Before I knew it, we were back at the secluded park where I’d first encountered Erial-san. According to her, we were about to dance—but even now, I had no idea what I was actually supposed to do.
Even if she intended to lead, my only real experience with dancing was stumbling through a few ballroom routines with Lilia-san, and even then, I had relied entirely on her to keep us moving.
Besides, looking at Erial-san’s outfit, I had a feeling that whatever we were about to do would be a far cry from formal ballroom dancing. If that were the case, I was completely out of my depth.
"There is no need to be nervous. In other words, you don't have to be so stiff. There are no spectators. In other words, I have erected a barrier, so no one else will see us."
"I-I know, but my experience is really limited... I’m not sure I can dance well."
"That is not required. In other words, you do not need to be good, nor do you need to try to be good."
"Eh?"
"It is not important. In other words, there is no need for the dance to be skillful or beautiful. Enjoyment is paramount. In other words, I believe dancing with a joyful heart is what matters most. The spirit is what counts. In other words, you don't need music, and you don't need to know the steps. Distinctions are unnecessary. In other words, I think there is no point in drawing lines to define what is or isn’t a dance. Conclusion... In other words, if you move your body with a heart that finds joy, then I believe that is a splendid dance."
As she spoke with a gentle smile, I could sense just how much she truly loved to dance.
At the same time, her desire for me to enjoy myself reached me so clearly that I felt the tension naturally drain from my shoulders.
Erial-san nodded in approval. Standing directly in front of me, she gently took my hands and gave them a light tug, as if inviting me into her space.
As I took a step forward in response to her pull, she stepped toward me simultaneously, our movements intersecting.
It was a strange sensation. Erial-san didn't give me any verbal instructions; she didn't tell me where to step or how to move. She simply led my hands, closed the distance between us, and guided my focus with the subtle movement of her eyes. Somehow, my body responded naturally, flowing into the rhythm of a dance.
Despite her silence, I felt as if I were being perfectly guided. It was a testament to her incredible skill—but at the same time, I realized that if I used Sympathy Magic, I could probably sync with her movements even better. I focused my mind and activated the magic.
Erial-san’s eyebrows twitched for a moment. Then, with a small chuckle and a smile, she quickened the pace.
The feeling of being guided intensified. It was as if I instinctively knew exactly how to move next.
O-Oh, wow. This was... actually a lot of fun. Before I realized it, Erial-san had let go of my hands, yet the rhythm of the dance was still being vividly conveyed to me.
She gradually increased the tempo, and my body naturally followed suit. What had started as a slow, relaxed movement had transformed into something quite vigorous before I’d even noticed.
My breath grew a little ragged from the intensity, but strangely, even the fatigue felt good. My body felt like it was heating up from the inside—I was "in the zone," so to speak.
I felt as if I could hear music where there was none. My focus narrowed until I fell into the illusion that, for this moment, Erial-san and I were the only two people left in the world.
I felt as if I could see every minute detail, down to the flicker of her fingertips during the most intense parts of her dance. Then, quite suddenly, Erial-san came to a halt, and I stopped in perfect sync with her.
"A brief rest. In other words, it is not good to dance for too long. Hydration is recommended. In other words, you are drenched in sweat. Here, drink this."
"Eh? Ah..."
It was only when she handed me a water bottle that I realized I was dripping with sweat. I had been so concentrated that I hadn't even noticed until she pointed it out.
The moment I acknowledged it, a heavy wave of exhaustion hit me. I slumped down onto the grass and gratefully drank the water she provided.
"That was a fine dance. In other words, you danced much better than I expected. You have talent. In other words, I find it hard to believe you are a beginner; I think you have a natural gift for dance."
"...Phew... Th-Thank you... but that’s only because you led me so well, Erial-san."
"I will not deny that. In other words, I certainly guided your movements and helped you focus your mind. But that is not all. In other words, there was something else I felt. A sense for expression. In other words, your emotional expression was magnificent and beautiful, and it reached me quite clearly. High praise... In other words, it was a truly wonderful dance."
"Th-Thank you very much."
Seeing Erial-san beaming at me with her brightest smile of the day made me feel incredibly bashful. Being praised that much was a little embarrassing, but it felt good nonetheless.
She said my emotional expression was wonderful... I wondered if that was the Sympathy Magic at work. No, wait...
My expression of emotion was wonderful and was conveyed clearly? Isn't that just that? The thing countless people have told me since I arrived in this world—that I’m "easy to read." In other words, that’s exactly what she meant.
Hmm, I see. It was a bit of a complicated feeling, but it seemed that a trait I’d always considered a flaw could be hailed as a talent in the right context.
Serious-senpai: "...I see. So, being an open book is actually an asset when it comes to expressing emotions. Combined with Sympathy Magic, he might be naturally suited for things that appeal to the heart, like dancing or theater. Come to think of it, Alice mentioned his singing was quite good during his birthday, too."
Machina: "As expected of my beloved child! But man, I’m so jealous. I want to dance with my beloved child, too! Wait! I’ve got it! I’ve had an inspiration!!"
Serious-senpai: "Stop. Do not plant a Trouble-occurrence Flag here!"