Chapter 3: The Childhood Friend Investigation Team

The day after the pajama party.

Six in the morning. It was still early enough to call it dawn, but being summer, the sky was already bright. Yuri was strolling through Karuizawa, feeling refreshed as always. For Yuri, Karuizawa wasn’t a place she could visit often. She wanted to savor this special environment as much as possible, with care and attention.

As she started heading back to the hotel, she noticed a familiar girl walking ahead.

Yuri quickened her pace to catch up and called out.

“Miyakojima-san?”

“!? H-Hirano-san?”

Narika turned to face her.

The morning sun glinted off her sweat-dampened skin. Her glossy black hair swayed, and when her pale face turned toward Yuri, there was a quiet but undeniable elegance, like the beauty of a sapphire.

But right now, Narika’s face was—unbelievably tense.

They’d only just met recently. She was probably still nervous.

In times like this, it’s best not to make a big deal of it. Yuri spoke casually, keeping her tone light.

“Out for a walk, Miyakojima-san?”

“N-No, I’m jogging. It’s cool here, so I thought it’d be nice to run…”

So that’s why she was in sportswear. No wonder her outfit seemed a bit intense for a simple walk. She was lightly sweating, so she must’ve been running until just a moment ago.

…Perfect timing.

Yuri decided to seize the opportunity to carry out the mission she’d decided on last night—to find out what the Ojou-sama thought of Izuki.

“By the way, during the pajama party, we mostly talked about me and Izuki. I didn’t get to hear much about you, Miyakojima-san.”

“M-Me? I don’t really have anything interesting to say…”

“Didn’t Izuki visit your house back in the day? Tell me about that!”

“Oh! That? Sure, I can talk about that all day!”

Narika’s expression instantly brightened.

As they walked slowly, Narika began recounting the past. How Izuki had come to her house, how she was far more timid back then than she is now, and how Izuki had pulled her out of her shell—

“Wow! Izuki did all that?”

“Yeah. Thanks to him, I got to see the world outside.”

Hearing the story about him taking her to a candy store, Yuri felt a little moved.

Not bad, Izuki. Not bad at all.

Narika’s eyes sparkled as she shared her memories of Izuki. Listening to her, Yuri felt a swell of pride as his childhood friend.

“So? Feeling less nervous now?”

“Huh? …Oh, now that you mention it…”

At some point, Narika’s stiff expression had softened into one more fitting for a girl her age.

“I usually scare people off, but… you’re easy to talk to, Hirano-san. It’s a relief.”

“Thanks. Well, it’s easier to relax when you’re talking about something you love, right?”

“True.”

Narika nodded, looking completely at ease now.

They’d been talking about Izuki the whole time, but was it okay for her to so confidently admit that was her favorite topic? She probably said it without thinking, Yuri mused.

“So, Hirano-san, you were already close with Izuki back then, huh?”

“Yup. We’ve been friends since first grade, so by that time, we’d already known each other for about five years.”

“I see… That’s a longer history than mine.”

The grandiose way Narika said “history” made it painfully clear she held her relationship with Izuki in a special light.

Yuri remembered those days well.

One day, out of nowhere, Izuki had run away from home with his mother. Up until then, the Tomonari family had seemed strapped for cash but not particularly dysfunctional, so it was a surprising turn of events.

Izuki hadn’t missed school, so the Miyakojima family must’ve arranged for his transportation. After school, he’d leave the classroom immediately to head home. Yuri had wondered back then why he was always in such a rush, if he had some errand to run, but it seemed he was looking after Narika.

When Yuri asked Izuki about it after the runaway episode ended, he’d said, “I stayed at this huge house,” “I lived with a girl,” and “But I got chewed out big time at the end.” Whatever happened in that final moment must’ve rattled him, because he didn’t want to go into details.

It’d been a while since Yuri heard about a side of Izuki she didn’t know.

It was fun… but also, just a tiny bit, complicated.

“I’ve always been a burden to Izuki, then and now. But you, Hirano-san, you’ve been supporting him, haven’t you?”

“Well, yeah. I cooked for him, gave him my hand-me-downs when we were about the same height, taught him stuff for school…”

“You even helped him with his studies?”

“Yup. He was often too tired from his part-time jobs to focus in class, so I’d tutor him after school. Honestly, I took care of him in every way possible.”

Before she knew it, Yuri was wearing a smug grin.

Narika, listening to her, was genuinely surprised.

“I always thought Izuki was the type to handle everything himself, so that’s a bit unexpected.”

Her words jogged Yuri’s memory of the past.

“…Back then, that guy really had no room to breathe.”

Compared to those days, things were much better now.

“So, real talk. What do you think of Izuki, Miyakojima-san?”

“Ngh!”

Caught off guard by Yuri’s blunt question, Narika stopped in her tracks, visibly flustered.

“W-Well, it’s not like there’s anything specific or…”

“If you’re honest with me, I might be able to give you some advice~”

Yuri flashed a mischievous grin, peering into Narika’s face.

After a moment of looking down, Narika finally steeled herself and spoke.

“W-Well, the thing is… I do have some feelings for Izuki, I guess…”

I knew it—

Yuri had suspected as much since the pajama party.

“How far have you gotten?”

“H-How far? I mean, nothing’s really happened yet… Well, I did kind of say something.”

“Details!”

It sounded like more progress than Yuri expected, and she couldn’t help but lean in eagerly.

Narika might seem intimidating at first glance, but she was actually quite delicate at heart—that’s what Yuri had pegged her as. But maybe she was more proactive than she’d thought.

“I said I told him, but I haven’t been clear about anything yet. It’s just, like… I, uh, declared that I care about him!”

“Declared you care…?”

“Like, I let him know that I think of him as special, or something…”

“…Wait, isn’t that basically a confession?”

“N-No! It’s not quite like that yet!”

Narika’s cheeks flushed red as she shook her head vigorously.

Talk about leaving things half-baked. Given Narika’s personality, this pace was probably lightning-fast for her.

“But if you’ve already said that much, all that’s left is closing the distance, right?”

“…I’m a little worried about that.”

Narika lowered her gaze as she spoke.

“What you said yesterday keeps nagging at me. Izuki’s probably really busy right now, and I don’t want to get in his way by doing something unnecessary.”

Hearing Narika’s concern, Yuri inwardly cursed. Oops.

That was overthinking it.

“Sorry, I might’ve said something confusing yesterday. But honestly, I don’t think you need to worry that much.”

“…Really?”

“Izuki’s do-gooder nature isn’t something you can fix. And even if we try to be considerate, he’s just gonna take on everyone’s burdens anyway.”

Narika didn’t say “You’re right” out loud, but her expression showed she agreed.

You could tell just how much of a do-gooder Izuki was at Kiou Academy.

“Besides, isn’t that part of what you like about him, Miyakojima-san?”

“W-Well… yeah, I guess.”

“Then it doesn’t make sense to see his kindness as a problem. I think you should be a bit more forward.”

Narika nodded briefly at Yuri’s advice, murmuring, “I see.”

She was putting Izuki’s needs above her own budding feelings. This girl might be just as much of a do-gooder as he is.

“And if Izuki seems like he’s struggling, I’ll back him up!”

“Back him up…?”

“I told you, I’ve been taking care of him. Supporting his do-gooder tendencies has always been my job. If he’s about to hit his limit, I’ll handle it.”

Because I’m Izuki’s Onee-san, after all—

She recited her signature line in her head.

It’d been about four months since Izuki suddenly left school. Things had been awkward for a while, but now they could probably go back to talking frequently like before.

Surely, she could be of help to the girl standing in front of her, too.

“B-But, like, how do I actually close the distance…?”

“Uh… well, that’s, um…”

The question made Yuri realize something a bit too late.

—How do you do that?

Yuri knew Izuki inside and out, but romance? Not so much.

She hadn’t told Izuki, but she’d had her share of guys hitting on her—classmates, or boys who came to her family’s part-time job. But something always felt off about taking things further, so she’d turned them all down.

So, she wasn’t exactly an expert on making moves.

Still, she felt like she knew more than Narika. Yuri racked her brain, thinking back to the shoujo manga she occasionally read or the love advice she’d heard from friends, searching for any useful tips.

“…Wall slam, maybe?”

“Wall… slam?”

“Like, you corner them against a wall, put one hand on it, and lean in close…”

“…There’s a technique like that?”

The fact that Narika called it a “technique” made Yuri doubt she’d explained it well, but since she wasn’t exactly a wall-slam expert herself, she left it at that.

“Also, this might sound obvious, but just talk to him more.”

That’s gotta be solid advice, she thought.

Yuri might look like a middle schooler—or worse, an elementary schooler—but she was a full-fledged high school girl now. She’d overheard plenty of romantic gossip over the years, and she could make up for her lack of experience with a bit of imagination.

“T-Talk? Honestly, that’s not my strong suit…”

“It doesn’t have to be face-to-face. Texting works too, right? I’m not up on Ojou-sama etiquette, but you’ve got some messaging apps on your phone, don’t you?”

“I-I know about those, but…”

Narika’s face twisted bitterly.

“…I haven’t even exchanged phone numbers or email addresses with Izuki.”

“…Seriously?”

They seemed so close, and they hadn’t done that yet?

To be fair, Izuki was probably part of the problem.

He’d gotten a smartphone last year, but only for work-related communication, so it was a cheap, low-spec model. He wasn’t in the habit of using it to chat with friends, so the idea of exchanging contact info probably didn’t even occur to him.

“Then that’s your first step.”

“Right… Thanks, Hirano-san. I’ll try to take that step forward.”

“Good. I’m expecting a glowing report.”

If she could help an Ojou-sama from Kiou Academy, that’d be quite an honor.

“U-Um, Hirano-san!”

As Yuri started to walk away, Narika called out to her.

“So, what do you think of Izuki?”

“Me?”

Narika looked anxious.

Yuri couldn’t help but smile at her expression.

“I’m Izuki’s Onee-san, so I don’t have those kinds of feelings.”

“O-Oh, I see…!”

When Yuri said it with a laugh, Narika’s face broke into a relieved, beaming smile.

Saying she’d keep jogging, Narika took off running.

Yuri stood there until Narika’s figure disappeared, finally unable to hold back the emotions she’d been suppressing. She crouched down.

(Whaaat!? Hold on! Those two are that far along!?)

They were one—no, two steps ahead of what she’d expected.

Yuri had only thought, If she seems interested in Izuki, maybe I’ll give her a nudge. But opening the lid revealed not just interest—she was head-over-heels and had already made moves.

(What’s with you, Izuki? You’re more cunning than I thought!)

To think an Ojou-sama from Kiou Academy was this smitten with him.

As his childhood friend, Yuri felt proud. But it wasn’t surprising.

Izuki had called meeting Hinako “something like a miracle,” but Yuri didn’t see it that way.

How many people in this world would, right after realizing their parents had pulled a midnight run, still try to help a stranger who dropped their student ID?

As his childhood friend, Yuri knew.

Izuki being at Kiou Academy, being liked by these Ojou-sama—it was all because of his own merits. Not a miracle.

—Hirano-san, what do you think of Izuki?

She froze in place.

Narika’s words echoed in her mind.

Her buoyant mood vanished in an instant.

(I… don’t think anything of him.)

She muttered it to herself in her head, not declaring it to anyone, but as if convincing herself.

Above her was a canopy of tree branches. The light filtering through the gaps felt oddly dazzling. It was as if the emotions she’d shoved into a corner of her heart were being forcibly illuminated, leaving her irritated.

“Alright! Next up, I’ve gotta talk to Tennouji-san!”

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Yuri started walking with a forced smile, even though no one was watching.

◇

On her way home after her part-time job, Yuri felt the gentle night breeze as she walked outside.

Her next target was Mirei. But apparently, Mirei was the studious type, spending most of her time—even her free time—studying in her room during the summer course.

Guess I won’t get a chance to talk to her today… Yuri thought, but just then.

She spotted Mirei sitting on a bench, gazing up at the sky.

“Tennouji-san.”

When Yuri called out, the blonde, vertical-rolled Ojou-sama turned to her.

Her flamboyant hairstyle was striking, but even more striking was how well it suited her. The fragile moonlight seemed to melt into her beautiful golden hair.

“Oh, Hirano-san. Finished with your job already?”

“Yup. What were you doing, Tennouji-san?”

“I was looking at the sky. The stars are beautiful here.”

Tennouji-san said this while gazing at the starry sky above.

What an elegant person, Yuri thought. If an ordinary high school girl said she was staring at the sky, she’d get teased with a “What’re you acting all poetic for?” But when this Ojou-sama said it, it felt perfectly fitting.

“By the way, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”

“Something you wish to ask?”

“Yeah. Something we didn’t get to talk about at the pajama party…”

Now, how to approach this?

Yuri’s mind raced.

But Mirei just gave her a gentle smile.

“Are you curious about me? Or perhaps about Tomonari-san?”

Yuri’s eyes widened at the question.

But she quickly shrugged, giving in.

“Both, I guess. …How’d you know I wanted to ask about Izuki?”

“I don’t have siblings, but if I were an older sister, I’d always be worried about my little brother. I’d want to hear about him not just from him, but from others too.”

“…You saw right through me.”

“You’re like Tomonari-san’s Onee-san, after all.”

Yuri had two things she wanted to ask the Ojou-sama.

First, what they thought of Izuki.

And second, whether Izuki was managing okay at the academy.

She’d only gotten to ask Narika the first question. She’d meant to ask the second, but Narika had been so overwhelmed by the first that Yuri hesitated to push further.

“I trust you as Tomonari-san’s friend. Whatever you want to know, I’ll tell you.”

When Mirei said that, an indescribable joy welled up in Yuri’s chest.

Being so directly trusted by someone so refined felt almost exhilarating. A shiver ran through Yuri’s body, her skin prickling.

“…Izuki’s really earned your trust, huh?”

“Tomonari-san isn’t the type to befriend bad people.”

“You’re not wrong.”

That was a spot-on assessment. Yuri couldn’t help but laugh.

If Izuki saw someone doing something wrong, he’d gently say, “Isn’t that kind of a bad idea?” People up to no good probably felt uneasy around him.

If this girl understood Izuki so well, Yuri could trust her completely.

Casting aside all her worries, Yuri dove into the main topic.

“So, how’s Izuki doing? Is he managing okay?”

“Oh, perfectly fine, I assure you. After all, even I, for a moment, genuinely felt he was just another student at Kiou Academy.

Yuri caught the meaning behind Mirei’s words almost instantly.

Izuki, hiding his true status and background, has been tirelessly working to blend in as a proper Kiou Academy student.

His efforts must have been impressive enough to fool even Mirei’s sharp eyes, if only temporarily.

“Got it. That’s good to hear. I mean, Kiou Academy’s got this super safe vibe, right? No errand-running or bullying or anything like that.”

“Errand-running… I’m not sure what that means, but bullying? Likely nonexistent. Though, pressures from family status can arise. Still, Tomonari-san navigates those skillfully as well.”

The fact that the term ‘errand-running’ didn’t even register with her probably meant the academy’s environment was that pristine.

“Huh. He’s surprisingly good at playing the game, isn’t he?”

“Indeed. He’s been putting in quite the effort lately, especially.”

This was before the sports festival. While helping Narika make friends, Izuki became aware of his own reputation within the academy and started working to improve it.

Mirei had noticed this change. It was obvious when you looked at him. At first, Izuki floundered like a fledgling chick, darting left and right. But before long, he began acting with an awareness of the gazes around him. His habit of observing his surroundings hadn’t changed, but its purpose had. Once intimidated by the Kiou Academy environment, Izuki was now striving to become someone worthy of its prestigious name.

Kiou Academy students were destined to become future CEOs or politicians—people who stood above others. Standing above meant being watched. That’s why children of the elite, like Mirei, were trained from a young age by parents and teachers to hone that awareness.

For Izuki to have grasped that mindset was a big deal. He was truly becoming a Kiou Academy student, someone who could hold their own anywhere without shame. Of course, his knowledge was still shallow in places, but he’d grown enough to avoid slipping up in the academy’s miniature high society.

“Tomonari-san… he’s truly a hard worker.”

Mirei beamed with pride over Izuki’s growth, as if it were her own.

Watching her, Yuri spoke up.

“Tennouji-san, do you like Izuki?”

“Fwah—!?”

A bizarre squeak escaped Mirei’s lips.

“W-w-w-what are you saying all of a sudden, you fool!?”

“Oh, uh, sorry! It’s just, with you, Tennouji-san, I kinda feel like I can be blunt. Like I don’t need to sugarcoat things…”

“Even I get flustered, you know!”

She’d seemed so composed, it was hard to tell she’d be rattled by something like that.

“Ahem. …Well, I’ll admit I do feel some fondness for him.”

Tennouji-san said with an exaggerated cough.

Her cheeks were faintly flushed. Did she really think that would cover it up?

“If you tell me more, I might have some good advice. I’m practically Izuki’s Onee-san, so I know him pretty well.”

“Ugh…”

A flicker of hesitation crossed Mirei’s face.

That expression alone made it clear she was grappling with something. Unlike Narika, though, her strong-willed nature kept her from spilling her feelings easily, even if she was troubled.

So, Yuri decided to press further.

“Wouldn’t someone like me, who’s a bit removed from Kiou Academy, be easier to confide in?”

“Ughh…”

“Bottling up your worries won’t do you any good. You want to focus on the summer course too, right?”

“Augh…”

The refined air she’d exuded earlier was nowhere to be found.

Seeing Mirei react like any other girl—no, even more innocent and delicate than most—brought a fond smile to Yuri’s face.

“…Sometimes, I feel uneasy.”

Mirei confessed quietly.

“As you can see, I have a rather striking appearance, and even setting that aside, my upbringing makes me stand out. Because of that, I have to be mindful of those close to me. Being near me inevitably draws attention to them as well.”

Yuri listened earnestly, her expression serious, as Mirei laid bare her concerns with downcast eyes.

“And… Tomonari-san, he’s probably not the type who enjoys standing out.”

It wasn’t about being ‘common’ or anything like that—just his natural disposition.

Though rare at Kiou Academy, such people existed. Every society had its behind-the-scenes types. Izuki had trained himself to perform confidently in public when needed, but deep down, he didn’t seem to seek out those moments.

“So, you’re worried that being around you might make Izuki feel restricted?”

“That’s… essentially it.”

It was an almost old-fashioned kind of pure romance. Like Narika, Mirei was hesitating to take a step forward, not because of her own circumstances, but out of consideration for Izuki.

If that was the case, the advice was simple.

Just like with Narika, all she needed was a little push.

“Izuki’s not big on standing out, sure, but that doesn’t mean he’d refuse it either. If it’s necessary, he’ll step up.”

“…But if my presence increases those ‘necessary’ moments for him, wouldn’t that just burden him?”

“Hmm… I see.”

Yuri had to admit there was some truth to that worry.

“Plus, considering what Hirano-san said at the pajama party, I feel like adding more burdens to Tomonari-san would be unfair.”

She was thinking along the same lines as Narika.

Sorting through the outpouring of concerns in her head, Yuri began to share her thoughts methodically.

First, about the pajama party conversation.

She deliberately skipped the preamble about having told Narika the same thing.

“Sorry if I caused a misunderstanding. It’s good to be considerate, but Izuki’s the type to get busy on his own anyway. If you keep worrying about not burdening him, your relationship will never progress. Sure, he’ll appreciate the thought, but…”

Mirei gave a small nod.

Appreciation probably wasn’t all she wanted.

“As for standing out when you’re around, you should just ask him directly. Izuki’s not the type to dodge questions like that.”

“You’re right… Asking him directly is the best approach.”

Mirei nodded, as if she’d reached a similar conclusion herself.

It wasn’t groundbreaking advice, but with that, Mirei’s consultation was over. She still seemed a bit anxious, but now that she’d decided on a clear course of action, Yuri was confident Mirei would act on it sooner or later.

“Honestly, I’m kinda surprised. I thought you’d be more confident, Tennouji-san, but you worry about stuff like this too, huh?”

“…I’m only human, after all. I have my moments of doubt.”

Not one to show weakness often, Mirei’s face twisted with a hint of frustration.

“Especially since… well, this kind of thing is new to me. I’m not used to it.”

“Huh. I figured someone like you would’ve had all sorts of romantic experience, but I guess not.”

Yuri said, genuinely surprised.

Mirei’s eyes took on a knowing look as she replied.

“…A prominent family name comes with its own complications.”

Yuri vaguely sensed the struggles and conflicts woven into those words.

“Being an Ojou-sama sounds tough.”

“Indeed. It’s not quite a political marriage, but complete freedom in love isn’t exactly realistic either. …Though, in my case, I was mostly tying myself up in knots.”

Yuri tilted her head, puzzled by the latter half of Mirei’s statement.

In Mirei’s case—her parents encouraged her to live freely, so free love wasn’t an issue. But until recently, Mirei’s intense awareness of being the Tennouji Group’s heiress had led her to suppress her own desires. She genuinely believed she should marry someone befitting the Tennouji name, regardless of her own feelings.

For Mirei, those days of self-imposed restraint, though flawed, held a certain cherished significance. After all, they led her to meet Izuki. In a way, her self-binding wasn’t all bad. Having huddled inside a rigid shell for so long, she’d finally met someone she wanted to stay close to even after breaking free.

“…Thank you for listening to me.”

Mirei bowed deeply.

“Anytime. If you’re ever in trouble, just let me know.”

“I appreciate that. But let’s leave it here for now.”

“Hm?” Yuri tilted her head as Mirei continued.

“I am Tennouji Mirei, destined to one day carry the Tennouji Group—a noble heiress. Thus, this is the extent of my weakness.”

The dignity that had momentarily vanished returned in full force.

“Please, keep today’s conversation strictly confidential.”

“Y-Yes…”

Yuri nodded nervously as Mirei pressed a finger to her lips, her eyes blazing with their usual fire.

Maybe Tennouji-san didn’t need a push after all… Yuri thought. Mirei was humble enough to admit she wasn’t perfect, which showed she could objectively see her weaknesses—and face them with strength. She’d likely take that step forward on her own, sooner or later.

“Hirano-san.”

As Yuri turned to leave, Mirei called out.

“I forgot to ask… What do you think of Tomonari-san?”

There it was again—the same question.

Why does everyone keep asking me that? Yuri wondered.

“I don’t think anything special of him.”

“Really?”

Mirei locked eyes with Yuri, her gaze unwavering.

“Because you—you think about Tomonari-san very seriously.”

If he meant nothing to you, you wouldn’t care so much. That’s what Mirei was implying.

In that moment, Yuri felt something locked deep inside her start to spill over.

She knew her expression had hardened. But Mirei said nothing, holding her silence. In that pause, Yuri steadied her heart.

“I told you. I’m like his big Onee-san. Of course I’d care.”

“…Right.”

Mirei gave a nod, as if convinced.

Yet her expression—neither smiling nor puzzled—seemed to say, Let’s leave it at that.

After parting with Mirei, Yuri returned to her room.

She opened the mini fridge, grabbed a bottle of mineral water from the front desk shop, and took a sip, the coolness soothing her throat and sinking deep into her core.

(Man… what a commanding presence she has.)

Meeting Mirei face-to-face, Yuri had felt an indescribable intensity. The tension eased as their talk went on, but Mirei carried a solemn air no ordinary person could match. Her presence was unlike anything Yuri had encountered in her social circles. She was the kind of Ojou-sama you’d never forget after meeting once.

And she was sharp, too.

Yuri prided herself on her people-reading skills, honed from helping with her family’s business since childhood, but she knew she couldn’t hold a candle to that Ojou-sama.

(Still… Kiou Academy students fall in love like anyone else, huh?)

Though, the depth of it felt far from ordinary.

Being an Ojou-sama came with its own unique constraints. Yuri had once admired Kiou Academy, but now it seemed a bit stifling.

Because you—you think about Tomonari-san very seriously.

Mirei’s words suddenly resurfaced in her mind.

She’d been rattled for a moment, but thinking about it, it was obvious.

I’m Izuki’s Onee-san, after all.

There’s no other reason.

“…One more to go.”

Narika and Mirei’s investigations were done. As expected, both seemed to have feelings for Izuki.

One left.

Thinking about the final Ojou-sama, Yuri felt a twinge of nerves.

◇

To investigate Hinako, Yuri kept an eye out for a chance to talk to her.

Unlike Narika or Mirei, though, Hinako was hard to approach. They saw each other every morning at the dining hall, but the topic Yuri wanted to broach wasn’t something to bring up in public. After summer course classes, Hinako returned to the hotel with Izuki and the others, and Yuri hadn’t spotted her outside since.

(Is Konohana-san… kind of an indoor type?)

It’s Karuizawa, for crying out loud. She could be out running like Narika or stargazing like Mirei, enjoying herself more… but Hinako didn’t seem to do that.

Then again, she’s the Konohana Group’s heiress. Karuizawa probably isn’t even special to her. That would explain why she rarely left her room.

But that meant Yuri might never get a chance to talk.

(Should I just visit her room? But I only know where it is by chance, from work… Ugh, I don’t want her to think I’m creepy.)

Mulling it over, Yuri slowly approached Hinako’s room.

It was already dark outside. Post-shift exhaustion demanded a quick solution. When she was this tired, thinking too hard felt like a chore.

Whatever. I’ll just visit her.

Just as Yuri started walking—

“Hirano-sama, correct?”

“Eek!?”

A voice came from behind, out of nowhere.

Turning around, Yuri saw a woman in a maid outfit—Shizune—standing there.

Yuri hadn’t sensed her presence at all.

“You’ve been observing milady’s room for a while… Is there something you need?”

Shizune’s eyes narrowed sharply.

She was clearly on guard.

This maid wasn’t just a servant, Yuri realized. She must also be tasked with protecting Hinako.

“Uh, um, I just… wanted to talk to Konohana-san a bit…”

“…Talk?”

“Y-Yeah. If it’s a bother, I don’t mind leaving…”

Shizune placed a finger on her chin, staring straight at Yuri.

“…We’ve already looked into you, so there’s no need for suspicion.”

Saying, “One moment,” Shizune pulled a smartphone from her pocket.

After a brief call, she tucked it away.

“Very well. I’ll escort you to milady’s room.”

“Oh, okay. Thank you…”

The call must’ve been to get Hinako’s approval.

They walked up a gentle slope toward a row of three-star buildings.

Shizune knocked on the door.

Footsteps approached, and the door opened.

“I’ve been expecting you.”

There stood Konohana Hinako, her amber hair swaying, radiating an almost dazzling gentleness.

For a moment, the room’s light seemed like a halo behind her.

“Please, come in.”

Hinako stepped inside, and Shizune held the door open. Yuri cautiously entered.

“Wow… incredible.”

A soaring ceiling. Luxurious furniture.

Every piece of decor exuded delicate beauty, as if Yuri had stepped into another world.

Oh, right—a coworker had mentioned this.

They’d nearly dropped a plate in shock while delivering food to a three-star room.

Staying here too long might just warp your sense of reality.

“Hirano-san?”

“S-Sorry, it’s just… way fancier than I expected. I need a sec to, like, process…”

If she accidentally damaged anything, she’d never afford the repairs.

Yuri placed a hand on her chest, taking deep breaths.

Hinako watched her, puzzled, as if she hadn’t expected such a reaction.

“Ojou-sama, Tomonari-san is practically one of us, so you shouldn’t lump them together…”

“…You’re right.”

Shizune whispered to Hinako.

Yuri faintly caught the words.

So, Izuki hadn’t been this shocked when he visited? That thought sparked a surge of confidence.

Yuri sat across from Hinako, letting out a small sigh.

“Herbal tea.”

Shizune set two cups on the table from a tray.

Hinako picked up her cup, so Yuri followed, taking a sip to wet her throat.

The tea was smooth, likely blended with black tea. Another sip revealed a spicy herbal scent that tingled her nose.

“…Rosemary?”

“Indeed. Well done.”

Rosemary was used in cooking as a spice or to mask odors.

Yuri knew it also aided fatigue recovery.

They’d probably chosen this tea specifically for her, knowing she was worn out from her shifts.

(Oh my gosh… this hospitality is next-level…)

This kind of treatment usually came with a hefty price tag.

It wasn’t something you’d expect in a casual visit to a friend’s room.

This was the world of true Ojou-sama.

Izuki had thrown himself into such an intense world… Yuri couldn’t help but marvel.

“Sorry for, like, taking up your time.”

“No need to worry about it. I was actually hoping to use this summer course as a chance to get closer to you, Hirano-san.”

What a gentle and serene girl.

A pure, innocent warmth enveloped Yuri.

“Actually, I wanted to ask about Izuki.”

“About Tomonari-kun?”

Hinako tilted her head adorably.

“You know how Izuki’s got that total commoner vibe? It makes me kinda worried, or…”

“I see… Hirano-san, you’re really kind, aren’t you?”

“N-no, it’s not like that! I just want to know as Izuki’s Onee-san, that’s all.”

As Yuri averted her eyes, Hinako gave her a gentle smile.

“There’s nothing to worry about with Tomonari-kun. He struggled a bit with Academy life at first, but lately, he’s visibly gotten the hang of it. I think he’s even relaxed a little.”

“…I see. But that guy’s got a soft side, doesn’t he? The Academy’s one thing, but he’s also working at your house, right? Isn’t he messing up all over the place?”

“He’s fine. Shizune… my caretaker has been teaching him etiquette hand and foot, so he’s actually picking it up faster than most typical caretakers.”

“Hmph, well, that’s good then.”

Shizune, whose name was mentioned, gave a small bow.

Yuri had thought the same when she heard it from Mirei, but Izuki seemed to be doing surprisingly well.

(…Huh, what’s this feeling?)

Why did she feel a pang of unease just now?

It was a lonely, almost painful sensation. A faint flicker of negativity stirred within her.

It almost felt like she was hoping Izuki wasn’t doing well.

No way that could be true.

“By the way, Hirano-san.”

Hinako looked at her.

“So, what’s Tomonari-kun’s type, anyway?”

“…Huh?”

The question felt a bit out of the blue.

“You started to say something about it during the pajama party.”

“Oh, yeah. Well, honestly, I just said that to see how you three would react, so I kinda made it up…”

“But you do know something, right?”

“…W-well, I have a hunch, I guess.”

“Since we’re here, mind sharing? It’s been stuck in my head ever since you left it half-said.”

Hinako giggled with a soft ufufu.

She’s way more curious than I expected—.

But if it’s been bugging her, well, I guess there’s no helping it.

Come to think of it, Yuri might’ve left things vague in a way that would make anyone curious. So that’s why she wants to know… makes sense.

…Wait, no, isn’t that a bit of a stretch?

A swarm of question marks buzzed in her head.

“Y-yeah, um…”

Yuri, flustered, glanced at Hinako.

No matter how many times she looked, Hinako was the epitome of a perfect Ojou-sama. Feeling the gap in their status as girls—as people—Yuri instantly dismissed the thought that this Ojou-sama could possibly have a crush on Izuki.

No way, this Ojou-sama is in a league of her own.

She’s probably just asking out of pure curiosity. That’s how Yuri chose to see it.

“…Izuki’s a softie who ends up making himself busy all on his own, but deep down, I think he’s actually happy with that.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, Izuki likes people who keep him busy. Or rather… I think he likes people who need him.”

“I see.”

Hinako nodded as she took in Yuri’s words.

“…Hehe.”

“? Konohana-san, something up?”

“No, it’s nothing… hehe.”

For some reason, Hinako was grinning in high spirits.

Yuri couldn’t pinpoint why, but it was undeniably cute.

“Konohana-san, you might not be Izuki’s type. I mean, you seem like you can handle anything… like, you’re practically perfect.”

“That might be true.”

Hinako nodded with an air of confidence.

She didn’t seem the least bit fazed.

Yeah, she definitely doesn’t have a thing for Izuki.

“Sorry for taking up your time. That’s all I wanted to ask, so I’ll head out.”

With a quick see ya, Yuri started to leave the room.

Right then—

“Hirano-san, what do you think of Tomonari-kun?”

Ugh, there it is. She asked that question.

Yuri couldn’t fathom why everyone kept asking her this, but as the saying goes, “twice is a coincidence, thrice is a pattern.” So this time, Yuri was mentally prepared from the start.

She was ready—calm enough to answer without missing a beat, despite how much the question had thrown her before.

“I think of him like a little brother. Nothing more, nothing less.”

As if making up for all her previous fluster, Yuri answered clearly and firmly.

For the briefest moment—so fleeting it might’ve been her imagination—Hinako’s face seemed to soften with relief.

By the next blink, she was back to her usual soft, flower-like smile.

Must’ve been my imagination, Yuri decided, and parted ways with Hinako.

Back in her room alone, Yuri let out a small sigh.

Along with the air in her lungs, the tension she’d been holding in was released.

(Man… Konohana-san really feels like she’s in a whole other league. No way Izuki’s getting into anything special with that Ojou-sama, right?)

Yuri had always hidden it in front of Izuki to avoid looking pathetic, but she was often overwhelmed by the presence of these Ojou-sama girls. Hinako’s aura, in particular, was so intense that even now, if Yuri let her guard down, she might end up fawning over her like a fan chasing a superstar.

How Izuki could talk so casually with them was beyond her.

She almost felt a grudging respect for him.

(…All three of them are such different types of Ojou-sama, aren’t they?)

Hinako was flawless from every angle, the quintessential perfect Ojou-sama. Just watching her every move made Yuri keenly aware of the gap in their status, yet talking to her somehow felt comforting. Perhaps a true Ojou-sama could even command people’s admiration at will.

Mirei felt like the very embodiment of elegance and grace. She was strong-willed, sharp, yet also kind. That made her incredibly dependable and easy to confide in. This time, Yuri was the one being relied on, but Mirei was probably someone many people turned to in their daily lives.

Narika was a mix of extreme strength and vulnerability, which made her both admirable and relatable. From what Yuri had looked up, Narika had won every martial arts tournament she entered—kendo, judo, you name it. Her talents might be specialized, but they were undoubtedly on par with the other two Ojou-sama. And Narika, acutely aware of her own flaws, seemed to crave growth more than anyone.

(I don’t know what Izuki thinks of them, but I’m starting to see each of their personalities clearly.)

The three girls’ unique charms were coming into focus.

Hinako was the one Yuri admired most. She couldn’t help but daydream about being by her side.

Mirei was the one Yuri respected most. Being acknowledged by her would be an unparalleled joy.

Narika was the one Yuri wanted to support most. If she ever overcame her weaknesses, she’d surely become someone extraordinary.

(…No matter who Izuki ends up with, he’ll probably be happy.)

That was enough for Yuri to know.

That’s why she’d reached out to talk to them in the first place.

“Ugh, everyone’s out here living their youth, huh?”

The kitchen was littered with cooking utensils Yuri had put off cleaning. While the Ojou-sama girls fretted over love, Yuri started washing dishes with cold water.

She’d given both Mirei and Narika a nudge to take a step forward.

Who’d make the first move was intriguing, but honestly, Yuri didn’t care either way.

Izuki would be happy whether he ended up with Mirei or Narika.

…And me?

“Idiot.”

Yuri scolded the question that popped into her head.

“Idiot, idiot, idiot… I’m Izuki’s Onee-san, that’s all.”