"Hey, don't you think people would be a little disappointed if we didn't kiss on an occasion like this?" Tris grinned at Pheobe, whose earlier icy aloofness had vanished, leaving her looking utterly flustered.
"Y-you, what are you doing? I'm warning you, don't try anything." Pheobe was terrified. If Tris kissed her in front of everyone, then she... then she...
Huh? Actually, would it really matter? Tris was pretty handsome. A kiss wouldn't be much of a loss.
Wait, no, no! How could I think that?
Looking at the beautiful face so close to his own, still lovely and made all the more captivating by her flustered expression, Tris felt his spirits soar.
He chuckled, but didn't actually take liberties with her in public. He helped Pheobe stand steadily before lowering his voice. "I'll let you off this time. Don't put on airs with me." Then he raised his arm, inviting her to take it.
Pheobe's chest heaved with anger, but she had chosen him as her dance partner herself. There was nothing she could do now but slip her hand around his arm. Yet as she did, some inexplicable impulse made her pinch him.
Almost immediately, she realized how inappropriate that was and hastily loosened her grip.
Tris was tough, and today he was wearing dress robes with another layer underneath. Since Pheobe had let go immediately, it hadn't hurt at all. He merely glanced at her without making a fuss.
Pheobe, on the other hand, blushed at her own uncharacteristic behavior. At the same time, a strange thought arose: she regretted that Tris hadn't kissed her just now.
Almost immediately, however, she suppressed that thought.
No, no! How could I think that...
Tris and Pheobe came downstairs, the handsome boy and beautiful girl making a striking pair. Meanwhile,