The Protagonist's Party is Too Diligent

Chapter 112

I don’t have particularly fond memories of my school days.

But then again, I don’t have any particularly bad memories either. I just went to school like everyone else, got through it, and graduated without much fuss. My grades were neither outstanding nor terrible, and I’d like to think I managed to make a few friends along the way.

Though, I never did manage to get a girlfriend.

I was an otaku, and my friends were otaku as well. We didn’t travel anywhere far together, but we did attend related events as a group, pooled money to buy manga, or headed to PC rooms after exams.

Looking back, those memories seem insignificant compared to the things I’ve experienced here at the Academy. None of those memories were vivid enough to remember the exact dates, and out of those friends I once hung out with, I could count the ones I kept in touch with on one hand. I even struggled to recall some of their faces or names.

Still, perhaps because this is a school for teenagers as well, I sometimes found myself reminiscing about those days.

“We’ll be parting ways for a little while,” said Charlotte, the first to break the silence.

Just like in my old world, the school closed early for exams. Taking advantage of the free time, we all decided to hang out and wander around.

We strolled through the streets outside the Academy, not doing much, then spent some time in a café, sipping tea and eating parfaits. We chatted about trivial things and shared laughter over mundane topics that I barely remember now.

It hadn’t seemed like long, but before we knew it, the sun was setting, painting the sky with a warm red glow.

“You’re going back to Lutetia?” Alice asked.

“Yes, I am. After all, I’m the princess of Velbur,” Charlotte replied, with a faint smile as if feeling a bit wistful.

“But we’ll see each other again soon, right? Summer break isn’t that long,” she added.

The break was just over a month, so barring any unforeseen events, we would all reunite for the second semester.

However, on further thought, it also meant that after graduation, meeting up wouldn’t be so simple.

If Charlotte were merely one of Velbur’s nobility and not the princess, she might have been able to visit Rondarium for a few days each year, reconnecting with Alice over tea, catching up, and parting ways again.

But, both Alice and Charlotte were important figures in their respective imperial and royal families. Although not yet officially announced, Alice was a strong candidate for the throne, and Charlotte had no siblings to share her royal responsibilities.

“...”

Alice’s expression darkened as if the same thoughts had crossed her mind.

...If events followed the original storyline, these two would become enemies. Though Alice, in her efforts to end the war, would reconcile with Charlotte, the peace wouldn’t last long.

Charlotte noticed Alice’s expression and suddenly extended her hand.

“Then, I’ll see you after the break. And if you ever come to visit Lutetia again... I’ll make sure you get a taste of Velbur’s cuisine, which is far more diverse and flavorful than that of the Empire,” she teased, as if daring her.

Alice finally broke into a smile.

Holding Charlotte’s hand, she replied, “The Empire’s cuisine is improving a lot. Come back in about ten years, and even a Velburian won’t be able to look down on it.”

Charlotte shrugged playfully.

“Lena, you’re returning to the Autonomous Region, right?” I asked.

“That’s correct. My belongings are already packed,” Lena replied, standing at attention. Even in this weather, she wasn’t wearing short sleeves. It was as if she thought wearing lighter clothing might somehow diminish her military spirit.

Given that, I suppose her expression made sense.

“You worked hard, too,” I replied, bowing my head slightly to Mia. She looked at me, a bit taken aback, before hastily turning and hurrying off.

“You don’t need to say goodbye to me,” came a lighthearted voice from behind me.

I turned to see Jake, with his ever-loyal maid by his side.

“We’ll be staying an extra day before heading out.”

Even with two princesses present, Jake’s casual attitude didn’t change. His maid, Lottie, gave him a disapproving look, but he seemed completely unaffected.

“Still, a farewell is a farewell,” Alice said. “We’re planning to leave today as well.”

“Oh, really?”

Jake seemed unfazed, as if wondering why they were in such a hurry since they were all staying in the same city.

“It’s better to get things done early since we’re already here. And even if we leave first, our belongings can stay for a while longer, can’t they?”

After all, it’s not like we’ll be the ones moving them ourselves.

“Is that so?”

Jake likely wanted to stay back for a day to spend more time with Lottie.

“Well then, let’s say our goodbyes now. See you in the second semester,” I said.

“Come back as a slightly more grounded man next time,” Alice added with a smirk, to which Jake just laughed heartily.

---

“Th-then...” Leo stammered, looking rather nervous.

“As the future head of the Grace family, I would like to formally invite both princesses to our estate.”

“...”

Alice looked at him with an amused, slightly exasperated expression.

“There’s no need to be so formal, Leo. Even among nobles, friends can keep things casual.”

“Oh, r-right...”

“Actually, you don’t even need to be so polite—never mind,” Alice sighed, while Claire rubbed her forehead.

“Well, since you’ve extended such a formal invitation,” Alice said, a mischievous glint in her eye, moving toward Leo and lightly holding the edges of her skirt.

“I will be happy to accept it.”

She offered a graceful, yet playful, curtsy by placing one leg slightly behind and bending her knees just enough, all while keeping her head high.

It was no surprise that Leo’s face turned an even deeper shade of red.