The Shut-In Prince’s Splendid Social Debut — Me, a Villainous Imperial, Have Spent the Last Fifteen Years Fighting the “Wicked Thoughts” Eating Away at My Mind. When I Finally Returned to High Society, There Were Way Too Many People I Didn’t Recognize — - Chapter 31: Pitiful Lala and Hot Pot Party

The young lady with flashy, wavy orange hair shifted the gaze she had been directing at Lala toward me.

“Oh my, you are…”

The moment she saw me, the young lady adopted a solemn expression.

It was different from the looks the Gyaru Noble Ladies had given earlier.

Normally, one would show indifference—but for some reason, this felt different.

—Was she being wary of me?

After a moment, she crossed her arms and let out a small breath.

“…Fufun.”

“Nice to meet you, Third Prince Yoan Highness. I am—Honora Nei Freylack. One of the ‘Seven Stars,’ and the eldest daughter of the Freylack Marquis family.”

“…”

The young lady introduced herself as Honora while wearing a pasted-on smile.

There were several reasons why I felt that smile was fake.

One was simply my first impression.

Her flashy appearance and heavy makeup made it seem as though she was hiding her true nature.

Behind her stood two sturdy-looking young men and one sharp-eyed woman.

Gathering numbers was the quickest way to gain strength.

A group itself was a form of power.

And there was another issue.

A fatal lie in Honora’s introduction.

Because this woman—

—Was not the eldest daughter of the Freylack Marquis family.

The Freylack Marquis family was the birthplace of a certain heroine.

Yet the girl standing in front of me bore no resemblance to that heroine at all.

(What exactly is going on here…?)

Still, since she had introduced herself, I had to respond in kind.

If she claimed to be the Freylack Marquis’s daughter, then for now I had to treat her as such.

“I am Yoan Joachim Rodenze. I am honored to meet the famous daughter of the Freylack Marquis family.”

Even though I had no idea who she actually was.

“My, how skillful of you. Even so, Yoan-sama seems quite close with our Lala. What exactly are your intentions?”

“Hah?! N-No, that’s not it! This is…”

Lala hurriedly tried to explain.

“What is different, Lala? Even though you belong to the same First Prince faction as I do, you are spending time with his enemy. That is—clearly an act of betrayal.”

“…”

Honora cast a chilling gaze at Lala.

I couldn’t watch this any longer, so I interrupted.

“Allow me to clarify that.”

“Yes?”

Honora turned her gaze toward me.

“Lala and I only became partners for this ‘Exam.’ Our cooperation is temporary, solely to avoid mutual expulsion. Once we pass the exam, I intend to dissolve the arrangement.”

“Heeh… Yoan-sama paired with Lala, huh.”

I saw the corners of Honora’s lips curl upward.

“If that is the case, I understand. However, I also have business with that ‘Role-less’ there, so I will be taking her with me.”

“…’Role-less’?”

“Yes. That Lala there is a pitiful child who was not given a ‘Role Archetype,’ which everyone is supposed to receive equally.”

“Uyuu…”

Lala’s eyes filled with tears.

A “Role Archetype” was not something visible.

However, people eventually became aware of its existence and lived their lives based on the roles associated with it.

In other words, someone who didn’t fit into any known “Role Archetype” was judged as Role-less.

“Since a ‘Role-less’ cannot contribute in battle, someone like Lala cannot even overcome the ‘Wall of Lv. 10.'”

In this world, there was something called a “Level Up Wall.”

It was said to appear at multiples of five.

Once someone reached such a wall, defeating weak monsters no longer raised their level easily, making further leveling extremely difficult.

That was why so many students at the academy had levels like 20, 25, or 30.

“Ah, of course, I didn’t mean to insult Yoan-sama. Please don’t misunderstand.”

“I don’t particularly mind.”

“…”

Honora looked at me thoughtfully.

I had the strange feeling of being observed.

“It was a pleasure speaking with you, Yoan-sama. Please do your best in the ‘Exam.’ …We’re leaving, Lala.”

Honora maintained her composed smile.

Being in A Class, she had probably already secured success in the Level Attainment Exam.

“…I-I’m sorry, Yoan-sama… I have to go…”

Lala bowed apologetically before leaving.

“I don’t mind. See you tomorrow.”

“Tsk… Y-Yes…”

Lala hurried after Honora.

She really was a pitiful girl.

I could imagine how she was treated there, but there was nothing I could do.

If I interfered recklessly, it would lead to a conflict with the First Prince faction.

(What should I do…?)

I was also curious about the “Role-less” claim Honora had made.

Whether it was actually true or not.

(Well, I can verify that when we enter the dungeon tomorrow… Fortunately, I have a connection.)

At that moment—

Guuu.

My stomach growled loudly.

Apparently, my body was demanding food.

“—Onii-sama, sorry to keep you waiting.”

Just as I was thinking that, Serta arrived.

Seeing her brought a comforting sense of relief, almost like returning home.

“Good work, Serta. Is the homeroom finished?”

“Yes. Onii-sama, you’re hungry, aren’t you?”

“Hm? You noticed?”

“Fufu. When it comes to Onii-sama, this Serta can see through everything.”

Had she become an esper already?

Or had she secretly heard my stomach?

“As expected of Serta.”

“Let’s have hot pot tonight. Shall we buy meat and vegetables at the school store and head back?”

Hot pot, huh.

Nice.

Serta’s cooking was the most mouthwatering thing in the world.

Just then, I noticed a figure behind a pillar.

“Hm? That’s…”

It was Fryure.

I recognized her distinctive silver hair.

While I was wondering what she was doing, Serta beckoned to her—choi choi.

Fryure’s face brightened instantly—paaa—and she hurried over.

(Is she a dog?)

“G-Good work… Yoan-sama.”

“Yeah. Good work to you too, Fryure.”

Her expression looked brighter than before.

Her complexion was better than during lunch as well.

“Fryure, if you run like that, your uniform will get disheveled.”

“Ara, you’re right. Fufu… thank you, Serta.”

Serta adjusted the ribbon on Fryure’s uniform.

Watching the exchange between them left me speechless.

“Oh? When did the two of you become such good friends?”

“I ended up pairing with Fryure. While we were talking about various things, we got along well.”

“Since I will be under the care of Yoan-sama’s faction from now on, I asked Serta to teach me various things about Yoan-sama.”

I see.

As expected of Serta.

She must have understood my intention to firmly secure Fryure.

I had been worried about the time when our classes were separate.

But with Serta in A Class, that concern disappeared.

This lineup was almost too perfect.

I wanted to applaud.

“I see. That’s great then. I’m glad you two became friends.”

Teetee.

Just seeing two beautiful girls getting along calmed my heart.

“Yes, Fryure and I became good friends.”

“Yes, I became friends with Serta too.”

“…”

Although I noticed the difference in phrasing, I decided to pretend I hadn’t heard it.

I just needed to firmly secure both sides of Fryure—with myself and with Serta.

“Oi, isn’t that the ‘Ice Lady’…?! Was she someone who could smile so softly…?”

“Fryure-sama is a single flower blooming in high society. A sacred place no one should approach… This is a scandal.”

“And of all people, the ‘Shut-in Prince’…?! Could it be Fryure-sama is into small fry…?”

Attention was gathering around us.

Apparently Fryure had many hidden admirers.

She had been known as a beautiful silver-haired girl who always gave cold responses, and that reputation seemed to have elevated her to near-idol status.

“Wait. Setting that aside, what I cannot forgive is the fact that he’s being taken care of by such a red-haired beauty. How should I put it… it’s outrageous.”

“I understand, comrade. Serta-san really is something. After all, a Witch is different from ordinary noble ladies. That… mufufu, you know.”

“The destructive power is tremendous…! Estimated combat power………… over 100… kuh!”

…Good grief.

There were far too many perverted nobles here.

Perhaps it was fortunate that none of them were stupid enough to pick a fight.

At times like this, the title of Prince was convenient.

“Shall we head to the dorm soon? I want to talk about our plans moving forward.”

And so, I headed toward the dorm with Serta, Fryure, and Fryure’s attendant.

◇◇◇◇

By then, it was already evening.

“…I wonder how the architectural technology of this world works.”

The dormitory was six stories tall.

It was almost like a wide, slightly upscale apartment complex.

The first through third floors were the boys’ dormitory, while the fourth through sixth floors were the girls’ dormitory.

Naturally, there was no elevator.

“Such large residential buildings are technology from the ‘Black Iron Forge.’ In technological development, they surpass any other nation.”

Fryure explained.

Incidentally, the two western countries—the “Silver Pact Market” and the “Black Iron Forge”—supported the First Prince and his fiancée.

The former was a nation where commerce flourished.

The latter was a nation known for industrial development.

The compatibility between the two was so strong that a railway ran between them.

Among the Seven Kingdoms, they were considered relatively advanced nations.

Since the First Prince faction possessed financial strength, it was easy for them to appeal to the nobles of this country.

As expected, he was considered the strongest candidate for Crown Prince.

Honestly, how had someone like Yoan managed to defeat him?

My room was on the third floor, while Serta and Fryure were on the fifth.

Naphna apparently ended up on the sixth floor.

It was probably completely random.

The room itself was a perfectly ordinary one-room apartment—about six tatami mats in size.

It contained a small kitchen and a washroom.

The toilet was a drop toilet—a pit latrine.

A type where slimes crawled around in the darkness searching for waste.

(This part is definitely another world…)

There was a bathtub, but since I couldn’t heat water myself, I would probably need to ask Serta to boil it using magic.

I had become someone who couldn’t function without Serta.

Though there was also a communal bath on the first floor.

Whether Serta would permit me to use it was another matter entirely.

As for furniture, there was a bed, sofa, table, storage space, and a small bookshelf.

For some reason, Serta, Fryure, and Fryure’s attendant Ryuma-san helped organize my room.

We stored the textbooks and clothes I had brought.

I folded my clothes.

But as soon as I finished, Serta refolded them neatly with a warm smile.

“…”

I tossed small items into storage.

But after that, Fryure reorganized them carefully with a warm smile.

“…”

Eventually, Serta began cooking dinner.

When I tried to help, she gently refused.

“Fufu. Onii-sama, please rest.”

When I tried to help Fryure and the others clean the room, they also refused with gentle smiles.

“Fufu. Yoan-sama, please rest.”

(Regret…)

I had nothing to do.

Was this what fathers felt like on Sundays?

So I simply sat quietly on the bed, watching the three girls busily take care of everything.

(Is this what they call youth…?)

A situation where beautiful classmates came to your room—something usually seen in light novels or dating sims.

And somehow, it was happening right in front of me.

“The hot pot is ready.”

Eventually, Serta arrived carrying a steaming pot.

Inside were beef, green onions, and tofu.

A delicious-looking hot pot.

We were probably the only people having a hot pot party on the very first day of enrollment.

Incidentally, the ingredients had been purchased from the school store.

Using Serta and Fryure’s money.

“Itadakimasu.”

“””Itadakimasu.”””

The three girls echoed my words.

Forgetting about the exam for the moment, the four of us gathered around the pot and ate together peacefully.

It was fun.

Jii.

At that moment, the doorbell rang.

I walked to the entrance and looked through the peephole.

For some reason—

A beautiful blue-haired girl was standing there alone.