“Patty, how are you?”
“Ah, Rachel! Did you come to check on me? Thanks to Josette’s guidance, I’m managing somehow. Also, about the dress you lent me, the other guests have been complimenting it and asking where I got it.”
Rachel went to Patty’s side and spoke to her. Hearing that the dress had received good reviews, Rachel looked relieved that her worries were resolved.
“I’m glad to hear that. I was worried.”
“By the way, about the person you’re with…”
Patty said, looking at Kent.
“Ah, it’s you. This is Kate. She apparently came to this venue with Rachel and Caro.”
“Kate?”
When Josette responded, Patty seemed to have something on her mind, and peeked from Kent’s right side.
“It really is you, Kent. What happened, looking like this?”
“…”
“!”
Kent and his three companions were surprised by Patty’s remark.
“Is this person Kent?”
“Well, I guess it can’t be helped if I’m found out. Yes, he’s my older brother. Actually…”
Among them, Josette was the most surprised. Josette cautiously peered at Kent’s face and spoke. Rachel then admitted it and explained that they couldn’t find any male attire for Kent when they decided to go see the party, so they coincidentally dressed him in a women’s party dress they had on hand.
“I see. But… I was made to hear that sound again, wasn’t I? I’m so embarrassed.”
More than the cross-dressing, Josette remembered the incident in the flower bed and suddenly became embarrassed, her cheeks blushing.
“Josette, don’t make a scene. It’ll cause a commotion if others find out. And Kent, don’t make a sound either, in case other people notice.”
Rachel told Josette to be quiet and reminded Kent not to speak.
“But I thought my disguise was perfect. How did you know?”
“At school, I’ve been sitting next to Kent since the current semester began.”
“I see. So that’s why you saw my brother’s face from the side.”
The first semester had already ended, and the second semester was nearing its end. If they had been sitting next to each other for that long, they would naturally remember each other’s facial features if they paid attention. Rachel asked Patty for the reason and was convinced.
“How could I have not noticed…”
Josette regretted not noticing Kent at all, despite spending a considerable amount of time with him at the party venue.
“You don’t need to dwell on it so much. I think I wouldn’t have noticed either if I were in your shoes.”
“R-right. It’s no use regretting it too much.”
Caro’s words seemed to cheer Josette up a bit. However, Caro was lying. Even if she couldn’t identify him visually, she could easily identify Kent by his scent. She could even find Kent by following his scent within the academy.
“You wouldn’t have noticed either… Hmm.”
“Rachel, you look like you have something to say.”
“♪~”
Rachel seemed to see through the lie and looked like she wanted to say something. When Caro mentioned it, she hummed a tune to try and brush it off.
“Rachel, humming is against etiquette, so you should refrain from doing it at the party venue.”
“Aaaay.”
Since it was not appropriate etiquette, Josette casually cautioned Rachel.
“By the way, Patty. You’ve been talking to other guests and haven’t eaten anything, have you?”
“Yes, so many people have approached me that I haven’t had time to eat. I skipped lunch, so I’m actually starving.”
“The party is nearing its end, so since we’re here, let’s go around and eat various things. If I’m with you, no one else should bother you, so you can eat to your heart’s content.”
Josette skillfully maneuvered to shield Patty from other guests. Until now, there were other guests around, but she suddenly started to distance herself from Patty.
“Josette, you’ve entered Duke’s daughter mode. It’s like a skill, in a way.”
Rachel said teasingly. In this mode, her noble aura and elegance clearly conveyed to those around her that she was a high-ranking Duke’s daughter. She skillfully used this to create a situation where it was difficult for others to approach Patty. Patty, being protected by Josette, along with Kent and his companions, were able to leisurely enjoy the food and drinks prepared for the party.
“I feel like my stomach is somewhat full, but due to the tension, I don’t feel very satisfied…”
“Really? You should just eat without worrying. *Munch munch*. This is delicious, Patty, would you like some?”
Rachel said, eating without any concern beside the nervous Patty.
“Ken… Kate, would you like to try this? I’ve tried all the dishes before everyone else, so I know what’s good. I recommend this.”
Saying so, Josette offered Kent a recommended food.
“That’s unfair, Josette! Try this one from me, too.”
Caro, feeling competitive, also offered Kent some food. Thus, Kent and his companions decided to enjoy the food and drinks as time allowed.
“Josette, excuse me.”
“What is it?”
Suddenly, Patty started fidgeting and seemed to be holding something in. Patty quietly whispered the reason to Josette.
“That’s right. You haven’t been since the party started, have you?”
“What? Flower picking? I’m going! I’m going too!”
“Rachel!”
Patty seemed to have told Josette that she wanted to go flower picking. Rachel also happened to want to go and volunteered, but Patty was flustered by her unladylike remark.
“That’s true. Maybe I should go too.”
“I suppose I can’t help it. I’ll accompany you.”
“So, Kate, you’ll stay here and keep watch.”
“!”
Having hit it off, the four of them went off to pick flowers. The remaining Kent decided to wait in a corner of the venue, doing his best to avoid being noticed by anyone, like a discarded puppy, waiting for them to return.
“Are you really going to do it standing up?”
“Yes. We haven’t practiced the real thing, but I did teach you, didn’t I?”
“Uh, well.”
Patty and the others, all four of them, came out of the building to the flower bed set up for women to relieve themselves. Although Josette had taught them beforehand, Patty had never actually experienced urinating while standing. So she was very perplexed.
“Then, I will demonstrate, so please follow along.”
Seeing Patty in distress, Caro volunteered.
“Nnn. Haa~.”
Caro stood on the flower bed and strained slightly, then returned to her usual expression. During that time, a faint sound of urination could be heard flowing towards the ground from between her legs.
“It’s like this.”
When Caro stepped away from the flower bed, a puddle had formed there. Patty looked at the flower bed, realizing she had actually done it.
“Then, it’s my turn.”
Saying so, Josette stood on the flower bed as Caro had and urinated with a trickling sound.
“I understand it in my head, but nobles who do this daily are amazing. But it might be a little addictive.”
Rachel also urinated in the same way. Despite the unfamiliarity due to cultural differences, she seemed to think that urinating outdoors could be enjoyable.
“You are all amazing. It’s not good for me to be the only one not doing it. Besides, I’m at my limit…”
“Go, Patty!”
“No, I don’t think being cheered on there helps…”
Patty stood on the flower bed with a wry smile at Rachel’s encouragement. Then, putting force into her abdomen, she released what had been held back.
“Ah, I think some got on my leg. What should I do?”
“It’s a common mistake when you first start. Don’t worry. Even if you get wet, no one can see your feet, so just act as if nothing happened.”
Patty, perhaps due to not opening her legs wide enough, had some of the liquid stream down her leg.
“No way!”
“This isn’t the only party, and you can just try not to fail next time.”
Josette advised Patty.
“We’re back.”
“We’ve been waiting.”
“Kate is so cute, weren’t you approached by anyone?”
“Rachel, you shouldn’t say that when she must have been anxious waiting alone.”
The four returned from flower picking. During that time, Kent, left alone, was inwardly on pins and needles, wondering if anyone would approach him. Fortunately, no one spoke to him, so he managed to get through it.
“Thank you for attending the regular party hosted by our household. As the organizer, I would be delighted if it contributed in any way to fostering your friendships. We are planning a similar party next month, so please come again if you are able. This concludes my closing remarks. Please travel safely on your way home.”
Shortly thereafter, the host, the head of the household, gave a speech, and the party came to an end.
“Patty, I observed your behavior today, and it seems you’ll be fine without me next time.”
“Josette, thank you so much for everything. When I first heard about this, I didn’t know what to expect, but thanks to you, I managed to get through it somehow.”
When the party ended, Josette gave her assessment of Patty’s participation. It seemed she had received a passing grade. Patty bowed deeply to Josette.
“Well then, we have our household’s carriage waiting, so we will excuse ourselves first. I should be able to visit the shop tomorrow morning as well. See you tomorrow, Patty, let’s go.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you for today. See you tomorrow at the shop.”
Josette and Patty got into the carriage and headed home first.
“Then, shall we head back too?”
“I’m sorry, brother, you must have wanted to talk. Well then, let’s head back to Caro’s house.”
Kent, Rachel, and Caro left the venue on foot and decided to return to their mansion.
It seems that the Windows 10 update failed, and all the data on my SSD, including my novel data, was wiped out. Since I didn’t have a backup, I had to work by looking at the data I had posted online. It’s important to back up regularly.
