The System Won't Work Unless I Have Girlfriends

Walking through the hallway toward the main hall of the manor. Beseide me, I could feel Rita's stare.

Now, what should I do to get her to dance with Charles? After all, I promised to help him before. Then again, I think, I know where this is going. Rita might like me as a man.

However, it's biased. She might just be feeling lonely, and that's it. I just hope, Charles will conquer this girl's heart.

We arrive at the large door leading to the main hall. Two men stand on either side, ready to open it if Rita wishes to enter.

"You should wear something more appropriate as a guest. Go, I'll be waiting here," she says.

"No, no, no," I reply, glancing at my watch. "At 7 p.m., which is 45 seconds from now, your guests will expect you to walk through this door. That said, you should on time. You don't want your guests badmouthing your family, right?"

Rita still looks uncertain, but her expression shows she knows I'm right. "Okay. Go change your suit and wait for me inside so I can find you."

I simply nod. "Roger that, and good luck."

Hearing this, she sighs in relief and smiles at me.

"Thank you," she says, turning her back as the men beside the doors open them, and a blinding light slowly pours through.

---

After changing my suit, I entered the hall through another door.

Inside the hall with its marble floor, guests in expensive dresses mingled as music played in the background. However, the hall was a bit dark as the lights focused on the center. I recognized the music immediately—it was the same instrumental piece Rita and I used when she was practicing her dance with me.

So, they've already started. It makes sense since I'm late after having to change my suit.

Walking through the crowd of guests, I noticed most of them were adults, they watching their children dance in the center of the hall. I assumed Rita's partner was Charles.

Even my height is 161 cm, I still couldn't see much from the back, so I walked upstairs to the second floor. Thankfully, there were only a few people here. Looking down, I had a much better view, and there they were—Rita in her light blue dress, dancing with Charles in a black suit.

I chuckled. This is so British that it makes me feel thirsty. I spotted a server with a silver platter and, recognizing him as someone I knew, he smiled and handed me a non-alcoholic champagne. As I took a sip, my eyes landed on a girl munching on something by herself at the banquet table. I walked over, and she noticed me.

"Masamune—gulp! I'm back." Mashiro said, with leftovers on her face.

"Yeah. How was Paris?"

The girl was none other than Mashiro. I used to think she was an airhead, but seeing her in this red dress, she looked completely different—much more mature.

"I don't like Paris."

"Okay... Was it fun at least?"

"I only have fun with you and Rita. Want some cake?"

I sighed. "No, thank you. Stop trying to shove that in my mouth. Just eat it yourself."

"Understood."

I left Mashiro alone to enjoy her cake, which she seemed to be devouring like a mukbang session. Opening the glass door, I made my way to the balcony, a bit secluded from the rest of the guests, where the cold autumn air greeted me along with the view of the manor's grounds.

"Masamune?"

I turned around and saw Teresa, with Alexandra standing behind her.

"Oh, so you're here too."

"Of course, since we had an invitation. Unfortunately, the car that drove us here malfunctioned on the way, so we ended up being late. The event had already started, and we didn't know what to do about it..."

"Same here," I smiled. "By the way, you look great."

Teresa twitched nervously and blushed a little. "Is that so? Um... thank you," she said, shifting her shoulders shyly.

"Uh... I'm not judging, but what are you wearing?"

I looked at Alexandra. She was wearing a black suit, but that wasn't all—she also had on a black wig and blue contact lenses. Despite all that, there was no way I could forget the girl who tried to threaten me in the school men bathroom.

My question made Alexandra twitch, and her expression said; Shut up! Don't talk to me so casually.

"Eh? You two know each other?" Teresa asked.

Alexandra cleared her throat. "Ahem! This is my first time meeting this gentleman. May I ask your name?"

"Quit acting, Alexandra. How did you even get in here?"

"A-Ale-Alexandra? Who's that?" she stammered, while Teresa smiled nervously. "Please stop. It's rude to mistake me for someone else."

"Well, I'm the butler of this household. I have the right to ask for your identity since it needs to match the invitation letter."

"What? Y-you're working for the Ainsworths?" Alexandra said, surprised.

"Wait! Masamune, can you keep this a secret? Alec doesn't want to dance with boys, so she's dressed like this," Teresa explained.

"Ah..." I glanced at Alexandra, who looked away. "So, you're cross-dressing because of that. Alright, I'll keep my mouth shut," I said, smiling as she trembled with blush, realizing I now had two of her secrets.

"Thank you, Masamune! You're a lifesaver."

"Don't mention it, Teresa. Friends should help each other, right, Alec?"

"Y-Yeah... of course..."

I smirk at her. Alexandra was trying hard to keep her composure, but I could see her clenching her fists tightly. Just then, from inside the hall, we could hear the music picking up pace.

"Um..." Teresa looked away shyly.

"Teresa, I'm going to the restroom to fix my wig," Alexandra said, suddenly leaving us, and closed the balcony door.

That's when I noticed Teresa's eyes on me, as if she was waiting. I understood what she wanted.

"This might be too late, but... let's dance anyway, Teresa."

She took my hand, and we didn't even bother going back inside. We just danced on the balcony, following the music that played vividly in the background. However, our dance ended quickly as the music came to a close.

"That's too fast... what a shame."

"Yes, such a shame. When it starts again, do you want to come back inside with me?" Teresa said with a smile.

"No. My turn."

It was Mashiro, with food crumbs still around her mouth.

"Shiina, you came out of nowhere and..." Teresa took out her handkerchief and wiped Mashiro's face. "As a lady, you cannot eat like this. Let me help you a little."

Teresa is really kind. But since the dance might have finished, I should probably find Rit—

"...There you are!"