I Was Brought Back To a Wealthy Vampire Family And Now I Have Become Their Only Daughter's Tutor - 14 - A Surprise Invitation to the Ball

The warm glow of the outdoor lights relaxed the atmosphere as the tea party continued. The tone had changed from formal greetings to the kind of casual conversation that made time seem irrelevant. Kiyomi, as usual, was in her element, radiating passion as she switched between topics. Hiroshi had his feet stretched out under the table, appearing far too relaxed as he devoured the last of the pastries, while Tsukiko sipped her tea with her customary calm tranquility.

I was enjoying the rare peace of the moment when Kiyomi suddenly turned her bright gaze on me, her golden hair catching the soft light.

“Kazuki-kun, there’s something super important I need to tell you. It’s about next week.” she began, her voice brimming with excitement.

“Next week? What’s happening next week?” I tilted my head, curious but cautious.

Kiyomi grinned, her excitement palpable. “There’s going to be a ball at Yumeji Academy! It’s a huge tradition in the Yumeji Academy—a formal event where everyone gets to dress up, dance, and show off their elegance. And the best part? It’s mandatory for all new students.”

“A… a ball? Like, a formal ballroom dance kind of thing?”

“Exactly!” Kiyomi said, clapping her hands together. “It’s one of the most anticipated events for first-years. The academy goes all out for it—there’s music, gourmet food, and everyone will be in their best attire.”

I sat there, processing her words. A ball. A formal occasion in which I was expected to dance, socialize, and avoid making a complete fool of myself. The concept made my fingers sweat.

“I’ve never attended anything like that before,” I admitted, massaging the back of my neck.

Kiyomi’s grin widened. “That is the point!” It’s a unique and unforgettable experience. “I’m sure you’ll love it.”

“Yeah, if he survives it.” Hiroshi groaned, slouching further in his chair. “Every ball ends up being more about rivalries and drama than actual fun. The nobles and supernatural types use it to show their status or settle grudges. It’s a battlefield in fancy clothes.”

“Rivalries?” I asked, my stomach sinking.

“Oh yeah, definitely.” Hiroshi said, smirking. “You’ll see. Just don’t trip on the dance floor while someone’s trying to show off their powers or sword skills. It’s embarrassing.”

“Powers? Sword skills?” I said, feeling my anxiety spike. “Isn’t this supposed to be a dance?”

“It is,” Kiyomi said with a wave of her hand. “But Hiroshi’s exaggerating. Sure, there’s some rivalry, but it’s mostly friendly competition. As long as you know the basics, you’ll be fine.”

“That’s the problem,” I muttered. “I don’t know the basics.”

“You will,” Tsukiko said suddenly, her calm voice cutting through the chatter.

I turned to her, surprised. “I will?”

“Yes,” she replied, setting her teacup down with a quiet clink. “I will inform Lily to prepare lessons for you. She will teach you proper etiquette, as well as the fundamentals of ballroom dancing.”

My stomach churned at the thought of more training with Lily, but the alternative—fumbling my way through a formal ball—seemed far worse. “Thanks, Tsukiko. I… appreciate it.”

“It is my duty to ensure you do not embarrass yourself,” she said matter-of-factly, though there was a faint hint of amusement in her tone.

“Wow, thanks for the vote of confidence,” I said, rolling my eyes.

Kiyomi giggled, her golden eyes sparkling. “This is going to be so much fun! I can’t wait to see everyone dressed up.”

Hiroshi sighed dramatically. “And here I thought I could just coast through the semester without worrying about fancy nonsense like this. Guess I’ll have to find a suit that still fits.”

“You’ll look great, Hiroshi,” Kiyomi teased. “Just try not to spill anything on yourself this time.”

“I make no promises,” Hiroshi said, smirking.

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The next morning came too quickly. the day’s routine was already in full swing. The teacher was going over complex material with the usual precision, and the students around me scribbled notes as if their lives depended on it.

I tried to focus, but my thoughts kept returning to the ball. My feet kept tripping over themselves throughout Lily’s classes last night. As soon as we returned from the house, a new training lesson was added to my schedule, and I had yet to master even the fundamentals of dance. Every time I thought about the other students at the ball—elegant, poised, and most likely already well-versed in this sort of thing—I felt like an outcast.

“You’re spacing out, Kazuki,” Hiroshi whispered from his seat behind me.

“Huh?”

“Class. Notes. You know, the stuff you’re supposed to be paying attention to,” he said, smirking.

“Oh, right,” I said, scrambling to write something down, even though I had no idea what the teacher had just said.

Hiroshi leaned closer, his voice low. “Let me guess. You’re thinking about the ball, aren’t you?”

I sighed, slumping in my seat. “Is it that obvious?”

“Like a sore thumb,” he said with a grin. “Don’t sweat it, though. I’m sure you can survive the ball.”

“Not helping.” I muttered, scribbling aimless notes to look busy.

By the time lunch rolled around, I had made up my mind to get some extra practice. If I was going to survive this ball, I needed to step up my game. I wasn’t going to stumble through another lesson with Lily or embarrass Tsukiko in front of the academy.

“Where are you off to?” Hiroshi asked as we left the classroom.

“Practice,” I said, slinging my bag over my shoulder. “I need to work on the dance steps Lily taught me last night.”

“You’re taking this seriously,” he said, raising an eyebrow.

“I have to,” I said firmly. “If I mess this up, it’s not just me who looks bad—it’s Tsukiko too. I’m not letting that happen.”

He nodded, clapping me on the back. “If that’s what you thought, then good luck, man. Don’t break a leg. Literally.”

After classes ended, I wandered the academy’s sprawling grounds in search of the dance hall. I knew it had to be somewhere in the east wing, but Yumeji Academy was a labyrinth of elegant corridors and grand staircases, each one looking more like an art exhibit than a functional part of a school.

“Excuse me,” I said, stopping a group of students near the courtyard. One of them had striking green eyes and pointed ears—definitely an elf.

“Do you know where the dance hall is?”

“The dance hall? It’s near the music room in the east wing. Follow the staircase with the carved banisters, then turn left.”

“Got it. Thanks,” I said, giving her a quick nod before heading off.

The east wing was quieter than the rest of the school, its halls lined with portraits of notable alumni and ornate windows that let in streams of golden light. I found the carved staircase easily enough, its intricate designs depicting what looked like a story from some ancient legend.

After a few twists and turns, I reached a set of double doors that gleamed under the soft light. The plaque above read Dance Hall.

“This is it,” I murmured, pushing the doors open.

As I opened the double doors to the dance hall, the faint creak of the hinges rang throughout the large room. My gaze darted over the wide area, appreciating the polished oak floors that mirrored the golden light coming in from the tall arched windows. The chandeliers above gleamed, throwing faint rainbows across the walls of gilded mirrors. It was an exquisite, almost regal room—just what you’d expect from Yumeji Academy.

But what caught my attention most wasn’t the grandeur of the hall. Standing in the center of the room, gracefully moving through the steps of a dance. It was the person I met a few days ago: it was Lisa Kurayami.