The Protagonist's Party is Too Diligent

Chapter 61

“So... you joined us just to shake off the other girls?” Alice said, looking somewhere between exasperated and amused.

We were all seated around a table at a nearby restaurant.

Despite some back-and-forth on the way, Jake had managed to tag along, so our group now consisted of seven people, which meant finding a large enough table. We’d ended up around a sizable round one, which, though it kept us spaced out, was a relief in its own way. At least I wouldn’t feel too crowded.

“To be honest, yes,” Jake admitted, his straightforwardness helping him secure a seat between me and Leo. The other girls hadn’t wanted to sit next to him.

Apparently, this crowd of earnest types didn’t mesh well with Jake’s “bad boy” vibe. Despite his reputation, Jake was actually a top student and disciplined in his daily training, but people rarely noticed that unless they paid close attention.

Lottie, for instance, despised anyone who belittled Jake. Knowing better than anyone else just how hard he worked in private, she couldn’t stand when people dismissed him.

“From the moment I stepped off the train, they just swarmed me,” Jake sighed.

Though we weren’t in the capital, the students were still recognizable, even if none were visible here in the restaurant.

“Well, you *are* the son of a duke, and you do have that look of someone who’d give in easily,” Alice replied, raising an eyebrow.

“A bit harsh, don’t you think?” Jake retorted, though he didn’t seem offended.

Jake was a character full of confidence—not arrogance, but assuredness in his plans and actions.

And those plans always centered around Lottie. Eventually, he wanted to brush aside all the distractions and live happily together with her. That was his goal.

“Go easy on him,” Leo spoke up in Jake’s defense.

“And how would *you* know about his struggles?” Claire quickly countered, leaving Leo momentarily speechless.

To be fair, Leo wasn’t exactly popular at this stage. The game’s progression was all about slowly building rapport, one episode at a time.

Yet, the group didn’t seem to dislike having him around. Despite being the only guy among them, no one appeared uncomfortable or out of place. It was, in a way, a classic setup for a harem story.

“So, you targeted Sylvia?” Alice asked Jake.

She had the strange ability to read my expressions accurately and seemed confident that I hadn’t developed feelings for him.

“Exactly. Sylvia’s the one noble girl other nobles don’t flock to.”

It wasn’t only noble boys who attracted a following of noble girls.

Still, it was an unusual dish for sure.

“Haggis,” I announced.

They looked at me and then back at the food.

It was a well-known “peculiar” food from England—or rather, Scotland, if we were following the inspiration for the Empire’s regions.

In this fantasy world, the creators had loosely placed cuisine according to cultural influences. The northern Empire, inspired by Britain, had its own “local flavors.”

While the group sat silently, I picked up my fork and knife.

It could’ve been worse. At least it wasn’t some bizarre fantasy dish.

Though I hadn’t tried haggis myself, I’d heard it was tolerable by Korean standards, somewhat like sundae, or blood sausage.

This might actually remind me of home.

***

In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed the meal. Alice, Claire, and Leo managed to finish theirs as well, though Jake and Mia left a bit on their plates. Charlotte, however, barely touched half.

“Is all northern cuisine... like this?” she asked afterward.

Charlotte, who’d held back any complaints while eating, had been especially mindful, likely because I seemed to be enjoying my meal.

She might usually find the Empire’s bread unsatisfactory, but at least this dish wasn’t even comparable.

As a royal, Charlotte knew that mocking regional food was unwise.

“There’s bread in the north too,” I replied.

“Well, that’s a relief...” She sighed deeply, genuinely.

Normally, hearing about the Empire’s mediocre bread would make her frown, but today, even the bread seemed preferable to haggis.

After all, with Belvure’s culinary inspiration drawn from France and Belgium, her standards were high.

I’d heard even the French had their share of “pungent” sausages, but now was probably not the time to mention that.