Prologue

This morning, I noticed the autumn leaves.

In the garden of the Konohana family estate, various plants are meticulously tended. Still, the leaves of a lone tree in a corner were dyed a vivid crimson. It’s still a bit early for the peak of autumn foliage, yet the end of fall and the start of winter are undeniably drawing near.

The atmosphere at Kiou Academy was, much like the season, amid change. The Management Game had ended, and the period where students were drained from burnout had passed. Now, we were gearing up for the next event, plunging into hectic days.

“Tomonari-san!”

After school, Tennouji-san burst into the classroom, calling out my name.

“Please review the posters and flyers I’ve prepared!”

“Got it.”

Tennouji-san spread the posters and flyers out on the desk.

“Hmm… they’re still a bit too flashy. It might be better to reduce the number of colors.”

“I see. I’ll revise them right away!”

Tennouji-san grabbed the posters and flyers and hurried off somewhere.

As if trading places, a female student with black hair tied back in a single ponytail entered the room.

“Izuki! Could you take a look at these for me?”

Narika spread her own posters and flyers on the desk.

“Let’s see… there are too many annotations. I think you should cut some down. Skip the overly detailed text.”

“Got it! Give me a sec!”

Clutching the posters and flyers, Narika dashed out of the classroom with her athletic legs, not sparing a glance to the side.

I let out a small sigh.

I was starting to feel a bit tired, but I didn’t want to show it in front of those two, who were working even harder than me.

The past few days, after-school hours have been like this. Today alone, Tennouji-san and Narika had asked me to review their posters six times. Twice during lunch break, and four times since after school, including the ones just now. Judging by their enthusiasm, they’d probably be back again.

“Izuki… is it going to take much longer?”

Hinako, having dropped her Ojou-samma mode, spoke to me in her natural tone.

At some point, the classroom had emptied, leaving just me and Hinako. Everyone else had gone home.

“Sorry. Looks like there’s at least one more round to go.”

“I’m fine. As long as you’re okay… that’s enough for me.”

Was she worried about me? I gave her a silent smile, subtly letting her know I was alright.

The sky outside the window had turned to a sunset glow. The breeze was starting to carry a chill, and the days were getting shorter. This might be the first time I’d stayed at the academy this late for something other than the Tea Party.

“It’s already tomorrow, huh…”

“Yeah. It’s finally starting.”

No wonder Tennouji-san and Narika were so frantic.

Tomorrow. Starting tomorrow, an important period begins for both of them.

No, it’s an important period for me too.

As I steeled myself, I noticed Hinako wearing a faint, shy smile.

“Hinako, you seem excited. I thought events like this weren’t your thing…”

“Hehe… this time, I’m not involved.”

Hinako let out a completely carefree grin.

So, when it’s someone else’s problem, she can purely enjoy it, huh?

“Plus, if one of those two becomes student council president… I might be able to live a bit more freely.”

“…Well, yeah, the attention on you might get split a little.”

“Mmm… Papa might get mad, though.”

Would he?

Kagen-san has been changing lately, too…

“But once the spotlight’s off you, won’t you feel a bit lonely?”

“Not at all.”

An instant reply, huh?

“…But I don’t like the idea of you going off to someone else.”

Hinako’s gaze dropped, tinged with unease, and I gave her a wry smile.

“It’s fine. I’m your caretaker, after all.”

“Mmm…”

It’s not like I’m paying attention to Hinako just because everyone else is.

So, even if the world stopped watching her, I’d still keep looking out for her. Though honestly, I can’t imagine a future where Hinako isn’t the center of attention.

“…Even if you weren’t my caretaker.”

“Huh?”

Hinako mumbled something in a tiny voice, so I asked her to repeat it.

“I want you to keep looking at me… forev—”

“—The revisions are done!”

The classroom door flew open with a bang.

Tennouji-san strode up to us, then tilted her head, noticing the expressions on my and Hinako’s faces.

“Oh? What’s the matter with you two?”

“Nothing…”

I glanced at Hinako.

“Nothing at all, is there?”

Switching back to Ojou-sama mode, Hinako smiled gently.

Late October.

Kiou Academy was about to welcome the student council election.