Sorry, She Already Has Plans With Me

“Th-That is, Senior Kristine… if… if you don’t mind… c-could you… have a dance with me?”

Saying this seemed to have drained all the strength from his body.

Seeing that he had gotten a head start, the other two companions became anxious.

“Hey! You bastard, don’t try to sneak ahead!”

One of them was so flustered with excitement that he almost shouted.

“Senior, actually… actually, I’ve had a crush on you for a long time! Please… please dance with me!”

The moment he said this, the surroundings fell silent for a moment, then erupted in even louder jeers.

“Hey, hey! You’re confessing! That’s too cunning!”

The last one also got anxious. Without bothering to organize his words, he quickly said in a loud voice.

“Anyway, Senior! I… I want to dance with you too!”

The three of them bowed before Kristine, extending their hands, their dignity completely on the line.

The scene was, for a moment, inexplicably passionate and awkward.

Looking at the three trembling hands extended before her, the troubled look on Kristine’s face deepened.

She opened her mouth slightly, not knowing how to respond to these three fervent and direct invitations.

She had even heard the word “crush,” which made her brain short-circuit for a moment.

Kristine had never encountered such a direct situation before.

Moreover, these were all her first-year juniors.

She knew very well how much courage it must have taken for these young men, in the first bloom of love, to say such words in front of everyone.

If she were to refuse them all with a cold face, it would seem too cruel and unfeeling.

She had to find a reason to politely refuse them without embarrassing them too much.

In fact, ballroom dancing itself was just a formality.

The other ambiguous elements were just people’s wild imaginations.

Even if she agreed, it wouldn’t mean anything, but…

The commotion here had long attracted the attention of many people in the grand hall.

Many looked over curiously, wanting to see how this Saintess, known for her gentleness and kindness, would handle this “three-choose-one” dilemma.

Even Aphra, Irena, and Jianye glanced in this direction.

Kristine felt her cheeks growing hotter and hotter.

She thought quickly, but the more anxious she got, the less she could think of a suitable excuse.

Finally, under the scorching gazes of the three, she said in a flustered, low voice.

“Um… I… I haven’t danced in a long time. I might… I might have forgotten how…”

…

This was the most tactful excuse she could think of, hoping it would make the young men back down.

However, one of the boys, upon hearing this, mistakenly thought that since the senior hadn’t directly refused, it meant he had a chance!

He said excitedly.

“Th-That’s okay, Senior!”

“I’m very good at this dance. I can definitely lead you well!”

“You just need to close your eyes, Senior, and trust my rhythm!”

The other two, as if waking from a dream, quickly chimed in.

“Yes, yes, I can too!”

“I’m a very good dancer too. You can leave it to me, Senior.”

Now, Kristine was even more embarrassed.

The excuse she had barely come up with was easily dismantled.

If she continued to refuse, it would seem too deliberate.

She stood there, caught in a dilemma, her cheeks flushed, a hint of embarrassment in her eyes.

Black, who had already taken a step to leave quietly, happened to see this scene.

Looking at Kristine’s pitiful appearance, like a small animal caught in a trap.

He paused and sighed softly.

“Ah, this girl is really silly.”

Just as Kristine was wracking her brain for another excuse, and the three boys were still waiting expectantly for a response.

A figure parted the crowd and walked straight over.

Black, as if no one else were around, walked past the three boys and came directly in front of Kristine.

He didn’t ask, nor did he give Kristine time to react.

Under the astonished gazes of everyone around, he extended his hand in a domineering yet natural way.

And directly took Kristine’s soft, slender hand.

Then, he turned around, a perfectly apologetic smile on his face.

He said to the three stunned young men.

“Sorry, she already has plans with me.”

After speaking, before the three young men could react.

He pulled the still-dazed Kristine and turned towards the center of the dance floor.

“Wait…”

“Black?”

Kristine was pulled by his warm hand, her steps a little unsteady.

Her mind was a complete blank; she could only follow him passively.

Everyone’s gaze was focused on this pair.

Their faces were full of surprise.

‘Black… and Saintess Kristine?’

‘When did they get so close?’

Walking to the center of the dance floor.

Black stopped and let go of her hand.

Under Kristine’s dazed gaze, he made a move that drew a low gasp from the entire hall.

He leaned forward slightly and, with extreme elegance, knelt on one knee, performing a standard invitation to dance.

His right hand was placed on his chest, and his left hand gently took Kristine’s right.

He bowed his head and placed a brief kiss on the back of her smooth hand.

His voice was very clear.

“My lady Saintess, it would be a great honor to have this dance with you.”

This was the highest standard of etiquette for inviting a member of the opposite s*x of a higher status to dance.

A warm and moist sensation came from the back of her hand.

It was like a faint electric current that instantly shot through Kristine’s entire body.

She shuddered.

And came back to her senses from the immense shock.

‘Oh my goodness!’

‘Black… he… he actually…’

An indescribable heat rushed to her head.

Kristine felt like her cheeks were hot enough to fry an egg.

Her heart was beating wildly in her chest.

This feeling was very strange.

But… she found that she didn’t dislike it.

There was even a tiny spark of joy in the depths of her heart.

‘If it’s dancing… if it’s with Black, she… is willing.’

But then she remembered the excuse she had just made.

She blushed and stammered to Black in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz.

“Black, what I… what I said just now, it wasn’t entirely an excuse.”

“I really haven’t danced in a long time. I might be very bad…”

Black looked at her evasive eyes, smiled slightly, and extended his hand to her.

His voice carried a reassuring strength.

“It’s okay. I know how to dance. You just need to relax and follow my rhythm.”

Hearing this, Kristine’s heart settled.

She nodded lightly, having made up her mind.

She placed her slightly cool little hand into Black’s.

The music started again; it was that classic court waltz.

Under the crystal chandelier, two figures, one in black and one in white, began to move.

Black’s steps were smooth and steady, without any hesitation.

And Kristine, just as she had said, was a bit rusty.

Her steps were hesitant and slow, and she almost stepped on Black’s foot.

But every time, Black could quickly sense her mistake.

And inconspicuously guide her back to the correct rhythm and position.

He was like an experienced navigator.

Steadily steering this slightly nervous little boat in the ocean of music.