Olmedo stepped onto the Dance Floor.
As the guests' gazes followed her to Annan and the unfamiliar Girl, they waited for a scene to unfold—
"Sorry, I need to borrow your Annan."
Illymoyas nodded to the human woman she barely knew and let go of Annan.
"Beautiful lady, may I have this dance?" Olmedo held out her hand to Annan.
Olmedo no longer disguised herself as a man, but she still wore a nobleman's clothes. Her upright figure and slender waist had an androgynous beauty, and her golden hair fell naturally behind her shoulders. She stood half a head taller than Annan, and as the two began to dance slowly to the music, some of the ladies at the banquet found their thoughts turning indecent.
"What is it?"
Annan watched Illymoyas reach the Dining Table before turning back.
"This banquet has given me an—" Olmedo broke off and frowned.
"What's wrong?" Annan asked with concern.
"...An idea. We don't have enough ways for people to celebrate together."
"You mean festivals like the Flower Capital Festival?"
"More or less."
"Then let's establish a few. Free City's birthday, my birthday..."
"The latter is already half a festival. But what date would we use for the former?"
"The day we got the Pioneer's Warrant."
"Then we'll make it..." Olmedo suddenly gave a soft grunt.
"Are you feeling unwell?" Annan asked.
Olmedo stared at him. "Someone stepped on my foot, then had the nerve to ask if I was all right."
"Oh. Sorry."
Annan lifted his foot off Olmedo's boot. "Let me test you. Do you remember when we got the Pioneer's Warrant?"
"November eleventh."
Today was August fifth. Free City's second anniversary was just three months away.
The piece ended, and Olmedo released Annan and left the Dance Floor. The next tune was