

"...T-Thank you."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡta5W01QZAY

The lady smiled knowingly.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRio9Kjn6Y

"Now sit down."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbat6ukOBP

"It's time for your makeup."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgxhLuEd70

She carefully styled my hair.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb81N5RAFj0

Applied light makeup.

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And finished the look with a small pink ribbon.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC6v5xhxwX

When I looked into the mirror...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe2ZRxfAsA

I barely recognized myself.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONDZ8M8oNG

"...Is that really me?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI17c8AxEjc

The lady laughed.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ86ewayWkW

"It has always been you."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTfjWedUFJ

Meanwhile...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvKkaJ3dpg

Rei had changed into a perfectly tailored black suit.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9a8fCW0Kf

His silver hair was neatly combed.

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He looked...

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Ridiculously handsome.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk4Hqe0jPS

Even I had to look away for a second.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuYo5trUWd

"...You clean up pretty well."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK1q3646Eq

"My appearance has been optimized for the event."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KOpVBsJEZ

"...You really know how to ruin a compliment."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡri7yslcNhA

Night finally arrived.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuufpde6Fyg

The mansion had completely transformed.

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Golden lights illuminated the entrance.

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Elegant music echoed through the halls.

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Guests wearing formal clothes filled the ballroom.

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I froze at the entrance.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BMTff17Y1

"...It's huge."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYiJFu5diw

"For an introvert like me..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSghAU9KYe

"I think I'll embarrass myself."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BXhjn35Xp

Before I could hide behind Rei...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLr2TjlEn2r

A familiar voice interrupted me.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppIKLCg2tX

"Hey, Shortie."

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I turned around.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bNLnbPBJn

"Mr. Z."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lN2Anbh0R

He smiled and bowed slightly.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhi5ew1Gy50

"May I have this dance?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡik4BuAKas7

Without even thinking...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQed8QYdbOw

"...Yes."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7YAWnCP51

He gently took my hand.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZId6BgwxHY

The music began.

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He spun me across the dance floor with surprising elegance.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLhQTiQEuf

For a moment...

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It felt like I was floating.

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I laughed.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtkpgBDMiz

"I've never danced like this before!"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoco11CzWK

"You're doing great."

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Across the ballroom...

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Rei stood silently.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN603edJ9u

Watching us.

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His system suddenly responded.

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Warning.

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Unknown emotion detected.

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Processing...

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Processing failed.

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His eyes never left us.

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Something inside him...

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Didn't like what he was seeing.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiLQkCIQmx

As the song ended...

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I looked toward Rei.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtslcY401XP

He was still standing there.

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Motionless.

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For some reason...

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He looked...

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Lonely.

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I gently let go of Mr. Z's hand.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyBaEuNwSL

"...I think I'll take a break."

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Mr. Z smiled.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnGuYIY5qz

"Of course."

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"Don't push yourself."

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I nodded and walked toward Rei.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJSZLRHB99

Unfortunately...

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These stupid heels had other plans.

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My foot twisted.

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"Ahh!"

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I lost my balance.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UPTVi4npa

Before I hit the floor...

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Both Rei and Mr. Z rushed toward me.

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They reached me at exactly the same time.

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Both of them stretched out a hand.

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"..."

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"..."

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"...Seriously?"

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I looked from one to the other.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m5i9NJuWp

"Why are both of you making this difficult?"

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Instead of choosing...

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I stubbornly stood up by myself.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSVgERW7iM

"I'm fine!"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAcsmCtfR9

The moment I took another step...

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A sharp pain shot through my ankle.

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"Oww..."

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Before I could pretend everything was okay...

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Rei suddenly slipped one arm behind my back.

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The other went beneath my knees.

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Without a word...

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He lifted me into his arms.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFEjI97P2k

"R-Rei?!"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnte2Ev7emc

"I can walk!"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4Q1AWfmmk

"No."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmIKpfcl34

"You are injured."

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He carried me out of the noisy ballroom.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmWvOFkp1t

Mr. Z watched us leave.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz78brIYr9

He wanted to follow.

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But...

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He stopped himself.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8nfyzkxrH

The garden was peaceful.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FVNDuqo7r

Snowflakes slowly began falling from the dark sky.

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Rei carefully placed me on a nearby bench.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMeVvj6MFn

As gently...

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As if I were made of glass.

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He knelt in front of me.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4S4L8v8k8G

"My Lady."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgr2JCtTlG1

"You should not wear heels."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyzf9TrHBm

"Look..."

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"You are hurt."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WeB4mD4uM

He carefully removed my shoes.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQlWjcLhuk

A small cut had formed near my ankle.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvba2uHxrD

Without wasting another second...

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He opened a first-aid kit.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqyaEiPQ1Y

His movements were gentle.

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Precise.

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He carefully wrapped a bandage around my ankle.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUFuoddiAN

"Does it hurt?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNh6gF6roaV

"...A little."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KYQSiaCmU

His expression softened.

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"I apologize."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTx5RxXdGD

"It is my fault."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMJoc1SLlT

I smiled.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JHRgeFu4z

"You didn't make me trip."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulfV0ciKWC

"I did."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1l4kRCObG

The cold wind suddenly blew through the garden.

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I shivered.

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Without saying anything...

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Rei removed his jacket.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkEJ98wbri

He gently wrapped it around my waist.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡew5GyRaUdV

It was warm.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgW2ZwzjU6

Then...

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He quietly held my hand.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohxmOPIpzC

His hands were cool.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdB4B52MSV

But somehow...

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They made me feel warmer.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3J98stFnY

I couldn't stop looking at him.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtTtuaWAmy

Just then...

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Mr. Z walked into the garden.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXILTW6hMRo

"E001."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe1BwMhJOH

"Are you alright?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMq1ZfSa3T

I smiled.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGE477Iuj2

"Yeah."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoZb7oXd38

"I'm okay now."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYkYyhgd0S

He let out a relieved sigh.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGEVJUVRLy

"Good."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CBMywZbhd

"Dinner is about to begin."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9vRMM3Mxj

"We should head back."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bqYNBR0zJ

I nodded.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaB68IcSrD

"We're coming."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLAa0G3jdX

I tried standing up.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWOrFGPCkg

"Ouch..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCVrNLZbYX

Before I could take another step...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydXnturqrk

Rei picked me up again.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3E26plqkD

"Rei!"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSPmNl5XCW

"I told you I can walk!"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskkT6NIADx

"I disagree."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iz5G8bTds

"Put me down!"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UkFBeCpRc

"...As you wish."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SP6mRuqfv

He carefully placed me back on the ground.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Uu9k0jGfO

But this time...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKevoOPoOz

He didn't let go of my hand.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbJXaQ3Edt

His grip tightened slightly.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcsRRTpoAG

Just enough to support me while we walked back together.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa6fTAFGs1

Dinner had already begun.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfGaukrgl7

Long tables were filled with delicious food and drinks.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoEcG29oDH

Everything looked amazing.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0Imv6kXWz

Curious...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FXsnENKGE

I picked up cup after cup.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9yh8MQcxU

"Wow..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLyOHjmEvc

"This coffee tastes incredible!"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ob1hXTKm3

One cup became two.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNr6BmBSxX

Two became four.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UbieHVuyA

Then six.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba5FwxyBM3

Rei quietly watched me.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElB57D7M1K

"My Lady..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2oCNx61Xi

"I recommend you stop."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5vqfyrXNl

I laughed.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuT6NFSuh3

"It's just caffeine."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRV3R9gZrg

"What could possibly happen?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1ZytxkQ5o

Rei looked at me silently.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdVrxxyijA

"...Based on previous data..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YuUxjFEV9

"...something very embarrassing."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbCCVzzRHH

I waved him off.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOImoQVoWXi

"Nah..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNlnlayxWs

"I'm totally fi—"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgnFwh2yBZ

I suddenly burst into laughter for absolutely no reason.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAjZBUNOw4

"...Hehehe..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8rwHqH91K

"...Oh no."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMegzreG9T

Rei whispered.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpwF1mDxBl

"...The caffeine has taken effect."8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaxvz3cKuH

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