They shook the bottles and poured the alcohol into cups, extending them toward Riley and Hila.

“This is expensive stuff, so drink it all up.”

What they ordered wasn’t cocktails; it was a type of ale with a strong alcoholic scent that made Riley’s nose tingle. It looked like a potent drink. Riley discreetly pushed the offered drink back.

“I can’t drink alcohol.”

“You’re refusing the drink I recommend?”

“…Is it not allowed?”

“Normally, when someone above you offers you a drink, it’s considered impolite to refuse.”

Riley was taken aback.
“Since I’ve never experienced proper social life, do I have any way of knowing if accepting the drink from someone above me is basic etiquette? Riley realized she made some mistake and raised her glass.

That was when it happened.

“If you don’t want to drink, don’t. No, even if you want to, don’t.”

Someone stopped Riley’s hand holding the glass.

Riley slowly raised her head.

“…You.”

An unknown, handsome man.

Long silver hair, a sleek jawline, and a straight nose. There were not many people with such distinctive features. He was undoubtedly the man who had helped her twice. Yet, he remained a stranger, a strangely arrogant figure reminiscent of Arpeggio’s mentor!

“Why are you here?”

The man did not answer Riley’s question. He just glared fiercely at the two men sitting across from Riley and Hila.

Moreover, the two men, who were suddenly met with the intense gaze, seemed to recognize the intruder.

They stood up, sensing a fierce aura, and said, “If you’re those guys, you should have told us in advance, Ban.”

“…Still doing nonsense against kids in broad daylight. Don’t you have anything better to do?”

“Ugh, fine, we messed up. Relax. We’ll just go, so wipe that expression off your face.”

“Then hurry up and get lost.”

The two men who had joined the table hastily grabbed their belongings and left.

In the midst of the unexpected situation, both Riley and Hila remained with wide eyes, unable to even smile. Ban took the opportunity to snatch their glasses, pouring the alcohol onto the floor.

Only then did Hila, who had regained her composure, get angry.

“What are you doing! Why are you wasting other people’s drinks?”

“Is it basic common sense to accept drinks from strangers without hesitation? This is at least common sense, isn’t it?”

“No, what does that have to do with you? And in the first place, is it also common sense and courtesy to snatch someone else’s drink and pour it out?”

Hila seemed angry at not being able to drink the expensive alcohol. Whether she said anything or not, Ban sighed and took a seat on the opposite side.

“Those guys are hopeless. If you drank that, you might have woken up somewhere else after passing out.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“Drugged.”

“Is that really true?”

“If you can’t believe it, try drinking what’s left a bit.”

At Ban’s words, Hila flinched, and Riley, seemingly unable to understand, asked, “What kind of drug…?”

“Do I really have to tell you that? It’s probably sleeping pills or some kind of narcotics.”

“…Why? Why would they do such a thing?”

As Riley became serious, Ban sighed lowly.

“Obviously, they were trying to commit some kind of mischief. What else would a guy do to two girls other than drugging them?”

“…Ah.”

“Even though you two stick together, you’re still naive.”

Whether shocked or speechless, Hila’s hand holding the cup was trembling. Riley gently held her shaking hand.

“It’s okay.”
“……Riley, I was foolish. Just the mention of being fellow institute seniors, I momentarily got distracted… I misjudged.”

“It can happen.”

“I just… since outsiders like us rarely get a chance to interact with seniors, although there’s a welcome party in the evening, still, that party is inevitably going to be led by the Prestige, so… I thought it was a good opportunity…”

“It’s okay, Hila. Just calm down for now.”

“I almost… even you…”

A surprised Hila choked up.

Riley comforted her awkwardly, and Ban watched this scene as if he were disgusted.

“Don’t be so easily guarded just because we’re fellow institute alumni. The guys from the institute are also trash. Don’t accept their advances so readily, especially on a first meeting.”

After Hila calmed down a bit, Riley expressed gratitude to Ban.

“You helped us again this time. What do we do, always being in your debt?”

“As I always say, if you’re thankful, buy me a meal.”

“Sure. Thank you. By the way… you visited the temple not long ago, right?”

When Riley asked, Hila lifted her head and said, “Yes, it was him. The one who was looking for you while you were gone.”

“Why did you visit the temple?”

At Riley’s question, he hesitated, scratching his head.

“Just because I couldn’t see you every time, I thought you might have died. It wasn’t anything important.”

“Oh, my family was sick. That’s why I couldn’t come out.”

“Oh, by any chance, is the sick family member that Matob…?”

“Just a moment.”

Riley urgently covered his mouth and gestured with her eyes.

Please, don’t say anything.