Chapter 1: The Sports Festival and Narika’s Melancholy

“Three weeks from now, we’ll have the sports festival.”

Our homeroom teacher for Class A, Fukushima-sensei, announced this to us students.

“Please check the booklet in front of you for details on each event. Everyone is required to participate, so decide which events you’ll join and submit your applications by the end of this week.”

I flip through the booklet while listening to the teacher.

This… is quite an elaborate event, isn’t it?

Even after first period started, my mind was still preoccupied with thoughts of the sports festival.

And then, lunchtime.

As usual, I was eating my bento with Hinako on the rooftop of the old student council building.

“The sports festival, huh…”

I mutter while eating a thick slice of tamagoyaki.

“Did the high school you went to, Izuki… have something like this…?”

“Well, they did, but not on this scale.”

I pick up a piece of smoked duck with my chopsticks.

I bring it to Hinako’s mouth.

“Mmm… Delicious.”

Hinako gives a soft, adorable smile.

The chef would probably be thrilled to hear that.

I wanted to discuss various things with Hinako, so I’d brought the sports festival booklet with me. I flip through it, the pages rustling as it lies on the floor.

“I already thought the academy’s grounds were huge, but for the sports festival, they’re splitting it across multiple venues. …Golf, horseback riding, even skating?”

That means there’s a golf course, a ranch, and a skating rink. And, shockingly, these venues aren’t rented—they’re all owned by the academy itself.

Just how much land does this academy have…?

“Izuki, something a little sweet next…”

“Alright, alright.”

I take a bite myself to check first.

The kinshi tamago and pumpkin were sweet and tasty, but the black flower beans cooked in syrup were especially delicious. I pick up a single bean with my chopsticks and bring it to Hinako’s mouth.

“Mmf… So good.”

“Can’t you eat the beans yourself?”

“No way…”

Feeding her one bean at a time takes forever.

As I think this, I notice a spoon placed at the edge of the bento.

Might as well use it since it’s here.

“I don’t think… you need to worry so much, Izuki.”

Hinako says this while chewing a mouthful of beans.

“What do you mean?”

“The sports festival is pretty casual… Lots of people take it easy.”

Is that so?

Well, now that she mentions it, the booklet does give off a laid-back vibe. The sports festival doesn’t affect grades. It feels like the focus is on having fun rather than achieving results.

That puts me at ease a little.

The academy’s atmosphere probably won’t change just because of the sports festival.

“So, you’re just gonna coast through it too, Hinako?”

“I’d love to… but I have to aim for the top.”

Her words make my eyes widen.

“Is that Kagen-san’s orders?”

“Yup… Ugh, so annoying…”

Hinako slumps, completely deflated.

Even if it’s a casual event, aiming for first place sounds tough.

“By the way, how’d it go last time?”

“I won… It was exhausting.”

I’m stunned as Hinako nonchalantly munches on kinshi tamago while saying this.

I sometimes forget, but Hinako really is a prodigy.

Even among the elite gathered at this academy, Hinako’s abilities stand out.

(Kagen-san’s orders aren’t entirely baseless, I guess…)

With talent this exceptional, letting it go to waste would be a shame. I can understand that kind of parental sentiment.

Still, I’m on Hinako’s side.

I’ll do what I can to lighten her load.

“Which event are you joining, Hinako?”

“Same as last year, tennis… It’s popular, and winning gets a lot of attention.”

Yeah, compared to golf or skating, tennis probably has more participants.

“Then maybe I’ll join tennis too.”

“…Can you play?”

“I used to mess around with it a bit with a friend.”

A certain childhood friend invited me to play a few times.

That girl was on the tennis team, so after school, I’d occasionally get roped into practicing with her.

I can still remember those evenings, lazily hitting the ball back and forth in a park tinged with the glow of dusk. It’s nostalgic.

The park was small, so we couldn’t really run around, and the ball kept getting lost in the bushes, which was a pain. If I were to do something like that with Hinako and the others now, it’d probably be in some huge, pristine facility. It’s convenient, no doubt, and the old me would’ve been jealous, but I can’t help feeling a pang of nostalgia for how much my daily life has changed.

Just then, I hear something buzzing.

“Hinako, your phone’s ringing.”

“…Oh, you’re right.”

Hinako pulls her smartphone out of her skirt pocket.

Pressing the call button, she immediately switches it to speaker mode.

“Milady, may I have a moment?”

“Mhm.”

Hinako nods slightly.

The caller seems to be Shizune-san.

“It’s about the upcoming sports festival. As usual, we planned to hire a tennis coach, but the person we had lined up sprained their ankle the other day and can’t make it. We’re looking for a replacement coach now, but depending on the situation, it might be better to switch to another event.”

Talk about timely news—and not the good kind.

“What about… not participating, maybe…?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Ugh…”

“The sports festival is a perfect opportunity to showcase that you excel in both academics and athletics, milady. Even Kagen-sama won’t budge on this.”

Even if the sports festival doesn’t affect grades, it’s still a major event.

Winning would solidify Hinako’s image as the perfect Ojou-sama.

“Besides, it’s good for you to stay active, milady. Lately, with all the meals you’ve been enjoying with Izuki-san, it seems like you’ve put on a little—”

“Wha…!?”

Hinako suddenly lets out a weird squeak.

Because of that, I couldn’t catch the rest of Shizune-san’s words… What was she talking about?

Her face bright red, Hinako grabs the phone and steps away from me.

“Milady?”

“I-Izuki’s right here, so… don’t say stuff like that…!”

“I see. All the more reason to get some exercise, then.”

“Ngh… Mmph…”

Hinako’s face twists into an impossibly complicated expression.

“Izuki-san, are you there?”

Shizune-san calls out to me.

Hinako hands me the phone.

“I’ve got it.”

“What event are you planning to join for the sports festival, Izuki-san?”

“I’m thinking of matching Hinako’s choice, but…”

“Understood. In your case, be careful not to overdo it and slip up.”

“…Right. I’ll be cautious.”

I recall last month’s events.

My true identity was just exposed to Tennouji-san.

The sports festival will have tons of students participating. If I mess up in front of everyone, it could cause trouble for the Konohana family… for Hinako.

“That said, you’re quite athletic, Izuki-san, so most standard events shouldn’t be an issue. I’d recommend steering clear of something like equestrian events, though.”

No need to tell me—I’m already fully committed to avoiding those.

I’m a little curious, but there’s no need to do it at the sports festival.

After finishing the call with Shizune-san, I hand the phone back to Hinako.

“So, Hinako, what’s the plan?”

I meant it as a question to confirm our approach—events, the tennis coach, all that stuff—but for some reason, Hinako is nervously touching her stomach.

Pinching the flesh at her side, she breaks out in a cold sweat.

“…Izuki.”

“Hm?”

“Lately… how’ve I been?”

I’m not sure what she’s asking.

I tilt my head.

“Like… have I gotten… a little rounder, maybe?”

Rounder… Oh, she’s talking about her figure.

“Now that you mention it, maybe you’ve put on a tiny bit of weight.”

“!”

But Hinako was always on the slim side, so a little extra is probably fine… or so I thought, but Hinako’s face falls into despair.

“…I’m going to win.”

Hinako clenches her fists and declares.

“I… I’m going to win…!!”

“O-Okay.”

I can’t keep up with her sudden burst of motivation, but it’s good to see her fired up, I guess.

After lunch, we clean up our bento boxes and head back to the school building.

“Hold on, Hinako. You’ve got a grain of rice on your face.”

“Mmm…”

I wipe her mouth with a handkerchief.

I almost let a smudge tarnish Hinako’s perfect Ojou-sama image.

With that settled, we make our way to the school building.

(The real question is which event to join. If Hinako’s aiming to win, sticking with tennis, which she’s used to, is probably best…)

And in that case, I’d be joining tennis too.

Shizune-san mentioned the coach issue, which is a bit worrying, but I’d prefer to stick with a familiar event if possible. I wonder if they’ll find a replacement coach.

“I-Izuki…!!”

Someone calls out to me as we walk along the covered walkway.

I turn around to see—

“Narika?”

A girl with long black hair tied back in a single ponytail—Narika—approaches me.

“What’s wrong? You look so flustered.”

“…Izuki, have you heard about the sports festival?”

“Just what Fukushima-sensei mentioned in homeroom this morning…”

When I answer, Narika’s eyes well up with tears, and she grabs both my shoulders.

“Please, Izuki! —Help me!!”

◆

“You’re scared of the sports festival?”

I echo Narika’s words back to her as a question.

It’s a strange thing to hear.

Narika, whose athletic ability might even surpass Hinako’s—no, she’s undoubtedly the best at Kiou Academy—saying she’s scared of the sports festival?

“Miyakojima-san, I thought you were good at sports.”

“W-Well, yes, that’s true, but…!”

Hinako voices the same confusion I feel.

Narika nods, her expression tense.

“We’ve hung out at tea parties and study sessions, so you don’t need to be that nervous, right?”

“N-No, I’m pretty sure I’m justified here! Normally, anyone would be this nervous around Konohana-san!”

Well, she’s not wrong.

Since I know the real Hinako, I don’t get nervous around her.

“…Let’s get back on track.”

Narika clears her throat with an exaggerated cough.

“Last year, I participated in the kendo division of the sports festival.”

Kendo, huh.

Then surely—

“You won, right? You’re great at martial arts, Narika.”

“…Yeah, I did win.”

It’s something she should be proud of, but for some reason, Narika’s response is hesitant.

Coming from a family that runs the country’s leading sports equipment manufacturer, Narika has been immersed in sports since childhood. She’s especially gifted in martial arts.

Her family also owns a dojo, and Narika was rigorously trained in various martial arts from a young age. There’s no way she’d lose to someone her age.

“I won, but… there was a problem.”

Narika lowers her eyes as she speaks.

“I won too spectacularly, and it scared everyone. …Looking back, that might’ve been the moment I became a loner.”

So that’s what happened…

No wonder she looks so down despite such a dazzling achievement.

“Well, I kinda doubt that’s the real reason. You’ve always been a loner, Narika.”

“T-T-T-That’s not true! I mean, I might have had a friend or two in the past… maybe…!”

That’s the kind of phrasing you use when you didn’t have any.

“A-Anyway, that experience was traumatic for me! That’s why I’m scared of the sports festival… I just wanted to have fun with everyone, so how did it end up like this…?!”

Narika clutches her head.

She’s clearly in distress.

(But when she says “help me,” what am I supposed to do…)

What can I even do for her?

“For starters, why not join something other than kendo this year?”

“…No, I’m stuck with kendo again this year. It was decided unanimously in homeroom this morning. …Well, unanimously except for me.”

Sounds like she gave in to peer pressure.

(So that’s the root of Narika’s problem…)

Hearing about how she caved to pressure, I start to piece it together.

Narika doesn’t have many people who understand her. That’s why issues like this keep cropping up.

If we were in the same class, I might’ve been able to back her up, but that’s not enough. Thinking about advancing grades or moving on to higher education, she needs to build connections beyond just us.

“…Alright.”

I’ve known Narika’s been struggling for a while now.

It’s been three months since I started working as Hinako’s caretaker.

I’ve got a bit of leeway now, and I want to help Narika out.

“Narika, let’s work on making you some friends before the sports festival. I’ll help.”

“R-Really!?”

I nod, saying, “Yeah,” as Narika’s eyes widen.

“In return, could you coach me and Konohana-san in tennis?”

Narika blinks, caught off guard by my proposal.

◆

After school, I immediately told Shizune-san about the idea of having Narika as our tennis coach.

“I see. That’s a good idea.”

Shizune-san accepted it readily.

It seems Shizune-san also acknowledges Narika’s athletic abilities. Narika’s sports achievements are quite famous at Kiou Academy, so her reputation must have spread beyond the school.

“Will Kagen-san approve as well?”

“I don’t think it’ll be an issue. Though, it might be a bit complicated.”

Complicated…?

“When it comes to sports, Miyakojima Narika-sama surpasses Ojou-sama. In maintaining the facade of a perfect Ojou-sama, she could become a formidable obstacle.”

“…I see.”

In other words, a rival to Hinako.

While Tennouji-san is her rival in status and academics, Narika truly excels in sports, with outstanding achievements.

(So, Narika is seen as a threat by Kagen-san… If she heard that, she’d probably faint.)

It’s more of a point of pride, but knowing Narika, she’d likely just be utterly bewildered.

For now, this officially settles Narika as our coach.

That said, since Hinako won the tennis division last year, she hadn’t planned to dedicate much time to tennis practice originally. Having a coach was more about sharpening her dulled instincts, it seems.

So, we decided to tackle Narika’s issue first.

…The next day.

During after-school homeroom, Hinako and I informed the teacher of the events we’d participate in.

“Tomonari-kun and Konohana-san, tennis, right? Understood.”

Teacher Fukushima checks the submitted forms.

The tennis division has both singles and doubles, but they’re separated by gender. That means Hinako and I can’t team up for doubles.

So, we both chose singles. I don’t have a partner to pair with, and for Hinako, competing solo is probably less stressful than teaming up.

“Oh, Tomonari’s doing tennis?”

Suddenly, a voice calls out from behind.

Taishou and Asahi-san are standing there.

“Konohana-san did tennis last year too, right?”

At Asahi-san’s comment, Hinako nods elegantly, saying, “Yes.”

“What did you two pick?”

“I’m doing skiing,” Taishou says.

“And I’m going with dance,” Asahi-san adds.

Taishou and Asahi-san show us their forms, which indeed say “Skiing” and “Dance.”

“Looks like I’m the only one with a different venue.”

Taishou sounds a bit disappointed.

Tennis and dance are held on the academy grounds, but skiing, apparently, takes place at a distant mountain.

“Wait, skiing at this time of year?”

“It’s a summer slope. They lay down mats for sliding. Hurts like hell if you fall, so you can’t go too fast.”

There’s such a thing…?

“I’ll be performing a dance at the opening of the tournament on the field, so come watch if you can!”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Hinako replies.

The dance division kicks off the tournament with a performance on the field. According to the booklet we got yesterday, it’s traditionally a dazzling display that hypes up the event.

There’s also a competition where multiple teams vie for the best dance quality. It’s a pretty intense division.

Taishou and Asahi-san head off to submit their forms.

After parting ways, we step out of the classroom.

“Alright, shall we head to Narika’s?”

Normally, we’d go straight home, but for a while, we’ll be spending time with Narika.

Narika’s probably in the neighboring Class B classroom.

As we start heading to Class B, I glance at Hinako beside me.

“Hinako, what’s your plan? Heading home first?”

“…I’m coming too. …I don’t want it to turn out like with Tennouji-san…”

What does she mean by “like with Tennouji-san”?

I tilt my head, but Hinako doesn’t elaborate.

“Especially… Miyakojima-san is someone to watch out for.”

“Watch out for? Why? I don’t think Narika’s done anything to trouble you…”

“…Izuki, you act a little different around Miyakojima-san.”

“Different?”

When I ask, Hinako nods with a complicated expression, murmuring, “Mm.”

“It feels… natural, somehow.”

“I’m not really aware of it… but I guess when we were kids, we were pretty casual with each other.”

From an outside perspective, it wasn’t exactly casual, but it’s more about how I felt.

Back then, I didn’t think Narika’s family was that impressive, and I wasn’t fully aware of my own family’s situation either.

Looking back, it’s chilling.

As a kid, I was fearless in a way.

“…That’s not fair.”

Hinako mutters in a small voice.

Seeing her pout, I tilt my head even more.

“Oh, Tomonari-san and Konohana-san!”

A girl with blonde vertical rolls calls out from down the hallway.

“Hello, Tennouji-san.”

“Yes, hello.”

We exchange greetings, and Tennouji-san smiles softly.

Somehow, her expression feels a tad softer than before.

She still exudes confidence, but there’s a hint of friendliness in her demeanor now.

“Have you two already decided which events to join?”

Tennouji-san asks.

The tournament is the hot topic everywhere right now.

“We’re doing tennis. You, Tennouji-san?”

“I’m participating in polo!”

Tennouji-san declares boldly.

“Polo’s the one with horses, right?”

“Yes! Simply put, it’s hockey on horseback.”

That’s a very clear explanation. I can picture it now.

The tournament booklet briefly describes each event. Polo, the sport that inspired polo shirts, involves riding horses, using sticks to move a ball, and scoring by getting it into the opponent’s goal.

“Polo is an exhilarating sport. You gallop freely across a wide field, which is exhausting for both rider and horse. To avoid overworking the horses, there’s a rule to switch them at regular intervals.”

“That sounds intense.”

“Indeed. That’s what makes it so rewarding.”

Tennouji-san’s eyes blaze with passion.

She’s as competitive as ever.

“How about you two? Why not join me in polo? You can still change your event if you act now.”

“…I’ll pass. I’ve never even ridden a horse.”

It’s exactly the kind of event Shizune-san would warn me about—my inexperience would be painfully obvious.

As I gently decline, Tennouji-san blushes slightly and says,

“Well, then… I-I could teach you, you know!”

Her cheeks faintly pink, she continues,

“With your earnest nature, you could master anything. Riding a horse? I… I’d teach you step by step, hand in hand!”

Just like when she taught me dancing.

Or when she taught me manners—she’d probably guide me with the same care.

That would… make for quite a fulfilling routine.

For a fleeting moment, forgetting all my goals, I imagine days spent with Tennouji-san.

Then—

“We respectfully decline.”

Hinako politely refuses on my behalf.

Tennouji-san’s eyes widen for a second but she quickly nods.

“I see. Then, Tomonari-san, at least you could—”

“We respectfully decline.”

Cutting Tennouji-san off, Hinako says firmly.

Hinako isn’t just declining for herself.

She’s declining for me too.

A vein pulses on Tennouji-san’s forehead.

“Konohana-san, I was asking Tomonari-san…”

“Tomonari-san is participating in tennis with me.”

Hinako says with a gentle, refined smile.

Tennouji-san’s face twitches.

“With you?”

“Yes, with me. We decided together, just the two of us.”

Hinako maintains her elegant smile throughout.

Her acting is top-notch; not a flicker of unease crosses her face.

Yet, for some reason, I sense she’s keeping Tennouji-san in check.

“Heh, hehehe… It seems we have one more matter to settle…!”

Tennouji-san says, veins popping on her forehead.

But she soon reins in her emotions with rationality.

“…I’ll let it slide this time. I have a duty to lead my polo teammates to victory.”

Tennouji-san says regretfully.

Am I surrounded by too many people aiming for the top…?

“By the way, where are you two headed?”

“Well, Narika asked us for some advice…”

Since it’s personal, I keep the details vague.

“If there’s any trouble, you can rely on me.”

Tennouji-san places a hand on her chest, striking an elegant pose.

“I’d love to, but… this time, I don’t think you’re the right fit.”

“Not the right fit?”

Tennouji-san’s eyebrow twitches.

“There’s nothing I’m not suited for!”

“…Okay, for example, if someone’s struggling to make friends, what advice would you give?”

“That’s simple! Just ask to be their friend!”

“Uh… we’ll be going now.”

“Tomonari-san!?”

As I walk away, Tennouji-san’s eyes widen as if to say, “Why!?”

Tennouji-san’s communication skills are exceptional—a strength—but that makes it hard for her to empathize with Narika’s issue.

Once again, Hinako and I enter Class B’s classroom.

“K-Konohana-san…!”

“What’s she doing in our class…?”

The classroom buzzes with excitement.

Hinako rarely visits Class B, so the students are surprised.

Lingering too long might get us held up.

Spotting Narika packing textbooks into her bag in a corner, I silently beckon her.

“Izuki!”

Narika’s eyes light up as she approaches.

“M-Miyakojima-san, talking to someone…!?”

“Who’s this ‘Izuki’…?”

The class grows even more rattled.

She’s shocking people just by having a conversation…

Anyway, we’ve linked up with Narika, so we quickly move out. Thanks to Narika calling my name, countless eyes are now piercing me, making it a bit uncomfortable.

As Hinako gives a slight bow, the students freeze like statues, entranced.

“Alright, let’s get started.”

We gather at a garden table with little foot traffic.

It’s July now. Early summer has passed, and it’s gradually getting hotter.

We don’t plan to talk for long, so we haven’t prepared tea or anything. But the temperature’s higher than expected, and I’m craving something to wet my throat.

As I’m thinking this, drinks are suddenly placed on the table.

Turning around, I see a waiter from the campus café standing there.

“Um, we didn’t order anything…”

“Complimentary service.”

It’s like we’re at a luxury resort.

Before I know it, tableware is set before us, with a few cookies deftly placed on top.

We thank the departing waiter.

Kiou Academy never ceases to amaze.

Sipping the iced tea to soothe my throat, I exhale, “Phew.”

“Alright, let’s do this—”

Looking at the two faces across from me, I declare,

“We’re launching Narika’s plan to escape loner status!”

“O-Oh!”

Narika clenches her fists, brimming with determination.

Meanwhile, Hinako, sitting beside her, smiles softly and says,

“Oh! Hehe.”

Slightly shy, she makes a tiny fist with her small hand.

The contrast is staggering. The sheer destructive charm of this unfamiliar Hinako leaves Narika and me momentarily frozen.

What was that adorable gesture just now?

“Urgh…!? Is this the power of the academy’s number-one idol…?”

Seeing the reigning queen’s gesture, Narika already seems on the verge of giving up.

Honestly, I’m shaken too.

Hinako, who plays the perfect Ojou-sama, captivates everyone with her refined manners but can also loosen up to match the mood. She’s never aloof. That’s why she’s beloved by every student at Kiou Academy.

“First, let’s review Narika’s current situation. …Mind sharing?”

“Uh, yeah. I mean, I’ve pretty much bared my soul to Izuki already, so there’s probably nothing new to say…”

Narika pauses for a beat before starting.

“First, aside from Izuki… and you guys, I have zero friends.”

A sad truth is laid bare.

She hesitated for a moment, probably wondering if it was okay to include Hinako. But she must’ve decided it’d be ruder not to.

“Next, when I try to talk to people, they keep their distance.”

Another sad truth.

“Even worse, people are scared of me for no reason. The other day, I was just walking normally, and the moment people noticed me, they parted like the Red Sea for Moses…”

“Alright, alright, Narika, that’s enough…”

“Ugh… Uwaaah!”

Narika’s face looks like she’s about to cry.

“Why does that happen? You’re not being bullied, right?”

“I-I don’t think I’m being bullied… but it feels like there’s some huge misunderstanding.”

For now, since Narika herself denies being bullied, I’ll take her word for it.

Having heard her subjective take, I turn to Hinako.

“From your perspective, Konohana-san, what’s your impression of Narika?”

Since Narika was right there, I had to choose my words carefully.

In her refined Ojou-sama mode, Hinako paused to think before responding, “Well…”

“She’s in the next classroom over, so I don’t know her too well… but I have heard people say she’s intimidating.”

“Ugh!”

Narika’s face crumpled like she’d been hit with a gut punch.

Thinking back to the first time I saw Narika at this academy, her expression had indeed been stiff as a board.

So, the root of the issue was her face, wasn’t it?

“Narika, could you try smiling for me?”

Come to think of it, Narika rarely smiled in front of others.

Sure, she’d flash a grin now and then when it was just us, but if she could show that smile to others, wouldn’t it soften her image a bit?

That’s what I was thinking when I suggested it, but—

“L-Like this?”

Narika forced an painfully awkward smile.

It was like being stared down by the final boss of an evil syndicate.

“That’s terrifying!”

“Nooo! If even Izuki says that, I’m done for!”

My honest reaction slipped out before I could stop it.

Narika clutched her head in despair.

“There’s no doubt Narika’s got some bad luck, but she’s not blameless either. For starters, we need to do something about her habit of tensing up instantly and that stiff expression she gets when she’s nervous.”

“Ugh, but how…?”

She was struggling because she didn’t have an answer to that.

In the end, the only solution was for her to make friends she could talk to freely, like she does with us.

Narika gets nervous around strangers in a heartbeat.

So, if we could reduce the number of “strangers” at this academy, she’d feel more at ease.

“Let’s brainstorm some ways to connect with people. For example—”

What’s the spark that leads to friendship? We each threw out ideas.

Naturally, I contributed, and Hinako tossed in a few suggestions too.

From those, we picked out the ones Narika seemed capable of pulling off.

“…Alright, we’ve got a few strategies.”

For now, we settled on three plans.

They weren’t exactly intricate schemes, but for Narika, each one would take some serious courage.

Still, they were all worth trying.

“Let’s start putting them into action tomorrow.”

“T-Tomorrow!? W-Wait, hold on! I’m not mentally prepared yet…!”

“The sports festival is coming up fast, so there’s no time to hesitate.”

At that, Narika fell silent, unable to argue.

She was clearly struggling to keep her anxiety in check.

I understood that feeling all too well. I’m not some all-powerful guy myself. Back when I was first assigned as Hinako’s caretaker, every day was a whirlwind of nerves.

Back then… what kind of words would’ve made me happy to hear?

“…Narika.”

Wanting to support her as she grappled with her fears, I said,

“Let’s tackle this together.”

“…Together.”

Narika repeated my words in a soft murmur, as if tasting them.

“…That’s right. I’ve got… Izuki with me.”

She spoke as if convincing herself.

And then—

“I’m going to do this…!”

Narika steeled herself with determination.

◆

The next day, after school.

The three of us gathered near Class B’s classroom to talk.

“Just to be safe, let’s go over the strategy we’re about to execute.”

Narika and Hinako nodded.

The sunset bathed the town in orange hues. About half an hour had passed since classes ended, so the school was mostly empty. With fewer people around, Narika’s nerves should be a bit calmer.

“Strategy One: Host or join a study group.”

I explained one of the plans we’d decided on yesterday.

“Study groups bring all sorts of people together, so they’re perfect for making new connections. Plus, since we just did one recently, it should be easy for Narika to picture.”

Narika gave a small nod.

We’d held a study group together before. If she could channel that experience, it should go reasonably well.

I know for a fact that study group helped me bond with Tennouji-san, Asahi-san, and Taishou.

The results speak for themselves.

“Organizing a study group from scratch is tough, so this time, you’ll join someone else’s. Lucky for us, there’s already a group in Narika’s class, right?”

“Yeah. There are about three people who stay after school to study together.”

Class B’s students are pretty diligent, it seems.

“You’re pretty observant about what’s going on around you, Narika.”

“…I was jealous of them hanging out together after school.”

“…I see.”

The more I poke, the sadder her stories get.

I’ll have to invite her to a tea party or something later.

“Alright, all that’s left is to join them.”

“I-I’m getting nervous…!”

“Don’t tense up! You know your face gets scary when you’re nervous!”

“J-Just give me a second… I’ll calm down, I swear…!”

Narika took a deep breath.

Slowly, her trembling subsided.

“I-I’m going in…!”

With fierce resolve, Narika marched into the classroom.

Hinako and I lingered outside, discreetly watching from the hallway.

Narika’s not exactly a master of small talk. But Kiou Academy students are generally earnest. So long as she didn’t try to force a lively chat, I figured showing her serious side would help her connect.

In a corner of Class B’s room, three students—two guys and a girl—had their desks pushed together, studying.

Narika approached them and—

“H-Hi there!!”

She completely flubbed her greeting.

Her voice was way too loud, startling the three students so much their shoulders practically hit the ceiling.

From where we stood, I couldn’t see Narika’s face clearly, but her profile suggested… yup, she was stiff as a statue.

(She’s so nervous after messing up that greeting…)

Her ears were bright red, but her face was probably terrifying.

She’d tripped right out of the gate.

“M-Miyakojima-san… is something wrong?”

“W-Well, uh…”

Narika struggled to respond to the girl who’d spoken.

She couldn’t quite get to the point.

“Oh no!? D-Don’t tell me this is your seat, Miyakojima-san…!?”

“W-What!? S-S-Sorry! We’ll move right away!”

The students started to panic and stood up.

“N-No! That’s not it!”

Narika hurriedly stopped them.

Nice save!

“You’re, uh, studying, right?”

“Huh? …Y-Yes, we’re studying, but…”

“C-Could I… join you?”

Yes—!

I clenched my fist instinctively.

I felt like a parent cheering for their kid at a sports day.

The three students exchanged glances, discussing her request.

“W-What do we do…? Miyakojima-san wants to study with us? Is that okay?”

“But if she’s here, she might teach us stuff…”

“True…”

The vibe seemed to shift toward accepting Narika.

But then,

“N-No, I mean… I’m not exactly good enough to teach anyone…”

“Huh?”

The three students blinked at Narika in confusion.

“W-Well, we’re studying to aim for the top ranks in the next exam…”

It wasn’t meant to be cruel.

They probably just meant that anyone with the right motivation was welcome. In other words, they weren’t here to chat under the guise of studying.

All Narika had to do was show her earnest side, but—

“I-I’m so sorry!”

Sweating bullets, Narika bolted from the classroom.

The moment she stepped into the hallway, our eyes met.

“Izuki…!”

Narika threw herself at me, practically sobbing.

“Why… Why does everyone think I’m some genius…?”

“I mean, it’s better than being mistaken for a slacker, but… yeah, that was unexpected.”

If she’d pretended to be a brainiac and joined the group, her cover would’ve been blown in no time.

Just joining the study group was already a lot for Narika. She didn’t have the mental bandwidth to clear up a misunderstanding like that.

(Now that I think about it, we didn’t know Narika’s grades at first either.)

During our first study group, when we learned Narika’s grades were surprisingly average, not just me but Asahi-san, Taishou, and others were shocked.

Narika’s reputation precedes her, but few people know the real her.

“Don’t sweat it. We’ll try another strategy tomorrow.”

I comforted a teary-eyed Narika.

Strategy One—a total flop.

◆

The next day, we regrouped at the academy.

Today’s mission was set for the morning, before classes started.

“Strategy Two: A makeover.”

A straightforward plan.

Narika nodded in agreement.

(Well, this idea came from watching Hinako…)

I glanced at Hinako beside me, and our eyes met.

“Is something the matter?”

“…Nah.”

In her Ojou-sama mode, Hinako tilted her head adorably.

The same Hinako who’s a total mess in private transforms into the academy’s most popular girl by perfecting her image.

In a way, you could say Hinako reinvents herself every day.

She’s a makeover maestro.

“The goal of the makeover is to dial down the unapproachable aura Narika gives off. To do that, we’ll aim for an image that’s the opposite of strict or overly serious.”

“I get the logic, but…”

Narika’s face twisted with doubt.

“…Hey, I know it’s a bit late to ask, but am I really that scary?”

“Hmm… You’re totally normal around us, though.”

Honestly, I don’t really feel Narika’s scariness either.

Sure, I know objectively that her face can look intimidating, but since I’ve known her since we were kids, I’ve never genuinely found her frightening.

“Let’s do a little experiment.”

“An experiment?”

Narika echoed, and I nodded.

“We’ve still got time before homeroom. Let’s step outside for a bit.”

With that, I led Narika and Hinako out of the academy.

The Konohana family’s staff are always stationed near the commute route in case anything happens to Hinako. They’re probably still around. I didn’t want to stray too far and inconvenience them, so I planned to keep this quick and close.

Across the crosswalk, a group of kids who looked like elementary schoolers were walking.

(Those kids will do.)

I approached them and called out,

“Hey, got a second?”

The kids turned around.

“What’s up～?”

“Hey, we’re not supposed to talk to strangers…”

“Oh, I know that uniform! That’s the super rich school!”

“Kiou Academy!”

Apparently, Kiou Academy is famous even among kids.

“I’ve got a question for you all.”

I crouched down to their eye level and said,

“This Onee-san over here…”

Pointing to Narika, I pulled a photo from my uniform pocket.

“And this photo of a yakuza boss. …Which one’s scarier?”

“H-Hey, Izuki, why do you even have a yakuza’s photo?”

“Some guy tried to mess with the Konohana Group a while back, and they had his info on file.”

The photo showed a grizzled man with a scar on his forehead.

By any normal logic, the yakuza should be scarier.

The kids looked back and forth between the photo and Narika.

“…Narika, give a light smile.”

We needed to compare her to how she looks when she’s trying to interact with others at school.

At my words, Narika forced a stiff smile.

“H-Heh… heh…”

Seeing that rigid grin, the kids’ faces went pale.

“The Onee-san’s way scarier!!”

“Ugh…! I’d rather just die…!”

The kids bolted like they were fleeing a monster.

Narika collapsed into a crouch on the spot.

“So, you get why a makeover’s necessary now?”

“…Yeah. Do it. Thoroughly.”

Narika was still reeling from the shock.

“Alright, from here, we’ll have Konohana-san take over.”

“Yes.”

Hinako nods.

Since we’re not just changing her hairstyle but also tweaking her outfit a bit, from here on, the female Hinako will help out too. I’m glad Hinako’s on board.

“Narika, you want to try dressing a little more casually, like Asahi-san, right?”

“Y-yeah. To be honest, I’ve always kind of admired her. My family’s pretty strict, so her style feels so fresh to me… Asahi-san has a lot of friends too, and I want to take a page out of her book.”

Narika says this with a shy, embarrassed air.

I only learned this recently, but Kiou Academy barely has any dress code rules. They trust the students here to exercise self-restraint without needing explicit regulations.

Asahi-san’s a rare case. But even she doesn’t go so far as to disrupt the school’s decorum. She just switches up her shirt color or adds small accessories—nothing too wild.

“Well, if you go for a dramatic makeover right off the bat, people might get even more intimidated, so let’s just aim for a subtle change in vibe this time.”

“Y-yeah, that’s probably better. I’d appreciate that.”

Back at the academy, Narika and Hinako head into a dressing room that’s always available for use.

After about ten minutes, the two of them reappear.

“H-how do I look…?”

Narika, fidgeting and lacking confidence, shows off her new look to me.

Her uniform jacket is unbuttoned and open, and her skirt’s hem is slightly shorter. The shirt, worn untucked, has the top and bottom buttons undone, giving her a relaxed, laid-back appearance.

A pink bracelet adorns her slender wrist. It’s a color that doesn’t quite match Narika’s usual image, but that contrast actually seems to enhance the makeover. Its elegant design keeps it from standing out too much, which is nice.

“…Just a few tweaks, and your whole vibe changes this much, huh?”

The current Narika gives off the impression of a reserved gyaru.

Her hairstyle is only slightly softer and fluffier, barely different from before. This level of change shouldn’t leave a bad impression on anyone.

“Narika, how’s it feel?”

“I-I’m a little nervous, but… I think I can handle this much.”

Apparently, this makeover strikes the perfect balance, not overwhelming Narika’s sense of modesty.

“But, is it really okay to have my shirt this loose around the chest? It feels a bit… unreliable…”

Feeling something’s off, Narika tugs at her collar.

“W-whoa—!”

For a split second, I catch a glimpse of her underwear beneath the shirt and quickly avert my eyes.

How careless can she be…?

“…You should probably button up the top.”

“Huh? …Oh!?”

Realizing her underwear was visible, Narika hurriedly covers her chest.

This is awkward…

As Narika rushes to fasten her buttons,

“Ouch!?”

Out of nowhere, Hinako kicks me in the shin.

“Um, Konohana-san…?”

“Sorry, my foot slipped.”

“S-sure…”

The Ojou-sama is not pleased.

Her smile is terrifying.

“A-alright, all that’s left is to head to class like this…!”

Narika rallies her determination.

“We can’t go with you from here, so you’re on your own. Good luck!”

“Y-yeah! This time, I’ll make it work!”

Steeling herself, Narika heads toward the classroom.

The dressing room isn’t far from the classroom. In just a few minutes, her new look will be on display for everyone to see.

“…Izuki.”

After seeing Narika off, Hinako calls out to me.

“That kind of style… do you like it?”

“Huh?”

Her question catches me off guard, its intent unclear. I think for a moment before answering.

“It’s not like I like it, but… coming from a regular high school, that kind of relaxed style feels more familiar to me.”

“…Hmm.”

At Kiou Academy, students button their uniforms up to the very top. It’s a sight I rarely saw back at my old high school.

As I reminisce about my past school days—

“…Next time, I’ll try it too.”

“Huh?”

I’m not sure what sparked it, but Hinako mutters something like that.

Kagen-san might get mad… but I kinda want to see it.

After that, we head to class and attend first period.

As I’m copying the teacher’s blackboard notes, the chime rings.

(Break time… Let’s check on Narika.)

I glance at Hinako, and our eyes meet.

We step into the hallway and casually make our way to peek into Class B’s classroom.

Narika’s figure is…

“…Huh? She’s not here?”

Scanning the classroom, I can’t find Narika anywhere.

With no other choice, I decide to ask a nearby student.

“Excuse me, is Miyakojima-san around?”

“Miyakojima-san? Uh, she… she was called to the guidance office.”

“…The guidance office?”

A bad feeling creeps in.

We immediately head to the guidance office.

As I hesitate whether to knock on the door, it suddenly swings open.

Narika appears from the other side.

“N-Narika, what’s with that look…?”

Narika’s appearance is subtly different from when she left the dressing room.

Her hair is disheveled, and her shirt is wrinkled.

And… there are what look like scrapes on her arms and knees. When did those happen? They definitely weren’t there before we parted ways…

“…After we split up, I was so nervous on my way to class that I tripped. I didn’t notice at the time, but… somehow, my look got all messed up like this.”

So the scrapes are from the fall. That makes sense.

(She looks like a delinquent fresh from a fight…)

Maybe I should’ve kept a closer eye on her before she went to class.

I put a hand to my forehead.

Yeah, this would definitely get her called to the guidance office.

“Earlier, the teacher asked me… who I got into a fight with.”

Narika says this with teary eyes.

“They told me that in this country, threats and extortion are crimes.”

“…”

“They asked me what kind of injuries I inflicted on the other person so they could estimate their medical costs.”

“…”

“Even if I was in a fight, why didn’t they consider the possibility that I might’ve lost…?”

Well, probably because no one can imagine you losing…

“…Let’s move on.”

Strategy Two—failure.

◆

The next morning.

We gather again before homeroom.

“Strategy Three: Project a down-to-earth vibe to seem more approachable.”

In a quiet corner of the schoolyard, shaded and out of sight, we hold our meeting.

“Basically, we want to show that Narika’s just like everyone else. Right now, people see her as this tough, cool type, so we need to shift that image.”

“But we haven’t nailed down the specifics for this plan yet, right…?”

“Yeah. For now, we just want to soften Narika’s rigid image somehow…”

Unlike plans one and two, plan three isn’t fully fleshed out yet.

I rack my brain for a good idea.

This time, instead of a visual makeover, we want to change Narika’s vibe through her actions.

“Something that sends a clear message at a glance would be ideal. Like reading a manga in front of everyone or talking about a TV show from last night…”

“…I don’t really read manga or watch TV.”

In that case, we should pivot to a different idea.

Pretending to be someone she’s not just to make friends would only make it exhausting to maintain those connections.

“…Snacks.”

Hinako murmurs softly.

“How about eating snacks? I think it’d make her seem more approachable.”

“…That’s a great idea.”

I genuinely think it’s a solid suggestion.

Eating snacks won’t come off as frivolous, and it could nicely tone down the strict aura Narika gives off.

“Izuki, I’ve got a brilliant idea!”

At that moment, Narika suddenly declares.

“A brilliant idea?”

“Dagashi!”

Narika says this with brimming confidence.

“I think I mentioned before, but even after we drifted apart, I kept going to the dagashi shop! Thanks to that, I’m super knowledgeable about dagashi—more than most people!”

Narika’s enthusiasm is palpable.

Despite failing twice in a row, her determination to keep trying is honestly admirable.

“…Now that you mention it, there’s a dagashi shop near the academy.”

I recall spotting a dagashi shop on my way to school the other day.

It’s probably aimed at kids from a nearby elementary school rather than Kiou Academy students, but it could work for us.

“How about eating dagashi on the way home after school? Maybe someone will strike up a conversation with me!”

“I doubt anyone’s going to approach you just for eating dagashi…”

But after thinking it over, I reconsider.

“No… if there’s someone else like Narika out there, they might just talk to you.”

Dagashi and Kiou Academy students are an unlikely combo, no question. But there could be at least one person with similar tastes.

A rare hobby like that could forge a strong bond with someone who shares it.

(Even if no one talks to her, it’ll at least make her seem more approachable than before.)

If it goes well, she might hit it off with a kindred spirit and make a great friend.

Even if it doesn’t, it could still shift her image a bit.

It’s worth a shot.

“Alright, let’s do it.”

“Yeah! We’ll meet up after school!”

With a fiery resolve, Narika strides toward the school building.

“Hinako, thanks for the great suggestion.”

“…Mm.”

Hinako gives a small nod.

Come to think of it, this might be the first time I’ve worked on something like this with Hinako in her Ojou-sama mode. Normally, she’d seize any chance to head back to the mansion and laze around.

“Sorry for dragging you into all this. Like I said before, you don’t have to stick with us for this.”

“…It’s fine. I want to help.”

This time, Hinako shakes her head and replies.

“Being with you is fun, and besides…”

“Besides?”

Noticing her hesitation, I press her to continue.

“…You’re kind of a flirt, Izuki. I need to keep an eye on you.”

“Huh?”

I feel like she’s got the wrong idea about me.

But Hinako doesn’t elaborate.

After that, we attend classes as usual, and soon enough, the school day is over.

“I-it’s finally time to put the plan into action.”

Narika says this with a nervous expression.

“We’ll be watching from here.”

“G-got it. …Here I go!”

Moving with the classic nervous gait—hands and feet swinging in sync—Narika heads to the dagashi shop. We’ve all told our families we’ll be home late, so we’ve got about an hour to spare. Hopefully, we can make some progress in that time…

With practiced ease, Narika buys some dagashi and starts eating it on the side of the road.

(Pretty surreal scene…)

A high school girl eating dagashi alone after school.

I was worried it might make her look like a delinquent, but Narika’s holding a stick-shaped snack—Umaibō—in both hands, nibbling at it like a hamster. No one’s going to mistake her for a troublemaker with that gesture.

Sure enough, Kiou Academy students start noticing Narika eating her dagashi.

Most students here get picked up by car, but there’s limited space for parking. Hinako, Tennouji-san, and Narika come from especially prestigious families, so their cars can park right by the school gate. Other students, out of courtesy, often board their cars a bit farther away. …Officially, I’m one of those students.

Those students have to walk a bit along the school route.

Narika’s definitely being seen by her peers. But…

“No one’s talking to her, huh?”

“Yeah.”

As Hinako points out, no one’s approaching her.

Eating dagashi in silence isn’t exactly the kind of thing that instantly bridges the gap with strangers.

That said, I’m not too disappointed by this outcome.

(If the goal is just to change her image, she doesn’t necessarily need to get approached. Being seen like this is already a win, right?)

To students who know Narika, the sight of her eating dagashi on the school route after class has to seem at least a little unusual.

If moments like this pile up, her image might gradually shift.

In that case, there’s no need to rush things now.

(Is that… Chupa Chupa Chups? Haven’t had one in a while.)

Maybe tired of the snack stick, Narika switches to a lollipop, licking it while holding the white stick between her fingers. She fidgets, clearly hoping someone will talk to her.

Let’s keep watching for a bit longer.

Just then—

“M-Miyakojima-san…?”

A girl heading home drops her bag to the ground with a thud upon spotting Narika.

Narika turns at the sound of her name but looks puzzled.

For some reason, the girl seems utterly shocked.

“That’s… a c-cigarette, right…?”

“Huh?”

The girl points at the white stick protruding from Narika’s mouth.

“W-wait, no! It’s not! This isn’t a cigarette!”

Narika quickly pulls the lollipop out of her mouth to show her.

“It’s a Chupa Chupa Chups!”

“I-I don’t know what brand that is…!”

“No, I’m telling you, it’s not a cigarette!!”

“Not a cigarette…? Th-then, could it be… drugs!?”

This girl’s imagination is way too wild.

I can’t help but want to escape reality, thinking, Wow, Kiou Academy sure has some unique Ojou-sama types…

“It’s candy!”

“Candy… is that some kind of code? I-I didn’t hear anything, I swear!”

“No!? Wait!!”

The female student hurriedly dashed away from Narika.

(Come to think of it, there was that rumor about Narika coming from a yakuza family…)

That rumor is probably causing the misunderstanding.

Either way—this is bad.

If things keep going like this, Narika might be mistaken for a dealer peddling a drug called “Candy.”

“…I’ll go clear up the misunderstanding.”

I immediately chased after the female student who had run off.

She was running, so I had no choice but to run too, but that only made her think I was attacking her, and she tried to escape at full speed.

Somehow, I managed to catch her, get her to listen, and successfully clear up the misunderstanding.

When I returned to the area near the candy store, Narika was sitting on the ground, slumped over in dejection.

“…Is this, maybe, my fault?”

I couldn’t help but feel a pang of something indescribable.

“…Honestly, I underestimated things too.”

Catching my breath, I spoke up.

“I never imagined Narika’s image would be this bad…”

“Don’t say that…!”

Narika clutched her head in despair.

This… is going to be tougher than I thought.

◆

Since we’d caused a bit of a scene, we decided to move from the spot.

Back at the academy, we sat down to talk, the air heavy around us.

“So, all three of our plans ended in failure…”

I let out a sigh as I spoke.

“…What do we do now?”

Seriously, what do we do?

It’s not like we’re completely out of options, but the results were far more disastrous than I’d expected.

I couldn’t find the words to suggest what to do next.

“I know I’m the one getting help here, but… don’t beat yourself up too much. I’m not that bothered by it.”

Narika’s words made my eyes widen.

“…You’re surprisingly optimistic.”

“Hah, I’m used to failing, you know. Heh… hehehe.”

It was painfully obvious she was putting on a brave face.

“Seriously, though, if this was a problem that could be solved in just a few days, I wouldn’t have been struggling this much. So yeah, I’m down, but this is within my expectations.”

I see—so that’s why she’s able to stay somewhat positive.

“…If Narika’s not too down about it, then I guess I don’t need to be either.”

As long as she’s motivated, there’s no reason for me to wallow alone.

“It’s Friday today, so let’s regroup on Monday and brainstorm again. We’ll make sure to learn from these failures.”

Narika and Hinako both nodded.

“By the way, Izuki, when should I teach you two tennis?”

“Whenever you’ve got the time, I guess…”

As I said this, I glanced at Hinako.

Hinako nodded silently. This was something we’d already discussed and agreed on.

But Narika didn’t nod.

“I think it’s about time I paid you two back.”

“Paid us back? We haven’t even gotten results yet.”

“No, I mean, if it weren’t for you two, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything at all. You’ve already helped me more than enough.”

As she said this, Narika flashed a genuinely happy smile.

…Couldn’t she show that smile to people besides us?

It’s such a waste.

Narika’s such a pure-hearted person.

“Are you free tomorrow? It’s a day off, so I could teach you if you’re both up for it.”

At Narika’s question, Hinako and I exchanged glances.

Hinako didn’t have any plans tomorrow, if I remembered right.

“Well then, can we take you up on that?”

“You bet!”

Narika puffed out her chest proudly.

“This time, it’s my area of expertise! Get ready to be amazed!!”