Rich Girl Caretaker Vol. 9 Chapter 2

The Future of Kiou Academy

It was the second day of the election period.

The presidential candidates had promoted themselves with posters and flyers on the first day. Starting from the second day, they were allowed to give speeches.

The campaign was now officially underway.

I got to school a little earlier than usual and headed for the first-floor hallway.

Just like yesterday, the hallway bulletin board was covered with the candidates' posters, but today, a new notice was posted beside them.

"Hi, Tomonari-kun."

Someone spoke from behind me. I turned around.

"President Minato."

"I'm not president anymore. You can call me Minato-senpai now."

Once the current election period begins, the rules state that the previous student council is simultaneously dissolved. The next council will be decided by the vote on the final day. The school dissolves the old council early to ensure a smooth transition, but hearing her mention it... I still felt a little sad.

President Minato was a person who, at a glance, was full of dignity and perfectly suited to the role. But she must have gone through all kinds of hardships to get here. I silently thought, "Thank you for your hard work." She didn't seem to notice my sentimental mood and smiled brightly.

"What do you think of the new feature I planned?"

President Minato... I mean, Minato-senpai, asked, puffing her chest out with pride.

Next to the posters was a large notice summarizing the basic info for each candidate, titled "A Peek into the Candidates' Daily Lives." ...This was the feature Minato-senpai had said she wanted to do for the next election. She'd managed to get it done.

"It's great. It's interesting, and it will get the students more invested in the election."

"Hearing that from one of the people involved makes the work worthwhile."

And it made my help with the interviews feel worthwhile, too.

(...Looking at this, Tennouji-san's and Narika's lives are completely different.)

The feature briefly described their daily routines. Narika wakes up earlier. I wasn't surprised, since I know she trains at the dojo in the mornings, but other students might find it unexpected. In terms of grades alone, Narika loses to Tennouji-san, but this shows she isn't just slacking off.

"Huh? This last part, the 'short comment' section... Was this here before?"

"No. I saw your report and thought it was a good opportunity, so I decided to post it."

Each candidate's profile ended with a single comment. My comment read: "His sincere attitude influences those around him. Seeing his hard work gives others a chance to re-examine themselves." ...I don't remember writing that in my report...

Still, it made me happy. Since coming to Kiou Academy, I've been influenced by so many people, and I've worked hard to keep up. If my efforts could, in turn, influence others, that's something to be proud of.

"Here, you can have one of these, too."

Minato-senpai said, handing me something that looked like a newspaper.

"What's this?"

"The Election Bulletin. The student council usually does this kind of school-paper activity once the election starts. We'll be handing out these summaries of the school-wide polls to students until the last day."

I skimmed the contents. It clearly summarized election-related information, and also briefly mentioned the candidates' platforms and the speeches starting today.

"If we handed it out on day one, it would be too much information, and I thought students would be overwhelmed. But maybe I was just overthinking it."

"No, this is a huge help."

The first day is for announcing the candidates and their platforms, so it's better to give students time to think. I agree that releasing information in stages is the right call.

The bulletin listed the approval rating for each of the three presidential candidates. I see... With this, I can track how the approval ratings change.

(Right now, Tennouji-san and Narika are in the lead.) Tennouji-san and Narika each have about 40% of the support. The other candidate has about 20%. However, this is just the result from those who answered the poll, which is only about 50% of the student body. The other half is still undecided. Whichever way those undecided votes swing will drastically change the current numbers.

"Ah, sorry, I should probably get going."

"Something to do?"

Minato-senpai asked.

"I want to do one last check of the speech drafts."

That's why I came in early. I'd like to research the other candidates, too, but I don't have time right now.

"I heard a rumor. Are you really supporting both Tennouji-san and Miyakojima-san at the same time?"

"...It's already spread that far."

"It just means you're that much in the spotlight. The more a rumor's subject stands out, the faster it spreads. Everyone's paying attention to your every move."

It felt like she was deliberately pressuring me. A cold sweat trickled down my back. I suddenly became aware of the eyes on me. I see... Being in the spotlight and having expectations placed on me means that failure will also be highly visible. This is a fear I never had before.

"Are you scared?"

Minato-senpai asked, seeing my expression stiffen, as if she'd read my mind.

"People in high positions are always living next door to fear. If you can't handle it, you'd better drop out."

In the past, even if I failed, it wouldn't have been that noticeable. But now, if I fail, it will be known instantly. One mistake could lead to me being labeled as "unfit to stand by Hinako's side." The more you stand out, the greater the risk.

I feel like I'm starting to understand the pressure Hinako, Tennouji-san, and Narika live with. For Hinako, it's a nuisance. Tennouji-san faces it too seriously and becomes overly strict with herself. And Narika is terrified by it. The pressure I'm feeling now is nothing compared to theirs. That's exactly why I can't stop here.

"I'm not dropping out. I don't have time to be scared."

"...I see."

I was just bluffing, but I have to make those words a reality.

"Good luck. The election has only just begun."

I watched Minato-senpai's back as she walked away, then slapped my cheeks with both hands to fire myself up.

◆

During lunch break, I went to the student council building's rooftop, as usual.

"...I'm done!!"

I'd shoveled down my food, finished lunch, and immediately packed up my bento and stood.

"Hinako, sorry! I've gotta go!"

"Mhm... See you."

During the election, I have to support Tennouji-san and Narika at lunch and after school, so my time with Hinako will be temporarily reduced. Still, this is all so I can be by her side in the future. From a long-term perspective, it will lead to more time with her. Shizune-san understands this, which is why she's permitted me, her caretaker, to act separately from her. So, now I'm off to listen to Tennouji-san's speech...

"...Are you going to be okay? Can you wait here quietly? I'll check on their speeches and come right back. Don't leave this spot until then."

"Mph... Itsuki, you don't trust me. I'll just sleep here while I wait. You don't need to worry."

"But... what about the bathroom? If you really can't hold it, you can just go in that corner..."

"I-I would not just pee on the floor...!!"

Is she really going to be okay...? Forget Ojou-sama Mode; in her private, relaxed state, Hinako still gets lost in her own home. I'm worried if she can even get back to the classroom from here. She probably doesn't even know where the bathroom is. My mind was filled with anxieties, but time was short, so I hurried toward the athletic field.

(First, I'll listen to Tennouji-san's speech.)

Tennouji-san was speaking on the field outside the school building. You can see the field from all the classroom windows, so I figured it would be the easiest place to draw a crowd. I headed to the speech location and found that, even with half of lunch break left, nearly fifty students had gathered. They must have finished their lunches early to hear her. Tennouji-san was standing on a morning assembly platform we'd set up. It was school property; I'd gotten permission from Fukushima-sensei yesterday.

Our eyes met. She silently asked if she should begin, and I nodded. Fifty people was already a success. Making them wait would seem indecisive. It was time to start.

"Thank you all for coming here today!"

Tennouji-san projected her voice. She wasn't using a microphone. I'd gotten permission for one just in case, but she'd decided against it, believing her voice would have more impact without equipment.

"Since this is our lunch break, time is limited, so I will be brief in explaining my vision!"

Everyone was watching Tennouji-san. Under the gaze of the crowd, she proudly declared:

"I, Mirei Tennouji, am running for student council president! To put my platform in one sentence—it is to build a campus where everyone can live with elegance and dignity!!"

A campus where everyone can live with elegance. That was her campaign slogan. She continued, getting into the specifics.

"Kiou Academy currently has a campus hierarchy based on family status. Because of this, students from prominent families can act with confidence, while students from lesser-known families tend to be more timid. This is a problem I have noticed, and one I have been working to improve since my first year."

Hearing this, several people nodded—I was one of them. When I first met Tennouji-san, she'd corrected me, telling me to straighten my back and act with more confidence. Her words back then were what gave me the courage to hold my head high.

"Of course, I know it is difficult for everyone to interact as equals. Most of our families run companies that support many people's livelihoods... If the classmate in front of you is the son or daughter of an important client, it is hard to act normally."

She conveyed her understanding for those timid students. This was a problem unique to Kiou Academy. Everywhere you looked were the children of business and political leaders. In this environment, few people could truly be at ease.

"However! We can compensate for this with etiquette!"

Tennouji-san said powerfully. This was the essence of her platform.

"You feel you mustn't be rude, that you mustn't make others uncomfortable. That is why you shrink back! Very well! All we must do is polish the skill that ensures we are never rude, no matter how important the person... In other words, etiquette!"

Her blonde hair glittered in the bright midday sun.

"Dignity and elegance are found in confident conduct! And we will use skill—etiquette—to compensate for the mental strength needed to be confident! Therefore, if I become president, I promise to establish formal etiquette seminars at this school! We will hold workshops on deportment, social dancing, and, of course, dining etiquette, so you will never be embarrassed in any social setting!"

Formal etiquette seminars. This was her concrete policy. For the students here, this was probably very necessary. In fact, I had learned etiquette from Tennouji-san myself, and it had been a huge help.

The seminars she planned would be optional and held after school, so they wouldn't interfere with the official curriculum. We had confirmed this with the teachers beforehand. The details would be explained in the after-school speech.

"That is my platform... Finally, I would like to tell you why I arrived at this idea."

Tennouji-san glanced at me. ...Hm? This wasn't in the script. What was she planning to say?

"One day, I met a certain student."

Tennouji-san began her story.

"My first impression of him was that of a frightened puppy. He was hunched over, his eyes shifting... He was so timid. So I demanded that he straighten his back."

She was recounting the past. I had a feeling I knew this story.

"We had a strange connection. We started spending more time together, and developed a relationship where we helped each other and pushed one another to improve... And that student grew into someone I truly admire."

Tennouji-san said, sounding genuinely happy:

"Seeing him made me think—others can do it, too. Dignity is not something you are born with. It is something you can cultivate through effort."

I realized the true meaning behind her words... and my nose stung. If dignity was something you were born with... then Tennouji-san, an adopted daughter, could never have possessed it. Her speech made it sound like I was the example, but that wasn't it. The one who had cultivated dignity through effort was her. I had merely followed her lead.

"So I decided! I will create a stage where everyone can make that effort! I will make this school an environment where everyone can live with elegance!"

As Tennouji-san concluded her speech, thunderous applause erupted. It was perfect. The speech put her charisma on full display.

(...Leveraging her unique qualities was the right move.)

I had been worried that using words like "dignity" and "elegance" would be too vague, but with Tennouji-san as the speaker, it wasn't a problem. She is the symbol of dignity at this school. What is dignity? What is elegance? Anyone with those questions could just look at her and find the answer. In other words, her platform was about—fulfilling the wish of those who want to be like her. And so, to support her, I only needed to think about one thing. How to make everyone admire the person known as Mirei Tennouji.

"Tennouji-san, great work."

After Tennouji-san greeted the students who had gathered, I went to praise her.

"Tomonari-kun! How was my speech!?"

She was still excited from the speech. She must have felt the positive reaction... I felt it, too.

"I thought it was perfect. You went off-script a bit at the end, which made me nervous..."

I was referring to her final story. Unless I'm just being self-conscious... that was our story. Hearing this, Tennouji-san's cheeks flushed. She looked away.

"Th-That was... just how I truly feel."

"Well, I'm honored. I didn't know you saw me that way."

"...Hmph. Don't tell such obvious lies. You must have noticed that I've been influenced by you, too..."

She said it bashfully, which made me feel oddly embarrassed as well. It was more than an honor. To think that I was the catalyst for her platform... It was both happy and a little awkward.

Her speech was a success, and it felt like we could get lost in conversation, but I had to go listen to Narika's speech next. It was time to get back to business.

"I think the speech was a huge success. But it's still hard to visualize the concrete plans, like the seminars and dance classes. For the after-school speech, let's use the projector, just as we planned."

"Understood. We'll use visuals to convey the course content."

Just as she said. We had already prepared photos for the various courses. Tennouji-san planned to use her connections to invite special guest lecturers, and we'd already received reference photos from them.

"You're going to listen to Miyakojima-san's speech next, aren't you?"

"Yes."

I nodded. Tennouji-san gave me a fearless smile.

"Please support her with everything you have. It makes things more exciting for me."

"...Understood."

Tennouji-san wanted a fair fight. I was reminded once again of what a truly dignified person she is.

◆

Narika was giving her speech in front of the gymnasium. The location was on the opposite side of the school building from Tennouji-san's. You could see the athletic field from the classroom windows, but you could see the gym from the hallway windows. It was a good spot.

I hurried to the gym and saw a large crowd had already gathered. It was forty minutes into the lunch break, so many people must have finished eating. The crowd was larger than Tennouji-san's, with about sixty people.

"I'm Narika Miyakojima from Class 2-B! Thank you all for coming here today!"

Narika began her speech.

Narika also wasn't using a microphone. She'd said she was confident in her lung capacity and didn't need one. Her voice was certainly powerful and clear. She was channeling the physical and mental conditioning from her martial arts training right into her speech.

"If I am elected president, I want to make this school an environment where you can transform yourself!"

She declared the platform that held her feelings.

"Most students at Kiou Academy live on a track that others have laid for us. I'm the same. Successor to the family business, marriage, career... Our futures are largely decided. This is an advantage that gives us security, but I believe it is also a disadvantage that keeps us from being truly free."

The students listening took on more serious expressions. What she said must have resonated with them. Maybe they were thinking of themselves, or of an important friend.

Kiou students live on life-paths that are rock-solid. Ironically, the more powerful the family, the more unbreakable that track becomes, and the harder it is to escape.

"'My future is already set'... Has everyone had the experience of giving up on something for that reason? I think that is an incredible waste. Even if we want to change, the thought of 'giving up' comes first. This is a problem unique to those of us whose futures are already decided."

I'd thought the same thing when I read her draft. Come to think of it... I was able to work this hard without any reservations precisely because I didn't have an established track. My parents disappeared, I couldn't go to school... I had to change because I couldn't see a future. When I wanted to change, there were no shackles holding me back. I'm an extreme example, so I don't think everyone should be as unrestrained as me, but I do know a little about the freedom that exists outside the rails.

"In the past, I had to change."

Narika spoke of her own circumstances.

"But I didn't know how to change. I struggled for a long time... Many people helped me. They supported me, they trusted me, and I finally found the courage to change... That's why I want others to experience it, too."

She looked out at the gathered students. Narika's dignified gaze pierced straight into the hearts of those listening.

"When I become president, I will create a 'salon' in this school!"

She announced the details of her platform.

"Exchange can change people! That's what I believe! This school is full of people who are experts in every field. By interacting with them, we can find what we're missing and ask them to teach us how to get it! Overcoming weaknesses, challenging new fields... I want to create an environment where we can easily do both!"

Kiou Academy is filled with the children of major corporations, the future leaders of every industry. That means it's full of young experts. Some of them are already past the "young" stage and could stand on the front lines. The Management Tournament was proof of that. Everyone could imagine how meaningful it would be to talk with them. Making that kind of exchange more active would be incredibly significant.

"It's 'self-transformation,' but you don't have to think of it as something huge. Wanting to improve your grades, learn a sport, or expand your network... that's also self-transformation. I think the salon can also be used to find partners who share that same desire to change."

Narika spoke with passion, and the students were captivated.

"...To be honest, I'm not good with people."

She touched her own cheek, pushing up the corner of her mouth.

"I'm not just bad at conversation; my expression freezes up when I'm nervous... I was misunderstood a lot because of it. I'm sure you've all heard the rumors... that Narika Miyakojima was a delinquent or a punk."

Hearing this, many students looked awkward.

Narika was blaming her own immaturity, not anyone else. Seeing her now, I don't think anyone would believe those old rumors.

"But, as I said, I met the right people and was given the right chances, and I was able to change, little by little. The me of last year never would have dreamed of running for president."

Six months ago, no one could have imagined her standing here. Narika had drawn eyes because of those rumors. But because she was already in the spotlight, she was, surprisingly, able to show everyone her transformation. Her words carried immense persuasive power.

"People can change. The proof is me... I want to tell those who can't take the first step: Won't you find the courage to change, with me?"

Narika finished with a call to the crowd—

"That is my speech."

When she finished, thunderous applause erupted. That was a good speech, I thought, objectively.

I waited for her to finish her brief greetings to the audience, then walked over.

"Narika."

"...Itsuki."

Narika noticed me, her expression unreadable for some reason.

"Itsuki, let's go somewhere else to talk."

"Hm? Okay, good idea."

I agreed that a quieter place would be better and followed her. We went behind the gym... and as soon as we were in a deserted, shaded spot, Narika turned to me.

"Narika, great work. I was listening from the beginning—"

"I-I-I-I-I-I was so scared~~~~!!"

She pressed in close, on the verge of tears. So that's why she wanted to move.

People can't change that easily. Just as she said in her speech, she's still in the process of changing. But that's precisely why she wants to build an environment where changing is easier. A campus for self-transformation—it's a platform only Narika could propose, knowing both the beauty and the difficulty of change.

"You were so cool up there."

"R-Really...? I don't even remember what I said...!!"

"You got the necessary parts across, so you're fine."

Actually, her speech was even more captivating than the script. I don't think she did it on purpose, but her unconscious gestures matched her words and made it easy to understand, like when she pushed up the corner of her mouth while talking about her own past. Tennouji-san is used to being in front of crowds, so she improvised at the end, but that's not a technique just anyone can copy. Tennouji-san has her strengths, and Narika has hers. Their speeches were unique. They're fighting to be president, not competing in a speech contest. But after hearing them, it's clear that a good speech can capture people's hearts. The charisma they both showed had a quality that moved you emotionally, not just rationally. Rationality and emotion. Which will people follow when they vote? The choice is up to each student. If that's the case, for the sake of the students who vote with their hearts, the speech needs to be as good as it can be. I need to learn more about speech techniques, too... I can't just assume students will vote rationally.

"Itsuki, I'm going to work even harder!"

Narika's motivation was surging.

"I declared it in front of everyone, that they should change with me... I will not let that declaration become a lie!"

Seeing the fighting spirit light up in her eyes, I felt a sudden, inexplicable surge of emotion.

"...You've really changed so much."

To Narika, she's still transforming. But to me, she's already transformed completely. I pressed the bridge of my nose, forcing back tears. Seeing this, Narika gave a wry smile.

"I've caused you so much trouble."

"You have... I was just remembering when you dressed up as a gyaru."

"J-Just forget about that...!!"

It must be a dark past for her. She was bright red. I thought she looked good... but I'd better not say it.

"Lunch break is almost over. I'll make my feedback brief."

Narika's expression turned serious.

"You look down sometimes when you talk, so try to look forward. Also, it's good you finished on time, but you can also watch the audience and give them a moment to breathe. Maybe a short pause after 'I'm not good with people.'"

"Okay... Thanks. You were really listening."

"I was. But I'm an amateur at this too, so honestly, I'm just learning as I go."

However, the platform itself had a lot in common with the consulting I did in the tournament, so I could give concrete advice there. Explaining a platform is just like giving a business plan presentation. I'd done that many times during the tournament.

"You should explain the 'salon' in more concrete terms. Like, where will it be, how big, can you eat and drink there, what are the hours... You need to give them that information in an order that gets them excited."

"Right... Actually, I started a little late to let a bigger crowd gather, so I had to cut some of that."

"Can't be helped. I think your judgment call had its pros and cons. I went to Tennouji-san's speech first today, but tomorrow I'll come here first. We can think of a strategy together."

Since I wasn't there at the start, I couldn't say if delaying was the right call. But it's true that a large crowd gathered because she waited.

"Itsuki, after school..."

"As planned, I'm going to scout the third candidate. The support arrangement will be the same as with the flyers. I'm leaving it to the others, so you'll be fine."

Tennouji-san has Suminoe-san, and Narika has Kita. They would take care of them in my place. I also needed to share the feedback from this speech with Suminoe-san and Kita. Since I wanted to go scouting right after school, I'd tell them during the next break.

On my way back to class, I saw the posters in the first-floor hallway. Next to the posters for Tennouji-san and Narika was the third one. The third presidential candidate—Ren Joutou. The bulletin Minato-senpai gave me this morning had his information. Ren Joutou was, apparently, the son of a politician.

◆

After school, I headed for the main gate and found a large crowd already gathered.

(...This must be the place.)

This was the location written on Ren Joutou's flyers. The crowd was dense. Unlike lunch, students have more time after school, so this was to be expected. There were more people here than at either of the lunchtime speeches. This was also, as I well knew, the single best location for an after-school speech. The main gate is a spot where the entire student body will see you as they leave. Speech locations must be reserved in advance with a teacher. If multiple factions request the same spot, it goes to whoever applied first. We were a step behind at the start. This spot, on this day, had been taken. Today was the first day for speeches, the day students are most interested. If possible, I'd wanted one of them to speak here. If I hadn't been agonizing over who to support, could I have secured this spot? ...The thought was frustrating. I took a deep breath and changed my mindset. What's done is done. Regretting it is pointless. My job is to make up for it elsewhere.

I melted into the crowd to listen. I mentally reviewed the information on the third candidate, Ren Joutou, from the bulletin. He was in Class 2-E, the eldest son of a powerful political family. His grandfather was the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry who'd spoken at the tournament opening, and his father was also a successful politician. Based on his family alone, you'd get the impression of a sharp, capable person. But in reality... I'd rarely heard his name mentioned among my peers.

I wanted to get a better look at this Ren Joutou, so I squeezed my way toward the front. In front of me was the back of a small girl.

"Huh? Asahi-san?"

"Oh, Tomonari-kun?"

Asahi-san turned around, her eyes wide with surprise.

"You're here, too."

"Y-Yeah... What are you doing here? I thought Tennouji-san and Miyakojima-san were giving their speeches now."

"I left the others in charge so I could come to scout."

"I-I see..."

Asahi-san seemed a little off. She's usually much more straightforward, but right now she was acting strangely. Am I overthinking it...?

"It's crowded, but I don't see anyone I know..."

"Of course. Almost everyone here is a first-year."

Asahi-san said, glancing at the crowd. I see. But that's even weirder. Why first-years? I'd seen Joutou's platform in the bulletin. There was no special benefit in it for first-years. In fact, his platform... was heretical to all grade levels.

"I went to Tennouji-san's speech at lunch. It was really convincing. You wrote the script, right? I thought it was very easy to understand."

"Thanks for the compliment. If you were there, you should have said hello."

"Oh, well, I didn't want to bother you. By the way, Taisho-kun went to Miyakojima-san's, and he said the same thing."

"That's good to hear."

I'd thought Asahi-san was acting weird, but as we talked, she seemed to go back to normal. Both she and Taisho were considerate enough to come, but they didn't want to bother us. I appreciated it, but I wish they'd feel free to just talk to us. I'm sure Tennouji-san and Narika would be happy.

"Tomonari-kun, being a VP candidate must be exhausting, huh?"

"Yeah. I think it'd be hard even if I were only supporting one person."

"...I see. Yeah, I guess so."

Asahi-san fell silent. She's definitely not her usual self. I don't know why...

"Thank you all for coming here today."

A voice sounded, and we both turned. It was coming through a microphone. The crowd was too thick to see clearly, but there must be a speaker up front.

"I am Ren Joutou. I am running for student council president."

On the platform stood a male student with somewhat long, messy hair. This was Tennouji-san's and Narika's rival—Ren Joutou.

"My platform is—"

Joutou held the mic and gravely informed the crowd:

"—To make Kiou Academy common."

◆

After Ren Joutou's speech ended.

"...Hah."

I couldn't help but let out a breath. The other students reacted similarly. It was impossible to tell if the sigh was from admiration, fatigue, confusion, or disgust... Whatever it was, everyone who'd listened had been impacted by his speech. For the students of Kiou Academy, Joutou's platform was nothing short of a bombshell.

"...That was shocking."

"...Yeah."

Asahi-san seemed to be in shock, too. Even as the crowd dispersed, we remained standing there.

"...Can you help me process this?"

"Yeah, if you don't mind."

To organize my thoughts, I decided to list the facts one by one.

"First, his platform is 'make Kiou common.'"

Asahi-san nodded.

"The problem he pointed out is... that the students here are 'ignorant of the common man's struggles.'"

Asahi-san nodded again.

"How do I put it? It felt like a punch to the gut... His idea is that we're out of touch with the outside world."

Joutou wasn't claiming we live in a completely isolated ivory tower. To be precise, he'd said: Kiou graduates, ignorant of the real world, sometimes end up dragging down ordinary people. Even just that statement must have been hard for Kiou students to hear.

"He also brought up real issues. He said a Kiou graduate was fired for workplace bullying after treating a subordinate like a servant..."

"I was shocked when I heard that. I'd never heard it before... but if it was in the newspaper, it must be true."

Joutou had held up an article as he spoke. The newspaper was still on the podium, free for anyone to take. It was unlikely to be fake. Kiou students are smart. Half the people here today will probably go investigate that story. I planned on looking it up as soon as I got back. Joutou had blamed this bullying on Kiou Academy's educational methods. Whether that was a stretch or not... what mattered was whether it was persuasive. And Joutou's speech was persuasive, with a platform that was easy to understand.

"To fix our ignorance, he wants us to 'familiarize ourselves with commoner culture.' That's his plan. Concrete policies are introducing club activities, conducting workplace internships, and..."

"...Removing the family status requirement for admission."

I nodded. In short, Joutou's platform—make Kiou common—meant: To understand commoners, we have to do what commoners do.

(...This is bad.)

As a supporter of Tennouji-san and Narika, I shouldn't be thinking this. I shouldn't... but I couldn't help it. Ren Joutou's platform—made sense. A part of me felt his platform was extremely reasonable. This was, without a doubt, because my true identity is that of a commoner. I grew up in that society. I could vividly recall the culture shock I'd felt coming here. The sense of money, the assumption that servants were a given... I'm used to it now, but at first, it was all baffling. Joutou's argument hit my position hard. It resonated with me far more deeply than it could with anyone else at this school. However—

"...Asahi-san, have you heard any rumors about Joutou-kun?"

"Rumors? What kind?"

"Like, if he's a big deal at this school like Konohana-san, Tennouji-san, or Narika... anything like that."

"Hmm... Can't say I have."

Asahi-san is friendly and has a lot of friends. If she hadn't heard anything, no one else had either. I put the speech content aside for a moment and thought about Ren Joutou as a candidate. His platform was shocking, that was true. But that was just my personal impression. After listening to him, I felt he was...

(...How do I put this? He had even less presence than I expected.)

His voice had no power. His expression wasn't particularly earnest. He just... flatly delivered his speech. Honestly, my impression was that I couldn't feel the same kind of conviction that I'd felt from Tennouji-san or Narika.

"He's probably losing to them on charisma."

Asahi-san seemed to feel the same way.

"But, because he has that bombshell platform... he won't lose to them when it comes to being the topic of conversation."

"Yeah, I think so, too."

Asahi-san agreed with me.

"Actually, I also think Joutou-kun's platform makes sense—"

"—Then why do you talk like it has nothing to do with you?"

A strange male student interrupted our conversation, cutting Asahi-san off. Who's this? I tilted my head, confused by the boy who'd walked up. He had center-parted hair and silver-rimmed glasses. He had an intellectual air, a thin build, and was a little shorter than me. The boy glared at Asahi-san.

"This is probably the first time we've spoken at school."

"...Yeah."

"You're as sly as ever. Are you really going to insist this has nothing to do with you?"

"That's not what I meant..."

Asahi-san looked down. The silver-rimmed boy sighed. Then, he looked at me.

"You're Itsuki Tomonari-senpai, right? I've heard all about you."

"Oh..."

Heard what?

"Hello. I'm Rintaro Asahi. I'm serving as Joutou-senpai's vice president."

The boy said, holding out his hand.

"We're both VP candidates. I look forward to working with you."

I shook his hand, and he gave a silent smile. I watched his back as he turned and left, trying to recall the info on the other VP candidate. Taisho had said there was a rumor it was a first-year. Since this boy called me "senpai," the rumor must be true. But what bothered me more right now was...

"...Asahi-san, is he...?"

Asahi-san looked awkward, but nodded.

"Rintaro Asahi... He's my little brother."

◆

The next day, Saturday. The usual tea party members were gathered in the Konohana family's salon.

"—Alright!"

Tennouji-san beamed as the servants finished placing the tea.

"We are having a tea party today at Hinako Konohana’s house~~~~!!"

"Th-Thank you for having us!"

"Yay~!!"

"All riiight~~!!"

Narika, Asahi-san, and Taisho were all excited, their faces bright.

"Please, make yourselves at home."

Hinako smiled gently. Taisho and Asahi-san seemed mesmerized by her graceful demeanor. I thought Tennouji-san might get jealous, but today she just seemed to be enjoying herself.

"I must thank Hinako Konohana for providing the venue, and... thank you again to Tomonari-kun for planning this."

Tennouji-san said, and everyone clapped.

"You're welcome. This... is a bit much."

It really was, but I was glad I'd planned it. The reason we were having the tea party here, at the mansion... was to avoid any negative impact on the election.

Our group is known on campus by the slightly embarrassing name of the "Noble Tea Party." As the name implies, we meet regularly. But holding a tea party during the election season was a concern. Tennouji-san and Narika, who are supposed to be rivals, acting all friendly at a tea party... it would look like collusion. If rumors started, like "those two are secretly working together," it would definitely hurt their support. Because of that, we had discussed not holding any tea parties until the election was over.

But frankly, campaigning is exhausting. If we kept our distance from our friends for the entire election, the stress would build up and actually hurt the campaign. That would defeat the whole purpose. I want Tennouji-san and Narika to be in the best possible condition... and besides, Asahi-san, Taisho, and Hinako all looked so disappointed when we talked about canceling. That being the case, I figured a secret tea party was justified. The only problem is the appearance of impropriety. In reality, Tennouji-san and Narika would never collude. They are both far too honorable to team up against Joutou. They know where to draw the line. In fact, they're more careful than anyone.

"I don't know if this is the right call... but during the Management Tournament, Tennouji-san told me not to get too hung up on things. We need time to relax, too. A private get-together like this should be fine."

"Hehehe... It seems my lecture paid off."

Tennouji-san sipped her tea, looking proud. We were all feeling the strain of having friends compete in the same election. We're all just comfortable in this atmosphere. To get through these stormy thirteen days, we need to protect this safe harbor for our hearts.

(...Asahi-san... seems back to normal.)

She had her usual bright expression. In the end, I couldn't ask her about her brother. I'm curious, but it feels like something I shouldn't casually step into.

"Still... in this election... you're the one in the most complicated spot, Tomonari."

Taisho said, looking at me.

"Have you run into any issues, supporting both of them? Like information you can only tell one, but have to hide from the other...?"

Asahi-san asked. I shook my head.

"No, nothing like that."

"I checked with the teachers, just in case. The one-to-one VP-to-President setup is just tradition, not a firm rule. They said we're free to do as we like. I plan on focusing on maximizing both of their performances... so I'm thinking I'll share any know-how I gain from one side with the other."

"That makes sense when you think about it. It's like a corporate group. You have to maintain confidentiality, but you share any other useful information, right?"

"You're right."

Using a business analogy... he really is a Kiou student. Then again, I'm always using consulting as a metaphor, so I guess I'm becoming one, too.

"In any case, only one person can be president, so it's not like we can collude."

Unlike an election for multiple seats, Tennouji-san and Narika are both aiming for the single position of president. In the end, it's going to be a fierce battle. I only meant to state a fact... but I felt a palpable tension rise between Tennouji-san and Narika. Oops, did that create a weird vibe...?

"Hehe."

Tennouji-san chuckled.

"You don't need to be awkward. Irreplaceable friends can also be rivals. The two aren't mutually exclusive."

"Just as Tennouji-san said. To have a clean and fair fight, I want to treasure our usual relationship."

My worries were unfounded. The two of them were handling it with grace. They had already accepted the reality that only one of them could win. We all let out a breath of relief.

"You've changed, Miyakojima-san."

"Thank you... Hearing you say that, Tennouji-san, gives me more confidence."

"My, it seems I've strengthened the enemy."

Even the other members of the tea party acknowledged Narika's change. If this were the old Narika, she would have replied uncertainly, "R-Really?" This was proof that her successful experiences were building real self-confidence. Tennouji-san took a sip of tea and looked at Hinako.

"Hinako Konohana! Although you are also my rival, I will be focusing on Miyakojima-san for now! You must be lonely, but please forgive me!!"

"Of course I forgive you."

Hinako said with a gentle smile. A smile that seemed to say, Please, feel free to stay focused on her.

"...By the way, has everyone heard Joutou-kun's platform?"

"I wanted to talk about that, too."

Tennouji-san responded to my question.

"I think we're all thinking the same thing... His argument makes sense."

Everyone nodded.

"Miyakojima-san, Asahi-san, and Taisho-kun, you three especially must think so, right?"

"...Yes. Because our families are all in B2C."

Narika nodded, her expression serious.

B2C, short for Business-to-Consumer. It's a business model where companies sell directly to the general public. For example, Asahi-san's family's company, J. Co., Ltd., sells electronics to consumers. Taisho's family runs a moving company, which is also a service for the public. And Narika's family sells sporting goods to consumers.

Conversely, the Konohana Group's trading company and heavy industry manufacturing are B2B, or Business-to-Business. HORIZON BEING, the company I visited, develops internal corporate software, so they're also B2B.

Generally, B2B involves more money. A company's budget is bigger than an individual's, after all. A lot of companies might buy a spaceship, but very few individuals will. However, B2C is definitely closer to the average person. They are constantly thinking about what consumers need. If you ignore the consumer, a B2C business can't succeed. That was Tennouji-san's point. Those whose families are in B2C are more familiar with commoner culture, which is why Joutou's platform resonates with them so strongly.

"Honestly, I've felt the disconnect many times. My family sells sports equipment to Kiou Academy, but the prices are completely different from what we sell to other schools. For better or worse, Kiou is special."

"I went on a company trip this summer... and everyone was too nice from the start. I thought it was just because I was the boss's son. But thinking back, maybe they were just worried I was completely clueless about the real world."

Narika and Taisho shared their observations. But—they still don't get it. As someone who actually lived in that society, I felt a deep, vast gap between them and myself. I still remember them suggesting a "day trip abroad" at my welcome party. The gap is much deeper than any of them realize.

After confirming their thoughts on the "commoner-ization" platform, I brought up my other question.

"Does anyone here know Joutou-kun?"

"We were in the same class last year."

Tennouji-san said, meeting my eyes. It seemed I was finally going to learn about him.

"Joutou-kun... is a mysterious person."

Tennouji-san began, recalling the previous year.

"His grades were originally excellent. Until the second semester of our first year, he was right up there with me and Hinako Konohana... right?"

She looked at Hinako, who nodded.

"Yes. I never spoke to him directly, but I remember our grades were close. He was especially brilliant in political science. Father often told me I should learn from him."

He was that good...? Narika, Asahi-san, and Taisho also looked surprised. For Kagen-san to tell Hinako to emulate him... he must have been exceptional. The only other person I know Kagen-san has told her to learn from is Narika. It seems Joutou's political science was on par with Narika's athletics. He had a talent that even Hinako, the "Perfect Ojou-sama," lacked.

"But that only lasted until the second semester."

Hinako said, and Tennouji-san nodded.

"From the third semester on, his grades plummeted. He had no energy in class. It was like he'd completely burned out. He just became... quiet."

From the sounds of it, he became a different person. Did he hit his limit? I've struggled to raise my own grades; trying to compete with Hinako and the others must take an incredible effort.

"That's why I was so shocked he was running. I wondered what had changed to make him so driven again. And that platform... considering his family, it must have taken an extraordinary amount of courage to propose."

"His family...?"

What about his family?

"His family is very traditional. His father is a famously cautious and conservative politician, known for avoiding conflict at all costs."

All politicians have to be careful about scandals, but to be known for that means he's exceptionally cautious.

"To come from such a strict, traditional family and run on such a radical slogan... I feel like Joutou-kun must have some serious resolve..."

Tennouji-san looked at me. Having heard his speech, and this discussion, I shared my impression...

"...Honestly, he didn't give me that feeling. He seemed very... flat. Calm."

I glanced at Asahi-san, who nodded slightly in agreement. She seemed to feel the same way. Joutou must have his own convictions for running, but...

"By the way, Itsuki, I heard the other VP candidate is a first-year, and supporting Joutou-kun. Have you met him?"

Narika asked me.

"Yes. The second VP candidate is Asahi-san's younger brother."

"Huh!? S-Seriously!?"

Not just Narika, everyone was surprised.

"You have a little brother?"

"Hahaha... Yeah."

Asahi-san gave a wry smile and sipped her tea.

"What's he like? Cheerful, like you?"

Taisho was curious. Asahi-san said "Hmm..." and thought for a moment.

"In many ways, he's my total opposite. He's not lively, but he's smart and calm... like an 'excellent little brother.' And... he's also a bit ambitious."

"Ooh... Ambitious is good. A worthy opponent."

Tennouji-san's competitive spirit was ignited. Her rivals were Narika and Joutou, but if Asahi-san's brother was supporting Joutou, he was a rival, too. Just then, there was a knock on the salon door.

"I've brought snacks."

Yuri and Shizune-san entered, carrying freshly baked sweets. A high-class European-style tea cart held cookies and financiers. The smell of butter was irresistible.

"Hirano-san, if you don't mind, please join us."

"Huh? But, won't I be intruding?"

Tennouji-san invited her, and Yuri looked to me, hesitating. Her look said she wanted my opinion, just in case. I thought for a moment.

"...It might actually be perfect. We were just talking about making Kiou 'commoner-ized.'"

"Commoner-ized...?"

This was a good chance to get an opinion from a commoner other than myself. Yuri sat down, looking a bit lost, as we continued our discussion of Joutou's platform.

◆

"Ahh~ That was fun~"

"There were so many delicious snacks. I think I ate too much~"

It was 6 PM. The tea party was over, and we were at the mansion's main gate. Taisho was smiling, and Asahi-san was rubbing her stomach. Everyone was walking through the garden to the gate.

"Hm? You're not heading home, Tomonari?"

Several cars were parked in front of the gate. Taisho saw I wasn't getting in one and tilted his head.

"Er, my family's car is running a little late..."

My answer seemed to satisfy him, and the others got into their cars.

"Hinako Konohana! We should have a tea party at my house next time!"

"Yes, I'll consider it."

It looked like the next one would be at Tennouji-san's.

"Itsuki, please thank Hirano-san for me again."

"Got it."

Narika was thanking Yuri, who wasn't there. It was probably for the sweets... and for her opinions.

As expected, having Yuri join the conversation was very meaningful. She agreed with me: even the Kiou students from B2C families were completely out of touch with commoner values. Tennouji-san had tried to resist—"Are we really so clueless?"—but the match was decided when Yuri said, "Well, I've never seen anyone hold a peeler like that." I remembered the beach barbecue. Both Yuri and I vividly recalled that the ojou-samas had almost zero cooking knowledge.

I watched Narika, Tennouji-san, and Asahi-san drive away. Then, Taisho got out of his car and walked back.

"Taisho-kun? Did you forget something?"

"I'm pretending I forgot something."

"Pretending?"

We'd all checked for belongings when we left the salon, so I was confused.

"Tomonari, you spoke to Asahi's brother, right?"

"Yeah."

I nodded. Taisho chose his words carefully.

"...You should keep an eye on Asahi."

He said, his expression serious.

"It seems she and her brother don't get along."

"...Did something happen?"

"No, I don't know the details... We live pretty close, so we walk home together sometimes, and I've heard her talk about him a few times."

Come to think of it, Taisho was the first one to ask about her brother's personality. He must have been trying to feel things out.

"I don't know what happened, but it seems like a pretty bad fight. I'm sure you'll be considerate, but just... be careful with that topic."

"...Got it."

That seemed to be all he wanted to say. He got back in his car. As rival VP candidates, we'd want to get as much information on Rintaro as we could from Asahi-san. But if they're not on good terms, we'll need to be cautious.

(A fight between siblings... Is that why Asahi-san has been acting so weird?)

Thinking back, she always gets a little awkward when family comes up. I remember at the very beginning of the Management Tournament, I felt she was acting strangely when we were all announcing our starting roles. She was shocked when I said I was starting from zero.

"I might think about it, but I don't think I'd have the guts to actually do it!"

Her words made me think she'd considered it, too, so I asked her directly...

—You considered a similar path, didn't you? —

...Okay, enough about me!

I remember how she'd blatantly changed the subject. We weren't just talking about the tournament, but about our families' business strategies. Looking back, Asahi-san has had this wall up from the beginning, like she's hiding something.

"Itsuki... what did you talk about?"

"...Nothing, just small talk."

Hinako had been nearby and was curious. But remembering Taisho's serious expression, I decided to keep it to myself for now. After Taisho left, Hinako relaxed and let out a yawn.

"Thanks for today. It's the weekend, you probably wanted to rest."

"Not at all... I like having tea with everyone, too."

Around this group, Hinako can be more at ease than with anyone else. She's still "on," but the tea party is a relaxing place for her, too.

"But... I'm sleepy."

It seemed the sleepiness was winning. Hinako usually spends her weekends lazing around all day, so today was pretty active for her.

"I'll walk you to your room."

Hinako said her usual "Mhm," and I took her back. Afterward, I returned to the salon where we'd had the tea party.

"Ah, Itsuki. I already started cleaning."

"Oh, sorry. I'll help."

I joined Yuri, who was cleaning up the tea things.

"Narika says thanks. Probably for the snacks and your opinions."

"Forget the snacks, my opinions weren't anything to be thanked for."

"For Kiou students, just interacting with a commoner like us is a valuable experience."

I stacked the cups and saucers on the cart. I'm technically exempt from this work during the election, but I feel restless if I don't clean up after myself, so I'm doing it voluntarily. Also, I feel bad letting Yuri do it all, though I know she doesn't mind.

"You're busy, too. The tournament just ended, and now this election."

"Yeah. And after this, we have the school festival."

"Seriously busy... Can I go to the Kiou festival?"

"It's probably by invitation. If I introduce you, you can get in."

"Then do it. I kind of want to see what you're like at that school."

The thought of that makes me a little nervous... After I finished clearing the tablecloth, Yuri spread a new one.

"By the way, you got that job offer at the Konohana party, right? What happened with that?"

"Oh, that. We negotiated a lot, and in the end, we put it on hold."

"I see... Seems kind of a waste."

"They made a lot of alternative offers, like I could be a live-in employee at the Japan branch. But when I actually went to see the workplace... honestly, the Konohana mansion is on a higher level. Though I hear the main branch abroad is different."

"I see..."

I'd kind of thought that might be the case. The food here is truly incredible... "On hold" means she's keeping the connection. Thinking about it, this is probably the best choice for Yuri right now. When she's ready to turn her family's diner into a national chain, she can leverage that connection. Having studied management, I can understand that.

"...So, tell me more about what you're doing."

Yuri finished with the cloth and asked me, a little shyly.

"What? You're really interested in me today."

"I'm not... I just want to move forward, too."

"Move forward?"

I tilted my head, and Yuri's cheeks flushed. She looked right at me.

"I want to learn more about the world you're in."

I wasn't expecting her to be so direct. I was a little stunned. Seeing her expression, so different from usual, I was at a loss.

"O-Okay. Well, first..."

I feigned calmness and started explaining what I'd been doing as a VP candidate. She listened with such genuine interest that I found myself getting happy. We didn't stop talking until the salon was completely clean.

◆

Monday morning, at Kiou Academy. I picked up the new Election Bulletin and my face twitched.

(Well... they're fanning the flames.)

—Conservatives vs. Reformists. That was the headline. With the speeches underway, the battle for support was heating up. The bulletin, made by the former student council, was probably trying to simplify the conflict by dividing the three candidates into "conservative" and "reformist" factions. Tennouji-san and Narika, my candidates, were the "Conservatives," aiming to forge new paths while respecting the school's traditions. The Joutou faction was the "Reformist," advocating for new values by dismantling and rebuilding Kiou as it is now. Tennouji-san and Narika aren't really conservative. If their platforms are realized, they'll create new activities and facilities that Kiou has never had. But compared to Joutou, "conservative" isn't an unfair label. It's less that we're conservative and more that he's radical. Of course, that radicalism has its downsides. The approval ratings were almost unchanged. Tennouji-san and Narika still had 40% each. It seems Joutou's platform is too radical, and many students just can't accept it.

After reading the bulletin, I knocked on the staff room door.

"Excuse me, is Fukushima-sensei in?"

"Oh, Tomonari-kun. What is it?"

Fukushima-sensei was at her desk and looked up. I walked over and stated my business.

"I'm here to request microphones for the speeches. Two of them."

"But you didn't use them last time. Are you using them today?"

"We might not, but I want to have them ready... I thought speaking without equipment gave a better impression, but I have to consider whether the platform is being clearly communicated."

"I see. With a large crowd, it can be hard to hear."

Exactly. Even if we're trying to project an image, it's meaningless if the audience can't hear the speech. From now on, we can decide whether to use the mics based on the crowd size.

"I've received your request. Good luck."

"Thank you, sensei."

I bowed and left the staff room. We should be able to use them by lunch.

"Tomonari-senpai."

A voice called from behind me. I turned. A first-year with silver-rimmed glasses was staring at me.

"You're Asahi-san's..."

"Just Rintaro is fine. We both have the last name Asahi, after all. And please, you don't need to use polite language."

Calling him "Asahi-san's brother" every time would be a mouthful, so I appreciated that. But as for dropping the polite speech... I'd adopted this way of speaking to be a proper caretaker for Hinako, but I feel like I'm past that stage. I want to stand by her side through actual achievements, not by putting on an act. Besides, thinking about it, I've been casual with Narika ever since I met her.

"...Alright."

I can probably be casual with an underclassman. I've been at Kiou for a while now. Maybe I need to review my "caretaker rules." I'll talk to Shizune-san about it one of these days.

"You've decided to use microphones. Did you change your mind after seeing our speech?"

"...Yeah."

He was right. Seeing Joutou use a mic on Friday was what made me want to use them. A voice amplified by a mic doesn't just reach the audience; it reaches people just passing by. A louder speech can attract people who weren't planning to listen. In fact, during Joutou's speech, I saw students who were on their way home stop and listen.

"Just as I'd expect from you, Tomonari-senpai. You're exactly the person I thought you were."

Rintaro smiled and praised me. I didn't think it was anything praiseworthy... but Rintaro seemed genuinely impressed. It's a small thing, but it wouldn't be strange for him to be annoyed that I was copying his technique...

"If you're going to use the mics, you should check the speaker placement. The school's speaker wires are a little short, so your placement options are limited. You should do a rehearsal."

"...Thanks. You know a lot about the equipment."

"Well, my family does run an electronics retailer."

That was part of it, of course. But checking all the equipment before the first speech and thinking about speaker placement... it showed he was using his imagination. He wasn't just reacting to problems; he was preventing them. He's only a first-year, but he's running for VP. I'd assumed he was confident, but he's genuinely capable. I can't underestimate him... I knew that, but I felt like he was throwing me off balance. We're rivals. Why is he giving me such sincere advice...? Or maybe my own heart is just dirty.

"We still have time before class... Tomonari-senpai, could I have a moment? There's something I'd like to talk to you about."

Rintaro's sudden proposal made me think. I'd decided to come in early during the election, so I had thirty minutes before class. I was planning to hand out flyers on the field, but this was a good chance to scout the Joutou faction. It's a shame to miss it... I feel bad, but I'll ask Kita and Suminoe-san to help with the flyers again. I'm sure they'll be happy to.

"Alright."

I accepted his invitation, and Rintaro gave a refreshing smile.

◆

We arrived at the cafe and sat facing each other.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?"

Rintaro didn't even glance at the coffee cup placed on the table. He looked at me and said:

"It feels more natural when you don't use polite language. More relaxed."

"...Should I say thank you?"

"I'm praising you."

He's right, this is my natural way of speaking...

"Tomonari-senpai, right now, you're exactly like our ideal of a 'normal student.'"

Rintaro said, staring straight at me.

"Tomonari-senpai—will you come to our side?"

"...Eh?"

"To put it simply, I'm scouting you. Come support Joutou-senpai with me."

Rintaro took a sip of his coffee. I watched him in silence. This sudden scouting offer raised all sorts of questions, but I had to ask the first one...

"...Why me? Even if you need the manpower, I'm your rival, and I'm not in Joutou-kun's faction."

"There are several reasons."

Rintaro placed his cup on its saucer.

"First, I simply respect your skill, Senpai. Supporting both Tennouji-san and Miyakojima-san at the same time is no easy feat. You obviously have the administrative ability, but your character, which allowed you to earn both their trust, is also commendable."

"...The election only started three days ago."

"I'm looking at your accumulated achievements. You made quite a splash in the Management Tournament."

It seemed the underclassmen knew about the tournament results. This meant he was giving me credit based on my entire track record. That in itself was an honor.

"But the tournament and an election are different, right? I'd have to resonate with Joutou-kun's ideas before I could even think of joining your faction—"

"Yes, exactly! That's the biggest reason I chose you!"

Rintaro said, excited.

"Tomonari-senpai, don't you think this school is twisted?"

He pointed at the cup in his hand.

"This cup and saucer set costs one hundred thousand yen. Most of the tea sets in this cafe are around that price... Don't you think that's too expensive?"

"That's..."

"As a transfer student, you must think it's expensive, right?"

From his words, I knew what he was getting at. I see... The biggest reason he's scouting me is that, as a transfer student, he assumes I find the Kiou Academy environment absurd.

"When you first transferred here, weren't you shocked by this school?"

"...Honestly, I was."

"Right? That means we're already on the same page about the problem."

The conversation was likely going just as he'd planned. He pressed on, even more animated.

"Our focus is on you, the student who just transferred in. Back then, you must have felt something was wrong with these twisted values, but you had to adapt. But what did you gain from adapting? Don't you just start to think spending a hundred thousand yen on a tea set is normal? Can we really let people with such deviant values out into society?"

Rintaro was so worked up he stood from his chair.

"When you first transferred, you must have thought—This is so weird! This is wrong! This school is crazy!"

"............I don't deny it."

"Right! I knew you'd understand our philosophy!"

When I first arrived, I really was overwhelmed. However, one thing bothered me... There was a sense of contempt for Kiou Academy in Rintaro's every word.

"I have other reasons for seeking you out."

He sat back down.

"In a good way, you're not much like a Kiou Academy student."

That line made my heart skip a beat. I'm attending this school while hiding my identity, after all. His observation made me break out in a cold sweat. But since he said "in a good way," I knew he wasn't suspicious of me...

"For example, your willingness to learn from others. The students here have incredibly high self-esteem; they don't really think about emulating other people. They all subconsciously believe that they should be the ones others copy. But you don't hesitate to reference what others do, just as you always have... We believe that's the kind of grassroots spirit society needs in the future."

"...Thanks."

Actually, having been through the major adversity of my parents skipping town on their debts, I deeply agreed with his assessment. It was more than just simple praise. I'd thought he was just praising me for using a microphone, but he was praising my ability to see and imitate the actions of others.

"Perhaps it's because you have that tenacious spirit that you can remain so humble. It's admirable. You're already making a name for yourself in this election, but you're not arrogant. You act as if it's all the candidates' achievements."

"Because it is their achievements."

"In your position, you have to say that to get your candidate elected—but you don't just say it. The fact that you sincerely believe it is part of your charm." Why? Why is Rintaro praising me so much?

"You helped them with their platforms, too, didn't you?"

"I helped with part of it. They decided the basics, I just offered a few suggestions."

"Oh? What kind of suggestions?"

Is he trying to butter me up to get information? Unfortunately for him, I don't loosen up just from flattery. In fact, as long as I'm at this school, I can't ever get complacent. There are too many people here who are better than me. Still, there was no harm in answering.

"We're planning to announce it in the next speech. For Tennouji-san's platform, we thought we could add a seminar on dress codes. The rules for dress codes change slightly for every social occasion, so we felt it was necessary."

"That's a great idea. Students like us often don't know what's appropriate."

Rintaro seemed genuinely impressed. Maybe I was being too suspicious.

"I have a few questions for you."

"Of course. I'll tell you anything I know."

He was being so open. I decided to ask:

"First, why do you think Kiou is twisted? From a commoner's perspective, your family is plenty rich, right? Unlike me, a transfer student, it's stranger that you haven't fit in."

"As you know, my family's business is B2C. We have a lot of contact with the general public, so of course it feels strange... But I have no idea what my sister thinks."

...I'll ignore that last comment about Asahi-san. Even though I'm curious...

"Second question, kind of related... What do you want to do, after Joutou-kun's platform is implemented?"

"What I want to do?"

"Yeah. How do I put this? You seem kind of cornered. Like you have this conviction, that you have to do this..."

Rintaro's eyes widened in surprise.

"...Tomonari-senpai, you're good at reading people."

Please don't make me sound like Takuma-san.

"You're right. There is something I want to do... I want to start my own business."

"Start a business? You're not inheriting J. Co., Ltd.?"

"No. I'm sure my sister will do that anyway."

Rintaro's situation seemed similar to Suminoe-san's. Her family's business was also being inherited by her older brother, and she planned to work for the Tennouji Group. Rintaro, however, was choosing entrepreneurship.

"One day, I plan to create a B2C company different from my family's. To do that, I want to properly understand the general public while I'm still a student. That's why I'm going to reform Kiou Academy with Joutou-senpai... There have to be others in this school who want to understand society better, for the same reasons I do."

He had a goal, and he believed others shared it. That's why he was in this election. He wasn't just thinking of himself; he was choosing a path that would benefit others. I liked that. This wasn't some selfish reform.

"You also started from zero in the tournament, right? We felt a connection with you on that, too. You really aren't like a student from this school."

In a bad way, that line makes my heart pound, so I wish he'd stop... But he probably means it as a compliment.

"Your concrete policies are club activities, internships, and changing the admission requirements. What's your basis for thinking those will be effective?"

"We have one. At this school, there are few chances to cooperate. Club activities teach teamwork. Internships teach the structure of society... And to make that reform take root faster, we'll remove family status from the admission requirements and bring in commoners."

Rintaro must have been serious about recruiting me, because he laid out the core of their platform. It's true, Kiou has no club activities. Students here act individually more than in groups. There are exceptions, like the tournament, but everyone is busy with their family businesses, so they don't spend much time together at school. That's why a term like "Noble Tea Party" was even born. Our gathering probably stands out so much because there's no real concept of "groups" here. In a way, I think that's a good thing. For example, it's hard for a school hierarchy to form, so bullying is rare. And since everyone is focused on improving themselves, there's no culture of sucking up. It creates a positive, ambitious environment. But I understood Rintaro's point, too. My opinion doesn't change the fact that this school is "disconnected from general society."

"...If it's for learning about society, wouldn't a part-time job be better? It'd be hard for students here to do manual labor, but they'd be suited for tutoring or working as hotel staff."

"...Haha. Senpai, you really should join our side."

Oops, I just gave them advice.

"B-But I just thought of that..."

"No, I'm writing this down. I hadn't even thought of part-time jobs."

Rintaro quickly took a notebook from his bag and started writing. When he finished, he looked back at me.

"While we're at it, I'll be blunt. If you come to our side, I'll give you the vice president position."

"............What?"

"I want to fix this school's twisted nature, but I have no attachment to the title of vice president... What do you say? Will you join us?"

This was probably the best offer Rintaro could make. If he was willing to sacrifice that much, I owed him a serious answer.

I can say this for sure... If my only goal was to become vice president, I should take his hand. We're rivals for the same seat. If he steps down, I get the spot without even waiting for the election. Once I'm in the student council, I can move on to my next goal. Takuma-san said I should join the council if I want to be Konohana Group director. Kagen-san said he'd consider letting me in on the family's internal problems once I joined. If I become an officer, my entire world will change.

I thought that far—and still, I stuck to my original decision.

"...Sorry."

I refused his outstretched hand.

"I think Joutou-kun's platform has merit. Everyone acknowledged that."

"Then why..."

"You're misunderstanding one thing."

Rintaro looked confused. I explained:

"When I came to this school, I definitely felt the gap in values. But I didn't 'have to adapt.' I adapted because I sincerely thought this world was amazing, and I desperately wanted to."

I'm still giving it my all just to keep up. But I don't think of that effort as a misfortune. I'm proud of it.

"I know 'normal society' better than you do. That's why I can say with certainty that this school is full of talented people you would never find in normal society. Tennouji-san, Narika, Hinako... they're all like that. A 'normal' background couldn't produce them. It's precisely because this is such an absurdly high-class school that people like them exist."

At first, I thought Kiou was extreme. But lately, I've started to think that to forge the dignity needed to lead others, this is exactly the right environment. This is where you come into contact with the real upper class and are forged into a first-rate talent. In fact, being in the Konohana mansion and at Kiou is what keeps me motivated. By wearing clothes so expensive they make my head spin, I feel the desire to become a person worthy of them. Noblesse oblige. It fits perfectly. The students here, blessed as they are, must live to bear that responsibility. "Normal" society can't teach them the weight of that responsibility, or how to face it. That's why Kiou Academy exists. It's a place where the chosen can share the burdens that only they understand.

"This might be hard to hear, but 'normal society' isn't something to be idealized. The outside world is full of lazy people and short-tempered people. But as far as I know, there's no one like that at this school. I think that's an unbelievable miracle."

I continued speaking to the stone-faced Rintaro. I believe my words can reach him.

"The 'deviant values' might be a problem. But after coming here, I've encountered things I could only learn here, and I've met students of high character who were raised in this culture... And I've come to sincerely wish I could live like them."

I didn't adapt because I had to. I adapted because I wanted to. I am not a victim.

"So, I'm sorry. I can't support Joutou-kun with you."

I gave a slight bow, then looked Rintaro straight in the eye.

"I like Kiou Academy the way it is now."

I like Kiou Academy... I was surprised the words came out so naturally. I realized it was my true feeling, and it filled me with joy. I want to tell the me from my first day, the one who was so confused: You're going to end up loving this school.

"...So, negotiations failed."

Rintaro said, staring into his coffee cup.

"It can't be helped. I was fully prepared to hand it all to you... but this means a rough road for both of us."

"I'm used to it."

My life has always been a rough road. Rintaro blinked, then sighed deeply.

"It's a real shame... I'll be hoping you change your mind."

◆

After school. I listened to Tennouji-san's speech, then went to listen to Narika's. Today, Narika's location was the same one Joutou had used: the main gate. Speech locations are first-come, first-served, but you can only use the same spot consecutively if no other candidate applies for it. We had requested the main gate, so Joutou was speaking elsewhere.

Narika held the microphone, and her voice carried far, thanks to the speakers. Her voice was clear, too. Since the tournament, she's had a lot of experience presenting in front of people. She's not at Tennouji-san's level yet, but her delivery is becoming polished.

I walked over to her after she finished.

"Narika, great work. How was it, using a mic for the first time?"

"It was super effective! The location was perfect, too. A lot of people stopped to listen! I feel a real sense of accomplishment from today's speech. It was fun!"

Narika said, wiping the sweat from her brow with a handkerchief. She's probably still scared of public speaking, but the sense of accomplishment was greater than the fear, so she didn't shrink back. It's going well. If she keeps accumulating successful experiences, she'll grow even more.

"Itsuki, do you have time? There's something I need..."

"Yeah. What's up?"

"A tea party."

Hearing her answer, I tilted my head.

"Huh?"

"I thought we agreed not to hold tea parties at school for a while..."

"No, not that one."

Narika shook her head.

"This is a different tea party, one that I'm hosting."

◆

I followed Narika into the school coffee shop. Three students I didn't recognize were sitting around a table, drinking tea and coffee. Narika walked toward them, and the three students bowed their heads slightly.

For a moment, I couldn't believe it. These three had been personally invited by Narika. This was the same Narika who once begged me for help because she couldn't make friends. And now she's planning her own events... I'm going to have a good cry when I get home. Tonight, it's a celebration with potato chips.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Narika sat down, and I sat beside her. The three students watched her. Narika met their gazes and took a quiet, deep breath. Seeing her do that, I was suddenly reminded of Hinako. The mask Hinako created to play the "Perfect Ojou-sama," her "Ojou-sama Mode" to hide her lazy nature... Narika was now creating a similar set of armor. A mask of composure to defeat her own timidity. But unlike Hinako, Narika was putting this mask on by choice—

"—I am Narika Miyakojima, candidate for president. Thank you all for coming today."

 


Narika's dignified air made the atmosphere feel formal.

"I've told you all this already, but I'll say it again. This tea party has nothing to do with the campaign. I am hosting this based on my own personal interest."

"Interest?"

The three looked at each other, confused. Narika continued:

"I believe that interaction changes people. That's why I've proposed creating a 'salon.' If that's the case, I must be more active in seeking out interaction than anyone. With that in mind, I invited the people I wanted to talk with most right now."

"...And that's us?"

"Yes. You are Abeno-san, running for Treasurer, correct?"

The small female student gave a slight nod. Narika then looked at the remaining boy and girl.

"And thank you, Yodogawa-kun, running for Secretary, and Nishi-san, running for General Affairs, for coming... As you know, this is Itsuki Tomonari, my supporter. He is running for vice president."

Since Narika introduced me, I gave a small nod. I was shocked when I heard who the members of this tea party were. —They were all candidates for student council officer positions. Narika had looked up their classes and invited them one by one.

"And so, let's begin the Student Council Officer Candidate Tea Party. I'm hoping to get to know you all better today. For example, what you want to do if you join the council... We have a lot in common, so I'm sure we'll have a lively discussion."

"...Is that really your only goal?"

"Of course."

Abeno-san asked. Narika nodded, completely forthright.

"Think about it, isn't it strange? The student council isn't just the president, but we're expected to run an election without knowing any of the other candidates. I just don't feel right about that."

She had the air of someone with nothing to hide. Combined with her honest attitude, her words had an incredible persuasive power. It made you think, Now that she mentions it, that is true.

"...I see. You're not the type to plot, Miyakojima-san."

"No. I'm not smart enough to be two-faced."

I understood Abeno-san's wariness. A presidential candidate inviting the other officer candidates to tea... it's no wonder she'd be worried about some backroom deal. However, there was no room for a deal in the first place. Even if Narika proposed, "I'll make you officers if I win, so help me get votes," it would be meaningless to these three. The positions of Treasurer, Secretary, and General Affairs only had one candidate each. They were already guaranteed to be student council officers. They were uncontested. Even if they just sat here elegantly drinking tea, they would automatically become council members on the last day. They had no reason to accept any deal. That's exactly why Narika thought they could all talk freely, and why she invited them.

"I'm running for Treasurer because I want to learn about financial affairs."

Abeno-san stated her reason.

"My grandfather is the chairman of Aoba Bank."

"Eh!?"

I couldn't help but let out a yelp. I clamped my mouth shut. Abeno-san sighed softly and continued.

"...My grandfather is the chairman of a major national bank, and my father followed in his footsteps. Watching them, I naturally wanted to work in finance. So I'm running for Treasurer to learn about money while I'm still a student."

Abeno-san explained apologetically, but only half of it registered. Wait, wait, wait— Aoba Bank is that famous mega-bank everyone knows! I've met a lot of rich kids at this school, I thought I was used to it... It's been a while since I was this shocked.

"My reason for running for Secretary is simple. I couldn't get anything done in the Management Tournament!"

Yodogawa was a bright, cheerful-looking guy. He also seemed to be the honest type.

"The business I thought would work failed, and I was so frustrated... But! I thought if I became a student council officer, I could make a comeback!"

"Is there a reason you chose Secretary?"

"I'm confident in my handwriting!"

Yodogawa said proudly, but then immediately drooped.

"I was... but then I saw Miyakojima-san's poster and my confidence was shattered."

"Ah, no, that's just... a field I happen to be good at...!!"

Narika hurried to console the dejected Yodogawa. But... being that humble... might not be good for a presidential candidate. The people gathered here all have the drive to run for office. That means they're among the most motivated students in the school. If they start to doubt Narika's abilities, their friends might, too. Narika said this tea party wasn't about the election, but I have a mission to get her elected, and I have to take it seriously. I cleared my throat and added:

"Narika has been studying martial arts and traditional arts since she was a child. It's not just calligraphy; her skills in tea ceremony and flower arrangement are first-class. And of course, as she showed in the sports festival, her martial arts skills are among the best in the school."

"I-Itsuki? Um, you don't have to praise me that much...?"

"It's the truth, isn't it? Your form when you prepared tea before was beautiful."

"B-Beautiful!?"

Narika's face flushed, and she shot up from her seat.

"Your form was,"

I clarified.

"Oh... oh... right."

Narika sat back down. My choice of words could have been misleading. Finally, we looked to the girl running for General Affairs.

"Last is Nishi-san. You're a first-year..."

"Yes. But I'm not that driven, so I feel a bit out of place..."

Nishi-san said shyly.

"My reason for running for General Affairs is similar to Miyakojima-senpai's. I want to interact with people."

Narika's eyes widened slightly.

"My older sister was also the General Affairs officer here, so I know that at this school, the position involves a lot of work. Like acting as PR, and interacting with people outside the school..."

"Oh... That's what General Affairs does!"

The topic interested Narika. Nishi-san continued to explain the job. I was surprised, too. I had no idea the role was so broad.

The tea party was a success after that. The five of us were mostly strangers, but just as Narika had hoped, the atmosphere was friendly, and the conversation flowed.

◆

After the tea party, Narika and I said goodbye to the future student council officers and finally let out a breath.

"Good work. That was a successful tea party."

"Yeah. I feel like I got to know everyone better."

Narika watched the three of them walk toward the school gate, looking delighted.

"But if you were planning this, you could have asked me for help. I'm your supporter, after all. It must have been a lot of work to find everyone yourself."

"No, well, I was going to ask... but I decided that I had to at least do the 'interacting with people' part all by myself."

"To stay true to your platform?"

"Yes, the platform... and, well, to follow through on my conviction to change myself."

If that was her reason, it would have been tactless of me to interfere. Working behind the scenes is also part of a supporter's job. I can't be too helpful and end up stealing her opportunities to grow.

"You've gotten good at talking to people you've just met."

"Yeah... but I was really shocked when you suddenly said I was 'beautiful' earlier."

"Sorry. That was inappropriate of me."

Narika puffed out her cheeks. I apologized readily. She paused, then asked:

"...Just my form?"

"Eh?"

Narika grabbed my shoulders with a strong grip.

"Was it really just my form that was beautiful?"

Too close, too close, too close, too close— She had my shoulders, so I couldn't escape. With Narika's face inches away, I averted my eyes.

"Y-You, I told you not to do this...!!"

"Because if I don't, you run away."

She's not wrong!

"Come on, answer me! Was it just my form that was beautiful!?"

She was acting like she already knew the answer. I resigned myself and spoke.

"...You were beautiful, too."

"...Heh, hehehe! I see. That's wonderful!"

Narika released my shoulders, looking completely satisfied.

"Maybe I'll wear a kimono to the next weekend tea party."

"...Please don't."

I pressed a hand to my chest. My heart was pounding... I realized it wasn't just from being startled, and for a moment, I couldn't look directly at her.

"No more closing in on me like that. If you use your physical abilities, I'm defenseless."

Narika is a martial artist. If she gets serious, I'm helpless... That was my excuse, but honestly, if she kept that up, my heart wouldn't be able to take it in more ways than one.

But Narika heard this, and her expression turned serious as she started to think.

"...I see. So if I get serious, you can't resist."

"Hey."

Hey... wait. No, you can't... Why do you look so serious about this?

"............That's a last resort, then."

Hey, hey, hey. I think I just heard her mutter something dangerous.

"Just kidding. I wouldn't want you to be afraid of me."

"...I'm not afraid. But if someone saw that, it could cause a major misunderstanding. So just don't."

"Okay. So I just need to be careful about the location."

That's not what I meant. Oh, whatever. If I tried to stop her, she wouldn't force it. I trust her judgment... I can trust her, right?

"Geez... Not a trace of your old shyness left."

"No, I'm still shy. I'm shy, and I'm scared another woman is going to steal you away, so I'm being proactive."

"'Another woman'... You're imagining things."

"...As long as you can still say that, I guess it's fine."

Narika sighed, exasperated. Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out.

"...It's Tennouji-san."

"See? You say that, and another woman calls."

"Don't call her 'another woman'."

I'm Tennouji-san's supporter too, so of course we're in frequent contact.

I answered the call. "What's up?"

"Sorry to call you out of the blue. There's something I absolutely must investigate."

An investigation. Simple enough. Narika pouted. I looked away from her and shifted my focus. But when I heard what Tennouji-san wanted... I was momentarily stunned into silence.

◆

That night. It was eleven o'clock, long past Hinako's bedtime. I sat at my computer and called Tennouji-san.

"Itsuki-kun, I've been waiting."

Tennouji-san's voice came from the speakerphone. Since we could use our private, less formal speech, I relaxed a little.

"I've prepared what you asked for."

"...That was fast. I didn't expect you to finish it today."

"I met a lot of people during the Management Tournament, and I got help from Suminoe-san and others... I'm sending the data now."

I sent her the file she'd requested after school.

"I've received it."

"Please take a look... Still, I was really shocked when you asked me to research this."

"I know. It took a lot of courage for me to decide, too."

It must have taken an extraordinary amount. What Tennouji-san wanted to investigate was—

"What do the students who actually wanted Hinako Konohana as president really want... As a candidate, I must face that."

Hinako is the most famous person at Kiou Academy. Many people wanted her to be president. But she's not running, which has left all those people adrift.

"Honestly, they're the biggest bloc of floating votes right now."

"Yes. The people who wanted Hinako have given up on that and are just watching the rest of us. But I won't be satisfied with their reluctant support. I want to hear their true feelings, so they can support me from the bottom of their hearts."

Tennouji-san was right. But what shocked me was...

"...I just never expected to hear that from you."

I heard her give a small laugh.

"Because I know Hinako Konohana's strength better than anyone."

She decided to investigate this because she understands Hinako's strength. She must have complex feelings about it. As Hinako's friend, she's proud, but right now, she must also feel frustrated. The file I sent her was huge, after all.

After Tennouji-san made the request, I drafted a simple questionnaire and asked trusted contacts to circulate it. In just half a day, I'd collected nearly a hundred responses. That number alone was a testament to Hinako's popularity. We were getting a real-time taste of her overwhelming charisma.

"Is the data I sent useful? I wanted to get it to you today, so I only skimmed it..."

"It's extremely helpful." A moment of silence passed. Tennouji-san must be reading it seriously, swallowing her complex feelings and immediately shifting gears. That mental fortitude was just like her.

"Just as I thought. People wanted stable, rock-solid system management from Hinako. Improving the quality of teaching materials, facility management, campus cleaning... all sorts of specific demands."

"But the student council can't change the curriculum."

"They want the council to negotiate with the faculty. To be honest, I'd also like to receive an even higher-quality education than we do now."

Even higher...? Is she talking about space travel or something...? ...My brain almost short-circuited. But... when it comes to economics, I wouldn't mind a more advanced course. I'm highly motivated to learn it, since I've decided to become a consultant.

"Overall, it seems people want to maintain the status quo, but elevate every field. On the other hand, some are looking for reform. For example, developing a school-exclusive credit card, establishing a permanent symphony orchestra... A resident orchestra is certainly appealing. You can just imagine the elegant campus life."

Talk about an upper-class request. Still, hearing a professional symphony on campus regularly would be very pleasant.

"Another interesting one... 'abolish the family-status system.'"

"Family-status... Does that mean some people wanted Hinako to implement a platform similar to Joutou-kun's?"

"Exactly."

I'm surprised students wanted Hinako to do that.

"What are you going to do? Add some of these to your platform?"

Of course, we'd have to discuss if we should add them.

"What do you think?"

"I think you should only add the ones that align with your existing direction. If you adopt everything, your platform will become a mess. It's like a company that spreads itself too thin; investors can't see a future, so they won't put money in."

"...You have a point."

Tennouji-san fell silent. I waited, but she didn't say anything.

"Tennouji-san?"

"...I'm a little afraid."

She said quietly.

"If I take on the things people wanted from Hinako and try to achieve them... won't I just become her replacement? A fake?"

Her fear was completely justified. If Tennouji-san takes on Hinako's expectations, she might satisfy the students, but then... why not just have Hinako do it? The one running is Tennouji-san. Asking her to be Hinako's substitute is cruel...

"It's fine. I'll be watching."

I said, my voice firm. This is what a supporter is for.

"I will manage this carefully so your 'brand' isn't damaged. I won't let you become Hinako's copy."

If she starts to stray into Hinako's style, I'll pull her right back. I'll be careful... In short, she just needs to achieve those goals in her own way. As long as we don't compromise on that, it should be fine.

"...You've become so reliable."

"Thanks to you."

Ever since she told me to stand up straight, I've been trying.

"I'll trust you. Let's add a few items to the platform."

This is great. We can solidify our plan by tomorrow.

"But... looking at this, there are fewer opinions that align with my platform than I expected."

"I know. And adding things that are too minor will just dilute the message..."

A resident orchestra fits her image, but it's a bit of a departure from "learning etiquette." You could argue "music appreciation has etiquette," but the budget would be massive.

(...A few of these would fit perfectly into Narika's platform.) Narika's platform is about creating a new 'salon.' Things like a trial run of a school credit card could be incorporated. Since it's a new environment, anything is possible. It's a platform that can absorb a lot of ideas. But I didn't dare say that to Tennouji-san. This was data she had asked me to gather while swallowing her own pride. I couldn't just casually ask if I could give it to Narika...

"Share this data with Miyakojima-san."

I stared at the screen, my eyes wide.

"...Are you sure?"

"It's not a question of 'sure.' You noticed it too, didn't you? This data has value for her as well."

She'd seen right through me. I'm Narika's supporter too. If I get info that helps her, of course I want to share it.

"Don't hesitate. Just tell her. This isn't charity; it's our duty as people receiving your support. Even if this gives her an advantage, I won't regret my decision."

Tennouji-san and Narika... this is a risk for them. Sharing hard-won ideas with a rival. But they understood this risk from the start when they chose me. This was because—

"...Narika said the same thing, actually."

"The same thing?"

"Yeah. After school today, I had a tea party with Narika..."

I was going to tell her later, but this was the perfect time. I explained about the tea party Narika hosted with the other uncontested candidates, and how, while it wasn't the goal, the results were very helpful. And how, afterward, Narika had insisted we share what we learned with Tennouji-san.

"...I see. Thank you for sharing that information."

"Thank Narika, not me."

Though I'm sure she will...

As I was marveling at their generosity, my computer beeped. Bleep!

"Hm? ...A message from Narika."

"My, speak of the devil."

What could it be this late? I looked at the message—

"Pfft!?"

Narika: You said I was beautiful. Here, you can look all you want.

Attached was a photo. A photo of Narika in a kimono, striking a suggestive pose, filled my entire screen. That girl—!! She declared she was going to be proactive, but I didn't think she'd resort to this! Her own face is slightly flushed, which means she's embarrassed... but that just makes it even more destructive. The collar of the kimono is open just a little. That has to be intentional. Stop it... That's really working on me...

"Itsuki-kun? What's wrong?"

"N-Nothing. She just sent a... picture."

"...A picture?"

I answered without thinking and immediately regretted it. Oh crap, I spoke too soon...

"What kind of picture did she send you?"

"Well, it's..."

"Itsuki-kun? What kind of picture?"

I was trapped. If I stayed silent, she'd just keep asking. We'd promised not to lie to each other... It was because I'd hurt her by hiding my identity. Therefore—

"...I'm exercising my right to remain silent."

We agreed that if we didn't want to say, we could just say that. This was proof of our pact... Tennouji-san would surely remember and back off.

"Fine. I'll just ask Miyakojima-san myself."

"Wait!"

My desperately deployed red light was ignored. My mind raced... If Tennouji-san asks her, Narika will absolutely tell her the truth. She wouldn't show her the picture, but... if Tennouji-san asks Narika directly, it could get weird. It's probably safer if I just tell her.

"...It's a photo of her in a kimono. She looked nice, so I guess she just wanted to show it off."

"...But you sounded very surprised."

"W-Well... it just came out of nowhere..."

"Oh... I see."

We hung up the phone. The atmosphere at the end was... awkward.

I wanted to sleep, but I still had to send the platform revisions to Tennouji-san and Narika. I guess I'll just have to sacrifice some sleep... Just as I was thinking that, there was a knock on my door. Shizune-san entered.

"Shizune-san? What is it?"

"I brought you a drink. It looks like you'll be working late tonight."

Shizune-san placed a teacup on my desk. I immediately took a sip. It was a hot herbal tea. The citrus aroma must be from yuzu peel. It was refreshing and easy to drink.

"Thank you. This is delicious."

"I'm glad. It has no caffeine, and no herbs that induce sleep, so please don't worry."

Tea would have caffeine, and chamomile would make me sleepy. I still had work, so I couldn't have that. She had made a custom blend that avoided both. I remembered the refrigerator in her room. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step... It's because she studies so diligently that she has this knowledge for any situation.

"Itsuki-san, what are you working on?"

"I'm making adjustments to Tennouji-san's platform, based on her request."

"That sounds like delicate work. What is her platform?"

"It's..."

I have the poster file on my computer. It'd be faster to just show her. Just as I went to open the file—a message window popped up with a Bleep!, and I accidentally clicked it.

"Ah."

The message I'd received filled the screen. The sender was Mirei Tennouji. The content was a short message and... a selfie.

Mirei: Saying goodbye to my summer clothes... How do I look?

 


She was wearing an incredibly short miniskirt, something she would absolutely never wear in public. As you'd expect, she looked uncomfortable, her cheeks flushed as she tugged at the hem. However, my thoughts weren't on her skirt. They were on my survival.

"............Oh. So this is the platform."

"No, wait, that's not it, we were just talking about..."

"You're demanding racy photos from your classmates this late at night, Itsuki-san?"

"No! I didn't demand anything!"

She sent it to me! Unprompted! I pleaded my innocence, but Shizune-san's gaze was glacial.

"Aren't you going to reply?"

"Eh?"

"She asked for your opinion. Go on, reply. You shouldn't keep Tennouji ojou-sama waiting."

Shizune-san said, staring intently at my screen. Is she going to watch what I write...!? My fingers were trembling over the keyboard. There was no way I could reply under this pressure.

However, I had—a counter-attack!

"...In that case, I'll just reply, 'This outfit is as lovely as your cosplay, Shizune-san.'"

"Wha—!? Guh...!! Y-You... That's a low blow...!!"

Shizune-san was completely flustered, a rare sight. I don't like exploiting weaknesses... but this was an emergency.

"I-I've told you! My cosplaying is not just a hobby, it has practical applications for my work! You have no right to say that!"

"Oh, come on, you're joking. You just came to work at the Konohana house so you could wear the maid uniform."

"I am not joking. The Konohana uniforms, the suits you wear to formal events, and the dress Hirano-san wore to the Konohana Group party... I selected all of them."

"I am profoundly sorry."

I bowed my head deeply from my chair. Shizune-san's sense of style was genuinely world-class, enough to make her cosplay hobby seem insignificant...

"I keep it quiet so my hobby isn't exposed... but I also select nearly all of the Master's and Ojou-sama's clothes."

"I will commit seppuku to apologize."

I need a knife. The kitchen should have one.

"...Seppuku is not necessary. Now, are you going to reply? I will not look."

"...Yes."

So Shizune-san was their stylist. She kept it secret so no one would connect it to her hobby. Shizune-san turned her back, proving she wasn't watching.

I wish she'd done that from the start.

"Ah, um..."

Shizune-san whispered, still facing away.

"...If you get a chance, could you ask Tennouji ojou-sama what brand that is?"

"...Understood."

I had no idea how to reply anyway, so this was actually helpful. I typed the most neutral response I could.

Itsuki: That's a very nice outfit. What brand is it?

Mirei: ...That's your only comment?

I had a feeling this was going to be a very long night. I rolled my neck.

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