Chapter 2: A Perfect Day for Tennis

The next afternoon.

Leaving the mansion with Hinako and Shizune-san, I traveled by car for about an hour and arrived at a large lodging facility nestled in the mountains.

“Wow, it’s huge!”

After getting out of the car and walking for about five minutes, a ton of tennis courts came into view.

There were twelve courts in total. Two were clay, another two were hard courts like asphalt, and the remaining eight were artificial turf.

“This is one of the lodging facilities owned by the Konohana Group. It’s currently closed for building renovations, but the courts are perfectly usable.”

Since it’s under renovation, there are naturally no guests.

It looks like we’ve got this massive set of courts all to ourselves.

“Miyakojima-sama has arrived.”

A sleek black car pulled into the parking lot.

Narika and her attendant stepped out.

Narika spotted us right away and approached.

“Narika, looking forward to today.”

“Yeah! Same here!”

Narika was brimming with confidence today.

She had a tennis bag slung over her shoulder and was carrying bags in both hands.

“That’s a lot of stuff.”

“Since Konohana-san prepared the courts, I figured I’d bring the gear. Rackets, balls, and just in case, grips and strings too. All the latest products we handle. I’m confident in their quality… Oh, and I’ve got wear and shoes too!”

Narika pulled out enough tennis wear for everyone from her bags as she spoke.

Narika’s family runs Japan’s biggest sports equipment manufacturer. Their products are honestly reliable.

We decided to use the gear Narika brought.

“The changing rooms are over there.”

Shizune-san guided us to the changing rooms.

I quickly tried on the tennis wear Narika gave me.

“Whoa… it’s so light.”

I thought the gym clothes at Kiou Academy were high-quality, but this wear from Narika must be top-notch too. In summer, you get picky about breathability, but this wear felt insanely comfortable.

The shoes were light and easy to move in too.

“Izuki-san, are you done changing?”

Just as I finished, I heard Shizune-san’s voice from the entrance.

A bit startled, I replied, “Yes.”

When I stepped out of the changing room, Shizune-san was waiting.

“Your collar’s messed up.”

“Oh, sorry…”

I was so caught up in how nice the clothes felt that I forgot to check my appearance.

I reflected on it while Shizune-san fixed my collar.

“By the way, Izuki-san. Do you know the level of the tournament?”

Out of the blue, Shizune-san asked.

“I heard it’s a casual tournament…”

“That’s true. But that’s just the students’ perspective.”

What does that mean?

“Kiou Academy students don’t just excel in academics but in sports too. Many of their families own corporate sports teams, so it’s not uncommon for them to train with professionals from a young age. They’re well-versed in both business and sports. Some even practice alongside corporate athletes.”

If your family owns a sports team, you’d naturally have more chances to study sports. That’s probably what Shizune-san means.

Recently, I’ve come to realize something.

Kiou Academy students aren’t just good at academics or sports because they’re diligent. They have more opportunities to stay motivated about studying or exercising.

Surrounded by respected figures like CEOs, secretaries, craftsmen, or corporate athletes, they’re never short of role models to aspire to.

Kiou Academy students grow up in a treasure trove of motivation.

And among them, Hinako and Narika stand out as particularly exceptional.

I’m reminded again just how incredible their skills are.

“Even if it’s called casual, it’s probably tougher than you imagine, Izuki-san. Keeping up with those two will be challenging, but do your best.”

“…Yes.”

I nodded, steeling myself.

It’s fine. I’ve been at Kiou Academy for three months now.

I’m used to making up for things with effort.

(They’re… not here yet, huh.)

Arriving at the court first, I tested the feel of the racket while waiting.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

A little later, Hinako and Narika showed up.

Both were dressed in tennis wear.

Hinako wore a white shirt with a pink skort.

Narika had on a light blue shirt and a gray skort.

Their fresh looks left me momentarily speechless.

Should I say something like, “It suits you”? But unlike casual clothes, this is tennis wear. If I compliment them when they’re not expecting it, it might come off like harassment.

While I was agonizing over it—

“What do you think, Tomonari-san?”

Hinako asked me first.

“Uh… it suits you.”

At that, Hinako gave a cute smile.

“Izuki! What about me!? How do I look!?”

Narika jumped in, competing.

“It looks good on you.”

“…That feels kinda half-hearted, doesn’t it?”

“You’re imagining it.”

What do you expect?

Saying it seriously is embarrassing.

“Still, Konohana-san looks stylish no matter what she wears…”

“Thank you.”

At Narika’s words, Hinako replied in a way that suggested she was used to compliments.

On top of her tennis wear, Hinako had tied her hair into a ponytail. Just that small change made her look completely different from usual.

Her natural charm was just too perfect.

After that, we did some light stretching to loosen up.

Both Narika and Hinako are daughters of major corporations. It’s not just those around them who are cautious about injuries; they are too. The stretching was thorough.

“Konohana-san won last year, but how good are you, Izuki?”

After stretching, Narika asked me.

“I can do basic rallies, I guess.”

At my old high school, we were supposed to start learning tennis in gym class as second-years. But since I came to Kiou Academy before that, I haven’t properly studied tennis yet.

“Then let’s start with a three-person rally. We can do serves and receives later.”

With that, Narika headed to the back of the court.

Hinako and I took turns rallying with Narika, switching every three points. Narika was facing both of us but showed no signs of getting winded.

“Izuki! You can hit a bit harder!”

“Got it!”

I followed Narika’s instructions from across the net.

But when I tried hitting harder, the ball either went out or hit the net.

“Hinako, switch.”

“…Mm.”

Since Narika was on the other side of the court, she probably couldn’t hear us.

I spoke to Hinako in my usual tone.

“Today, I’ll… show Izuki my cool side.”

With that, Hinako started rallying with Narika.

(They’re both… way too good.)

Narika, of course, but Hinako was also insanely skilled. How could someone so petite hit such fast shots? It was almost baffling.

They’re probably hitting the ball’s core perfectly.

She didn’t win last year’s tournament for nothing.

“Izuki… switch.”

My turn came around.

As I took the ball from Hinako, a thought slipped out.

“I sometimes think this during gym, but you’re really good at sports, Hinako.”

“It’s tiring, so I don’t really like it…”

Hinako casually dropped a genius-level comment.

“But right now… I’m fired up…”

“Huh?”

“…Nothing.”

It felt like she said something, but Hinako clammed up.

After that, we kept rallying for about thirty minutes.

“Ugh, net.”

The ball got caught in the net.

There was a basket of balls behind us, but taking a new one each time would litter the court, so I went to pick up the ball from the net.

Apparently thinking the same thing, Narika approached the net too.

“You’re better at hitting than I expected, Izuki.”

Narika said as she picked up the ball.

“At this rate, you’ll get pretty good by the tournament.”

“That’s good to hear. …Anything I should work on?”

“I’ll give advice after we’ve practiced everything. If you’re fixing something, it’s more efficient to prioritize after seeing the whole picture.”

I couldn’t help but be impressed by how sensible that was.

(…She’s so reliable.)

I remembered the first time I met Narika, five years ago when I was ten.

That day, when I started staying at the Miyakojima household, I ran into Narika swinging a bamboo sword in the dojo.

I didn’t tell her, but… I was mesmerized by her sword swings back then. I’d never seen someone so focused, so completely immersed in something.

When Narika’s serious about sports, she’s cool and dignified.

Over five years have passed since then, but watching Narika sweat now, I felt the same dignified coolness as before.

“…By the way, Narika, are we not using those clay courts over there?”

Trying to hide my inner turmoil, I asked her.

“Nah. The tournament only uses omni courts, so we won’t use them.”

We talked while looking at the other courts a bit away.

“By the way, those clay courts are called clay courts. The uneven surface causes irregular bounces. On the other hand, the hard courts next to them are flat and solid, so irregular bounces are less likely. The omni court we’re using now is artificial turf mixed with sand, which reduces irregular bounces and is a bit slippery.”

“Huh…”

I nodded at her clear explanation.

I tested the ground by lightly rubbing my shoe against it. True enough, the omni court was flat but soft and a bit slippery.

My old high school had clay courts too. They probably feel like a regular field.

Hard courts are likely similar to a gym floor. A hard, flat surface means the ball won’t bounce weirdly, but it might be tough on the knees or hips.

“You know a lot. As expected from the daughter of a sports equipment store.”

“R-Really? You can ask me anything!”

Narika puffed out her chest proudly.

“Next, we’ll practice serves and receives. Then volleys, and after that, I’ll give some simple advice.”

“Sounds good. I’m counting on you.”

◆

Practice continued for another hour.

“Let’s take a break.”

Narika came over, holding her racket and ball.

After moving for an hour and a half, even Narika looked a bit tired.

But I was sweating like a waterfall.

“Izuki, you okay?”

“Yeah… barely.”

The sweat wouldn’t stop.

Even after becoming Hinako’s caretaker and training my body with self-defense, my stamina shouldn’t have dropped… but I couldn’t keep up with Narika’s endurance.

“Izuki, your issues are shot selection and court positioning. You’re unconsciously hitting toward the center of the opponent’s court, so you should mix it up to the left or right. …The reason you’re so tired now is because I was spreading my shots side to side. On the other hand, I’m not as tired because you’re hitting straight to my front.”

“…I see. I’m hitting the ball where it’s easy for the opponent to return.”

“Exactly.”

So it’s not just a matter of losing in raw stamina.

I made sure to commit Narika’s advice to memory.

“Honestly, Konohana-san, there’s not much to teach you. You’re that good.”

“Not as good as you, Miyakojima-san.”

“Don’t be so humble. Your serves and receives are solid, and your volleys are on point. It’s that flawless skill that’s so you.”

Narika showered Hinako with praise.

“But your high-trajectory shots are a bit shaky, especially backhands. You’re great at volleys, so you want to move forward, but like this, you’ll get pinned to the baseline with spin shots.”

“Should I rely on slices to get by?”

“No, if possible, you should work on returning them normally. You don’t need power, just control. If it’s a soft shot, you could step around to your forehand.”

I sort of got what they were talking about, but to a near-beginner like me, it sounded like another dimension. Hinako, though, seemed to understand, nodding seriously.

“I’m sweaty. Gonna grab some water.”

With that, Narika headed to the water fountain.

Hinako and I watched her go.

“…When it comes to sports, Narika’s seriously amazing.”

“Mm. …I’m glad Miyakojima-san isn’t in the tennis division…”

It’s probably rare for Hinako to openly praise someone.

Honestly, if Narika were in the tennis division at the tournament, Hinako would’ve had to train like crazy to aim for the championship.

(She probably doesn’t realize it, but she was talking to Hinako more naturally too. …Maybe when her strengths are involved, she loosens up.)

Narika’s not always tense.

Maybe she can act naturally around people she’s comfortable with or in areas she’s confident in.

I need to get to know Narika better.

I feel like there’s a hint to helping her make friends somewhere in there.

“Eek!?”

At that moment, Narika let out a yelp.

“Narika, you okay?”

“Ugh… Izuki…”

I approached Narika, who was sitting on the ground.

The faucet she’d been using was spraying water like crazy.

It was clearly putting out too much.

“The faucet must be broken.”

“Ugh… I’m soaked.”

Narika was drenched from head to shoulders.

A Konohana family attendant, seeing this, hurriedly approached.

“We’re so sorry! This is our mistake—”

“N-No, it’s fine! If anything, it cooled me off!”

Narika gave an awkward smile to the deeply bowing attendants.

Well… it might actually be cooling.

After moving around so much in this heat, if there were a pool in front of me, I’d dive right in.

“Hold on, I’ll grab a towel.”

Still, she couldn’t keep practicing soaked, so I went to get a towel.

“Izuki… wipe me down…”

“Yeah, yeah.”

It wasn’t just getting wet; the sudden spray of water must have startled her.

The dignified air she had until moments ago was gone, and now Narika looked like a dejected puppy.

I grabbed a towel and started drying Narika’s hair, ruffling it vigorously.

(…It feels different from Hinako’s hair.)

The length and texture were subtly distinct.

When I take care of Hinako, she relaxes and entrusts her whole body to me, but Narika subtly shifts closer, nudging the spots she wants dried, like a big dog cozying up to its owner.

“…Hehe.”

Out of nowhere, Narika let out a cheerful giggle.

“I remember Izuki doing this for me before.”

“Huh? Did I?”

“I think it was after it rained, and I was running around in the garden. I tripped, and my hair got all muddy, so Izuki wiped it clean for me.”

Now that she mentions it, I vaguely recall something like that.

It’s a childhood memory, after all. I don’t remember every detail vividly, but Narika might hold onto those moments more clearly than I do.

“That takes me back… Ever since we were kids, having Izuki do this always calmed me down.”

Narika’s face softened into a warm smile as she spoke.

Hearing her say that… it doesn’t feel bad at all.

“—What are you doing?”

Hinako, who had appeared beside us unnoticed, asked.

“Uh, well… the faucet was broken, and Narika got wet, so I was drying her off.”

“…I see.”

I explained, a bit flustered, and Hinako nodded in understanding.

For a split second, I thought I caught a glare from her… but maybe it was my imagination?

Did Hinako come to get a drink of water too?

Approaching the drinking fountain, Hinako turned the faucet—and got a faceful of water.

“My apologies, I messed up.”

“Why!?”

I literally just told her the faucet was broken.

“E-even Konohana-san makes mistakes, huh…?”

Narika said, visibly shocked. Can we really brush this off as a mistake…?

Hinako, now soaked from head to shoulders like Narika, stepped closer to me.

“Please dry me off too.”

“…Got it.”

I couldn’t hide my bewilderment but nodded anyway.

Thankfully, I’d brought an extra towel, so I used it on Hinako.

“I-is this okay…?”

“Yes… Hehe, you have such a gentle touch.”

This was nothing like our usual routine.

I dried Hinako’s hair, my nerves on edge.

(To think I’d be tending to Hinako in full Ojou-sama mode…)

The Hinako at the mansion and the Hinako now were like night and day.

Still, the silky feel of her hair and the faint, sweet fragrance were the same as always. It hit me again that the perpetually sleepy girl and the revered Ojou-sama before me were one and the same.

“…Hmph.”

Watching us, Narika pursed her lips.

“Tomonari-san, will you help me stretch?”

“Huh? …Sure.”

Hinako sat on the ground, ready to stretch her body.

I gently pressed on her shoulders.

Naturally, our faces drew closer.

“K-Konohana-san! Isn’t that… a bit too close!?”

“Is it?”

Narika’s comment felt spot-on.

But Hinako remained unfazed.

“Tomonari-san, just like that, let me lean into you…”

“L-like this?”

“Yes… Oh.”

Suddenly, Hinako let out a soft sound.

“…Tomonari-san, you have quite a sturdy build, don’t you?”

Hinako’s cheeks flushed slightly as she spoke.

Was this—acting?

“W-we’re starting practice again! Right now! Back to it!!”

Narika declared loudly.

Honestly, I was grateful. Staying like that with Hinako was starting to make me feel weird.

“What’s the next practice?”

“Let’s see. We should work on serves and volleys… but a match format would be good too.”

Narika said, thinking aloud.

“Speaking of, who’s stronger, you or Konohana-san?”

The word “match” sparked my curiosity, and I blurted out the question.

Narika and Hinako exchanged a brief glance.

“We’ve never played, so I don’t know.”

“Indeed. We haven’t had tennis in class yet either…”

Both said they didn’t know, but they seemed intrigued deep down.

“…If Konohana-san’s okay with it, how about a match?”

Narika suggested.

Hinako hesitated for a moment before nodding.

“Very well, I’d be delighted.”

I tend to forget since I’m caught up in my own stuff, but today’s not just about me—Hinako’s training hard too. And she’s aiming to win the tournament.

(…A bit of competition might make practice more effective.)

Sensing a casual vibe, I decided to up the stakes.

“…Since we’re having a match, how about a bet?”

“A bet?”

Both tilted their heads, so I elaborated.

“Like, the winner gets to make a request of the loser.”

Only after saying it did I realize something.

On second thought, these two are Japan’s top Ojou-samas. For us commoners, a penalty might be treating someone to a meal, but these girls don’t lack for money.

If they don’t have anything they’d want from each other, this idea’s a bust.

I was about to take it back when…

“Th-then… how about the winner gets to go out with Izuki?”

Narika said, her expression tinged with nervous anticipation.

“Me?”

I didn’t expect to be dragged into this.

“That’s fine.”

Hinako nodded, her gaze serious.

The two grabbed their rackets and balls and headed to the court.

(…Well, given my position, I can’t just casually hang out with Narika.)

Narika and I have a lot to catch up on. We’re cousins, after all, and it’s been years since we last saw each other. We’ve chatted a bit at the academy, but there’s still so much to talk about.

But I’m working for the Konohana family now, so making time for Narika isn’t easy. That’s probably why she suggested going out with me as her prize.

Though… if I asked Shizune-san, she’d probably approve it without much fuss.

Honestly, I’m curious about their match, so I’ll stick around to watch.

“One-set match, with a tiebreak. Sound good?”

“No objections.”

Hinako nodded at Narika’s proposal.

“Izuki, can you referee?”

“Yeah.”

I took a seat at the umpire’s chair between the benches.

Now… on one side, we have the academy’s unrivaled Ojou-sama, dubbed perfection itself. On the other, an Ojou-sama rumored to outshine everyone in sports.

Who’s stronger? This is gonna be a spectacle.

For the academy’s students, this is a match they’d pay to see.

They flipped the racket to decide the server.

Narika won, so she took the ball.

Narika served.

A blazing fastball landed in the corner of the service box.

Hinako couldn’t even touch it, and Narika scored.

“Fifteen-love.”

One to zero.

Narika served again.

“Thirty-love.”

Narika scored another point.

This time, Hinako returned the ball, but it caught the net.

(As expected, is Hinako at a disadvantage…?)

Narika had taken two service aces in a row.

Even the “perfect” Ojou-sama couldn’t keep up with Narika…?

Narika’s dominance continued, and she took the first game.

◇

After the first game ended.

In tennis, players switch sides after odd-numbered games. Hinako and Narika began moving to swap courts.

On the way… Hinako spoke to Narika.

“Miyakojima-san, why do you want to go out with Tomonari-kun?”

Her voice was low, too soft for Izuki to hear.

Narika faltered at the question.

“W-why? Well, it’s just…”

“I get it. Tomonari-kun is comfortable to be around, isn’t he?”

Hinako said, picking up a ball near the net.

Narika’s eyes widened at her words.

The academy’s top Ojou-sama… harboring such feelings for a single boy?

She’d sensed their closeness vaguely before.

But hearing it straight from Hinako shook her.

“Y-you feel that way too, Konohana-san…?”

“Yes.”

Hinako nodded.

“The last time we went out together, it was so much fun—”

“Y-you went out together!?”

The Konohana-san, the untouchable flower of the academy…

Hinako, who’d never been linked to anyone, went out with a boy?

Ignoring Narika’s shock, Hinako continued with a gentle smile.

“And Izuki-kun is—”

Narika’s eyes widened further.

“—Oh, my apologies. Tomonari-kun is…”

“What did you say!? What did you just say!?”

Hinako tilted her head, as if to say, “What are you talking about?”

It was Hinako’s turn to serve.

Narika handed her the ball as they headed to their positions.

(Ughhh…! I know, okay…! I know Izuki calls Konohana-san by her first name…!)

Narika gripped her racket tightly.

She shot a sharp glare at Hinako across the net.

(What’s the deal with you two…!?)

◆

Second game. Hinako served.

Her shots lacked Narika’s power but were pinpoint accurate.

Unlike Narika, who played with forceful, fast-paced shots, Hinako seemed to favor precise, controlled play.

She deftly mixed in short crosses, drop shots, and other techniques. As Narika had said, her strength was airtight.

“Thirty-fifteen.”

Hinako took a one-point lead.

Tennis generally favors the server, who can score more easily. Of course, player skill can shift things, but that’s the trend, even in pro matches.

That’s because the serve is the only shot you control completely—timing, direction, everything, unaffected by your opponent. That’s why a receiver winning a game is called a “break,” a grandiose term.

So, tennis naturally tilts toward the server.

Since Hinako was serving, she had the edge, but—

“Forty-fifteen.”

Hinako scored again.

One more point, and she’d take the game.

But I felt something off.

(…Huh? Narika’s not herself.)

Her movements seemed to lack their usual sharpness.

Wondering what was wrong, I watched as Hinako won the second game.

They switched serves, with Narika serving next.

But Hinako won the third game too—a break.

Narika’s slump persisted.

It was time to change courts again. They started moving.

◇

As Narika moved, she picked up a ball near the net.

Hinako happened to be nearby.

“…By the way, Konohana-san, Izuki was drying your hair earlier too.”

Narika said, her voice low enough that Izuki couldn’t hear.

“? Yes, what about it…?”

“Do you, perhaps, regularly have Izuki take care of your hair?”

Hinako hesitated for a moment at Narika’s question.

But soon, she flashed her usual refined smile.

“Who knows? I do have him help occasionally…”

Hinako vaguely confirmed.

Narika’s lips curled slightly at her words.

“Izuki’s good at taking care of hair, isn’t he? It’s not his first time, after all.”

“…What do you mean?”

“When I was little, I didn’t care much about my hair. I’d just let it grow and move around the dojo. But one day, Izuki pointed out, ‘That must make it hard to move,’ and tied it up for me. Since then, I started having him help with my hair more often. …He might’ve forgotten, but my current hairstyle? Izuki came up with it.”

Narika proudly scooped up her black hair, tied into a single bundle, and showed it off.

Even to someone of the same sex, it was glossy, beautiful black hair. Even Hinako, who was used to being complimented, found Narika’s hair captivating.

The change of courts was over, and now it was Hinako’s turn to serve.

(…I’m not the first one, huh.)

While tossing the ball, Hinako recalled what Narika had told her.

(Hmmm…)

In the corner of her vision, she caught sight of Izuki acting as the umpire.

(…Hmmm.)

◆

After entering the fourth game.

Up until now, Hinako had held the advantage, but the tide was starting to shift again.

“Double fault. …Love-forty.”

Hinako had failed her serve twice in a row.

With this, Narika needed just one more point to win the game. Meanwhile, Hinako hadn’t scored a single point yet.

(…Now it’s Hinako’s form that’s slipping.)

As her caretaker, Izuki had to keep an eye on Hinako’s condition.

His first concern was physical fatigue, but… it didn’t seem like that. She was still moving well, and her exhaustion didn’t appear too severe.

If anything, it looked more like a mental issue rather than a physical one.

Every now and then, she’d furrow her brows and shoot a glare his way… but why?

Hinako tossed the ball, preparing to serve.

“—Whoa!?”

The ball zipped right past the tip of his nose.

Normally, a served ball wouldn’t come anywhere near the umpire’s chair. Especially with Hinako’s skill, it was hard to believe she’d miscontrol it that badly.

“D-Double fault…”

In any case, the fourth game ended with Narika’s victory.

The two went to retrieve the ball that had gotten caught in the net.

On their way, both of their gazes locked onto Izuki.

“…Tomonari-kun.”

“…We need to talk later.”

Why was he getting glares from both of them?

◆

The match ended with Narika’s victory.

At first, both players had their ups and downs, making the outcome unpredictable, but as expected, Narika’s athletic prowess prevailed. As the match progressed, she began to show her true strength, unshaken by minor psychological tactics, and demonstrated overwhelming skill.

“Izuki! It’s a promise, okay?! We’re going out together next time!”

“Uh, yeah. Got it.”

Oh right, they’d made that bet, he remembered.

“Hehe… I did it…!”

Narika was over-the-top ecstatic.

Hinako, on the other hand, looked frustrated at first but gradually calmed down.

“Well, Tomonari-san is busy, so who knows when that promise will actually happen.”

“Wha—?! T-That’s not fair, Konohana-san!”

“I don’t recall specifying a time.”

With a beautiful, emotionless smile, Hinako’s words made Narika groan, “Grrr!”

(They’ve really gotten close, haven’t they…)

Had their match sparked a friendship? It was like two boys shaking hands after a fistfight by the riverbank—a scene that, apparently, could happen even in the world of refined young ladies.

After a short break, we resumed practice.

While Hinako and I rallied, Narika watched from behind, offering precise advice. Her real-time feedback made it easy to understand what I was doing wrong.

Just as I was starting to get the hang of it, practice was called to an end.

I wanted to keep going, but the sky had already turned to a sunset glow.

It’d get dark soon. The court had night lighting, but balls lit by artificial light were harder to see. I knew that from playing tennis at a park years ago.

From afternoon to evening, we’d gotten plenty of practice in today.

We took showers, changed, and then parted ways.

“Narika, thanks for today. It was great practice.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

When I thanked her, Narika nodded with satisfaction.

“Izuki, you’ve gotten better at thinking while moving, but that sometimes makes you stiff. Don’t rush it—steady effort will pay off. Reading your opponent’s movements and outsmarting them is ideal, but for you, it’s better to focus on hitting your intended shots accurately.”

“…Got it.”

I was a bit surprised—she’d nailed exactly what I’d been focusing on during practice.

In the second half, I’d been observing my opponent’s movements while hitting, but… yeah, that might’ve been too advanced for my current level.

“For stabilizing your shots, wall practice is good enough. Just be careful not to let your form slip if you do it for too long.”

“Understood.”

I’ll ask Shizune-san later if there’s a place for wall practice.

Narika turned to Hinako next.

“Konohana-san, you truly have remarkable talent. You’re already addressing the issues I pointed out earlier. With consistent practice, it’ll become second nature.”

“Thank you very much.”

Hinako bowed gracefully.

The two, who’d been burning with rivalry during the match, were now back to their usual selves.

“Konohana-san, could I borrow your racket for a sec?”

“? Sure, but…”

Hinako handed over her racket, looking puzzled.

Narika focused on the grip of the racket.

She pulled a brand-new grip from her racket bag and handed it to Hinako along with the racket.

“Since you’re the type to control the ball delicately, a thinner grip like this might suit you better. It should give you a better feel for your shots.”

“I see… I’ll definitely give it a try.”

Hinako accepted the grip.

I was genuinely impressed by Narika’s sharp, efficient advice.

“Narika, you’re really good at teaching.”

“R-Really? I don’t have much experience with this, so it’s the first time I’ve been praised for it.”

A mix of joy and embarrassment flashed across Narika’s face as she smiled.

Surprisingly, Narika might have a knack for teaching.

“…Monday’s my turn to step up, huh.”

Narika murmured, gazing at the sunset-stained sky.

Compared to her confident expression earlier, she now looked faintly anxious.

I couldn’t help but speak up.

“I know it’s not my place to say, but if you really hate it, you could skip the tournament. Even Konohana-san takes breaks from the Academy, and that’s pretty common at our school, right?”

“That’s true, but…”

Many students at Kiou Academy come from unique family backgrounds. It’s not uncommon for them to take time off for personal reasons, and Hinako occasionally takes breaks when she’s worn out from acting.

So, skipping the tournament wouldn’t be impossible.

If Narika couldn’t shake last year’s trauma and it was weighing on her to the point of distress, I thought it’d be okay for her to sit it out. That’s as valid a reason as any family matter.

But Narika gently shook her head.

“…I want to overcome my weaknesses as much as I can. Running away won’t change anything.”

Narika said.

Her words struck me as incredibly resilient.

“Narika… you’re strong.”

“Strong?”

“Yeah. Facing your weaknesses like that—it’s not easy.”

At my words, Narika’s eyes widened slightly.

But then she gave a wry smile.

“I’m not strong. If anything, I’m full of weaknesses… But one day, someone taught me something. Acknowledging your weaknesses is the first step toward strength.”

Narika continued.

“You two probably already know, but I’m hopelessly clumsy. And even sports, which you could say is my only real talent, didn’t come naturally to me. Since I was little, I’ve been rigorously trained to get to where I am.”

“Huh?”

Really…?

When I first met Narika, she’d already mastered several martial arts—judo, kendo, aikido, all at a level far beyond her peers, or so I remembered.

But apparently, that wasn’t innate talent—it was built through sheer effort.

“I’ve faced countless setbacks and struggles since I was young. I’ve run until I passed out, swung a bamboo sword until my hands were covered in blisters. Even then, results didn’t always come.”

Narika said, her gaze dropping to her palm.

Looking closely, her palm bore several calluses.

Those setbacks and struggles weren’t just from childhood.

Narika was still pushing herself, even now.

“Those experiences gave me my initial strength, I think… After all, I’ve been through plenty of embarrassing moments. I’ve gotten pretty good at accepting my weaknesses.”

As if revealing her own shortcomings, Narika smiled with a hint of embarrassment.

But that wasn’t something to be ashamed of.

(I see… That’s why Narika’s so good at teaching.)

Narika might not realize it, but I understood.

Being able to accept your own weaknesses means you can empathize with the weaknesses of others.

That’s why she could guide others so carefully.

Her ability to understand the struggles of those who find something difficult was a gift born from her experiences.

(…I want others to know this too.)

I felt Narika’s charm was something more people should recognize.

She had her flaws, but I genuinely thought Narika was someone worthy of respect.

As I was thinking that, I noticed Narika glaring at me with a sulky expression.

“What’s up?”

“…Nothing.”

For some reason, Narika looked at my face and let out a sigh.

After exchanging goodbyes, we each headed home.

Hinako and I rode in the Konohana family car with Shizune-san.

The car started moving slowly.

“Man, I’m wiped.”

“Mm… I can’t move another step.”

Hinako, who’d been sitting primly like a proper Ojou-sama until now, slumped and muttered.

I’d started feeling the fatigue myself after the shower. I must’ve been running on adrenaline during practice, but now I could fall asleep any second.

“Shizune-san, is there a place near the mansion where I could do wall practice?”

“There’s a gymnasium the size of a basketball court next to the dojo. The wall material might not be ideal, but…”

“Thanks. I’ll give it a try.”

If I get some free time, I’ll practice against a wall like Narika suggested.

Unlike Hinako, I don’t need to aim for a championship. Like with my studies, I just need to avoid embarrassing myself. But… if I’m doing it, I want to aim for the best results possible.

Narika’s the one who inspired that mindset.

Her advice had me fired up with motivation.

“I want to find a way to help Narika out too.”

She’d offered to coach me in tennis as a favor, but now I felt like I owed her.

As I thought about what strategy we could use for Monday…

“…I’ll think about it too.”

Hinako murmured.

“You’re being pretty cooperative, Hinako.”

Honestly, that surprised me.

Hinako’s true nature isn’t exactly cold toward others, but she’s got a strong lazy streak.

“…I kinda get how Miyakojima-san feels.”

Hinako said in a sleepy tone.

“Both Miyakojima-san and I… the way people see us doesn’t match who we really are.”

“…Now that you mention it, you do have that in common.”

“Mm. So… I get how tough it is.”

One’s misunderstood as coming from a yakuza or biker gang family, but is really just a timid girl.

The other’s hailed as the perfect Ojou-sama, admired by all, but is secretly a slacker.

The key difference is that Narika didn’t choose her image, while Hinako deliberately plays the part. But in the end, Hinako’s forced to act the refined Ojou-sama due to her duties as a Konohana heiress. The burden they both feel is probably similar.

Maybe Hinako’s so cooperative because she understands Narika’s feelings.

“By the way… Izuki.”

Hinako stared at my face and asked.

“That hairstyle of Miyakojima-san’s… you really came up with it?”

Her round eyes seemed to narrow slightly with a hint of sharpness.

How did Hinako know about that? I don’t think I ever mentioned it.

“…Well, yeah, it’s true. But it was a long time ago.”

“Hmph…”

Hinako made a face like she wasn’t thrilled.

“I want… something too.”

Was she saying she wanted me to style her hair?

I was at a loss for how to respond to Hinako’s odd competitive streak.

“I mean, I’d need a ribbon or something, and I don’t have one right now…”

“I have spares, just in case.”

Shizune-san, in the passenger seat, turned and handed me two ribbons.

She’s too prepared…

“…Shizune-san, you’ve been awfully nice to Hinako lately.”

“I am my Ojou-sama’s maid, after all. …As a maid, I’m merely supporting my Ojou-sama’s wishes.”

Shizune-san turned back forward, answering without looking at me.

When we first met, she seemed more focused on curbing Hinako’s whims, but… maybe something’s changed in her perspective?

Or perhaps it’s Hinako who’s changed, and Shizune-san’s picking up on it.

Hinako turned her back to me, making it easier for me to work on her hair.

I looked at the ribbons Shizune-san gave me and thought.

(Tying it into one bundle is what Narika did, and wild hairstyles are Tennouji-san’s thing…)

I might be misunderstanding something, but I’m not exactly a hair expert.

At the very least, I wanted to come up with something that’d make Hinako feel refreshed.

She usually wears her hair down, and earlier she had it tied into one. So…

“…Alright, how about this?”

I tied Hinako’s hair into two sections.

Twin tails, basically.

As expected, it suited her. Hinako could probably pull off any hairstyle and still look cute. Twin tails aren’t common for high schoolers, but compared to golden blonde vertical rolls, they’re not that bold.

“Ooooh…”

Hinako caught her reflection in the car window and let out an awed sound.

“So, uh, what do you think?”

“Mm… Satisfied.”

It was a pretty simple choice, but Hinako seemed happy with it.

She leaned over, resting her head on my lap.

Her twin tails brushed against my arm with a soft thwap.

“I get how Miyakojima-san feels, but… I’m not giving in.”

Hinako said in a small voice.

“I don’t want… Izuki taking care of anyone but me…”

Saying that, Hinako closed her eyes.

…No need to worry—there’s probably no one else but Hinako who’d need this much looking after from me.

After a while, the sound of her steady breathing filled the air.

Today was a physically demanding day for Hinako, despite it being a day off. She must be exhausted. Honestly, I could use a quick nap myself.

“We’ve arrived.”

The car came to a stop, and Shizune-san announced our arrival.

I lightly tapped Hinako’s head resting on my lap and said, “We’re here.”

Hinako stirred, sitting up and letting out a small yawn.

At the same time, Shizune-san stepped out from the passenger seat.

“Kagen-sama.”

Outside the car, Shizune-san bowed slightly, her voice tinged with faint surprise.

Looking over, I saw Kagen-san had just arrived at the mansion by car, same as us.

“Good work today. What brings you here?”

“Just stopping by during a break. My next meeting is nearby.”

Listening to Shizune-san and Kagen-san’s exchange, I got out of the car.

For a brief moment, my eyes met Kagen-san’s.

I bowed my head, a flicker of nervousness running through me.

Then, Hinako stepped out of the car.

“Nnh… Papa?”

“Hinako, you’re just getting back—”

Kagen-san’s words cut off abruptly.

His eyes widened, and with a skeptical expression, he said,

“…What’s with that hairstyle?”

He was staring at Hinako’s twin-tails.

Oh no.

Cold sweat trickled down my entire body.

“Izuki… did it for me.”

“…I see.”

Hinako answered honestly.

Kagen-san looked at me, his face completely serious.

“Izuki-kun.”

“Y-Yes!”

“Is this your taste?”

“No, it’s not!!”

To be precise, whether it’s my taste or not is up for debate—I hadn’t even thought about it when I picked the hairstyle.

It’s fine, it’s just for now. I’d never do anything to ruin Hinako’s image… With that sentiment, I bowed my head again.

“Huh… it’s not…?”

Hinako looked crestfallen, as if she’d been struck by disappointment.

Please, Hinako…!

Just stay quiet for now…!

◆

Monday after school.

We gathered at the stairwell landing, hashing out our strategy.

“About the plan, Hinako-san and I talked it over and came up with an idea… How about using the sports festival as a conversation starter with someone?”

Narika blinked in confusion, so I continued explaining.

“On Saturday, when we practiced tennis, I noticed you seemed more relaxed than usual, Narika. You were even chatting with Hinako-san pretty naturally.”

“N-Now that you mention it, yeah, maybe.”

Narika nodded, as if it just clicked for her.

On Saturday, Narika had been able to talk casually with Hinako until the very end. She hadn’t seemed aware of it herself, but it showed how at ease she was.

“So, I thought if you’re in your element, you might find it easier to talk. How about reaching out to someone in the kendo division for the sports festival?”

“B-But, Izuki, the whole reason I’m struggling is because I made a huge mess at last year’s sports festival. Isn’t bringing it up a bit risky?”

Narika confessed, her voice laced with anxiety.

“That’s a fair point, but…”

It was a tough topic to address, so I hesitated for a moment.

“…Honestly, I think your reputation has already spread across the academy, so you probably don’t need to worry too much about that.”

“Ugh… I hate to admit it, but you’re probably right…”

Narika’s image around the academy didn’t seem tied to last year’s sports festival anymore. It was like her reputation had taken on a life of its own.

“If anything, I think the people interested in the sports festival or kendo are the ones you could clear up misunderstandings with most easily. The more serious someone is about sports, the more likely you’ll click with them.”

“That… might be true.”

Narika seemed convinced, nodding slightly.

“…Alright. I’ll give it a shot.”

Narika gave a firm nod.

“Do you know who’s in the kendo division?”

“I know the ones from Class B. …If I spot them, I’ll try talking to them.”

Narika swallowed hard, her nerves evident as she spoke.

Hinako and I moved to a spot a little farther away, keeping an eye on Narika.

A female student approached from the hallway.

“A-Alright, here I go…!”

In a small voice, Narika psyched herself up.

That girl must be one of the Class B students in the kendo division.

“H-Hey, you there!”

“Yes!?”

Her approach was like a cop stopping someone for questioning.

Not exactly a smooth start.

Now, could Narika turn this around?

“Y-You were in the kendo division last year, right?”

“Y-Yes…”

The girl already looked like she was on the verge of tears.

“Are you… competing this year too?”

“Y-Yes…”

The girl nodded, trembling.

Narika, flashing a grin like some kind of demon lord, said,

“This year… I won’t lose.”

“Eek… I-I surrender…!”

The girl, eyes brimming with tears, threw in the towel.

Winning without even fighting—is this true strength? No, this wasn’t the time for jokes.

I approached Narika, who stood frozen, watching the girl walk away.

“Why’d you intimidate her?”

“Ow!”

I gave Narika’s head a light chop.

What an awkward girl… I could feel a headache coming on.

“Maybe we should rethink the strategy a bit?”

“…No.”

After a moment of thought, Narika shook her head.

“You and Hinako-san are helping me out so much. I need to try harder too.”

“…Got it.”

The strength to acknowledge her own weaknesses—that was Narika’s weapon.

She wasn’t the type to give up over a few missteps.

“But I’m still so nervous.”

Her determination was great, but the results weren’t quite there.

It’s normal to feel a bit nervous talking to someone new, but Narika was way too tense. Couldn’t she relax just a little?

“…Is there any way you could talk to others the way you do with me?”

“Th-That’s… probably impossible.”

Narika grimaced, clearly skeptical.

Yeah, if she could do that, she wouldn’t be struggling.

“Then how about someone with a similar vibe to me? You might be able to talk to them normally.”

I thought it was a brilliant idea.

The only issue… in this academy full of elites, it was hard to imagine anyone remotely like me, a commoner.

Still, there might be someone out there.

“No… that probably won’t work.”

Even so, Narika replied with a troubled expression.

“It’s not about someone being similar. …To me, you’re special, Izuki.”

It was probably a pure, heartfelt statement. Narika said it with a serious look.

But those words hit me with enough force to nearly knock me off balance.

“I-I see…”

I could feel the depth of Narika’s trust in me, loud and clear.

To think she felt that strongly… A mix of joy and embarrassment welled up inside me.

“—Have you settled on a strategy?”

“Gah!?”

Somehow, Hinako had snuck up behind Narika.

Caught off guard, Narika jumped, her shoulders shooting up in shock.

“I-It’s been a while since someone got behind me… Hinako-san, you’ve got the makings of an assassin…”

And Narika, remembering every time someone sneaks up on her, was something else.

“So, we’ve concluded there’s no choice but to go the straightforward route.”

Trying to find a workaround wasn’t getting us anywhere.

We’d just have to keep at it, facing things head-on with persistence.

“…Right. How about this: try talking to me right before you approach someone else? It might help you carry that ease into the next conversation.”

“G-Got it. I’ll try.”

Narika nodded eagerly.

It wasn’t clear how much this small tweak would help, but it was better than nothing.

But what should we talk about?

After some thought, I decided to voice a question that had been on my mind.

“By the way, Narika, you mentioned you’ve been going to the candy store a lot lately. Doesn’t your family ever say anything about it?”

“Oh, they used to say all sorts of things. Like it’s bad for my health, or what if I got kidnapped on the way there.”

Narika answered, recalling the past.

Candy stores are often tucked away in winding streets. If Hinako tried going to one alone, I bet Kagen-san would refuse, fearing she’d get kidnapped.

“But to me, candy is tied to my memories with you, Izuki. So I ignored their objections and kept eating it… Then one day, my dad got this weird idea: ‘Could candy and sports actually go well together?’ He decided to stock candy at the registers of our big stores, and it became a huge hit with kids. Sales skyrocketed. With some TV features boosting it, our company’s stock price shot up for a while—”

“Hold on, hold on, hold on! That’s such a wild story, I’m losing track of the main point!”

I’d meant it as casual small talk, but I didn’t expect such an intense anecdote…

Still, it made sense. If candy boosted their sales, Narika’s parents probably couldn’t stop her anymore.

Compared to Hinako or Tennouji-san, Narika was a surprisingly free-spirited Ojou-sama. This must be why. She’d unintentionally brought unexpected success to the Miyakojima family.

“O-Okay, how about this instead? Um… about me and you going out together, maybe we should start planning the date and destination—”

“Oh, someone’s coming.”

“What!? At this moment!?”

Narika visibly panicked.

A male student was walking toward us from down the hallway.

“That guy’s in our class, but I don’t think he’s in the kendo division…”

“Then maybe we can skip him.”

“W-Wait, but I think he was in kendo last year…”

“Then talk to him.”

Narika let out a small squeak, clearly intimidated.

Honesty is a virtue.

If he was in kendo last year, the topic should work fine.

“H-Hey!”

Steeling herself, Narika called out to the guy.

“You’re, um, in the kendo division, right?”

“…Yeah.”

“So, uh, what kind of gear do you use!?”

Mustering her courage, Narika asked.

That was a solid question.

I’m no conversation expert myself, but if I were that guy, I could answer a question like that without much trouble.

But the guy—

“…Does it matter?”

He replied with blatant skepticism.

“W-Well, maybe, but…”

Narika faltered, unsure how to respond.

Watching them from a distance, I tilted my head. Huh?

This felt different from before.

“Sorry, I’m in a rush.”

With that, the guy walked away from Narika.

Hinako and I approached Narika, who looked dejected.

“Is it… my face? Is my face the problem…?”

As usual, Narika was cursing her own shortcomings.

But—she hadn’t noticed, but this wasn’t the usual.

“…Narika, wait here.”

I went after the guy who’d just talked to Narika.

(No matter how you look at it, that guy was in the wrong.)

All her previous failures had stemmed from Narika’s attitude, one way or another.

But this time was different.

That guy had clearly been dismissive of Narika.

He’d been curt the whole time, brushing her off with a half-hearted excuse before leaving… That kind of attitude would hurt anyone, not just Narika.

After walking down the hallway, I spotted the guy near the school’s exit.

As expected… he didn’t look rushed at all. He was casually checking out new items on the café’s signboard inside the academy.

“Hey, got a sec?”

I called out to him.

“…What?”

He turned to me, his face skeptical.

Hinako and I had only watched from a distance, so to him, I was probably a total stranger.

But honestly… I was a little pissed off.

Why does everyone misunderstand Narika?

Why won’t they even try to see her differently?

“I saw what happened earlier… Don’t you think that attitude was a bit much?”

Suppressing the anger simmering in my chest as best I could, I spoke.

“It’s none of your business.”

“No, it is. I’m Narika’s friend.”

I countered, trying to keep my head cool.

It’s not like I want everyone to love Narika. Compatibility matters, and there’ll always be people who don’t get along.

But even so, that attitude was uncalled for.

Acting so blatantly distant from others… that’s just being a jerk.

“Narika isn’t the kind of person everyone thinks she is. If you don’t click with her, you don’t have to force yourself to hang out, but… you don’t need to act cold on purpose either, right?”

When I said that, the guy in front of me made a complicated face.

He seemed to think there was some truth to my words. But—.

“What if she’s as terrifying as the rumors say?”

The guy furrowed his brow as he spoke.

“My parents are always strict about it. ‘Don’t cross a powerful family. If you get on their bad side, they’ll crush your entire household.’”

Hearing his words, my mind went blank for a moment.

That perspective—that possibility—was completely outside my expectations.

Not the students at this academy, but their parents. I hadn’t even considered what kind of feelings they might have toward Narika, the Ojou-sama of the Miyakojima family.

As I froze at the unexpected response, the guy opened his mouth again.

“You’re Tomonari from Class A, right? I know about you.”

My eyes widened when he called my name.

The guy glared at me with cold eyes.

“Not everyone’s as good at sucking up as you are.”

With that, he walked away.

“S-sucking up…?”

The words spilled from my mouth, but I couldn’t call out to his retreating back.

That’s how shocking his comment was to me.

(That’s how they see me…?)

I hadn’t thought about it at all.

To think that’s how they saw me—and Narika, too…

(…Hold on a sec.)

The situation just changed.

Cold sweat trickled down my spine.

(This… it’s not just Narika in trouble here, is it? I’m in deep too, aren’t I?)

◆

After returning to the mansion and having dinner and a bath with Hinako.

I sank into the chair in my room, steeling myself.

“…Alright.”

I’d finished my prep and review for the day.

Now it was time to tackle the homework I’d brought back from the academy.

—I had to think.

About the words that guy had thrown at me.

About the meaning behind the look he gave me.

(Right now, I might not be in a position to talk about Narika… First, I need to reflect on my own actions.)

To begin with, what even is my position at the academy?

I need to look at it objectively, not subjectively.

I’m a transfer student at Kiou Academy. A plain, slightly rough-around-the-edges commoner who suddenly became part of Class 2-A one day.

My family is supposedly a mid-tier company under the Konohana Group umbrella. Tennouji-san saw through that lie, but everyone else seems to believe it.

It’s only been three months since I transferred.

In a place like Kiou Academy, filled with kids destined to inherit major corporations, my family’s standing isn’t exactly impressive. And I’m not exactly topping the class in grades either.

Yet somehow, I’m spending time with Hinako, the girl everyone at the academy admires.

If it was just Hinako, people might chalk it up to family connections. But I’m also hanging out with Tennouji-san and Narika.

“…It’s not hard to see how it could look like I’m sucking up.”

The guy who pointed it out after school wasn’t even in my class—he was from Class B.

I never imagined someone from another class would say something like that to me.

But that just shows how much I’ve been sticking out like a sore thumb.

(The root of it… is that I haven’t been accepted.)

If I could naturally fit in while spending time with Hinako and the others, no one would say stuff like that.

So why haven’t I been accepted?

Probably… because Hinako and I are keeping this half-hearted distance.

If it got out that Hinako and I live in the same mansion, her reputation would take a hit. So I’ve been careful not to let anything slip. As a precaution, I’ve kept my interactions with Hinako at the academy to a minimum.

For example, we eat lunch together, but we make sure no one sees us.

When Hinako drops something or gets lost, I help her subtly, like I just happened to be there, not like I’m following her around.

We’ve been trying to show everyone we’re just normal acquaintances… nothing more than classmates, by avoiding unnecessary involvement.

Until now, I thought that was the right move.

But it seems I was wrong.

That minimal interaction, because of the distance we keep, ends up standing out even more.

(Or rather… it’s not even minimal anymore, is it?)

We had a tea party.

We held a study session.

I was with her when I was helping Narika with her issues.

Those scenes probably didn’t sit well with everyone else. A guy like me, who usually fades into the background in the classroom, suddenly hanging out with the academy’s top-tier Ojou-samas.

A slick opportunist… it’s no wonder they’d think that.

(But… does that mean I shouldn’t spend time with Hinako and the others anymore?)

Should I really keep our interactions to the bare minimum?

But I hesitated.

At the academy, Hinako acts like the perfect Ojou-sama.

To people who don’t know her, she probably seems graceful. But to me, she sometimes looks like she’s desperately trying to keep up appearances.

Yet when she’s with me, she occasionally lets out a soft smile.

That’s… my role, isn’t it?

Can I really deny that smile?

“…Izuki.”

“Wah!?”

A voice from behind startled me.

“H-Hinako… when did you get in my room…?”

“I’ve been here… for a while.”

I hadn’t noticed at all.

I must’ve been that deep in thought.

“Did you come alone?”

“Shizune walked me… partway.”

Figures, I thought to myself.

Without a guide, it’d take Hinako thirty minutes to find my room.

I didn’t see Shizune-san anywhere. She must’ve had other work and left already.

Suddenly, Hinako peered at my face with a worried look.

“You’re making… a serious face.”

“…I’ve got a bit of a problem on my mind.”

It’s not the kind of thing I can spill openly.

So I asked the bare minimum—the most important question.

“Hey, Hinako. Even at the academy, do you want to be with me?”

Hinako tilted her head curiously.

“We’re together… during lunch, aren’t we?”

“Not just lunch. Outside of that… like talking together in the classroom during breaks.”

Hinako nodded immediately.

“Of course. …I want to be with you, Izuki, all the time.”

“All the time, huh.”

That’s quite the extravagant thing to say.

But to me, it was something that made me happy.

“Got it. …I’ll give it my all.”

My decision was made.

Thanks to Hinako—or maybe even without her saying anything, I’d have come to the same conclusion.

(…I feel the same as Hinako.)

My role as her caretaker didn’t matter anymore.

This wasn’t about duty.

This was about my feelings.

(I… want to be with Hinako and the others too.)

Hinako, Tennouji-san, and Narika.

Right now, the people around us don’t see me as someone worthy of standing beside them.

That’s why I have to change.

Because if I don’t, I might end up causing trouble for everyone.

“…I need to earn the respect of a lot of people.”

This was the first time in my life I’d ever had a worry like this.

Even so, I decided I wouldn’t back down.

◇

After Izuki walked her back to her room, Hinako was rolling around on her bed, hugging her pillow tightly.

“Excuse me.”

The door opened, and Shizune entered.

Shizune approached Hinako, who was sprawled on the bed, and glanced at the documents in her hand.

“Ojou-sama, regarding the dinner party you’ll be attending next week—”

She stopped mid-sentence.

“Nfu…”

Hinako was acting different than usual.

With a strange, goofy grin, she kept rolling back and forth.

“Nhehe…”

“…What’s the matter, Ojou-sama?”

Shizune asked, seeing Hinako looking utterly blissful.

“Izuki said… he’ll try to be with me even in the classroom…”

“In the classroom as well?”

Hinako nodded with a small “Mm” as Shizune tilted her head.

“It makes me… so happy. …Nhehe.”

Like she was lost in a dream, Hinako flashed a soft, silly smile.

“What did Izuki-san say about how he plans to be with you?”

“That… I don’t know.”

Hinako recalled her visit to Izuki’s room earlier.

“He said… he needs to be acknowledged by lots of people.”

That’s what Izuki had muttered at the end.

She didn’t quite understand what he meant, but she remembered how unusually serious his expression was.

“…I see. That’s a thorny path.”

Shizune murmured under her breath.

“There was a message from Kagen-sama regarding next week’s dinner party. The venue is—”

Shizune continued, delivering the planned updates.

Unlike the previous dinner party Izuki had accompanied her to, this one was small. It wouldn’t even take thirty minutes. It should be less of a burden.

Hinako responded with sleepy “Mmm, mmm” sounds.

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

Having finished her report, Shizune bowed and moved to leave Hinako’s room.

“…Shizune. You’re in… more of a hurry than usual?”

Rubbing her sleepy eyes with the back of her hand, Hinako spoke.

She felt like Shizune had gone through the updates more quickly than usual today.

“My apologies. I was planning to head to Izuki-san’s room next.”

“To Izuki’s…? Then, I’ll…”

“You were just there, weren’t you, Ojou-sama? Please go to bed now.”

“Muu…”

Hinako wanted to protest, but staying up late would earn her a stern scolding, so she reluctantly complied this time. Hinako, who already slept a lot, was prone to slipping up at the academy if she didn’t get enough rest. Shizune knew that well.

“Then, excuse me. …Good night, Ojou-sama.”

“Mm… Good night.”

Tucked into her fluffy bedding, Hinako fell fast asleep in no time.

◆

After walking Hinako back to her room, I was in my own, thinking about academy life again.

I needed to become someone who could stand beside Hinako and the others at the academy without looking out of place.

But I had no idea how to actually do that.

(If I rely on Hinako and the others to back me up, it’ll backfire…)

Hinako and the others have a lot of influence at the academy. If they vouched for me, people’s views of me might shift a bit. But that could also make it look like I’m sucking up even more. So I hesitated to lean on them.

“…Thinking about it, Taishou and Asahi are pretty amazing.”

Those two probably wouldn’t seem out of place standing next to Hinako and the others.

They’d probably say, “That’s too much for us!” but… those two are like the mood-makers of Class A. They’re well-liked and have a wide circle of friends.

Taishou and Asahi interact with people outside of me and Hinako’s group.

That’s probably the difference between us…

“Excuse me.”

As I was mulling it over, I heard a knock at the door.

The person who appeared when it opened was—.

“Shizune-san…?”

“You seem to be deep in thought.”

Shizune-san said, looking at my face.

“I heard from Ojou-sama. …Izuki-san, you want to stand proudly beside her at the academy, don’t you?”

“…Yes.”

I hadn’t gone into that much detail with Hinako.

Shizune-san’s insight was incredible.

“And as a result, you’re seriously thinking about your relationships at the academy.”

The answer to that was also “Yes.”

When I nodded, Shizune-san let out a deep, slow breath.

It wasn’t a sigh.

It was almost like she was genuinely impressed…

“…Until now, no caretaker has lasted more than a month before giving up.”

Shizune-san suddenly started speaking.

“That’s why none of the previous caretakers ever had to worry about academy relationships. In just one month, you can’t even build relationships deep enough to cause those kinds of concerns.”

That makes sense.

Even I didn’t have worries like this after just a month as her caretaker. I was too busy keeping up with Hinako and the academy to think about it.

“In other words, you’re the first caretaker to face the academy’s social dynamics head-on.”

Shizune-san’s serious gaze locked onto me.

“There will likely be many challenges ahead, but let me say this plainly.”

As if pouring her heart into it, Shizune-san slowly parted her lips and said,

“—Well done for making it this far.”

She looked straight at me as she spoke.

It was as if she was delighted that I was facing this issue.

Her attitude made me certain.

Having this worry was the right thing.

I could’ve backed off. As her caretaker, I could’ve chosen to keep my distance from Hinako and the others.

But I chose to step forward instead—and that was the right choice.

Shizune-san, who’s known Hinako far longer than I have, was guaranteeing that.

It felt like a strong push at my back.

“Let’s think about this together from now on.”

Shizune-san said in an unusually gentle tone.

“Izuki-san. How can you truly become a student of Kiou Academy?”