Let’s call it a day

“So, what do you have to say?”

Evan glanced at the faces of the heroines with a sidelong look.

Their faces were filled with guilt. When their eyes met Evan’s, they seemed startled, akin to the reaction of a criminal.

Including the atmosphere that surrounded them. Evan could infer the situation from these things.

‘The time has come.’

They were planning to leave the party now.

Well, it was the expected outcome. It was what he had hoped for from the beginning.

Logically, with the party in this state, how could it continue to operate?

‘Even if it were to disband immediately, it wouldn’t be strange at all.’

It was rather surprising that they had come this far.

Evan finally waited for their next words with a calm heart.

“The thing we have to say to you is… um…”

“W-well…”

“…”

But why are they struggling to speak like this?

Whether they were feeling guilty or unable to speak rashly, they were the ones who couldn’t open their mouths.

Judy was the first to speak to Evan as he waited silently.

“…Honestly, I’m disappointed.”

“What?”

“I mean, it’s disappointing that you enjoyed such inappropriate behavior that’s unlike you…”

Evan’s expression clearly showed his disbelief at this nonsense.

Judy continued with a hesitant voice.

“We’ve known each other for over 10 years. I’ve always thought highly of you, Evan, but this is just not right…”

She carefully gestured with her hands as she spoke.

But her voice didn’t falter. Judy continued to scrutinize Evan with each word.

And the other heroines were not silent either.

They each added a word or two to Judy’s words, giving them more weight.

“Ahem. Well, the women in the alleyways are often like that… And who knows, maybe you’ve been influenced by those women.”

“I agree. Evan, they say a healthy mind creates a healthy body. You seem to have become addicted to a dissolute lifestyle and have deteriorated. It might be best for you to abstain for a while.”

“Y-yes! This is morally wrong!”

The reason for their disappointment was clear. While there may be ethical issues as the girls said.

The biggest factor was their ‘pride’ as women.

Judy, Chloe, Eileen, Cecilia.

They may have outwardly considered themselves friends with Evan, but they were not completely devoid of feelings.

Each time Evan treated them well, they felt happy and a sense of ‘self-love.’

“I’m such a woman. I must be an amazing woman to receive such special treatment,” is what they thought.

And with Evan’s continuous kindness, their self-love soared to the point of arrogance.

But in the end, Evan embraced other women.

“There are other women out there… Why did it have to be…”

“W-well… How about showing more interest in cleaner women from now on? There are plenty of women around you, Evan…!”

“T-that’s what I mean! Love is about the relationship with the other person!”

Leaving themselves behind, they slept with cheap prostitutes for a few bucks?

Why? What was lacking? Am I less attractive than the prostitutes?

A common question was planted in their minds.

In addition, jealousy, inferiority, and all sorts of base desires combined, completely denying their lives as women.

Of course, they didn’t want to show it. It would seem like admitting defeat. Their pride would never allow it.

“Evan…? Do you understand what we’re saying?”

“…Wow.”

After scratching his head for a while, Evan stood up from his seat.

In a voice filled with astonishment, he muttered.

“Disappointed aside, what right do you have to judge me like this?”

Evan thought he would easily outsmart them. However, the heroines were left speechless when they heard Evan’s unexpected response.

“To be frank, haven’t you all slept with various men? But when you do it, it’s romance, and when I do it, it’s adultery, is that it?”

“T-That’s not what I meant!”

“Well, we may have done that too! But the difference in degree is significant!”

The heroines expressed their dissatisfaction in unison.

“We never sold our bodies for money or received money for it!”

“And isn’t it even weirder for us to be virgins at this age? We can have relationships with men!”

“We just want to be loved by someone!”

“Y-Yes! We are women too!”

Evan looked at the protesting girls with disdain.

Then, as if holding back vomit, he covered his mouth.

“Ugh…!”

Even in the midst of this, the heroines’ protests continued. Their repulsive voices echoed in Evan’s ears.

Someone once said, “Even if you wash a rag, it won’t become a towel.”

Evan recalled the words of an unknown sage and kept them close to his heart.

“We’re not asking for an apology! Just don’t be so arrogant!”

“As Judy said, this is what bothers us. Don’t treat us like sinners when you’ve done wrong too.”

He only paid attention because it hit close to home, when did he ever treat them like sinners?

Evan was at a loss for words at their shamelessness.

“Sigh.”

Evan closed his eyes tightly for a moment, then took a deep breath.

He stood up from his seat, scratching his head roughly with his rough hand.

“Forget it, you bunch of bitches.”

“W-What?!”

The heroines’ faces twisted in disgust at the crude insult.

“D-Did you just call us bitches?!”

As soon as the word left their mouths, a roar erupted from the heroines, and Evan spoke quietly to them.

“Shut up. Your breath smells like a chicken coop.”

“W-What….”

“Even if the lower hole is open, you should keep the upper one closed. Are you used to poking holes without permission?”

After finishing his words, Evan scanned the women and let out a bitter laugh.

“And what else? Disappointed that we’re not playing with prostitutes? You’re all completely insane. Having ethnic hatred when there’s no difference between you and a prostitute?”

The shock went too far, and Judy was in a half-lost state.

She finally managed to speak, stuttering.

“W-What did we do?!”

“I’m speaking from my gut, don’t get involved in acting. If you go that route, you’ll ruin your life without earning a penny.”

“W-What?!”

“Your true feelings are clear. It’s better to cover the sky with your palm.”

Judy, who had turned into a mute, was followed by Cloe.

“Hah! Maybe I misjudged Evan! I thought you were a reliable friend, but I’m really disappointed!”

“Hey, Cloe. Sorry for butting in, but remove the hair stuck to your mouth and speak. What kind of hair is that?”

“…?!”

Even the brave Cloe was defeated. Ignoring Cloe, Evan turned his gaze to Eileen and Cecilia.

“Cecilia, stop stealing. What’s that about?”

“Y-Yes?”

“The emergency rations you kept in your backpack. Did you think I wouldn’t notice who ate them? And Eileen.”

“Me…?”

“If you’re going to make rice cakes, do it in the inn’s back room. Don’t make a fuss swinging a sword in the training ground. Your moaning keeps me awake.”

“W-What are you talking about….”

“Why do you always leave a mess behind? People going for training in the morning are terrified because of you.”

…”

No one could continue the conversation.

Sorry? No, it’s because he was angry.

Judy’s hands trembled with anger as she finally managed to speak.

“…Let’s forget about that. But what we’re concerned about is your attitude.”

“My attitude?”

“Yeah! You ignore us when we ask for something! If you make a mistake, you act all scared! Isn’t that a sign of rebellion? You do it on purpose because you’re upset with us!”

It was an incomprehensible story.

Evan had simply acted according to his personality, never scolding or showing anger towards these women.

It was just that the original Evan was so kind that it was a huge change to make an issue out of it.

“I’m fed up now. So we had a discussion, you know? Do you know what we talked about?”

Judy launched a coordinated attack at that moment.

“If you keep acting like that, saying you can’t take it anymore, then we can’t just stand by. The conclusion is, we’re leaving this party. We feel sorry for being taken advantage of!”

Judy’s voice trembled more and more. It was a mix of anger and guilt.

Not only Judy, but the other three women felt the same. They all hoped for Evan’s mercy.

If the story continued like this, it was natural to forgive. After all, they couldn’t hold their heads high either.

“…Evan. We hope you understand our feelings.”

Unlike the aggressive Judy, Cloe hinted at a slight dissatisfaction.

“We’re not saying we’ll leave right now…. Evan…. If you reconsider us, we’ll also retract our thoughts….”

Elinet said, looking away with guilt.

“S-so….”

Cecilia twisted her body like a puppy needing to go to the bathroom.

Even Judy, who had been aggressive until now, expressed a slight apology.

“Ahem. Anyway, that’s it. It’s not a done deal, so don’t be too sad.”

The women hesitated but desperately tried to persuade Evan.

Evan looked around at them once and then said in a rather annoying tone.

“No. You can just leave as it is.”

“…? Huh?”

“What did you just say…?”

“Don’t mind me and just go. It doesn’t matter. Since this party is hopeless anyway, it’s better to part ways like this.”

Their faces contained emotions that couldn’t be confirmed.

Doubt, just showing doubt with a stiff face.

This was not the expected reaction. It was a development far beyond their predictions.

If Evan they had in mind had acted, he would have either cried and clung to them, telling them not to leave.

Or suddenly got angry like a fire.

If not those two, then resignation as if giving up. Any action they could take because they had affection for themselves.

On the contrary, the current Evan was different.

His tone showed no hint of affection, and his gaze was incredibly light.

As if he was looking at a stranger for the first time, no, just looking at a person walking down the street, indifferent.

“Well then, let’s disband our party and call it a day.”

Evan stood up, applauding lightly.

“Wait, where are you going!”

“Evan! Are you serious?!”

He bid farewell to the still shocked women.

Why. Evan’s departing footsteps seemed lighter.