She relieved to know that she didn't require a personal bodyguard or an escort for tonight. Krysta was slowly starting to feel irritated about having a hero guard her just because her family was connected with the Hero Association through their huge donations. Of course, there would be heroes taking on the role as security guards for the house while the party was going on. Celebrating the birthday of her late great-aunt – the "founding mother" of the Nikihasha family wealth. It wasn't really a birthday celebration, so much as it was a way of boasting about the honour of her great-aunt's legacy to everyone who respected the family. And of course, an excuse for her mother to get Krysta and her older sister Lisa to find a man as a "suitor".

"Just think!" her mother had said to her younger daughter with excitement earlier that day. "All the handsome, charming young men who will be coming tonight. You should at least try to interact with them. Who knows? One of them might actually be your husband some day!"

"Mother," she had replied, "I can't marry a man if it's only a one-time occasion. If I do marry, I want it to be out of true love. Love that actually lasts."

But her mother merely laughed and said dismissively, "Oh, Krysta, true love is just a silly child's fairy tale. Off you go, now. You'd better get ready."

Now she was sitting on her bed in her room, wearing nothing but her white satin slip with her long blonde waves of hair done up in a high ponytail, which she had planned to curl, but hadn't even the touched the curler at all. She was trying her hardest not to let her mother's frustrating talk get to her, especially since she had the party to focus on tonight, when she a heard a knock at her door. The sudden noise made her jolt before she sighed with relief, annoyed at herself for letting such a thing scare her.

"Yes?"

The door opened, and her older sister, Lisa, stepped into the room. Unlike Krysta, she had dark hair like their father, but they both had the same midnight blue eyes as his. She was a short black short-sleeved dress with stockings, and her skirt was half down her thighs. It was a typical style for Lisa, who always seemed to be wearing short skirts and shorts whenever she was performing her music out in the city streets. When she saw her younger sister still in her white slip, a smile played on her lips.

"You're not ready yet, baby sis?" she asked with a chuckle. "No wonder why Mother thinks you're so slow. Having trouble picking out your dress, huh?"

"Well, yes, that is one reason," Krysta replied, rolling her eyes. "Mother's gone under my skin again with all this talk about men and all that."

"Well, you can't really blame her," Lisa said with a shrug before walking over to the bed, "You know what she's like. But she does make a good point in a way..." she added, plopping herself down next to Krysta, "They say the right man will come along when you least expect it. I guarantee you, baby sis, at least one man is going to be lucky enough to dance with you tonight."

A smile came and went on Krysta's face. Lisa was right, as always. Ever since they were young children, Lisa was the only person Krysta could actually talk to. Unlike their mother, she wouldn't just dismiss her feelings, but instead would listen to her sister and try to give her the best advice she could. Whatever they would do, they would do it together: writing songs, performing together, and even styling each other's hair and doing makeup. Even now, that Krysta was 20 years old, her sister going on 23 in the next 3 months, they were still very close, and Lisa still called her sister "baby sis", which Krysta never really minded.
She rested her head on Lisa's shoulder, who in turn swathed an arm over her shoulders.

"Don't worry, baby sis," she said softly. "You choose who you want to be with. It's your choice at the end of the day."
Krysta looked up and smiled. "Yeah," she replied, "I guess you're right. Thank you, Lisa."
With a playful smile, her older sister ruffled her blonde hair, "I'm always happy to help ya. Now come on, baby sis. Let's help you with your outfit. I'll be doing your make-up and hair too."

. . .

He didn't think he would be showing up to this celebration tonight, but when he heard about the wealth and connections involved, and that heroes would be acting as security, his interest was piqued. Infiltrating the mansion of Saito Nikihasha, one of the richest men connected with the Hero Association, could be a good opportunity, especially if it meant seeking a confrontation with his eternal "rival". But even he wasn't there, it may be worth a shot to see all the beautiful girls who could be attending the party. He had even heard from somewhere that Nikihasha's daughters were pretty too. It could definitely be worth paying a small visit.

Sonic stood on the roof of Nikihasha Manor with a smirk fully registered on his face as he silently observed the guests all dressed in their finest clothes - some even wearing masquerade masks - streaming in. He himself was dressed for the grand occasion: he was wearing a black suit with a silk purple tie, holding a black cat filigree masquerade mask in his hand. After scanning the whole area, he was slightly disappointed that his target wasn't there, but since Sonic was there already, he thought he might as well make the night worthwhile. 'Saitama may not be here, but the sight of the girls here might make tonight worth it...Besides, it would a wasted opportunity if I didn't confirm the stories about Nikihasha myself. What better way to do that than to infiltrate his mansion, and possibly get close to one of his partners, or perhaps one of his beautiful daughters...'
With a chuckle, he placed his mask over his face to conceal the purple tattoos under his grey eyes. 'Time to put on a show...and enjoy the celebrations.'