Epilogue
Some time later, news broke that Tomonari Gifts Co., Ltd. had successfully completed a third-party allotment of new shares. The subscribers were Wedding Needs Co., Ltd. and a reliable major player in the bridal industry that Ikuno introduced to us later—a total of two companies.
Thanks to this, Tomonari Gifts managed to fend off SIS’s aggressive advances. The two companies that took on the new shares promised not to sell their stakes, ensuring that Suminoe-san’s control over Tomonari Gifts’ management wouldn’t grow any further. While their promise not to sell isn’t absolutely ironclad, breaking it would harm Tomonari Gifts, which would, in turn, disadvantage Wedding Needs due to our business partnership. For now, at least, there shouldn’t be any issues.
When I arrived at the Academy, I spotted Suminoe-san.
Suminoe-san was drawing stares from the students around her… and so was I. The impact of the Management Game on reality is impossible to overstate.
The takeover drama between me and Suminoe-san was probably the biggest incident in this round of the Management Game. Even Ikuno, whom I’d just met, knew about it, and everyone likely knew how it ended, too.
“Suminoe-san.”
I called out to her as she headed toward the classroom.
“Oh, Tomonari-san. Come to hurl insults at me, have you?”
“No way, nothing like that.”
The days of us glaring daggers at each other are over. I don’t want to do that anymore… No, even if this mess hadn’t been resolved, I wouldn’t be slinging insults.
Sure, Suminoe-san and I were rivals, but I didn’t hold any ill feelings toward her.
“If you’re aiming to be the industry’s top dog, I get that sometimes you need to play hardball. Buying out a fund? That’s not something I’d have ever thought of… I learned a lot from you this time, Suminoe-san.”
“…You’re way too nice, you know that?”
Suminoe-san let out a small sigh.
“I’m done collecting Tomonari Gifts’ shares. A takeover seems too tough, and I’ve decided it’s not worth sinking more funds into.”
“…I see.”
That’s a relief.
Any further fighting would’ve definitely turned into a quagmire. While we’re busy dragging each other down, competitors could swoop in and eat our lunch. I’m grateful she decided this was the time to call it quits.
“Suminoe-san, how about joining me for tea after school today?”
“Huh?”
Suminoe-san looked utterly baffled by my suggestion.
“Now that this is settled, I’d love to build a friendly relationship going forward.”
“…I see.”
Suminoe-san nodded, as if she’d grasped my intentions, but then—
“But you’re planning to start a corporate gift delivery service, right?”
“I’m not backing down on that.”
When it comes to the corporate gift delivery market, I’m confident Tomonari Gifts will come out on top.
With our partnership with Wedding Needs as a springboard, Tomonari Gifts plans to dive deeper into handling gifts for ceremonial occasions. Having Wedding Needs as a proven partner opens doors not just in the bridal industry but in other sectors, too.
I want to make Tomonari Gifts an even bigger company.
That’s why I have no intention of slowing down now.
“…I’ll join the tea party. After all, the loser has to swallow the winner’s demands.”
“It’s not exactly about winning or losing…”
“From every angle, this is your victory.”
Suminoe-san gave a faint smile.
Well, if she’s not hung up on it, I guess that’s fine.
“Then let’s meet at the café after school.”
“Got it.”
“By the way, I’ve invited Tennouji-san, too.”
“…I just remembered some urgent business, so I’ll have to pass today.”
“It’ll be fine, come on. Let’s go together.”
“N-no way… I’ll die of nerves…!”
Suminoe-san’s face suddenly went pale.
“Didn’t you talk to her just fine before?”
“That was all bravado!”
“You don’t have to put it so bluntly…”
Honestly, she completely transforms when it comes to Tennouji-san…
Suminoe-san grabbed my clothes with a desperate look, but then, as if something dawned on her, she lowered her gaze and fell deep in thought.
“…No, I’ll go.”
Suminoe-san said in a small voice.
“I need to apologize to Tennouji-sama.”
◆
After school.
As Suminoe-san and I were ordering drinks at our usual café, Tennouji-san approached the table.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“No, we just got here ourselves.”
Tennouji-san promptly ordered a tea.
—Truth be told, I was supposed to meet with everyone from the Tea Party Alliance today.
But since I wanted to talk things over with Suminoe-san, I prioritized this instead. Tennouji-san seemed to sense our intentions and had already given her approval.
A short while later, drinks for the three of us arrived.
Tennouji-san lifted her teacup to her lips.
“The tea here is quite nice, isn’t it?”
Muttering to herself, Tennouji-san caught Suminoe-san’s eye, who cautiously spoke up.
“…Um.”
Suminoe-san glanced at me and Tennouji-san.
“I take back what I said before. It was wrong of me to say Tomonari-san corrupted Tennouji-san.”
Suminoe-san bowed deeply. Tennouji-san looked at her directly and said,
“I accept your apology.”
Tennouji-san forgave her.
For Suminoe-san, this apology was about closure. The Management Game is designed to include competition between students, so no one would fault Tomonari Gifts and SIS for clashing. But Suminoe-san had brought just a hint of personal conflict into it, stepping slightly beyond the game’s boundaries.
She couldn’t truly move on until she addressed this.
That’s why Suminoe-san apologized—to make amends with everyone properly.
“I’m not angry anymore… But purely out of curiosity, Suminoe-san, why did you think I’d been corrupted by Tomonari-san?”
“Well…”
Suminoe-san’s face twisted, clearly struggling to answer.
But if she didn’t explain, the lingering tension would never fully dissolve. So, I spoke up on her behalf.
“Suminoe-san really admires you, Tennouji-san.”
“Wha—?!”
Suminoe-san shot me a horrified look, her face paling.
I’m not done yet, so I’d appreciate it if you’d listen quietly.
“That’s why she was thrown off by the changes in you. I think, in her own way, Suminoe-san was worried about you.”
I wasn’t about to go so far as to say Suminoe-san adores Tennouji-san to death. What I said should be enough to get the point across.
Tennouji-san nodded deeply, as if everything clicked into place, and said,
“Suminoe-san, my grades have actually been improving a lot lately.”
Suminoe-san’s eyes widened at Tennouji-san’s update.
“I used to be relentlessly stoic, as everyone could see, but I must’ve been carrying stress without realizing it. I’m only human, after all. I thought I could endure any hardship for my goals, but it seems I was wrong.”
It’s true—Tennouji-san used to be incredibly stoic.
And she was the type to bottle up her stress without ever letting anyone see it.
“I’ll spare you the details, but thanks to Tomonari-san, I’ve found a lot more balance in my life. As a result, I’ve been able to face my weaknesses and work freely without feeling weighed down. To me, Tomonari-san is nothing less than a benefactor.”
She’s probably talking about when I stopped her from going through with that arranged marriage.
Being called a benefactor is a bit embarrassing, but looking back, I’m glad I stepped in. If that engagement had gone through, Tennouji-san would’ve left Kiou Academy, and by now, she’d be gone from our lives.
“Also, Suminoe-san, you may not know this, but through this Management Game, I’ve decided to aim for the student council.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. So I haven’t lost my ambition, not at all.”
Tennouji-san may have changed, but she hasn’t gone soft.
I know that better than anyone.
“By the way, Tomonari-san’s aiming for it, too.”
“Huh…?”
“He’s quite the ambitious guy, don’t you think?”
Suminoe-san stared at me intently.
I gave an awkward smile.
“I know it’s a stretch, but like Tennouji-san said, I’m aiming for the student council, too.”
Even now, saying it out loud makes my heart race—it’s a daunting goal.
But I can’t take back what I’ve said. At the end of summer break, talking with my old classmates gave me unshakable resolve. I’m past the point of chickening out.
“A stretch… I might’ve agreed with that before, but not anymore.”
Suminoe-san said with a serious expression.
“Look around you.”
Around me?
I wasn’t sure what she meant, but I followed her advice and glanced around.
Ever since the Management Game started, the café has been livelier than ever. Everyone’s probably craving a calm place to talk.
The students gathered here were sneaking glances at us.
It makes sense that Tennouji-san, the heiress of the Tennouji Group, or Suminoe-san, the daughter of a major IT company, would draw attention. But unless I’m being conceited, it feels like I’m the one they’re looking at the most.
“This takeover drama got the whole Academy’s attention. That’s why you, the victor, are now recognized as a force to be reckoned with across the Academy. You’re seen as a brilliant strategist who fended off a challenge from a vastly superior company.”
So that’s how people see me…
It’s a little awkward, but this time, the joy outweighs the discomfort.
For me, who’s always wanted to be someone worthy of standing beside Hinako and the others, that kind of recognition is exactly what I’ve been chasing.
…The way they’re looking at me feels different now.
This isn’t just my imagination—I’m sure of it. I’m being respected.
Not just as an equal, but as someone above them.
“…!”
Overwhelmed with emotion, I clenched my fist under the table.
“Is something wrong, Tomonari-san?”
“No… I’m just happy to be recognized like that.”
“You’re only realizing it now?”
Suminoe-san gave a wry smile.
“I get why Tennouji-san sticks with you. You two push each other to grow just by being side by side.”
“Exactly!”
Tennouji-san said, sounding almost proud.
Seeing her like that, Suminoe-san…
“…I’m jealous.”
She murmured in a voice so soft it could’ve been swept away by the wind.
But Tennouji-san didn’t miss it.
“Oh, I think you and I could have the same kind of relationship.”
“Huh…?”
“This takeover drama, putting our positions aside, was honestly really fun. My eye for people never fails me.”
Tennouji-san said with a smug “hmph.”
“The Management Game is only at its halfway point. If you’re up for it, why not come at me with everything you’ve got?”
“T-that’s too much… I couldn’t possibly…”
“Ugh, you’re so hard to get through to.”
Tennouji-san smiled gently.
“What I’m saying is, I want to grow alongside you, too.”
“—!”
Suminoe-san froze, mouth agape, clearly not expecting to hear that.
Seeing her reaction, Tennouji-san stood up with a satisfied look.
“Well, I should get going. You two have inspired me, and I’ve got a ton of meetings lined up today.”
With that, Tennouji-san left the café.
At the same time, my smartphone buzzed in my pocket.
I gave a quick nod to the still-frozen Suminoe-san before answering the call.
“Hey, good work today, Itsuki-san.”
“Shizune-san… what’s up?”
“I was wondering when you’d be heading home today.”
Oh, right, I hadn’t told her my plans yet.
What should I do? My business here is done, but…
“Itsuki… today’s a celebration.”
Hinako’s voice came through.
She must be with Shizune-san.
“A celebration?”
“Yup… Your victory party.”
Oh, that’s what this is.
If they went through the trouble of planning something like that, I should head home.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Understood. I’ll have the car wait nearby and send it to the Academy.”
As expected of Shizune-san—always on top of things.
The call ended, and I stood up, grabbing my bag.
“Well, Suminoe-san, I’ll be heading out now.”
I meant to give a quick goodbye and leave, but…
“…Suminoe-san?”
No response.
She’s been quiet for a while now—is something wrong?
I leaned in to check her face…
“Sh-she’s… dead…?!”
“…I’m not dead.”
Suminoe-san, who looked completely burned out, replied in a frail voice.
Being acknowledged by Tennouji-san must’ve thrilled her so much that her mental stamina was pushed to its absolute limit in every sense.
“…In the end, you never once blamed me.”
Suminoe-san said, her eyes slightly lowered.
“I understand now why people are drawn to you. You’re so honest and hardworking that everyone can’t help but root for you.”
She spoke with a refreshing air, almost like she was declaring defeat.
If that’s the case, I can’t just nod along.
“I think the same could be said about you, Suminoe-san.”
Her eyes widened, and I continued.
“When you made your move to take us over, I looked into SIS Co., Ltd. I noticed your company’s performance has been skyrocketing… It showed me how hard you’ve been working. Knowing that, I couldn’t bring myself to hold a grudge. If anything, it lit a fire under me.”
It might be hindsight talking, but the truth is, Suminoe-san’s challenge pushed me to take business management more seriously.
Of course, the fear of my company being taken over was real. But more than that, seeing the traces of Suminoe-san’s efforts made me want to step up my game, too.
“To achieve results like that, it takes more than just a burst of effort. You’ve been studying management diligently, haven’t you?”
“Well, I mean…”
Acquiring a fund isn’t something you can do without serious financial leeway. Suminoe-san’s skill in creating that leeway deserves nothing but praise.
Tennouji-san mentioned last year that she saw Suminoe-san’s potential and reached out to her. Thinking about it, Suminoe-san must’ve been working hard even back then. She might’ve been born with talent, but even Hinako, as reluctant as she is, studies every day. There’s no way Suminoe-san, who can keep up with Hinako’s grades at the Academy, would slack off. She once said she was living aimlessly back then, but even so, she did what needed to be done.
Someone who’s honest, hardworking, and inspires others to cheer for them…
That’s Suminoe-san.
“I understand now why Tennouji-san reached out to you a year ago. You’re a hard worker, Suminoe-san.”
Thanks to you, I think I’ve been positively influenced, too.
Hearing my feelings, Suminoe-san…
“…Suminoe-san?”
She stopped responding again.
But this time, she wasn’t burned out. Her face was bright red, all the way to her ears—
“I-I…! I won’t let you charm me…!”
I have no intention of charming anyone, but…
Seeing Suminoe-san declare that with a beet-red face, all I could do was give a wry smile
.
