"No... I mean, you didn't say anything."
"I thought you’d figure it out on your own!" Narika cried out.
Even if she said that...
"O-Or is it... that I’m just a difficult person to invite...?"
"It’s not really like that, but..."
"It’s fine, you don't have to spare my feelings....The other day, I happened to hear my classmates whispering about that very thing."
"...That must have been rough."
"Yeah....It was very rough."
Narika looked like she was on the verge of tears.
Dear God. Don't you think you could let Narika walk a slightly kinder path in life...?
"Well, I’ve finished my studies for today, but I'm planning to have Tennoji-san check my etiquette after this. If you’d like, why don't you join us, Narika?"
"I-Is it okay? For someone as difficult to invite as me to join...?"
"At least I don't think you're difficult to invite, and I'm sure Tennoji-san wouldn't mind if it's you."
"I-Itsuki...! I knew it, you're the only one on my side...!"
Ideally, I’d like her to proactively make allies other than me, but perhaps that was a faint hope.
That being said, for today at least, I was grateful that Narika was joining the study session.
I was still worried about Tennoji-san’s condition. If she was suffering from a problem that I couldn't solve on my own, having Narika join us might make it easier for her to open up about the situation.
"Oh, Miyakojima-san?"
Tennoji-san, returning from the restroom, noticed Narika’s presence.
"Tennoji-san. Would it be alright if Narika joined us for the etiquette practice we're about to do?"
"I don't mind, but..."
Tennoji-san looked toward Narika.
Narika spoke up in a fluster.
"I-It’s just for today! I've been busy with family work lately... a-and, well, I just wanted to spend a moment like a normal student for once..."
In short, she was lonely and wanted someone to be friendly with her.
Tennoji-san, perhaps having grasped Narika's personality to some extent after the previous study session and tea party, nodded with a gentle smile.
"I don't mind at all. Shall we make it a light dinner for today, then?"
Narika’s expression brightened instantly.
I wondered what kind of life Narika had been leading until we reunited... I was curious, but also too scared to ask, so I sealed that question deep within my heart.
"What?! I-Itsuki... you stayed at Tennoji-san's house?!"
As we enjoyed a light meal at the cafe, I explained the circumstances leading up to now, and Narika’s eyes widened in surprise.
"Well, things just happened to turn out that way."
"T-That’s not the kind of person you can just say 'things happened' with...! I-I've been thinking this for a while, but between Hinako-san and Tennoji-san, what on earth are you doing to get so close to such big names?!"
Narika, as a daughter of the Miyakojima family, should have been included among those "big names," but she seemed to feel that Hinako and Tennoji-san were in a league of their own.
"When Tomonari-san stayed at my home, my father observed his etiquette and deemed it to be at a passing grade. Therefore, we will conclude our table etiquette practice as of today."
"Understood."
I agreed with Tennoji-san’s plan.
Today's practical practice was like a final check. If I made a blunder here, I would probably end up having to relearn my manners from scratch... but perhaps because I had experienced dining with Masatsugu-san at the Tennoji residence, I felt like I had gained the courage to brush off a little bit of nervousness.
"However..."
While eating, I looked toward Narika.
Though not quite at Tennoji-san’s level, Narika’s movements while eating were meticulous. She handled her knife and fork lightly and didn't make a sound when drinking her soup.
"Narika, you... your etiquette is actually quite solid."
"Y-You! Are you making fun of me?! I told you before, I am a daughter of the Miyakojima family!"
Narika’s face turned bright red with anger.
"Pfft."
In that moment, a laugh escaped Tennoji-san.
"My apologies....The two of you just seemed to be having such a wonderful time."
Tennoji-san wiped a tear from the corner of her eye with her finger.
I figured that if I was going to ask, it had to be now. With that thought, I looked at Tennoji-san and asked.
"Um, Tennoji-san. Did something happen today?...I owe you a lot, so if you're okay with it, I'm happy to listen to whatever’s on your mind."
When I asked that, Tennoji-san’s expression visibly darkened.
But eventually, as if having made up her mind, she looked down and spoke.
"Actually, I have received a marriage proposal."
At those quietly spoken words, Narika and I exchanged glances.
Having grown up as an ordinary commoner, I was unfamiliar with that sort of thing. However, through Hinako's—and the Konohana family’s—circumstances, I felt I understood a little.
A marriage proposal wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
However, judging by Tennoji-san’s troubled expression...
"Does that mean you're not interested in this proposal, Tennoji-san...?"
"No, that is not necessarily the case."
Contrary to my expectations, Tennoji-san denied it.
"I am a daughter of the Tennoji family, so I have been prepared for the matter of marriage proposals since I was a child. It is just that this was a bit sudden, so I suppose I am surprised... I haven't quite processed it yet, and I'm in a state of confusion."
It was truly rare for Tennoji-san to look so bewildered.
"Well... for people like us, it's a worry that wouldn't be an exaggeration to call our destiny," Narika said with a complicated expression.
"Have you ever had a marriage proposal come your way, Narika?"
"No, I haven't had one yet. I've heard it'll come eventually, but... H-Huh?! W-Wait!! Don't misunderstand!! I'm more of the type who wants a love marriage... a-anyway, I won't be accepting any marriage proposals!!"
"O-Oh..."
I nodded in bewilderment as Narika suddenly glared at me while speaking passionately.
"Besides, in my case, my parents aren't very keen on the idea of an arranged marriage either. The topic came up once, but both my father and mother ended it with a single sentence: 'It's still too early for you.'"
"They... sound like parents who look out for you well, Narika."
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
I averted my eyes from Narika, who looked as if she’d been insulted.
I tried to imagine Narika at a formal marriage interview....I could only see her being frozen like a stone statue, never uttering a single word.
"Tomonari-san... what do you think about my marriage proposal?" Tennoji-san asked while staring at me.
I thought for a moment before answering.
"In my house, we've never even talked about marriage proposals... so to be honest, I don't really know. But if it's a good deal for you, Tennoji-san, then I'll support you."
Those words were from the heart.
I owed Tennoji-san. That was why I wanted to be of as much help to her as possible.
"Thank you, both of you....Thanks to you, I feel a little more at peace with it now." Tennoji-san said, looking up. "If I think about it calmly, my existing relationships won't suddenly change just because I accept a marriage proposal... I may have been more guarded than necessary."
I nodded at Tennoji-san's words as she regained her energy.
"I also enjoy spending time with you like this, Tennoji-san, so even if a marriage is decided, I'd like this relationship to continue."
"M-Me too!" Narika agreed as well.
After that, we finished our meal with Tennoji-san, who had returned to her usual self, and then we went our separate ways.
After parting with Itsuki and Narika, Mirei got into the Tennoji family car parked in front of the Academy.
"Good work today, Lady Mirei."
"Yes."
The servant opened the rear door, and Mirei entered the car.
Inside the moving vehicle, Mirei watched the passing scenery while recalling the conversation from earlier.
Honestly... he really is quite dense, isn't he?
She let out a small sigh, unnoticed by anyone.
If a marriage proposal is finalized, I will no longer be able to spend after-school hours together like this...
Once a fiancé was decided, one would hesitate to meet with men other than their fiancé more than necessary.
Academy events aside, the opportunities to spend time together in private would inevitably decrease. At the very least, they wouldn't be able to see each other every day as they had recently.
But... Tomonari-san was more platonic than I expected... or rather, he could have said a little more...
He would support her if it was a good deal for her. Those words from Itsuki were sincere, but... they also sounded somewhat formal and detached.
Even though he said those things the other day...
Itsuki had said it might be fun if they could work together.
Did that not mean—that he wanted to be with her even after graduating from the Academy?
Thinking that far, Mirei suddenly noticed a sense of dissonance in her heart.
"...It's strange."
She had decided to live for the sake of the Tennoji family.
She had believed that was the greatest happiness for her.
What is this feeling...?
It was mysterious.
She couldn't feel at all that her happiness lay at the end of this marriage proposal.
Two weeks had passed since I began spending my after-school hours with Tennoji-san.
Since this study session was scheduled to continue until the next proficiency exam, today marked the halfway point.
"We will begin dance lessons starting today!"
On the day with less than two weeks left until the proficiency exam, Tennoji-san and I were facing each other in the gymnasium.
"I'm sorry. Thank you for going so far as to rent out the gymnasium."
"It was no trouble at all."
I expressed my gratitude to Tennoji-san, who was dressed in the Academy-designated gym clothes.
Since we had finished our table etiquette practice, social dance practice began today. I had received some simple pointers from Ms. Shizune, but compared to table etiquette, I was overwhelmingly lacking in knowledge and experience. To be honest, it was a field I wasn't confident in.
"Well then, let's start with the slow waltz."
Saying so, Tennoji-san started the music from a speaker placed in the corner of the gym.
A waltz began to play.
"Now then, why are you just standing there? Come closer to me."
"Y-Yes."
Social dance involves a man and a woman facing each other and being in close contact.
Belatedly becoming conscious of that, my body’s movements became awkward.
"Closer."
"E-Even closer...?"
The gap between us was already less than fifty centimeters, but I took another half-step closer. Then Tennoji-san also took a half-step closer. Our bodies were in close contact, and I felt a soft sensation and a sweet scent.
"Take my right hand with your left hand. After that, offset your body by about half..."
Desperately suppressing my worldly desires, I adjusted my posture according to Tennoji-san’s instructions.
When I placed my right hand on Tennoji-san’s shoulder blade, she placed her left hand on my upper arm.
"This is the basic posture called the 'hold.'...Now, we will dance slowly while maintaining this posture."
"Wait, but I still don't really know how to dance..."
"There is a saying: 'practice makes perfect.' I will lead by stepping back, so please follow me carefully, Tomonari-san."
Tennoji-san quickly stepped back with her right foot.
As if drawn by that movement, I stepped forward with my left foot. Repeating similar exchanges, we slowly moved counter-clockwise around the gymnasium.
"Half-turn to the right here....Good, just like that, another half-turn..."
As I focused on not breaking the close contact, I found myself dancing as if drawn in by Tennoji-san’s movements before I knew it.
When the loop of the song playing in the gym ended, we stopped dancing for a moment.
"How was it? You can dance reasonably well, can't you?"
"You're right....I feel like I've somehow gotten the general flow of it."
"Even though I am leading, you are quick to adapt, Tomonari-san....I wonder if you have good reflexes."
It was true that I was originally better at moving my body than at manners or studying. I didn't have any aversion to sports, so social dance might be a field that suited me.
"Then let's start from the hold again."
Just like before, I danced following Tennoji-san’s lead.
In social dance, the man is supposed to lead. It must have been difficult for Tennoji-san to dance this way, but without showing any such emotion on her face, she simply continued to guide my body.
"...This uses more stamina than I expected."
After dancing for about an hour, I said while wiping the sweat dripping from my chin with the collar of my gym clothes.
"I suppose so....Well, normally, it's something done while taking moderate breaks."
Saying so, Tennoji-san also wiped her sweat.
"Now, let's resume the practice. Tomonari-san, take the hold."
"Yes."
When I straightened my back and spread my arms, Tennoji-san approached.
Recalling what I had been taught, I was about to set the hold posture when—suddenly, I noticed.
—It was see-through.
Perhaps because we had been dancing the whole time in a room with no breeze, Tennoji-san had also broken quite a sweat. Through her white gym clothes, her yellow underwear was faintly visible.
This... was not something I should look at directly.
I had to show respect to Tennoji-san, who was instructing me in dance. While averting my gaze as much as possible, I maintained my stance.
"Excuse me, where are you looking?"
When I looked off toward the horizon, Tennoji-san pointed it out.
"Please look at me properly. In dance, not only the movement of the body, but also your gaze and expression are important, you know?"