Chapter 5

It has been a month since the entrance ceremony.

The days pass by in a hurry, but for someone like me, there are no notable events. Lately, I have finally started to get used to life in this unfamiliar school.

If I were to talk about it in a game-like context, around this time, the protagonist would be meeting a series of male characters to target.

The villainous lady would probably appear and say something like, "Know your place." I used to skip through these parts in the game, so I don't remember the details of the conversations.

Well, let's put aside the stories of those protagonists who have nothing to do with me.

I have finally started to get used to life in the dormitory, and the friends I hang out with are starting to solidify.

Speaking of friends, there are Daniel and Raymond.

Although our situations are different, we grew up in almost the same environment, so we get along well.

On a bench in the courtyard of the school.

The three of us sit down and discuss the tea party planned for early May.

"Hey, what about the tea party? Shouldn't we be selective about who we invite?"

The May holiday is a break for girls, but for boys, it's different. This is the time to invite girls to tea to get closer to them.

Unlike pick-up, it's not just anyone; we need to host a tea party that matches the status of the invitees.

It's an unofficial event in the school.

In response to Daniel's worried question, Raymond was looking down.

"I received an allowance from home, but I can't afford such a luxurious tea party. I'll invite any girl who wants to come."

School is expensive, especially for boys.

I have some savings, but I can't spend them like water. Besides, I don't want to.

Most of the wealth I had was invested in my parents' territory.

However, if I skip this tea party, rumors will spread through the girls' network. If they say I can't even host a tea party, it could affect my marriage prospects.

Even if I'm not interested in the girls, I need to host a proper tea party.

Girls share information among themselves, just as we do. If you make enemies with girls, rumors will spread quickly and cause trouble.

In this sense, boys are at a disadvantage.

And there's one more problem.

I have won the right to independence after graduation through my own efforts and am seen as a relatively wealthy person. Therefore, the expectations and standards around me are high.

"I'm supposed to host a formal tea party, you know? Honestly, it's a heavy burden."

As we were feeling down, we saw Prince Julius walking with his entourage and some women.

Beside him was the son of a viscount's family, a close friend and a member of the prince's guard, Zirk Fia Marmoria, who was also the prince's foster brother.

I really want to ask if his dark green hair is natural. His green eyes are gentle and droopy, in contrast to the prince's sharp gaze.

He is from a viscount's family in the court, but it is clear that he will be given an important position in the future because he is the prince's foster brother and close friend.

The girls were talking to him with hearts in their eyes, and among them were boys from earl's families and border baron's families, pretending to be part of the entourage.

"Will the prince be hosting a tea party in May?"

"I want to participate too."

"Me too!"

Seeing the girls wagging their tails to be invited to the prince's tea party, we face reality.

Raymond covered his face with his hands.

"...This year, the bar is high because of the prince and the noble families."

Daniel's shoulders were slumped.

"We'll be compared. I wish they would cut us some slack."

As we were watching the envious scene, a woman approached. She was surrounded by a large entourage.

She was the daughter of a duke's family, Angelica Rafa Redgrave. She had her shining blonde hair tied up and was wearing a red dress.

Her white skin was beautiful, but her red eyes were strong.

Her sharp, piercing gaze made it clear that she possessed something different from others.

If there is someone who is born with something special, it would be her and the prince.

I thought the protagonist must have something special too, even if it might sound cliché, just because of the aura they exude.

"You're the prince's fiancée, right?"

Before I could say anything, the girls surrounding the prince and Zirk stepped back. It seems no one would dare to make a move in front of the fiancée.

I wanted to say, "Don't even talk to her."

Angelica's gaze became sharper.

"Prince, I would like to discuss the tea party in May. May I join you?"

In the school, it is said that one should not rely on their status or their parents' power, but in the real world, such things are inseparable.

"Angelica, don't intimidate others. This is a school, remember."

"Yes, I understand. However, the prince's surroundings were a bit noisy."

Whether in the school or outside, no one would dare to defy a duke's daughter.

The girls awkwardly averted their eyes from Angelica.

"Is this the protagonist's rival? She seems like a formidable opponent."

Muttering to myself, I noticed a girl standing apart from the group. I narrowed my eyes.

If Angelica is considered beautiful, this girl was cute.

She was a blonde with blue eyes, the daughter of a viscount's family.

Her name was Marie Fou Lafan.

I couldn't stand her.

It wasn't hatred, but irritation.

Zirk noticed her looking with blue eyes and informed the prince.

"Prince."

"Hmm? Oh, it's Marie. That's convenient, I was looking for you. Can you come over here?"

The prince smiled at Marie.

Angelica's eyebrows twitched.

One of the entourage whispered something to her, making her frown even more.

Marie came over reluctantly, the tension in the air palpable.

Daniel was pressing his stomach.

"Can I go back now?"

If we stood up and ran away now, we would stand out. Raymond shook his head.

"No, don't move until it's over. Still, is she an acquaintance of the prince? I don't think she's a famous girl."

Marie spoke to the prince in a cute voice.

"What is it, Prince?"

"Actually, boys are supposed to host a tea party in May. I don't want to make it too flashy, so I plan to invite only acquaintances."

Angelica objected to this.

"Prince, there is a certain standard for tea parties. Inviting someone like her—"

The prince didn't stop.

I remembered this scene.

I recalled a similar event in the game, but the one invited was the protagonist.

Looking around, there was no one who fit that description.

Raymond looked at me.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing, I'm looking for someone... Is the scholarship student here?"

Raymond looked around in the same way but shook his head.

"No, a scholarship student wouldn't be here. Look, just stay quiet and wait for the storm to pass."

We couldn't escape.

Students trying to enter the courtyard turned back and ran away when they sensed the unusual atmosphere. I envied them.

The prince, who was arguing with Angelica, seemed a bit annoyed.

"Cut it out, Angelica. This is a school. I'm just a student here. You're my fiancée, but you don't have the right to interfere this much."

Angelica backed down at his words.

"...I apologize."

She left the scene, giving Marie a sharp glare before departing.

The entourage also directed harsh glances at Marie.

"I'm sorry, Marie. I didn't mean to make you feel bad."

"N-no, it's fine. But, was it really okay for me to participate?"

Zirk shrugged.

"The prince doesn't like formal events. He prefers a more casual tea party. I hope you'll join us. It's rare for the prince to invite someone like this."

Zirk chuckled, and the prince, looking embarrassed, averted his gaze.

"J-just come. Zirk, you're coming too."

As the prince and Zirk moved, their entourage followed.

Daniel and Raymond sighed in relief when they were finally free. I looked at Marie's profile.

Thinking no one was watching, Marie seemed to be smiling thinly.

◇

The etiquette class for the tea party.

The teacher was a gentlemanly male teacher with a neatly trimmed beard.

The classroom was set up with tables, and sweets and tea were prepared.

"Understand? When you invite a woman to a tea party, you must assume that everything is being observed. Your manners and behavior reveal the kind of education you've received and the kind of person you are. Conversely, if you can entertain a woman well here, you will receive a higher evaluation."

The boys were studying etiquette in the classroom, standing in a row.

My father apparently learned etiquette from a bearded man like this, but he said he forgot it all after graduation. Indeed, one's daily attitude might show, but would the other person really notice that much?

"Hey, Mistalion! Show more tension!"

"Yes, sir!"

When I responded to the reprimand, I heard chuckles from the rich and court nobles' heirs around me.

"Country bumpkins are like this."

"Just because they have a little achievement, they act superior."

"Barbarians are suited for adventurers, not this kind of occasion."

The male teacher straightened his back and continued the lesson.

"First, the most important thing in a tea party is the overall atmosphere. Just having the right tools and securing an empty room is not enough! Pay attention to every detail of the tools and invite the woman to a special space. Remember, just preparing the venue is considered third-rate."

Does this kind of trivial lesson have any meaning? Thinking it would be useless after graduation, the teacher seemed to have read my mind.

"Mistalion... It seems you don't understand. Let's do a practical demonstration."

Called to the front, I was treated as a guest.

It's not like it would be anything significant.

I planned to pretend to be impressed on the surface while secretly mocking it.

"Wow, I'm looking forward to it."

"Yes, enjoy yourself."

But then—

◇

—After the class ended.

I approached the male teacher as he left the classroom.

"Teacher! I was moved!"

The male teacher, with his back straight, turned around and stroked his proud beard.

"Mistalion, it seems you understand."

"Yes! I underestimated tea. I deeply regret it. I want to host a perfect tea party like you!"

The male teacher smiled and nodded.

"That's commendable, but you're mistaken."

"Huh?"

The male teacher turned to face me and placed his right hand on his chest.

"The most important thing is the heart of hospitality. And I am still on the path. I have never been able to provide a satisfactory hospitality. However, I can teach the basics. Mistalion, let's walk the path of tea together."

"Yes!"

As the male teacher and I talked with smiles, I heard Daniel and Raymond's voices from behind.

"Hey, did he take some dangerous drugs?"

"Who knows? Well, it's not a waste, so it's probably fine."

◇

The tea party in May.

I had received responses from the people I sent invitations to, so I borrowed a room and prepared for the event.

The school has several rooms dedicated to tea parties, and it is common for students to borrow them to entertain guests.

Ideally, I would like to rent a more formal venue, but everything is fully booked during this period, so it's not possible.

Tea sets, tea leaves, and sweets.

I consulted with the teacher to gather these items and was in the process of cleaning the room and arranging the setup.

A Luxion was floating in the center of the room, checking the interior.

"You've put a lot of effort into this. A few weeks ago, you were trying to get it done quickly with professionals."

"Shut up. If you notice anything, let me know."

As I did the final check, I took out a pocket watch to check the time.

The girls I invited would arrive in about ten minutes.

This time, my guest was the second daughter of a baron's family.

To be honest, I don't like second daughters, but that's irrelevant to the guest.

"Can I choose partners based on genetic information?"

"That's not possible because there's no one who can check the genes."

"Then there's nothing to say."

After finishing the conversation with Luxion, a girl arrived.

"Hi~"

However, her attitude was not friendly, and it was clear that she had come reluctantly.

But I didn't panic.

Stay calm, me. The teacher said that the beginning is to entertain any guest with a sincere heart.

But—

"Welcome—wait, what?"

Upon closer inspection, there were two other girls behind the one I invited.

She was grinning.

"Oh, friends. I thought I'd kill some time here. There's a big tea party, and I have some time to wait before it starts."

The other two girls casually took seats and started eating the sweets.

"Ah, please pour the tea too."

They gathered around the table, leaving no place for me to sit. They were chatting about the tea party they were about to attend, and I was reduced to serving them like a servant.

When the time came, the three girls left the room without a word of thanks.

"See you. The sweets were good, but you need to buy more expensive ones to impress girls."

As they left, I slumped my shoulders.

"Do you know how much this set of sweets costs? They were made specially for today at a proper shop. More expensive...?"

I looked at the remaining sweets.

"...Teacher, the path of tea seems long and difficult."

Feeling frustrated and on the verge of tears, I started cleaning up when I heard voices from outside. Several female students were arguing.

"...You're not a good match!"

"But, the invitation—"

"Use your common sense, commoner!"

The sound of footsteps could be heard.

The female students said, "Let's hurry, the carriage will leave," and left. Hearing the word "commoner," I wondered if the protagonist might be there and went out of the room.

I expected someone with a strong aura and beauty, like a rival to Angelica, but there was only one girl sitting on the floor in the hallway.

She had light brown hair in a mid-length bob, and there was nothing special about her. Her brown eyes and gentle face were the opposite of Angelica's. She was a plain girl.

She was pretty, but just an ordinary girl.

There was a torn invitation on the floor.

Luxion, who had been silent, perched on my shoulder to observe the situation.

"...Is this bullying? I heard she's a scholarship student but not of noble birth. They probably can't accept a commoner attending this school."

"Yeah, that's about it. But... she's too ordinary."

Seeing her sadly picking up the invitation, I looked into the room.

"Can I invite one more person?"

Thinking I could entertain one more person with the remaining sweets and tea leaves, I called out.

"Hey, girl! Want to have some tea?"

The girl—Olivia—looked up at me, slightly surprised.

◇

"Hmm, you received an invitation from the heir of a border baron, did you?"

"Yes. He said it might be good to talk to a scholarship student, but everyone said it was inappropriate and I should decline."

Inside the room, the atmosphere was more relaxed than before.

She was looking at the tea I had prepared, smiling as she ate the sweets.

"Is this... expensive tea leaves?"

"Yes, they are.