I guess it's time for my, the background character's counterattack, huh.
Well, mind you, I'm not that much of an fool.
I exhaled slowly, keeping my expression calm.
The world may have forced my hand, but that didn't mean I'd play along like an obedient idiot.
So, I began with the most rational approach.
"I appreciate the suggestion," I said, my voice even, "but I'm not particularly fond of such festivities. I consider them a waste of time, and I don't particulary enjoy big crowds."
A pause.
I let my words sink in before delivering the final blow.
"Not to mention—I can't dance. Nor do I intend to."
Silence.
Complete, stunned silence.
Aeron blinked. Livia's mouth fell open slightly, as if the thought had never even occurred to her. Emilia merely raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable.
Then—
"Besides," I continued smoothly, before Livia could interrupt. "we're making decisions without hearing Miss Emilia's opinion."
I gestured toward her. "Didn't she say she had no plans to attend? She even rejected someone much nobler than me just earlier."
That was my way out. My escape route. If Emilia denied it, case closed.
But the world wasn't that kind.
Because, without hesitation, Emilia tilted her head and said—
"I don't mind if it's Classmate Aman."
…
What.
I barely stopped my eyes from twitching.
Don't say uneccesary things.
Livia gasped dramatically, while Aeron's eyebrows nearly shot into his hairline.
Even the system seemed surprised because no second prompt followed.
I, on the other hand, was racking my brain at full speed.
How. Why. What part of my argument just got shattered into pieces?!
And worse—why was Livia looking at me like that?!
"Ohhh~" she smirked. "You heard her! She doesn't mind!"
"I do," I said flatly. That didn't mean I wanted to.
She beamed, taking a step closer, ignroing my words. "Then it's settled! You two will go together!"
"I never agreed."
"But you don't have a reason to refuse anymore~!"
I opened my mouth—then closed it.
Damn it.
Then, to my horror, Aeron—AERON—joined in.
"She has a point," he mused, rubbing the back of his neck. "Besides, it's not like you'll be alone. We'll all be there."
I turned to him, narrowing my eyes.
Traitor.
"Oh! And you're definitely better than that arrogant blondie," Livia added cheerfully.
I inhaled deeply, reigning in my exasperation.
Stay calm. Stay logical. Find the loophole.
…Found it.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair.
"Alright," I said finally, voice even. "I can be Miss Emilia's partner."
Livia grinned in triumph.
"But."
The grin stiffined for a moment.
"I still refuse to do more than that," I continued. "I'll accompany her to the event, but dancing or any other related activities… I'll have to decline."
Livia frowned, clearly about to argue—until I smoothly cut in.
"But don't worry, I already thought of a solution."
I turned to Aeron, smirking inwardly.
"Why don't you ladies take turns dancing with our friend Aeron instead?"
Aeron immediately tensed.
"I'm sure he can handle it easily," I said, my tone completely sincere. "Didn't Miss Livia say he was a pro at this?"
Livia sputtered. Emilia blinked. Aeron—oh, poor Aeron—stared at me, betrayal clear in his eyes.
"W-Wait a second—!" he started.
No, this is what you get for 'attacking' me.
"Oh, that's not a bad idea," Emilia mused, suddenly a bit more interested. Of course she would. I already gave her a way in after all. "Since he's such an expert, he can handle both of us, right?"
Aeron paled.
"Besides," I indifferently added, thoroughly enjoying his suffering, "it wouldn't be fair if Miss Livia was the only one getting to dance with him, right?"
"Ek-!" Livia flinched.
Emilia hummed, nodding. "That's true."
Aeron looked like he wanted to bolt.
I allowed myself a small, satisfied smile but only in my mind. I still had to keep my poker face.
Livia, or the world, had tried to push me into the game, but I had counterattacked.
Now?
The focus wasn't on me.
It was back on Aeron.
This was a true background character's counterattack.
But I have to admit, this doesn't exactly solve the problem, I still have to attend the ball, and as Emilia's partner. I have a feeling I will be more than troubled when the time comes.
I haven't forgotten about that blond third rate villain.
Back to the reality, Aeron exhaled deeply, rubbing his temple as if accepting his fate. "Fine," he muttered. "If it's decided, then I have no choice."
Livia nodded, reluctantly satisfied, while Emilia remained as unreadable as ever.
"But," Aeron continued, straightening his posture, "we still have to prepare for the event. Clothes and dance practice, I mean. Since the ball is at the end of the month, we still have another two weeks. You ladies can tell me which days you're free tomorrow."
Emilia and Livia exchanged glances before nodding in agreement.
And then, to my mild surprise, Aeron turned to me. Not ignoring me like the girls did.
I shook my head before he could even say anything. "I already told you, I'm not dancing."
Aeron sighed but didn't argue.
"As for the clothing," I added, "I'll check my room first, then decide."
Aeron simply hummed in acknowledgment.
With that, the tour finally came to an end, and it was time for us to part ways.
"Well then, see you both tomorrow," Livia said cheerfully, giving us a wave before heading toward the girls' dormitory. Emilia gave a small nod of farewell and followed suit.
Aeron and I, meanwhile, turned toward the boys' dorm.
The walk was silent.
For a while, anyway.
Aeron kept glancing at me. And then shaking his head occasionally, as if he couldn't believe something.
I ignored it at first, but after the fifth time, I finally spoke.
"…What?" I asked flatly.
"You really managed to throw me under the carriage back there," he muttered, shaking his head again. "I underestimated you."
I shrugged. "You attacked first."
He sighed. "Fine, fair enough."
Silence settled again, but this time, I was the one to break it.
"By the way," I asked, as casually as possible, "where's your room?"
Aeron blinked, caught off guard. "My room?"
"Yeah. Which floor?"
A slight frown crossed his face, but he still answered. "Second floor, third room from the right."
I nodded, filing the information away. "I see. Thanks."
I noted the room and the floor to avoid as much as I can.
Then, before he could question me, I added, "I'll see you tomorrow," and walked ahead.
Thankfully, I had my room key in my pocket.
The number was written on it, saving me from asking another unnecessary question that would have definitely raised suspicion.
Still, as I walked down the dormitory halls, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of my troubles.