Chapter 1: The Tea Party Alliance

“The second semester has begun… And with that, the much-anticipated Management Game is officially kicking off!”

After the opening ceremony, we moved to the classroom, where our homeroom teacher for Class 2-A, Fukushima Misono, began explaining with an unusually high level of enthusiasm.

“Most of you probably already know, but just to be safe, let me go over it. The Management Game is, as the name suggests, a flagship program at Kiou Academy where students learn about business management. For the next month and a half, you’ll participate in this game alongside your regular classes.”

I’d already gotten a rough overview from Shizune-san beforehand.

Despite being called a game, the Management Game is fundamentally treated as a class.

Naturally, it affects your grades.

“If you achieve good results in this game, you’ll earn better grades. Those who excel in the game demonstrate skill in management—meaning they’re adept at running organizations—so they’re often more likely to be selected for student council positions.”

A few of my classmates light up with motivated expressions.

They’re probably aiming for the student council.

…And I’m one of them.

“Now then, let’s get started by handing out the laptops you’ll use for the game.”

Each student is given a laptop.

According to Shizune-san, these laptops are all brand-new.

Checking the specs, I realize they’re pretty high-end machines. You can even detach the monitor and use it like a tablet. Buying one of these would probably cost at least 200,000 yen.

“The details of the game will be explained in the tutorial. The game officially starts tomorrow, so make sure to complete the tutorial by then.”

With that, the teacher wraps up, and homeroom ends.

(Here we go.)

I recall something from the tail end of summer break.

That day, Takuma-san had said something to me.

—Kiou Academy really starts to get serious in the second semester of your second year.

Without a doubt, he was referring to the Management Game.

Takuma-san also mentioned that if I want to aim for a position in the Konohana Group, joining the student council and building a track record is the way to go. …For an ordinary guy like me, the idea of joining the student council at a place like this feels almost blasphemous, but if it’s my only shot, I’ve got to try.

“Yo, Tomonari. It’s that time, right?”

As I pack the laptop into my bag, Taishou calls out to me.

“Yup. Let’s hit the usual café.”

We’d already exchanged greetings before the opening ceremony. Apparently, Taishou spent his summer break tagging along on his family’s company retreats, traveling quite a bit.

“By the way… you got a bit of a tan, huh?”

“Yeah, man! I was all over the place—beaches, mountains, you name it! But compared to her…”

Taishou’s skin is slightly darker than before.

But the person he’s looking at is—

“Hey, you two! It’s been a while, so we’re having a tea party today, right!?”

Asahi approaches us with a cheerful grin, her skin noticeably tanner than Taishou’s.

Asahi’s always been bright and bubbly, but with her healthy, sun-kissed glow, she practically a walking bundle of energy right now.

“Asahi… you’re really tanned.”

“Right!? I went all out this summer!”

Asahi says it with a hint of pride. She doesn’t seem bothered by the tan at all—more like she sees it as a badge of honor.

“Well, next summer’s probably gonna be hectic, so I get why you went hard,” Taishou mutters.

The summer of our third year will likely be consumed by entrance exams. For students at Kiou Academy, there might be even bigger events on the horizon.

“Sorry I’m late.”

While we’re chatting, Hinako arrives.

She seems to have been swarmed with greetings from a ton of classmates. Looking outside the classroom, I see students from other classes who came to see her, but there’s no way she can handle them all today. She’s probably exhausted already.

“Konohana… you don’t seem tanned at all.”

“I take precautions. Family reasons.”

“Oh, wow. Being treated like a proper Ojou-sama sounds kinda nice. Meanwhile, I got this tanned, and nobody stopped me. They just kept saying, ‘It suits you, it suits you’…”

Asahi looks a bit dejected. The heart of a maiden is a complicated thing.

Come to think of it, during summer classes, I remember Shizune-san slathering sunscreen on Hinako.

Being the heiress of the Konohana family means even tanning freely isn’t an option… but Asahi seems to envy that kind of Ojou-sama treatment.

If you ask me, Asahi’s plenty Ojou-sama herself.

◆

When we arrive at the café, two girls are already there.

The familiar blonde with vertical curls, Tennouji-san, and the cool beauty with a side of social awkwardness, Narika.

“It’s here!! The Management Game!!”

The moment we sit down, Tennouji-san bursts out with excitement.

“Before that… Tennouji-san, let’s start with greetings for the new semester.”

Asahi gives a wry smile, and Tennouji-san looks a tad sheepish.

“Ahem, you’re right. Greetings come first.”

“Here’s to another semester together. I’m truly happy that not a single one of us is missing from this group.”

Tennouji-san’s sincerity isn’t exaggerated.

The students at Kiou Academy all come from families of politicians or business tycoons. With the constraints of their prestigious backgrounds, some might even have to transfer schools at this point.

That said, we’d already confirmed none of the six of us were in that situation.

This group, formed from our early tea parties, means a lot to me. I’m quietly grateful we can all spend this semester together.

“Miyakojima, here’s to another semester.”

“Y-Yeah! Looking forward to it!”

Narika’s voice is stiff, her face tense with nerves.

“Narika, you’re looking way too intense.”

“Ugh… I-I haven’t been around people much lately, so I just…”

She’s supposed to have grown a bit since we last saw her… but has she regressed? I’m a little worried.

“Tennouji-san, you organized this gathering, right? Is there something specific you wanted to talk about?”

When I ask, Tennouji-san places her laptop on the table.

“Before we get to the main topic, let me ask—does everyone understand what the Management Game is about?”

Most of us nod with a casual “more or less.”

“Sorry, I know the basics, but not the details…”

“S-Same here…”

I raise my hand, and Narika follows suit.

“Then I’ll explain, just to be safe. The tutorial covers most of it, but it’s time-consuming, so this should help.”

Shizune-san had mentioned during her earlier explanation that since it’s a unique class, it’s better to hear the details from classmates after the semester starts, so I’m grateful for this. The teacher touched on it during homeroom, but the Management Game is a hallmark of Kiou Academy. Most students, except transfer students like me, already know the gist of it… though Narika seems to be an exception.

“The Management Game is a business simulation game. Players take on the role of a company executive and manage one or more businesses over a three-year period within the game.”

I’m familiar with business simulation games. Back at my old high school, a classmate was obsessed with them. Popular ones include games where you play as a mayor building a city or running a farm.

“You can manage a wide variety of businesses—manufacturing, retail, schools, airports, theme parks, and more. However, you don’t get to choose freely. Based on your family background and grades, you’re given a set of options to pick from. For example, Miyakojima, you’ll definitely have a sports equipment manufacturer as one of your choices.”

“Yeah. My parents told me to pick the sports equipment company.”

“Every student should be able to choose a business in the same industry as their family. It makes the simulation more realistic.”

It’s called a game, but this is still a class.

The goal is education, not just fun. Limiting the business options makes sense.

“What kind of options do you and Konohana get, Tennouji-san?”

I voice my curiosity.

The Konohana Group, for instance, includes city banks, trading companies, heavy industry, and real estate. Are all of those available as choices?

“For us, we’re given the option to manage an entire corporate group.”

I see.

So they can take on a role like Kagen’s.

“The initial role you choose is called the ‘start position.’ You can also select the scale of the business, like capital or number of employees.”

Naturally, the scale of the business depends on your family background and grades.

For me, my start position would probably be a mid-tier IT company or smaller.

“There are exceptions, though. Some start positions, like restaurants or small retail businesses, are open to everyone.”

Next to me, Narika mutters, “Is there a candy store…?”

Even if the game allowed it, I doubt Narika’s parents would.

“Wait, doesn’t that make it unfair? If we’re competing on profits, people who can choose big companies have an advantage, while those limited to smaller ones are at a disadvantage…”

“Good catch, Tomonari-kun!” Asahi says with a grin.

“Like you said, the starting points aren’t equal, so the evaluation isn’t just about profits. You need to adopt a strategy that suits you—whether it’s steady management or innovative approaches—and that’s what affects your grade.”

Taishou nods in agreement. “Exactly. Even in the real world, profits aren’t everything. Not for us, and definitely not for Konohana or Tennouji-san’s companies. It’s not always about maximizing profit, right?”

“That’s true.”

Hinako nods quietly.

“A company’s purpose isn’t just about sales—it’s about contributing to society. For example, Tennouji-san’s company has always focused on creating jobs.”

Tennouji-san turns to her, surprised.

“Y-You know about my company too?”

“Of course, Tennouji-san.”

“~~ !! D-Don’t think you’ve won just yet!!”

Her awkward attempt to hide her embarrassment warms my heart.

Tennouji-san can’t suppress her grin, clearly delighted.

“Do you study this kind of stuff all the time, Konohana?”

“Not always, but lately, I’ve been attending dinners with business leaders, so I hear a lot about the corporate world.”

“Wow, that’s so Konohana. You’re totally gonna dominate the Management Game!” Asahi says, clearly impressed.

“Now that we’ve deepened our understanding of the game, let’s move to the main topic.”

Tennouji-san looks at each of us in turn.

“What if the six of us formed an alliance?”

“An alliance…?”

I tilt my head, and Tennouji-san continues.

“The goals are simple: regular information sharing and a promise not to compete against each other. That’s it.”

“That’s all?”

“Yes. Those two points are crucial in the Management Game.”

Tennouji-san explains further.

“The heart of the Management Game lies in the fact that other players exist. It’s a thrilling game of strategy, with things like M&A buyouts or secret business deals happening behind the scenes.”

She lets out a sly chuckle.

M&A refers to mergers and acquisitions—when a big company absorbs a smaller one or two companies join to form a new entity.

…Tennouji-san seems like she’d love that kind of thing.

Her explanation makes the alliance’s purpose clear. Essentially, the Management Game is a business simulation with an online multiplayer element. Competition with other players is unavoidable.

An alliance would protect us and give us an edge in the competition. I’m sure other students will form their own alliances too.

“Fortunately, the six of us have diverse industries, so this alliance should benefit everyone.”

“True. I’m planning to go with transportation,” Taishou says.

“And I’m picking consumer electronics retail. We’re nicely spread out!” Asahi adds.

Both seem convinced.

“There’s also a personal reason,” Tennouji-san says. “I’m aiming for the student council. Honestly, I’d love to have as many allies as possible.”

Everyone’s eyes widen in surprise.

But if anyone’s going to aim for the student council, Tennouji-san makes sense. The mood shifts to one of quiet support, and I cautiously speak up.

Now’s the time to say it.

“Actually, I’m aiming for it too.”

“What!?”

“R-Really, Izuki!?”

Tennouji-san and Narika exclaim in shock.

Taishou and Asahi are equally stunned. I’d mentioned it to Hinako beforehand, so she’s not surprised… but for some reason, she looks a bit sulky. Her eyes dart between Tennouji-san and me, her cheeks slightly puffed out.

“I know it’s a long shot, but… I’m gonna give it a try.”

For me, declaring my goal of joining the student council takes guts.

This is a prestigious school filled with the heirs of tycoons. On paper, I’m the son of a mid-tier company, but in reality, I’m just a commoner. For someone like me to aim for the student council, which leads the student body, is beyond overreaching. It’s the kind of thing that could make people tilt their heads and ask, “What kind of joke is this?”

But—

“Absolutely! You have to go for it!”

Contrary to my fears, Tennouji-san is all in.

“You’ve got the grit to make the impossible possible, Tomonari. I don’t think it’s out of your reach at all.”

“That’s a bit much… I’m just trying to keep up with everyone.”

“Do you realize how extraordinary it is to have accomplished that in just a few months since transferring? If I make it to the student council, having you by my side would be incredibly reassuring.”

Tennouji-san speaks dreamily, lost in her imagination.

She’s probably praising my grit because she knows my true background.

To be fair, surviving Shizune-san and Tennouji-san’s Spartan lessons has given me a ton of confidence in my perseverance.

“Konohana, you’re not aiming for the student council?” Asahi asks.

“It’s complicated with my family, so…”

“Got it. Well, can’t be helped then.”

Asahi nods, a bit disappointed.

Hinako is one of the most prominent Ojou-sama at Kiou Academy. Naturally, many students probably want her to aim for the student council.

Tennouji’s no different—she’s got plenty of supporters too.

…In truth, it’s not just her family. It’s Hinako’s personal circumstances.

She’s already exhausted from maintaining her perfect Ojou-sama persona every day. If she took on a student council role, she’d burn out completely.

With her family’s status and grades, Hinako has more than enough future options without needing student council credentials. Kagen probably acknowledges that, which is why he’s okay with her skipping it.

Tennouji’s not aiming for the student council just for the resume either. I remember our conversation at the beach during summer break. …She’s pursuing it to carve her own path, different from Hinako’s.

“That said… you’re still fired up for the game, right, Konohana Hinako?”

Tennouji glares at Hinako, brimming with competitive spirit.

Hinako sips her tea, sets the cup down, and responds.

“Of course. Let’s both do our best to achieve great results.”

While she’s not aiming for the student council, Hinako plans to take the game seriously to maintain her flawless Ojou-sama image.

Whether it’s intentional or just her natural aura, when the usually gentle Hinako gets serious, she radiates an overwhelming presence.

I’ve felt a similar vibe from Takuma-san before. They really are siblings, even if Hinako might hate the comparison.

But Tennouji isn’t intimidated—she flashes a fearless grin.

“Well then, we all need to complete the tutorial, so I’d like to wrap up here… but there’s one last very important thing.”

Something important?

As we tilt our heads, Tennouji stands up.

“We need to decide the name of our alliance!”

Is that really the most important thing…?

Still, I get it. A name makes it feel official and gets you pumped.

“How about the Hexagon Alliance? It literally means an alliance of six.”

“Hmm, I’d prefer something a bit more unique to us.”

“What about Team Luxury? You know, after Konohana’s total assets.”

“That feels a bit… tacky.”

Asahi and Taishou throw out ideas, but neither gets much traction. Taishou was probably half-joking anyway.

Maybe I should suggest something… Just as I think that, Hinako raises her hand.

“How about simply the Tea Party Alliance?”

“Tch… Well played, Konohana Hinako. You know simple is best in these things…!”

She’s overthinking it.

That said, I like the Tea Party Alliance. Our bond as a group was forged through these tea parties, and the name captures that perfectly.

“Then let’s go with it. As of today, we officially form the Tea Party Alliance!”

Cheers of “Ooh!” and clapping fill the air.

“That’s all for today. We can’t lose to our rivals, after all.”

With a polite bow, Tennouji leaves.

Now that I think about it… isn’t it weird to have rivals within the alliance?

◆

After the tea party ends.

Back at the mansion, I dove right into the tutorial for the Management Game.

“Excuse me.”

There was a knock at the door, and Shizune-san entered with Hinako.

It seemed they’d prepared some drinks. I took a cup from the tray Shizune-san was holding.

“Oh, coffee today?”

“I heard from Ojou-sama that you were drinking tea at the after-school tea party.”

As expected of Shizune-san. Her hospitality was that of a top-tier maid.

“Thank you. …I’m sorry. It’s one thing for Hinako, but it feels wrong to have you serve me like you’re my personal maid.”

“Me, as Izuki-san’s maid?”

Oh no, I might’ve said something unnecessary.

“I got carried away.”

“No… I wouldn’t say it’s entirely impossible.”

Could such a possibility even exist…?

Still, she didn’t seem particularly upset.

Shizune-san glanced at the laptop on the desk.

“So, how’s the Management Game going?”

“I’m struggling with the starting position. The range of choices is wider than I expected…”

“That’s something worth mulling over seriously.”

Shizune-san seemed to grasp the wall I was hitting almost instantly.

“Ojou-sama could learn a thing or two from you, Izuki-san. She hasn’t even finished the tutorial yet, has she?”

“No way… I’m sleepy… I’ll do it later…”

“Good grief… Well, it was the first day back at the academy in a while, so I’ll let it slide.”

Shizune-san let out a sigh.

“Hinako, if you’re sleepy, you can use the bed.”

“Ngh, ngh… No, it’s not that…”

“You didn’t come here to sleep? Then what for…?”

Was there something she wanted to talk about?

I turned to Hinako. Her face flushed red, and her eyes darted around nervously.

“Um… I-I came to… see you…”

“?”

“…Sleep! I’m sleeping!”

“Alright. Just don’t oversleep and end up wide awake at night.”

Hinako flopped onto the bed.

She seemed a bit off from usual… or was I just imagining things?

“Izuki-san, may I take a look?”

“Sure.”

Shizune-san peered at the laptop screen.

For a brief moment, our faces were close, and I felt a flicker of nerves, but Shizune-san spoke with a serious expression.

“As expected, you can choose industries related to IT.”

“The industry itself is fine, but I’m struggling with the scale…”

Specifically, I was torn about how many employees to start with.

A thousand? A hundred? Or… start a company from scratch? The options were endless.

“Would starting with a larger company be more stable?”

“Not necessarily. For example, a publicly traded company carries the risk of acquisition. If it gets bought out, your operational freedom shrinks.”

“I see…”

Managing a listed company would probably be too much for me right now.

In that case, I’d prefer to go with a smaller-scale company…

(If I’m going to do this, I want it to actually help my future.)

My current goal is to become an executive at the Konohana Group. To gain experience that would help me reach that goal, which position would be best?

“…Shizune-san. If I were to seriously aim to become a business leader in the future, what paths could I take?”

“The most reliable route would be to join a small or medium-sized company struggling with succession and inherit the role of president.”

Only Takuma-san knows I’m aiming for a position at the Konohana Group, so my question might’ve come out of nowhere, but her answer was surprisingly concrete.

For the people living in this world, aiming to become a business leader isn’t some far-fetched fantasy—it’s a tangible career path.

Shizune-san must see me as part of this world, too.

I’m grateful for that.

“Is that more reliable than starting my own company?”

“Starting a company is quicker, but if you’re thinking about a stable career plan, I’d recommend succession. Roughly 99% percent of Japanese companies are small or medium-sized, and many face succession issues. You’d have plenty of options.”

Is that so?

With the declining birthrate, it’s probably an especially serious issue for regional companies.

“However, in your case, Izuki-san, for the purposes of this game, starting a company from scratch would be better for learning the ropes of management.”

“…You’re right.”

I shouldn’t confuse the means with the end.

The Management Game’s purpose is to learn about business management. Advancing favorably in the game is just a means to that end.

When I think about what I need to do for my own future…

“…I’ve decided. I’m going to start my own company.”

“I think that’s a good choice.”

I immediately reflected my decision in the game.

My starting position: a freshly founded IT company’s CEO.

The tutorial wrapped up. I’d continue tomorrow.

I felt a bit nervous… How would I stack up against everyone at the academy?

“…You’ll be fine.”

Hinako’s voice came from behind me.

“Hinako? You’re still awake?”

“Mhm.”

Hinako gave a small nod.

“Izuki, no matter what you choose, you’ll be fine.”

“What do you mean…?”

“If it comes down to it… I’ll protect you.”

I tilted my head at Hinako’s confident declaration.

At the time, I didn’t fully understand what she meant.

◆

The next day, the opening ceremony for the Management Game was held in the auditorium of Kiou Academy.

The second-year high school students gathered, all listening intently to the guest speakers’ addresses, their faces brimming with determination as they returned to their classrooms.

“It’s finally starting, huh?”

“Indeed.”

Back in the classroom, I nodded at Taishou’s comment.

“…I didn’t expect the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry to show up.”

“There were a bunch of other big shots, too. Though most of them are probably our classmates’ families.”

I sighed with exhaustion, and Taishou gave a wry smile.

The ceremony had featured CEOs of major corporations and unicorn startups—titans of the business world—invited as guests, creating a solemn atmosphere throughout.

For the first time in a while, I felt overwhelmed by the air of Kiou Academy.

Weren’t my classmates fazed? I glanced around the classroom and—

“Hey, what’s your starting position?”

“I went with a pharmaceutical company, annual revenue of 200 billion yen.”

“We’re in similar industries… Wanna talk after school? Maybe we could form a business alliance.”

“That’d help. I’ll prep some materials by then.”

My classmates were already strategizing for the game.

Talks of market capitalization, capital investment, and other game-related topics filled the air.

“Everyone’s so serious.”

“Well, yeah. They say whoever dominates the Management Game basically rules Kiou Academy.”

“Really?”

“Most of us will probably become politicians or CEOs, right? So managerial skill is a huge status symbol for us. The Management Game makes it clear who’s got it and who doesn’t. Good results don’t just get you into the student council—they open doors in all sorts of ways.”

I nodded in understanding.

At Kiou Academy, the students who excel in the Management Game are seen as the most outstanding and exemplary. They earn teachers’ trust more easily, and better results can significantly impact their future academy life.

As for me, I’m taking the game seriously, too.

My body trembled—I’d like to think it’s just nervous excitement.

“We can’t start playing until after school, but it’s the first day, so everyone’s too pumped to wait.”

Taishou said with a laugh.

The Management Game isn’t playable 24/7.

From Monday to Thursday, it’s only from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.—after school. On Fridays and Saturdays, it’s from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., playable all day. Fridays are a school holiday during the game period. Sundays are off-limits.

The Management Game is intense, both in its mechanics and the students’ approach, but the schedule is designed to leave room for regular studies.

Shizune-san had also told me I could skip etiquette lessons during the game period. I’d have to work hard to balance my usual studies with this.

◆

After school.

We gathered at the café with our laptops open for a meeting.

“Shall we start by sharing our starting positions?”

Tennouji-san said after taking a sip of tea.

“I’m running the Tennouji Group. It spans various industries.”

“I’m with the Konohana Group. Like Tennouji-san, it covers multiple sectors—major trading companies, heavy industry, you name it.”

Those two were as expected.

They’d likely take those roles in real life someday.

“The company names are the same as in reality, huh?”

“You can change them, but most people stick with the same names. It feels more personal that way.”

Even if it’s just a game, bankrupting a company with your family’s name would sting. It’s only natural to be invested.

Next, Narika spoke up.

“I’m with Shimax, a sports equipment manufacturer. …Honestly, I wanted to start a candy store from scratch, but my parents chewed me out.”

Well, yeah…

The Management Game is part of our curriculum. That kind of thing is better left to commercial games.

“I’m with Taishou Movers. As the name suggests, it’s in transportation.”

“I’m with J’s Holdings, an electronics retailer.”

Taishou and Asahi-san announced their positions.

Finally, it was my turn.

“…I’ve only decided on running an IT company.”

Everyone tilted their heads in curiosity.

“I’m starting a company from scratch. It’ll be in IT, but I haven’t settled on a name yet.”

The tutorial only required choosing a starting position, so I’d have to figure out the rest from here.

Asahi-san’s eyes widened in surprise at my choice.

“T-Tomonari-kun… That’s ambitious!”

“Huh?”

“I mean, you’re defying your family’s expectations and forging your own path, right? Wow, I’ve thought about it, but actually doing it? That’s not easy!”

Asahi-san’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.

Oh no… I didn’t think it’d come off that way.

If it’s just a misunderstanding, that’s fine, but if this sparks curiosity about my family, it could get tricky. I’d rather not stand out too much…

“Or perhaps it’s about studying the mechanics of a company from the ground up.”

Hinako, who knew why I’d chosen this path, threw me a lifeline. I nodded quickly.

“Uh, Konohana-san’s got it right. It’s not about ambition.”

“Got it. …Still, that’s pretty studious of you!”

Asahi-san’s admiration didn’t waver.

Meanwhile, I had a question for her.

“Um, you said you’ve thought about it, too… Does that mean you’re considering something similar?”

“…Let’s just leave my stuff aside for now!”

Her comment sounded oddly personal, so I asked, but she dodged the question.

Maybe she’s not keen on taking over her family’s business? …If she doesn’t want to talk, I shouldn’t pry.

“Next, let’s share our management strategies.”

Tennouji-san said, scanning our faces.

“My minimum goal is to maintain the status quo, while aiming to boost sales across all sectors as much as possible.”

“Maintaining the status quo is my top priority, too. I plan to manage steadily.”

Tennouji-san and Hinako spoke. Both were already running massive conglomerates. Focusing on stability over expansion made sense.

“I’m aiming for growth.”

“Same as Taishou-kun. …My parents told me to aim for the top domestically, at least in the game, since it’s tough in reality.”

Asahi-san let out a small sigh.

J’s Holdings, Asahi-san’s family business, is among the top five electronics retailers in Japan but not number one. The gap might be hard to close in reality, but in a game, creativity could make it possible—a unique appeal of the format.

Finally, I shared my strategy.

“My goal is to get the business off the ground.”

Tennouji-san nodded.

Nothing could start until that was achieved.

“Have you decided what kind of service to develop?”

“Well… just a rough idea.”

For an IT company, the first step is deciding what service to create.

This is arguably the biggest hurdle. While it’s not everything, the idea shapes future revenue and the market you’ll engage with.

“This might be meddling, but let me offer one piece of advice.”

Tennouji-san looked at me with a serious expression.

“What do you want to create to contribute to society, Tomonari-san?”

“I…”

“Think it over carefully. That will be your answer.”

Social contributions come in many forms. Even volunteering has countless approaches.

If I had to pick one, what would it be? …What best expresses what I want to do, what I’ve felt?

I thought it over deeply. Then, I realized.

“…Actually, there’s something I’d like to try.”

The answer was already there.

I voiced the idea I’d been mulling over since last night.

“I want to create an online store specializing in gifts.”

Everyone’s eyes widened.

“The trigger was, like Tennouji-san said, thinking about the social contribution I want to make. …Since coming to this academy, I’ve been helped by so many people, and I thought I’d like to pay it back someday.”

That’s why I came up with it.

A service centered around gifts.

“I’ve thought about the specifics, too… When you give a gift, don’t you often worry about ‘how to give it’? Hand it over in person? Buy it online? If online, which site? I thought it’d be great to have a service that eliminates all those worries.”

Gifting involves considerations like wrapping, ceremonial noshi paper, and various etiquette. I thought it’d be convenient if all that could be handled automatically or intuitively, with a feature to manage recipient lists, too.

In short—I want to create the go-to site for gifting.

I gauged everyone’s reactions.

“…That actually sounds like it’d have real demand.”

Tennouji-san murmured in a small voice.

“Year-end gifts are such a hassle. Figuring out what to send to whom is a pain.”

“I don’t mind if it’s just friends, but when it’s a business partner, you’ve gotta mind your manners, right?”

Taishou and Asahi-san’s reactions don’t seem bad either.

“Come to think of it, I remember my dad struggling a bit when he sent year-end gifts to an overseas client.”

Narika says, as if recalling something.

While gauging everyone’s reactions, I glanced at Hinako.

I hadn’t mentioned this to Hinako before. So, this would be the first time I’d see her reaction…

“It’s very like you, Tomonari-kun, and I think it’s wonderful.”

Hinako gave a soft, gentle smile.

It might just be my imagination, but her words felt like they came from her heart, not some act.

“Gift-giving is a matter of etiquette. …Tomonari-san has been diligently studying manners since coming to this academy, so this might be just the right fit.”

That wasn’t my intention, but now that it’s mentioned, maybe I was unconsciously connecting the two.

Everyone’s reactions are positive, and I can put what I’ve learned to good use. There’s no need to hesitate anymore.

“I’ll submit the proposal as is.”

“Yes, I believe it will likely receive high praise.”

Tennouji-san says with a confident expression.

“In the Management Game, the quality of your ideas is properly evaluated. When starting a new business, the AI and the faculty assess its content, and if it’s deemed innovative, it gives you an advantage in the game. By the way, as a rule, ideas proposed in the game are protected by agreements to prevent them from being stolen in real life, so no need to worry.”

This game is seriously well thought out.

“Also, if you’re starting a business from scratch, there’s a two-year skip function. Once your business is somewhat on track, it’s better to use that function.”

“There’s something like that?”

“The Management Game is designed to teach business management through interaction with other students. A newly founded company has limited leverage for negotiations, so this is a considerate feature.”

As expected, it’s not like they’ve made everything perfectly realistic.

To help us learn management efficiently, the game lays down some tracks to follow.

“Thank you for explaining.”

“No need to thank me. In the real world, when starting a company, you’d get advice from all sorts of people. The Management Game is more efficient when you involve others rather than doing it alone.”

I had a hunch about this, but it feels like the Management Game is built on the premise of interacting with others, both in and out of the game. After all, we’ve even formed an alliance like this.

I nodded at Tennouji-san’s point.

“Besides, we’re all aiming for the student council together… you could even call us comrades! Especially when it comes to me! —Especially! You can rely on me!”

Tennouji-san said, placing a hand on her chest.

I’m grateful. There’s probably no one more reliable as an ally than Tennouji-san.

Just as I was thinking that—

“…Comrades, huh?”

Hinako said in a small voice.

“Hm? Did you say something, Konohana Hinako?”

“No. I just personally didn’t find that term very fitting.”

Closing her eyes as she spoke, Hinako then opened them and stared straight at me.

“If we’re talking about comrades… at the very least, it should be the kind of bond where we live under the same roof.”

“Wha—!?”

Hinako dropped an absolute bombshell, and I couldn’t help but stand up.

Is she talking about our relationship?

What’s she getting so competitive about…!

“H-Hooh…?”

The cup in Tennouji-san’s hand started trembling with a clatter.

Tennouji-san knows I’ve been staying at the Konohana family’s mansion with Hinako. So does Narika, who looked back and forth between Hinako and Tennouji-san, clearly nervous.

Only Taishou and Asahi-san tilted their heads in confusion. …Their reaction is the most helpful right now.

“H-Hmph… Physical distance doesn’t matter!”

Tennouji-san said in a shaky voice.

“If anything, greater physical distance makes you feel the emotional connection more strongly! To judge a relationship as good just because of proximity… I can only call that shallow.”

“…I see. Shallow, is it?”

Hinako took a sip of tea and set her cup down.

“But I have been studying, you know.”

“S-Studying…?”

“Yes. Lately, I’ve taken an interest in the complexities of human relationships… I’m self-taught, but I’ve been learning about things like romance.”

“R-Romance, studying…!?”

She’s just reading shoujo manga, isn’t she?

I know that just recently, she borrowed some shoujo manga from Yuri. Yuri works as a cook at the Konohana household once a week and apparently borrows manga each time.

But Tennouji-san and the others, unaware of the truth, widened their eyes in shock.

“Um, Konohana Hinako, if it’s alright, could I perhaps join in on that stu—”

“—Well! Values differ from person to person, don’t they? Let’s just leave it at that!”

Before Hinako could embarrass herself further, I desperately tried to shift the mood.

Something’s off…

Lately, Hinako’s been getting bolder.

“—Tennouji-san.”

As I sat back down, a voice came from behind.

Unnoticed, a female student had approached us.

“Suminoe-san?”

I said her name aloud.

Standing there was Suminoe-san, our classmate.

“Suminoe-san, is something the matter?”

“Some of my classmates wanted to consult Tennouji-san about the Management Game…”

“I see. I’ll address it right away.”

“No, I saw you were having a tea party, so I sent the details via email.”

“Understood. Thank you for your consideration.”

Tennouji-san expressed her gratitude.

Asahi-san watched their exchange with a surprised look.

“Suminoe-san, you’re close with Tennouji-san?”

“Yes, we were in the same class last year.”

Suminoe-san said, and Tennouji-san nodded in agreement.

“Suminoe-san always supports me like this.”

“Huh,” Taishou said, looking between them.

“Feels kinda like Tennouji-san’s secretary.”

“That’s quite an honor.”

Suminoe-san smiled.

“As I’ve said before, you don’t need to go out of your way for me.”

“No, I do this because I want to.”

Their exchange felt very much like one between a capable secretary and her boss.

…I had no idea.

Suminoe-san’s my classmate, but we’ve never talked much. She seems really close with Tennouji-san, so they must spend a lot of time together outside my knowledge.

“Hey, Suminoe-san! Wanna join us and chat?”

“Thank you, I appreciate the offer. But I have some family matters to attend to soon…”

Suminoe-san politely declined Asahi-san’s invitation.

She turned to leave.

Just before she did—

“…?”

Was it my imagination?

For a split second… did Suminoe-san just glare at me?

“Tennouji-san, are you forming an alliance with Suminoe-san too?”

“She brought it up once, but I’ve put it on hold.”

On hold? They seemed so close…

As I wondered about it, Tennouji-san continued with a serious expression.

“Her abilities are impeccable, but my relationship with Suminoe-san is a bit complicated… No, this is a delicate matter, so I shouldn’t speak lightly of it.”

Tennouji-san started to say something but held back.

What’s going on between those two…?

◆

Back at the mansion, I was in my room, facing my laptop.

“The office and equipment are set. I’ve secured engineers as staff. The rough design for the e-commerce site is done… Alright, time to use the skip function.”

In real life, starting a business from scratch usually means struggling with funding at first. But if you get stuck on that in the Management Game, you’ll never get to the core of it—interacting with other companies.

It’s better to accept that this game is about learning what comes after launching the business.

(…Realistically, students at Kiou Academy could probably skip that issue anyway.)

Entrepreneurs usually struggle with funding because they need to find investors. But at Kiou Academy, connections like that are everywhere. You’d probably trip over students whose parents run investment funds.

The screen displayed: “Skip completed.”

Just like that, my company was in its second year. The Management Game spans three years in-game, so by the end, my company should be in its fifth year.

I checked the details of the services created by the skip.

“Whoa…!”

Even though it’s just a game, seeing my company grow smoothly was thrilling.

Checking the data, I saw everything from daily user visits to ad counts, all laid out in numbers.

I also reviewed the landing page—the first page users see. Since it was generated by the skip function, I braced for something sloppy, but to my amateur eyes, it looked pretty decent.

(Might as well check out other people’s companies.)

I pulled up the map, and the screen filled with a bird’s-eye view of a city. At its center stood a mid-sized building, part of which was my office.

Just like in reality, the game assigned addresses to offices. I searched for Taishou’s company and found its headquarters in Osaka Prefecture displayed on the screen.

Out of curiosity, I checked what this cityscape looked like in real life using a map app. …It was almost identical. The Management Game seems to recreate real-world city layouts as much as possible.

Impressed, I looked into the data of nearby companies.

(…Well, no way I’d be on the same level as them after just a two-year skip.)

Every student was running a company far larger than mine.

Capital, revenue, employee count—every metric dwarfed my company. Seeing the numerical gap laid out so clearly was both sobering and terrifying.

—Bring it on.

First, I’ll catch up to them somehow. If I can’t do that, forget the student council.

A day passed in the game, and the companies’ numbers updated.

In real time, fifteen minutes equaled one game day. If I tried to strategize in real-time every time, I’d never keep up, so I’d need to prep in advance.

(…There are NPCs too, huh.)

The game world also had companies run by NPCs, not students.

It seemed possible to do business with them too.

“First thing I need to do… is increase user numbers.”

Checking the user growth trend, I saw it was steadily rising at first, but it had plateaued over the last six months.

Figuring out how to break this plateau would be my next challenge.

An e-commerce site lets users buy products or services online. How do I increase its user base…? A few ideas popped into my head.

I stretched lightly and glanced at the laptop’s clock.

It was almost 9 p.m. The game can’t be played past nine. …I’m still fired up, so it feels a bit unsatisfying to stop, but I’ll carry this energy into tomorrow and call it a day.

Hinako, determined to maintain her perfect Ojou-sama image, is apparently focusing on the Management Game for a while starting today. That’s why she didn’t come to my room tonight. Normally, she’d be lounging on my bed around this time, but her absence makes me feel a little lonely.

(…Maybe I’ll go see her for once.)

I closed my laptop and left the room.

On my way to Hinako’s room, I ran into a familiar figure.

“…Takuma-san?”

“Hm? Oh, it’s Izuki-kun, isn’t it?”

A tall, lanky man in a fine suit—Takuma-san—turned around.

He was holding a stack of documents. …Knowing his true nature, I couldn’t help but see those papers as something suspicious.

“Don’t be so wary. Have I ever done anything to you?”

“No… it’s just a reflex.”

“That makes it even more hurtful.”

He’s not hurt in the slightest.

“By the way, the Management Game started today, right? Did you manage to start your business?”

“Yes. …Wait, how did you know I chose to start a business?”

“Just a hunch that you’d go that route.”

His insight is as sharp as ever.

EQ… emotional intelligence, was it? Apparently, Takuma-san’s is freakishly high, letting him read people’s thoughts just by looking at their faces.

“So, what kind of company did you make, Izuki-kun?”

“…A company running an online gift shop.”

“Nice. E-commerce is a solid choice—it’s a market that’ll keep growing for a while. The faculty at Kiou Academy tends to value trends, so your idea should score decently.”

Takuma-san said, resting his chin in his hand as he shared his thoughts.

Listening to him, I started to think.

…Should I ask this guy for advice?

I’m wary of Takuma-san, but I had a vague feeling.

Being around him might help me grow. During the summer, he helped me figure out my future goals, and since he knows my ambitions, he’s easy to consult.

Plus, Takuma-san knows a ton about business.

Just the other day, he mentioned the toxic work culture at Konoha Drinks Inc., so he’s clearly well-versed in corporate inner workings.

“Takuma-san, could I get some advice about the Management Game? I’m struggling with what to do next.”

“What’s the specific issue?”

“I just used the skip function, and I’m thinking about ways to increase user numbers. But with a limited budget, I can’t try everything…”

“You want to know effective strategies.”

I nodded, and Takuma-san thought for a moment.

“Alright, how about helping me with my work instead? As you can see, I’m swamped with paperwork.”

He said, lightly shaking the stack of papers in his hand.

“If I can be of help, I don’t mind…”

“It’s just sorting documents, so you’ll be fine.”

Takuma-san turned and headed somewhere.

I followed him.

He entered a small study on the first floor of the mansion. …This was my first time in here. According to Shizune-san, this room is for guests to work in. I thought a workspace for visitors would rarely get used, but… I see, it’s for family members who aren’t usually at the mansion, like this.

Takuma-san handed me a stack of about fifty papers.

“These are emails? Why print them out…?”

“For a change of pace. I’ve been staring at screens too much lately, so I missed paper. But I ended up not having time to read them, so I’m asking you.”

I’ve been glued to my laptop screen a lot lately too, so I kinda get it.

His approach to boosting work motivation might be a skill every professional needs.

“Sort them into ones that need a reply and ones that don’t. For the latter, if the content’s brief, just tell me verbally. You can toss those after.”

Takuma-san sat down, flipping through his own documents.

With a slight sense of nerves, I started sorting the papers.

“From Arise Co., Ltd., a thank-you for your help in closing a deal.”

“Got it.”

“From With Partners Co., Ltd., they’ve made a prototype and will mail it soon.”

“Alright.”

Takuma-san kept working on his documents, acknowledging my reports.

“From the Minister of Defense, confirmation of receiving a contract… Wait, what? The Minister of Defense…!?”

“One of our key clients.”

The appearance of such a huge name caught me off guard.

…Takuma-san really is a capable guy.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have such a wide network. Dealing with a political heavyweight means he’s earned serious trust.

“…All done.”

“Good work.”

I finished sorting the documents.

When I glanced at Takuma-san, he was still engrossed in reading some complex-looking documents.

“It’ll take me a bit longer to finish up here. If you’re bored, feel free to look through those papers over there. Might be educational.”

“I-Is that okay? Aren’t there, like, confidential company secrets or something?”

“At this point, does it even matter?”

Well, yeah, I guess that’s true, but…

I’m ashamed for even a fleeting moment of thinking this guy was a proper adult. Right, Takuma-san is that kind of person.

The fact that I’m seeking guidance from someone like Takuma-san might mean I’m a little off myself.

I picked up a document that caught my eye.

“This is…”

“A proposal to a manufacturer,” he said.

That explanation alone didn’t make much sense. But asking Takuma-san for details while he was working felt rude, so I dove into the document, trying to piece it together on my own.

(So, basically, they’re asking another company for cooperation to complete a product.)

It seems the Konohana Group’s electronics manufacturer is developing an air conditioner aimed at wealthy overseas clients. To prioritize performance, they want to use parts developed by another company and are requesting permission to do so.

If the other company agrees to let them use the parts, they’ll gain access to a ton of experimental data, which will be shared with them. If the air conditioner is completed using those parts, it’ll boost the other company’s brand recognition. Of course, proper compensation is on the table. The proposal laid it all out—specific data they could expect, reasons for collaboration, and so on…

“…Is this entire proposal legit?”

“Hm?”

Almost unconsciously, I blurted out the question.

Takuma-san paused his work and looked at me.

“I mean… some of the stuff in this proposal feels kind of fake, or like… your real goal is just to meet the other party in person, isn’t it?”

Next to the proposal was a printed email exchange with the person in charge. From what I could tell, Takuma-san hadn’t met or spoken with them directly yet.

At my question, Takuma-san’s eyes widened… and he laughed.

“Bingo. That guy’s super stubborn, so getting a proposal through via email is tough. But if I can meet him face-to-face, I’m confident I can win him over. So I just sprinkled in some tempting bait.”

Wow…

I inwardly cringed at the sly grin on Takuma-san’s face.

“How’d you figure it out?”

“…Huh?”

“I’m impressed you picked up on my intentions from a document like that.”

“No, it was just a hunch. The proposal felt a bit… vague, I guess.”

I don’t know why, but Takuma-san was staring at me with a serious expression.

Still, I couldn’t quite put that gut feeling into words.

“I just… somehow felt like that’s something you’d do, Takuma-san.”

It’s not much of an answer, but that’s how I felt, and I didn’t have any other way to explain it.

It really was just a gut instinct.

Why was Takuma-san getting so serious over such a trivial conversation?

“…I’ve changed my mind.”

In a quiet voice, Takuma-san spoke.

“Izuki-kun. How about becoming my apprentice?”

“…Apprentice?”

“Yeah. Just for the duration of the Management Game. Want to learn a thing or two under me?”

That’s…

“That’s more than I could’ve hoped for, but…”

“Great, it’s settled then.”

Seeing Takuma-san’s delighted smile, I got a slightly bad feeling.

Is this gonna be okay? Did I just make a deal with the devil or something?

“Alright, let’s get started. Show me where you’re at. The game’s offline right now, but you can still access the home screen, right?”

“…Got it. I’ll grab my laptop.”

I headed back to my room, picked up the laptop I’d left on my desk, and returned to the office where Takuma-san was waiting.

Opening the laptop, I showed him the game’s home screen.

“Right now, it’s looking like this, and I’m trying to increase the user base…”

I explained the current situation while showing him the screen.

After listening to my thoughts, Takuma-san pondered for a moment.

“Instead of adding more products, you’d be better off increasing advertising.”

Takuma-san stated his conclusion bluntly.

“Your company isn’t making the products itself, so banking on word-of-mouth is a fool’s errand. It’s like a restaurant saying, ‘We’ll compete on taste alone.’ That’s just basic.”

“Is that… a bad example?”

“Competing on taste is a given, isn’t it?”

So, don’t just pretend to have high standards and slack off—put in the effort in other areas too.

“You should establish a brand identity.”

“Brand identity?”

“Giving your company a distinct vibe makes it easier to convey your image to people. It’s convenient. Like with that restaurant example—maybe it’s got a rustic, old-house feel or a sleek, futuristic vibe. Once you nail down the identity, you just lean hard into it with your advertising.”

“Got it. …Thanks for the advice.”

Deciding what kind of brand identity to go with—that’s my job.

Unlike a restaurant, since it’s an e-commerce site, I’d want to appeal to as broad an audience as possible.

…Given that it’s an online store, the direct customer base will likely be adults who can own credit cards. Maybe a concept like “grown-up connections” would work? Not in a formal, polite, or superficial way, but something smart, professional, business-like… that kind of adult vibe.

“That company name’s pretty uninspired, though.”

“Ugh.”

He hit me right where it hurts.

“Well, company names are often just the founder’s name, so it’s not a big deal. Our company’s like that too, and there’s Toyota, Ishibashi, and plenty of others. …Still, for an IT company, you could’ve gone for something a bit more stylish.”

“I, uh… don’t exactly have a knack for naming…”

“These days, plenty of companies crowdsource their names. Running a business isn’t a solo gig—you’ve got to lean on others.”

Tennouji-san said something similar, didn’t she? That the Management Game is better played by collaborating with others. If someone like Takuma-san, who’s involved in all sorts of businesses, says it too, it must be true.

“Here’s some homework. By Friday, research the management styles of the people you usually hang out with and report back to me. …Hinako, Tennouji-san, and Miyakojima-san should be enough.”

How does he know who I’m friends with? I wondered, but decided it wasn’t worth dwelling on and kept quiet.

“Also, I’m only at the estate today, so we’ll switch to video calls from now on.”

“Understood. Thanks for today.”

“No need to thank me. I’m just investing, after all.”

“Investing?”

I tilted my head, and Takuma-san nodded with an offhand, “Oh, right.”

“In your talent.”

With that, Takuma-san grabbed his stack of documents and left the office.

I left the office too, heading back to my room while mulling over his words.

…Talent?

Me? What kind of talent is he talking about?

I puzzled over it for a bit, but I’d just told myself not to overthink things. For now, I’ll focus on tackling the task Takuma-san gave me.

As I neared my room, I spotted a figure by the door.

It was Hinako.

Come to think of it, the whole reason I left my room in the first place was to go see her.

Right now, Hinako was standing in front of my door, intently… fixing her bangs.

…What’s she doing?

“Hinako?”

“!? I-Izuki…?”

Hinako spun around, clearly startled.

That’s rare. I’ve never seen her this flustered before.

“W-Where were you…?”

“Just talking with Takuma-san for a bit.”

“Ugh…”

As expected, she still can’t stand Takuma-san.

“You were pretty focused on the Management Game today too, huh?”

“…Yeah. I wanted to wrap up earlier, but… Papa called me.”

“Kagen-san? About the game?”

“Indeed. I was firmly reminded to produce results befitting the Ojou-sama of the Konohana family…”

Hinako let out a weary sigh, her expression drained.

I thought about tackling the homework Takuma-san assigned right away, but seeing how exhausted Hinako looked, I decided to hold off on discussing the management game for today.

As our conversation lulled, Hinako’s eyes darted left and right, her fidgeting betraying her unease.

“Um… wanna come inside?”

“…Sure, I’ll come in.”

With a faint blush coloring her cheeks, Hinako gave a small nod.

In a strangely awkward atmosphere, I let Hinako into my room.

◇

Stepping into Izuki’s room, Hinako, as was her habit, scanned the surroundings.

Izuki probably hadn’t noticed this little quirk of hers.

(Oh… there’s a new pen holder.)

Since she visited Izuki’s room almost daily, Hinako immediately spotted the change. A black pen holder, one that hadn’t been there before, now sat on his desk.

Hinako loved coming to Izuki’s room.

At first, it had been impeccably tidy, devoid of anything unnecessary, feeling very much like a temporary stay. But day by day, she adored watching it take on Izuki’s personality. More stationery appeared, then slippers, a table clock, a computer… It felt like Izuki was gradually becoming a true resident of the mansion, and that made her heart soar with joy.

Normally, she’d bask in that sense of comfort while napping on Izuki’s bed, but…

(No, no, I can’t…)

A bead of sweat formed on her forehead.

(I just… can’t act like I used to…!!)

Her heart wouldn’t stop pounding.

Truth be told, she hadn’t been able to relax at all yesterday either. Though she’d sprawled out on Izuki’s bed as usual, she hadn’t slept a wink, staying awake the whole time listening to Izuki and Shizune’s conversation.

Even in shoujo manga, a guy’s room was depicted as a special, almost sacred space.

Now, she understood that feeling.

There was this inexplicable tension, a fear of doing something improper.

“Mind if I use the computer for a bit? Got something I want to jot down…”

“Y-Yeah, that’s fine…”

Hinako nodded, and Izuki immediately turned to his computer.

Perched on the edge of the bed, she stole glances at his profile. …No matter when she saw it, Izuki’s serious, hardworking demeanor was undeniably cool.

Suddenly, Izuki looked her way.

Had he caught her staring? Panicking, she quickly averted her gaze before things got awkward.

The sound of his typing filled the room.

When she glanced at him again… Izuki was looking back, and their eyes met.

“…W-Why do you keep sneaking glances at me?”

“Oh, I was just thinking I’d carry you to bed if you fell asleep.”

“Carry…?”

“Yeah. I’ve done it a few times before, haven’t I?”

Come to think of it, that did sound familiar…

…If she asked, would he carry her today, too?

She stared intently at Izuki as he tapped away at his keyboard.

(This is bad… Lately, I keep wanting to lean on him…)

Even if she indulged in that urge, she didn’t think Izuki would dislike her for it.

But in the first place, what did Izuki think of someone like her?

“…Izuki, what do you think of me?”

“Huh?”

Izuki’s eyes widened as he turned to her.

(Oh no, that was way too direct…!)

She’d blurted out her thoughts without thinking.

“I mean… what do you think of someone as sloppy as me?”

Rephrasing her question, she watched as Izuki paused to think.

“You worry about that kind of thing sometimes, don’t you, Hinako?”

“Ugh…”

“Like I said before, I don’t mind at all. Your so-called sloppiness is just a result of how hard you push yourself normally… and honestly, I feel honored to be the one who gets to support you.”

Izuki said it with a hint of embarrassment.

Hinako pressed her palms to her cheeks, feeling like her face might melt into a goofy grin.

He’d said something similar before, hadn’t he? …That was when they were switching who’d wake her up in the mornings, from Izuki to Shizune. Looking back, that might’ve been when she started seeing Izuki as more than just a friend. The thought of him seeing her groggy, just-woken-up self had suddenly felt mortifying.

Izuki probably liked taking care of people.

She knew that no matter how many times he saw her true, unpolished self, he wouldn’t be disappointed. Still, every now and then, she couldn’t help but want to confirm it.

(…Love is such a weird feeling.)

Her trust in Izuki hadn’t wavered. Yet, somehow, she felt more anxious now than before.

Being her natural self, staying true to who she was, suddenly required a tiny bit of courage.

But if someone couldn’t accept her for who she truly was, this distance between them would never close.

“Can I… borrow your bed? I might fall asleep…”

“Yeah, sure. I’m studying, so just do whatever you want, like always.”

Hinako flopped onto Izuki’s bed.

If having someone accept her true self was crucial in a normal romance… what was she supposed to do when she was already accepted from the start?

Maybe, just maybe, she was navigating a rather complicated kind of love.

As she drifted into a light doze, lost in those thoughts…

“Hm? Oh, it’s from Tennouji-san.”

Hinako’s ears perked up.

Izuki picked up his smartphone.

A call was coming through, apparently.

“Tomonari-san?”

Tennouji-san’s voice echoed in the quiet room.

“Tennouji-san, what’s up?”

“I figured you might be fretting over the game around now, so I thought I’d offer to help if you needed to talk.”

Slowly, Hinako sat up.

A phone call… at this hour?

Hinako fixed Izuki with a piercing stare. He didn’t seem to notice.

“Thanks for the concern, but I’m good. I’ve already figured it out.”

“Is that so? …Still, that’s a bit worrying in its own way. Given your personality, Tomonari-san, you might overwork yourself.”

“I’ll be careful…”

She had to admit—he really did need to watch out for that.

“Rest is important, you know. Perhaps, say, next Sunday, you and I could…”

Tennouji-san’s voice trailed off into a mumble.

In that moment, Hinako took a deep breath,

“—Tomonari-kun. How about we go shopping next Sunday?”

“Huh? That voice… K-Konohana Hinako!?”

Hinako raised her voice, loud enough to ensure her rival on the other end of the call could hear.

Izuki’s shoulders jolted in shock.

“Oh, and I’m fine with a movie, too, you know?”

“A movie…!? Tomonari-san!? W-What’s going on here!?”

Beads of cold sweat poured down Izuki’s face.

“N-No, wait! The thing is, I was just talking to Konohana-san about the game!”

“Really!? It sounded like you were casually planning a weekend outing!”

“Ah!? S-Sorry, the signal’s getting bad, I’ll have to hang up!”

“W-Wait—!”

Izuki hurriedly ended the call.

She could’ve pressed the attack a bit more… but this was enough for now.

“……………………Hinako?”

Izuki looked at her warily, as if he’d just stepped on a landmine.

“So… you want to go see a movie?”

“…I have a family dinner that day, so I can’t do anything.”

Izuki’s face screamed, Then what was that about? as confusion washed over him.

She didn’t know. Even she wasn’t entirely sure.

All she knew was that she’d been hit with an incredibly complicated mix of emotions.

“…I’m going to sleep.”

“Huh?”

Flopping back onto the bed, Hinako left Izuki bewildered.

The only sound was the steady ticking of the clock.

“Uh, Hinako? It’s about time for a bath…”

“Carry me.”

“…”

“Carry me.”

Izuki looked utterly perplexed, but Hinako ignored him.

Eventually, he sighed in resignation and scooped her up in a princess carry, taking her to her room.

Being held in his surprisingly sturdy arms—hard to tell under his uniform—Hinako felt a surge of triumph.

Take that, Tennouji Mirei.

This was the power of close physical proximity.

◆

The next day, the Academy was still buzzing with talk of the management game.

Unlike yesterday, today I could actually join in on some of those conversations. Having started my own company and stepped up to the starting line, I could relate to what everyone was talking about as a participant.

“Still, Tomonari-kun… ‘Tomonari Gifts’ as a company name? Really?”

Asahi-san said with a wry smile. Taishou, standing nearby, had a complicated expression.

During the break, I was chatting with  and Asahi-san about the game. They’d given me some advice during the tea party, so I figured I should update them on my progress, but…

“…I’m starting to regret it a little.”

“Oh, no! I mean, it’s not that bad, okay!? It’s just… the name kinda sounds like a manufacturing company or something…”

Seeing me slump, Asahi-san hurriedly tried to cheer me up.

Tomonari Gifts Co., Ltd.—that was the name of my company.

Takuma-san had pointed it out, and now I realized it didn’t exactly scream “IT enterprise.”

“How’s the performance looking?”

“It was flat right after using the skip function. But I’ve found a way to break through, so I think it’ll work out.”

“Sounds like you’re doing well… Our company’s kinda plateauing too, so I should probably shake things up.”

Taishou seemed to be wrestling with his own company’s management issues.

(…I need to work on Takuma-san’s homework, too.)

The assignment was to investigate the management styles of Hinako, Tennouji-san, and Narika.

The deadline was Friday, so I had two days left. Knowing Takuma-san, he wasn’t telling me to take it easy but to carefully study each person’s approach.

I glanced at Hinako first, but she was already surrounded by classmates, apparently giving advice about the management game.

I could talk to Hinako outside of school. In fact, it’d probably be easier to have a calm conversation back at the mansion after classes.

…Today, I’d try talking to Tennouji-san.

Like Hinako, Tennouji-san always seemed to be surrounded by people. Instead of waiting for lunch or after school, it might be better to ask about her schedule now.

As I mulled over Takuma-san’s homework—

“Everyone.”

A gentle, soft voice reached my ears.

“Oh, Suminoe-san! Morning!”

“Good morning.”

Suminoe-san bowed gracefully.

“I’m sorry for declining the tea party invitation yesterday.”

“No worries, don’t sweat it. You must be busy, too, Suminoe-san.”

“The management game does pile on the responsibilities.”

Asahi-san and Taishou each responded to Suminoe-san.

Meanwhile, I missed the chance to chime in and stayed quiet.

“Tomonari-kun, you haven’t talked much with Suminoe-san, have you?”

“Not really. It’s not like we’ve never spoken, but…”

As if reading my mind, Suminoe-san gave me a warm smile.

“Hehe, no need to be so stiff. We’re classmates, after all.”

“…Sorry.”

She’d clearly seen through my nervous tension.

—Suminoe Chika.

One of the few people in our class who could hold a conversation with Hinako as an equal. Her refined manners rivaled those of Hinako and Tennouji-san, and her delicate, lovely appearance was often the talk of the boys in our class.

Skin as white as snow. Long, flowing black hair that cascaded from her shoulder blades to her waist. Her gentle, refined aura exuded a different kind of Ojou-sama charm compared to Hinako or Tennouji-san.

It wasn’t my first time talking to Suminoe-san. Back when I helped with Narika’s plan to break out of her loner status, we’d spoken a few times. …Since staying close to Hinako meant getting along with her friends, I’d made an effort to chat with Suminoe-san, too.

That said, we didn’t have much contact, so our conversations were rare. Being approached out of the blue like this made me tense up. I was used to Hinako and Tennouji-san, but Suminoe-san’s noble aura was so overwhelming it almost made me step back.

“We don’t often get the chance to talk face-to-face like this, do we? But I feel like I know quite a bit about you, Tomonari-san.”

“Huh… why’s that?”

“You and Konohana-san seem very close, for one. And…”

Suminoe-san glanced around at the people gathered here.

“There are always so many people around you, Tomonari-san.”

“…Is that so?”

“Oh, your lack of self-awareness is quite charming, too.”

Being told something like that so boldly made me blush.

How do I put it… she’s like an angel.

Pure, untainted, almost ethereal.

I wasn’t ranking anyone, but Suminoe-san was probably the second most popular person in our class after Hinako. It was easy to see why. She had both pedigree and personality in spades.

Just then, the warning bell rang.

“Oh.”

The chime made me let out a small sound.

“What’s wrong, Tomonari-kun?”

“No, it’s just… I wanted to talk to Tennouji-san about something, but since class is starting, I’ll wait for the next break.”

I’d hoped to discuss Takuma-san’s homework with Tennouji-san.

“…Tennouji-san?”

Suminoe-san’s gaze fixed on me.

Was something bothering her?

“Uh, I wanted to talk about the management game.”

“…I see. Tennouji-san is quite reliable, isn’t she?”

Suminoe-san nodded, seeming satisfied.

“You were in the same class as Tennouji-san last year, right?”

“Yes. She was always very kind to me. …Even back then, Tennouji-san was admired by people from other classes, too.”

“That’s impressive for a first-year.”

“Indeed. I don’t know anyone as kind and noble as she is.”

It felt like Suminoe-san became more animated the moment Tennouji-san came up. She must really look up to her.

Soon, everyone took their seats, and class began.

◆

After class, I headed to Tennouji-san’s classroom as planned.

Peeking into Class C, I spotted her—glimmering golden hair styled in vertical rolls, unmistakably Tennouji-san.

Tennouji-san tilts her head and approaches me.

“Tomonari-san, is something the matter?”

“Sorry, I wanted to discuss something…”

I felt guilty for interrupting her conversation with her classmates… but for some reason, the students who were just talking with Tennouji-san are now looking at me, buzzing with excitement.

“That gentleman over there, he’s often at tea parties with Tennouji-san…”

“Then he must be one of the esteemed participants of the Tea Party Alliance…”

I overhear the chatter of the girls in the classroom.

“…Tea Party Alliance?”

“It seems our after-school tea gatherings have somehow earned that name. Well, considering the company, it’s a fitting title, don’t you think?”

I don’t think it’s fitting at all…

Taishou and Asahi-san would probably shake their heads vigorously at the idea.

“You don’t have a tea party scheduled today, right?”

“Indeed, we don’t. Holding them too frequently would distract us from focusing on the game.”

“Then, could we talk privately after school, even just for a bit?”

As I say this, the girls watching us from the classroom grow even more animated.

“S-so bold…!”

“He doesn’t look it, but what a daring gentleman…!”

Their squeals of excitement reach my ears, and I break out in a cold sweat.

…Oh no.

I’ve gotten too comfortable lately, letting my guard down because everyone’s been so friendly. The girls at Kiou Academy are sheltered Ojou-sama, completely out of touch with romance and starving for it.

But Tennouji-san, unlike them, remains perfectly composed and nods calmly.

“It’s about the game, I presume?”

“Y-yes, exactly. …Sorry, I phrased that invitation in a confusing way.”

“No need to worry. I know you’re not that sort of person, Tomonari-san.”

Tennouji-san says with a smile.

Why does that smile feel a little… intimidating?

“However, I have a prior engagement after school today, so I may be a bit late…”

“That’s fine. Please, I’d really appreciate it.”

“Very well. Let’s meet at the usual café after school.”

Alright, this should help me make progress on Takuma-san’s assignment.

“By the way, what kind of consultation did you have in mind?”

“I’m actually researching how different people handle their businesses.”

“I see. That’s quite a commendable approach.”

I’m genuinely curious about Tennouji-san’s business, even outside of the assignment.

“I’m currently managing a company in the textile industry.”

“Textiles, huh?”

“Yes. It’s the second-largest company in the industry, dealing primarily with synthetic fibers.”

Being the second-largest already suggests it’s not a company she founded after the game started—it must be one she owned from the outset.

“So, is your current goal to make that company number one?”

“That’s… I’m not sure.”

…Huh?

I was expecting a confident “Of course!” but her response catches me off guard.

“That was my initial plan, but the industry leader is on a different scale. Overtaking them in three years might not be realistic.”

Tennouji-san’s expression turns serious.

(…For someone as fixated on being the best as Tennouji-san, she’s awfully calm about this.)

I feel a slight sense of unease.

Does she have some kind of strategy, or is she just more cautious when it comes to business?

“…It’s a long story, so let’s continue this after school.”

“Got it. I’m looking forward to it.”

This sounds like it’ll be an enlightening conversation.

I’m grateful she’s making time for me despite her busy schedule.

“By the way—about that phone call last night.”

Tennouji-san’s sharp gaze pierces me.

A cold sweat trickles down my back.

“I’m aware of the situation between you and Konohana-san, but… surely you weren’t alone together in a room at that hour, were you…!?”

“N-no, it’s not like…”

“Look me in the eyes and answer properly, please!”

Tennouji-san leans in closer.

I instinctively avert my gaze.

“W-well, Tennouji-san, didn’t something similar happen with you?”

“With me…?”

“You know, when I stayed over at your place…”

I’m referring to the time I stayed at Tennouji-san’s house during a downpour, when she brought me tea to my room.

The time we shouted “Defeat Konohana Hinako!!” together.

The time I saw Tennouji-san with her hair down, fresh from a bath, for the first time.

“You might’ve forgotten, Tennouji-san, but…”

“F-forget? As if I could…”

Tennouji-san looks away.

“As if I could forget… that day…”

Tennouji-san’s cheeks flush red.

What does she mean by that…? I wonder, but I can’t bring myself to ask.

Asking feels like it would cross some kind of line—.

“W-wait… aren’t those two giving off some serious vibes…?”

“Y-yeah… I’m getting a little fluttery just watching…”

The girls’ voices drift over from the classroom.

Their gazes, as if witnessing something forbidden, snap Tennouji-san and me back to reality in an instant.

“W-well, it’s about time for class!”

“Y-yes! See you after school!”

I hurry back to my classroom.

Thank goodness the conversation’s continuing later.

For now, I don’t think I could talk to Tennouji-san properly.

◆

After school, as planned, I head to the usual café.

I’d already told Hinako that I had plans and couldn’t walk home with her today. …Lately, Hinako’s been reacting pretty intensely whenever Tennouji-san comes up, so I didn’t mention who I was meeting. I only confided in Shizune-san, who agreed, “It’s probably best to keep this from Ojou-sama for now.” It feels a bit guilty, but it was likely the right call.

I arrive at the café and wait for a while until Tennouji-san shows up.

“Tomonari-san, sorry to keep you waiting.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Tennouji-san pulls out a chair and sits across from me.

Then… she asks in a hushed voice.

“…What’s going on here?”

“…I’d like to know that myself.”

We glance around with just our eyes.

The café is packed, far more crowded than usual.

The students at the other tables—are staring right at us.

“…It seems someone overheard our conversation during break. Still, I didn’t expect to draw this much attention.”

Tennouji-san looks troubled.

Apparently, girls are more into this kind of gossip than guys, as the tables are filled with female students. They’re fidgeting, clearly eavesdropping on our conversation.

…Do Ojou-samas just have a lot of free time?

No way that’s true, but…

“Um, for now, can we just focus on the original plan?”

“Yes, you’re right. If they see we’re serious about our discussion, they’ll probably settle down.”

With that, Tennouji-san places her laptop on the table.

I move to sit next to her to see the screen, and a “Kyaa!” squeal erupts from somewhere as a girl gets excited. Tennouji-san and I freeze for a moment but pretend we didn’t hear it.

The monitor displays information about Tennouji-san’s company. Managing multiple businesses, her screen is packed with far more data than mine.

“…You said you’re running a textile company, right?”

“Yes, this one here.”

The company’s details appear on the screen.

As the industry’s second-largest, its capital and employee count are on a completely different level from my company.

“Now—here’s a question for you.”

Tennouji-san turns to me.

“Earlier today, I made a decision regarding this textile company. Can you guess what it was?”

The sudden quiz format catches me off guard, but I calm down and think it over.

Her company is second in the industry. In that case, isn’t the priority to avoid being overtaken by the top company?

But since she said she made a decision, it’s probably not just about steady growth.

“…Did you form a partnership with another company to take on the industry leader?”

“Not a bad guess, but incorrect.”

Tennouji-san shakes her head.

“The answer is—I sold it.”

The unexpected response leaves me stunned for a moment.

“Sold it?”

“To be precise, I finalized an agreement to sell it. The buyer is the industry leader. That’s what my prior engagement after school was about.”

So, instead of trying to surpass the top company, she handed her entire business over to them.

Why would she do that…?

Sensing my confusion, Tennouji-san explains.

“Naturally, selling a company generates profit. My company was second in the industry, so the proceeds are substantial. …I plan to invest that into a new venture.”

Tennouji-san takes a sip of her tea before continuing.

“In my estimation, this approach will increase the group’s valuation in the long term.”

Utterly shocked, I stare silently at the laptop screen.

Tennouji-san chuckles at my dumbfounded expression.

“Even competitors aren’t necessarily enemies—that’s what makes business so fascinating. You shouldn’t make enemies too easily, you know.”

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

As my company grows and I expand beyond the gift business, I might face similar dilemmas. If a competitor is overwhelmingly strong, rather than stubbornly fighting them, it might be wiser to yield and aim for long-term gains.

“Oh, a message…”

A notification pops up on the screen.

It’s a message from a student, likely the one involved in the deal.

‘Thank you for the M&A discussion earlier! I can confidently acquire Tennouji-san’s company!’

Seeing the message, Tennouji-san smiles with satisfaction.

“It seems we’ve reached a win-win deal. That’s reassuring.”

This student’s company will likely grow even stronger by acquiring Tennouji-san’s, becoming a dominant force in the textile industry. They must be envisioning a bright future.

The message practically radiates their excitement.

“…If you became the head of a real corporate group, would you manage it with M&As like this?”

“In reality, making such bold moves isn’t so simple. …But there may come a day when I face such decisions. I’m using this game to prepare for that moment.”

We mustn’t forget—this is a simulation game. If it’s for the sake of learning, it makes sense to take actions you wouldn’t in real life.

“Thank you. This was incredibly educational.”

“My pleasure. As your comrade and ally, I’ll take on as many of your requests as you like.”

Tennouji-san beams with a proud hmph.

As always, she loves being relied on.

“—Now, it’s about time everyone returned to their own business.”

Tennouji-san addresses the onlookers gathered in the café.

The girls who’d been watching us let out awkward “Ugh” sounds. …They probably flocked here because they admire Tennouji-san. When she speaks so firmly, they have no choice but to comply. The girls bow lightly and disperse.

As they leave, I catch their voices.

“…So, what’s the deal with those two?”

“…We’ll need to keep a close eye on them going forward.”

They haven’t given up at all. Looks like I’ll be under scrutiny for a while.

No… I don’t have time to worry about their stares.

“…I need to step up my game.”

The idea of selling a company to fund a new venture never even crossed my mind.

It’s frustrating. I need to study harder to stand on the same stage as Tennouji-san and the others.

As I’m lost in thought…

“Tomonari-san.”

Tennouji-san speaks with a solemn expression.

“It’s good to work hard, but don’t overdo it, alright?”

“…?”

Is she telling me not to push myself too hard?

If so, I’m not planning to. I nod and say, “Got it.”

◆

After parting with Tennouji-san, I return to the Konohana estate and head to Hinako’s room.

Next, I want to learn about Hinako’s business.

Standing in front of her door, I knock.

“Hinako, got a minute?”

“Izuki-san? Please wait a moment.”

Shizune-san’s voice comes from the other side.

The door opens, and I step inside.

“Shizune-san, you’re here too?”

“Yes, I’m assisting Ojou-sama.”

“Assisting?”

Shizune-san waves the tablet in her hand.

“During the Management Game, I serve as Ojou-sama’s secretary.”

The tablet’s screen is packed with text and graphs. Are those all company documents? The sheer volume of information is staggering.

“Izuki… what’s up?”

Hinako, who’d been focused on her laptop, looks up at me.

She seems to be in the middle of the game.

“I’m studying the Management Game by researching how different people run their businesses. Mind if I observe?”

I decide not to mention Takuma-san’s assignment. Hinako grimaces at the mere mention of his name.

“It’s fine. But I’m about to wrap up soon…”

“According to the schedule, you’ll be focusing on the game for another hour.”

“Ugh…”

Hinako turns back to her laptop with a mournful expression.

I wonder if I should’ve brought her a drink, but then I notice a tea set on a cart across the desk. Shizune-san must’ve prepared it.

A ping sounds from Hinako’s laptop.

A message from another student pops up on the screen.

‘Um, Konohana-san, could I consult you about something?’

Hinako replies immediately.

‘Of course. What’s the matter?’

“I’m considering selling a business, but the shareholders’ meeting opposed it because of AI. What should I do?”

It’s quite a tricky issue.

Reading the message, Hinako swiftly reached out toward Shizune-san.

“Shizune.”

“Yes, Ojou-sama. This company, correct?”

Shizune-san handed a tablet to Hinako.

“Let’s share this with Izuki-san as well, just in case.”

“Thank you.”

Shizune-san passed me a smartphone. Its screen displayed the same company information from the student who sent the message, identical to what Hinako was looking at.

“How about taking the company private? That way, it’d be easier to steer operations, and for a company like yours, the downsides should be minimal.”

“Thank you so much! You even took the time to research my company!”

The other student was visibly touched by Hinako’s response.

“By the way, if it’s alright, would you mind if I bought that business?”

“Huh?”

“Huh?”

Not just the other student, but I was shocked too.

I skimmed the data Shizune-san gave me. Checking the financials, the business in question didn’t seem all that appealing, to be honest.

“Is that okay, Hinako? This business has been in the red for a while…”

“It’s fine… I can turn it around.”

Hinako stated calmly, her voice steady.

The other student, clearly surprised, sent another message.

“Um, are you sure?”

“Yes. Just to be safe, could you send me the data on that business? As detailed as possible, please.”

Almost immediately, the student sent over the business data. Compared to the documents we had, it was far more detailed, packed with an overwhelming amount of figures.

Hinako stared blankly at the data displayed on the monitor.

…Is she really going to be okay?

Unable to guess what Hinako was thinking, I felt a twinge of unease.

Noticing my concern, Shizune-san let out a soft sigh.

“…I see. Perhaps because Izuki-san is so close to Ojou-sama, you’re not fully aware of her talents.”

“Talents…?”

I tilted my head, and Shizune-san nodded.

“There’s no need to worry. Ojou-sama is someone even Kagen-sama has called ‘a genius in practical ability.’”

“!”

That’s right.

Exactly.

Unlike everyone else at the academy, my image of Hinako is more rooted in her unguarded, natural self.

But Hinako is undeniably the heiress of the Konohana Group, a prodigy deemed the perfect Ojou-sama at Kiou Academy, with unmatched brilliance.

“Products… understood.”

Hinako murmured in a small voice.

“Facilities… understood.”

Hinako fixed her gaze on the monitor.

She devoured the data at an astonishing speed.

“Employees… understood.”

Click, click—she tapped the mouse rhythmically.

“Clients… understood.”

Quietly, as if diving deep, Hinako focused intently.

Finally, she let out a small breath and—

“…Alright, I’ve got it all.”

Hinako said, straightening her back lightly.

“The estimates are sloppy… there’s a lot of overpaid funds too. But if we review the contract terms and fix those issues, it’ll be profitable in two years.”

I couldn’t grasp what Hinako was saying.

I couldn’t see what she was seeing.

But I understood one thing clearly.

In just a few minutes, Hinako had mastered the business data. Otherwise, she couldn’t have reached such a precise conclusion.

—Goosebumps prickled my skin.

Nobody could just take a pile of data and comprehend it instantly like that. Having started studying business myself, I realized how otherworldly her skill was.

Oblivious to my shock, Hinako sent a message.

“I’d like to buy it, please.”

“Thank you so much!”

I could only stare, dumbfounded, at their exchange.

“Ojou-sama can perfectly grasp and utilize all the resources at her disposal.”

Shizune-san explained.

“Of course, that’s no simple feat. The larger a company grows, the harder it is to control, and even CEOs often can’t fully grasp its entirety. But Ojou-sama is different. With her intellect, she can encompass every figure and guide it in the right direction.”

Shizune-san looked at Hinako, her eyes glowing with genuine respect.

“Cutting unnecessary expenses, maximizing facilities and talent… it’s the most solid, textbook approach to management.”

Textbook… it felt like the perfect way to describe it.

I understood why Kagen-san couldn’t help but see Hinako as a business leader rather than just his daughter.

Hinako was, without a doubt, born to lead.

And with her stellar reputation on top of that, “perfect” was the only word that fit.

“Phew… I’m exhausted.”

Seemingly done with the student, Hinako relaxed.

“Good work, Hinako.”

“Mm… did you learn anything?”

“Yeah, it was really insightful.”

“Hehe…”

Hinako smiled, clearly pleased.

…I need to stay close to this Hinako too.

The perfect Ojou-sama and the real, unguarded Hinako—both are surely precious to her.

The scene I’d just witnessed was staggering, sparking a mix of awe and a faint trace of fear. Hinako’s demeanor was so flawlessly Ojou-sama-like that it almost overshadowed the image of the Hinako I knew, threatening to blow it away.

Come to think of it, this must be what everyone at the academy has always felt.

At the academy, Hinako’s polished behavior might be an act, but her abilities are undeniably real. Even if she slips up a bit, her talent forcefully overshadows any flaws.

That’s why I, of all people, can’t let myself be swayed.

I want to be someone who can stand by both sides of Hinako—her public and private selves.

That’s why I’m aiming to become an executive in the Konohana Group, someone who can stand as close to her equal as possible.

“…I won’t lose to my self-proclaimed rival.”

Hinako muttered under her breath, her voice tinged with mysterious resolve.

Hinako, in her own way, was harboring some enigmatic determination.

“Izuki-san.”

Shizune-san called me softly.

She beckoned, signaling a private matter she didn’t want Hinako to hear. Careful not to draw the attention of Hinako, who was engrossed in a game, I approached Shizune-san.

“What’s up?”

“Is Miyakojima-sama next on your list to approach?”

“…That’s the plan, but how did you know?”

“Given your connections, if you’ve already spoken to Tennouji-sama and Ojou-sama, I could guess the logical next step.”

Fair point. Among students with family backgrounds on par with Tennouji-san and Hinako, and who I know personally, Narika’s about the only one who fits.

“I have a small request. If you learn anything about Miyakojima-sama’s management style, could you share it with me?”

“That should be fine, I think. But why?”

“Miyakojima-sama’s company, Shimax, has been steadily increasing its sales. If there’s some secret to their success, I’d love to pass it on to Ojou-sama.”

Narika’s company is apparently thriving without me even noticing.

The game’s only just begun, I thought, but in-game, over a month has already passed. It’s not surprising that results are starting to diverge.

“I’m not asking you to spy. If she doesn’t give permission, that’s perfectly fine.”

“Got it. Knowing Narika, she’ll probably be okay with it.”

Narika’s not the type to play mind games or scheme.

Still… to think Narika’s making steady progress.

Her usual behavior doesn’t exactly scream “business genius,” so what kind of management is she pulling off?

◆

The next day.

“Tomonari, the ball’s headed your way!”

“Got it!”

The second semester’s PE class kicked off with basketball.

I grabbed a ball that had bounced off a rebound and dribbled it straight to the opponent’s court.

“Go, Tomonari!”

I went for a layup, and with a soft swish, the ball sailed through the hoop.

“Nice!”

“Thanks!”

I high-fived Taishou.

By pure chance, the opponent’s court was wide open when I got the ball. A lucky counter, but it put our team in the lead.

The whistle blew, signaling the end of the match.

Our team was due for a break.

I moved to the edge of the gym, wiping sweat from my cheeks with the collar of my gym clothes.

As I caught my breath, I overheard a conversation between some nearby students.

“That idea you mentioned yesterday got some serious praise.”

“Oh, yeah? Wasn’t it about a system for developing new supermarket products?”

“Yup. If you run consumer tests during development, it boosts the success rate. I wish they’d try it in real life.”

“If you do well in the Management Game, maybe you could convince your parents.”

I mentally chewed over the two boys’ conversation, piecing it together.

Traditionally, new product development relied on employees judging what would sell. But by involving a broader group of consumers—regular supermarket shoppers—in a casual, part-time role, they could evaluate pre-launch products from a customer’s perspective.

(…That’s clever.)

My lips curved into a smile without me realizing.

Kiou Academy was increasingly consumed by the Management Game’s atmosphere, but it seemed I was the only one thrown off balance. The other students were unfazed—no, they were thriving.

Thinking about it, the academy’s students were always mulling over their family businesses in their heads. The Management Game merely gave them an outlet to express those thoughts. They hadn’t changed before or after the game; it just brought their ideas to light.

Proof of that? Lately, everyone seemed to be having fun.

Even the quieter students were suddenly gushing, like a dam had burst, spilling out ideas they’d only ever thought about.

Maybe their energy was rubbing off on me, because I was starting to enjoy it too.

(…When should I talk to Narika?)

I thought about the assignment Takuma-san had given me.

Honestly, I couldn’t predict Narika’s management style at all.

Tennouji-san and Hinako had distinct approaches, both grounded in exceptional knowledge and experience. But Narika? I wouldn’t say she’s as sharp as those two. Not that she’s incapable, but Tennouji-san and Hinako are outliers, even at Kiou Academy.

Even after hearing from Shizune-san, I couldn’t guess what Narika was up to.

My gaze drifted to the neighboring court, where Narika had just started her break.

Narika in motion was captivating, the kind of presence that turned heads. Her “cool beauty” reputation was well-earned. Still caught in the intensity of the game, she wiped her sweat with a serious expression, drawing admiring glances from many students.

“Miyakojima-san! That shot earlier was awesome!”

“Uh, oh. Thanks.”

Unlike before, Narika wasn’t always alone anymore.

She was still a bit stiff, but she was communicating properly.

…She’s grown.

Knowing her past struggles made it all the more poignant.

“Narika.”

Since we were both on break nearby, I figured it was a good chance to talk.

Narika turned, her face lighting up with a beaming smile as she approached.

“Izuki! What’s up!?”

If she could show that puppy-like friendliness to others besides me, she’d probably be even more well-liked.

“Can I ask you about the Management Game for a bit?”

“Hm… W-Well, I’m not sure how much help I’ll be, but sure.”

Narika’s face twitched for a split second.

She didn’t seem too confident.

“How are you running your company?”

“Run it? I mean… I’m not doing anything fancy. I don’t have any special knowledge or skills.”

“But your performance is improving, right?”

“Yeah, seems like it. Doesn’t feel real, though…”

“Like, what have you done recently?”

I asked, and Narika thought for a moment before answering.

“I developed custom-made running shoes.”

She went on to explain.

“Everyone’s feet are slightly different, even between left and right. The arch height, toe length, stuff like that. I wanted to make shoes tailored to each person’s foot shape, so I pitched the idea, and it got better feedback than I expected. Scanning the foot with a machine and using a 3D printer to make the parts apparently clicked with people.”

“Wow… how’d you come up with that?”

“Custom-made shoes have been a thing in the sneaker and boot industry for ages, so I just built on that.”

I’ve never owned custom shoes, but high-end sneakers do have that image of artisans crafting them for one customer. Narika’s idea stood out because digitizing that craftsmanship was a groundbreaking approach.

“Anything else?”

“Before the shoes… I worked on women’s compression wear.”

“Compression wear?”

“It’s sportswear, like tight-fitting tights that lightly compress the body. Helps with fatigue recovery and performance. But since it shows off your body’s outline, some people find it hard to wear. So I thought about covering that flaw with design. Like, adding white lines here to make the stomach look slimmer…”

Narika gestured at her own stomach, explaining in detail.

…What’s this about “no special knowledge or skills”?

She’s got it.

Specialized knowledge—and the kind that leaves others in the dust.

When it comes to sports, Narika’s always been unbeatable, even against Tennouji-san or Hinako. She’s churning out ideas with this much energy, all of them practical and ready to implement, so it’s no wonder Shizune-san’s taking notice of her results.

“S-So? Was that helpful?”

“Yeah… Honestly, I’m shocked. You’re really taking this seriously, Narika.”

“You—! What do you take me for!? Well, okay, maybe it’s hard to imagine from how I usually act…”

She huffed, then slumped, her mood swinging like a pendulum.

“…I really wanted to run a candy store, you know.”

“You’re still on about that?”

“Yeah… I got seriously chewed out for it.”

Narika’s parents must’ve been just as serious as she was.

How does Narika see her future…?

“…By the way, have you ever thought about becoming a professional athlete?”

“Hmm… I get that question a lot, but honestly, no. I love sports, and I know I’m good at them, but I’d rather help others get into it.”

Maybe Narika’s parents have picked up on that trait of hers.

If she were dead-set against taking over the family business and insisted on starting a candy store, her parents might’ve softened. But in the end, Narika will likely inherit the family legacy.

“Have you played any tennis since then, Izuki?”

“Nah… been too busy.”

“With your position, that’s fair. …If you ever want to play again, just say the word. It’s the one thing I can teach you!”

Narika declared, puffing out her chest.

…That’s not true.

Her relentless effort has inspired me more times than I can count. And despite her negativity, Narika doesn’t see her own strengths—there’s so much about her worth admiring.

“Miyakojima-san, are you talking about the Management Game?”

At that moment, a female student on a break called out to Narika.

Narika instantly tensed up, her face stiffening. I gently lifted both my cheeks with my fingers, gesturing to Narika to relax her expression.

Narika softened her expression just a tiny bit and turned around.

“O-oh, right.”

“Um, we’re planning to have a discussion about games with the whole class after school today. If it’s okay, would you like to join us, Miyakojima-san?”

“Wha—m-me!?”

“Yes!”

Faced with the girl’s pure, heartfelt kindness, Narika panicked intensely.

“W-w-w-what should I do, Izuki!? What do you think I should do!?”

I thought she’d grown a bit…

For Narika’s sake, I’ll have to steel my heart here.

I answered on Narika’s behalf.

“Looks like she’ll join.”

“Izuki!?”

“You’ll hear some really insightful stuff, so you can look forward to it.”

“Izuki!?”

Cheering on a teary-eyed Narika in my heart, I headed toward the boys’ court.