Chapter 3: As a Student of Kiou Academy

That day, too, the scene at Kiou Academy was as usual.

A prestigious school, one of Japan’s finest, attended by the sons and daughters of the elite—CEOs of major corporations, prominent politicians, and other upper-class families. With vast wealth, the academy boasted expansive grounds and state-of-the-art facilities, all of which the students could freely enjoy.

By now, I was starting to get used to this environment… but for the first time in a while, I felt the same kind of nervous tension I had when I first arrived at this academy.

Before morning homeroom began, I approached a male student sitting at his desk.

“Kita-kun, right?”

The boy, clearly not expecting to be addressed, turned to me with wide eyes.

“Uh, yeah. What’s up…?”

“I’m Tomonari,” I said.

He might already know, but I figured I’d introduce myself properly just in case.

Careful not to let my rising nerves show, I cautiously broached the main topic.

“Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something…”

As I recited the lines I’d prepared in advance, my mind drifted back to the events of last night—

◆

“Just to confirm, Tomonari-san, you want to be able to act alongside Ojou-sama at the academy without drawing unwanted attention, correct?”

After I showed my resolve to dive into the academy’s social dynamics, Shizune-san asked me again for clarity.

“Yes. I have no intention of tarnishing Hinako’s image, but at the very least, I want to be someone who doesn’t seem out of place by her side as a schoolmate.”

Naturally, the closeness Hinako and I share at the mansion is something we can’t let others know about.

So, for example, I plan to keep our lunchtime meals a secret going forward. No one can see me feeding Hinako her bento or resting my head on her lap.

“And… I also want to help solve Narika’s issue.”

“Miyakojima-sama’s?”

Shizune-san tilted her head.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t yet shared the details about Narika’s situation.

I explained to Shizune-san that Hinako and I were helping Narika make friends.

(If I’m going to help Narika make friends, I need to learn how to make friends myself first…)

Helping Narika with her issue, oddly enough, gave me a chance to reflect on myself.

Might as well tackle both at once.

I’ll make sure both Narika and I fit in at Kiou Academy better than ever before.

“Then let’s make your first goal, Izuki-san, to make a new friend,” Shizune-san suggested.

Not Hinako, not Tennouji-san, not Narika, not Asahi-san, and not Taishou.

Make a new friend and get to know a new group of people.

By doing so, I’d gain a deeper understanding of Kiou Academy… and specifically, the dynamics of Class 2-A. I nodded in agreement.

“Do you still have the class roster I gave you before?”

“Oh, yeah. It’s around here somewhere…”

I pulled a bundle of papers from my desk.

This was one of the documents Shizune-san had given me when I started attending Kiou Academy. I remember being so busy when I first got it that I ended up skimming through it in the bathroom.

“Let’s use this roster to find someone you think you could talk to easily.”

That’s… quite a cautious approach.

It’s obviously a good thing, but Shizune-san was proposing a strategy far more careful and pragmatic than I’d expected.

“It’s easy to forget once you get used to it, but the students at Kiou Academy are all from upper-class families. We’re not the only ones who are cautious about relationships—they likely are too. You might think this process is overly formal, Izuki-san, but I’m sure plenty of others are doing the same thing.”

I see…

Of course, I hadn’t forgotten that the students here are from elite backgrounds. But lately, that fact hadn’t felt as real to me.

Because I’d been sticking to the same group of people, I’d gotten too comfortable.

With my usual crew, I could relax since we were already familiar with each other. I’d been letting my guard down without even realizing it.

But building new connections means my usual approach won’t cut it.

I need to consciously acknowledge that the people I’m dealing with are students of Kiou Academy.

“Some families even hire private investigators just to vet potential friends.”

“That’s a thing…?”

“Well, that’s an extreme example of overprotective parenting, but the point is, being this cautious isn’t unusual.”

Hearing Shizune-san’s words, I reflected on my own attitude.

Kiou Academy isn’t a normal school. The usual tricks for making friends at a regular high school might not work here.

That male student who was cold to Narika is a perfect example.

He was wary of her because of her prominent family background—a value system that simply didn’t exist at my old high school.

I need to properly understand that perspective.

“For instance, what about this person?”

Shizune-san pointed to a name listed on the roster.

The name was…

“…Kita Yuusuke.”

“The heir to a mid-sized IT company. Since your cover story is also that you’re the heir to an IT company, you two share a similar background, so you might find it easier to connect.”

“But I’m not actually knowledgeable about IT, so wouldn’t the conversation fall flat…?”

“You’ll just have to study to make up for it.”

Right, I nodded.

“If I recall, when we decided on this cover story, you did some studying on IT-related topics, didn’t you?”

“Yes, but that was really just the bare minimum. I don’t think it’s enough.”

“True.”

I’ve only studied the absolute basics to avoid slipping up, but now I’ve set a higher goal: to become a student worthy of Kiou Academy.

This will require long-term effort. A flicker of doubt crosses my mind—will this actually work?

“…Should I just go all in and work at an IT company in the future?”

“Huh?”

“You’ve been doing an excellent job as Ojou-sama’s caretaker. So, if you’re ever unsure about your future career, I’m sure the Konohana Group would be willing to pull some strings. Getting a recommendation letter for an IT company shouldn’t be too difficult.”

“R-Really…?”

“Yes. Assuming, of course, you don’t mess up spectacularly in the meantime.”

Since that possibility isn’t exactly zero, I couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy.

I’ve already crossed some risky bridges—like sneaking into the mansion without permission to continue my duties or deciding I couldn’t keep lying to Tennouji-san and revealing my true identity.

“Putting your future plans aside… if you approach it with that mindset, it’ll be easier to keep the conversation flowing, and you’ll be more motivated to study.”

“…Right.”

If I imagine myself working at an IT company in the future… it does boost my motivation to study. No matter how much I learn, it’ll definitely be useful for my career.

But more importantly, being able to talk to this Kita guy on equal footing is a big deal. Unlike me, who’s just playing a role, he’s genuinely destined to become the head of an IT company.

“Try to let go of the idea that you’re ‘acting’,” Shizune-san said with a serious expression.

“To solve the problems you’re facing now, you need to truly become a student of Kiou Academy in every sense.”

“Yes.”

Truly become a student of Kiou Academy.

Shizune-san emphasized those words again.

“Human relationships are hard to fake with lies or bluster. But on the flip side, that means there’s no need to keep pretending.”

In other words, from here on out, I have to face things as my authentic self.

“Act according to your own will. I can’t guarantee I’ll always have the perfect answers, but I’ll support you as much as I can. Let’s overcome this together.”

Her words were laced with kindness.

While I felt grateful, I couldn’t help but stare at Shizune-san’s face.

“Is something wrong?”

“No… it’s just, you seemed really enthusiastic about this.”

Shizune-san blinked in surprise.

She hadn’t realized it herself.

“…It’s because you’re becoming truly irreplaceable.”

As if carefully articulating her feelings, Shizune-san continued.

“If we were to hire another caretaker in the future, I wonder if anyone could dedicate themselves to Ojou-sama as wholeheartedly as you have…”

Her unspoken conclusion was clear: No one else could.

But her words left me with a slight sense of unease.

I’m not agonizing over this just to do my job.

“…To be honest, I don’t even think of it as work anymore. I’m doing this because I want to.”

Maybe I didn’t need to say that.

But I didn’t want her to brush this off as just part of my job.

Shizune-san nodded slowly.

“I know. That’s why I want to support you not just as your superior, but as a friend.”

With that, she gave me a gentle smile.

“Is there anything you need? I’ll prepare whatever I can.”

“Uh, well, for starters, I’d like to focus on studying IT-related stuff…”

“I’ve already gathered a full set of study materials.”

Shizune-san stepped out of the room briefly and returned with a cart loaded with textbooks.

She’d apparently prepared them in advance.

“Also, if possible, could you arrange for a computer? Just reading textbooks might not be enough…”

“I’ll take care of it.”

Shizune-san nodded immediately.

“If you run into any other issues, come to me. From now on, I’ll support you even more than before.”

Her words were incredibly reassuring.

To think that Shizune-san was offering to back me up.

It felt like I could accomplish just about anything now.

“Shizune-san…”

“Yes?”

“Shizue-mon…”

“Call me that again, and I’ll snip it off.”

It’d been a while since I’d heard that threat.

I’d clearly gotten too carried away. I nodded silently.

(Up until now, I’ve been treating Kiou Academy like it’s someone else’s world.)

A school I attended just to do my job as a caretaker.

A place where someone like me didn’t really belong.

I can’t deny that I’d been lacking a sense of ownership.

But that changes now.

(From now on… I’ll make an effort to truly understand Kiou Academy and the people I share it with.)

I’ll embrace the fact that I’m a student here, too.

“Then let’s get started tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

I immediately began studying with the materials she’d given me.

◆

“So, what’s this about?”

Kita looked at me and asked.

I opened the page of the study materials Shizune-san had given me last night.

“I heard you’re pretty knowledgeable about IT stuff, Kita-kun… Can you help me with this problem?”

For the record, I wasn’t just asking this to break the ice. I’d studied seriously last night and genuinely couldn’t figure it out.

Even Shizune-san, who’s usually a pro at everything, admitted she’s not an expert in IT and couldn’t solve it. Though she’s still got a better grasp of the basics than I do…

“Oh, this? It’s—”

Kita explained the solution clearly and logically.

His explanation was easy to follow, and his tone was brimming with confidence. This problem must be something he’d mastered long ago.

“Got it… Thanks a lot.”

It was a moment that made me truly understand the phrase, leave it to the experts.

“This is from the Fundamental Information Technology Engineer exam, right? Are you taking it, Tomonari-kun?”

“Yeah, my family’s in that kind of business, so…”

That’s the plan Shizune-san and I settled on.

As a short-term goal, I’m aiming to earn an IT-related national certification.

“Have you already taken it, Kita-kun?”

“Yeah. I’m planning to take the Applied Information Technology Engineer exam next.”

That’s the level above the Fundamental exam I’m studying for.

It’s generally a certification people pursue after entering the workforce. But after hearing Kita’s clear explanation earlier, I’m betting he could pass it.

“Are there other people like us in similar situations?”

“Not in Class A, I don’t think. But there are some in the next class over.”

“Huh,” I said, nodding.

It seems Kita’s already got some connections with people in similar circumstances.

This is exactly what I’ve been missing.

It’s not enough to just stick with Hinako, Tennouji-san, or Narika.

I need to engage with the majority of Kiou Academy’s students.

“I was kinda surprised, though. I didn’t expect you to talk to me, Tomonari-kun.”

Kita said with a wry smile.

Should I pry further?

No, I have to.

I made up my mind to change how people see me, after all.

“About that… I gotta ask, have I been sticking out in a bad way?”

Gathering my courage, I asked, and Kita’s face turned awkward.

“Uh, well… I mean, I can’t exactly deny it…”

“…Figures.”

I hung my head.

“I didn’t mean to come off that way… How did I seem to you?”

“Hmm… Well, when you first transferred, you were always with Konohana-san, showing her around the academy. And even after that, you were having tea parties with Tennouji-san and the others… So I kinda thought maybe you weren’t interested in regular people like us.”

“That’s not true at all…”

If anything, you’re not exactly “regular” to me…

The students at Kiou Academy are all exceptional individuals.

That’s why, even if relationships get a bit tense, it’s unlikely to escalate into bullying.

But that also means it’s harder to realize how others perceive you.

That male student from Class B who was harsh to Narika was an unusual case for Kiou Academy—someone who wore his emotions on his sleeve. If it weren’t for his words, I might not have noticed this.

(That was close… If I’d kept going without a care, I could’ve become a target of envy.)

It makes sense when you think about it.

If I’m only seen hanging out with the academy’s VIPs, it’s no wonder people would find it off-putting.

That’s why I need to start connecting with all kinds of people.

Ideally, I want Kita to be my first step.

With a faint sense of nervous anticipation, I spoke up.

“If it’s okay with you… could you maybe teach me more after school today?”

“Huh?”

Kita visibly panicked.

Crap, did I come on too strong…?

After all the advice I gave Narika, I’m making the same mistake. Maybe I’m not in a position to lecture others.

But despite the anxiety swirling in my chest, Kita—

“…No, yeah, I’m fine with it if you’re okay with me.”

For some reason, his earlier panic faded, and he gave me a friendly response.

“Uh… you sure?”

“Yeah. I mean, I was a little surprised, but…”

Kita chose his words carefully as he continued.

“I’ve seen you hanging out with Taishou-kun a lot.”

“Taishou-kun?”

“Yeah. I was in the same class as Taishou-kun last year, so we still talk occasionally… He mentioned that you know a lot of interesting stuff.”

That explained it.

Kita must have trusted me because I was hanging out with Taishou.

Right now, I’m being saved by Taishou’s charisma.

(Thanks, Taishou…)

But those “weird things” they mentioned are probably not the three-second rule, borrowing stuff without returning it, or splitting the bill that I explained at the first tea party. …It’s a bit complicated, to be honest.

As I thought about it, a sudden idea struck me.

Could it be… that Taishou and Asahi-san knew how others at school thought of me?

Those two have a wide circle of friends.

They’ve probably heard a rumor or two about me.

(I’m glad the first people I got close to were those two…)

I’m really grateful that they stuck with me despite whatever rumors were floating around.

Taishou’s family runs a major moving company, Taishou Movers.

Asahi-san’s family owns a giant electronics retailer, J’s Electronics.

Both are B-to-C companies that serve regular people. I don’t know if it’s because of their family background, but the way those two care about others is something I genuinely admire from the bottom of my heart.

“Then, I’ll see you after school.”

Kita nodded with a simple “Yeah.”

◆

After school.

As the other students headed home, I made sure no one was around before approaching Hinako.

“Hinako.”

No one’s listening right now.

In the hallway, I spoke to Hinako in my usual casual tone, keeping it brief.

“Sorry, you’ll have to head home without me today.”

“…If it’s about Miyakojima-san, I can help too, you know…?”

“No, it’s not about Narika today. It’s more about… something personal.”

Explaining the whole situation would take too long.

As I hesitated, wondering how to convince her, Hinako gave a small nod.

“…Got it.”

Without me explaining anything, Hinako agreed.

“I mostly trust you, Izuki…”

“Mostly…?”

“Except for your… lack of restraint…”

Wait, what does that even mean?

As I stood there, baffled, Hinako looked straight at me.

“…Is there anything I can do?”

She tilted her head slightly as she asked.

I wasn’t expecting her to say something like that, and I froze for a moment.

“I want… to help you, Izuki.”

She’s saying such sweet things.

I barely managed to keep a creepy grin from spreading across my face.

“Thanks. If there’s something I need help with, I might ask you.”

“Mhm… leave it to me.”

With that, Hinako turned on her heel.

But just before she left, she glanced back at me once.

“Come back… soon, okay?”

With a lonely expression, Hinako said softly.

I walked Hinako to the school gate. After confirming she got into the Konohana family car, I caught Shizune-san’s eye in the passenger seat.

I’d already called Shizune-san to let her know I’d be staying at the academy for a bit today. I gave her a slight bow before heading back to the classroom.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

I called out to Kita, who was getting ready in the classroom.

I quickly spread out my textbook and notebook.

“Alright, Tomonari-kun, shall we pick up where we left off this morning?”

“Please.”

Since I was the one asking for help, I bowed my head.

Kita let out a small chuckle at my overly formal gesture. …It felt like we’d closed the distance between us, even if just a little.

From there, Kita taught me all sorts of things.

(Studying IT stuff… it’s actually kinda fun.)

He explained the basics, like binary numbers and logical operations, in a clear and patient way.

Coming from a poor family, I’d always been out of touch with modern technology. That’s exactly why I found it so fascinating.

“So, that’s the gist of it. Honestly, the morning problems can probably be handled just by memorizing past exams, but for the afternoon ones, you’ll need to study the fundamentals a bit more.”

“Got it.”

He was choosing his words carefully, but it was clear I still had a long way to go.

Instead of rushing for quick results, I’d have to study patiently.

Still, Kita was seriously knowledgeable. Are all the students at Kiou Academy this smart? It’s a bit terrifying to think about now.

“Kita-kun, have you ever thought about what kind of company president you want to be in the future?”

“Nah, I haven’t thought that far ahead yet. But I don’t just want to be a manager—I want to be someone with real technical skills. I don’t want people thinking I’m just riding my parents’ coattails.”

He even had a clear vision for his future.

At that moment, Kita glanced at the classroom clock.

“Sorry, Tomonari-kun. My family has a curfew, so I’ve gotta head out soon.”

“Thanks for teaching me so much.”

Kita grabbed his bag and left the classroom.

I was the only student left.

(I’m starting to lose focus… Maybe I should head home too?)

The classes at Kiou Academy are already intense. My brain was pretty fried.

But for someone like me, who used to be just an ordinary guy, keeping up with the students here would take more than half-hearted effort.

(…Let’s push a bit more.)

Luckily, I was starting to find this studying pretty interesting.

I tried solving the parts Kita taught me on my own again.

“…Tomonari-kun.”

Suddenly, someone called out from behind me.

When I turned, Kita was standing there, looking at me.

“Huh? Didn’t you already leave?”

“I stopped by the bathroom first. …But, you know, I think I’ll stay a bit longer too.”

“Really? You sure?”

“Yeah.”

Kita sat back down at the desk in front of me.

“Seeing you work so hard made me feel like I need to step up too.”

With that, he spread out his study materials on the desk.

If Kita keeps pushing like this, I’ll never catch up… but I’m honestly happy he’s sticking around a bit longer.

We dove back into studying, focusing hard.

“By the way, Tomonari-kun. The sports festival’s coming up soon…”

After about an hour of studying, Kita stretched and spoke up.

“…Honestly, how’re you feeling about it? You confident?”

Kita asked with a slightly anxious look.

“Not at all.”

“Yeah, same…”

We both let out dry laughs.

“I’m a total indoor guy. I’m confident with studies or anything computer-related, but sports? Not my thing.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m bad at sports, but the students here are so intense, I’m worried I won’t keep up.”

“Now that you mention it, you seem pretty good in gym class. If even you’re not confident, what am I supposed to do…?”

“Being decent at sports doesn’t mean much here…”

According to Shizune-san, some students even train with professional teams.

All I can do is hope I don’t get matched against those kinds of people at the sports festival.

“Mmph… Izuki? Isn’t that Izuki?!”

A familiar voice echoed from the hallway.

When I turned, Narika was standing there with a huge grin.

“Narika?”

“M-Miyakojima-san…?”

Kita flinched at Narika’s sudden appearance.

But the classroom wall blocked her view, so Narika didn’t notice Kita and kept walking toward me.

“Izuki, you’re still in the classroom? Not with Konohana-san today?”

“Yeah, I’m studying a bit. What about you, Narika?”

“I got asked by my family to check on the equipment used in gym class…”

As she said that, Narika finally noticed Kita sitting next to me.

“Ah!”

For a split second, Narika’s face flushed red.

The next moment, as if to hide her embarrassment, her expression stiffened.

“H-Hello, I’m, um… Miyakojima Narika.”

“K-Kita Yuusuke…”

Both of them were clearly super nervous.

But this was a great chance for Narika to make a new friend.

Remembering our earlier conversation, I decided to ask Narika a question.

“Narika, what do you think it takes to do well at the sports festival?”

“Mmph, w-well, I think you just have to practice like crazy… But personally, I don’t think you need to worry about results.”

Narika seemed a bit flustered at first but gradually calmed down as she answered.

Her response caught me off guard.

“You don’t need to aim for results in sports. Only a handful of people will actually use it in their future. But training your body so you can enjoy it? That’s never a waste.”

Narika continued, her voice steady.

Before I knew it, both Kita and I were hanging on her every word.

“There are all kinds of sports—tennis, soccer, baseball, swimming… They’re like game cartridges. Your body is the console. The more you train your body—the better the console’s specs—the more games you can play and enjoy.”

Narika went on, her face lighting up with excitement.

“Just by training your body, you can enjoy all sorts of activities. There’s nothing more worthwhile in life. …And if you end up with a desk job later, sports are a great way to refresh.”

It was a valuable and convincing perspective.

“Ah!? S-Sorry, I still have work to finish. I’ll see you later!”

Suddenly, Narika panicked and bolted away from us.

Kita and I watched her retreating figure as she jogged off.

“…Cool.”

Kita muttered under his breath.

“Kita-kun?”

“Oh, n-nothing!”

Kita quickly shook his head.

“By the way, Tomonari-kun, you called Miyakojima-san by her first name earlier…”

“Oh, yeah, Narika and I are actually cousins.”

“What, seriously!?”

Yeah, I get the shock… I was pretty surprised myself when I found out as a kid.

“…Miyakojima-san might be easier to talk to than I thought.”

His words made my eyes widen.

Kita gave a wry smile.

“I’m into gaming. I even make my own sometimes. So her analogy earlier really clicked with me.”

Up until now, people Narika approached usually just got confused. But Kita was the first person I’d seen respond positively to her.

This… was worth pushing further.

“Narika’s family runs a major sporting goods company and a dojo. They get people who aren’t great at sports coming to the dojo, and Narika’s been around them since she was young. That’s probably why she could talk about it like that, based on real experience.”

“Really…?”

Kita nodded, clearly intrigued.

“…Maybe I’ll try harder at the sports festival.”

Internally, I pumped my fist in victory.

It wasn’t like Narika made a friend, but this was a moment where someone acknowledged her.

Why did it work out this time?

It’s always been a flop before…

(…Could it be because of me?)

Just like how Taishou’s influence helped people accept me, maybe my presence helped them see Narika in a better light?

(That’s it… If people accept me, they’ll start accepting Narika too.)

Narika has plenty of great qualities. The problem was that they weren’t getting across.

So, I just need to be the bridge to show them.

By earning everyone’s trust, I’ll clear up the misunderstandings about Narika.

Narika’s plan to escape her loner status… finally, I could see a path forward.

◆

A few days had passed since I got to know Kita.

“Oh, Tomonari-kun.”

During the break after third period.

I ran into Kita in the hallway.

There was an unfamiliar guy standing next to him.

“This is the guy from Class B I mentioned before, someone in a similar situation to us.”

“Nice to meet you.”

The guy with glasses greeted me casually.

I bowed my head and said, “Nice to meet you too.”

“Hm? Tomonari… Wait, are you that guy rumored to be close with that Miyakojima-san?”

“Probably that Tomonari, yeah.”

I gave a wry smile and nodded.

Judging by the way he said “that Miyakojima-san,” this guy didn’t seem to have a great impression of Narika.

But Kita jumped in.

“Miyakojima-san’s not as scary as the rumors make her out to be.”

“What? …No way, you serious?”

“I’m serious. I heard from Tomonari-kun, but she’s into snacks and stuff like a normal person.”

“…Miyakojima-san eats snacks?”

“Yeah. Plus, she’s got some reliable qualities… Once you get to know her, she’s not scary at all. She’s, like, cool and kind of awesome.”

Kita spoke with a dreamy look in his eyes.

(Narika’s image is steadily improving.)

Kita might be getting a bit too enthusiastic, but it’s way better than people holding onto negative impressions.

And my own network was growing too.

“Tomonari, you’re aiming to get your Fundamental Information Technology Engineer certification, right?”

“Yeah, though I haven’t decided when to take the exam yet…”

“Gotcha. I’m planning to start my own company someday, so if you’ve got any business-related questions, just ask.”

The guy flashed a friendly smile.

Starting a company… That’s a huge goal, but for a Kiou Academy student, it might actually be realistic. This guy’s family apparently runs an IT company too, though he seems like a different type from Kita.

After parting ways with Kita and the others, I stepped back into the classroom and glanced at Hinako.

Hinako was surrounded by a few students, chatting with a refined smile.

The students around her were all stunningly good-looking, exuding an air of elegance that set them apart from the rest. Even from a distance, it was obvious. They were on a whole other level within the academy.

(Maybe it’s about time… to try talking to that crowd.)

I swallowed hard, nerves kicking in.

It felt like I was gearing up for a boss battle.

But I can’t back down.

It’s not just about living peacefully at this academy.

To stand by Hinako’s side… I need to be acknowledged by the people standing beside her now.

I have to keep in mind—Kiou Academy isn’t an ordinary school.

At my old high school, the top of the social hierarchy was made up of good-looking people, athletes, or those who could liven up a class.

Kiou Academy is different. Here, the social hierarchy is shaped by family background and personal charisma.

I can’t do anything about my family background, and charisma isn’t something you can acquire overnight.

But on the flip side, that means I don’t need to resort to flashy stunts.

No need to overthink it.

All I need to focus on is making my presence known to them.

“Konohana-san.”

“Nnh!”

When I called out to Hinako, a weird noise slipped from her mouth.

(For a split second, her real self peeked through…)

The classmates around us tilted their heads, looking puzzled, as if wondering if they’d misheard.

Before she could slip up further, I dove into the main topic.

“The tea you recommended the other day was delicious. Thank you.”

Hearing that, Hinako swiftly shifted into her refined Ojou-sama mode and responded,

“I’m glad to hear that. I’ll let you know if I have more recommendations.”

She flashed a dazzling, elegant smile that could captivate anyone.

Our exchange left the surrounding classmates wide-eyed.

“You’re Tomonari-kun, right? Are you acquainted with Konohana-san?”

One of the classmates near Hinako spoke up.

—Here it is.

This was the moment I’d made contact with the top tier of this academy’s hierarchy.

I didn’t want to let this chance slip away.

“Yes, well…”

I faltered slightly in my response.

The pressure not to mess up was so intense that nerves got the better of me.

(Calm down… remember the confidence Tennouji-san taught you.)

I recalled the dignified poise Tennouji-san had drilled into me. Her borderline Spartan training had ingrained it in me. Even in a clutch moment like this, my body remembered the technique.

The tension began to ease.

Trying to stay as composed as possible, I answered,

“…My family has ties to Konohana-san’s company. That connection has allowed us to interact before.”

“Oh, I see!”

The girl in front of me widened her eyes slightly.

“Sorry, I haven’t properly introduced myself until now.”

“No, we’re the ones who should apologize for not getting to know our classmate sooner.”

In a normal school, this kind of formal apology exchange might seem over-the-top, but at this academy, it’s par for the course.

This… doesn’t feel bad at all.

Maybe because I clarified my connection to Hinako, the suspicious glances have vanished. Now, it’s all up to how I carry myself.

“We were just talking about a tea party. Would you mind sharing some of your favorite tea blends, Tomonari-kun?”

“Sure, let’s see…”

Getting invited to a tea party might still be a stretch at this point.

And honestly, if they invited me now, I’d probably just flounder.

I mentioned a few tea blends I liked, and they thanked me quietly.

“By the way, Tomonari-kun, you seem so composed.”

“Do I?”

“Yes. Talking to you gives a different impression.”

If I wanted to toss in a playful quip, I could’ve asked, “Oh? What kind of impression did you have before?”

But this is Kiou Academy.

Instead, I bowed my head slightly.

“Thank you. I’ve been attending social events lately, so I’m working on refining my manners.”

The students around me nodded, looking impressed.

I haven’t told a single lie.

My etiquette lessons are fresh from Tennouji-san, after all.

“I’m still quite rough around the edges, but I hope we can get along moving forward.”

With that, I stepped away from Hinako’s group.

After that, fourth period’s class began.

Once classes ended and lunch break started, I headed to the old student council building.

Opening the rooftop door, I spotted Hinako.

“…Izuki.”

“…Hinako.”

We locked eyes and—

“Yay…!”

“Yay!”

—gave each other a high-five.

“Did I… do okay?”

“…Yeah. You saved me.”

The truth is, that exchange during the break… Hinako and I had planned it in advance.

The people who thought I was trying to worm my way into Hinako’s circle were those who didn’t interact with her. They saw her and Tennouji-san as untouchable, lofty figures, which led to that assumption.

But at Kiou Academy, there are a few students who can approach Hinako and her group casually.

Those at the top of the hierarchy, who actively engage with Hinako themselves, don’t see me as someone scheming to climb the ranks just for talking to her.

So—there’s no issue with relying on Hinako.

She once told me she wanted to help, so I took her up on it.

With the top-tier students in our class, I have exactly one thing in common.

That’s Hinako.

So, I decided to connect with the top caste through her. In other words, Hinako is my only link to them. Without her, I wouldn’t even have a starting point for conversation.

The interaction went well. I could’ve kept talking, but I didn’t want to come off as overeager, so I think stepping away when I did was the right call.

(Though, this might make others think I’m sucking up again…)

Follow-up is essential.

Later, I’ll head to Kita and chat about something.

“But I wasn’t sure about the timing… so I kinda let my real self slip a bit.”

Hinako said, looking apologetic.

True, we’d rehearsed what to say, but when I called out to her, she seemed slightly startled.

“Should I avoid talking to you in front of others?”

Would approaching her in public throw her off, I wondered.

When I asked, Hinako shook her head.

“Even if I’m acting… I’m happy to talk with you, Izuki.”

“…I see.”

Her words brought a wave of relief.

“If it makes you happy, then it was worth the effort.”

This time, I approached her with a plan, but… eventually, I want to be able to talk to her naturally.

We savored a lavish bento, lingered a bit, then left the rooftop.

“Izuki!”

On my way back to the classroom, Narika called out to me.

“Narika, what’s up?”

“Listen to this! Just earlier, a classmate talked to me!”

Hinako and I exchanged glances.

“Probably one of the guys who was with you after school yesterday… a friend of his, I think.”

She meant the guy who talked about starting a business.

He’d been wary of Narika at first, but it seems Kita cleared up the misunderstanding.

“That’s great.”

“Yeah, I was so happy…! I felt the warmth of people…!!”

Narika was so moved, tears welled up in her eyes.

“Both of you, let me treat you next weekend as a thank you!”

That’s kind of her. I was just thinking it’s time to practice tennis again.

Seeing Narika in such high spirits lifted my mood, too.

Feeling fulfilled, I returned to the classroom.

◆

That night.

Even with my good mood, there’s still plenty to reflect on.

After finishing my tasks and studies, I reviewed today’s shortcomings.

(For now, things with Narika are progressing bit by bit…)

The concern is whether we’ll make it in time for the athletic festival.

If it’s just about making friends, the current momentum suggests success with enough time. But with only a week and a bit left until the festival, it’s not enough to fully erase Narika’s past trauma and prepare her to face the event in top form.

Still, we’re doing everything we can for now.

Starting new things nonstop feels risky. Maintaining this pace should be fine.

(What about me?)

I’ve made more acquaintances, especially through Kita.

And today, I even talked with the top-tier students I’d kept my distance from.

Honestly, I don’t think I made a bad impression.

But—

(It’s not like I’m trying to climb the social ladder…)

Maybe it’s just my nature.

I prefer a slightly chaotic, laid-back environment over a dazzling one. I’m gradually adapting to this place through my studies, but preferences are another matter. …And I bet Hinako feels the same.

To stand by her side, I have to engage with the high-caste crowd.

But doing that might make the lower-caste students think I’m sucking up.

It’s a tricky problem.

Trying to get along with everyone risks coming off as a people-pleaser.

(At my old school, I never stressed about stuff like this.)

Sure, there was a social hierarchy there, too. But back then, I didn’t care.

So why am I agonizing over relationships so much now?

Things are going smoothly so far, but talking to strangers is nerve-wracking, and even when I lie in bed, I catch myself thinking, “Maybe I should’ve done that differently.” …Honestly, my mental energy is drained.

Knowing it’s exhausting is why I never worried this much at my old school.

So why am I taking it so seriously now?

One reason is that I want to help Narika make friends.

And the other… is Hinako.

“Izuki… taking care of someone besides me… I don’t like it.”

I recalled the words Hinako said after our tennis practice, her serene expression burned into my memory.

(What do I really feel about Hinako?)

I still didn’t have an answer, and time slipped by.

Then, a knock came at the door.

“…Izuki.”

“Hinako?”

Hinako stepped into my room.

Looking sleepy, she promptly flopped onto my bed.

My eyes met Shizune-san’s through the doorway. She gave a silent bow and closed the door.

“Hinako, something up?”

“Not really…”

No particular reason, apparently.

In other words, business as usual.

“Are you… studying?”

“Well, sorta…”

I’d been studying for my Fundamental Information Technology Engineer exam earlier, so my notebook was still open. That’s probably why she thought I was studying. In reality, I was just stressing over relationships.

Maybe because I’d been thinking about her, I found it hard to articulate, but… I was in the mood to chat with Hinako.

“…I was just about to take a break. Wanna talk?”

Hinako gave a short “Mm” in response.

So, she didn’t just come to my room to sleep.

For a while, we chatted about nothing in particular—academy life, things at the mansion, Narika’s plan to break out of her loner status—just lazy, rambling conversation.

“Come to think of it, you haven’t been getting sick lately, Hinako.”

“…You mean from acting exhaustion?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“When you’re around… it’s easier.”

“Is it?”

“Mm. …This time with you is precious to me.”

Until now, Hinako’s stress from constantly playing the perfect Ojou-sama caused her to come down with fevers regularly. But since I became her caretaker, those episodes have dropped sharply.

If it’s psychosomatic, it makes sense that reducing stress would lower the frequency.

It seems I’m someone who helps ease her stress.

That’s a relief.

“Fwaa…”

Hinako let out a yawn.

“If you’re sleepy, I’ll walk you back to your room.”

“You’re not sleepy, Izuki…?”

“Nah, I’m getting there myself.”

I stretched lightly, but the drowsiness didn’t fade.

As I yawned, Hinako, still lying on the bed, patted the empty space next to her.

“Once in a while… let’s sleep together?”

My heart skipped a beat.

Hinako’s soft smile made me avert my gaze.

“As much as I’d like to, I’ll pass.”

“Muu…”

Shizune-san would have my head, so I declined.

But Hinako puffed out her cheeks and stood up.

“Come here…”

“No, no, that’s not happening…”

Hinako grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the bed.

Her slender arm made me hesitate to pull away, as if it’d make me feel guilty. I let her drag me close to the bed.

Still holding my hand, she lay down.

Then, she yanked my hand with surprising force.

“Whoa!?”

I hadn’t expected such a strong tug and stumbled, collapsing onto the bed.

A moment of confusion. Then, I realized.

I was hovering over Hinako, our bodies almost pressed together.

“…Nnh, eh?”

Hinako let out a strange little noise.

It felt as though time itself had frozen, an illusion that gripped me.

Up until now, I’d been thrown off by the closeness with Hinako countless times. Whether it was when she let me rest on her lap on the rooftop or when I lent her my shoulder in the car, our skin had always brushed at such intimate distances.

But this—this was different, my instincts knew it.

Hinako’s warm, heartfelt breath lifted the fringe of my hair.

I eased the strength in the arm propping me up, just a fraction. The distance between Hinako and me closed by a single centimeter.

I started to pull away in a panic… but stopped myself before I could.

Before I moved, there was something I absolutely had to ask.

“Hinako.”

Her eyes widened into perfect circles, and I pressed on.

“Hinako… what do you think of me?”

Reflected in her round pupils, my own face looked almost comically serious.

Maybe I’d asked something unnecessary. But words, once spoken, can’t be swallowed back.

I stayed silent, waiting for Hinako’s response.

“I…”

Hinako’s lips moved slowly.

“I… about Izuki, I… lo…”

“Lo?”

I was dying to hear what came next.

But Hinako, closing her lips, shut her eyelids too—and…

“Zzz…”

“You’re asleep!?”

No way, seriously?

What kind of timing is that for falling asleep?

But with Hinako, it was possible. I knew this girl could sleep through anything, no matter the situation.

The shock snapped me out of the strange mood. In a way, maybe it saved me.

Looking at Hinako’s peaceful sleeping face, I felt myself calm down too.

(…At least one thing’s clear now.)

If nothing else, I’d figured out my own feelings.

“Hinako.”

No response.

Then this was just self-indulgent muttering, nothing more—but to sort out my emotions, I said it anyway.

“I… I’ll work hard to become someone worthy of you, Hinako.”

Not that I have to be by her side, but that I want to be.

I realized that clearly now.

Careful not to wake her, I gently draped a blanket over Hinako.

It was about time to take her back to her room… but I decided to let her sleep here just a little longer.

◇

For the first time, I was genuinely glad I’d practiced acting every day.

Pretending to be asleep, Hinako was desperately trying to keep her composure.

Bit by bit, she shifted her body sideways, as if rolling over in her sleep, to hide her face from Izuki.

She couldn’t hold it together any longer.

Her face was burning.

Her heart was pounding wildly.

No matter how much she tried to stay calm, she couldn’t stop her expression from betraying her.

‘I… I’ll work hard to become someone worthy of you, Hinako.’

The words Izuki had said replayed in her mind over and over.

Each time, an overwhelming surge of emotion swept through her.

(Weird… I… I’m feeling so weird right now…!)

The chaos wouldn’t stop.

In her heart, Hinako screamed.

(What is this… what is this…? This weird feeling… I can’t hold it back…!)

She wanted to thrash around, let it all out.

She just wanted to do something, anything.

If she didn’t, it felt like her body might explode.

Clutching the blanket tightly, Hinako endured with all her might.

When she cracked her eyes open slightly, she saw Izuki’s back as he studied, facing away from her.

An inexplicable urge to touch that back washed over her.

But she held herself back.

She had a sinking feeling that if she got close to Izuki now, she’d lose herself completely.

(I…)

She recalled Izuki’s earlier question.

(What do I… think of Izuki…?)

Her precious caretaker.

Someone she was happy to be around.

That’s what she’d always thought, and she was sure she’d conveyed those feelings clearly.

But… was that really it?

Was it really okay to brush it off with such a simple answer?

She still hadn’t found an answer that satisfied her.

Until Izuki called out to her again, Hinako kept wrestling with her thoughts.