Kent was in a bind. If he let out a sound, not only would people realize he was a man, but Josette might even suspect he had strange hobbies.
“You’re nervous because I’m from a Duke’s family, aren’t you? If it’s difficult to speak, just shaking your head is fine. Are you looking for someone?”
*Nod, nod*
Although the direction was slightly off, thanks to Josette’s thoughtfulness, Kent could now convey his intentions by simply shaking his head without making the other person uncomfortable.
“Are they your companions?”
*Nod, nod*
With this, Josette understood that he had been separated from his friends.
“With this many people, it must be hard to find them,” Josette said, looking around the venue. About a hundred people were attending the party. Finding a companion gracefully without causing discomfort to other attendees would be a bit of a challenging task.
“For the time being, let’s tour the venue,” Josette said and started walking, pulling Kent’s hand. Her perfect movements didn’t appear forceful at all, and from the outside, it probably looked like she was gracefully leading someone by the hand.
“Young ladies, may I have a moment?”
“Yes? What is it?”
“Eh, why did I speak to this person? I apologize. Excuse me!”
As they began to move, a young male aristocrat spoke to them. Generally, in a party venue, it’s considered rude to speak to someone of clearly higher rank unless it’s for a greeting. Perhaps he hadn’t noticed their presence until Josette spoke, and speaking in surprise, he quickly left the scene.
“Your costume is lovely. It suits you very well.”
“Where did you have this costume made?”
“How beautiful you are!”
While searching for Caro and Rachel, various women praised Kent’s costume. Kent felt a mix of emotions.
“Have you found who you were looking for?”
*Shake, shake*
They walked around the venue for a while, but they couldn’t find Caro or Rachel. Throughout their search, they were approached by many other aristocratic guests, but Josette handled all of them skillfully. Some of them knew Josette, and upon hearing her speak, they let out surprised cries.
“I see… The venue isn’t *that* large, so I thought we’d find them after walking this much, but perhaps my thinking was a little naive.”
Josette was thinking of ways to solve the problem.
“…But before that, I think I’ll go pick some flowers. I don’t want to make you feel lonely by leaving you alone, so please accompany me.”
*Shake, shake*
Kent shook his head fiercely, refusing.
“I can’t leave you alone like this, so please come with me.”
Saying so, she pulled Kent’s hand and forcefully led him outside.
“Well then, please wait here for a moment.”
In the end, Josette brought Kent to a flower garden area outside. Several female attendees were there, relieving themselves. Unnatural puddles, seemingly from their “business,” had formed in various spots around the garden.
(I’ve seen this before, women have it tough.)
During parties, women couldn’t remove their dresses, so they would relieve themselves in designated areas in the garden. Kent, wearing a diaper this time, had no worries about finding such a place. Thinking this, he watched Josette relieve herself.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Josette, having finished, returned to Kent’s side. A large puddle had formed where she had been standing.
(How can they move around without stepping in that? Is this also a noble’s etiquette?)
“What’s wrong?”
Josette spoke to him, perhaps noticing him staring intently at the puddle she had created.
“Though you can’t answer me.”
Josette seemed disappointed that he couldn’t reply with his voice.
“Ah, you were with Josette.”
“Oh? Rachel. I didn’t expect to meet you here.”
Rachel then appeared.
“I was a little concerned about Patty, so I came to check on her.”
“Is that so? But how were you able to attend a noble’s party?”
Josette, who had been struggling with the one-sided conversation, felt a sense of relief with Rachel’s arrival.
“Caro’s father asked him to let us in. Look, Caro is here too. The three of us came together.”
“Greetings, Josette-sama.”
While Rachel spoke normally, Caro lightly pinched the hem of her skirt with both hands and offered a noble greeting.
“Greetings, Caro. Then, this person is an acquaintance of Rachel and Caro?”
“Acquaintance?… Yes, yes, an acquaintance. Yes, an acquaintance.”
“What are you saying, Rachel? This person is Ke—*muffled*.”
Rachel, realizing Josette hadn’t noticed Kent, seemed to have thought of something amusing. She hurriedly covered Caro’s mouth to prevent her from saying Kent’s name.
“Her name is Kate. She has a throat illness and currently can’t speak. Perhaps you were looking for us? Thank you, Josette.”
“Oh, so her name is Kate. I was helping you look, but I never expected the people I was looking for to be Rachel and Caro.”
“We met by chance and decided to travel together. Hmm.”
Rachel looked like she had something more to say.
“Rachel, a little… *mumble mumble*.”
“Ah, right. I forgot.”
After Caro whispered something to Rachel, she seemed to remember something.
“Um, we’re going to pick flowers now. We don’t want to get separated again, so could you wait a little distance away? It’s embarrassing if you hear anything…”
Caro said shyly.
“I don’t quite understand, but I just need to wait at a distance, right? Kate, let’s go.”
*Nod, nod*
With Josette pulling his hand, Kent stayed a short distance away.
“We’re back! Well then, shall we go check on Patty? I went a little while ago, but there was a crowd and I couldn’t get close. It should be okay now, right?”
“Yes. I need to study for a test, so we’ll just check on her and leave immediately, okay?”
“Okay! Kate and Josette, too!”
“W-What, me too?”
Rachel and Caro returned from picking flowers. Then, led by Rachel, the four headed towards where Patty was.
“There you are. There are fewer people than before, but it still looks like it will take some time.”
They moved through the venue and arrived at Patty’s location, but people were still gathered around her.
“Just like at school, Patty is good at attracting people,” Josette said, looking at Patty surrounded by people. Before, there wasn’t anything particularly like this, but since she started spending a lot of time with Kent, people began to gather around Patty. Josette was complimenting that fact.
“But it looks like the main conversation this time is about costumes.”
“Ah, is that so? What is that costume? I’ve never seen that glossy fabric before. Isn’t it quite expensive?”
Caro, who had been eavesdropping on Patty’s conversation, spoke up. Then, as if remembering, Josette asked Rachel about the fabric.
“Expensive, huh… That fabric isn’t expensive. It’s a mass-produced chemical fiber, so the price is reasonable. I think you could make tens of them with the money it would cost to buy the fabric for Josette’s dress.”
“I thought it was something extremely expensive, so I’m surprised.”
The fabric used in the dress Patty was wearing this time was ordered through Kent’s terminal. According to Rachel herself, she had put a little extra effort into making it a cosplay costume.
“More importantly, Josette’s dress is amazing. The sewing and the way the fabric is used here are truly befitting a Duke’s family. It’s quite educational.”
“Rachel, please don’t lift my skirt like that.”
“Ah, sorry, sorry. I just got curious.”
Rachel looked at Josette’s dress with great interest.
“Everyone, now is your chance to get closer.”
Caro found an opportunity to approach Patty and said this. In response, the four of them hurried closer to Patty.
