Back in time, the day before the Milia Rescue Operation.Mika Welch was styling his hair in front of a mirror.

"Hm~ Hm~ Hm~."

Mika hummed as he worked on his boastful, luscious blond hair.

Today was a joyous Friday, and he was already excited at the thought of having fun until Sunday.

Bzzz, bzzz!

"Hm?"

After fiddling with his hair for more than ten minutes, he saw his student notebook vibrating and grinned slyly.

"Which lady couldn't wait and is looking for me~?"

Mika murmured to himself as he checked the student notebook.It was a message from someone.

Wylde: Not coming to the party today.

"That guy, seriously. Stubborn as always. He hasn't come even once this year."

Looking disappointed, Mika put down the student notebook and gazed in the mirror again.

Only after grooming his hair for several more minutes did he finally smile in satisfaction, pick up his student notebook, and turn around.

Bzzz, bzzz, bzzz!

The student notebook vibrated again. Mika checked it with a puzzled look and wore a curious expression.

"Hm...?"

- Little Traverse

Mika brushed his neck lightly and answered the call.

"What's up, Wylde's little brother?"― Senior, is this a good time for a call?"Yeah, it's fine. Speak."

Mika was intrigued. It wasn't easy to contact him, the heir of the noble Welch family, for personal matters.He was curious to see how this boy would use the opportunity.

― I have a request."A request? You know what it means to ask me for something, right?"― Yes."I've said as much before, so if it's about yourself, I'll help... But if not, there will be a price."― What price do you want, senior?"That depends on your request."

Upon Mika's reply, Luca fell silent for a moment.But he quickly made a decision.

― My friend is in danger."So?"― You only need to keep me updated on my friend's whereabouts tomorrow."Hm~ That's a simple task, but a Watcher isn't allowed to surveil someone personally or leak information without cause."― You're not a full Watcher yet. And since you'll get a reward, don't be so uptight."...... Huh?"

Mika's eyes widened, then he burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! True. Since I'm not a full Watcher, it's fine."― Also, if you keep an eye on us through tomorrow, I bet you'll change your mind."Hm... Can't say I know what you mean, but fine. I'll grant your request. But in exchange, will you lend me your time?"― When you say lend you my time......"It's nothing much."

Mika smiled kindly.

"Just lend me your evening. Anyway, I have an appointment now, so can we end the call here?"― Understood. I'll handle the rest by message."Alright. See you later."

After hanging up, Mika chuckled as he closed the student notebook. Then he looked out into the distance.

"You and your brother are more alike than you think, Wylde."

In his mind's eye, he could still see Wylde Traverse swinging his sword.

* * *

Mika: Then let's meet next Friday at 7, at Artimata Hall.Luca: ... That's my payment?Mika: Yes. Don't you like it?Luca: It's not that I don't, but...Mika: Then see you then~

Mika set the payment before watching Milia.Luca would attend the Friday evening party.

'Why?'

At first, he didn't know the reason. But soon, reflecting on his relationship with Mika, he reached a conclusion.

'It must be related to Wylde Traverse.'

Their only link: Wylde Traverse.It was a safe guess that the party was about him.

'I did want to see his face at some point. I wonder what he was like before he became Willow.'

Strangely, in Luca Traverse's memories, Wylde Traverse's image was blurred.

All he recalled was a back as insurmountable as a mountain.

Details like his face or shared memories wouldn't come to him.

Luca couldn't tell whether it was something he didn't want to remember, or if there truly were no memories.

'Well, it doesn't matter either way. Maybe he's not Luca Traverse, but I happen to like that person a lot.'

Willow, the Masked Swordsman, the original protagonist's strongest ally.

To see him in person!

For Luca, once an avid reader, nothing could be more exciting.

"Young master! You haven't forgotten about the party tonight, have you?"

"That's why I came right away."

"Coming immediately is not the issue! You need to get ready!"

Bella seemed thoroughly excited.

Normally, Luca hated going to parties, so her excitement was justified.

"Getting ready just means washing up......"

"Hurry and wash! Or should I bathe you myself?"

"N-No, I'll go."

Blocking Bella, who looked ready to barge into the bathroom with him, Luca quickly washed up.

He understood why his nanny-like Bella was acting so, but she seemed a bit overly excited.

'You could be more moderate, Luca Traverse.'

Luca sighed inwardly as he finished showering, dried himself off quickly, and stepped out of the bathroom. Bella was waiting outside.

Startled, Luca ducked back in and only stuck his head out.

"Why are you right in front of the door?"

"You shouldn't be embarrassed, young master. Have you forgotten I've been helping you bathe since you were five?"

"I don't remember those days! Just hand me my underwear!"

No matter how familiar Bella was, showing his bare body so suddenly was embarrassing.

Thinking perhaps there wasn't much time, Bella didn't tease him and handed him his underwear obediently.

Luca put it on inside and then came out.

"Hm... Young master, did your size change a bit?"

"How much could it have changed? Just hand me whatever."

"I can't do that! This is your first party at the academy!"

Fire sparked in Bella's eyes.

Overwhelmed by her energy, Luca left himself at her mercy.

With practiced hands, Bella measured him and chose the best-fitting clothes from several prepared outfits, handing them to him.

"Try this on!"

A black tuxedo—a simple yet stylish outfit.

As Luca slipped into it, he glanced at Bella.

"... Are you just going to watch me?"

"Hurry up, young master!"

Bella, unwavering, made Luca sigh as he finished dressing.

As expected of Bella's carefully chosen clothes, they fit perfectly.

"Oh my, young master. Even I, Bella, feel my heart fluttering—it suits you so well!"

"Hm. Not bad."

"Now, let's take care of your hair, shall we?"

Before Luca could respond, Bella whisked him to the dressing table.

She used a dryer to rough-dry his hair, and Luca sighed in annoyance.

"Can't I just dry it roughly and go?"

"No, young master! And at least put some lotion on your face!"

"......"

Even on Earth, he only ever used lotion, so doing all this felt awkward.Luca could only frown at the situation.

Bzzzzzz!

Unlike when he usually dried and left, Bella styled his hair delicately, and the result was undeniably different.

With subtle, high-end curls, Luca was surprised as he looked in the mirror.

'So, this is how much a look can change.'

Usually, he would just glance at the mirror and think, handsome again today, but this time he was impressed.

"Huhu, it's nice to see you looking so presentable after so long."

"Is that so."

"Of course. See? Doesn't your already beautiful face look even better?"

Bella added a light touch of makeup to his face as she said that.

"Looking at young master's well-groomed face, even I, Bella, might dream of forbidden love."

"Talking nonsense, as usual."

Still, Luca was almost awed by the sight.

Slicked-back green hair with elegant curls, well-groomed brows, flawless skin, a sharply defined face, and eyes shining blue like a lake.

It was breathtaking, even more so with a touch of makeup.

'I see why narcissism exists. At this level... it's understandable.'

Even Luca felt like he might fall for his own face. He didn't know what Luca Traverse himself would think, but it was more beautiful than any woman he'd ever seen.

"There! All done. Huhu, you don't have to come back to the dorm tonight, young master!"

"Don't say that. Aren't you coming along?"

"Hm~ It would be odd if I did. I need some rest today too."

Bella flashed a sly grin as she spoke.

Luca pouted.

"I'll want tea when I come back tonight."

"Huhu, have a safe evening, young master."

"Yeah."

And so, Luca set out to experience the first party of his life.

* * *

'Whew, I'm more nervous than expected.'

Even with Luca Traverse's memories, this was Luca's real first time going to a party.

He was understandably nervous.

And, at the same time, excited.

'A noble party, huh. Didn't think I'd ever get to experience this.'

Even in Luca Traverse's memories, parties were only vague.

He had been forced to attend, but would just sit in the corner, doing nothing, and slip out as soon as he could.

'I'm not expecting much. Also, to not disturb Bella's rest, maybe I shouldn't go back to the dorm tonight either.'

Subtly hoping so, Luca made his way to the Hernan Academy's convention center.

Normally, students exhibited inventions here or famous professors were invited for lectures, but on Friday nights or weekends, parties were held.

"Oh~ Wylde's little brother, you're early."

As he approached, Mika appeared as if he had been waiting.

"It's better than making someone wait."

"I wish your brother was like that, too."

"Is my brother coming as well?"

Mika laughed loudly at Luca's indifferent reply.

"Of course. More precisely, he's coming because you're here. He wouldn't come otherwise."

"I see."

"Hm... It'll take him a while, so want to go in first? I already told them, so you can go right in."

Luca hesitated for a moment.

Going into a party hall alone wasn't easy.

But waiting outside also felt awkward.

"Alright."

"See you inside then, Wylde's little brother."

Waving, Mika disappeared somewhere, and after looking around, Luca headed to the entrance of the hall.

The moment the guards saw his face, they bowed and let him in.

"... Whoa."

The moment he entered the hall, Luca let out a small gasp.

A beautifully decorated party hall, extravagantly dressed men and women, and soft music flowing from somewhere.

It was a noble's party like those seen in movies.

'This feels less like a novel and more like stepping into a film.'

Barely containing his excitement, Luca entered the hall.

"Oh my? I never thought I'd meet you in a place like this."

"... That way of speaking."

Luca looked with a disgruntled expression at the source of the voice.

Twin ponytails with strong waves, striking blond hair, an imposing figure.And, above all, the distinctive manner of speech.

"It's a pleasure to see you, Luca~."

Wearing a purple dress and partly hiding her lips with a flashy fan, Pasmo Ti-e was there.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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