✦ ✦ ✦
Meanwhile, at the boys-only party...
Shin had been in the middle of drinking when he joined them, so everyone besides Masato also began drinking alcohol.
“Then, even though he gave Sayo a hairpin, he just up and left the village.”
Shin pointed at Rio as he told them about what happened in the Yagumo region.
“Seriously? That’s awful, Haruto.”
“Yeah, what a sinful man.”
“That’s right. Sayo still treasures that hairpin, you know?”
A red-faced Rei, Hiroaki, and Shin said respectively, denouncing Rio.
“That Sayo sure has guts, though. She followed after Haruto even though she was rejected, coming all the way here to the Strahl region,” Rei said.
“Sounds like he should take responsibility and marry her,” Hiroaki added.
“That’s right! Take responsibility!” Shin chimed in last.
“The three of you are getting a little too drunk...” Rio said, completely overwhelmed by them.
“Ha ha, they’ve hit it off with each other.”
“Must be tough being popular.”
Although Kouta and Masato gave Rio pitying looks, they were enjoying the situation.
“Who’re you interested in the most anyway, Haruto? You’ve been living with so many cute girls who adore you. How come you haven’t dated any of them?” Rei asked bluntly, holding a glass in one hand.
“I can’t think about anything like that right now, so even if you ask me...”
“Huh?! And you call yourself a man?! You gotta have the guts to marry them all!”
“That’s right! Marry Sayo!”
The drunkards continued pestering Rio until a knock came from the door. It immediately opened afterward, revealing Latifa.
“Is Masato here?” she asked.
“What do you want, Suzune?”
“I’d like to ask you something. Is that okay?”
“Huh? Me?” Masato pointed at himself blankly.
“Yeah. Is that okay?” Latifa was grinning, but there was an intensity to her that refused to take no for an answer.
“Y-Yeah. That’s fine...” With no reason to refuse, Masato nodded hesitantly.
“Good. Let’s go.”
Thus, Latifa took Masato to the girls’ party.
✦ ✦ ✦
“I’ve brought Masato!”
Latifa returned to the dining room, pulling Masato by the hand; all the girls participating in the party were gathered there.
It was an overwhelming number of girls. Feeling like he had wandered into an all-girls school, Masato stiffened at the pressure.
“Y-Yeah... What is this?”
“Now, sit over there, Masato.”
Latifa led him by the hand to the seat opposite of Lilianna.
Ah, I have a bad feeling about this, Masato thought instinctively.
“Y-You know, things were getting real exciting over there. Shin came over and started telling us stories of Haruto’s romantic escapades. Oh, maybe you should call them over too?”
Sorry, Haruto, Masato apologized in his head as he tried to stand up, using Rio’s gossip as bait to change the topic.
“Onii-chan’s romantic escapades...?” The look on Latifa and everyone else’s faces changed.
Okay! Masato was sure of his victory, but that vision quickly crumbled away like a mirage.
“I do want to hear more about that in detail later. But like I said, I have something to ask you.” Latifa grabbed Masato’s shoulders and grinned as she pushed him back down into the chair.
“R-Right. What is it...?”
Ah, I’m not getting away from this one, Masato instantly thought to himself. Thus, Masato may or may not have learned the terror of a harem.
✦ ✦ ✦
No matter how much fun there was to have, everything had to come to an end eventually.
After Masato was interrogated, the other members of the boys’ party joined the girls’ party. They were thoroughly questioned about what they discussed at their party, resulting in several red-faced people and Sayo getting mad at Shin.
The informal social gathering was a big hit, but it was finally time for things to come to an end. Everyone was disappointed, but it was long past their usual sleeping hour.
As the participants left the dining room one after another, Liselotte called out to Miharu and Aki.
“Miharu, Aki,” she said.
“Yes?”
“Sorry to stop you as you’re about to go to sleep. There’s something I’d like to ask the two of you.”
“What is it?”
“I’m thinking of developing a new product for the Ricca Guild, and I was hoping to receive your assistance in it.”
“Our assistance?” Miharu tilted her head with a blank look. She had given the Ricca Guild several of her baking recipes before, but she had no idea what kind of product would involve Aki as well.
“Yes. The product this time is fashion-related, not food. I’d love to hear both of your opinions from a Japanese perspective,” Liselotte explained.
“I’d be happy to help, but...”
“You’re not going to invite Satsuki as well?” Aki said, asking the obvious.
“There’s quite a lot to check, so it’ll involve visiting the actual stores in person. Considering Satsuki’s position, it won’t be easy for her to go out like that.”
“I see.”
“If it isn’t too much trouble for you, I’d appreciate your assistance. Of course, you’ll be fairly compensated for your time,” Liselotte said, bowing her head.
“As long as you don’t mind an amateur opinion...” Miharu was the first to agree.
“I’m okay with it too. Though I won’t know any better than Miharu.” Aki also nodded with a strained smile.
“Thank you very much, it’ll be a great help. I’ll have to consult Princess Charlotte first, but I’ll have more details within a few days. Please keep that in mind.”
With Liselotte’s request, the day came to an end.