Chapter 276: The PUA Saintess Experiences the Taste of Being Played; Mary Sue’s Second-Stage Taming (1)
Was a best friend supposed to be this popular? Picking someone to dance the opening number with seemed tricky no matter what.
So borrowing her boyfriend to block some of the attention seemed completely reasonable.
Still, she hadn’t even danced with her boyfriend herself yet!
A tiny regret lingered in Sistine’s heart.
She gently squeezed Shia’s hand, then voluntarily handed her boyfriend over to her best friend.
Completely oblivious to the undertones of such a gesture.
Looking at Sistine’s expression, which was clearly reluctant yet forced herself to offer her boyfriend, Shia could only sigh helplessly in his heart.
'You’re really not helping me here.'
'People are stepping all over me, and you’re the one giving me away?'
Amidst everyone’s attention, Shia took the hand Eileen extended toward him.
Her soft, delicate fingers seemed to melt into his grasp. Paired with her exquisite, angelic features, her smile instantly became even more dazzling.
She lowered her voice, speaking softly enough for only the three of them to hear.
“Thanks~!”
That “thanks” was both for Sistine’s generosity in lending out her boyfriend and for Shia’s willingness to take the hit for her.
Sistine responded with a light smile, a silent acknowledgment.
Shia merely nodded subtly.
From the moment Eileen invited Shia to dance, they had already become the center of everyone’s attention.
Now, with their hands intertwined, they instantly stirred widespread commotion.
The Dawn Saintess inviting a boy to dance!
And that boy was a first-year student, Shia!
The news spread like wildfire, instantly dominating the hall.
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With this revelation, countless people who had been eagerly hoping to share a dance with the saintess could only feel their hopes dashed.
Some were envious, but many more were seething with jealousy.
'How could this first-year boy be worthy of the goddess’s favor?'
And not just favor—she actually took the initiative to invite him?
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Sure, his recent reputation seemed to be rising, but at the end of the day, wasn’t he just a first-year?
'Why did he deserve such honor?!'
In an instant, Shia became a lightning rod for criticism.
The murmurs and glances from all around didn’t faze Eileen in the slightest. Instead, the smile in her eyes deepened.
The two walked toward the center of the dance floor, appearing like a perfectly matched pair.
Shia ignored all the gossip around him, remaining as composed and elegant as ever. His voice carried a slight note of apology.
“However, I don’t know how to dance. I’ll have to trouble you for guidance later. My apologies.”
'What did others’ stares matter?'
'They didn’t mean a thing!'
“That’s alright. I’ll teach you.”
Eileen’s voice was sweet and gentle, tinged with a girl’s playful charm. But there was something else—an undertone of indulgence, even a trace of… affection?
Their conversation was overheard by the surrounding crowd, sparking an even greater uproar.
“Why didn’t the goddess pick me? I already know how to dance!”
“She’s teaching him personally? That’s so unfair!”
“A first-year who doesn’t even know how to dance, yet my goddess is throwing herself at him? What kind of background does this guy have?!”
The murmurs around them naturally reached their ears.
Eileen glanced at Shia with some concern, only to find that he remained entirely unperturbed, exuding a calm confidence as if he couldn’t be bothered by such things.
Together, they stepped into the dance floor.
The lively and graceful melody flowed like spring water, filling the air.
Under the spotlight, Eileen stepped back with her right foot, gently touched the floor, lifted the hem of her skirt with both hands, and curtsied elegantly. Her smile was ethereal, dreamlike.
But after holding her pose for a moment, she realized Shia hadn’t responded with the customary bow.
Eileen’s red lips parted slightly as she whispered through gritted teeth.
“You’re supposed to bow. It’s a mutual greeting.”
Shia looked genuinely apologetic.
“I did mention I don’t know how to dance. My apologies.”
As he spoke, he finally returned the gesture.
With that, the two stood upright.
Eileen extended her arms, waiting for Shia to take his position.
Instead, Shia mirrored her movement and pulled her into a big hug.
Her soft, delicate body was suddenly enveloped in his embrace, his hands landing on her slender waist and holding her firmly.
Eileen’s heart seemed to skip a beat before pounding violently.
Then, she hurriedly pushed him away.
“You’re supposed to hold my waist, not hug me.”
Shia apologized again and stepped back.
Eileen: '…This is infuriating!'
She had planned this whole scenario, yet why did it feel like she was the one being taken advantage of?
Frustrated, she grabbed Shia’s hand and placed it on her shoulder, guiding his other hand back to her waist.
Shia’s hand gave her waist a soft squeeze, earning a slight glare from her.
Eileen took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but her frustration only grew.
It felt like she had miscalculated.
Shia seemed entirely unapologetic as he continued his missteps, justifying everything with his claim of being a novice.
Finally, they began dancing to the rhythm of the music, but the mishaps didn’t stop.
Eileen’s smile almost cracked.
Shia looked genuinely embarrassed.
“I’m so sorry.”
Eileen managed to keep her face composed, even as her breath hitched in pain.
Her foot throbbed, feeling as if the bones had been shattered.
“It’s… fine.”
Shia quickly moved his foot off hers and resumed dancing.
Then—
“Ah!”
Eileen couldn’t help but gasp sharply in pain.
This time, her left foot had just been stepped on, and as Shia shifted, his foot landed squarely on her right foot!
Shia’s guilt deepened visibly.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to…”
Hearing his sincere apology, what could Eileen say?
After all, she was the one who had invited him in the first place.
If she showed any hint of dissatisfaction now, all her previous efforts would have been for nothing.
“It’s fine. Just be more careful next time.”
Shia nodded earnestly, his expression entirely genuine.
Yet every step he took seemed deliberate, each one landing squarely on her feet as though his shoes had eyes.
Eileen didn’t doubt that her feet would be bruised black and blue by the time this dance ended.
But under everyone’s watchful gaze, she could only maintain her graceful, forced smile.