"I've already... hmm?"
Seemingly detecting Kanae's gaze, Yoriichi, who had been conversing with the man beside him, suddenly turned to look over.
Slightly narrowing his eyes, that sharp gaze instantly swept over her entire body, briefly pausing on the Nichirin blade hidden within Kanae's waist garments. Yoriichi spoke in a deep voice:
"Government law stipulates that one may not casually carry blades on the street. Take care yourself, lest you bring trouble."
In an instant, that intense, almost tangible oppressive sensation surged forth, her back immediately drenched in cold sweat.
"Yes..."
Facing Yoriichi's reminder, Kanae subconsciously lowered her head in acknowledgment, her pupils constricting.
*[Strange... this person... such a powerful aura... who exactly is he...]*
"Hey! Little girl!"
At this moment, the two attendants at the entrance finally caught up as well.
They spotted Kanae standing frozen in place at first glance and immediately stepped forward to take her away.
"Hurry home. This isn't a place just anyone can enter. Only those who received invitations may come in. We'll escort you out..."
"No, please wait a moment, I..."
Instantly recalling her original purpose, Kanae's gaze rapidly swept through the crowd in the dance hall, attempting to find that black shadow from before.
[Crap, where exactly is that demon hiding...]
"Sorry~ this child is a friend I invited. She probably came in such a rush tonight that she forgot to bring her invitation. Might I ask you two to be lenient, please?"
"Ah! Yes! Very sorry!"
Just at this moment, another figure suddenly appeared beside Kanae. With a single light sentence, she resolved Kanae's predicament and sent the two attendants away.
"Thank you~"
Before Kanae could carefully examine this person's face, she saw this person suddenly grab her hand and pull her quickly toward the dance floor ahead.
"Little girl, would you mind if I were your dance partner?"
Under the crystal chandelier overhead, melodious music filled her eardrums, with crowds dancing to the music all around.
In the dazzling neon light, forcibly brought to dance together, Kanae finally saw clearly the face of the person before her.
This was an extremely beautiful woman, appearing to be at most in her twenties. Her facial features were quite similar to Congressman Yoriichi from just now.
[A relative?]
For some reason, the moment she saw this woman, Kanae's heart suddenly welled up with a feeling she herself couldn't explain or describe.
Like a gentle breeze brushing her face, or like rain after a long drought—thousands of thoughts and worries ultimately condensed into just one sentence—
[She's so beautiful.]
"Relax."
The woman before her spoke again, her voice very soft.
"Come, place your hand on my shoulder, raise your shoulders, follow my movements, slowly..."
Seemingly detecting Kanae's stiff and inexperienced dance steps, the woman began intentionally guiding her, correcting her movements.
The two's movements were unexpectedly harmonious. In merely half a song's time, under the woman's guidance, Kanae gradually became proficient in this partner dance, smoothly blending into the crowd in the dance hall.
"Thank you."
Her body growing lighter and lighter, following the music and the woman's movements as they continuously danced, Kanae subconsciously spoke, uttering this thanks.
"You're welcome. Can you tell me your name?"
The woman asked, her tone relaxed.
"Butterfly Kanae..."
"Mm, a very nice name. It suits you."
"Thank you... Can you tell me your name?"
"Just call me Mitsuba. My friends all call me that."
"Mitsuba..."
Hearing the woman's answer, Kanae was slightly startled, her footsteps slowing somewhat because of this.
"What's wrong?"
Sharply noticing this change, the woman before her asked again.
"No, nothing..."
Kanae quickly returned to her senses, shook her head, and explained:
"It's just that at the place where I work, there was also someone named 'Mitsuba' before, so I was slightly reminded of that senior's story.
I heard she was a very amazing senior..."
The woman before her suddenly smiled upon hearing this.
*[Ah, she smiled...]*
"Little girl, did you suddenly come to this place looking for someone?"
Not continuing the previous topic, the woman suddenly asked.
"Yes, I was chasing a... bad person, yes, chasing a bad person who came in."
Finally recalling her original purpose once more, Kanae subconsciously turned back and examined the people in this dance hall again.
She hadn't noticed before, but looking carefully this time, Kanae suddenly realized that there were actually quite a few people in this dance hall that she "knew"?!
First was the female star singing on stage. Kanae had seen her more than once on cinema promotional posters.
The famous movie star Miyo, who had starred in a film called "Ubume" not long ago, currently at the height of her popularity.
And not far below the stage, among that pair of men and women chatting while holding wine glasses, that gorgeously dressed woman who appeared to be throwing a tantrum was precisely the island nation's most sought-after female star "Ume" in recent years.
The man beside Ume constantly speaking to comfort her was her elder brother, that government official "Tsugikuno Taro" who had appeared in newspapers multiple times together with Congressman Yoriichi.
In the rest area opposite, Congressman Yoriichi, whom she had met earlier, was currently sitting and conversing with a short-haired man wearing glasses who appeared refined and cultured.
This short-haired man, Kanae had heard her younger sister Kocho Shinobu mention before. It was said he was Doctor Hakuji of Tokyo University's Literature Department.
His real name was "Tsugikuni Hakuji." Because of his serious teaching and approachable nature, he was quite popular among Tokyo University students.
And beside these two, that woman in a black floral kimono who always maintained a smile as she watched the two, appearing dignified and graceful, Kanae had also often seen in newspapers related to Congressman Yoriichi.
She seemed to be Congressman Yoriichi's wife, apparently called "Tsugikuni Amei."
In the corner, an old beggar in ragged clothes crawled by darkly...
Strange, why would a beggar sneak into this kind of place?
Also, who was that strange man holding a pot, constantly grabbing guests to sell things to them?
This kind of gathering place for the elite, was it originally allowed for people to casually enter and sell things?
"Chasing a bad person?"
Just as Kanae was full of doubts, the woman before her spoke with a smile.
"Little one, can you tell me which bad person you're trying to catch?"