Bonus ◆ Hinako’s Compensation

A few days had passed since the exam results were announced.

“Now that I think about it, I promised to make it up to you the other day…”

It’s the weekend. I call out to Hinako, who’s come to my room.

“Is there anything specific you’d like me to do?”

“Hmm…”

Hinako lets out a thoughtful hum,

“…What did you and Tennouji-san do that day, Izuki?”

“We went to an arcade, went bowling, and then hit up karaoke, that’s about it.”

As I explain, Hinako’s eyes narrow slightly.

“Sounds like… you had quite a good time.”

“Well, I mean… it’d be a lie to say it wasn’t fun.”

I had a feeling Hinako’s mood might sour, so I tried to soften my words, but lying and saying it wasn’t fun felt unfair to Tennouji-san.

As expected, Hinako puffs out her cheeks.

“I… want to go too.”

“Huh?”

“I want to do… all of those things…!”

And so, I found myself at the arcade with Hinako in no time.

Of course, we weren’t alone. A little ways off, Shizune-san and the Konohana family’s bodyguards were keeping an eye on us.

Compared to Tennouji-san, Hinako doesn’t have much freedom, which is a shame. Then again, considering Tennouji-san’s personality and her parents, it feels like they’re the exception.

“Alright, how about we start with that racing game?”

“Mhm.”

I sit down next to Hinako at the machine.

Today, Hinako’s disguised, just like Tennouji-san was. So, she’s not in her Ojou-sama mode but acting more like her true self. Dressed in plain clothes and a deep-brimmed hat, the current Hinako could probably fool even our classmates at the Academy unless they got too close.

“Izuki… what place did Tennouji-san get in this game?”

“She came in dead last, by a mile.”

I recall Tennouji-san, who got a banana thrown at her on-screen and scolded the game for bad manners.

“Then… I’ll aim to do better than that.”

Hinako’s competitive spirit flared up in the oddest way.

Curious, I pop in a hundred-yen coin and start the game.

The result was, as I expected…

“Last place, huh.”

“Mgh…”

Ending up in the same spot as Tennouji-san, Hinako purses her lips.

“…One more time.”

As she says, I put in another coin and start the game again.

But—

“Mrrgh…”

Hinako ends up in last place again.

We tried over and over after that, but… maybe because Hinako doesn’t play games much, it was tough for her, and she couldn’t quite get the hang of it.

“H-Hey, why don’t we try some other games?”

“…Mhm.”

Before I knew it, we’d spent over an hour just on the racing game.

Next, we move on to Taiko no Tatsujin.

But Hinako wasn’t great at this one either, and she got a game over pretty quickly.

“If it was a real taiko drum… I’d be way better.”

Tennouji-san said something like that too…

Is playing the Japanese taiko drum a required subject for the Ojou-samas at Kiou Academy or something?

“Uh, let’s see, I played that game with Tennouji-san too.”

I point to the air hockey table.

Hinako glances at the white puck from a distance, tilting her head.

“A coaster… from Seil?”

She mistook it for a high-end brand’s coaster.

Probably because she’s seen a few of those in the mansion’s kitchen.

“Air hockey’s where you hit this back and forth to play.”

I explain the rules simply, and we start playing.

“Alright!”

“Mgh…”

After a few rounds, I’m still winning.

But Hinako’s initially clumsy movements gradually become sharper—

“…I think I get it.”

The moment she mutters that, Hinako suddenly moves with surprising speed.

She pretends to hit the puck but catches me off guard, stealing a goal.

“Whoa!?”

“My win… Hehe.”

Hinako flashes a delighted grin.

A feint in air hockey? That’s a first…

Thinking about it calmly, Hinako’s actually really good at sports. Rumored to be the perfect Ojou-sama, she’s skilled in both academics and athletics. Her athletic ability is far from bad.

“Izuki… you got that?”

Hinako steps closer to me and says,

“I’m… way better than Tennouji-san…”

With a slightly smug look, Hinako leans her head against my chest.

From her small lips, I hear the soft, steady sound of her breathing.

“…She’s asleep.”

“It’s rare for the Ojou-sama to get so absorbed in something. She must be exhausted.”

Shizune-san, who’s come up beside us at some point, looks at Hinako leaning against me.

“Let’s save karaoke and bowling for another day. That’s fine with you, right, Izuki-san?”

“Oh, yeah, I’m good with that.”

I gently lift Hinako onto my back. Her face wears a deeply satisfied smile.

People from high society probably don’t get many chances to cut loose like this. Maybe I’ll invite her out again sometime if she’s up for it.

(Now that I think about it… I wonder how Narika’s doing.)

I think of Narika, another Ojou-sama who’s somewhat familiar with commoner life. Is she able to unwind without any trouble? With that thought in mind, I carry Hinako on my back and leave the arcade.