For a split second, I felt like I was being glared at... or was it just my imagination?
Hinako had probably come to get a drink of water too. She approached the fountain, reached out to twist the faucet, and took a blast of water directly to the face.
"My apologies. I’ve made a blunder."
"Why!?"
I had literally just told Narika that the faucet was broken.
"E-even Konohana-san has her clumsy moments, I see..." Narika muttered, looking surprised. Was "clumsy" really enough to cover what had just happened?
Drenched from her head to her shoulders just like Narika, Hinako walked over to me.
"Please dry me as well."
"...Understood."
Though I couldn't entirely hide my bewilderment, I nodded. I had brought a spare towel just in case, so I draped it over Hinako.
"W-will this do?"
"Yes....Hehe, you have such a gentle touch."
It was a complete departure from my usual duties. My heart pounded as I dried Hinako’s hair.
(I never thought I’d be taking care of Hinako while she’s in her 'perfect lady' mode...)
The Hinako at the manor and the Hinako before me now were entirely different people. And yet, the silky texture of her hair and the faint, sweet scent lingering in the air were exactly the same as always. It drove home the fact that the girl who usually looked perpetually sleepy and the young lady before me, revered by all, were indeed the same person.
"……Hmph."
Watching us, Narika pouted. "Tomonari-san. Would you mind assisting me with my stretches?"
"Eh?...Yes."
Hinako sat on the ground to stretch out her body. I slowly pressed down on her shoulders. Naturally, our faces drew close.
"K-Konohana-san! That’s a bit... i-isn't that too close!?" Narika yelped.
"Is it?" Hinako asked innocently.
I felt like Narika had a valid point, but Hinako remained perfectly composed.
"Tomonari-san. Just like that, lean your weight into me..."
"L-like this?"
"Yes....Ah." Suddenly, Hinako let out a small gasp. "Tomonari-san, you have quite a sturdy build," she whispered, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Was this—was she acting?
"R-resuming practice! We're resuming!! We're starting again right now!!" Narika shouted at the top of her lungs.
Honestly, it was a lifesaver. If I stayed that close to Hinako any longer, I felt like my head would have started to spin.
"What kind of practice are we doing next?" I asked.
"Let's see. We should practice serves and volleys... but I’d also like to do a match format," Narika said thoughtfully.
"Come to think of it, between you and Hinako, who’s stronger?" Hearing the word 'match,' the question slipped out before I could stop it.
Narika and Hinako locked eyes for a fraction of a second.
"Well... we’ve never played, so I don’t know."
"Indeed. We haven't had tennis in class yet either..."
They both claimed not to know, but internally, they both seemed intensely curious.
"...If it’s alright with you, Konohana-san, would you mind having a match with me?" Narika proposed.
Hinako thought about it for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, I would be delighted."
I tended to forget because I was so preoccupied with my own training, but today wasn't just for me; it was a day for Hinako to work hard, too. After all, she was aiming for victory at the Athletic Festival.
(A little competitive spirit might make for better practice, anyway.)
Sensing the air of casual competition, I made a suggestion. "...If you're going to have a match anyway, why not make it interesting? How about a wager?"
"A wager?"
As the two tilted their heads, I continued. "For example, the winner gets to make one request of the loser."
As soon as I said it, I realized my mistake. Thinking about it calmly, these two were some of the most elite young ladies in the country. For commoners like us, a standard penalty might be treating the other to a meal, but these two weren't exactly hurting for cash. If they didn't have anything they wanted from each other, the idea was a bust.
Just as I was about to take it back...
"T-then... if I win, how about going out somewhere with Itsuki?" Narika spoke up, her expression tense.
"Eh, me?" I hadn't expected my name to be called.
"That will be fine," Hinako agreed, her gaze becoming serious.
The two picked up their rackets and headed to the court.
(Well, given my current position, I can't exactly go out with Narika easily.)
There was so much for Narika and me to catch up on. We were relatives who had just reunited after several years, after all. We’d had some small talk at school, but there were still gaps in our history. However, since I was currently working for the Konohana family, I couldn't easily make time for her. That was likely why she requested the right to go out with me.
To be honest, if I just asked Ms. Shizune, she’d probably give permission for that sort of thing anyway.
I sat in the umpire's chair between the benches, genuinely interested to see how this would play out.
Now then... on one side was the Academy's top student, the perfect lady. On the other was the girl rumored to be superior to anyone else in sports. I was about to see who was truly stronger. To the other students at the Academy, this was probably a match they’d be willing to pay a fortune to watch.
They spun a racket to determine the server. Narika won and took the ball.
She served. A blistering, high-speed shot landed perfectly in the corner of the service area. Hinako couldn't even touch it.
"Fifteen-love."
One to zero. Narika served again.
"Thirty-love."
Narika took another point. This time Hinako managed to hit it back, but the ball clipped the net.
(Is Hinako at a disadvantage after all?)
Narika had just taken two consecutive points with service aces. Even Hinako, for all her perfection, couldn't beat a specialist like Narika, it seemed. Narika's dominance continued, and she took the first game with ease.
◇
After the first game ended, the players prepared to change ends, as they do after every odd-numbered game. As Hinako and Narika crossed paths at the net, Hinako spoke in a low voice, just out of Itsuki’s earshot.
"Miyakojima-san, why is it that you wish to go out with Itsuki-kun?"
Narika flustered at the direct question. "W-why, you ask? Well, that’s..."
"Well, I understand. Itsuki-kun is very comfortable to be around, after all," Hinako said, picking up a ball near the net.
Narika’s eyes widened. To think the foremost lady of Kikou Academy would harbor such feelings for a single boy... She had sensed their proximity before, but hearing it directly was a different matter entirely.
"D-does Konohana-san feel that way as well...?"
"Yes." Hinako nodded. "When the two of us went out the other day, it was very enjoyable—"
"T-the two of you went out!?" Narika gasped.
The unattainable flower of the Academy, the girl about whom not a single romantic rumor had ever circulated, had gone out alone with a boy?
Ignoring Narika’s shock, Hinako continued with a gentle smile. "Besides, Itsuki-kun is—"
Narika’s eyes flew wide at the name.
"—Oh, excuse me. Tomonari-kun is..."
"What did you just say!? What did you just call him!?"
Hinako simply tilted her head as if she had no idea what Narika was talking about.
It was Hinako’s turn to serve. Narika stomped back to her side of the court.
(Guhhh...!! I know, you know...! I know that Itsuki calls her Hinako...!!)
Narika gripped her racket until her knuckles turned white. She glared across the net.
(Just what kind of relationship do you two have...!!)
◆
The second game began. Hinako served. Her ball didn't have Narika’s raw power, but her placement was surgical. Unlike Narika, who used speed and force, Hinako fought with precision and control. She skillfully mixed in short crosses and drop shots. As Narika had suspected, her play was utterly flawless.
"Thirty-fifteen."
Hinako took the lead. In tennis, the server generally has the advantage, and Hinako was making the most of it.
"Forty-fifteen."
She took another point, bringing her one step away from winning the game. However, I felt a strange sense of dissonance.
(...Wait. Narika’s form is falling apart.)
Her movements had lost their luster. Before I could figure out why, the second game ended in Hinako’s victory.
They swapped roles, and Narika became the server for the third game. But Hinako won that one, too. A break. Narika’s slump was deepening.
Next was another change of ends.
◇
As they swapped sides, Narika picked up a ball near the net. Hinako happened to be right there.
"...Come to think of it, Konohana-san, you had Itsuki dry your hair earlier," Narika said, keeping her voice low.
"? Yes, what of it?"
"Do you perhaps have Itsuki look after your hair on a regular basis?"
Hinako hesitated for a split second. Then, she flashed her elegant smile. "I wonder. I do have him do it occasionally, but..."
She left the answer ambiguous, but Narika simply smirked.
"Itsuki is good at hair care, isn't he? After all, you aren't the first."
"...What do you mean by that?"
"When I was young, I was indifferent to my appearance. I’d run around the dojo with my hair a mess, until one day Itsuki told me, 'That must be hard to move in,' and tied it for me. I've had him take care of my hair ever since....Itsuki might have forgotten, but my current hairstyle is one he designed for me."
Narika boastfully lifted her ponytail. Her black hair was glossy and beautiful, a fact even Hinako had to grudgingly admit.
The change of ends finished, and Hinako stepped up to serve.
(I wasn't the first...)
As she tossed the ball, Narika’s words echoed in her head.
(Hmph...)
In the corner of her vision, she saw Itsuki sitting in the umpire's chair.
(……………………Hmph.)
◆
As we entered the fourth game, the momentum shifted again.
"Double fault....Love-forty."
Hinako had failed two serves in a row. Narika was now one point away from taking the game, while Hinako hadn't scored at all.
(Now Hinako’s the one struggling.)
As her caretaker, I was worried. I checked for signs of illness, but she seemed physically fine—she was still running well and didn't look exhausted. This was a mental slump. Occasionally, she seemed to be glaring at me with a furrowed brow. I had no idea why.
Hinako tossed the ball for her next serve.
"—Whoa!?"
The ball hissed past the tip of my nose. Normally, a serve shouldn't come anywhere near the umpire's chair. With Hinako’s skill, there was no way that was a simple mistake in control.
"D-double fault..."
The fourth game ended in Narika’s victory. As they went to gather the balls from the net, both of them turned their gazes toward me.
"...Tomonari-kun."
"...We're having a talk later."
Why was I the one being targeted?
◆
In the end, Narika won the match. Though both had their ups and downs, Narika’s sheer athletic dominance won out. As the match progressed, her fundamental skill proved too much for Hinako to overcome with psychological tactics alone.
"Itsuki! It's a promise! Next time, we're going out together!"
"Ah, yeah. Got it."
Right, they had made that bet. Narika was celebrating with exaggerated joy. Hinako looked frustrated at first, but she quickly smoothed her expression back into her 'perfect lady' persona.
"Well, Tomonari-san is a very busy man, so there is no telling when that promise will actually be fulfilled."
"Wh-!? That’s cowardly, Konohana-san!"
"I believe no specific timeframe was designated."
Narika let out a frustrated groan as Hinako flashed an impassive, beautiful smile.
(Those two have actually become quite close...)
Perhaps friendship had been forged through battle. It was like two boys shaking hands after a fistfight by a river—apparently, that happened in the world of young ladies, too.
We rested for a while before resuming practice. As Hinako and I rallied, Narika watched from the sidelines, providing sharp, real-time advice. Her pointers made it easy to see exactly where I was failing. By the time I finally felt like I was getting the hang of it, the sky had been dyed in the colors of the sunset.
It would be dark soon. The court had floodlights, but I knew from experience that tracking a ball under artificial light was tricky. We’d done enough for one day. We finished with showers, changed, and prepared to head home.
"Narika, thanks for today. It was great practice."
"I'm glad to hear it." Narika nodded with satisfaction. "Itsuki, you’ve started to move while thinking, but you still get stiff sometimes. Don't rush it. Ideally, you’d be watching your opponent’s movements to strike where they aren't, but for now, you should focus on just hitting the ball exactly where you want it."
"...I see."
I was impressed; she’d hit the nail on the head. In the second half of practice, I’d been so focused on observing my opponent that my own form had suffered.
"If you want to stabilize your shots, even practicing against a wall is fine. Just don't overdo it, or your form will get sloppy."
"Got it." I’d have to ask Ms. Shizune if there was a good wall at the manor.
Narika then turned to Hinako. "Konohana-san, your talent is truly remarkable. You’ve already addressed the points I mentioned. Now it's just a matter of repetition."
"Thank you very much." Hinako bowed elegantly. The competitive fire from the match seemed to have vanished completely.
"Konohana-san, may I see your racket for a moment?"
"? I don't mind, but..."
Hinako handed it over. Narika inspected the grip, then pulled a brand-new grip tape from her bag and handed it to Hinako.
"You’re a finesse player who prioritizes control, so a thinner grip might suit you better. You’ll be able to feel the tactile sensation of the ball much more clearly."
"I see... I shall certainly make use of it."
I was genuinely impressed by Narika’s expertise. "Narika, you're actually a really good teacher."
"I-is that so? I don't have much experience with this, so that’s the first time anyone’s told me." She laughed, looking both happy and embarrassed. It was a side of her I hadn't seen; she might actually be suited for teaching.
"...Monday is my turn to work hard again," Narika murmured, gazing at the sunset. The confidence she’d shown on the court was gone, replaced by a lingering anxiety.
"Look, if you really hate it that much, skipping the Athletic Festival is always an option," I said before I could stop myself. "Even Hinako skips school sometimes. It’s a common thing at the Academy, isn't it?"
"That is true, but..." Narika trailed off.
The students of Kikou Academy often had complicated family lives. Absences for family reasons were frequent, and Hinako occasionally stayed home just to recover from the exhaustion of her 'perfect lady' act. If Narika was truly suffering from the trauma of last year, skipping was a perfectly valid choice.
But she eventually shook her head. "...I want to overcome my own weakness. Nothing changes if I just keep running away."
"Narika... you're strong."
"Strong?"
"Yeah. Facing your own weaknesses like that isn't easy."
Narika blinked in surprise, then gave a self-deprecating smile. "I'm not strong at all. I'm full of flaws....But someone once taught me that admitting your own weakness is the first step toward strength. As you both know, I’m incredibly clumsy. Even sports, which I suppose is my only redeeming quality, didn't come naturally to me. I’ve been training since before I could even remember."
"Eh?"
When I first met her, she was already proficient in judo, kendo, and aikido—far beyond anyone her age. I’d assumed it was raw talent, but apparently, it was all hard-won.
"I've had so many setbacks. I've run until I passed out, and swung a bamboo sword until my hands were nothing but blisters. Even then, things often didn't go the way I wanted." She looked down at her palms, which were still calloused from years of effort. "Because of that, I’ve learned how to accept being unsightly. I’m quite good at acknowledging when I’m weak."
She laughed shyly, but there was nothing shameful about it.
(I see. That's why she’s such a good teacher.)
She might not have realized it, but I did. To accept your own weakness is to be able to empathize with the struggles of others. That was the source of her kindness and her patience as an instructor.
(...I want everyone else to know this side of her, too.)
Narika had her quirks, but she was someone truly worthy of respect. As I was thinking that, I realized she was staring at me with a weary expression.
"What is it?"
"...It's nothing." She let out a long sigh.
After our goodbyes, Hinako and I got into the car with Ms. Shizune.
"Today was exhausting," I said as the car started to move.
"Mm....I can't move a muscle." Hinako slumped into the seat, her 'perfect lady' posture finally failing her. I was feeling it, too. Now that the adrenaline had worn off, I felt like I could fall asleep instantly.
"Ms. Shizune, is there a place near the manor where I can practice against a wall?"
"There is a gymnasium next to the dojo. The wall material might not be ideal, but..."
"Thanks. I'll give it a try."
I wanted to make the most of Narika’s advice. Unlike Hinako, I didn't need to win the festival, but I wanted to get the best results I possibly could—mostly because Narika had gone to so much trouble to help me.
"I really want to do something for Narika, too."
"……I’ll think of something, too," Hinako murmured.
"You're being surprisingly cooperative, Hinako."
"I think I understand her feelings a little," she said sleepily. "Both Miyakojima-san and I... our reputations are so different from who we re-eally are."
"I guess you do have that in common."
"Mm. So... I know how hard it is for her."
One was misunderstood as a delinquent heiress when she was actually a timid girl; the other was worshiped as a perfect lady when she was actually a lazy homebody. The difference was that Hinako’s act was intentional, born of her duties to the Konohana family, but the burden was the same.
"By the way... Itsuki." Hinako stared at me, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Is it true that you’re the one who thought of her hairstyle?"
How did she know that? I’d never told her. "...Well, yeah. But that was ages ago."
"Muu..." Hinako looked dissatisfied. "Think of something... for me, too."
She wanted me to do her hair? I wasn't exactly a stylist. "Even if you say that, I don't have any ties or anything right now..."
"I have prepared spares just in case," Ms. Shizune said from the passenger seat, handing me two hair ties. She was entirely too prepared.
"...Ms. Shizune, you've been awfully supportive of Hinako lately."
"I am the young lady's maid. I am merely giving her a gentle push," she replied without looking back.
When we first met, she’d been much stricter about Hinako’s whims. Something had changed—either in Ms. Shizune, or in Hinako herself.
Hinako turned her back to me. I looked at the ties and tried to think of something. Narika had a ponytail, and Mirei Tennoji always had elaborate styles. I didn't know much about hair, but I wanted to give her something fresh.
"Okay... how about this?"
I gathered her hair into two sections and tied them. Twin-tails. As expected, she looked adorable. You didn't see many high school girls pulling off twin-tails, but on Hinako, it looked natural.
"Oohhh..." Hinako whispered, admiring her reflection in the window.
"Uh, what do you think?"
"Mm....Satisfied."
She seemed genuinely pleased. She leaned over and rested her head on my lap, her new twin-tails brushing against my arm.
"I understand her feelings, but... I have no intention of losing," Hinako said softly. "I don't want Itsuki... looking after anyone but me."
She closed her eyes, and before long, I heard her steady, rhythmic breathing. She’d worked harder today than she ever did on a school day. I was tempted to join her in a nap.
"We have arrived," Ms. Shizune announced as the car came to a stop.
I lightly tapped Hinako’s head. "We're here."
She sat up with a yawn just as Ms. Shizune stepped out of the car.
"Master Kagon."
Outside the car, Ms. Shizune bowed in surprise. Kagon had apparently just arrived at the manor himself.
"Good evening. Is there something you need?"
"I just stopped by to rest. My next meeting is nearby."
I stepped out of the car and bowed to Kagon, feeling the usual tension. Then, Hinako stepped out.
"Nnh... Papa?"
"Hinako, you've just returned—" Kagon stopped mid-sentence. His eyes widened, and his expression became uncharacteristically dubious. "...What is that hairstyle?"
I felt a cold sweat break out across my back.
"Itsuki... did it for me," Hinako answered honestly.
"...I see." Kagon turned his gaze to me. "Tomonari-kun."
"Y-yes, sir."
"Is this your hobby?"
"It is not!!" I blurted out. I hadn't been thinking about 'hobbies' at all; I was just trying to satisfy Hinako’s request. "It's just for today, sir! I won't do anything to damage her image!"
"Eh... you didn't like it...?" Hinako looked crestfallen.
Please, Hinako, not now! Just keep quiet for a second!
◆
Monday, after school.
We gathered at the stair landing to review our next move.
"Hinako and I talked it over, and we have an idea," I explained to Narika. "Why not try talking to someone about the Athletic Festival?"
Narika looked confused, so I continued. "During practice on Saturday, you were much more natural. You were talking to Hinako without any of the usual stiffness. I think you’ll find it easier to talk to people if the subject is something you're actually an expert in. Why not reach out to the other students in Class B who are in the Kendo Division?"
"B-but Itsuki, the whole reason I'm in this mess is because of what happened at the festival last year. Isn't that a dangerous topic?"
"There's some truth to that, but... honestly, I think your reputation is already so set in stone that you don't have to worry about making it worse. If anything, people who are serious about sports or kendo are the ones most likely to see the real you once you start talking shop."
Narika looked convinced. "...Alright. I'll try it."
She nodded, steeled herself, and spotted a female student from Class B walking down the hall.
"O-okay, here I go...!"
She marched out. "Y-you there!"
It sounded more like a police shakedown than a greeting. The student froze.
"Y-you were in the Kendo Division last year, weren't you?"
"Y-yes...!" The girl looked like she was about to burst into tears.
"Are you... participating again this year?"
"Y-yes..."
Narika loomed over her and flashed a smile that looked more like a threat from a villain. "I won't... lose to you this year."
"Hieee... I-I surrender...!" The girl fled in terror.
Winning without fighting—the ultimate form of martial arts. Or not. I walked over to the frozen Narika and lightly chopped her on the head.
"Why are you intimidating people?"
"Ow."
"Maybe we should rethink the approach?" I asked.
"...No." Narika shook her head. "You and Konohana-san are doing so much for me. I have to try harder."
She had the will, but her execution was a disaster. She was just too tense.
"Can't you just talk to them the way you talk to me?"
"Th-that... I don't think I can."
"Then what if you found someone who feels like me? Maybe you’d be more relaxed."
It seemed like a good idea, except for the fact that there were no other commoners like me at this Academy.
"No... that wouldn't work," Narika said, her expression serious. "Similarity doesn't matter....To me, you’re the only one who’s special."
She said it with such earnestness that I felt the air leave my lungs.
"I-I see..." Her trust in me was almost overwhelming.
"—Have you decided on a plan?"
"Whoa!?" Narika jumped as Hinako suddenly appeared behind her. "K-Konohana-san has the stealth of an assassin..."
"We've decided that the direct approach is the only way," I explained. "But maybe you should talk to me right up until the moment you greet someone else. Keep that 'Itsuki mode' going."
"U-understood. I'll try."
To keep the conversation going, I asked the first thing that came to mind. "So, about that dagashi shop. Does your family really not mind you going there?"
"They used to. They were worried about my health and the risk of kidnapping. But dagashi are a memory of you, so I refused to stop. Eventually, my father wondered if sports and dagashi were actually a good match. He started stocking them at our sporting goods stores, and they became a massive hit. Our stock prices soared..."
"Wait, wait... that’s a bit much for small talk." Narika’s life was apparently much more 'big business' than I’d realized.
"Anyway, about us going out... when should we—"
"Ah, someone's coming!"
"Eeeeh!? Right now!?" Narika panicked as a male student from Class B approached. He wasn't in kendo this year, but he had been last year. That was close enough.
"E-excuse me!" Narika blurted out. "You're in kendo, aren't you? What kind of protective gear do you use!?"
It was a decent question, something easy to answer. But the boy looked at her with a scowl.
"...Does it really matter?"
"W-well, no, but..."
"Excuse me. I'm in a hurry," he said, brushing past her.
Narika collapsed in despair. "Is it my face? Is it just my face...?"
But I noticed something different this time. That boy hadn't been afraid; he’d been blatantly cold.
"Narika, wait here."
I followed the boy. I was angry. Why did everyone refuse to see her for who she was? Why were they so determined to keep her at arm’s length?
I caught up to him near the school entrance. He wasn't in a hurry at all; he was casually checking out a cafe menu.
"Hey, can I talk to you for a second?"
"What?" He looked annoyed.
"I saw what happened with Miyakojima-san. Don't you think that was a bit much?"
"It’s none of your business."
"It is. She's my friend. She isn't the person you think she is. Even if you don't want to be friends, you don't have to be that cold to her."
The boy’s expression darkened. "And what if she really is as terrifying as they say? My parents always tell me: don't cross families with that much power. If you offend them, they’ll crush our whole family."
I froze. I hadn't considered the influence of their parents.
"I know who you are, Tomonari from Class A," the boy continued, glaring at me. "Not everyone is as good at sucking up to the elites as you are."
He turned and walked away, leaving me stunned.
(Sucking up...?)
The realization hit me like a physical blow. It wasn't just Narika. I was in trouble, too.
◆
Back at the manor, after dinner and a bath, I sat in my room and stared at the wall.
I had to think about what that boy had said. I had to look at my own standing at Kikou Academy objectively.
I was a transfer student from a middle-market company under the Konohana Group. I was plain, academic, and didn't stand out—except for the fact that I was constantly seen with the most elite girls in the school. Hinako, Mirei Tennoji, and Narika.
"I guess I do look like a social climber..."
I had thought I was being careful by keeping a 'neutral' distance from Hinako in public. I helped her 'casually' and we ate lunch in secret to protect her reputation. I thought that was the right way to act as her caretaker.
But that halfway distance was actually backfiring. Because I didn't clearly belong by their side, my presence looked calculated and opportunistic. I was the 'sycophant' who had managed to wiggle his way into the inner circle.
(The root of the problem is that I’m not recognized as their peer.)
If I wanted to protect them and stay by their side, I couldn't keep hiding in the shadows. But did that mean I should stop seeing them at school?
I hesitated. When Hinako was acting as the perfect lady, she was constantly under pressure. It was only when she was with me that she truly smiled. Was I supposed to take that away from her?
"...Itsuki."
I jumped. Hinako was standing behind me. "H-Hinako... how long have you been there?"
"For quite a while."
"Did you come alone?"
"Shizune brought me... halfway."
Hinako peered into my face. "You look like you're thinking about something difficult."
"...Just a few worries." I looked at her, needing an answer to the only question that mattered. "Hinako, do you want to be with me even when we're at school? Not just at lunch, but in the classroom, too?"
She nodded immediately. "Of course. I want to be with Itsuki all the time."
"All the time, huh."
That was a tall order. But it made me happy.
"Understood....I'll make it happen."
My course was set. This wasn't about being a caretaker anymore. This was about my own feelings. I wanted to be with her, too. If the rest of the school didn't think I belonged there, then I would just have to become someone they couldn't ignore.
"...I have to be recognized by everyone."
It was the first time in my life I’d felt this kind of ambition. But I wasn't going to back down.
◇
After Itsuki walked her back to her room, Hinako spent the rest of the evening rolling around on her bed, hugging her pillow.
"Excuse me," Ms. Shizune said, entering the room. She stopped when she saw Hinako grinning to herself. "Young Lady, about the dinner party next week—"
"Nfufu..."
"……Is something the matter, Young Lady?"
"Itsuki said he’s going to work hard so we can be together even in the classroom," Hinako whispered, her face lighting up with a soft, happy smile.
"Even in the classroom? And did he say how he intends to manage that?"
"I don't know... but he said he has to be recognized by everyone."
Hinako closed her eyes, looking more content than she ever had before.