It’s So Big♡

The atmosphere inside the establishment was more akin to a tavern than a simple eatery, fitting the typical image of a public dining hall. In the game, this was a spot where Maximilian was a regular, often engaging in idle chatter with the staff whenever he visited.

The place was called Harumachi-tei, and I realized, somewhat ironically, that I was unintentionally following the same date course as Maximilian, with Freesia by my side.

“That table over there is open. Let’s sit.”

“Yes!”

Freesia, clearly in high spirits, was humming a cheerful melody. But her good mood was about to be rudely interrupted.

“Hold up! Who gave you permission to sit there? That table’s part of our turf!”

Ah, right. I remember this event from the game. This is the scene where some lowlifes pick a fight with Maximilian when he tries to escort Freesia. A typical cliché event…

Although I had mixed feelings about Freesia, I felt a strong irritation at the situation that disrupted her enjoyment.

However…

I decided not to engage with the thugs. If I tried to score points with Freesia here, it would only cause more complications down the line.

I addressed the mohawk-sporting thug, who looked like he might start shouting “Hya-hah!” at any moment.

“Fine. We’ll find another seat, then.”

“That one’s ours too.”

As I guided Freesia to a different table, a crew-cut thug got there first and sat down.

“Then show us a table you’re not using.”

“Watch your mouth, pal,” growled a bald, bearded thug, propping his feet arrogantly on the table.

Who’s the one that needs to watch it?

I nearly let the words slip but swallowed them back down. It would be a hassle if they figured out I was royalty.

“Whistleeeee~” (sfx)

One of the mohawk thugs let out a whistle, his eyes hungrily scanning the jewel-like Freesia’s.

“Man, you’ve got yourself a real pretty little lady there!”

“A guy like you doesn’t deserve a girl like that. Why don’t you let her hang out with us?”

The thugs started making a racket.

Are you a bunch of tomcats in heat?

“Brad-sama, I’m scared…” 

Freesia quickly hid behind me, her trembling hand clutching my sleeve.

“That chick’s coming with us. Leave her here, and we’ll forget about your rudeness from earlier.”

I hate to say it, but ignorance really is terrifying. 

Do they not realize who’s actually being disrespectful here? Speaking to a prince like that… if it were the real Brad, he’d have them all sent to the guillotine.

“Hurry up and hand her over!”

One of the thugs reached out to shove me, aiming to push me aside. I braced myself, making sure Freesia wouldn’t be affected. But what happened next was far beyond anything I’d expected.

“AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

“Hmph, how pathetic.”

Wait, what just happened? 

I didn’t do anything, did I?

“You… how dare you do that to my bu-d-dy…!”

One of the thugs, who had been yelling moments ago, suddenly turned pale as my hood slipped off due to the gust from his comrade’s crash. His eyes went wide, and the filthy words he’d been spewing stopped dead in his throat.

“A-ah… you… y-you’re…”

“Shut up. Unless you want your jaw twisted off like your buddy’s, keep your mouth shut. Heh, heh, heh…”

I clamped an iron claw around the thug’s mouth, silencing him before he could reveal my identity. The look in his eyes pleaded for mercy.

(Don’t kill me!)

I shot a glare at the remaining thugs, signaling that if they dared mention who I really was, they’d be next.

“Now, stop trying to spill my identity, and leave in five seconds. If you don’t…”

“Y-yes, sir!”

“S-so sorry! We’ll be going now!”

It seems even lowlifes like these had heard of my reputation.

While this scene unfolded, a server who had witnessed the commotion dashed into the kitchen. As the thugs scurried away, the owner, Gail, emerged from the back.