Epilogue

After hanging up, I slipped the smartphone into my pocket.

“Phew…”

I kept it brief since he sounded busy, but apparently, I’ll get a thorough evaluation later.

Knowing Takuma-san, I bet it’ll be strict but incredibly insightful. …For me, the management game continues right up to that moment.

After parting with Hinako, I kill about thirty minutes at a café.

…Guess it’s about time.

I head back to the school building, making my way to the classroom.

While walking down the hallway, I spot the person I was looking for up ahead.

“Narika.”

“Izuki!”

She notices me at almost the same moment.

Today, I’ve got to praise Narika. To help Hinako, Narika went all out. Not only did she spearhead the proposal for entering the motorsport industry, but she also brilliantly persuaded Hinako at the assembly. Sure, I helped, but all these achievements stemmed from Narika’s ideas and guts.

I couldn’t let that go without saying something. That’s why I came back to the school.

“Narika, congrats on the New Business Award—”

“—That’s incredible, Izuki! Topping the rankings and snagging the Consultant Award!”

Just as I was about to shower Narika with praise, she hit me with even more enthusiasm, singing my praises.

…Well, darn.

After accomplishing something that huge, the first thing out of her mouth is praise for me?

That’s so Narika.

“Thanks. Looked like you were swarmed by classmates earlier—everything okay now?”

“Yeah… By the way, why are you here, Izuki? Is the tea party already over?”

“The tea party got moved to after school on Monday. You coming, Narika?”

“Of course!”

Narika says it with a gleeful grin.

She must’ve been dying to join.

“Once again… great work, Narika. We pulled off some amazing results.”

“Thanks to you, Izuki. Thank you for helping me.”

Narika looks me straight in the eyes as she speaks.

…What’s this?

Narika feels… even more confident than usual, somehow.

Normally, she’d be fidgeting, a little shy or embarrassed…

“What’s up, Izuki?”

“Nah, I was just thinking you seem more self-assured than usual today. Something happen?”

“Hm… Well, yeah, I guess. Yesterday, when I presented to Konohana-san, I was thinking a lot. I kinda figured out the trick to carrying myself confidently…”

Struggling to put it into words, Narika answers thoughtfully.

“Um, Miyakojima-san!”

At that moment, a petite female student comes rushing toward us from the other end of the hallway.

I don’t know her… and it doesn’t seem like Narika does either. Narika calls out to the approaching girl, looking puzzled.

“Uh, what’s up?”

“S-sorry for coming up so suddenly! My family runs a sporting goods store, just like yours, Miyakojima-san, and I was wondering if I could maybe get some advice?”

“I don’t mind… but are you sure you want me?”

“Yes! Your performance in the management game was amazing, and the way you debated with Konohana-san yesterday… it was so cool!”

Faced with such direct admiration, Narika’s momentarily overwhelmed.

For a split second, her face lights up with joy, but she quickly composes herself.

“Thank you… Um, about the advice—would email work? I was planning to head home soon…”

“T-that’s fine! I’ll give you my contact info!”

The girl quickly scribbles her email address in a notebook, tears out the page, and hands it to Narika.

“W-well, I’ll be going now!”

The girl bows deeply and starts to walk away.

She’s still nervous, huh? Her steps are awkward as she begins to leave—

“—Eek!?”

“Whoa there.”

When the girl stumbles over nothing, Narika instinctively catches her.

Holding the girl in her arms, Narika gives a wry smile.

“Sorry. My face tends to scare people, so they often get nervous around me.”

“N-no, it’s not your fault, Miyakojima-san…”

The girl’s eyes well up with tears.

Normally, Narika would spiral into self-blame—thinking her scary face caused trouble again.

But today’s Narika is different.

“I’d really like it if you didn’t misunderstand. …I want to be friends with you.”

At Narika’s words, the girl’s face flushes red, like a volcano erupting.

“Y-yes…”

The girl nods, looking almost dreamlike.

With small, wobbly steps, she toddles away.

I shift my gaze from the girl’s retreating figure back to Narika.

“…You’ve changed a lot.”

“Honestly, I’m trying my hardest. It’s still a bit awkward, but I want to make it real.”

It seems the “trick to carrying herself confidently” wasn’t a lie.

But… I glance back at the girl who walked away.

She’s moving painfully slowly, frequently turning back to look at Narika—

“Miyakojima… Onee-sama.”

The girl’s eyes, fixed on Narika, shimmer with suspicious heart-shaped sparkles.

…Has she awakened to something?

Honestly, it feels like Narika’s about to gain popularity in a totally different way from Hinako or Tennouji-san. She doesn’t seem aware of it herself, though… I don’t want to ruin the moment, so I’ll keep quiet.

“Izuki, are you aiming for the student council?”

Narika suddenly asks.

“Yeah. But the election’s not until two months from now, so I’m planning to take it easy for a bit.”

“That’s a good idea. Resting’s important too.”

At Kiou Academy, the student council election happens in December.

With the management game over, it’s already mid-October. There’s still time before the election, so I wanted to take a moment to relax.

“Changing yourself is… fun.”

Narika murmurs.

“It’s tough, and I’m not used to it yet, but it feels so rewarding. If I keep this up, I really think I can find true strength.”

After yesterday’s assembly, Narika must have realized something profound.

Right now, she seems to have a clear vision of the path she wants to take.

“So, Izuki. I’ve decided I’m going to aim for student council president too.”

“…Huh?”

Her completely unexpected declaration leaves me wide-eyed.

“I know it’s reckless. But I think this is exactly the kind of challenge I need right now.”

…She’s serious.

As I stand there speechless, Narika pouts.

“Hmph… What’s that, Izuki? You’re not gonna cheer me on?”

“N-no, of course I’ll cheer you on! It’s just… so surprising, my brain’s still catching up…”

“So, it’s a challenge that’s not like me, huh? All the more reason it’s worth doing.”

I was about to say she doesn’t have to push herself so hard—but looking at Narika, with her bold smirk, she doesn’t seem to be forcing herself at all.

There’s no rush or impulsiveness. It feels like a thoughtful, rational decision.

But… if that’s the case…

(…Who do I cheer for, Tennouji-san or Narika…?)

If she’s aiming for president, not just a council role, she’ll be up against Tennouji-san.

When that time comes, whose back do I push?

“Izuki, thank you so much.”

Narika says, looking straight at me.

“Yesterday, I learned something important. And you’re the one who taught it to me.”

Maybe it’s the glow of the sunset.

Narika’s face seems to blush faintly.

“I’m no good on my own. But when someone I trust is by my side, I can carry myself this confidently. …That’s why you’re so necessary to me, Izuki. You’re special.”

Saying that, Narika steps closer.

She leans in, bringing her face near—

—and something soft brushes my cheek.

“Wha—? Huh? N-Narika…!?”

“~~~~~~ !!”

All I can see is Narika’s face, flushed crimson.

Tears of embarrassment pooling in her eyes, Narika covers her lips and steps back.

“I-I’m not asking for an answer! But it’s too late to regret it!”

Pointing at me, Narika declares,

“You’re the one who told me to go all out, Izuki!!”

With that shout, Narika bolts away at breakneck speed.

No one at this academy could possibly catch up to Narika running at full tilt.