I happened to run into a classmate from college, Ippuka Nierai, by chance. That was two days ago.

I ended up on the top floor of a hotel in central Tokyo.

Today, I’m having drinks with my college friends—Hana included—for the first time in a while.

I stepped out of the elevator and headed toward the establishment at the back. “Welcome.”

A well-dressed employee greeted me.

“Excuse me, I should have a reservation under ‘White Horse.’”

“Your companions have already arrived. Please follow me.”

I was led by the staff member into the establishment.

The interior had a calm, understated atmosphere.

The lighting was deliberately dim, and classical music played softly in the background, just enough not to be intrusive.

There was a bar counter, but they apparently also had private rooms.

I was taken to the room at the very back, which looked rather expensive.

The moment I stepped inside, a tall young man in a white suit was sitting alone, drinking.

White suit, white leather shoes, a red rose pinned to his chest. Blonde hair and a sweet face.

He looked like the prince from some story; you'd want to tease him about it.

"Oh! My dear friend! You're late!"

"Sorry, I'm behind schedule... [Prince]"

Sitting by the window was White Horse, the Prince.

He's one of my friends from college.

"No worries, we're right on time. If anything, I think I arrived too early." I sat down directly opposite the Prince. "How long have you been here?" "An hour, maybe." "That's early."

"Today is a meeting with an important friend; I simply couldn't be late."

The Prince chuckled softly and gracefully. "Thank you for your service."

The waiter came over and cleared the glass the Prince had already been drinking from.

"Excuse me... you're Professor White Horse, aren't you? From AMO?"

The shop assistant asked the prince, timidly. "Ah, yes."

"I knew it! I'm such a huge fan of AMO!"

AMO. 【Arts Magic Online】

It's a massive hit light novel series centered around VR games.

It has been adapted into a manga, an anime series, and an anime movie.

From young to old, men and women alike are enjoying AMO.

These days, the light novel industry is defined by 【Kami Mats】 of 【Digital Mas】, and the 【White Horse Prince】 of 【AMO】.

It’s no exaggeration to say they are the two pillars of the industry.

The prince's works are that popular, and his personal popularity is just as high.

Unlike many light novel authors, the prince actively appears in the media.

On top of that, he actually works as a model, and since he’s the son of a major corporation executive, it's only natural he gets a lot of attention. "Thank you, miss."

"Wow! It's really the White Horse Prince in person... Ah! Could I get an autograph?" This is definitely something I need to stop him from doing.

"Excuse me, he's here for personal business right now. Please refrain from asking for autographs."

"Oh... I-I see. You're right, I'm so sorry..."

As I said this, the waiter visibly deflated.

"Now then, Mitsuhiko. That's alright. Miss, let me give you an autograph." "Really?" "Of course."

The Prince smiled brightly, agreeing without a trace of displeasure on his face.

After signing the paper napkin with a ballpoint pen, the Prince handed it to the waiter.

"Thank you for loving my creation, miss. I would be delighted if you continued to cherish them."

"Yes! Of course! I'll... treasure this!" The waiter left with a smile on her face.

"You really shouldn't just sign things like that. You're a popular author; it would cause a huge commotion if everyone got one."

"I apologize. However, I wish to cherish my fans. Those who love my children are all neighbors whom I should love."

"As always, you're just the same old you."

We were laughing together like that when...

"Sorry I'm late, Okaya-kun, Shirouma-kun."

Nekogawa had entered the room. She wasn't wearing a suit today.

Just a knit sleeveless top and white slacks.

It was a simple outfit, but it worked perfectly given that she looked good enough for the cover of a model magazine.

"Oho! Ichika-kun! It has been quite a while, hasn't it!"

The Prince stood up, grabbed Nekogawa's hand, and shook it up and down. "How have you been?"

"Fair enough. You seem to be doing well too."
"Fahaha! Of course I am!"

He flashed a brilliant set of white teeth at Nekogawa. She smiled with obvious delight.

She must be happy to see the Prince again after such a long time.

"Let's raise a glass first, to celebrate our reunion."

The Prince snapped his fingers. Snap.

Right on cue, the alcohol arrived.

"Hey, I haven't even ordered yet, so why is the booze already showing up?"

"I placed the order in advance. It's hot today, and I figured you'd want a cold one fast."

What appeared before us were the specific brands of sake that I and Nierikawa each preferred.

"As always, you're great at setting things up."

"Ah... so then, to celebrate the reunion of the three of us from [Yabusawa's Seminar] after so long... Cheers!"

Ching... We clinked our glasses. ★ Me, Oji, and Nierikawa.

We had attended the same university and belonged to the same seminar. Professor Yabusawa's seminar.

That was where we three spent our college days. In a private room at a hotel bar. "But there was something unexpected, Oji." "Hm? What's that?"

Oji had his long legs crossed, sipping his glass of wine with elegance.

"It was that you and Nierikawa hadn't seen each other in seven years. I thought you two met up more often."

I hadn't seen Nierikawa since the wedding.

Well, we were both working adults, and since I got married, I get it. But Oji was different. He's single, and on top of that...

"You guys were dating, right?"
"Bu—!"

Prince and Inukawa both burst out laughing.
"Geh... heh...!"
"A-Are you okay, Inukawa?"
I rub her back to help her cough.

Her long hair was pinned up in a bun with a barrette today.

The sight of her pale nape makes my heart skip a beat.

"A-Ah, thanks... Okaya-kun."

"Hold on a second, Mitsuhiko. What kind of misunderstanding is that?"

Haa~... Prince lets out a sigh.

"Ichika and I are just friends. We've always been, and we still are."
"Huh? Is that so?"
I look at Inukawa.

She glares at me with a huffy expression.

"W-Well... Hakuba is a friend. Why does it end up like this?"

"It's just... you two go to dinner together all the time, don't you? Without me."

"That was just... us talking things over."
"Talking? About what?"
Inukawa shoots a sidelong glance at Hakuba.

"That's a maiden's secret. Don't press me on it, okay?" "I guess I don't mind."

"The important point is that Ichika has always been single, both then and now, and you, Kouhei, are also currently free, wouldn't you say?" "H-Hey, Shirokuma-kun!?"

Facing Nishigawa, whose face was burning red, the prince sipped his wine with an air of aristocratic refinement.

"It's been seven years since we last met. Is there nothing you'd like to ask? For instance, how she has changed since then." "That's true..." I stared intently at Nishigawa. Despite being a woman, she was tall.

Her limbs were long and slender. And her breasts were shockingly large.

She had fair skin and hair black as the wet plumage of a raven.

"......P-Please stop staring at me like that."

Nishigawa’s cheeks flushed crimson, and she averted her gaze from me. Was it the alcohol? Her eyes were glistening with moisture. "Did you gain any muscle in the last seven years?" "...……………………………"

For a split second, Nishigawa's eyes went dead.

"Fu ha ha! You are still as indifferent as ever to the affection directed at you." The prince laughed with visible delight.

"But what a woman would really want to know is how beautiful she has become over these seven years."

"Oh, right. Yeah, you've definitely gotten more beautiful. Compared to college days, it's several times over."

“S-so... ah, thank you...” Inui fidgeted, shifting uncomfortably.

“But, but Okatani-kun. Your muscles are... they're not as toned as before. Even your abs aren't carved out the same way anymore.”

“At my peak, Ichika's abs were ripped to a degree that could embarrass a bodybuilder,” he said.

Glancing at me with shy eyes, Inui continued.

“If it's any proof... w-well then... feel them? See for yourself? If it's you, Okatani-kun... I don't mind?”

Blushing deeply, Inui looked up at me.

“No way, I can't just grope a woman's stomach in public like that.” “...I see.” Shoulders slumping in disappointment, Inui sighed. Watching her reaction, Prince spoke up.

“You're not strangers, after all. This is a private room. Since she says it's fine, please touch them for her.” “P-Princess Hakuuma!”

Inui cast a glance at Prince, looking somewhat pleased with himself.

He gave her a sharp wink.

“Just like he said. It's... go ahead.”

“Alright, if you insist then.”

Yunokawa blushed, grabbing the hem of her knit sweater and pulling it up slightly.

Her pristine white skin was exposed before me.

"No... touching it directly is a bit much, don't you think?"

"T-t-t-true...! Yeah, what am I doing... I must be... getting carried away..."

Yunokawa fussed about, adjusting her clothes.

It was unusual to see her less composed than usual.

"Her drunkenness must have caused her to lose some composure. Please overlook it."

The Prince's cover story. Well, that's probably what happened. "P-Please..." Yunokawa turned her back to me.

I reached out and touched the area around her abs. "...Mmph" Thump-thump, thump-thump... "...Ah... mmm" Rubs rubs... rubs rubs... "...Mmph... Huh?"

"Yeah. They're not as separated as they used to be. Thanks." I released my hand from her.

Yunokawa looked up at me, her face still red.

Hot breath escaped her glistening eyes and full lips.

The Prince, who had been watching the scene, offered a wry smile as he spoke.

"Shall I slip out for a bit? About an hour."

"We don't need your help / (You're on!)" ★

The next two hours flew by in the blink of an eye.

After settling the bill, we stepped outside the hotel.

"Well then, I'll take my leave."

A white-painted limousine pulled up to the front of the hotel. "Drive Yagawa home with you."

When I said that, the Prince glanced at Yagawa, then laughed and replied.

"Sorry, but this limo is for one only," he joked. "That's ridiculous."

I nudged the Prince in the side, who laughed as he lightly pushed back.

"I must go pick up my sister—my little sister now," he said. "So that's how it is."

"Excuse me, Hikari-hiko will see Ichika home," I added. "Yeah, I get it."

The prince looked at us and flashed a beaming smile.

"Today was truly enjoyable. I know you all have demanding jobs and it's hard to find the time to meet up, but yes, it was fun."

Unlike back in college, we were working adults now.

Just as he said, seeing each other on a whim wasn't easy.

"Speaking of which, since Hikohiko is married, I've been hesitant to invite you out for drinks before... but how about we make it a regular thing? The three of us."

"H-Hakuba-kun... does that mean..."

With a flick of his wrist, the prince winked at Niwaka. "It's fine by me." "R-Really!" Niwaka replied with a bright smile.

The prince nodded vigorously in affirmation.

"Exactly. Since we're all single again, just like back then, let's make the most of our freedom, shall we? Oh, my dearest best friend."

He threw his arm around my shoulders with a rough grasp. "You're like Gian."

"Oh yeah, why don't we go to karaoke? Just the three of us?"

"No, you were supposed to be picking up your little sister, weren't you?"

"Ah, right, that's how the setup goes. Let's save karaoke for next time." With a light tap on her shoulder, the Prince stepped back. "Then, everyone! Until we meet again!" "Yes ma'am," one replied. "Yeah, definitely see you around," said the other.

The Prince spun around with a sharp movement and slid into the limousine.

It pulled away without a sound, carrying the Prince out of sight.

"...Thanks, White Horse-kun. For looking out for me." "Hm? What's up, Haragawa?"

"Nothing, actually. It just reminded me that he's been a saint when it comes to consideration, then and now." That’s a fact. He’s always been a good guy.

"Let me drive you home. You're living alone these days, right?"

Haragawa blushed deeply, fidgeting awkwardly.

But then, as if making up her mind, she tightened her expression and spoke firmly.

"That's right. I'm all by myself now. So... how about stopping by my place for a bit?"