The rest lounge in the corridor was a quiet spot for weary gala guests to catch a break. The small room featured a floor-to-ceiling window framed by light blue curtains, a sofa, a simple vanity for women, and a full-length mirror.
Yukiko Fujimine wasted no time. She grabbed scissors and began cutting the voluminous skirt off her lavender evening gown. But that alone wasn't enough—wearing the dress made alterations tricky. Gritting her teeth, she started to slip it off.
"Whoa, is that necessary?" Alex said, quickly turning away.
Yukiko froze, suddenly remembering a guy was in the room. But with no time to waste, she brushed it off. "Don't you dare turn around!"
After warning Alex, she blushed furiously and stripped off the dress.
Standing in just her underwear, she reached for something to cover up. Before she could, a warm jacket landed on her head.
"Wear mine," Alex said.
"…Thanks," Yukiko mumbled, her voice small.
When he's not teasing, he's actually pretty sweet. No wonder Glasses Girl is so hung up on him.
"All good?" Alex asked, turning back once she'd covered up.
His jacket was oversized on Yukiko, hanging loosely. It revealed a glimpse of cleavage and left her long legs bare, somehow making her look even more alluring.
This girl's got some figure… Alex thought, unable to look away.
Oblivious to her appearance, Yukiko focused on her dress. She transformed the long skirt into a knee-length one, repurposing the excess fabric into a new design and sewing it back on.
After over half an hour of intense work, she held up the result triumphantly. "Well? You can't even tell it's the same dress, right?"
"Yeah," Alex nodded, impressed.
The knee-length skirt, aside from its color, bore no resemblance to the original gown.
"Heh, I am a genius beauty," Yukiko said, tilting her chin with a smug grin.
"Don't dawdle—put it on!" Alex said, exasperated. "You don't think you're presentable like that, do you?"
"What's wrong with how I look? I've got your jacket…" Yukiko's words cut off as she caught her reflection in the mirror. Her face turned crimson. "Alex! You pervert! Why didn't you warn me sooner?"
"You were so focused, I didn't want to interrupt," Alex said, his tone deliberately innocent.
The view had been too good to miss, and he wasn't a saint.
"Excuses!" Yukiko huffed, glaring. "You just wanted to sneak a peek!"
"If you don't change soon, I won't be the only one sneaking peeks," Alex said, pointing at the clock. "It's been over half an hour. The buffet in the hall's probably starting."
"Turn around so I can change!" Yukiko snapped.
As Alex turned, she started to shrug off his jacket. Just then, footsteps echoed outside.
Oh no, someone's coming!
Yukiko grabbed her modified dress, fumbling to put it on, but in her panic, she couldn't get it over her head.
Alex glanced at the door—the handle was turning. Yukiko still wasn't dressed. If someone walked in now, they'd both be in deep trouble, with no way to explain this.
Desperate to save his reputation, Alex didn't think twice. He grabbed his jacket, pulled Yukiko close, and ducked behind the curtains.
The space was tight. To avoid detection, they pressed close together.
Yukiko's face was burning, practically glowing red. In the chaos, she hadn't had time to react before Alex yanked her behind the curtain. Clad only in her underwear, pressed against him, it was her first time in such an intimate situation.
Whether from embarrassment or nerves, Yukiko felt dizzy, her legs buckling. A pair of strong hands caught her waist, holding her tightly.
"Just hold on," Alex whispered into her ear, his voice low. "They'll leave soon."
Yukiko, too flustered to speak, nodded faintly against his shoulder.
A couple entered the lounge. Within moments, they started arguing.
"What's with that woman? Don't think I didn't see! Are you trying to hook up with her again?"
"Hook up? I'm a director, she's an actress. Discussing a potential collaboration is normal!"
"That's the same excuse you used to get with me!"
"Get with you? We're married! What more do you want?"
The argument went back and forth until the woman relented.
"There are reporters everywhere. I don't want to lose face, but don't push it!"
"Fine, I won't talk to her tonight."
"Take your meds. It's time."
"There's only two left? I thought we had half a bottle."
"You must've miscounted."
The couple quieted down, no longer bickering.
Behind the curtain, Alex tensed, terrified of making a sound and drawing attention. But at that moment, Yukiko, for reasons unknown, started squirming, trying to shift away.
Are you crazy? Alex mouthed, eyes wide.
Yukiko bit her lip, glaring at him with a mix of embarrassment and indignation.
Alex blinked, then realized why she was moving. His face flushed slightly, and he shifted to give her space.
The couple, oblivious to the curtain's slight rustle, took their meds and left.
As soon as they were gone, Alex and Yukiko sprang apart.
"Uh… that wasn't on purpose," Alex said, scratching his head awkwardly.
Yukiko's cheeks were still red, her eyes glistening with a mix of charm and embarrassment. "Per~vert~"
The words slipped out, but her soft, shy tone sounded less like an insult and more like a lover's tease. Realizing this, she panicked and tried again, her voice sharper.
"Pervert!"
(Chapter End)
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