She didn't pry. I appreciated the consideration, but it left me with a lingering question.
"……Don't you find it suspicious?"
As I asked timidly, Tennoji-san answered with a gentle smile.
"This academy doesn't allow suspicious students to remain enrolled. You must have undergone a background check by the academy when you transferred in, Tomonari-san."
Come to think of it, Narika had mentioned that a background check was mandatory when entering the school.
If that was the case, though, why had Tennoji-san brought up the topic in the first place?
"……I simply asked out of curiosity," Tennoji-san said, as if seeing right through me. "Perhaps you are also…………"
She murmured something in a voice so faint I couldn't catch it. When I tilted my head in confusion, she seemed to pull herself together and looked me straight in the eye.
"It is nothing.……Let us head back now."
"……Right."
When I returned to the cafe with Tennoji-san, Asahi-san and the others were chatting happily.
"Things seem quite lively here," Tennoji-san remarked as she took her seat.
"Ah, Tennoji-san! We were just talking about the tea party at Konohana-san's house."
"A tea party?……Ah, do you mean the social gathering hosted by the Konohana family that takes place every year around spring?"
"As expected, you already know about it, Tennoji-san."
"Well, it is quite famous. If I recall, it is held the week following midterms.……I have heard it is a large-scale social event that draws many prominent figures."
It seemed a social gathering hosted by the Konohana family was coming up soon. I hadn't heard a word about it.
"Have you ever gone, Tennoji-san?"
"My father has participated several times, but I have not. That gathering is intended for adults, and besides…… the Tennoji family and the Konohana family have a delicate relationship."
"Ah……"
Asahi-san seemed to sense the weight behind Tennoji-san’s words.
"It is not that we are on bad terms. It is just that I have no stomach for political posturing and probing for intentions, so I have declined until now."
Tennoji-san made the declaration grandly before the atmosphere could sour. Being a commoner, I didn't quite grasp the nuances of high-society power games, but everyone else seemed to understand well enough.
"Miyakojima-san, have you ever participated?"
"N-No, well, I think an invitation was sent…… but I'm not very good at social gatherings……"
At Tennoji-san's question, Narika answered with obvious discomfort.
"I knew it. Invitations even go to Tennoji-san and Miyakojima-san's houses.……Must be nice. If it's a party hosted by the Konohana family, they'll have dancing and everything, right? I love wearing formal dresses, so I'd jump at the chance to go to something like that."
Asahi-san spoke with clear envy.
Hinako offered a soft, graceful smile. "Asahi-san, if you like, shall I have an invitation sent to you?"
"Wait, really!?"
"Yes. As Tennoji-san mentioned, it is generally recognized as an event for adults, but the host side has no such strict requirement. Please feel free to join us. There will be a dance party, and several participants from our generation will be there."
"W-What should I do…… now that I'm actually invited, I'm getting nervous. But it's probably a once-in-a-lifetime chance…… i-is it okay if I take you up on that? The invitation, I mean."
"Of course. I will arrange for it to reach you within three days."
"Alright…… then I'm going to dress up with everything I've got! Looking forward to it, Konohana-san!"
"Yes."
Hinako readily promised the invitation.
I leaned in and whispered to her, "……Is that okay? Deciding that on your own?"
"Nn.……I was told that since this gathering is meant to display the Konohana family's authority, I should invite people if the opportunity arose.……Though I've never actually done it before."
You've never done it?
Still, the students at Kikou Academy were all children of the wealthy. The Konohana family wouldn't lose anything by networking with them.
"K-Konohana-san! Does that mean I can go too?" Taisho asked, looking visible excited.
"Yes. I will send an invitation to Taisho-kun as well."
"……This must be some kind of fate," Tennoji-san murmured. "Konohana-san, I shall participate this time as well.……Since we have shared the same table at tea parties and study groups like this, I feel I can accept the invitation as a friend now, rather than just as a daughter of the Tennoji family."
Tennoji-san said this with a genuine smile. Then she turned to me. "Will you be participating as well, Tomonari-san?"
"Uh, I……"
I glanced at Hinako. She smiled softly back at me. As her caretaker, I was already attending the academy with her. It wouldn't be strange if I was expected to be there for a social event too……
"……I suppose so. Since it's a rare opportunity, I'll take part."
I tried to keep my answer slightly vague, just in case.
"……What about you, Narika?"
"M-Me!?"
When I asked her, Narika jumped so hard her shoulders twitched.
"I, well…… I'll go if I can."
At that classic non-committal social polite-ism, everyone except Narika wore a troubled expression. Well, there was no point in forcing her if she was uncomfortable, so I let the matter drop.
The study group continued after that—and a few days later, the midterms at Kikou Academy began.
The midterm system at Kikou Academy was different from the high school I used to attend. Each exam lasted ninety minutes. Simply because the volume of questions was so high, the time was extended accordingly. They also had subjects like economics that aren't usually found in high school.
The midterms lasted three days.
On the final day, as the last exam concluded…… I finally allowed myself to breathe.
"……Somehow, I made it."
The moment the chime signaled the end of the testing period, I let out a long sigh of relief. Since there were no more classes today, the exhausted students began heading home.
I glanced over at Hinako. She was surrounded by classmates, chatting about how they felt they’d performed. It looked like she’d be busy for a while, so I headed to the restroom alone.
On my way back to the classroom, I ran into a familiar face.
"Narika?"
"……Itsuki."
Narika, who was walking down the hallway with unsteady steps, turned to face me. Her eyes were completely hollow.
"Haha, it's over.…………The tests, and me."
"……Was it that bad?"
I’d suspected as much during the study group, but Narika really struggled with academics. Aside from physical education and history, her grades seemed to be well below average.
"How was it for you, Itsuki?"
"……I think I at least avoided any failing marks."
"Hmph, I thought so. I figured it would be something like that.……Because you, after all, are a traitor."
"What do you mean, traitor……"
"You left me to work at Konohana-san's house, and now your grades are overtaking mine in an instant…… As expected, Itsuki, you are my benefactor. You’re here to make me realize just how useless I am.……Do you actually hate me, Itsuki?"
"No, that's not it at all, but……"
"…………………………It's so painful."
It was a simple, raw expression of misery. Not wanting to be dragged down by the negative aura radiating from her, I quickly turned to leave.
"Well, I'm heading out…… see you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow, huh…… I want to take the day off……"
Don't start talking like Hinako.
I left Narika staring out the window with distant eyes and returned to the classroom. Hinako was just finishing up with her classmates and getting ready to leave.
As per our routine, Hinako got into the car first, and I joined her at our designated meeting point.
"Good work on your exams."
Ms. Shizune greeted me from the front as I climbed into the car.
"How do you feel you performed?"
"Thanks to your help, I think I handled them reasonably well."
"I am not sure what 'reasonably well' translates to in your case, but…… based on your mock exam results from yesterday, it shouldn't be a poor score. Your hard work has paid off."
"……Thank you."
Hearing Ms. Shizune’s praise finally made the reality that the exams were over sink in.
—I managed to survive.
One hurdle down. But I couldn't afford to be complacent. I’d have to keep up the pace.
The car headed toward the Konohana mansion. Since I was genuinely exhausted, there was very little conversation during the drive.
"By the way, Young Lady. You are scheduled to attend a business lunch with Kagon-sama this Saturday."
Ms. Shizune’s voice came from the passenger seat.
"The other parties will be the President of Chikamoto Shipbuilding and several executives from Sea Japan United. Both are shipbuilding firms, and Chikamoto Shipbuilding is partnered with a company under the Konohana Group umbrella. Sea Japan United has a capital and business alliance with them, which is why they will be attending."
Ms. Shizune continued her explanation while scanning some documents.
"You greeted the President of Chikamoto Shipbuilding at a social gathering when you were seven years old. When the meeting was being arranged, the President expressed a desire to see how much you have grown, which led to your attendance being finalized. Please ensure you behave with the utmost decorum."
"Nnn…………so tedious."
"I am serious."
Ms. Shizune delivered the reminder without skipping a beat, clearly used to this reaction. Hinako, sitting to my right, pouted.
"Also, Itsuki-san."
"Yes."
"I will have you accompany them to the vicinity of the venue on that day."
"Wait, what?"
I tilted my head at the unexpected instruction.
"In the future, you will likely be expected to attend social gatherings, Itsuki-san. It won't hurt to familiarize yourself with the atmosphere now. The lunch will be held outdoors, so you will observe from a distance as a servant of the Konohana family."
"……Understood."
Saturday arrived. On the day Hinako was to attend the business lunch with Kagon-sama, I found myself changing into the clothes Ms. Shizune had provided.
"A suit, huh?" I muttered while Ms. Shizune checked my fit.
"Do you find it disagreeable?"
"No, it's not that…… I'm just not used to them."
Unlike my old part-time job uniform, this was stiff and restrictive. However, the person in the mirror looked significantly sharper than the student I saw every day. My hair was styled, but the quality of the suit definitely did the heavy lifting.
"For your information, that suit is from a top-tier Italian brand. It costs seven hundred thousand yen."
"Wait, what!?"
"Please handle it with extreme care."
It was a luxury item far beyond my comprehension. I felt a sudden, heavy pressure not to get a single speck of dust on it. With that sense of mission, I left the mansion with Ms. Shizune.
"This is the venue."
After about an hour's drive, we arrived at a sprawling pension.
"Ms. Shizune. Is this also a Separate Residence of the Konohana family?"
"It is more of a villa than a Separate Residence. This location is primarily used for events and entertaining."
Before us stood a massive, perfectly maintained Western-style estate. The lobby boasted an interior that would put a five-star hotel to shame, and there was a vast golf course adjacent to the building.
"Now, Young Lady, please proceed to the lobby. We will be waiting outside."
"……Nn."
Hinako, dressed in a modest but elegant outfit for the lunch, gave a small nod. From this point on, I was to stay separate from her.
"……Itsuki."
"What is it?"
"I'm…… going to go meet some strange older men now."
"Don't phrase it like a crime."
Given the setting, it was a joke that was hard to react to. I thought she was done, but Hinako lingered by my side.
"……Itsuki."
"What now?"
"……I'll do my best."
She looked at me with eyes that seemed to be searching for something. If she’d just been that honest from the start……
"Yeah, I'm rooting for you. When this is over, we'll relax at the mansion together."
A quiet smile spread across Hinako's face.
"……Nn. I want to eat ice cream again."
With that, she headed toward Kagon-sama. After she was about five meters away, Ms. Shizune spoke.
"……Ice cream?" she murmured. "Itsuki-san, what is this about ice cream?"
"……"
I looked away from the cold gaze she leveled at me. Hinako, you little……!!
After parting ways with Itsuki, Hinako entered the villa's lobby alone.
She spotted her father, Kagon, immediately. Like Itsuki, he wore a black suit, but his was a bespoke piece from the highest possible brand.
Servants of the Konohana family were required to wear expensive uniforms to maintain the family's dignity, but there was also a rule that they must never outshine the Head of the House. While Itsuki’s suit was an off-the-rack piece worth seven hundred thousand yen, Kagon’s was a custom creation worth well over a million.
"It has been some time, Hinako."
"Nn…… it has."
Hinako replied to her father in her natural, private tone.
"How were your exams?"
"……No problems."
"Good. Continue to maintain grades befitting a daughter of the Konohana family."
Kagon spoke without a trace of emotion, as if delivering a status report.
"And how is Itsuki-kun? It has been nearly a month since he became your caretaker……"
"……He's the best."
When Hinako answered with a hint of joy, Kagon’s eyes widened slightly.
"How rare. I did not expect you to praise a caretaker so highly."
"……I want to stay with Itsuki from now on, too."
"I see. Hiring a commoner with no ties to the Konohana family was an experimental trial…… but I am glad to see the pieces have fit together so well."
Without a smile, Kagon spoke with the clinical tone of a researcher confirming a successful test. He shifted his gaze to Hinako.
"You haven't been unnecessarily influenced, have you?"
"……Unnecessarily?"
"While you two may be compatible, Itsuki-kun is a commoner. There is no need for you to let him draw you down into the mundane world."
Not fully grasping his meaning, Hinako looked puzzled.
"It is time to move. Hinako, I trust there will be no blunders."
Kagon’s serious expression was a warning. In the next heartbeat, Hinako donned her mask.
"Yes, Father."
"……Good girl."
The ultimate lady. The most brilliant student of Kikou Academy. Hinako’s performance began.
A few minutes later, a car pulled up to the villa, and the guests arrived.
"Thank you for traveling such a distance to join us."
"Hahaha, we came because we wanted to, so please, none of that. I heard today is meant to be informal."
In contrast to Kagon’s solemn greeting, the visiting men radiated a relaxed air. There were five guests: two executives from Chikamoto Shipbuilding and three from Sea Japan United. All of them looked older than Kagon. While the Konohana family’s pedigree was far superior, these men possessed the composure that came with age and experience.
"Well now, it's been a long time. Do you remember me?" the President of Chikamoto Shipbuilding asked Hinako.
"Yes. I had the pleasure of greeting you at a social gathering when I was seven years old."
"My, that was so long ago, yet you remember. Thank you. You are as polite as ever."
The President looked genuinely impressed.
"Ho, so this is your daughter, Konohana-san?"
"Yes. This is Hinako."
At Kagon’s introduction, Hinako gave a respectful, elegant bow.
"I have heard the rumors. An acquaintance of mine has a child at Kikou Academy, and from what I hear, you are known as the perfect lady."
"I am humbled by such words."
Hinako lowered her head with flawless poise.
"Your grades are excellent, and your future seems bright.……With such a remarkable daughter, you must be very proud, Konohana-san."
"Yes. Though she is my own daughter, I am grateful she has grown into such an upright young woman."
Kagon surveyed the guests. "Standing while we talk is tiresome. Let us move to the venue. We have prepared a table outdoors at Chikamoto-san's request; I hope that is satisfactory?"
"Yes, the weather is perfect. This isn't a board meeting, after all. Let's enjoy the breeze while we talk."
I was watching the lunch unfold from a distance with Ms. Shizune.
"Itsuki-san, what do you think of the scene?"
"Well……" I answered without taking my eyes off them. "Their manners feel very natural. Every movement is subtle, but you can tell they're being incredibly considerate of one another."
"That is the essence of proper etiquette," Ms. Shizune said. "It should be natural enough that no one feels stifled, yet solemn enough that everyone’s respect for one another is clear. It may seem like mere formality, but the shared awareness born from following common rules builds a foundation for trust."
"A foundation for trust, huh……"
"Etiquette is often dismissed these days, but there are many situations where it is vital—especially in the upper classes. It is a way of gaining trust through attitude rather than words. Because they are in positions where they often cannot speak their true feelings, these forms are necessary."
It was a heavy topic, and one that I, as a commoner, couldn't quite feel for myself yet.
"……Which is why breaking those forms is considered a grave insult."
Ms. Shizune’s lips thinned. I stayed silent and kept watching. For the moment, everything seemed to be going perfectly.
"Ho, so you still find time for your studies even at home?"
"Yes. Though I wouldn't say I do nothing else."
After eating a small piece of vegetable she’d cut with her knife, Hinako engaged the executives. Initially, their gazes were merely those of elders watching over a child, but they were quickly becoming looks of genuine admiration. Hinako, with her refined beauty and perfect execution of manners, was the very definition of a "perfect lady."
"She truly is a fine daughter. I’d trade her for my dim-witted son in a heartbeat," the President of Chikamoto Shipbuilding said, laughing.
"You joke, President. Your son graduated from an excellent university, did he not?"
"Academic history and actual ability are two different things. He is still green. I can't let him take the reins for a long time yet," the President said with a sigh.
A servant cleared the plates and brought out the next course.
"Oh? Is there no meat?"
"Since this is lunch, I kept the menu light. Had it been dinner, I would have prepared something more substantial……"
"I have another engagement tonight, unfortunately. I would have preferred dinner myself."
The President and executives chuckled.
"Hinako-chan, you're a student. Didn't you want something with more volume?"
"No, I have a small appetite, so this is quite sufficient," Hinako said with a practiced smile.
Watching her beautiful, dignified conduct, the President of Chikamoto Shipbuilding rubbed his chin.
"Indeed, you are every bit as impressive as the rumors say. With a daughter like this, you’ll have your pick of marriage prospects."
"As a parent, I would be grateful for that, though no such arrangements have been made yet," Kagon replied.
The President’s eyes widened slightly. "Oh? Is that so? I assumed a daughter of the Konohana family would already have a fiancé……"
"She did previously, but that arrangement was dissolved due to various circumstances. She has no one at present."
"Ho." The President’s eyes narrowed. "Actually, an acquaintance of mine is seeking a match."
Kagon almost let a smile slip, but suppressed it instantly. "May I hear the details?"
"Yes. This acquaintance runs a family with extensive overseas trade. The scale is modest, but since they deal with the celebrity class, they are looking for someone with impeccable manners. It's just a thought that crossed my mind…… but I believe your daughter would be exactly what they are looking for."
"……I see. And the partner would be this acquaintance's son?"
"Exactly. I believe he is in his early twenties."
Kagon nodded, already calculating the future of the Konohana family. An acquaintance of a shipbuilding president involved in overseas trade meant the business was likely logistics or luxury imports. Even if the scale was small, a firm targeting the celebrity market often held a very specialized and valuable niche.
"I will take it under consideration."
"Hahaha, is it a faint hope then?"
"Not at all. I will give it serious thought."
Ensuring he didn't sound like he was just being polite, Kagon raised his cup to his lips. The plates were cleared, and the final course was served.
"Dessert has arrived."
"Ho, baked sweets? Once in a while, a graceful lunch like this is a fine thing."
The President of Chikamoto Shipbuilding said "once in a while," but Kagon had already researched that the man had a weakness for baked sweets. As expected, the President began eating with visible delight.
"Konohana-san. May I at least mention our talk to my acquaintance?"
"Certainly. Though I say it myself, I can guarantee my daughter’s character."
Whether the acquaintance's son was actually a good fit for Hinako didn't matter right now. What mattered was expanding the network. Even if this specific match failed, it would lead to the next one.
"Hinako, on that note—"
Just as Kagon turned toward his daughter.
Hinako was in the middle of using her fingertips to pick up a stray crumb of a baked sweet that had fallen onto the table.
The executives froze, their mouths hanging open. Unaware of the sudden, icy shift in the atmosphere, Hinako popped the crumb into her mouth.
—Three-second rule.
The moment she thought it, she realized Itsuki wasn't there. She remembered she was in the middle of a formal business lunch.
"……Ah."
A tiny sound escaped her lips.
"Hmm," the President of Chikamoto Shipbuilding said, stroking his beard. "……It seems she is somewhat different from her reputation."
At that exact moment, I realized Hinako had screwed up.
—Ah.
I probably let out the exact same sound as her. Hinako had clearly realized her mistake, but it was far too late.
The lunch resumed, and to a casual observer, nothing seemed wrong. But I saw Kagon-sama’s expression turn sharp for just a fleeting second.
"This is bad," Ms. Shizune murmured beside me.
"What…… what happens now?"