"...I see."
I wondered if she was trying to be considerate. Normally, that would be my job as her caretaker... but I felt a small swell of happiness.
"To be honest, I'm a little relieved."
"Relieved...?"
"Lately, I thought you were avoiding me, Hinako."
"...Why did you think that?"
"Well, you said you didn't want me to wake you up in the morning anymore, and you've been keeping your distance at other times too, right?"
At that, Hinako puffed out her cheeks.
"It's not that I specifically want to keep my distance."
"Then was there some other reason?"
"...Muu."
With a conflicted expression, Hinako muttered softly.
"...I don't want to say."
I was curious, but if she had no intention of telling me, I decided not to pry.
"By the way, Hinako."
"...What?"
"Isn't that outfit hot?"
Hinako was currently wearing the school swimsuit designated by the Academy. It was an elegant design, as expected of Kikou Academy. However, seeing it in the steam of the bathroom felt a little stifling.
"...Not really."
"You always wore a bikini before. Why the sudden switch to a school swimsuit?"
"...Because that's just the mood I'm in," Hinako said, sounding as though the question was incredibly difficult to answer.
She averted her gaze and turned her back to me. I couldn't help but think to myself:
—As I thought, she definitely is avoiding me.
And yet, despite that, she was still taking a bath with me, and she’d mentioned wanting to spend as much time together as possible after school... Right now, I really didn't know what was going on in her head.
As her caretaker, I’d spent over a month by her side. I should have gradually come to understand her thoughts, but lately, she had become impossible to read again. I wondered what had changed.
"Just wash my hair already."
"...Right."
I’d save the moping for later. I reached out toward Hinako's head. Perhaps she was a bit lightheaded from the heat, as her ears were flushed red.
"Nfu~..."
Hinako let out a satisfied sound. Well, at least she wouldn't let someone she hated touch her hair.
"...Itsuki."
"Hmm?"
As I worked the shampoo into her hair, Hinako spoke in a tiny voice.
"Don't do... this kind of thing... with Tennoji-san."
I wondered what she was going to say, but it was just that. I let out a light chuckle, feeling a sense of relief as I answered.
"There's no way I would."
Did she have any idea how much effort I’d put into getting used to this situation? I could handle it now without being overly self-conscious, but it had been a nightmare when I first became her caretaker.
"Hmm?"
I suddenly noticed that Hinako's hair was caught in the shoulder strap of her swimsuit.
"I'm going to move the strap just a little bit."
"...Eh?"
As I slid the left shoulder strap down, I thought I heard her let out a strange squeak.
"Having long hair makes things like this a real pain."
"I-Itsuki...?"
"Just wait a second. I'll finish up soon."
"...!"
Suddenly, Hinako leaped into the bathtub with a splash. Bubbles drifted aimlessly across the water's surface. In the middle of the tub, Hinako glared at me with a bright red face.
"Mu...!"
"Mu?"
"You... you're so insensitive...!"
Hinako looked utterly mortified as she hugged herself, hands covering both shoulders.
"Insensitive, you say..."
It was a strange line to hear from someone who used to strip off her swimsuit in front of me of her own accord.
The next day.
I caught Tennoji-san during recess to tell her I had permission for our arrangement. We decided to start the study sessions today, immediately after school.
"Now then, I shall train you rigorously!"
"P-Please go easy on me..."
As the other students headed home, Tennoji-san and I met at the cafe adjacent to the cafeteria. It was a bit late to start worrying, but I wondered if I’d survive this. Tennoji-san was so fired up it was actually a little intimidating.
"Fufufu... The defeat of Hinako Konohana...! This time for sure, I shall make that calculated smile of hers crack...!"
Tennoji-san spoke with a devilish grin. Having arrived first, she seemed to have ordered drinks for both of us; my tea was delivered the moment I sat down.
"First, let us set a goal. My goal is to defeat Hinako Konohana in the next proficiency exam."
Tennoji-san spoke as she gracefully tilted her cup.
"When was the next proficiency exam again?"
"In one month."
Apparently, the gap between Tennoji-san and Hinako's scores was usually razor-thin. If she studied like a woman possessed for a month, she had a real chance of winning.
"I want you, Tomonari-san, to achieve a score within the top fifty for that exam."
"Wait, what?"
I was caught completely off guard by the sudden declaration.
"The top fifty...? I'm a bit below average right now. Isn't that a huge jump...?"
"There is no need for concern. After all, I shall be the one teaching you every little thing personally."
I made a complicated face as Tennoji-san puffed out her chest with confidence. The more I whined, the more I’d be poking a hornet's nest. For now, I decided to trust her and put in the work.
"Also, Tomonari-san, you mentioned wanting to learn etiquette... Was there a specific reason for that?"
At Tennoji-san's question, I paused to think.
"It's something I felt when I attended a social circle event for the Konohana family... I'm still not very good at acting naturally in those settings. I want to at least reach a point where I don't embarrass myself."
"A commendable attitude."
Tennoji-san nodded with satisfaction.
"In that case, I shall teach you etiquette for social circles. It would be best to cover table manners, conversation skills, and perhaps I should teach you to dance as well."
"D-Dance?"
"What can you dance, Tomonari-san?"
What could I dance...? If I had to pick something... well, there was that one we practiced for the sports festival.
"...I can do the Soran Bushi."
"Pardon?"
"Sorry. I can't dance anything."
I obviously couldn't perform a fisherman's folk dance in high society. It might be a hit, but I’d probably lose my standing in exchange for the laugh.
"Then I shall teach you dance from the basics," Tennoji-san murmured.
"The general plan is set. Let us begin the lessons at once. We shall study until 6:00 PM, and after that, we will move on to etiquette."
"Yes, I look forward to working with you."
6:00 PM.
Today's study session concluded without a hitch. I’d finished the problems in the textbook, and Tennoji-san was currently checking my answers.
"...I see."
After reviewing my work, she gave a small nod.
"It seems you study properly on a regular basis. At this rate, you should be able to achieve much better grades than before."
"Thank you very much."
Ms. Shizune's lessons had been helpful, but as a fellow student, Tennoji-san was better at teaching the specific methods for racking up points on tests. Looking toward the future, I probably needed a broader range of knowledge, but right now, my priority was simply getting grades that wouldn't look out of place while I stayed by Hinako's side.
"How about you, Tennoji-san? Is this session proving useful for your goals?"
"Yes. It has been more meaningful than I anticipated. It seems I may actually enjoy teaching others."
She sounded surprised by her own realization. Since it was just the two of us, we’d both been able to focus intensely. However, the reason I’d made so much progress was clearly because she was such an earnest teacher.
"Tennoji-san, why are you so determined to compete with Hinako?"
I finally voiced the question that had been nagging at me.
"There is no deep reason."
Tennoji-san lowered her gaze for a moment, then looked me in the eye.
"Just to be clear, there is no particular grudge between myself and Hinako Konohana....If I had to say, it is simply because as a daughter of the Tennoji family, I cannot afford to fall behind any other student."
"Is that... like a family precept?"
"No. It is a rule I have established for myself."
I wondered why she would impose such a strict rule on herself. To my silent question, Tennoji-san continued.
"This Academy is a microcosm of society. If one is losing to someone here, one will surely lose in the future as well....I believe that the Tennoji Group is the finest corporate group in Japan. As such, my defeat would go against my own convictions."
I found her way of thinking remarkably proud. If someone had said that at my old high school, people would have mocked them. But this Academy was a special environment. Tennoji-san's words carried a sense of weight... and above all, because they were spoken by someone who lived so sincerely, they sounded like an unshakeable oath.
However, on the other hand... Having been raised as a commoner, I couldn't help but ask:
"...Have you ever felt that living like that is a burden?"
"Not at all."
Tennoji-san answered instantly.
"To contribute to the Tennoji family as its daughter—that is my mission, and that is the happiness I desire."
Her dignified declaration was perfectly characteristic of her. I felt a bit foolish for even asking.
"Now then, on to etiquette."
Tucking away her textbook, Tennoji-san began preparing for the etiquette portion of the evening.
"Tennoji-san, I have one request. Could we start by focusing heavily on table manners?"
"I don't mind, but is there a reason?"
"Yes. Well... personal reasons."
I didn't think I could explain it well, so I gave a vague answer. Tennoji-san seemed to sense the situation and didn't pry.
"In that case, Tomonari-san, why don't you have dinner with me for the time being?"
"Dinner?"
"Yes. I shall teach you table manners in a practical setting. Fortunately, at this Academy, one can eat cuisine from many different countries, so we can have quite a thorough lesson."
I see. So I’d finish dinner here at the Academy while studying. It was an efficient proposal that I definitely wanted to take, but I needed to consult with Ms. Shizune first.
"I'll check with the people at home."
I stepped away from my seat and took out my phone behind the school building.
"Itsuki-sama, what is the matter?"
Ms. Shizune used the formal title. She was likely pretending to be my servant in case anyone was listening.
"At Tennoji-san's suggestion, is it all right if I have dinner at the Academy for a while? She's going to teach me table manners."
"I understand. There is no particular problem, but..."
Ms. Shizune stopped mid-sentence.
"My apologies. It seems the young lady would like to speak with you. Please wait a moment."
Hinako? I wondered if she needed something.
"Itsuki...?"
"Yeah. Is something wrong?"
"...Are you going to be late today?" Hinako asked, her voice tinged with disappointment.
"Not just today, I think I'll be coming home late for a while."
When I answered, Hinako fell silent for several seconds.
"Come back... early, okay?"
With that, she handed the phone back to Ms. Shizune.
"Since that is the case, we would appreciate it if you could return as early as possible."
"...Understood."
I discussed the pickup time with Ms. Shizune as I walked back. I couldn't forget my true purpose. I was Hinako's caretaker. Even though I was learning from Tennoji-san, I had to make sure I didn't let the lessons get in the way of being there for Hinako.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
When I returned to the cafe, Tennoji-san had already started the setup. She must have spoken to the cafe staff; various pieces of tableware were already laid out.
"This looks pretty intense..."
"I am merely matching your enthusiasm."
Tennoji-san puffed out her chest proudly.
"I have to ask—is this really okay? It feels like I'm the only one gaining anything here."
"I believe we've already settled that. I am spending my time meaningfully in my own way, so do not worry."
She said that, then added in a much softer voice:
"Besides... you remind me of how I used to be, so I simply felt like meddling a little."
I tilted my head, confused.
"What do you mean by...?"
"Now then, let us begin the lesson."
As if to dodge the question, Tennoji-san started the lecture.