At that moment, I finally understood why she was hailed as a flower on a high peak at Kikou Academy.
"Itsuki-kun?"
Hinako leaned in, peering into my face.
I tended to forget, but Hinako was so beautiful that ten out of ten people would turn to look at her. Because of our daily proximity, I was halfway used to it, but when she approached me like this in Young Lady mode, I couldn't help but feel self-conscious.
"......Hinako."
"Yes? What is it?"
Still in Young Lady mode, Hinako tilted her head slightly.
It was hard to talk like this because I was getting nervous, so—
"I've got potato chips."
"Eh?"
Hinako returned to her natural state in an instant.
When I pulled a bag of chips out of the drawer, her eyes sparkled.
This was something Ms. Shizune had given me as a last resort for when Hinako wouldn't listen during my duties as her caretaker. However, since Hinako had been so cooperative lately, I had plenty to spare.
"So good..."
Having received the chips, Hinako was completely back to her usual, relaxed self.
As I thought, this Hinako was much easier to be around.
However... thinking about it calmly, giving her snacks late at night might have been a bad move.
"......Keep this a secret from Ms. Shizune, okay?"
"Mhm!"
Hinako nodded with a beaming smile.
The next day after school.
I headed to the gymnasium for my dance lesson with Tennoji-san.
"Ah... Tennoji-san."
When I stepped into the gym after changing in the locker room, Tennoji-san was already there, having also just finished changing.
After glancing at me, Tennoji-san looked left and right to check our surroundings before giving the signal.
"Itsuki-san."
There was no one else here.
I could return to my natural way of speaking, but after being so formal with her for so long, it felt a bit strange. Even with her permission, my rhythm felt off.
"Er... I'll be in your care for today's lesson, too."
"What are you so nervous about?"
When I gave my stiff greeting, Tennoji-san chuckled.
It was embarrassing, but her laugh helped my tension ease.
"You called the Konohana family yesterday, didn't you?......You saved me. If not for that, I might have been expelled."
"There is no need to dwell on it. I felt responsible for the situation."
Tennoji-san spoke with a solemn expression.
"Actually, I caught myself secretly observing you today... and I see, you certainly carry yourself like a servant of Hinako Konohana. You are always subtly by her side, ready to rush over the moment anything happens.......Honestly, Hinako Konohana is truly blessed."
"It's a relief to hear you say that. Well, to be honest, I've got my hands full."
"There is no need for modesty. You have likely been thoroughly trained by the Konohana family's staff. You are more than sufficiently skilled—at least as a servant."
Saying that, Tennoji-san lowered her gaze slightly.
"Goodness, really... it is enviable. If that is the case, you might as well have become my servant instead..."
Tennoji-san muttered something under her breath.
"Did you say something?"
"......No, nothing."
She spoke with a somewhat disgruntled pout.
Did I say something to offend her...?
"By the way, Itsuki-san.......What do you usually do with Hinako Konohana during your lunch breaks? I know that both of you go to the Old Student Council Building, but..."
Tennoji-san glared at me.
If I were to describe what I did during today's lunch break—feeding Hinako her lunch and letting her use my lap as a pillow for her nap—there was no way I could actually say it.
"We just eat together."
"If it's just a meal, you can do that in the classroom. Are you not doing something else?"
As expected of Tennoji-san. Her intuition was sharp. I had no choice but to clam up.
"......I'll remain silent."
"......Hoh."
Tennoji-san's eyes narrowed instantly.
"I will ask just in case, but you aren't doing anything scandalous, are you?"
"Ah, well..."
Suddenly, I remembered Hinako on my lap.
Would that be considered improper association by the world's standards? No, but... since neither of us intended it that way, it should be fine.
"......I don't think so."
"Why did you hesitate just now?"
"We're not."
It seemed the anxiety in my head had leaked into my voice.
I asserted it immediately, but it was a bit too late. Tennoji-san grew even more suspicious.
"I-I knew it! I can't help but feel there's some kind of special relationship between you and Hinako Konohana...!"
"Even if you say that... what's your basis for suspecting us?"
"Intuition!!"
"Intuition...?"
In other words, she had zero evidence.
"......If I had to say, I'm probably just a little more intimate with her than a normal servant would be."
"I-Intimate...?"
Tennoji-san furrowed her brows.
"......Exactly how much?"
"How much what?"
"I mean! Just how intimate are you!? There are various levels, like just chatting a bit, or greeting each other when you pass by!!"
That's not even intimacy; that's just what you do with strangers.
I wondered why she was grilling me like this. Puzzled, I answered.
"For example, lightly chatting together."
"W-Well, that much is no problem. I do that as well."
"Also, as I said before, eating together."
"......No problem. I do that as well."
"Occasionally... patting her head."
"I haven't done that—!!"
Tennoji-san shouted.
Crap. Since she had allowed the first two, I let that one slip.
"Patting her head!? ——Patting her head!? What kind of situation leads to that!?"
"N-No, well, how should I put it? Occasionally the atmosphere just becomes like that."
"What kind of atmosphere!?"
Thud! Tennoji-san stomped her foot hard on the gym floor.
It was difficult to explain that atmosphere. As I hesitated, Tennoji-san's face turned beet red, and she made a demand:
"Pat... my head too."
"......Pardon?"
"Pat! My! Head! Too! I—Mirei Tennoji—cannot allow Hinako Konohana to get ahead of me!!"
Ahead...?
I wondered what Tennoji-san thought she was competing with Hinako for.
"Okay then..."
It seemed she would get even angrier if I didn't, so I reached out my hand toward Tennoji-san's head.
"Fua..."
When I patted her head, Tennoji-san let out a strange sound.
Contrary to Tennoji-san's stout-hearted personality, her hair was as soft as silk. It had a different texture from Hinako's. The crown of her head was just slightly off from the center.
As I continued to pat her small head for a while, Tennoji-san fell silent, her cheeks dyed bright red. I timidly spoke up.
"......Tennoji-san?"
"Ha—!?"
Tennoji-san's eyes snapped open as if she had just come to her senses.
When I pulled my hand away, she gave an affected cough.
"Ahem. Excuse me... I was lost in thought for a moment."
"Lost in thought...?"
"Is there a problem?"
It certainly didn't look like that... but pointing it out would probably only make things worse, so I decided to keep quiet.
"D-Do you... do this kind of thing with Hinako Konohana?"
"......Well, yes."
When I confirmed it, Tennoji-san wrinkled the bridge of her nose.
"He... hehehe... as I thought, Hinako Konohana and I are destined to be incompatible...!!"
Tennoji-san clenched her fists and muttered.
"......Let us begin the lesson."
"Eh?"
"I said, let us begin the lesson!!"
"Y-Yes!!"
For some reason, Tennoji-san was incredibly angry.
"Your movement is lagging there!!"
An hour had passed since the lesson began.
Whenever I made a wrong move, Tennoji-san pointed it out sharply.
"S-Somehow today feels harsher than usual...!"
"I have no mercy for swindlers!"
"Guh... I can't even argue with that."
Before I knew it, my legs were like jelly. I shouldn't be losing to Tennoji-san in terms of pure physical strength, but I was likely using unnecessary energy because my movements were so inefficient.
We finally stopped when another hour had passed.
"Let us end here for today."
"Th-thank you... very much..."
Bowing, I wiped the sweat from my cheeks with the back of my hand.
Tennoji-san also pulled at her collar and wiped her face. As her exercise clothes shifted, I caught a glimpse of her slender white waist and quickly looked away.
"As usual, you are a quick learner."
"......I don't really feel it myself."
"I am not saying it to flatter you. You are learning in half a day what would normally take two.......I suppose your growth is due to your high level of ambition."
After saying that, Tennoji-san suddenly seemed to be brooding over something.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, I just realized my own tastes after all this time.......It seems I like people who put in effort."
Tennoji-san said it abruptly, almost unconsciously. But for me, that line was hard to ignore.
"Um, well... when you say 'like,' you mean..."
"D-Do not misunderstand me!! I mean it in the sense of respecting you as a person!!"
"A-Ah, I see... that's what you meant..."
"Of course! If it were not so—"
Tennoji-san suddenly looked like she had come to her senses.
"......It must not be any other way."
She said it with a solemn expression.
Lately, Tennoji-san had been making this face often. Not knowing how to respond, I decided to change the subject.
"Come to think of it, you said you were adopted, Tennoji-san, but it doesn't really feel like that. Unlike me, you don't seem like a commoner at all..."
"I was raised in the Tennoji family from the time I can remember. In that sense, unlike you, Itsuki-san, I didn't have to switch my behavior, so it required less effort."
Since commoner movements were ingrained in me, I'd had to put in the effort to switch to upper-class behavior to fit in at Kikou Academy. Even though Tennoji-san was adopted, she'd been raised in the Tennoji family since she was an infant, so she didn't experience that switch.
However, that didn't mean Tennoji-san hadn't worked as hard as I had. Living as the daughter of the Tennoji family... that heavy responsibility was a massive pressure I didn't have to face.
"Which means you don't know much about commoner life, Tennoji-san."
"That is true. It would be a lie to say I am not interested."
Even among the students at Kikou Academy, there were those who knew of commoner life. For example, Asahi-san seemed to visit candy stores often.
"But... for now, I must concentrate on my studies in order to defeat Hinako Konohana."
Tennoji-san had a serious expression.
"......I've thought this for a while, but you really like a challenge, Tennoji-san."
"Yes. Originally, I just aimed to be number one in everything for the sake of the Tennoji family... but before I knew it, it became part of my nature."
That was very much like her.
"Especially this time... depending on the marriage arrangement, I do not know what will become of my future. I must settle things with Hinako Konohana while I still can."
"......Future?"
Seeing her look so resolute, a question suddenly occurred to me.
"Your future... will something change because of the marriage arrangement?"
"Yes. In the worst-case scenario, I may leave the Academy."
"What?"
I widened my eyes at those sudden words.
"The partner in the marriage arrangement lives quite far from here.......The other party seems to want me to live with them as soon as possible, so if the arrangement is finalized, I will likely leave the Academy immediately."
"W-Wait a second. Why so suddenly...?"
"It cannot be helped. I only heard the details last night."
Tennoji-san said calmly.
"This is what it means to accept a marriage arrangement.......To follow the family's wishes and devote oneself entirely to the relationship between the two houses. I am no longer in a position where freedom is permitted."
Saying that, Tennoji-san pursed her lips.
In that moment, her usual confidence was nowhere to be found.
"I've asked this many times before... but let me ask you once more. Tennoji-san, do you really think well of this marriage arrangement?"
At that question, Tennoji-san looked sad for a split second.
No lies. That was what she herself had declared.
Tennoji-san closed her eyes, then wore an elegant smile... and answered.
"I'll remain silent."
That was—practically the same as giving an answer.
The next day.
In the classroom during a break after lessons, I let out a deep sigh.
"Yo, Tomonari. You're looking pretty melancholy."
"What's up, what's up~? If you need advice, I'm here to listen~"
Taisho and Asahi-san came over.
These two always showed up whenever I wanted someone to listen. It surely wasn't a coincidence. Both were the mood-makers of the class and were very observant. If they sensed someone was troubled, they called out to them instinctively.
"Um, I wanted to ask you two... what are marriage arrangements usually like?"
"Eh!? Don't tell me, Tomonari-kun, did you get a marriage offer!?"
"No, not me. It's just about a friend."
"Oh, really. I thought I'd been betrayed."
Betrayed? As I tilted my head in confusion, Asahi-san explained.
"Nowadays, marriage arrangements are only done by a portion of large corporations~. From our social standing, I guess our perception is that a marriage arrangement equals marrying into wealth~."
"Occasionally, even at our level, parents might recommend an engagement. But that's not as formal as a 'marriage arrangement'... and of course, you have the right to refuse."
Taisho added to Asahi-san's explanation.
Betrayed... in other words, she thought I was aiming to marry into money.
"With a marriage arrangement, do you even have the right to refuse in the first place?"
"It depends on the family... or more accurately, it depends on the parents."
Taisho said with a troubled face.
"At the level of someone like Konohana-san, they might not have a choice. But in those cases, it's usually explained to them thoroughly from a young age... and lately, people are critical of that sort of thing, so I don't think they'd do anything too forced. If the rift between parent and child is too deep, they might end up clashing over the management of the company later on."
In Hinako's case, because of her personality, a partner for a marriage arrangement hadn't been decided yet.
While I accepted Asahi-san's explanation, I reached a single conviction.
Tennoji-san... if she wanted to, she could refuse the marriage arrangement.
But she wouldn't. The reason was likely because she was adopted.
Tennoji-san wanted to repay her debt to the Tennoji family that had raised her. That was why she had no intention of refusing the arrangement from the start. Given the strength of her resolve, she would probably accept an arrangement with anyone. From the beginning, the option to refuse didn't exist for her.
But was that truly the right thing?
Was it okay for me to just let Tennoji-san go through with that?
——There's no way it's okay.
I had to stop pretending not to notice. I'd seen it many times by now.
Tennoji-san was not enthusiastic about this marriage arrangement. I'd seen the signs over and over.
Whenever the topic came up, she seemed gloomier than usual. When I asked if she thought well of it, she answered, "I'll remain silent." I wasn't stupid enough to miss such an obvious sign.
"Tomonari-kun, are you okay? You have a very serious look on your face..."
"I'm fine. I was just thinking a bit about how to wreck a marriage arrangement."
"Are you really okay!?"
Asahi-san looked aghast.
"U-Um, I don't really get it... but I think it's better not to do anything dangerous?"
"It's a common trope in fiction, though," Taisho added. "Barging into a wedding and whisking the bride away to save a heroine who's getting married against her will. I'd like to try that once myself~..."
"If you did it, Taisho-kun, it would probably look more like a comedy than a drama."
"Hey, don't underestimate me! I can be cool when I get serious, you know!"
"Yeah, yeah."
Asahi-san casually brushed off the fuming Taisho.
"In reality, the smartest solution is for the parties involved to talk it out. In this day and age, the probability of a marriage arrangement actually succeeding isn't that high, and even the other party must consider the possibility of being rejected to some extent. If you think about it that way, the hurdle for refusing becomes lower..."
Asahi-san spoke as she rested her finger on her chin, thinking.
"But you know, I've also heard that compromise is important in marriage~."
"Ugh, I don't want to hear that. Dreams-shattering talk is poison for kids."
"At least half the students at Kikou Academy are company successors before they are children, though."
Asahi-san said with a wry smile to Taisho, who was covering his ears.
Company successors before they are children. Those words stuck firmly in my mind.
"By the way, Tomonari-kun, are you doing something with Tennoji-san again today?"
"Yes. Until recently, I was being taught etiquette and such, but since the proficiency exam is coming up, we decided to focus on studying starting today."
"Hmm~."
Asahi-san gave a meaningful nod.
"There are rumors that the two of you have been having a good atmosphere lately, you know?"
"Eh?"
"Man, you're popular, Tomonari-kun. Tennoji-san is as popular as Konohana-san, you know? I wonder how many boys in this Academy admire her?"
At Asahi-san's remark, Taisho nodded with a serious face. "I'm one of them."
A little while ago, Tennoji-san and I had a bit of a spat, but it seemed people around us thought we were getting along well. In fact, I did feel that my distance from her had shrunk after I revealed my true identity. It was truly a case of "after the rain, the earth hardens."
That said, for the sake of Tennoji-san's honor, I had to clear up the misunderstanding.
"......It's not that kind of relationship."
"Well, I thought so. But Tomonari-kun, you've seemed very fulfilled every day lately."
"Is that so... at least, I'm enjoying myself."
If Asahi-san felt that way looking at me, it must be true.
I had told Tennoji-san directly, but learning various things from her was fun.
Hearing me say that, Asahi-san wore a gentle smile.
"I think Tennoji-san is having fun being with you too, Tomonari-kun."
If that were true, I would be happy, but...
No, it probably wasn't limited to me. Tennoji-san always seemed to be having fun when she was at this Academy. Even when we all had a tea party, she appeared to be in high spirits.
Why does that have to be sacrificed?
Does Tennoji-san not realize what she is throwing away with this marriage arrangement?
If so, then what I must do is—.
After school that day.
I was studying with Tennoji-san at the cafe adjacent to the cafeteria.
"The proficiency exam is almost here, isn't it?"
"......Yeah."
Since there was no one around, I spoke with her in my natural voice.
The exam was close, but there weren't many students to be seen at the Academy after school. Most students of Kikou Academy likely had environments at home where they could focus on their studies. There was no need for them to stay at the school.
"For now, since you have listened to my story thus far, I shall explain the situation."
Setting down her mechanical pencil, Tennoji-san spoke.
"I have been permitted to stay until the next proficiency exam. Therefore, as planned, I will definitely defeat Hinako Konohana in this exam. And then... I shall make it so that I have no reason to remain at this Academy."
Hearing those words, I widened my eyes.
"Does that mean..."
"......Well, that is how it is."
If the marriage arrangement was finalized, it was confirmed that Tennoji-san would leave the Academy.
Even so, Tennoji-san said nothing else.
This person... was different from Hinako. Tennoji-san was strong-willed and could restrain herself, so she couldn't bring herself to say "help me" to my face.
"Do not look so worried."
Suddenly, Tennoji-san looked at me.
"Contributing to the Tennoji family is my happiness. Therefore, I—"
"—Do you really think so?"
I looked her straight in the eye.
She fell silent.
"......Tennoji-san. Could you make some time tomorrow? Just for one day?"
To the wide-eyed Tennoji-san, I continued.
"You said before that you were interested in commoner life, didn't you?"
"Yes. I certainly did say such a thing."
Tennoji-san was adopted, but since she was raised in the family from the time she could remember, she didn't know commoner life. She'd expressed interest in the lives of commoners like us.
"Why don't we take a little breather before the exam? I want to thank you for everything so far, and if you're okay with it, I'd like to introduce you to a commoner's way of relaxing."
It was a sudden proposal.
However, Tennoji-san showed a gesture of serious consideration before saying, "Very well. Since the opportunity has presented itself, I shall accompany you."
Tennoji-san said it with a smile.
Since the opportunity has presented itself... she sounded as if she were making a final memory of being a student at this Academy.
If that was Tennoji-san's intention, I would work as hard as possible to make sure it didn't turn out that way.
The next holiday.
Having persuaded Hinako and Ms. Shizune to get permission to go out, I was waiting for Tennoji-san in front of the station.
"......Now that I think about it, it's been a while since I had a day off."
It was just past noon. This might be the first time since I became a caretaker that I'd gone out purely for fun, completely unrelated to work. Since I'd spent most of my days off studying, I felt a bit restless, as if I had too much time on my hands.
And... thinking about it, today was a date.
It's embarrassing to say, but I had never experienced a date before.
Only now did I start to get a little nervous.
"I have kept you waiting."
I was called from the side.
When I turned around, Tennoji-san was there, but—.
"Tennoji-san, that look is...?"
"It is a disguise. Today, you are going to guide me to places where someone like me rarely sets foot, correct? This is a measure to avoid standing out."
Tennoji-san had let down her blonde hair, which she usually wore in vertical curls, and was wearing a light blue beret. Her outfit consisted of a white blouse and a blue skirt. Compared to her usual conspicuous self at the Academy, she looked subdued and refined.
It was an outfit that blended perfectly into the city. Her disguise was a great success.
However, Tennoji-san was naturally stunning. The usual Tennoji-san was beautiful, but I felt a different kind of charm from her today. Since she was beautiful either way, she was still drawing attention from passersby. It seemed she would catch people's eyes no matter what she wore.
"Is it... strange?" she asked, blushing.
Crap. I had been staring too much.
"No, it's not strange... I just thought you looked fresh."
"I believe I have shown you myself with my hair down at my home."
"It's not just the hairstyle; the whole atmosphere is different from usual..."
It was embarrassing to honestly say "you look fresh and cute," so I spoke vaguely.
Then, Tennoji-san showed a composed smile, perhaps having sensed my state of mind.
"The current me, and the usual me—which do you prefer?"
It was an extremely difficult question.
After worrying over it seriously, I answered, "......If I had to choose, the usual Tennoji-san, I guess."
"I see. So this one was not to your liking, Itsuki-san."