Chương 38: He Expectedly Doesn’t Like Formal Events (End)
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[Yukinoshita Yukino's POV]
As I silently sat at the table reserved for our family, I watched Nee-san interact with the pretty lady who represented Orion Japan. It was apparent (to me) that the pretty lady was not enjoying Nee-san's company. Nee-san must be aware of that too; however, she didn't have any intention to let her go. After all, the pretty lady's cold aura was effective in repelling the men. In addition to that, it was more beneficial to approach the representative of Orion Japan as they were the biggest company attending the event.
I sighed exasperatedly as I fiddled with my glass that was filled with non-alcoholic champagne. I had successfully evaded events like this, but Mother didn't let me this time. She threatened to take me back home if I refused to come, so I relented. I didn't get Mother at times. I didn't even do anything at events like this, unlike Nee-san. I wondered why she bothered to make me come.
Maybe, she doesn't want people to think that she favors one child over the other.
That thought made my mouth taste bitter. I sighed in exasperation and took a sip of my champagne. I continued watching Nee-san following (bothering) the pretty lady around as if she was her only lifeline. I felt slightly bad for the lady, but it was her fault for not properly shooing Nee-san off.
"Excuse me. You are Yukino-san, aren't you?"
Someone appeared in the corner of my eyes, causing me to look up as he spoke. I had seen his face in a few business gathering events, so he must be the son of one of Father's business partners.
"Yes, that will be me. May I help you?"
"Ah, I was wondering if you would like to dance with me later."
"No."
Unlike Nee-san, I would never hesitate to turn down someone. I didn't like giving mixed signals, making people misunderstand me. I was Yukinoshita Yukino and I never lied. The boy should have been dejected or too embarrassed to say and left, but he shot me a polite smile instead. I sighed dreadfully, only now remembering how stubborn people with inflated egos were.
"Then, would you like to spend some time chatting? You look quite lonely, so I can't help but come over."
You are not bad-looking. Those superficial girls will like you, so bother them!
I wanted to scream that out but couldn't. I didn't mind humiliating him, but I couldn't risk straining the relationship between his father and mine.
"Welcoming the representatives of Orion Inc.!"
My words were caught in my throat at the announcement. Everyone also turned to the door in anticipation. Orion Japan was already enough to make them jump in excitement, so the arrival of Orion Inc.'s representatives must make them think it was their lucky day. I looked at the pretty lady from Orion Japan and found her quite surprised. It seemed that she didn't know someone from the main company would come.
"Orion Inc.'s Board Director, Hikigaya Hachiman-sama, and his partner, the cousin of Orion Inc.'s owner, Oshino Shinobu-sama."
I blinked my eyes a couple of times at the mentioned name and the position associated with the name. I choked on my breath when the door opened, revealing him in a red tuxedo with his hand entangled with his partner who was dressed in a matching black and red dress. Every eye was planted on them as they walked in. Their extraordinary appearance aside, the aura they were exuding was enough to make even the most obnoxious person bow when he met their gaze. They didn't look at everyone with degrading eyes, but everyone instinctively felt inferior.
They looked so fit together, causing my heart to clench. I wanted to run from the place. I had never felt this upset since Hayama-kun turned a blind eye to my bullying. I wanted to scurry away silently; alas, the chair screeched. The room was quiet as everyone was busy admiring the two, so I attracted quite a lot of attention. I felt so embarrassed that I wanted to cry. As I expected, coming to this event was a bad choice.
"Ah, didn't know you would come here, Yukino."
Then, he called my name. MY NAME!
"Good evening, H-Hachiman-kun," I replied, inwardly berating myself for messing it up at the end.
Hikigaya-kun and Oshino-san walked to me. The obnoxious boy flinched as he met Hikigaya-kun's questioning look and then excused himself in a hurry. Serves you, right? I scoffed at his unsightly display. He behaved like how I expected someone like him to do. He would only raise his head as long as no one above him around. A coward.
"Good evening, Yukino-san. It will be our first time calling each other our names and I would like to keep it this way. Your family name is a mouthful one," Shinobu-san said.
"A-Ah, yes, Shinobu-san," I replied.
"Please, do the same for me. Calling you by your family name wastes too much energy," Hachiman-kun added, as lazy as ever.
"I thought you had changed, but you are still as lazy as ever. But I am a benevolent person, so I shall let you call me by name, Hachiman-kun."
"What an honor to be called so affectionately by the Ice Queen, Yukino-sama," Hachiman-kun returned, bowing sarcastically.
I smiled, prompting him to do the same. Shinobu-san shook her head faintly in amusement on the side. We were at a formal event, but I felt like in the club at that moment. I was relaxed and enjoying the event for the first time. As expected, Hachiman-kun was capable of doing wonders.
From the corner of my eyes, I noticed people approaching. I was reminded that the two people in front of me were important. Unlike me who was a mere daughter of the owner of a national company and a national diet member, they were directly involved in the working of a multibillion-dollar international company. I didn't doubt the two could buy our company. Therefore, it was normal for everyone to want to talk to establish a relationship with them.
"Chief…?" the pretty lady from Orion Japan called out hesitantly as she looked at Hachiman-kun.
"Yo, Sae-chan," Hachiman-kun greeted, making me anxiously wonder what their relationship was.
"A-Ah, hello," the pretty lady greeted back before fixing her dress. "Kuhum! I thought you weren't interested in attending the gala."
"I was and still am, but something came up." Hachiman-kun paused to observe the pretty lady, making her blush and fiddle. "You look good in that dress, Sae-chan." From the corner of my eye, I noticed Shinobu-san pinching his side, causing him to add, "My Shinobu looks better, though. Don't worry, you look incredible enough to make anyone head over heels for you." Somehow, his words made all of us feel bitter.
"Ne ne, what about me, Hachiman? Do I look good?" Nee-san chimed in.
"What do you want to hear from me, Haruno?" Hachiman-kun answered neutrally.
"Your honest opinion, of course."
"You look good in that dress."
"Is it good enough to make you fall for me?" Nee-san asked mischievously, ignoring Shinobu-san's hostile gaze.
"It takes more than an appearance to conquer a true man's heart, Haruno," Hachiman-kun answered calmly, rarely romantic.
"What is it, then?"
"You have to find that out."
Nee-san pouted but didn't bother Hachiman-kun as the giddy guests couldn't hold back their urge any longer. All of them swarmed Shinobu-san and Hachiman-kun, desperately introducing themselves and making a good impression. The two dealt with the people as if it was their morning routine. I had witnessed Hachiman-kun being serious, but seeing him act professionally was my first time. He looked incredibly charming as he responded to each of them.
I looked to the side and found Nee-san along with Sae-san watching Hachiman-kun with a vacant look. My face contorted and I wanted to scream in frustration. I didn't understand what I was feeling, but I hated it. I forced myself to calm down by exhaling deeply. I would figure out why I was bothered by the fact that Nee-san and Sae-san held an interest in Hachiman-kun.
"Well, I certainly don't like events like this. I am going to make sure to never come again even if I am invited," Hachiman-kun remarked when he had done talking with everyone.
"You are a board director, after all," Shinobu-san responded dryly.
"I thought I wasn't going to be involved with the main company until I finished college."
"Suck it up, boy."
From their conversation, I could conclude that Shinobu-san and Hachiman-kun had a deeper relationship than it appeared. I was curious but didn't want to open a can of worms, so I stomped my curiosity down and then interacted with them normally. Nee-san and Sae-san joined us and didn't show any sign of leaving us. I could understand why. Hachiman-kun was a good male repellent. All of them were too intimidated by his status to approach.
It wasn't the case with the females, however, as quite a lot of them still approached him to ask for a dance later. They were sputtering and blushing as they were talking to him. He responded by saying that he would dance with them after he had danced with all of us. The oblivious females got excited, failing to understand he had just rejected their invitation.
"Well, well, well. May I dance with you also, Hikigaya-kun?"
The atmosphere abruptly turned tense at the appearance of a brown-haired man. He was the head of the Azel group. Hachiman-kun's face remained stoic, but his eyes promised pain as they locked on the man. The man smiled politely, but I could tell he was taunting Hachiman-kun. My breath was caught in my throat as he approached the man.
A sense of foreboding washed over me. As if sharing the same sentiment, everyone in the hall turned silent.
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Honorary Mention:
Venerable Immortal Bowzer
Venerable Immortal Drowz
Venerable Immortal Funéral
Venerable Immortal Keksimus Rex
Venerable Immortal Orion
Venerable Immortal x_iLaggedOut_x
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