Rich Girl Caretaker Vol. 6 Epilogue
Epilogue
Tomonari Gifts had successfully stopped SIS's encroachment. Furthermore, both investing companies had promised me they would not sell their shares, meaning Suminoe-san could not increase her stake in my company. While there's no absolute guarantee they'll keep that promise forever, if they broke it and harmed Tomonari Gifts, our strategic partner WEDDING•NEEDS would also suffer. So, for now, I didn't need to worry.
When I got to school, I saw Suminoe-san. She was being watched by the other students... and so was I. The impact of the Management Tournament on our real lives was hard to grasp.
Our takeover battle had probably become the biggest incident in the tournament so far. After all, even Ikuno, whom I'd just met, knew about it. The entire school must have heard the outcome.
"Suminoe-san."
I called out to her as she was heading to class.
"Oh my, Tomonari-kun. Are you here to rub salt in the wound?"
"I wouldn't do that."
The hostilities were over. I had no desire to... No, even if they weren't over, I wouldn't do that. We had been rivals, true, but I didn't have any negative feelings toward her.
"If your goal is to lead the industry, you need that kind of aggressive strategy. I mean, I never would have thought of acquiring a VC... I learned a lot from you."
"...You're too nice."
Suminoe-san sighed softly.
"I'm not going to pursue Tomonari Gifts' stock anymore. It's clear it's not going to be an easy acquisition, and I've determined that spending any more capital would be a loss."
"...I see."
Thank goodness.
If we'd kept fighting, it would have turned into a quagmire. While we were busy pulling each other down, another competitor could have stolen our market share. I was grateful she was willing to back off.
"Suminoe-san, if you're not busy, would you like to get some tea after class?"
"What?"
She looked completely baffled by the suggestion.
"It's all over. I'm hoping we can build a friendly relationship from here on."
"...I see."
Suminoe-san understood my intent and nodded.
"But you've started your B2B service, haven't you?"
"On that, I won't back down."
From now on, my company would have the advantage in the B2B gift market. With the WEDDING•NEEDS alliance, Tomonari Gifts would be making a full-scale entry into the formal ceremonies market. If that partnership bore fruit, I could expect to build relationships not just in the wedding industry, but in others as well.
I wanted to make Tomonari Gifts even bigger. I wasn't planning on stopping here.
"...I'll go. The loser must obey the winner."
"It wasn't really a win or loss..."
"By any measure, you won."
Suminoe-san said with a faint smile.
Oh well. If she's okay with it, I won't argue.
"See you at the cafe after school, then."
"Understood."
"By the way, I invited Tennouji-san, too."
"...I just remembered something urgent. I can't go."
"It's fine, let's go together."
"N-No... I'll be so nervous I'll die...!"
Her face suddenly went pale.
"But you were talking to her normally just yesterday."
"That was a bluff!"
"Even if you say that so emphatically..."
She really does become a different person when it comes to Tennouji-san...
Suminoe-san grabbed my shirt with a desperate look, but then, as if a thought struck her, she looked down, lost in thought.
"...I'll go."
She murmured.
"Because... I have to apologize to Tennouji-sama."
◆
After school. Suminoe-san and I had just ordered our drinks at the cafe when Tennouji-san arrived.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Not at all. We just got here."
She immediately ordered a tea.
The tea party alliance was originally supposed to meet today. However, I'd wanted to talk properly with Suminoe-san, so I prioritized this. Tennouji-san understood and agreed to reschedule.
A moment later, the waiter brought our three drinks. Tennouji-san lifted her teacup.
"The tea here is quite good, too."
Watching Tennouji-san murmur to herself, Suminoe-san spoke up nervously.
"...Um—"
She looked at both me and Tennouji-san.
"I... retract what I said. Tomonari-kun is not Tennouji-sama's downfall."
Suminoe-san bowed deeply. Tennouji-san looked straight at her and said:
"I accept your apology."
Tennouji-san forgave her. For Suminoe-san, the apology was about closure. The school expected competition in the tournament, so they hadn't intervened. But Suminoe-san had let this conflict bleed over into a personal grudge.
If this wasn't resolved, the incident wouldn't be over. So, she apologized... so everyone could move on.
"I'm not angry... but I am curious. Why did you think I was having a 'downfall' because of Tomonari-kun?"
"That's because..."
Suminoe-san's expression turned complicated, as if she didn't know how to answer.
If she doesn't explain, we can't really clear the air. So, I spoke for her.
"Suminoe-san really respects you."
"H-Hey—!"
Suminoe-san shot me a panicked, pale look.
I'm not done, just listen.
"Because of that, she was confused by your changes... I think, in her own way, she was just worried about you."
I wasn't about to mention the whole "dying of love" part. That should be enough explanation. It probably matched what Tennouji-san had already guessed, as she nodded firmly.
"Suminoe-san, my grades have actually been improving lately."
Suminoe-san's eyes went wide.
"I used to be so strict with myself, as everyone knew, but I was also accumulating stress... I'm only human. I thought I could endure anything for my goals, but that wasn't the case."
The old Tennouji-san really was incredibly strict. And, of course, she never would have mentioned that stress to anyone.
"I'll skip the details, but thanks to Tomonari-kun, I found some breathing room in my life. As a result, I was able to face my own weaknesses and work hard in a more natural way... So, to me, Tomonari-kun is a benefactor."
She must be talking about the marriage interview. It was embarrassing to be called a "benefactor," but I was glad I had stepped in... If she'd gone through with it, she would have left Kiou Academy and been long gone.
"And, you might not know, but I'm planning to use this tournament to join the student council."
"...You are?"
"Yes. So, you see, I haven't lost my ambition."
Tennouji-san had changed, but she hadn't gotten weaker. I knew that.
"By the way, Tomonari-kun wants to join the student council, too."
"Eh..."
"He doesn't look it, but he's quite ambitious, isn't he?"
Suminoe-san stared at me. I just gave a wry smile.
"I know it's a huge stretch, but... like she said, I'm aiming for it."
It was such a high goal that my heart still pounded when I said it. But I'd said it. After talking with my old classmate at the end of summer, I'd found my resolve. I was at a point where I had to move forward, even if it scared me.
"A stretch... My past self would have thought so. But not anymore."
Suminoe-san's expression was softer than I'd ever seen it.
"Look around."
Around?
I didn't get it, but I did as she said. Since the tournament started, the cafe had gotten busier. Everyone was looking for a quiet place to talk.
The students here were frequently glancing our way. I understood why Tennouji-san (Tennouji Group) and Suminoe-san (IT giant) were getting attention... but, unless I was imagining it, most of those looks were for me.
"The whole school was watching this takeover. Because of that, they recognize your skill... You were attacked by a company you couldn't match in scale, and you brilliantly fought them off. They see you as a capable manager."
So that's how they see me... It was embarrassing, but more than that, I was happy. I wanted to be worthy of standing next to Hinako and the others. This was the kind of recognition I'd wanted most.
...The way they looked at me was different. It wasn't my imagination—I was being respected. Not as a peer, but as someone who had achieved something.
"...!"
I was so moved, I clenched my fists under the table.
"Tomonari-kun, what's wrong?"
"Nothing... I'm just happy, being seen like this."
"You're only just now noticing?"
Suminoe-san said with a wry smile.
"I understand now why Tennouji-sama stays with you... You two... inspire each other."
"Yes! Exactly!"
Tennouji-san declared, looking proud.
Suminoe-san watched Tennouji-san...
"...I'm so jealous."
She whispered, so quietly it was almost lost. But Tennouji-san caught it.
"Oh my. I think we could be like that, too."
"Eh..."
"Setting aside our positions, this takeover battle was very interesting... My judgment of character was spot on."
She gave a proud "hmph."
"The tournament is only at its halfway point. You can come at me with the intent to win, too, you know!"
"I... I could never..."
"Goodness. It's so hard to get through to you."
Tennouji-san smiled gently.
"I'm saying I want us to sharpen each other."
"—!"
Suminoe-san must not have expected that. She froze, completely stunned.
Seeing this, Tennouji-san smiled, satisfied, and stood up.
"Well, I should be going... Being inspired by you two, I now have several business appointments to attend to."
And with that, she left.
At the same moment, my phone vibrated. I gave an apologetic nod to the still-frozen Suminoe-san and answered.
'Itsuki-san, good work.'
"Shizune-san... What's up?"
'I was wondering what time you'd be back today.'
Right, I hadn't told her. What now? I'm pretty much done here...
'Itsuki... We're having a party today.'
I heard Hinako's voice. She must be with Shizune-san.
"A party?"
'Mhm... A celebration for you.'
I see. If they planned that for me, I should head back.
"I'm on my way."
'Understood. I have a car nearby. I'll have the driver come to the school.'
Shizune-san is always on top of things.
I finished the call, grabbed my bag, and stood up.
"Well, Suminoe-san, I'm heading out, too."
I'd just say a quick goodbye...
"...Suminoe-san?"
No response. She's been silent this whole time. What's wrong? I got closer and peered at her.........
"Sh-She's dead...?!"
"...I'm not dead."
Suminoe-san replied in a weak voice, looking completely burned out.
Being acknowledged by Tennouji-san must have been too much for her. Her mental capacity, in every sense, had hit its limit.
"...In the end, you never blamed me."
Suminoe-san's eyes were downcast.
"I get it now... why people flock to you. You're so earnest and you try so hard... It makes people want to root for you."
She said it as if she'd had a revelation.
It sounded like a declaration of defeat... and I couldn't accept that.
"I think you're the same way."
Her eyes widened. I continued:
"When you tried to buy me, I looked into SIS Co., Ltd. Your performance is incredible... I knew you must be working extremely hard. When I thought about that, I couldn't blame you. If anything... it just motivated me more."
Maybe it's just how it turned out, but because of Suminoe-san, I studied management more seriously. Of course, the threat of being acquired was a factor, but seeing the evidence of her hard work made me want to work harder.
"You can't get results like that overnight. You must be studying business all the time."
"Well... yeah."
You can't acquire a VC without deep pockets, and her skill in creating that surplus was impressive. Tennouji-san said she'd noticed her talent last year... Come to think of it, Suminoe-san must have been working hard even back then. She probably has a natural talent for it. Even Hinako, though she hates it, works hard every day. Suminoe-san's grades are on par with Hinako's; there's no way she's a slacker. She described herself as "living without a goal" back then, but she still did what needed to be done.
'Earnest and tries so hard, so people want to root for her...' That was Suminoe-san.
"I understand why Tennouji-san approached you last year. It's because you're such a hard worker."
Thanks to her, I'd been positively influenced, too.
After hearing my honest thoughts...
"...Suminoe-san?"
No response again. This time, however, she wasn't burned out. Her entire face was bright red—
"I-I...!! I won't be... charmed by you...!!"
But that wasn't my intention... All I could do was give a wry smile as I looked at her blushing face.
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