Chapter 17: Ginji goes in.

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Translator: Soafp

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Ginji, dressed in a suit, holds the painting and shows the pass to the reception.

“Yes, I've confirmed it. It's in the first hall on the seventh floor.”

“Thank you.”

Ginji, who looked unusually good in the suit, was able to enter the venue without drawing suspicion. Normally, he would just hand the painting over to the staff setting up the venue and leave, but he wasn’t going to do that. After giving the painting to the staff, he started looking for a place to blend in.

“Since I have a pass, where would be a place where I won't be suspected?”

He soon spotted the staff lounge. Walking in confidently, he blended in with the other servants. Although he stood out a bit, he wasn't being directly called out.

Ginji's goal was clear: to observe the relationship between Aika Shiki and Sora. He wanted to see how Shiki really felt about Sora, so he planned to watch them outside of school.

Soon, the preparations for the party were complete, and the invited guests began to arrive.

While hiding behind a pillar in the staff lounge, Ginji observed as Aika appeared. The other servants around her began whispering as they looked at her.

“Is that Shiki’s daughter? She’s so beautiful.”

“Our young master had prepared a present to get close to her. I wonder how it will turn out.”

“I heard that her painting will be displayed today. It’s quite something.”

It seemed that Aika was well-known among the staff as a lady of distinction. Behind her, Sora walked in a party suit. Even though it should have been tailored to fit, it didn't quite suit her due to her broad shoulders.

As Sora was about to walk away from Aika and approach Ginji, he broke into a cold sweat. However, Aika stopped Sora from leaving her side.

“What's going on? Tch, can't hear them.”

At this point, Ginji decided he couldn't get any closer. He pulled back and blended into the crowd while keeping the two of them in sight.

After about ten minutes, the party officially began. It was a large gathering, and Aika’s stunning appearance drew many people, allowing Ginji to get closer to hear their conversations.

A tall, middle-aged man approached them. He was about 180 cm tall, with well-defined facial features that seemed somewhat foreign.

According to Sora, he was a quarter-Japanese, and indeed, he had features that resembled Aika's.

“Father, you're late.”

“Apologies. I got caught up boasting about my beautiful daughter.”

“Isn't mother with you?”

“She went to get a glass. She'll be here soon. I'm glad to see you, Sora.”

“Th-thank you.”

Sora’s face, which was slightly lowered, wasn't visible to Ginji, but he could see her sharp, delicate profile from the side. Without glasses, she looked even more androgynous, making her resemble a character from an anime. Ginji privately thought about it.

“Hmm, still wearing that outfit, huh? You should at least try standing next to Aika once in a while.”

“Father, Sora said she wanted to wear this outfit herself. Isn't it a matter of personal preference?”

“I see… well, I suppose I shouldn’t interfere with her tastes. Enjoy the party. If only my brother would contact me a bit more often, he's always so reckless.”

“Father is busy.”

“I'll let him know next time I see him. If you ever need anything, you can always tell Aika.”

“Yes.”

“Well then, Aika, I'll go around greeting the guests as the host.”

“Take care, Father.”

Sora responded while carefully watching Aika, who waved her hand at her father as he left.

It seemed that Aika's uncle didn't harbor any bad feelings toward Sora. This was a big relief for Ginji, as he had been concerned that Aika's parents might turn against them.

“Still, I don't get it… why does Shiki bring Sora along?”

Ginji thought to himself.

After continuing to observe, Ginji realized that while Aika had been condescending toward Sora at school, she treated her as if she didn't exist here, speaking to others instead. Meanwhile, Sora, with a practiced demeanor, served appetizers and took care of bags, seeming very much like a servant. He also heard that Sora was even doing Aika's makeup.

It didn't seem like Aika was using Sora for her abilities; rather, it felt like she was making Sora waste her time on trivial tasks…

Ginji could feel himself getting closer to an unsettling realization, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

While lost in thought, a strange, thin man in a mismatched suit, around 30 years old, approached Aika.

“Ah, Aika, it's so good to see you. I just spoke with your father a moment ago.”

“Sakakibara-Sensei, it's an honor to meet you.”

Who was that? Ginji wondered, but when he quickly searched the name on his phone, it came up immediately. The search results showed an artist who was gaining recognition in the field of contemporary art, based abroad. His colorful paintings were selling for exorbitant prices—things that Ginji couldn't even begin to understand.

“The painting you submitted to last month's competition was fantastic. I heard you brought another one today. Your artistic passion is incredible. Was it a painting of the ocean?”

“Yes, I have many things I want to paint. I've been studying the expression of water. Where can I see it displayed?”

“It's being displayed… in the west section.”

Hearing Sora's whisper, Aika quickly turned to Sakakibara-Sensei.

“It seems like it's being displayed in the west section, Sakakibara-Sensei. I'm a bit embarrassed, but I'd love to hear your honest critique.”

“Ha, I'm not good at giving critiques, but I'm very good at sharing my impressions.”

Sora relayed this to Aika, and Aika flashed a bright smile, glancing at Sora.

Ginji, making sure not to be noticed, quietly followed the group, eager to see how the artist would react to “Sora's painting, which mimicked Aika's style.”