The Star Festival party run by the Kaburagi's had a lot of young guests as madam Kaburagi had stated. The venue was full of dazzling dresses and colorful kimonos, and some impressive bamboo decorated the center, fitting for the star festival. Guests were enjoying themselves, writing their wishes on cards.

It's been a while since I attended such a splendid event, as I had been busy studying for a while, only going from home to school, other than visits to the cram school. Other than my parents, Onni-sama was attending, so I had him escort me.

"Oh! Kisshouin-sama, welcome!"

Upon getting past the reception, we were welcomed by madam Kaburagi with open arms. She wore a brilliant glossy black dress inlayed with what appeared to be fine silver stones.

"Thank you for the invitation tonight." My parents and Onii-sama greeted her and mother praised her dress.

"Tonight, I am the milky way linking Vega and Altair," she laughed with a mischievous look, "so if Takateru-san and Reika-san have someone they wish to connect with, let me know."

She went on the praise me and my mother's dresses, but I had also worn a dress using the magpie, said to have brought Vega and Altair together by spreading its wings, as a motif. A fine design matching white and pale blue organdy dress along with a black stole as the wings. I messed up, matching the organizer in concept and color. But my dress is mostly white, so it's okay, right? I take off the black stole quietly while madam Kaburagi speaks with my parents. Ok, successfully getting rid of the evidence.

After chatting some more, madam Kaburagi said, "please enjoy yourselves tonight," and left to greet other guests.

In the large venue, the old and the young began to separate themselves, so Onii-sama and I headed that way. I recognized Pivoine members and acquaintances, so we entered that circle.

"Reika-sama, gokigen yoh."

"Gokigen yoh."

The girls greeting us are blushing, looking at Onii-sama. Fufufu. He's handsome and has a great future ahead of him, and he has many admirers among the women, so I'm proud of being next to him.

After a while, he found a few work-related acquaintances, and apologetically asked, "Sorry, Reika. Can I step away for a bit? Or will you come with me?"

Hmm… I might just get in the way if I went. "I'll stay here talking with my friends."

"Okay. Call me if you need me."

"Yes."

As I watch Onii-sama depart, I look for other guests. Oh, it's Yurie-sama and Aira-smaa. They're chatting with other former Pivoine members. They're gorgeous as always. Can I talk to them later?

"Good evening, Reika-sama."

It was those sophomore Pivoine members that greeted me. After receiving an absolute order from the Emperor, thanks to the enormous amount of problem sets handed to him, dark circles had formed under his eyes. He seems too tired to mess with external students.

"Gokigen yoh."

They felt kinship with me being in the same situation, and began calling me Reika-sama. The only subject we'd talk about would be studying and exams. We gathered closely hush hush.

"So how are things going?"

"…I might barely make it. I'm not sure that we can finish today's material since we're attending this party tonight..."

"Same here…"
"Yeah, I might have to pull an all nighter…"

"I understand. I asked Kaburagi-sama to reduce my work, just for tonight."

"Huh!?"

"He allowed that!?"

Well, this actress petitioned him with my tears, though not a single tear formed even after all that blinking… But's it's Kaburagi's party's fault that I don't have time to study, so he should reduce it a little!

"Lucky… even Kaburagi-sama is kind to Reika-sama."

"We weren't even given room to ask."

In return, Kaburagi threatened, "You better be confident that you'll make the top 30." Ugh… My stomach hurts. I need Onii-sama's help again, tonight…

"I brought my problem sets with me tonight. Just to do some while I'm being driven…"

As we told each other our sob stories, my glass became empty. "I'll go get a drink."

"Oh, I'll do it for you."

"It's all right. I wish to look for Fuyuko-sama and Salala-sama." Is there a drink that's gentle to the stomach?

As I walked to a waiter with the drinks, "Oh, if it isn't Reika-san."

Ugh! And you're Maihama Emma! Chasing after Kaburagi, and seeing me as a rival, picking fights with me whenever we meet, and Sakura-chan's classmate at Yurinomiya.

"It's been a while."

"Truly. How have you been, Maihama-san?" The bell to battle rang with our smiles.

"Oh, Reika-san, have you gained weight since we last met? Your upper arms are so burly."

Why you! A direct attack from the beginning! This jelly-like upper arm that can't even do push-ups is my greatest weakness.

"…Really? It may seem that way, since I'm showing so much skin. I'm paler than most, so it may appear that way." My white skin. Hide all my faults!

"Yes, white looks big, so it must be that. I'm sorry."

"Don't mind me." I laugh hohoho to feign composure even as I hide my arms with the stole. If that's what you want, I'll oblige. Maihama-san's eyelashes are her weakness. She's put on tons of mascara to make her short eyelashes look longer. "Oh, no! Maihama-san, you have a cricket's leg on you!"

"Huh!?"

"Oh, no. You used a curler on those short eyelashes, so it looked like a bug's leg. The clumps of mascara made it look worse. Oh, no… dear me. I'm sorry. I don't normally use mascara, so I didn't realize…"

(It must be rough to desperately use a curler on something so short. Using tons of mascara like that in public? No way. I have naturally long eyelashes, so I don't understand Maihama-san's troubles.)

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything bad. I'm just a natural airhead."

"…Oh…" Maihama-san's face stiffened, but she forced the edges of her mouth up. Sparks were flying between us.

Now, to follow up! "Oh, it's against Zuiran policies, but Maihama-san's dyeing your hair. It's so novel to only color the ends brown."

"Huh? I haven't."

"Then why are the ends… Oh, I'm sorry, you have split ends, so they look funny. Maihama-san, are you aware that treatments exist in this world for that?"

"…"

I wave my hair about proudly. How's that! My cuticles that I built up through care and money.

They weren't that bad, but it's embarrassing for a girl to have it pointed out. And I still have my ultimate weapon, 'Have the pores on your face opened up?' left in my arsenal! Maihama-san looked mortified and without a comeback. I win!

But Maihama-san had a dreadful secret weapon. "By the way, who escorted you tonight Reika-san?"

"My brother…"

"Oh, your brother! So your brother escorted you." As I looked at her suspiciously, Maihama-san smiled as she unloaded an unforeseen blow. "I'm here with my boyfriend."

Boyfriend!? I was knocked back into my corner! "Eh… But I thought you adored Kaburagi-sama."

"Oh, that's long in the past," laughed Maihama-san. "Oh, dear. I do still believe Masaya-sama is wonderful, but my boyfriend said that he loved me so much that it had to be me, and I was moved by his zeal. Don't you believe that it's better to be loved than to love?" She stressed 'it had to be me.' "Don't you think so, Reika-san?"

"I wonder… It depends on the person. Glad you're happy…"

"Fufufu. Thank you very much. But a boyfriend is normal in high school."

"…"

"Oh, but your escort was your brother."

"…"

"So nice to see siblings get along."

I…I lose… Maihama-san dropped me in the ring, and left laughing with her boyfriend who came calling her, "Emma-san."

I'm cold… My soul is frozen… I wrapped my stole around me to protect my hardened heart. Maybe I should go write a wish to graduate from the Alone in Love village…

"Kisshouin."

I turn around to the familiar voice, and the event sponsor's son was there. Oh, well. "Kaburagi-sama, gokigen yoh. Thank you for the invitation tonight."

Kaburagi nodded arrogantly, and gazed at me. "Oh, a panda today?"

HUH!? A panda!? Black and white equals panda!? That's too simple! Or is it the bamboo leading to the panda!?

"No! You haven't learned a thing from Imari-sama! Go study under him some more!"

"No. He's someone people shouldn't learn from," Kaburagi stated seriously swinging his head. No, you should look up to Imari-sama a little!

"Is Imari-sama here today?"

"I saw Momozono-san headed to the garden."

The garden. It's lighted, maybe I should go greet him. I know! If I walked by Maihama-san with Imari-sama, I'd be able to get her back!

"I'll go greet Imari-sama."

"Then, I'll go."

"Huh? Why?" Why would you follow me?

"I'm tired of greeting all these people. I want some fresh air." Huh?

"What about Enjou-sama? Isn't he with you?" If you want fresh air, go with him.

"Shuusuke's over there." I look at where Kaburagi pointed, and he was surrounded by a crowd with the fleeting and fairy-like Yuiko-san beside him. The men around them looked like Yuiko-san's hangers-on, and they were speaking to her to draw her attention. She seemed relaxed as she smiled at them. Enjou sported a smile I couldn't read.

"Let's go." Kaburagi tapped my back and started to walk ahead. So why are you in charge!