People were already gathering at the hall.
“Fuwahh~”
A stupid sound escaped me because of how moved I was.
The hall was overflowing with Oneesamas in fluttering dresses of various colours. Together with the vivid rings of flowers decorating the hall here and there, the room was like a sea of flowers.122Please respect copyright.PENANAZgaipetlPb
Although the Oniisamas weren’t dressed as gorgeously as the Oneesamas, they were dreamy in their formal attire too.
Hahh, so this is the Pivoine Summer Party that everybody adores.122Please respect copyright.PENANAmYS8LiKxpk
It’s like everything is glittering!
To begin with, almost all the guests here were students from Zui’ran, so the place was filled with youth.122Please respect copyright.PENANA3Ejxb6kIox
I’ve been to various parties as the daughter of the Kisshouin family before, but they were focused around the Ojisamas and Obasamas of the upper class, so they just stressed me out and weren’t fun at all.122Please respect copyright.PENANAjAHLBhm8DP
Because I was still a child, I tried my best to avoid going.122Please respect copyright.PENANAvB3ZRPbp0N
Apparently my parents wanted to bring me with them though.
“Reika? Are you okay?”
Oh gosh. Did I leave my mouth open?122Please respect copyright.PENANApUt9k8ax3v
I hurriedly put my fallen ‘ojousama mask’ back on.
“I am fine, Oniisama. But please make sure to stay by my side, okay?”
Although we were only supposed to be lightly linking arms, I was firmly wrapped around.122Please respect copyright.PENANA3t88hG7OQf
Sorry if it gets your jacket wrinkly, Oniisama.122Please respect copyright.PENANAPm6TVk2yUp
But if I let my guard down, I’m confident that I’ll end up lost while my eyes are glued on something.
“Look, Oniisama. Everything is sparkling so radiantly.”
“Isn’t it just the reflections from the chandelier? It’s thanks to the calculated lighting.”
Please don’t pour cold water over a maiden’s dreams.
Now that the party had begun, everybody was chatting and smiling with a glass in hand, so I quickly invited Oniisama to come look at the rose arc with me.
“I wish to see it before the sun sets! You recommended it to me, didn’t you?”
“Yes, yes.”
Oniisama escorted me out onto the terrace and furthest back in the garden with a small white fountain and tables sets… There it was! A rose arch!122Please respect copyright.PENANAU32Cv7LftV
It’s even cuter than I imagined!122Please respect copyright.PENANAQwGPG8KRwP
The arc decorated with red roses was tied by ribbons of white chiffon, and blowing in the wind made it look like a wedding veil.122Please respect copyright.PENANA5DLkoSQqzz
And at the top was a bell!122Please respect copyright.PENANAZAXPpZmPoa
I want to ring it!
“Oniisama! Could it be that it’s one of those bells that grants you happiness if you ring it!?”
“I wonder. I haven’t heard that, but… You want to ring it?”
“Uu-”
With such a cute bell, anybody would want to ring it, right!?122Please respect copyright.PENANAEwWhHNm4Zo
I wonder if I can’t. There are lots of people around me, after all.122Please respect copyright.PENANAfi7KlMMP5w
Would I look like a bumpkin?
“Come.”
Oniisama took me by the hand and brought me in front of the arch.
“Excuse me. It seems that my younger sister would like to ring the bell. Would that be all right with you?”
Oniisama spoke to the senpai closest to the bell.122Please respect copyright.PENANAUhU1sEu3K3
The senpai happily gave the spot to us, and Oniisama urged me forward. But. With all these people watching now, ringing it needs courage―!122Please respect copyright.PENANABD1POrqkG9
Oniisama sure has guts~
But they went out of their way to give me this chance. I guess I’ll take advantage of everyone’s good will and ring it?122Please respect copyright.PENANAVIDfwAjhkU
It’s embarrassing by myself, so I’ll do it together with Oniisama.122Please respect copyright.PENANAuUzW45NIOA
Oniisama was making a complicated expression, but I won’t mind it.122Please respect copyright.PENANAxRv4WIXoLf
When the two of us rang the bell, somebody said “My, it’s like a pair of newlyweds at their wedding.” and Oniisama made an even more complicated expression. Don’t mind it.
Apparently girls from the primary section saw me happily ringing the bell because they gathered here and wanted to ring it too.122Please respect copyright.PENANAIIvE026Re1
Right? Right?122Please respect copyright.PENANAAg08oSHNFA
I knew it. Everyone actually wanted to ring it. It’s because I did the embarrassing thing of going first that they had the courage to do so, right?122Please respect copyright.PENANAbG0HyrKpL8
Good job, me.
After having my fill of the rose arch I returned inside to find that people in the middle of the room were dancing the waltz!122Please respect copyright.PENANA5YA701IIYn
Party! Waltz!
“Oniisama,”
Sensing something from me, Oniisama averted his face and tried to head to the buffet corner.122Please respect copyright.PENANAPCqSxNR1Nu
But he had his armed linked to the unmoving me.
“Oniisama, it’s the waltz.”
“Don’t wanna.”
An immediate reply?
As a daughter of the upper class, I take ballroom dance classes as well.122Please respect copyright.PENANAil6SGErMw8
Apparently Oniisama isn’t taking them now, but of course he took them in the past.122Please respect copyright.PENANAS36CiWNUZf
Since he went to the trouble of learning it, wouldn’t he want a chance to put it to use? Otherwise what did he learn it for, right?122Please respect copyright.PENANAGXTMmTKzY3
After ringing the bell on the rose arch I’ve been on an odd sort of high.122Please respect copyright.PENANAkK7bb0cGuJ
Normally I’d be too embarrassed to decide to dance of my own accord.
“Just one song, Oniisama. Okay? Okay?”
Please say yes. It’s to make good memories for your cute little sister.
“Hahh…”
Oniisama gave a big sigh before dropping his head dejectedly.
“Just one song, okay?”
YAYYYY!
The orchestra’s song flowed through the hall.
One, two, three. One, two, three.122Please respect copyright.PENANA6tC2f5tg81
Straightenn your back. Don’tt lower your arms. Now! One, two, three. One, two, three.
While recalling my teacher’s lessons, I span around, and around.122Please respect copyright.PENANAg3ybFlZ06f
The chandelier up on the ceiling sparkled with light.122Please respect copyright.PENANA58RT0fsipD
The hem of my favourite dress danced in the air.122Please respect copyright.PENANAtmLtnOHcWH
Aahh, this is so much fun. It’s like a dream.