Chapter 5: Negotiation

The next morning.

Arriving at the academy, I was about to enter the classroom when Tennouji-san beckoned me over.

“Tennouji-san?”

“Tomonari-san, come with me for a moment.”

She led me to a quiet corner of a stairwell landing and turned to face me.

“What’s the status on the acquisition matter?”

I’d figured there was a nine-out-of-ten chance that’s what she wanted to talk about.

It was a delicate topic, and I hesitated over how much to share, but Tennouji-san was trustworthy as a person, and we were allies, so it should be fine.

I explained everything step by step: Suminoe-san’s ambition to dominate the IT industry, her acquisition of Tech Capital to that end, Hinako’s concern for me and her suggestion of a white knight, and then—

“…and so, I’ve decided to handle this on my own without relying on Konohana-san.”

To build my own strength, I deliberately turned down Hinako’s proposal.

Tennouji-san listened to my explanation with her arms crossed.

“Well, well… that’s quite the resolve, isn’t it?”

“You’ve got a really big smile there.”

Tennouji-san was grinning like a predator baring its fangs.

In the end, Suminoe-san and I were set for a head-on showdown. It was exactly the kind of competitive scenario Tennouji-san, who loved a good challenge, would relish. Plus, since she saw Hinako as a rival, my decision to forgo Hinako’s help probably earned me some points with her.

“You understand, I presume, that this choice is only feasible because it’s a simulation?”

“…Yes, I’m fully aware.”

If this were all happening in reality, I’d be completely ignoring the perspectives of the employees working at Tomonari Gifts. I have a duty to keep them from being cast out onto the streets, yet I chose a tougher path just to stick to my principles.

In a real-world scenario like this, I’d have had no choice but to accept Hinako’s protection.

“However, I believe there are lessons that can only be learned through a simulation. In fact, that’s why I’ve been so aggressive with M&As myself.”

Corporate acquisitions and mergers cost astronomical sums. In reality, you couldn’t engage in M&As so frequently, but Tennouji-san was actively pursuing them for the sake of learning.

“Tomonari-san, you made a choice not to win but to learn. As long as you’re aware of that… I respect your decision.”

“Thank you.”

Hearing Tennouji-san say that gave me a surge of confidence.

“So, what’s your plan for the actual strategy?”

“Well…”

As I started to answer, someone approached.

“—Good day.”

A calm, beautiful voice reached my ears.

“Suminoe-san…”

“Hehe, we’ve been running into each other a lot lately, haven’t we?”

Suminoe-san flashed a refined smile.

Looking at her now, she didn’t seem the least bit scheming. Her ability to maintain such a polished facade reminded me of Hinako in some ways.

Tennouji-san spoke up to this poised Suminoe-san.

“Suminoe-san, as it happens, I’ve formed an alliance with Tomonari-san here.”

“…Yes, I’m aware.”

Of course she’d know—she was always spying on our tea party gatherings, after all.

“So let me say one thing. Your methods… they’re like slapping someone’s face with a wad of cash to make them submit. It’s a tad forceful, don’t you think?”

“…You’re absolutely right. But I’ve decided that’s the only way to wake you up, Tennouji-san.”

“Wake me up…?”

Tennouji-san looked puzzled, and Suminoe-san continued.

“Tennouji-san, I have one thing to say to you as well. That man over there isn’t worthy of you. Tomonari Izuki is nothing but a person who’ll drag you down. I’ll prove it.”

Suminoe-san glared at me as she spoke.

She’d apparently decided not to hide her resentment toward me.

I had plenty I wanted to retort, but the battle lines had already been drawn. Arguing wouldn’t change our relationship.

So instead… I talked business.

“Suminoe-san, are you familiar with Wedding Needs Co., Ltd.?”

She seemed momentarily surprised that I’d address her in this tense atmosphere, but she quickly regained her composure.

“Yes, I’m aware of it.”

“Thought so. …Well, I’m planning to meet with their CEO today.”

At that, Suminoe-san smiled.

“I see. I understand what you’re trying to do. But your chances are slim. Because I’ve already approached that company once—”

“—My company is different from yours.”

The reason for refusing an acquisition had always been just that.

Tomonari Gifts and SIS were fundamentally different in their essence… just as Suminoe-san and I, as their leaders, had fundamentally different mindsets.

If that difference sparked this conflict, then it would also be what settled it.

“I’ll survive this my way.”

The resolution would likely come today.

After school… I had an appointment with a certain someone.

◆

After school, at the academy’s café.

I was seated at a reserved table when I stood to greet a male student approaching from across the room.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ikuno from Wedding Needs Co., Ltd.”

“Tomonari Izuki from Tomonari Gifts.”

I exchanged a brief handshake with the boy who introduced himself as Ikuno and sat down.

This time, I’d devised a plan to escape Suminoe-san’s control. The key figure in that plan was this classmate of mine.

A waiter handed menus to me and Ikuno.

“What’ll you have, Tomonari-kun?”

“I’ll go with a blend coffee.”

“Then I’ll have the same.”

The waiter nodded and turned away.

“Is this your first time at this café, Ikuno-kun?”

“Yeah. My family’s pretty strict, so I’m usually told to head straight home after school.”

Ikuno gave a wry smile.

I knew a lot of students were in similar situations.

Ikuno’s family ran Wedding Needs, the leading company in the bridal industry. Beyond providing wedding venues, their business spanned hotels, restaurants, and other related ventures—a diverse portfolio.

With a family business of that scale, parental restrictions were often tight. It was like how Narika wasn’t even allowed to visit a candy store back in the day. Hinako and Tennouji-san might seem free, but they usually had dedicated security trailing them whenever they went out.

Like other students, Ikuno was managing Wedding Needs, his family’s company, in the game. Just as in reality, he reigned as the top player in the bridal industry within the simulation.

“This is my first time talking to you like this, Tomonari-kun, but I’m actually a bit nervous.”

“Huh? Why’s that?”

I could understand me being nervous, but there was no reason for Ikuno to feel that way…

“Come on, you’re a member of that Tea Party Alliance, aren’t you?”

There it was—the Tea Party Alliance.

That topic had been coming up a lot lately… and it felt like it was being misunderstood.

“Uh… that tea party is really just casual chatting, not some grand affair like ‘Tea Party Alliance’ makes it sound…”

“What? But I heard rumors that you guys seriously discuss politics, economics, military strategy, and even the future of Kiou Academy.”

What kind of rumor was that?

Considering I only transferred here this spring, there’s no way we’d be having those kinds of talks.

“Some even say you’re pulling the strings behind the scenes, Tomonari-kun.”

“W-Why would anyone believe such a ridiculous rumor…?”

“Well, there’s also talk that you’re the one who brought that group together in the first place, so maybe that’s why…”

Come to think of it, what was the reason the six of us started hanging out? …Oh, right. I kept turning down invites from Taishou and Asahi-san to hang out, but that felt weird, so I finally agreed. Then, since it was a good chance, I invited Tennouji-san, who wanted to get closer to Hinako, and Narika, who seemed like she wanted friends.

…So, saying I brought them together wasn’t entirely wrong, was it?

“L-Let’s talk about the game! That’s what we’re here for, after all!”

“R-Right, yeah.”

That topic felt dangerous, so I steered clear of it.

Just then, our coffees arrived, and we both took a moment to sip and settle down.

We let out a simultaneous “Phew.”

“The acquisition stuff sounds like a mess, huh?”

Ikuno said, setting his cup on the table.

“You heard about it?”

“Well, fund acquisitions aren’t exactly common.”

Apparently, Suminoe-san’s fund acquisition had reached even those who weren’t initially paying attention to her or me.

It felt like I was in the spotlight, and I couldn’t help but squirm.

“Suminoe-san’s SIS Co., Ltd. is a major IT firm. For venture IT companies receiving funding from Tech Capital, having SIS at the top isn’t necessarily a bad deal…”

“Some might see it that way. But I’ve decided to fight back.”

That’s why I arranged this meeting.

I took a sip of coffee and looked at Ikuno.

It was time to get serious.

“As I mentioned before, I’d like to discuss a capital and business alliance today.”

I cut to the chase.

Ikuno bowed his head apologetically.

“I’m sorry. I feel bad since you went through the trouble of setting this up, but… I have no intention of forming a business alliance.”

Ikuno said, staring at his coffee cup.

“I get similar proposals from IT companies all the time, and I turn them all down…”

“Suminoe-san was one of them, right?”

“…You knew?”

“Not directly, but I had a hunch.”

I pulled out my laptop and continued.

“I think I can offer something different from Suminoe-san.”

Ikuno’s eyes widened.

“Are you familiar with Tomonari Gifts?”

“Not really. I’ve been so focused on declining alliances that I haven’t looked into it much…”

“Then take a look at these materials.”

He probably lost interest in researching Tomonari Gifts the moment he learned it was an IT company. I had a guess about why.

I displayed Tomonari Gifts’ materials on the screen for Ikuno to see.

“Tomonari Gifts runs an e-commerce service specializing in gifts. We deal exclusively in high-quality items that show proper respect to the recipient. It’s perfect for ceremonial occasions like weddings or funerals.”

You can’t choose cheap gifts for formal events. In that sense, our service is a great match.

Analyzing the gift market clearly shows its connection to ceremonial occasions. Weddings, coming-of-age ceremonies—gift-giving is customary for these events.

That’s why I was certain Suminoe-san had approached Ikuno. Her e-commerce business included a ceremonial category, so if she wanted to grow that sector, partnering with the bridal industry leader would be a natural move.

Up to that point, my thinking aligned with hers, but—

“What I want to emphasize is that Tomonari Gifts isn’t strictly tied to online transactions.”

“…What do you mean?”

Ikuno was clearly intrigued.

He probably assumed I’d pitch the same thing as Suminoe-san.

But I was different. Suminoe-san and I had distinct visions.

“Tomonari Gifts’ mission is to promote the beauty and coolness of casually exchanging gifts. Our main platform is e-commerce, but we’re open to meeting user needs beyond that. In fact, we’ve already started a catalog gift business that doesn’t rely on internet access.”

I showed Ikuno the data on our catalog gift business.

He studied it with a serious expression.

“What do you think?”

I looked him straight in the eye and asked.

“Our goals are pretty similar, aren’t they?”

I’d hit the mark—Ikuno’s silent surprise confirmed it.

“When I looked into Wedding Needs’ corporate info, it mentioned plans to advance IT and digital transformation. But I got the sense that wasn’t your true intention. …Deep down, you want to stick to traditional methods, right?”

These days, every company is exploring IT to streamline operations. IT adoption focuses on efficiency, while digital transformation involves creating new business through digital tech.

Wedding Needs claimed to be pursuing digital transformation.

But I felt that wasn’t the truth.

Behind the data… Ikuno’s expression seemed clouded.

“…You’re right, Tomonari-kun.”

Ikuno clasped his hands and began to explain.

“To be honest, I’m mostly just following my parents’ orders. The Management Game is closely watched by the business world, so my parents don’t fully trust me to handle it… The digital transformation thing was their decision. But if I’m being honest, I want to stick to traditional, dignified services. There’s online weddings and live-streamed ceremonies now, but I’m against those. The value of memories created through time and effort—that’s what I want to promote through our services.”

I’d suspected that was Ikuno’s true stance.

That’s why I believed my proposal would resonate with him.

“What we’re after isn’t efficiency but cultural promotion. In that sense, I think we share a vision. For example, Tomonari Gifts’ website clearly explains complex etiquette like wrapping or noshi. We could include wedding-related info there too.”

Of course, Tomonari Gifts’ e-commerce service is compatible with ceremonial occasions, as I mentioned earlier.

But more than that, I’m offering Ikuno a platform to promote the marriage values he cherishes. Fortunately, the groundwork for that is already in place.

“Please, won’t you partner with my company? With Wedding Needs’ cooperation, we can significantly enhance our ceremonial services.”

In return, I’d gain a shield against Suminoe-san’s acquisition and a chance to improve our ceremonial offerings.

Ikuno considered my proposal for a moment before responding.

“…At first, I was going to turn you down.”

He spoke with a hint of resignation.

“Since I’m not interested in digital transformation, I’ve been skeptical of partnering with IT companies. Suminoe-san approached me with a digital transformation-focused alliance, so I declined before my parents could find out. …To be honest, with me just following my parents’ orders, I wasn’t all that motivated for the game.”

He looked at me.

His eyes were far more lively than when we’d started talking.

“But you saw through to my true feelings, Tomonari-kun, and that made me happy. …This Management Game is a rare opportunity. I think I’ll use it to pursue what I want.”

Ikuno bowed his head.

“I accept the capital and business alliance. Please let me invest in your company.”

“Thank you so much.”

I bowed even deeper than he did.

As I sighed in relief internally, Ikuno looked at me curiously.

“But… how did you know what I wanted?”

The digital transformation plan wasn’t his own. He was asking how I’d seen through it.

It was a natural question, but I didn’t know how to put the answer into words.

It was a feeling—a gut instinct.

So…

“…Just a hunch.”

I gave a wry smile and left it at that.