The Drinking Party (1)
I never expected Aria to suggest drinking. Of all people, the Saintess herself proposing something like this? I never saw it coming. How exactly was I supposed to respond?
Hmm. Actually, now that I think about it, there’s no real reason to refuse.
The Saintess episode wouldn’t be happening for a while anyway. Even if I got closer to her now, it wouldn’t have any major impact on the original story.
Besides, getting friendly with the Saintess seems like it could only be a good thing.
I wasn’t a minor, after all. Even though I had enrolled at the academy, I was technically an adult. While her suggestion was a bit surprising, this was practically an opportunity. If not now, when would I ever get the chance to grow closer to her?
Having organized my thoughts, I nodded.
“That doesn’t sound bad at all.”
“Huh?”
The next moment, both Sherry and Miroel stared at me as if they were trying to bore holes through my skull. Their eyes clearly asked why on earth I was accepting.
Come on, why can’t I have a drink with the Saintess?
I had never tasted alcohol since possessing this body. If not now, then when?
While I was thinking that, Sherry asked in a flustered voice.
“Y-you’re really going to drink?”
“Is there any reason I shouldn’t?”
“Well… you’re still a student.”
“But aren’t all of you adults?”
Aria immediately countered Sherry’s answer. Sherry, having nothing to say, simply pressed her lips tightly together. Then Aria continued.
“Just to be sure, is drinking alcohol prohibited at the academy?”
“Uh, well… that is…”
“No. There is no such prohibition.”
When Sherry trailed off, I answered in her place. Both Miroel and Sherry stared at me with expressions that asked why I was answering for her.
What? It’s not like I said anything wrong.
For some reason I felt unfairly treated, but arguing back would only earn me more scolding. In the end, I kept my mouth shut. Aria’s lips curved upward.
“Then that means it’s fine to drink. Tonight works for you, yes?”
“We don’t have free time at night, Saintess.”
“Ah, there’s no need to worry, Miss Sherry. I’ll speak with the academy separately.”
When Aria smiled and countered, Sherry trembled with a frustrated expression. I was half-convinced she might actually explode.
“Then I’ll take that as settled. Mister Baran.”
“Yes, I don’t mi—”
“Just a moment.”
“?”
The next moment, Sherry cut me off with a serious voice. We immediately turned our attention to her. With a grave expression, Sherry spoke.
“There’s no need for the two of you to drink alone, is there?”
“Pardon?”
“Alcohol is supposed to be more fun when everyone drinks together, right? Don’t you agree?”
“……”
Sherry said this with an annoyingly sweet smile. Soon after, Aria shifted her gaze to me.
“What do you think, Mister Baran?”
“Hmm.”
I actually thought drinking together would be better. Considering the hero’s party that would form later, it couldn’t hurt for the heroines and the Saintess to get closer now. The friendlier they became, the better their coordination would be.
There’s no better way to get close than over drinks.
Having thought that, I accepted Sherry’s suggestion.
“It’s true that drinking together creates a better atmosphere. I think it’s a good idea.”
“See? I knew Baran would agree!”
“……”
Sherry’s expression brightened dramatically, as if she couldn’t be happier. Of course, unlike her, Aria’s face darkened slightly.
“Hng. Understood. Then I’ll come find you tonight. Please keep that in mind.”
With a determined look, she gracefully left. At the same time—
Where did I put that outfit the Saintess wore last time…?
The words that reached my ears were so unexpected that I was sure I must have misheard.
Free time ended, and night arrived.
Just what exactly had the Saintess said to the professors that they allowed us to drink at this hour? Especially—
Hehe. I don’t mind Mister Baran doing almost anything, but please refrain from causing any accidents.
Dale’s smiling face looked incredibly suspicious. Well, there was no point in thinking about it now. The girls had already gathered in my room.
“Then let’s go quickly.”
At that moment, Luden spoke with a fiery look in his eyes.
Originally we had planned to drink in my room. But looking at my room now—
It really is small.
It didn’t seem like we could even have a proper conversation here, let alone drink. It felt stifling just looking at it, so we ultimately decided to go to the mansion where Aria lived.
Well, it’s not that far anyway.
And so we walked toward the mansion where Aria resided. A short while later—
“This is it.”
“Whoa.”
“Baran. You need to be careful.”
Disciple. Please hide behind me.
The girls wore solemn expressions as they stared at the enormous mansion before us. Anyone watching might have thought it was a witch’s house rather than the Saintess’s. While they looked so serious—
“Wow. As expected, the Saintess’s home is on another level.”
“Yeah. It looks way more luxurious than our house.”
Kanya and Risa were marveling at the grand mansion. Yes, that was the normal reaction. Honestly, I hadn’t seen many mansions, but even at a glance this one looked far superior. The garden alone was immaculate, and the building itself practically sparkled. It was clear just how meticulously this place was maintained.
“You’ve arrived?”
At that moment, Aria appeared at the mansion entrance, brushing her hair behind her ear. At her appearance, the eyes of the female party widened.
“W-what? That outfit?”
“Hoo…”
“She really went all out preparing?”
Sigh. Old memories are suddenly coming back.
The smooth legs and the dress that clung to her chest naturally drew the eye. Aria’s attire was something straight out of a manga that only saints would wear. If any other men had been present, they would undoubtedly have stared at her with sticky, heated gazes.
Thank goodness I have Calmness.
If I didn’t have that trait, my desires would have been completely exposed right now, and she might have suspected I wasn’t actually blind.
This is exactly why Calmness is so important.
Thinking that, I offered a kind smile.
“Saintess. Once again, thank you.”
“Not at all. I simply wanted to talk with you, Mister Baran.”
“Even so, thanks to you we’ll be able to make wonderful memories in such a splendid place, won’t we?”
“You really have a way with words…”
Even if I couldn’t see, it was only polite to say such things. It would surely put the host in a better mood.
“Anyway, there’s no need to stand out here. Come inside quickly! The food will get cold!”
Aria fanned her reddened face. We followed her inside at those words.
Each time, I quietly looked around.
It really is quite nice.
In the game, the Saintess’s mansion was never revealed. She was always at the church instead.
“Welcome.”
At that moment, Gawen appeared before us. Seeing him, Aria smiled.
“We’ll head to the room right away, so you may go home now, Mister Gawen.”
“Hmm. Well, if you’re with these people, I suppose there’s nothing to worry about. Please refrain from drinking too excessively.”
With those words, Gawen quietly left. Now only we remained inside the mansion.
Hmm. Now that I think about it, I’m the only guy here.
No matter where I looked, it was all women. And every single one of them was beautiful enough to make passing men lose their minds.
What is this? Why do I suddenly feel like the protagonist of a harem novel?
It felt like I had become the male lead from one of those stories. It was somewhat absurd that this had become reality, but what did that matter right now? Realistically, I didn’t even have time to date anyone.
Having women around but being unable to do anything is pure torture.
One day I was definitely going to smash that author’s head open. As I walked while thinking that—
“Wooooow.”
Everyone opened their mouths in awe at the food spread across the table. It was a feast so lavish that anyone could tell she had put in considerable effort. Risa, standing beside me, looked like she was about to drool. Anyone watching might think she hadn’t eaten in days.
“Now then, everyone please take a seat.”
At Aria’s words, we each sat down. There had been a brief battle over who would sit beside me, but through a fair rock-paper-scissors match, Kanya and Risa ended up on either side of me.
Glug glug.
One by one, the glasses were filled to the brim with alcohol. It must have been expensive—the luxurious aroma tickled my nose. Once all the glasses were full, the girls quietly looked at me. It seemed they wanted me to give the toast.
“Miss Risa, would you like to do it?”
Without hesitation, I passed the baton to Risa. She nodded with a bright smile and raised her glass. And at that moment, I realized once again—
“Yes! Of course I can! Then, a toast to success! A toast to development!”
“Holy erection! Erection!”
The girl sitting next to me was far more of a weirdo than I had imagined!