"...Mahiro-kun, isn't this a bad idea? What if we get caught by accident...?"
Sayaka's anxious whisper echoed faintly in the empty corridor.
Yotsuba Mahiro only smirked, tightening his grip on her wrist as he led the way forward. "Relax, Sayaka-chan. There are so many people in the venue already, they won't notice one more or one less person. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility. Just follow me, alright?"
Their hurried footsteps rang lightly against the polished floor, the tension between them almost tangible.
Sayaka, dressed awkwardly in the Ichiko Students' uniform that Mahiro had prepared for her, tried to match his pace. Her cheeks were faintly red—both from nervousness and from the fact that she wasn't supposed to be here at all.
How had things come to this point?
The reason was surprisingly simple.
Earlier, when Mizuki had gone back to her room to change, Mahiro had struck up some casual conversation with Sayaka. But in her nervous chatter, Sayaka had let slip Erika's "plan."
No wonder Erika had been acting so smug when she claimed she was "a related party" for the evening banquet. It turned out that her brilliant idea was to sneak into the Nine Schools Competition banquet by working as a server!
And not just Erika—Mizuki, Leo, Sayaka herself, and even some guy named Yoshida had all gotten dragged into the plan.
Honestly, Erika could do whatever reckless things she wanted; Mahiro was used to her antics. But to let timid, gentle Sayaka serve tables? That, he simply couldn't tolerate.
So he had borrowed a spare school uniform from Miyuki, convinced Sayaka to change into it, and pulled her straight toward the banquet hall.
As it happened, Miyuki and Sayaka were almost the same height, and their figures weren't too different either. With a little luck, the disguise worked perfectly. Unfortunately, intimate things like stockings or pantyhose weren't something Mahiro could arrange, so Sayaka's white skirt now swayed slightly as her bare, pale legs peeked out from underneath. Her calves gleamed faintly under the corridor lights, adding an unintended elegance to her otherwise nervous demeanor.
With a soft creak, Mahiro pushed open the door to the banquet hall.
By now, the venue was already packed with students from the nine different schools, their uniforms forming colorful clusters that marked their identities. The low murmur of conversations, the clinking of glasses, and the music played by the live ensemble filled the grand space.
Pulling Sayaka along, Mahiro smoothly slipped them both into the crowd.
And then, of course, Erika spotted them.
Her eyes widened. "You really dared to do it, huh? You actually brought Mibu-chan here to sneak in!"
Dressed in a frilly maid's uniform, Erika balanced a tray in her hands while still managing to smirk at Mahiro. Before he could answer, she shoved a non-alcoholic cocktail into his free hand.
Mahiro calmly took a sip, washing down the pastry he'd already stuffed into his mouth. Then, with a grin, he replied:
"Of course. The bold thrive, and the timid starve, Erika-chan. Besides, with this many people around, no one's going to notice an extra face or two."
It was true. The banquet's attendants didn't have detailed lists of every single student's name and face. And honestly, who else would be as daring—or as foolish—as Yotsuba Mahiro, sneaking someone into such a prestigious but admittedly boring event?
Still, Erika muttered a little complaint under her breath. "Tch... if I had known this, I would've found a way to sneak in too. Why am I stuck playing waitress here?"
With that, she plopped her tray down on a nearby table and stalked off, clearly fed up with her role.
Sayaka, however, looked the complete opposite of Erika—reserved, timid, and almost trembling. She seemed convinced that everyone was staring at her, and her eyes darted nervously around the hall as though exposure was imminent.
Mahiro leaned closer, his lips almost brushing her ear. "Sayaka-chan, relax. Act natural. The key is to blend in. If you look stiff and nervous, that's when people notice."
For someone like Mahiro, slipping through situations like this was second nature. But Sayaka had never experienced anything like it before. It wasn't just her first Nine Schools Competition banquet—it was also her first time sneaking into such an event!
Even after his whispered reminder, her hand still shook slightly as she clutched the stem of her glass.
"Mahiro-kun... is this really okay? What if—what if we're found out?" she asked again, her voice soft with worry.
Mahiro turned to her fully this time, his expression calm and confident. "Don't worry, Sayaka-chan. It's fine. All you need to do is enjoy yourself tonight."
As he spoke, he reached down and gently intertwined his fingers with hers. The warmth of his hand enveloped hers firmly, and the reassurance in that small gesture made her heart flutter.
Sayaka blinked, looking up at him with wide eyes. The turmoil inside her chest eased, replaced with a fragile sense of security.
With Mahiro-kun by my side... there's nothing to fear.
Even so, when it came time to greet others, her nerves quickly returned. Especially when a familiar trio of students began to approach.
"Mibu-senpai, we meet again," Miyuki said warmly, her elegant smile flawless as always. "How's the fit of the clothes? Are they too tight anywhere?"
Sayaka nearly jumped. The one speaking was none other than Shiba Miyuki herself—so graceful, so dazzling that she seemed to outshine the entire banquet hall.
"Ah—ah, thank you, Shiba-kohai. The clothes... they fit perfectly. No problem at all," Sayaka stammered, bowing slightly.
She couldn't help but glance gratefully at the girl who had lent her the uniform and thus made this infiltration possible.
The truth was, Miyuki herself didn't even understand why she had agreed to Mahiro's absurd request. And yet... here they all were.
No. The truth was clear.
It was because Yotsuba Mahiro was the one who asked.
After all… he was her Mahiro-oniisama.
When Kitayama Shizuku and Shibata Honoka, who had come alongside Miyuki, noticed Sayaka standing there, they both froze in shock. Even Shizuku, who usually wore a stoic expression, parted her lips slightly as surprise flickered across her face.
"Mibu-senpai… how could you—"
"Ehh?!" Honoka gasped aloud, her voice echoing louder than she intended.
"Honoka, quiet down." Miyuki instantly placed a hand over her mouth, and Shizuku followed suit, calmly restraining her arm.
"That's right. Baka Honoka, if you shout like that, you'll only cause trouble for Mibu-senpai and Mahiro-kun," Shizuku said in her usual cool tone, though her words carried weight and care.
Honoka, muffled and red-faced, struggled for a moment before nodding rapidly. Only then did they release her.
Still flustered, she looked back at Mahiro, her brows knitting in concern. "But… Mahiro-kun, is it really okay for you to do something like this?"
Her voice trembled. This wasn't just mischief—it was practically a direct challenge to the order of the Nine Schools Competition.
But before Mahiro could reply, Shizuku spoke on his behalf. "Don't worry. If Mahiro decided to act, then he's already made preparations. Isn't that right?"
"That's right, Honoka," Miyuki added with a smile that was both gentle and unshakable. "You don't need to worry yourself too much. Oh, look—there are some delicious treats over there. Let's go take a look, shall we?"
"Eh? W-wait—"
Before Honoka could resist, Miyuki and Shizuku each took one of her arms, practically dragging her away like twin guardians blocking the path.
Sayaka watched them go, finally exhaling the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
Mahiro tilted his head slightly toward her. "Well? Was it tense? Or exciting?"
Sayaka pressed her lips together before nodding. "Mm… very tense. This kind of feeling… it's my first time."
"Hehe, it's fine," Mahiro chuckled, his calmness unwavering in contrast to her racing heart. "There will be many more chances like this in the future. You'll get used to it."
His casual words steadied her trembling nerves. Compared to her, Mahiro was unshaken, almost as though he had expected every twist already.
But just as the tension began to settle—another wave approached.
This time, it was Saegusa Mayumi, First High's Student Council President, accompanied by her ever-spirited friend Watanabe Mari.
Mayumi's elegant steps halted when her gaze landed on Sayaka. Her fan paused in her hand, and for the briefest moment, her lips parted.
"…How bold…" she murmured with an amused smile, hiding her surprise behind a mask of sophistication.
Mari, however, reacted without restraint. "Mibu?! How could you—!"
Her sharp voice immediately drew stares from several nearby students.
Sayaka's eyes widened, panic rising. "S-Senpai, it's not like that, I—"
But before her words could tumble out in a rush, Mayumi gracefully raised her fan, stepping between them.
"Mari, you're overreacting," she said, her tone calm but authoritative. "Have you forgotten? Mibu-san is also a representative from our First High. There's nothing strange about her being here."
As she spoke, Mayumi gave her friend a playful wink, her expression saying more than her words: Don't press further here.
Mari blinked, caught off guard. It took a long moment before her expression softened into realization.
"Ah… right. My apologies, Mibu. I'd forgotten for a moment that you're also a competitor in the Nine Schools Competition." She straightened, her voice serious now.
Sayaka, however, was left utterly dumbfounded.
She had braced herself for reprimands, for accusations of intrusion—but instead, these two upperclassmen had chosen to cover for her, to weave a convenient excuse that legitimized her presence.
The truth was simple. Sneaking into the banquet might not have been a grave crime, but if it came to light, it would reflect poorly on the organizers, creating embarrassment on a public stage.
So, they chose the path of least resistance. To maintain harmony, they played along.
Whatever consequences awaited, they could be dealt with later.
For now, the banquet would continue—unbroken, as though nothing unusual had occurred.