Chapter 57

Annie, who started dancing with the young man, asked in a glad voice.

“Is that you? The one I saw in the abandoned dog

shelter and the strawberry field?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

A smile spread to Annie’s mouth at his calm affirmation.

“Oh dear, what a coincidence.”

They met at the abandoned dog

shelter, at a strawberry field and a masquerade ball. No, even though he wore a mask, it was very fascinating that they recognized each other.

Annie wasn’t as tall or pale as the young man. Her pupils were dimly revealed, but it wasn’t very conspicuous.

“It’s been a long time. I didn’t know you were here.”

“How have you been?”

The music rang in the hall, but there was no difficulty in the conversation because they were close.

Was he excited because of the place? Annie replied positively.

“There’s nothing I can’t do. At that time, did you get home safely? Has the matter been solved?”

“Thank you.”

Now she was relieved.

As she smiled wide, the young man smiled silently.

“But did you recognize me right away?”

Annie admired as the young man quietly nodded.

“You must have really good eyesight. I have a good eye for it.”

“No.”

At the slightest denial, Annie raised her gaze. She could see the lips opening slowly.

“Both are not good.”

His low voice stays in her ears for a long time. Somehow, in a strange mood, Annie hurriedly looked down.

At that time, her high-heeled shoes got crooked.

‘Uh oh!’

Annie reflexively reached out and looked for something to support. Then her fingertips pulled the young man’s mask up.

“… Ah!”

She was bewildered as she spat out exclamations and his arms around her waist tightened.

Even though the mask strap became loose, the young man wasn’t angry.  He supported Annie and asked tenderly.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. It doesn’t matter.”

Annie hurriedly withdrew her hand and nodded her head lightly. Maybe because of the mistake, her cheeks got a little hot.

Thanks to the young man who led her to dance again, her mood quickly improved. It’s been so long since she danced excitedly in a crowded place, and this young man danced very well, unexpectedly.

It was as if he had been taught properly for a long time from a good liberal arts teacher. Even with that, Annie almost stepped on the young man’s foot a few times.

“Sorry.”

“That’s fine.”

The young man calmly led Annie without any unpleasant expressions. So she could dance more pleasantly too.

The song was over. The young man stopped his movements, placing his hand on his chest and gracefully bowing his back.

“It was an honor.”

“I also enjoyed myself.”

Annie also lowered her head while holding the end of her dress with her hand.

People’s applause continued, and Annie glanced at the young man. The clothes wrapped around his straight legs were very nice.

There were many people around that glanced at him.

‘There are a lot of young people aiming. Yes, it’s a good time. It should be fine to sit this out.’

Annie’s head looked around to find Carla.

‘There it is.’

Carla, standing at the exit, said with her mouth wide open.

‘I’ll go first! Take your time! No! You don’t have to come tonight!

‘She’s really…!’

She opened her mouth in embarrassment, and Carla quickly disappeared. It was the voice of a young man who caught Annie after following her.

“Miss Annie.”

As she turned her gaze, she could see he was nervous and his shoulders stiffened.

And a loud wince on the throat.

“That…”

“Yes?”

“So…”

He said, pointing to a table full of different types of wine.

“If it’s okay, if you don’t mind with me…”

“…”

“Would you like a drink?”

The young man held his breath and waited for Annie’s answer. Then Annie felt sorry.

‘What’s so hard about that?’

A young man who couldn’t even give a simple offer overwhelmed her. Annie no longer looked at the exit where Carla had disappeared.

“Yes.”

Annie was also curious about the young man. Above all, he seemed to need her help.

The first abandoned dog

shelter, the second strawberry field, and the third masquerade ball.

‘It was a place where everyone covered their faces.’

With that information, Annie was able to make a rough analogy about the young man.

‘I think this person has a terrible phobia of others…’

She concealed the speculation, and headed to the wine table, where she chatted with the young man. It was an easy and comfortable everyday story so that he was not uncomfortable.

“Thanks to you, I enjoyed the strawberries very well. I ate bread with strawberry jam this morning, and it was very delicious.”

“That’s fortunate.”

The young man couldn’t bring up a new topic, but he responded politely to her light words. It’s a little awkward, but his sincerity was buried there.