Epilogue

The day after the social event.

In the morning, as I headed to the academy, I spotted Narika in the hallway.

“Narika.”

“…Izuki.”

The hallway was empty except for us. There weren’t many students in the classrooms either.

Today, after consulting with Shizune-san and Hinako, I’d come to school earlier than usual. There wasn’t any deep reason for it… just a hunch. I had a feeling Narika had been showing up at the academy early these days.

If she was waiting for my answer, she’d probably be too restless to stay put… and might end up coming to school early, right?

“Can I give you my answer?”

“…Sure.”

There was still time before homeroom.

We headed to a quiet stairwell landing where few people passed by.

There—I gave her my response.

I carefully laid out everything I’d sorted through while talking with Yuri last night. As I spoke, Narika’s expression barely changed. But on closer inspection, I could tell she was holding back, her eyelids and lips trembling faintly the whole time.

“I see…”

After I finished, Narika gave a short nod.

“Sorry. It’s such a vague answer.”

“No… honestly, I expected it.”

Narika continued.

“I mean, I was the one who got carried away and did something like that… You’re probably at your busiest right now, Izuki, and I figured you weren’t ready.”

Just as Yuri had said, Narika understood my feelings.

I bowed my head, apologizing again.

I felt guilty for forcing Narika to understand.

“…Sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s not like I have to give up, right? If anything, that’s lucky for me.”

I’d turned down Narika’s confession for my own convenience. Yet, knowing that, she didn’t show any sign of resenting me and even managed a smile.

Man, this girl, Narika…

She’s usually so timid… but for someone else’s sake, she can be strong.

Even so, this time, she wasn’t perfect.

She probably didn’t even realize her voice was trembling.

“…Alright.”

Steeling myself, I looked straight at Narika.

“Narika. Punch me once, hard.”

“Huh? P-punch you?”

“A slap’s fine too. Yell at me, curse me out, whatever. Just…”

Just… please don’t cry.

I kept those last words locked in my heart.

“…Izuki, don’t misunderstand.”

As if sensing what I meant, Narika shook her head.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad. But… I understand how you feel, Izuki.”

Her voice, as she said this, didn’t waver.

It wasn’t just words to cover up her pain. Narika was speaking her true feelings now.

“Like I said earlier, I kind of expected your answer. I figured you’d want to focus on what’s in front of you right now, so you might not have room for this. …But at the same time, I wondered what that meant for me.”

As Narika said, I have a lot I need to focus on right now.

But what about Narika?

“I’m… the same.”

As if gently scooping up her own emotions, Narika lowered her gaze and spoke carefully.

“Thanks to you coming to Kiou Academy, I’ve been able to do things I never could before. I’ve made more friends, and I feel like my plans for the future are getting clearer. Aiming to become student council president is one of those things.”

Narika lifted her face and looked at me.

Her eyes no longer wavered.

“I have a lot I need to do too. Things I want to take on, dreams I want to fulfill… Right now, I need to focus on those.”

Her resolute gaze pierced through me. Narika’s feelings reached me clearly.

Now that she mentioned it—it’s obvious, isn’t it?

This is Kiou Academy, a prestigious school where proud heirs of distinguished families gather. In the future, every student here will take on roles with great responsibility, like business leaders or politicians.

I’m not the only one working hard.

Narika must have plenty she needs to do right now too.

“So, I’m okay. …I’ll keep these feelings locked in my heart for now.”

Placing both hands over her chest, Narika said.

“But… just one last time, let me say it clearly.”

With a soft smile, Narika gently moved her lips.

“I like you, Izuki.”

Simple words.

Unadorned feelings.

Even though I already knew how she felt, no matter how many times I hear it, I can’t get used to the impact. If anything, for some reason, it hit me harder than when she kissed me on the cheek.

Maybe because I knew her resolve, and she still chose to throw her feelings at me again.

I couldn’t reciprocate Narika’s feelings because of my own priorities. Yet here she was, hitting me with the same feelings again.

If this isn’t pure love, what is?

If this isn’t real love, what is?

“…!”

My tear ducts loosened, and tears welled up in the corners of my eyes.

It wasn’t about being happy or embarrassed—it wasn’t that simple. It almost felt disrespectful to respond to these feelings with such ordinary emotions.

I just felt… honored.

And I realized that, as I am now, I can’t muster feelings worthy of matching hers.

“Thank you.”

For sending such pure feelings to someone like me.

“…Sorry.”

For not having a way to respond to those feelings right now.

I tried to hold it back, but a few tears still spilled. Idiot, I scolded myself in my head. I’m not the one who should be crying right now.

Wiping my tears with my finger and looking up, I saw Narika doing the same.

“…Don’t cry.”

“B-but… you’re crying, Izuki…!”

Hearing Narika’s trembling voice, my tear ducts loosened again.

Just then, we heard the voices of students talking from the bottom of the stairs.

Our shoulders jolted at the same time, and we looked at each other, startled.

“…Pfft.”

“Haha…!”

We both burst out laughing.

The tension in the air melted away.

Our usual dynamic came back.

“I feel… kind of refreshed. Like I was able to get everything out properly.”

“…Good.”

That’s a relief.

The voices from the stairs faded as they moved away. But it was about time for other students to start arriving. We should probably wrap up this important conversation.

“By the way… when would be okay?”

Narika asked.

By “when,” she meant when I’d be ready to face romance.

“Right now’s the busiest time for me, so I don’t know yet… but I’m thinking I’ll deal with those things once I can clearly see my future.”

Like, say, when I decide what company I’ll join or maybe what kind of company I’ll start. At that point, I think I’ll have some breathing room.

(…Honestly, even I don’t know when that’ll be.)

In the worst case, that moment might not come until just before I graduate from the academy.

But on the flip side, it could come as soon as a month from now.

Considering the intense schedule of the past six months, it’s possible that moment might come sooner than expected. I’m not exactly trying to put off my relationship with Narika, so that’d be convenient.

“Got it. Then, until that time comes, I’m going all out to win you over.”

“Huh?”

Narika’s sudden declaration made me do a double-take.

“I-I mean… if I hold back and you end up falling for someone else, I’d be devastated!”

“No, I wouldn’t…”

Having turned down Narika’s confession, I’m not about to do something like that…

“…Didn’t you just say you have a ton of things you need to do too? From the flow of the conversation, I thought you’d be focusing on those for a while.”

“I want to date you right now, Izuki.”

Wait, what?

“I said I understand your feelings, but I didn’t say I feel the same. If you’re ready to date now, I want to date you.”

This girl…

She’s getting bolder by the second…!

“W-well, I mean… if you tempt me too much, it’s kind of a problem…”

“…Tempt?”

When I gently expressed my concern, Narika blinked, looking puzzled.

“You… feel tempted by me?”

Obviously—

My reaction must’ve shown on my face.

Narika broke into a sly grin.

“Good to know. …So, if I keep tempting you persistently, maybe you’ll be the one who can’t hold back and turns to me.”

Oh no.

I might’ve dug my own grave.

“Let’s try one thing right now.”

That’s way too soon!

I wished she’d at least give me a little time… but ignoring my feelings, Narika slowly closed the distance.

“N-Narika, hold on a sec…”

I backed away instinctively, only to hit the wall behind me.

Not letting me escape, Narika pressed one hand against the wall—and leaned in close.

What was this called again?

Right—kabedon.

“…Huh?”

“I don’t really get it, but lately, doing this seems to make people happy.”

Saying that, Narika silently stared at my face.

But rather than feeling flustered, I was more confused. Never did I imagine I’d be on the receiving end of a kabedon. And by Narika, no less.

Somehow circling back to calm, I looked at Narika’s face.

Even with a hint of childishness, her striking, beautiful features—noble enough to captivate anyone, man or woman—were faintly flushed red.

“…Narika.”

“…”

“…Your face is red.”

Narika, now bright red, slowly pulled away from me.

“Tch, as expected, it’s not so easy when it’s you, Izuki…”

“When it’s me, huh…”

I’ve got a bad feeling about this.

“W-wait a second. Don’t tell me you’ve done this to other people?”

“Huh? Oh, sometimes girls ask me to do it. Though I keep it way lighter than this… Is it some trendy game or something?”

No way it is.

As I mentally retorted, a sudden possibility crossed my mind.

What did I think when I looked at Narika’s face just now?

Features so striking and beautiful, they’d captivate anyone, man or woman—

“Onee-sama!”

At that moment, a voice called out from the other end of the hallway.

I recognized it… It was one of the girls who talked to Narika after the Management Game. She’d approached Narika in the hallway back then too.

“…Perfect timing.”

Narika spoke to the girl hurrying over with small steps.

“I have something important to say.”

“Huh… I-is this about the other day…?”

“Yeah.”

Narika nodded deeply and opened her mouth.

“I’m sorry. I don’t think I can return your feelings.”

“…What?”

The girl’s eyes widened.

Without a doubt, it was a response to a confession.

“I-I see… I understand…”

The girl who’d called Narika “Onee-sama” nodded, her eyes brimming with tears.

(Uh, so…)

It wasn’t Kita who confessed to Narika—it was this girl.

Sure, Narika’s been getting a lot of “Onee-sama!” admiration from girls lately… but it seems her kabedon antics have accidentally sparked some genuine feelings.

As I tried to process this, someone brushed past me.

(…Suminoe-san?)

She must’ve just arrived at school.

Carrying her bag, Suminoe-san walked straight up to the girl Narika had just rejected—and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I get it.”

Get what?

The girl, tears welling in her eyes, clasped Suminoe-san’s hand firmly.

What the heck am I witnessing…?

“…Narika.”

For now, I decided to say one thing to Narika.

“Kabedon is banned.”

“Kabe…? What’s that?”

◇

At the same time, Minato Maki was organizing documents in the student council room.

The interview reports submitted by officers and candidates for the next student council totaled nearly a hundred pages. It was excessive for simply getting to know someone, but for the hidden purpose of background checks, this stack of papers was essential.

After compiling Tennouji Mirei’s report, Maki moved on to another student’s.

Tomonari Izuki. She organized the report for the male student aiming to be vice president.

(…I wonder if Tomonari-kun found someone to confide in.)

Being the sincere guy he is, as long as he’s willing, anyone would surely be happy to listen. He’ll probably overcome this issue too.

From the reports, he seemed like the type to bottle up his worries. That’s why Maki had advised him to find someone to talk to…

(Hmm… I can’t shake the feeling he’s too tense.)

It was just a hunch, but the more she read, the more Tomonari Izuki struck her as excessively serious. She’d thought maybe he was desperate to keep up as a transfer student, but now he had plenty of friends, and he’d caught up with classes over the past six months. With a warm place to belong, why did he maintain such intense seriousness…?

Maki’s family, the Rakuou Group, was large in scale but relatively new compared to her classmates’ family businesses. As part of that minority, Maki understood something. The students at Kiou Academy were all diligent, but surprisingly, they weren’t all that ambitious.

Why? Because a sturdy track was laid out before them. From a young age, they were keenly aware of that track, so they subconsciously assumed their futures were mostly set.

Yet Tomonari Izuki was fiercely ambitious. It was as if he didn’t even see the track in front of him.

To begin with—what was his motive for aiming for the student council?

He’d said he wanted to become a consultant, but… why would the heir of a mid-tier IT company choose such a path?

His resolve seemed firm. And that’s exactly why the lack of a clear source for his ambition felt unsettling.

Why does he live so earnestly, so steadfastly, and for whom?

“…Maybe I should just ask him.”

Maki slides her finger across the smartphone.

After a moment, the call connects.

“Sorry for calling so early in the morning. Is now a good time?”

“…I thought I told you not to contact me too often.”

“I’m sorry. But there’s something I need to ask.”

Though met with blatant irritation, she’d expected it and isn’t fazed.

“Tomonari Izuki. You know him, don’t you? I want to know more about him—”

“Sorry, but I’m not in the mood to answer that question.”

The person on the other end speaks flatly.

“…May I ask why?”

“Personal information, you know. I want to protect my disciple.”

Yeah, right… Maki mutters sarcastically in her mind.

This, from someone who’d scatter confidential information worldwide if it suited their needs.

“…And your former disciple? Don’t they deserve the same care?”

“That’s your fault for not showing enough talent to make me want to protect you. …I’m busy, so I’m hanging up now.”

Without waiting for her response, the call is abruptly cut off.

Maki lets out a sigh. Then, she glances at the report in her hand.

Tomonari Izuki. A second-year student at Kiou Academy, aiming to become vice president.

And—his disciple.

(…I can’t help but feel jealous.)

Isn’t it only natural that she, who once walked the same path as Tomonari Izuki as his disciple only to be cast aside halfway, would struggle to contain the swirling emotions in her heart?

An utterly unacceptable attitude for a student council president.

But even so… when it comes to Tomonari Izuki, she can’t fully let go of her personal feelings.

“If he were to lose the election… I wonder what kind of face that person would make.”

Her thoughts drift to her former mentor, who will never look her way again.

Kiou Academy was on the cusp of its student council election—.