Chapter 3: Challenger

A week had passed since the study session with Suminoe-san and the others.

The Management Game had started, and it was nearing two weeks.

In reality, two weeks might pass, but in the game, it’s a whole year. A year is enough time to get a sense of how a company is doing.

Struggling companies—those with stagnant performance—need to start considering some serious changes. Watching the in-game movements, I could see a few players (CEOs) desperately trying to turn things around.

It’s not someone else’s problem.

Because I, too, am one of those CEOs who needs to think about making changes.

“Today’s the tea party, right?”

“Yeah.”

Morning. In the car heading to the Academy, I nodded.

This afternoon, after school, we’re gathering with the Tea Party Alliance for the first time in a while. The plan is to quickly check everyone’s progress.

(I might be a little sleep-deprived…)

I let out a small yawn.

The past few days, I hadn’t been sleeping much.

My company’s performance wasn’t growing as I’d hoped. The user base for my e-commerce site had plateaued, and advertising efforts didn’t seem to be making much of an impact.

I wanted to shake things up, but I was at a loss for how to do it, agonizing over it endlessly.

“Izuki, are you sleep-deprived?”

“…No, not at all.”

Not wanting to worry her, I ended up lying.

“Ojou-sama must be sleep-deprived. Last night, she was brewing tea well past bedtime, after all.”

“Sh-Shizune…!”

“My apologies, my tongue slipped.”

Hinako let out a flustered squeak.

Ever since that day, Hinako had started occasionally serving me tea. The day after she first offered me tea, I brought some to her room as a thank-you, but the next day, she brewed tea for me again. Since then, this back-and-forth had continued.

…Lately, it seemed like Hinako and Shizune-san had grown even closer.

Closer, or rather… it felt like Shizune-san had started doting on Hinako.

Did Shizune-san even realize it herself? …If I pointed it out, she might hold back, so I decided to keep quiet. Hinako didn’t seem to mind it deep down, so I figured it was fine as is.

“Hinako, if you’re sleep-deprived, it’s okay to nap, you know?”

“Ngh… I’m not… sleeping…”

Hinako’s eyes were bleary, but she was stubbornly fighting off her sleepiness.

“You were like this before, but why’d you suddenly start pushing yourself?”

Last night, when she brewed tea for me, Hinako had looked sleepy but stayed up anyway.

Fidgeting, Hinako answered.

“Because… I want to talk… with Izuki…”

I couldn’t help but stare at the ceiling.

What is this adorable creature?

It was driving me crazy, so I rubbed my brow, desperately trying to keep it together.

“…We can talk anytime, can’t we? Unlike with other people, you and I live in the same house.”

“…Maybe so.”

Hinako seemed quietly pleased, nodding in agreement.

The car swayed gently. Letting herself go with the motion, Hinako leaned against my shoulder,

“…Sleep.”

With a soft murmur, she closed her eyes.

A faint, sweet scent filled the air, and a comforting warmth spread from her touch. She must’ve been forcing herself to stay awake, because Hinako fell asleep almost instantly.

…Now I’m getting sleepy too.

As her caretaker, I felt I had to stay vigilant and watch over her, but today, an overwhelming wave of drowsiness hit me, and my eyelids started drooping on their own.

“…Shizune-san, sorry, I’m going to sleep for a bit too.”

“Understood. …It’s rare to see you this sleepy, Izuki-san.”

Come to think of it, this might be the first time I’ve fallen asleep during the commute to or from school.

…All those all-nighters are catching up to me.

Regretting how much I’d cut into my sleep, I drifted off.

◆

After school.

At our usual café, the Tea Party Alliance members gathered around a single table.

“Shall we start by sharing our respective situations?”

Tennouji-san said, showing her laptop screen to everyone.

“First, I, Tennouji, will present the Tennouji Group’s financial results. Explaining every business would take too long, so I’ll share only the main companies.”

Tennouji-san displayed her financial slides.

A non-ferrous metal manufacturer’s sales were up about 13% year-over-year, while an electronics manufacturer’s sales were down about 2%. Each company’s performance varied—some up, some down—but overall, the group was in the black.

What a flashy presentation, though…

The slides were decked out with bold effects, making them honestly a bit hard to read. It was very Tennouji-san, with her love for flair, but it felt almost tacky, like a supermarket’s “Big Sale!” vibe.

Glancing at Tennouji-san, I saw her place a hand on her chest, looking smug with a “Hmph!”

It’d be a shame to rain on her parade, so I kept my thoughts to myself.

“For the Konohana Group, starting with our main company, Konohana Trading—”

Next, Hinako turned her laptop screen toward everyone to explain.

Like Tennouji-san, she broke down sales by segment. Unlike Tennouji-san’s mixed results, Hinako had steadily improved sales across various companies, albeit gradually.

“M-My company’s consolidated sales, compared to last year, um—”

Narika was nervous, but her performance was solid.

She had no reason to feel ashamed of her results; she was just shy about presenting in front of others.

“My company’s doing—”

“J’s Holdings is—”

Taishou and Asahi-san were also doing generally well.

Finally, it was my turn.

“Tomonari Gifts is looking like this.”

I displayed the financial report generated in-game for everyone to see.

“It’s going smoothly, isn’t it?”

“Well, if you only look at the numbers for the year, maybe…”

I pulled up a line graph of user numbers and explained.

“Since the second half, the numbers have flatlined. …Honestly, it feels like we’ve hit a ceiling. If this keeps up, next year’s performance is looking shaky.”

To be clear, it’s the current approach that’s plateauing. I still believe the gift-focused e-commerce service has untapped potential.

“Making the catalog boosted revenue, right?”

“Yes. I thought it’d take longer to see results, but it worked faster than expected. The downside is, it matured too quickly… and fizzled out just as fast.”

I shared my thoughts in response to Taishou’s question.

Creating the catalog had, as planned, drawn customers from the catalog gift market. The miscalculation was that the catalog gift market itself was smaller than I’d thought. With a smaller pool of potential customers, the number we could attract was naturally limited.

“Tomonari, why not set up a marketing department? You don’t have one yet, right?”

“Marketing… You’re right, I don’t have one.”

That’s a good point. I’d been handling market analysis on my own so far, but it might be time to delegate. If I’d relied on experts, I could’ve avoided this mistake.

“You don’t have to make a whole department. Why not hire a marketing firm? I can recommend one I’ve used.”

Asahi-san chimed in with her suggestion.

Building an in-house department could work, but I’d rather test the waters first. I decided to go with Asahi-san’s idea.

“Please, I’d appreciate that.”

“Cool! I’ll get in touch with them right away~”

Asahi-san started typing away at her keyboard.

She was contacting a student who ran a marketing firm.

“Tomonari-kun, you’re working hard, huh? You were logged into the game all night yesterday, weren’t you?”

“Yeah, but how’d you know?”

“There’s a page where you can check other companies’ info, right? In the top left, it shows the player’s login status. You didn’t know?”

“I had no idea…”

I’d been so consumed with my own company lately that I hadn’t had time to check on others.

I’d always wondered why messages from other students came at such perfect times. They were checking if I was logged in before sending them.

“Speaking of, Tomonari, you were yawning a lot today. Up late gaming?”

“No, it’s not like that…”

“But during class, when you got called on, you couldn’t answer, right~?”

“Ugh…”

Taishou and Asahi-san’s tag-team left me speechless.

Tennouji-san, overhearing our conversation, widened her eyes.

“Is that true?”

“I-It’s fine. I’m planning to review everything properly today.”

“…”

Tennouji-san shot me a half-lidded glare.

I need to be careful… If my grades slip because of the game, I’ll be missing the forest for the trees.

◆

Eight thirty in the evening.

Back at the Konohana estate, I was in my room, facing my laptop.

Alright, so we’ll go with Plan B for the contract.

A message came in from a business partner.

With this plan, Tomonari Gifts can address its targeting issues, and after executing strategies, we can collect purchase logs to run the PDCA cycle effectively. We’ll also handle the market volume research you felt you misjudged, so don’t worry.

Thank you, that’s a huge help.

Since it’s Asahi-san’s referral, I’ll throw in a small discount.

The sender was the president of the marketing firm Asahi-san had introduced this afternoon.

After an hour of hearing out my situation, she promptly recommended the best service, and we finalized the contract.

Using marketing services in the game apparently boosts employee efficiency significantly. But it’s not about using just any service—you need one tailored to your company’s specific challenges to see results.

“Until the marketing kicks in, it’s a waiting game…”

The foundation of marketing is data analysis, and analysis takes time. As the PDCA cycle suggests, you repeat the process over and over, tweaking as you go, before you see real results.

“…It’s scary.”

I know I shouldn’t expect instant results, but the wait is nerve-wracking. What if I’m doing it wrong? What if I’m throwing time and money down the drain? That kind of anxiety gnaws at me.

…Maybe I’ll study the game a bit more.

It was just past nine. I couldn’t log into the game, but there was a mountain of things I wanted to research. I’d planned to switch to regular class prep and review after nine, but my anxiety about the game was so overwhelming that I couldn’t focus on other studies.

Fix one thing, and another falls apart… It feels like I’m trapped in quicksand.

Sleep deprivation was making me pessimistic. I lightly slapped my cheeks to snap out of it when there was a knock at the door.

“Izuki-san, are you free right now?”

Hearing Shizune-san’s voice, I replied, “Yes.”

“Pardon me.”

“…Where’s Hinako?”

“Ojou-sama is in a meeting with Kagen-sama about the game. I came to relay a message.”

A message? I tilted my head, and Shizune-san continued.

“This Sunday, Ojou-sama and I will be out until evening for a dinner engagement.”

“Got it. …Can I come along?”

“This time, it’s a special occasion where the top executives of the Konohana Group will gather, so… it might be a bit early for you, Izuki-san.”

There’s an event like that?

Hinako doesn’t enjoy the atmosphere of those dinners. I wanted to support her and go with her if possible, but it seemed out of the question this time.

“I’ll take your sentiment to heart. Perhaps one day you’ll join, Izuki-san.”

“That’s both flattering and terrifying…”

A special dinner with only the group’s top executives… If I were thrown into that, I’d feel less like a borrowed cat and more like a sheep among wolves.

“On that day, you’re free to do as you please, Izuki-san, but… if possible, I recommend taking it easy and resting.”

“…Do I look that tired?”

“You’re trying to hide it, but it’s obvious. …We don’t see each other every day for nothing, you know.”

With that, Shizune-san left the room.

(Take it easy, huh…)

I appreciated her concern.

But right now, I had no time to rest.

If I’d be alone anyway—I’d study my heart out.

I couldn’t log into the game on Sunday, but that just meant I could focus on absorbing knowledge. More than anything, I needed time to study business management.

“…Hm?”

My smartphone, sitting next to the laptop, buzzed.

Checking the screen, I saw an incoming call from a certain someone.

“Tennouji-san?”

Tomonari-san, are you free right now?

“Yes, I’m good.”

I wondered what she needed.

This is sudden, but are you free next Sunday?

“I’m free, but…”

Then you’re coming out with me.

It was an abrupt invitation.

I was flattered, but I’d just decided to focus on studying that day.

“Sorry, I’ve been pretty busy lately, so I’ll have to pass this time—”

—We’ll have a strategy meeting for the game.

Cutting me off, Tennouji-san continued.

As comrades aiming for the student council, I believe we can have a productive discussion.

“…If that’s the case, count me in.”

Excellent. I’ll share the details later.

I could tell Tennouji-san was in high spirits, chuckling on the other end.

Tennouji-san and I had studied together many times. Thanks to her support back then, I’d managed to score well on Kiou Academy’s exams.

If she was saying this would be a productive talk, I was certain it’d be another valuable learning opportunity.

By the way, don’t bring your laptop that day.

“Huh? But won’t that make it hard to work?”

You can’t log into the game on Sunday anyway, and lugging a laptop around is a bit tiring.

“…Fair enough.”

She had a point, so I agreed.

And watch out for sleep deprivation.

“Got it.”

This was a rare opportunity, and I wanted to be in top shape to make the most of it.

I’d better get to bed early on Saturday…

◆

After waiting a few minutes at the meeting spot by the station, a sleek black car pulled up in front of me.

The car was so imposing, like it was carrying a big-shot politician, that passersby couldn’t help but stare. The girl who stepped out, in a way, lived up to their expectations with her striking appearance and commanding presence.

Her beautiful blonde hair, styled in elegant vertical rolls, swayed as Tennouji-san approached.

“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”

“No, I just got here myself…”

I really had just arrived. There were still ten minutes until our meeting time, and I’d planned to wait a bit, but maybe Tennouji-san had the same idea.

But more than that, my attention was on Tennouji-san herself.

“What’s wrong?”

“Uh… your casual clothes are really nice.”

“My, you’ve gotten even smoother with words.”

Tennouji-san let out a soft chuckle.

I remembered the time she’d called me a “swindler” for complimenting her.

But inwardly… I was a bit stunned.

I’d thought today’s meetup would be like a study session, but Tennouji-san’s outfit was far too glamorous for that. She looked ready to head straight to an amusement park.

“Shall we get going, Izuki-san?”

Tennouji-san switched to calling me by my first name.

I knew the meaning of that signal—.

“Yeah. Looking forward to today.”

“Hehe… This moment truly is blissful, isn’t it?”

Just by changing her tone, Tennouji-san smiled with evident delight.

…Being told something like that makes even me feel a bit embarrassed.

Tomonari Izuki, the heir to a mid-sized company, is currently on a break. Today, when I’m with Tennouji-san, I’m the original Tomonari Izuki—a former struggling student now working as a caretaker for the Konohana family.

“Where are we headed?”

“Here.”

Tennouji-san showed me the screen of her smartphone.

“…An art museum?”

Is the plan to study here or something?

“I’ll apologize in advance.”

Tennouji-san said with a serious expression.

“The strategy meeting was a lie.”

“Huh?”

“I invited you out today to help you unwind, Izuki-san.”

I instinctively put a hand to my forehead, processing Tennouji-san’s words in my mind.

She probably noticed how exhausted I’ve been lately and went out of her way to invite me out for some fun.

Of course, it’s undoubtedly out of concern for my well-being.

But this time, I couldn’t just accept it without hesitation.

“…Sorry. I really appreciate the thought, but I’m just swamped right now.”

There’s too much on my plate. My mind is constantly on the verge of breaking down, and I need to tackle everything as quickly as possible or I might lose it.

In this state, even if I hung out with Tennouji-san, she probably wouldn’t enjoy it either.

So, as much as it pains me, it might be better to head home for today.

“—It’s like looking at my old self.”

Seeing my flustered face, Tennouji-san spoke.

“That cornered expression… I saw it in the mirror countless times back then.”

Muttering with a hint of sadness, Tennouji-san fixed me with a determined gaze.

“You know that during the Management Game, you can’t log in on Sundays, right? Do you know why that is?”

“Isn’t it… so we can focus on studies outside the game?”

“No.”

Tennouji-san shook her head.

“It’s so students who are mentally overwhelmed by the game can regain their composure.”

Her answer caught me off guard.

“Executives bear immense responsibility. Because of that, they’re far more prone to mental health issues than employees. …In fact, executives have a higher suicide rate.”

“…Is that so?”

“The Management Game may just be a game, but it’s a class that heavily impacts your grades. And since students at Kiou Academy carry the weight of their parents’ expectations, many are particularly sensitive about their performance. …Every year, some students break down mentally during the game, so the academy set aside one rest day a week.”

I had no idea there was such a reason.

But Tennouji-san is right. Every student at Kiou Academy carries the burden of their parents’ expectations or family legacy. Even without the Management Game, some students push themselves to the brink every day. Hinako and Tennouji-san are among them.

“Mental health care is essential for executives. It’s no different in the game. …So please, just accept it and let me help you unwind today.”

Tennouji-san’s words struck a deep chord in my chest.

The fact that I’d made her worry this much hit me harder than anything.

(…I see. I’ve been cornered, haven’t I?)

There were plenty of signs, I’m sure.

Hinako, Asahi-san, Taishou, and Shizune-san all expressed concern about my lack of sleep and exhaustion. With so many people worried about me, there’s no way I’m in a normal state.

“…Alright.”

I nodded deeply and looked at Tennouji-san.

“I knew I was pushing myself too hard. …Today, I’ll focus on relaxing.”

“Good. Resting is part of the job, you know.”

Tennouji-san nodded with satisfaction.

“Honestly… Didn’t I tell you not to overdo it?”

Come to think of it, I vaguely recall her saying something like that when I was researching her management strategies.

Thinking back, she might have already picked up on this side of my personality even then.

“…You’re probably the only one who’s said that to me.”

“The better someone’s doing in the Management Game, the easier it is to get sucked in. …I had a hunch, but it seems Izuki-san is at risk of becoming a workaholic.”

I couldn’t even argue.

Looking back, before coming to Kiou Academy, I was always working part-time jobs to make ends meet. Since enrolling, I’ve been buried in studies.

I talked with my old classmates from back home and decided to stick to this way of life, but I might have been unconsciously chained to it. I need to keep working hard, but making everyone around me this worried isn’t what I want.

“Now, let’s get moving! First, to the art museum!”

“Sure. But didn’t it look pretty far from here?”

“Yes. That’s why we’ll take the car.”

As she spoke, Tennouji-san glanced to the side.

The car that had brought her here was still parked nearby. When my eyes met the driver—a man in a black suit—he bowed deeply.

“Last time, you escorted me for some commoner-style fun, Izuki-san. This time, I’ll show you how to enjoy an upper-class outing!”

With Tennouji-san, who seemed even more energetic than usual, I headed toward the car.

I silently apologized for my gloominess, which had probably been casting a shadow over her until now. …At the same time, I couldn’t help but think that a bright expression suited her far better.

◆

After spending two hours leisurely exploring the art museum, we stepped outside, still savoring the afterglow.

“How was it?”

Tennouji-san asked.

“It was my first time at an art museum, but… I really enjoyed it.”

“Hehe, I thought so.”

Tennouji-san smiled happily.

“Not with your eyes, nor your ears… but with your heart—that’s how you enjoy art. I believe this stimulation is something precious, something you can’t find anywhere else.”

That’s why she wanted to share it with me, it seems.

I agreed that art appreciation had a unique charm. Unlike sports, movies, manga, or games, this heart-driven form of entertainment had an indescribable allure.

“Do you come to art museums often?”

“Once or twice a month, perhaps. I visit whenever a painting I’m interested in is on display.”

That’s a decent frequency.

Tennouji-san had guided me through the museum almost entirely. She knew the layout so well, she must have visited this place many times.

“Did any painting catch your eye, Izuki-san?”

“Hmm… It might sound cliché, but Water Lilies had a captivating charm.”

“Claude Monet’s masterpiece, yes?”

There was a crowd around Water Lilies, and it was highlighted as one of the museum’s main exhibits, so it’s probably a famous piece. The painting, depicting flowers floating on water, felt heavy and somber from a distance with its deep blues dominating the canvas. But up close, I noticed the soft, delicate portrayal of light, and I stood there, transfixed, staring at it for a while.

“Actually, Water Lilies is part of a series, and there are other variations of it.”

“Really?”

“There’s an event coming up where other Water Lilies paintings will be displayed. I’ll invite you again.”

That sounds exciting.

As we started walking, I felt a slight tingling in the soles of my feet.

The museum was huge, and I must have gotten tired from all the walking. I checked the time on my smartphone. Three in the afternoon… still some time before dinner.

“Should we take a break?”

“Yes, let’s. How about a café?”

Tennouji-san suggested smoothly.

“By the way, I’ve already picked a place. It’s just a short walk from here.”

“…Impeccable escorting, as expected.”

“It’s a lady’s refinement.”

Tennouji-san said with a proud smile.

In her case, “a lady’s refinement” seems to cover just about anything she sets her mind to. Whether it’s related to being a lady or not, she’s undeniably impressive.

“Welcome, Tennouji-ojou-sama, Master Tomonari.”

As we entered the café she’d chosen, a male staff member in a tailcoat bowed deeply.

Following Tennouji-san, who seemed perfectly at ease, I took a seat.

The interior was lavish, reminiscent of a European palace. The floor was marble, paintings adorned the walls, and the tables were set with what looked like expensive tea ware. At the back of the café was a stage-like area with a grand piano prominently placed. The white ceiling was adorned with golden chandeliers, and everywhere I looked, the scenery exuded elegance.

“This is a members-only café patronized by the Tennouji family. I come here about once a week.”

I’d thought she seemed familiar with the place, and it turns out she’s a regular. I was surprised when the staff called us by name without us introducing ourselves, but they must already know Tennouji-san and were informed in advance that I’d be accompanying her today.

“This place is incredibly refined.”

“You don’t need to feel stiff… or so I was going to say.”

Sitting across from me, Tennouji-san looked directly at my face.

“You’re surprisingly calm.”

“Well, uh… I guess it’s because of where I live these days.”

Living in the Konohana family’s mansion means I’m constantly surrounded by furniture worth tens of thousands of yen or paintings worth over a million.

Building up some immunity is only natural.

“You live in the Konohana family’s secondary residence, don’t you, Izuki-san?”

“Yeah. Not the main estate.”

“The main estate is even grander. I visited it once long ago for a high-society party, and even I was awestruck. …It’s a bit of a frustrating memory.”

Back then, Tennouji-san didn’t see Hinako as a rival, so she probably felt genuine awe. …Well, that sincerity still peeks through even now.

Come to think of it, I’ve never seen the Konohana family’s main estate.

Kagen-san often uses the secondary residence, but Takuma-san seems to stay at the main estate. …Hinako and Shizune-san are probably dining with Konohana Group executives right now, and it’s possible the venue is the main estate.

“Here’s the menu.”

A staff member handed us the menu.

Living in the Konohana mansion has made me immune to elegant atmospheres. But that’s only the atmosphere—when I saw a menu with no prices listed, my brain froze.

“…How much is this?”

“You don’t need to worry about that today. I’m here to help you unwind, after all.”

I’d thought this was a study session, so I didn’t bring much money.

It feels a bit tactless to keep fussing over prices in a place like this, so I decided to accept Tennouji-san’s kindness for now.

I ordered the same tea as Tennouji-san, and it was promptly brought to our table.

Bringing the cup to my lips without making a sound, I took a quiet sip.

“…Delicious.”

It was a milk tea with a gentle sweetness.

A faint bitterness added a perfect accent, leaving a clean aftertaste.

“The tea this time of year is rich and delightful, isn’t it?”

“Does the taste change by season?”

“Yes. The period when high-quality tea is harvested is called the quality season, and among them, autumnal teas—harvested in the fall—are aromatic, rich, and pair wonderfully with milk tea.”

“Huh… I’ve been drinking more tea since coming to Kiou Academy, but I had no idea.”

“Tea is my personal hobby, so I’m just particularly knowledgeable about it.”

Good thing it’s not general knowledge…

Since enrolling at Kiou Academy, I’ve been learning about tea types and teaware brands, but I still get shocked when classmates talk about it, thinking, “Do I really need to know that much?!” Upper-class culture runs deep.

As I enjoyed this refined moment with Tennouji-san, a woman in a beautiful dress stepped onto the stage at the back of the café and bowed to the patrons.

She sat at the grand piano and began playing softly.

It was a delicate piece. Maybe because I’d just experienced so much art at the museum, the gentle notes seemed to flow naturally into my heart.

“Pavane for a Dead Princess… A pavane is a dance that was popular in 16th-century Europe.”

Savoring Tennouji-san’s explanation, I enjoyed the tea and the performance.

I don’t know much about pianos, but the complex, continuous notes were played distinctly, like individual grains, making it very easy to listen to. The pianist must be someone famous.

When the performance ended, the audience applauded. The pianist stood and bowed again.

Finally, she glanced at Tennouji-san and gave a slight nod, which Tennouji-san returned with a smile.

Since it’s a place she frequents, they’re probably acquainted.

“If she’s a friend, you can go talk to her, you know.”

“Right now, I’m a guest, and she’s a performer. I wouldn’t do something as tactless as disrupting that wonderful dynamic.”

Tennouji-san said calmly, sipping her tea.

Before being acquaintances, they’re a performer and a guest. …Tennouji-san is likely enjoying the music of a professional performer, not just her friend’s. That feels like the ultimate form of respect.

…This is what a true Ojou-sama is.

If Hinako is the perfect Ojou-sama, Tennouji-san is the quintessential one. It’s not just her elegant speech and actions—her very way of being, her approach to life, is filled with grace.

“You’re surprisingly multitalented, Tennouji-san.”

“The ‘surprisingly’ part is unnecessary.”

Oops, my tongue slipped.

But Tennouji-san wasn’t seriously upset—her face was still smiling.

“Still, most of the hobbies you’ve seen today are relatively new.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Tennouji-san looked at me with gentle eyes.

“—Thanks to you.”

In high spirits, she continued.

“Until recently, I was desperately trying to become a daughter worthy of the Tennouji family. I was careful not to show it, but back then, I was mentally and physically exhausted, and my family often worried about me.”

I know the Tennouji-san from that time.

It was when talk of an arranged marriage came up, and she mistakenly thought she had no choice but to comply. She was indeed cornered back then.

“You were the one who broadened my world, Izuki-san. Thanks to you, I was able to face my parents’ true feelings and find a more balanced life. …As a result, I’ve been able to discover all these hobbies.”

Tennouji-san had been overly focused on meeting her parents’ expectations—or rather, she’d created an idealized version of those expectations in her mind and misunderstood that fulfilling them was her sole purpose.

The result of being freed from that burden is the Tennouji-san of today.

Still as diligent as ever, but no longer trapped in tunnel vision, she now accepts the emotions directed at her and lives fully.

She thought she was carrying a heavy burden, but in truth, Tennouji-san was always light on her feet. Now, she’s using that freedom to experience all sorts of things.

“Izuki-san, I want to thank you again. Because of you, my life has expanded tremendously.”

Tennouji-san bowed her head quietly.

“I don’t think I did anything that special.”

“To me, it’s more important than anything.”

Hearing her say that makes me feel like my efforts to persuade her were worth it.

“—Anyway, what I want to tell you, Izuki-san, is that I was able to change my approach to life because of you.”

Tennouji-san took a sip of her tea.

Then she set the cup down with a bit of force.

“And yet—! Now you’re the one getting all worked up like I used to! Honestly, I can’t help but want to say something!”

“I’m sorry…”

I had a bad feeling when she took that sip, and sure enough, the conversation went there…

“Lately, you’ve been just like the old me. …That’s why I decided I had to be the one to reach out this time.”

“…I see.”

“The old me might have looked at a cornered Izuki-san and said, ‘Keep pushing like that.’”

Would she, though?

It’s true that Tennouji-san has changed from before, but I think even the old Tennouji-san would have told me to rest if she saw me now.

She’s aware of her own growth, so she’s a bit hard on her past self, but to me, Tennouji-san has always been kind from the moment we first met.

I still vividly remember when she called out to me while I was searching for Hinako’s lost wallet, telling me to stand up straight. …Back then, she was so cool and kind. To someone like me, who didn’t know left from right, she made me think, “I want to be like that.” She says I reached out to her, but the one who truly extended a hand first was Tennouji-san.

“…I’ve changed because of you, too, Tennouji-san.”

I couldn’t help but voice my thoughts.

“Confidence. Speaking clearly. Standing tall. Working hard. …You taught me all of those things. So, thank you.”

Without a doubt, Tennouji-san was the one who showed me their importance.

I looked straight at her, chest puffed out with pride.

In this refined setting, where a single misstep would be out of place, I’m sitting face-to-face with the heiress of the Tennouji Group. The old me would have been intimidated. But now, I’m surprised at how confidently I can carry myself.

Seeing me like this, Tennouji-san seemed momentarily stunned.

Her cheeks gradually flushed a soft red.

“W-Well… I’m glad to hear that!”

Somehow, the air between us grew a little awkward and warm.

My face feels hot. It’s probably flushed bright red by now.

“C-Come to think of it, Suminoe-san also said Tennouji-san’s changed, didn’t she?”

To shift the mood, I blurted out the first new topic that came to mind.

“Did she now?”

“Yeah. I heard a bunch of stuff from her during our study session the other day.”

I talk about Suminoe-san, carefully avoiding any mention of her true nature.

“Tennouji-san, you helped Suminoe-san out back then, right?”

“It wasn’t about helping her. I simply didn’t want Suminoe-san’s talents to go to waste. The one who truly helped her was herself, through her own efforts.”

It seems Tennouji-san wants to frame it as scouting Suminoe-san for the group’s company purely because of her abilities.

“Do you talk to Suminoe-san often?”

“Yes. Though, since we’ve been in different classes since second year, it’s mostly just catching up after school when we run into each other.”

“I see… Suminoe-san really looks up to you, so she might feel a bit lonely.”

“Oh? Did she seem that way?”

“Well…”

I’m not sure if lonely is the right word, but her affection for Tennouji-san came through loud and clear.

Before their classes split… back when Suminoe-san could see Tennouji-san every day, maybe she was doing a bit better than she is now.

“I’ve had a vague sense that Suminoe-san looks up to me.”

It seems Tennouji-san has faintly picked up on Suminoe-san’s feelings.

Though, of course, she probably hasn’t noticed Suminoe-san’s true nature.

“But… she admired the old me, so she might find the current me a bit complicated.”

Tennouji-san says this with a complex expression, glancing at the clock on the café wall.

“Well then, shall we head to our next destination?”

“There’s more?”

“Yes. …Haven’t we both been stuck at desks a lot lately?”

That’s true enough.

“At times like this—nothing beats getting your body moving!”

◆

With a faint sense of nerves, I let out a breath.

After standing still for a while, I hear footsteps approaching.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

As Tennouji-san walks toward me, I can’t help but stare, utterly captivated.

“…You look absolutely stunning.”

“You’re back to using polite speech.”

While I’m dressed in a simple black suit, Tennouji-san, wearing a striking blue dress, flashes a smile.

She extends her hand to me.

“Now… shall we dance?”

A slow, gentle melody begins to play.

After leaving the café, Tennouji-san had led me to a dance hall.

The venue, clearly designed for ballroom dancing, is spacious, elegant, and steeped in a refined atmosphere. The polished wooden floor has just the right amount of glide, and every step echoes with a satisfying sound. Ornate lighting fixtures hang from the ceiling, casting a soft, warm glow.

Since they offered costume rentals, we both changed into formal attire. It’s been a while since I last wore dance-specific clothing, as I haven’t had much chance to ballroom dance lately.

The dance we’re performing is a slow waltz.

Come to think of it, the very first dance Tennouji-san taught me was this same slow waltz.

“My, you remember the steps surprisingly well.”

“Well, I was drilled pretty hard…”

“It seems my teaching was quite effective. Shall I teach you the tango next time?”

Unlike the waltz, the tango is a passionate and intense dance.

I’m a little intrigued, but I’ll save that for another day.

Maintaining our hold, I pivot with Tennouji-san in a smooth half-turn. The movement feels almost effortless, with no resistance whatsoever.

In ballroom dancing, there are moments when you feel perfectly in sync with your partner.

These moments are pure bliss. It’s as if the boundaries between me and Tennouji-san blur and vanish… not just one of us, but both of us surrendering to the flow, creating an almost mystical sensation.

“Looking back, it’s quite nostalgic.”

Tennouji-san says with a soft smile.

“The first time we danced, Izuki-san, you were so nervous you were practically trembling.”

“Was I that nervous?”

“Oh, absolutely. You’d freeze up just making eye contact with me.”

Now that she mentions it, I think she’s right.

“I was the same when I was younger. I felt so much pressure to perform perfectly that I’d end up getting nervous…”

“…No, it wasn’t quite like that.”

As Tennouji-san tilts her head curiously, I continue.

“It wasn’t the dance that made me nervous—it was the fact that I was dancing with you, Tennouji-san.”

“…”

I stop short of saying more, feeling too embarrassed and apologetic to continue.

Even though it’s just dancing, our bodies are close, our faces nearer than usual… and doing that with Tennouji-san? Of course I was nervous.

I’ve gotten somewhat used to it now, but honestly, I’m still a bit on edge.

Feeling a little inadequate as I dance, I notice Tennouji-san suddenly miss a step, nearly losing her balance.

“Tennouji-san?”

It’s rare for her to make a mistake like that, so I glance at her face and see…

“…You’re not the only one who’s nervous.”

“Huh?”

Tennouji-san’s cheeks are faintly flushed as she looks away.

An awkward silence hangs between us, but we keep dancing.

…Oh no, now I’m hyper-aware of my sweaty hands.

It seems Tennouji-san feels the same, as we both fidget nervously while moving.

“S-So, um, Izuki-san, why did you decide to join the student council?”

Tennouji-san changes the subject.

Come to think of it, I haven’t explained that to her.

But how should I put it? …Tennouji-san feels competitive toward Hinako. I don’t want to ruin this fun atmosphere, so I’ll gloss over that part.

“Actually, I want to become an executive at a certain company someday, and I needed accomplishments to make that happen. I heard that being part of the student council at Kiou Academy would give me an edge…”

As I explain, Tennouji-san’s eyes sharpen.

“The Konohana Group, I presume?”

“Wha—?”

“You didn’t mention the company’s name in front of me. And you need a high-caliber achievement like the Kiou Academy student council. Those two points make it easy to deduce.”

She saw right through me.

I’m left speechless, my mouth clamped shut.

“In other words, you’re aiming for the student council for Konohana Hinako’s sake?”

“No, it’s not just that…”

Tennouji-san stops dancing.

The gentle, beautiful melody continues to play, evoking a faint sense of loneliness and longing…

“In your eyes, what do you see…?”

Tennouji-san suddenly pulls me closer.

“Are you only looking at… Konohana Hinako?”

Our noses brush ever so slightly. Still, Tennouji-san doesn’t break eye contact.

The face reflected in her eyes is one of turmoil—hesitating, struggling to find an answer, lips sealed.

Then… I notice her eyes trembling.

Tennouji-san’s eyes always seemed strong, radiant. But not now. Seeing them this close, I can tell. There’s a faint flicker of anxiety in them.

Something’s wrong.

Tennouji-san is looking at me with such intensity… so why am I wearing this confused expression?

“…That’s not true.”

My breath rustles Tennouji-san’s hair.

I close my eyes, then open them again.

The face reflected in Tennouji-san’s eyes… it’s no longer wavering.

“I started to say earlier, but it’s not just that. I want to stand as an equal with you, with Narika, with everyone I interact with daily.”

“As an equal…?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

This—it’s something I resolved at the end of summer break.

At the end of summer break, I had the chance to return to my old life. But I didn’t.

One of the reasons for that—was Tennouji-san.

“Coming to Kiou Academy and meeting all sorts of people made me want to become someone like them. …You, Tennouji-san, are one of the people who inspired that in me.”

Tennouji-san listens to me earnestly.

I want to be someone who can shoulder great responsibilities, like them. Specifically, I want to become an executive at the Konohana Group, at the very least.

And—I’m even thinking of ambitions beyond that.

“Right now, I’m attending the academy under a fake title… but someday, I want to stand beside everyone as my true self. …Aiming for the student council is one step toward that.”

That, I believe, is what it truly means to be equal.

To stand side by side with everyone in the truest sense—that’s what I want.

Hearing my feelings, Tennouji-san lets out a small sigh…

“…You really are a challenger, aren’t you?”

A challenger, huh? …When she puts it like that, maybe I am.

For a commoner like me to have such ambitions, I guess I am a challenger, aren’t I?

“It’s exactly because you’re like that, that I…”

Tennouji-san gazes at me with a dreamy, almost enraptured expression.

“…Tennouji-san?”

“N-Nothing! …I almost let it slip.”

Her face flushes bright red as she covers her mouth with both hands.

As the next song starts, we take each other’s hands and begin dancing again.

We dance a slow, deliberate waltz, as if confirming our feelings with each step.

“Let me ask you one thing. …If I asked you to join the Tennouji Group, what would you do?”

“That’s…”

I owe Hinako for hiring me. And as her caretaker, I want to stay by her side and ease her burdens. She’s always fighting a lonely battle. My desire to support her is strong.

But I owe Tennouji-san, too, and if she were in trouble, I’d want to help her. If she placed her trust and expectations in me, I’d feel compelled to live up to them.

Should I choose based on the work? …Salary’s not the deciding factor. Both would likely offer more than generous terms. Then, the industry? Should I pick what suits me best? …No, if I’m not suited for it, I’ll just study until I am by graduation.

I’m overthinking this so much that sweat beads on my forehead.

In the end, the conclusion I reach is—

“…B-Both… maybe…?”

“Haaaaahhh!”

Tennouji-san lets out the deepest sigh I’ve ever heard.

“Swindler, dense, blockhead.”

“Uh…”

“I’ve come to understand you all over again, Izuki-san. You’re the type who keeps putting off these kinds of decisions, never giving a straight answer until the very end.”

“…Ugh.”

Being called out like that makes me want to push back a little.

…Besides, what about her side of things?

If I made a decision right now, is she even ready to accept it?

“Well, I figured as much from the start. If anything, this puts me in the best position. After all, I’m more suited to going after what I want than waiting around—”

“—Then I’ll go with you.”

Her eyes widen at my words.

“H-Huh!?”

“I choose you, Tennouji-san.”

“Wha—!? H-Hold on—!?”

Tennouji-san lets out a strange squeak and stops in her tracks.

Seeing her reaction, I feel a sense of satisfaction.

“Just kidding. …See? You’re not ready for that either, are you?”

“W-Wait, hold on…! I-I think we’re talking about different things here!”

“Different things? We’re talking about the future, right?”

“Yes, but! It’s just—!”

Isn’t this about which company I’d work for…?

“I’ve come to understand you better, too. …You’re weak to being pushed, aren’t you?”

“W-Wha—!?”

Tennouji-san’s mouth flaps open and closed as she stares at me.

“D-Don’t get too full of yourself! If you say something like that again…”

“If I do?”

Her face beet red, Tennouji-san declares,

“I-I’ll make you take responsibility!!”

That sounds a bit too serious to be a joke, so I practically rub my forehead against the floor in apology.

◆

After that, we danced for about an hour more, then each took a shower to wash off the sweat before leaving the dance hall.

“Phew… I worked up a good sweat today.”

“Yeah.”

Though some of that sweat was from awkward moments.

As we stroll under the evening sun, a faint electronic chime comes from Tennouji-san’s side.

“Excuse me.”

She pulls out her smartphone and holds it to her ear.

I catch snippets of the conversation—something about a “management game,” so it’s probably a classmate on the other end.

Tennouji-san says, “I’ll call you back later,” and ends the call.

“Game stuff?”

“Yes. But I’ve decided to focus entirely on relaxing today, so I’ll deal with it another time.”

Even so… if they’re calling her directly, it might be urgent.

“If you’re holding back because of me, don’t worry. I’m good now. Thanks to you, I’ve had plenty of relaxation.”

Honestly, my stubborn insistence on taking a break was the issue to begin with. Now that I’ve reflected on it, there’s no need to force the downtime.

Besides, unlike me, Tennouji-san seems to have her mental health perfectly under control. There’s no reason for her to pause her work just to keep me company.

She should do what she wants. Sensing my feelings, Tennouji-san chuckles and nods.

“Understood. …Then I’ll step away for a moment.”

She moves a short distance away and starts another call.

This one lasts longer. From what I can tell, it’s not casual chit-chat but a serious discussion requiring careful thought and measured responses.

I sit on a nearby bench to wait, and soon Tennouji-san returns.

“Sorry for the wait.”

She takes a seat beside me.

“Nice work. What was that about?”

“It was about a business partnership. We’re currently evaluating potential companies, and one of them was making an aggressive pitch, so I had to handle it.”

“Wow. Well, with your company, I bet tons of people are eager to partner up.”

“Fortunately, that seems to be the case.”

Last time it was M&A, and now it’s a business partnership. Tennouji-san runs her company by leveraging connections with all sorts of businesses.

It makes me think—I might need to form partnerships with other companies someday, too.

Now I’m curious about what Tennouji-san’s partnerships look like.

“What kind of candidates are there?”

“Something like this, more or less.”

Tennouji-san hands me her smartphone.

The screen displayed documents from various companies. About ten in total, perhaps. I slid my finger across the screen, checking the characteristics of each company.

“For now, the second company is the most promising candidate.”

I looked at that company’s documents.

It was a clearly excellent enterprise. The company was large in scale, and its industry was closely aligned. Partnering with them would likely yield stable returns.

(…Hm?)

However, as I read through the other companies’ documents, something caught my attention.

“…What about this company? Doesn’t it seem like a good fit?”

“Huh?”

I handed the smartphone back to Tennouji-san.

Tennouji-san silently read the documents displayed on the screen.

“…Do you think so? This company’s budget constraints are quite strict, and overall, I believe its scale doesn’t match my company’s.”

“The numbers might suggest that, but I have a feeling this company shares the closest vision to yours, Tennouji-san.”

Having said that, I realized I couldn’t quite explain why I felt that way.

Still, Tennouji-san fell into deep thought.

“…I’ll arrange a meeting.”

With that, Tennouji-san picked up the smartphone and started another call.

A few minutes into the conversation, Tennouji-san broke into a bright smile. The lively tone of her voice hinted that the discussion was going well.

After waiting a bit, Tennouji-san returned to me.

“How’d it go?”

“We really hit it off!”

Tennouji-san said cheerfully.

“You were right, Izuki-san. This company not only shares my vision but is already looking beyond it. The numbers might favor other companies, but I’ve decided to partner with this one. There’s nothing more valuable than a partner who shares the same vision!”

It seemed Tennouji-san, deep down, hadn’t wanted to choose a partner based solely on numbers.

Documents alone could only reveal so much. Finding the partner she truly sought left Tennouji-san in high spirits.

“…But how did you know it would turn out like this, Izuki-san?”

At her question, I paused to think.

I thought about it… but I still couldn’t put it into words.

“I just… got a feeling when I read the documents. Like, that company seemed like the best match for you, Tennouji-san.”

In other words, pure intuition.

I felt a bit guilty for dragging Tennouji-san around with something so vague, but since it worked out, I hoped she’d forgive me.

As I mulled this over, Tennouji-san fixed me with a serious gaze.

“Izuki-san.”

With a solemn expression, she declared,

“You might just… become an even bigger deal than I thought.”

◆

A few days had passed since I took a break with Tennouji-san.

At the Konohana family mansion, I was checking on the status of Tomonari Gifts.

“…Looking good.”

With the help of the marketing firm Asahi-san introduced, it seemed Tomonari Gifts was on track to break out of its stagnant performance. By analyzing customer data, we were steadily achieving more efficient, waste-free operations.

As I mentally organized my company’s status, a video call app notified me of an incoming call.

I prepared my microphone and answered.

“Takuma-san, good work today.”

“Good work. I saw your email. Looks like things are picking up nicely.”

“Thanks to you.”

I’d been updating Takuma-san on our progress via email.

My company’s smooth sailing was undoubtedly thanks to Takuma-san. Without his advice, I’d have stumbled somewhere along the way. Out of gratitude, I made sure to share detailed updates about my company with him.

“With these results, you could start expanding the business.”

Takuma-san said from the other side of the monitor.

“The catalog gift was more of a new venture, but now it’s time to scale up existing operations. Got any ideas, Izuki-kun?”

“Yes. I’m planning to add a business-oriented menu. So far, we’ve focused solely on individual customers, but I want to target corporations moving forward.”

“I see… Nice. It’s not too different from your individual services, so you can probably get it off the ground quickly. Solid strategy.”

“Thank you.”

It wasn’t as flashy as a new venture, but it carried less risk. I agreed with his assessment of it being a solid plan.

“That said, you might hit a wall soon.”

Takuma-san dropped an ominous comment.

“Entering new markets comes with its share of risks. Plus, your company’s been growing at a breakneck pace, so it wouldn’t be surprising if you faced some turbulence around now.”

“Uh…”

What was he seeing that I wasn’t?

It didn’t feel like he was just throwing out random warnings…

“How’s your stock market studying going?”

“I’ve covered the basics you sent in the email.”

“Still just the fundamentals, huh… How about a paper test next time? Anything less than a perfect score, and your punishment is skipping dinner.”

“…Isn’t that kind of an old-school penalty?”

“What else would you hate? Making you run errands for me would probably just make you happy.”

Well, he wasn’t wrong. Doing errands for Takuma-san would probably teach me a ton, and I’d end up enjoying it.

Unfortunately for him, my days of poverty had made me immune to hunger. Even the sharp Takuma-san hadn’t seen that coming.

“Keep studying the stock market. It’ll prepare you for what’s ahead.”

With that, Takuma-san fell into thought again.

“Oh, but you’ve got Hinako, don’t you…”

“What about Hinako?”

“No, uh… never mind. You’ll be fine.”

It felt like he was dodging something.

“Alright, let’s wrap this up. Your homework is to keep studying stocks.”

“Thank you.”

I ended the video call.

(…Talking to him always fires me up.)

Lately, chatting with Takuma-san boosted my motivation for the game.

He must be inspiring me. Somewhere along the line, I’d come to deeply respect Takuma-san. No surprise there. At first, I didn’t know what to make of him, and his attitude toward Hinako and the others rubbed me the wrong way. But once you got past that, he was an incredible person—so much so that those initial impressions faded away.

Still, to me, Takuma-san was a wall I had to overcome.

(For now, I’ll have the marketing firm look into how much profit this corporate service might bring.)

I was glad I’d relied on Asahi-san’s connections. I decided to have them conduct another market analysis.

The management game lasted six weeks, and we were nearing the halfway mark. I wasn’t in a rush, but I had to keep an eye on the schedule.

(It’ll take a bit for the analysis results to come in… Guess I’ll use that time to prep and review for class.)

I closed my laptop, shifting gears.

Lately, I’d been struggling to keep up with the Academy’s classes, so I’d resolved to put in extra effort on prep and review today. Perfect timing.

Steady, consistent effort was the key. Tennouji-san had taught me that.

After hitting my pre-planned prep and review goals, I opened my laptop again.

“Alright, let’s see the results…”

While I was studying, a few days had passed in the game.

The market analysis results were in, so I skimmed through them.

“…Huh?”

I tilted my head at the results.

The projected profits were… lower than expected.

What was going on?

I wasn’t arrogant enough to think my ideas were foolproof, but this corporate service plan had even gotten Takuma-san’s approval. I could believe I’d misjudged something, but Takuma-san missing a call like this? Unlikely.

Which meant… he probably saw this coming and approved it anyway.

I dug into the details of the market analysis.

The reason for the low projections was clearly stated.

“…Competitors.”

In short, another company had already started a similar service.

When I saw the company’s name, I was stunned.

“This company…”

I was facing a tough problem.

The competing company’s name… SIS Corporation.

Suminoe-san’s company.

◆

The next day, after classes ended, I glanced outside the classroom and noticed someone staring at me.

She beckoned me over, so I approached her.

“Hello, Tomonari-san.”

Suminoe-san greeted me with a gentle smile.

“Care to chat for a bit?”

“…Sure. I actually wanted to talk to you too, Suminoe-san.”

That’s why I’d already told Hinako and Shizune I’d be late getting home.

We headed to the café where we’d studied with Kita before, deciding to talk there.

After settling into our seats, we ordered drinks and took a moment to relax.

“From the look on your face, you’ve figured it out, haven’t you?”

As I wondered how to broach the topic, Suminoe-san smiled.

“My company runs a corporate e-commerce service. We mainly deal in office supplies, but we also sell gifts as part of our offerings.”

As Suminoe-san explained, a café waiter brought over two cups of tea.

Sensing we were having a serious conversation, the waiter left quietly.

Suminoe-san took a cup, closed her eyes, and sipped the tea elegantly.

“The real SIS Corporation doesn’t run a service like that, right? So, that e-commerce site was something you created in the game?”

“Yes. As soon as the game started, I launched the e-commerce division as a new venture.”

Just as I thought…

I’d looked into it, and the real SIS Corporation had no e-commerce division. As expected, Suminoe-san had started it on her own initiative in the game.

“So, I was surprised. To think someone was doing the exact same thing as me.”

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t exactly the same.

I ran a gift-focused e-commerce service for individuals, and its niche approach had earned some praise. Suminoe-san’s service, on the other hand, targeted corporations and didn’t specialize in gifts. Her e-commerce platform mainly sold stationery, whiteboards, files, and office furniture like desks and chairs.

But it also included items for ceremonies and events.

That’s where our plans overlapped. Since Suminoe-san’s platform already dealt in stationery, it could easily meet demands like gifting a fountain pen for a special occasion with its existing services.

Her platform wasn’t gift-focused, but it still fulfilled gift-related needs. That’s why we were competing.

That said, you might hit a wall soon.

I finally understood what Takuma-san meant yesterday.

The wall was a competitor… a rival.

To grow Tomonari Gifts further, I believed expanding into corporate services was almost essential. The sophisticated, adult-oriented vibe of Tomonari Gifts meshed perfectly with a corporate service.

To make the company bigger, this was a wall I couldn’t avoid.

What should I do…?

Outmaneuver her, or strike some kind of agreement?

What did Suminoe-san want, anyway?

“…Why did you start an e-commerce division, Suminoe-san?”

To gauge her intentions, I asked a safe question, but her answer was driven by personal feelings rather than logic.

“For Tennouji-sama, of course.”

Suminoe-san spoke with a rapturous expression.

“I created this service to support Tennouji-sama’s company. The Tennouji Group is heavily involved in M&A and corporate restructuring, so they’re chronically short on office supplies… I wanted to solve that with the power of my love.”

Motives aside, she’d clearly identified a real need.

When I’d considered starting a corporate e-commerce service, I’d researched the market myself, not just relying on the marketing firm. The office supply market was one I’d been quietly eyeing. Mastering it could attract new customers that individual services couldn’t.

“Tomonari-san, I have a proposal.”

Suminoe-san looked me straight in the eye and said,

“—Would you give me your company?”

I’d anticipated those words.

A buyout proposal. Suminoe-san wanted to acquire my company.

“The services I’m developing and yours target nearly the same market. If we both expand here, we’ll end up cannibalizing each other’s customers. That’s not a tasty outcome for either of us.”

In an already niche market, competing could lead to mutual destruction.

I understood Suminoe-san’s reasoning for proposing a buyout.

But… there was one thing that didn’t add up.

“Before I respond to the buyout, can I ask one thing?”

Suminoe-san blinked slightly and nodded.

“Ever since I realized we were competing, I’ve been wondering… Why didn’t you tell me about your e-commerce division?”

That’s what I’d wanted to discuss with her.

For example, during our study session with Kita, she could’ve mentioned it. We’d talked about business, so she’d deliberately dodged the topic.

Why had Suminoe-san kept quiet about her e-commerce division?

I had a hunch.

“Were you… waiting for me to grow my company?”

To my question, Suminoe-san sipped her tea before answering.

“Yes. You were doing exactly what I’d planned to do, so I decided to observe for a while. If you failed, I’d avoid the risk. If you succeeded, I’d propose a buyout at the right moment.”

And now, as planned, she was offering to buy my company.

In short, Suminoe-san had used me as an experiment. Could a gift-focused e-commerce site succeed? How far could it grow? If it showed promise, she’d simply acquire my service and claim it as her own.

It wasn’t a bad strategy at all. Using M&A to pioneer new ventures was a standard tactic for a resource-rich company like SIS Corporation.

“Thank you for building such a great service. From here on—leave it to my company.”

Suminoe-san said, meeting my gaze.

Her confident, dependable smile made a part of me whisper that following her was the right choice.

At times, I felt that same reliability from various people at Kiou Academy. I’d sensed it from Hinako, Tennouji-san, Narika, and others. It was the aura of someone destined to lead, a quality that naturally shone through.

Suminoe-san was one of them.

“—I’ll have to decline.”

At my response, Suminoe-san’s eyes widened in surprise.

“…You may not know this, Tomonari-san, but being acquired by a major corporation is a success story for a startup. Being offered an M&A means your company’s value is recognized. There’s no need to view ‘acquisition’ negatively.”

“I understand that.”

I’d studied enough to know that much.

My refusal wasn’t because I hated the idea of losing ownership of my company.

“The reason I’m declining is that our directions are different.”

I explained step by step.

“Tomonari Gifts is a gift-focused e-commerce site. One of its core principles is eliminating complexity. If you want to send a gift, you come to our site. We want to keep that simple, user-friendly experience.”

Suminoe-san nodded slightly, listening.

“You’re worried about the service being compromised. But if I acquire Tomonari Gifts, I intend to operate it with its current structure largely intact. To boost sales synergy, we’d simply make my service the entry point…”

“That’s exactly the problem.”

I shook my head.

“A gift-focused service nested within an office supply platform is inherently complex.”

Tomonari Gifts targeted adults, and its appeal to older demographics had grown, as confirmed by the marketing firm’s analysis.

In a digital world overflowing with information, simplicity itself was a charm. I didn’t want to lose that edge.

“Plus, our services have completely different vibes. Tomonari Gifts prioritizes a sophisticated image, but… your platform is different, right?”

I recalled what Takuma-san had taught me about the importance of a company’s world.

Adult relationships, subtle thoughtfulness, and care—my service sold that sophistication. Suminoe-san’s practicality-focused platform had a wildly different world.

Suminoe-san had no intention of running a gift-focused e-commerce site. She only wanted my service to bolster the gift segment of her platform. But without a unified world, both would lose their distinctiveness.

I understood now. A world was a brand.

It was the very image people held of a company. It had to be simple, pure, and powerful.

“I don’t want to tear down the brand I’ve built. That’s why I can’t accept your acquisition offer.”

“…I see.”

Suminoe-san let out a small breath. It sounded like a sigh, but it could’ve also been a deep breath to steady her heart.

“Very well. If you’re that resolute, I’ll back off for now.”

With that, Suminoe-san stood up.

“Then… I hope you won’t come to regret this.”

Leaving those ominous words behind, Suminoe-san walked away from me.

◆

Back at the mansion, I sat in my room, staring at the computer monitor.

(Having turned down the acquisition… there’s no doubt I’ve stepped onto a thorny path.)

By rejecting the idea of joining forces, the competitive relationship between me and Suminoe-san would continue.

The wall still hadn’t been scaled. If anything, the real challenge was just beginning.

SIS Corporation is a company on a scale that makes Tomonari Gifts look like a speck. If they seriously dive into the e-commerce sector, I don’t stand a chance in my current state.

I need to come up with some kind of countermeasure…

As I racked my brain, my smartphone buzzed with an incoming call.

“Huh, Tennouji-san?”

What could she want at this hour?

Maybe, like before, she’s worried I’m being cornered. With that thought, I answered the call.

“Tennouji-san, what’s—”

“—Tomonari-san! Have you seen the news about the Management Game!?”

Tennouji-san’s frantic voice cut through.

“No, not yet, but…”

“Please check it right now!”

I’d been so focused on dealing with Suminoe-san that I hadn’t checked the news.

Following her urging, I pulled up the in-game news.

In the Management Game, updates like recent M&A activity or market capitalization rankings are periodically released as news.

And in that news… one sentence caught my eye.

—SIS Corporation has acquired Tech Capital Corporation.

“…What?”

Tech Capital Corporation is the VC Suminoe-san introduced me to, and Tomonari Gifts Corporation had received funding from them. Naturally, in exchange, Tomonari Gifts had given Tech Capital shares.

In other words, if Tech Capital was acquired—

“…My shares… they’ve been taken.”