24 – Event – 6
Well, if she wants to try it once, there’s no helping it.
No point in ignoring her expectations.
And teaching a simple dance isn’t that difficult, so it wouldn’t hurt to pass on the knowledge this time.
“All right. I’ll lead, then. Just make sure to familiarize yourself with the basic steps before we start.”
“Yes!”
For that, we need time.
It’s better to keep dinner simple for now.
I led Laila to the place where we were going to have a campfire.
Perhaps because it was before the event started, there were quite a few people selling simple snacks.
We quickly grabbed something to eat and then headed to a secluded spot with Laila.
“Bringing a girl to a place like this. Oh my, how daring.”
I retorted playfully to Laila, who was laughing mischievously.
Now is not the time for such jokes.
Although places like this were known for both men and women gathering for peculiar activities, it’s better to teach her some dance steps than to watch something strange.
“I’ll teach you the easiest dance step. Are you comfortable moving your body?”
“Yes.”
Did she notice my sincerity?
Laila accepted my smiling face with seriousness.
I stood there and taught her the basic steps of the waltz.
At first, it was a bit awkward, but soon Laila started stepping out plausible moves.
Hmm. She does have a decent talent.
“There’s the turn.”
“Like this… Whoa.”
“Oops.”
I caught Laila, who stumbled as if her feet got tangled.
Naturally falling into my arms, she looked at me for a moment before quickly pulling away.
“Wow. That was surprising. You really move fast!”
“If you can’t do even this, you won’t be able to teach So Wol. Come on, try again. One, two, three, four, two, two, three, four.”
“Like this…”
Dancing alone, spinning her body while stepping through the air, Laila turned around with a satisfied expression.
“Ta-da!! How is it?! Isn’t it nice?!”
After teaching the basics of the waltz, she seems to enjoy it so much.
“Alright. Now with a partner here.”
I became Laila’s dance partner.
With one hand holding her rough hand and the other embracing her swaying waist.
Her smaller build made it a bit awkward to hold, but well, it was nothing.
“It feels good.”
“What does?”
“Leaning on someone.”
“Really? I told So Wol the same thing, but relying on someone is an important thing. People can’t always stand straight alone.”
“It’s not easy. Finding someone like that.”
“Did you think it would be easy? Now, stop with the strange talk and try the steps again.”
Because she had to try it at least once more.
When I somehow finished teaching Laila everything about the basics of the waltz, the campfire began,
The musicians called for the performance to prepare for the festival.
Someone started clumsily waltzing as if they had seen it somewhere before, and someone else chose the tango. And some couples just hugged and spun around in circles.
“What the heck?! Is nobody doing this properly?!”
It seemed incredibly unfair. To express anger with a smiling face like that.
Laila, who had just received special training until a moment ago, shouted in disbelief, but all I did was pat her head.
That’s just how the world works.
“This is also one aspect of refinement. The Eastern Summit will grow larger. And So Wol will also grow even more.”
“…..”
“You are a friend acknowledged by So Wol, a disciple. If such a person can’t dance properly, it’s a disgrace to So Wol and, beyond that, to the honor of the Eastern Summit.”
“Ugh. When you put it that way, I have nothing to say.”
“Consider this another valuable experience from your youth. Come on, shall we go out?”
Staying here any longer would make it difficult to dance properly with so many people around. After all the effort I put into learning, I have to make use of it somehow.
I took Laila’s hand and led her out to the open space.
Those who saw us cheered and made space for us.
Now, with a new song starting, it’s better for me to lead the rhythm, right?
“Let’s begin.”
“Yes!”
I held Laila’s hand and took large steps with the beat.
At first, she stumbled a bit, stepping on my feet a few times, but she gradually got used to the music and started following my steps reasonably well.
“Wow… it’s fun when you dance like this.”
“Try dancing hard later. With your skill, many people will want you as their partner.”
Right now, it’s probably because she cut her hair short. Later, when she grows her hair, she’ll be quite pretty. By then, the guys will be lining up.
“Hehe. I danced once, so I’m not particularly interested.”
“Really? Well, then be my partner for So Wol.”
“If that’s the case, I guess I can’t help it. I’ll have to learn to dance separately. Can’t your master keep teaching me?”
“Busy.”
“Oh~. You always seem so free, except when teaching the young lady. When you have time, teach me.”
Seemingly free.
I also have my own things to do.
I held Laila’s waist even tighter.
Only then did she close her mouth and lower her head, and I quickly stepped to the beat.
“Faster,”
“…Yes.”
Indeed, gripping her waist firmly proved effective.
Smiling down at the now subdued Laila, I chuckled once and continued dancing faster to the rhythm of the music.
With the dance concluded, there was nothing left to do.
While some people suggested the next dance for Laila and me, I had no particular desire to dance again.
“Will you stay and enjoy the night?”
“No, I think I’ll head in soon too.”
It was quite late.
I needed a good rest to wake up early tomorrow.
With no intention to linger, both Laila and I returned to the eastern quarters.
“Then, I’ll ask for your company again tomorrow.”
“Sure. Sleep well.”
“Hehe. I think I’ll have pleasant dreams.”
I escorted Laila to the door of her room.
It seemed to be her first time receiving an escort, and she happily smiled, greeted me, and went inside without resistance.
It had been a long day.
I should go to sleep too. As I approached my residence, I saw Sowol wielding his sword under the moonlight.
“Was it fun?”
“You’re late.”
Why does he always have that annoyed expression?
Sowol, blatantly showing his dissatisfaction, stared at me with sharp eyes.
“Did you enjoy your time with Laila?”
“Where’s the enjoyment in that?”
Keeping his promise. Seated, I gestured to Sowol.
“Try again.”
“…Fine.”
With a determined expression, Sowol swung his sword again.
Moonlight Slash, followed by Moonlight Sweep. Using these two techniques, Sowol danced with his sword, then lowered his hand.
“Is my movement awkward? It’s because I haven’t mastered my third form, the Moonlight Dance. Once I learn Moonlight Dance, I’ll become more proficient in swordsmanship.”
“When can I learn it?”
“With your current level, you should be able to learn it soon.”
So Wol’s talent is truly remarkable.
If we were to consider talent alone, he wouldn’t fall behind the main characters of Ragnarok.
He absorbs everything I teach him like a sponge, and with some practice, he’ll soon master the Moonlight Sword.
“…Then, can I learn it slowly?”
“Why?”
“Just because. I want to learn other things too.”
Other things, huh?
There isn’t much else I can teach him.
From Noble mtl dot com
Should I teach him something like the words of the ancient sages?
“I want to learn dancing too. You taught Laila how to dance, didn’t you?”
“How did you hear about that?”
He must have been at Yeongjuseong at the time.
“Everyone knows about it. They say the two of you held hands and danced happily in a secluded place.”
Rumors do spread quickly, even though there’s nothing to hide.
“There must be many people better than me at teaching dance.”
So Wol is the heir of the Dongbang Sangdan, a giant martial arts clan.
In other words, he will have to interact with nobles a lot in the future.
Entering high society is only natural, and to avoid embarrassment, he’ll need to learn to dance properly.
Of course, I can teach him to dance as well, but I’ll fall short compared to professional instructors.
Considering that, it might be better for him to learn separately from them…
“I want to learn from you, Master.”
“In that case, there’s no other choice. I’ll start teaching you now.”
“Now? Right now?”
“If it’s at my level of knowledge, you should be able to learn it quickly.”
I grabbed the bewildered So Wol and led him.
There may be no music, but the sounds of chirping crickets and the rustling of the wind will become the natural music for us.
“S-Suddenly like this…”
“What are you saying? You asked me to teach you. You must know the basic steps, right?”
I heard it while drinking with Sojoong, that among the teachers I had visited before, there was one who taught dance and etiquette.
Of course, he left after teaching for a few days.
Still, with So Wol’s talent, I thought she could manage the basics with just what she had heard.
“Yes? Okay.”
Well, that’s right.
“Then, follow me.”
I took So Wol’s small hand and placed my hand on her slender waist. So Wol, who was confused just a moment ago, stiffened firmly.
“Go a bit deeper.”
“Like this?”
“Yes.”
I applied pressure to the hand holding So Wol. Her petite figure fit snugly into my arms.
A pleasant fragrance tickled my nose.
Was it perfume?
“Here we go. One. Two. Three. Four.”
“Uh…”
With a soft moan, So Wol quickly followed my steps. Huh?
With this level, there’s almost nothing to teach.
“I wish time could stop like this…”
Why is she saying such awkward things?