(Keep it together... Remember the confidence Tennoji-san instilled in me.)
I recalled the graceful bearing Tennoji-san had drilled into me. It had been a rather spartan education, but even in a pinch like this, the techniques ingrained in my body manifested themselves.
Little by little, my tension eased.
As calmly as possible, I gave my answer.
"...My family has ties to Konohana-san's company. Because of that connection, she and I have known each other for a long time."
"Oh, is that so?"
The female student in front of me blinked in slight surprise.
"I apologize. I haven't really had the chance to introduce myself properly until now."
"No, we're classmates, yet we weren't even aware. We should be the ones apologizing."
An exchange of such grandiose apologies would be unusual at a normal school, but it was standard at this Academy.
Still, this... wasn't a bad feeling.
Perhaps because I had clarified my relationship with Hinako, the suspicious glares directed my way had finally dissipated. The rest would depend on my attitude.
"We were just discussing our next tea party. If you don't mind, Tomonari-kun, could you tell us which tea leaves you recommend?"
"Let's see. Personally, I..."
Being invited to a tea party was likely still a bit premature.
Besides, if I were invited right now, I would only be bewildered.
After I mentioned a few of my favorite tea leaves, she offered her thanks in a hushed voice.
"Even so, you are remarkably composed, Tomonari-kun."
"Do you think so?"
"Yes. Talking to you in person gives a very different impression than I had before."
If I wanted to give a humorous reply, I could have asked something like, "What kind of impression did I have until now?"
But this was Kikou Academy.
I simply lowered my head.
"Thank you. I have been moving in social circles quite often lately, so I am currently working to refine my etiquette."
The students showed signs of being impressed.
I hadn't told a single lie.
I really had just learned those manners from Tennoji-san.
"I am still quite inexperienced, but I look forward to our future interactions."
With that, I stepped away from Hinako's circle.
Afterward, the fourth-period lesson took place.
Once class ended and lunch break began, I headed for the Old Student Council Building.
Opening the door to the rooftop, I saw Hinako.
"...Itsuki."
"...Hinako."
We gazed at each other for a moment—and then.
"Yeah..."
"Yeah."
We shared a high-five.
"Was that... okay?"
"...Yeah. It was a huge help."
In truth, that exchange during the break... Hinako and I had decided on the content of the conversation beforehand.
The people who thought I was trying to curry favor with Hinako were those who had no involvement with her. They came to that conclusion precisely because they viewed Hinako and Tennoji-san as "unreachable flowers."
However, at Kikou Academy, there were several students who could talk to Hinako and the others with a certain degree of casualness.
Since these members of the top caste were trying to associate with Hinako themselves, they didn't see me—who was likewise associating with her—as a sycophant.
In that case, there should be no problem relying on Hinako's influence.
Hinako had told me before that she "wanted to be of help." So, I took her up on it.
I had exactly one thing in common with the people in the top caste of this class.
That was Hinako.
Therefore, I decided to interact with the top-tier students through her....To put it the other way around, I had absolutely nothing else in common with them. Without Hinako, I wouldn't have even found an opening to talk to them.
The response was excellent. I could have continued the conversation longer, but I didn't want them to think I was getting carried away, so I felt that leaving at that timing was the right call.
(Though, this might make other people think I'm just trying to suck up to a different group now...)
Aftercare was essential.
After this, I would go find Kita again and chat for a bit.
"But I wasn't sure about the timing... so a bit of my real self slipped out."
Hinako spoke apologetically.
True, we had coordinated the content beforehand, but when I actually spoke to her, Hinako had looked a little startled.
"Is it better if I don't talk to you as much?"
I wondered if she would be troubled if I spoke to her in front of everyone.
When I asked with that thought in mind, Hinako shook her head.
"Even if it's an act... I'm happy to talk to Itsuki."
"...I see."
I felt relieved at her response.
"If it makes you happy, Hinako, then the effort was worth it."
I had approached her strategically this time... but eventually, I wanted to be able to talk to her naturally.
I enjoyed a luxurious bento, relaxed for a while, and then left the rooftop.
"Itsuki!"
On my way back to the classroom, Narika called out to me.
"Narika, what's up?"
"Listen! T-The truth is, a classmate spoke to me just now!"
Hinako and I looked at each other.
"I think he's a friend of that boy who was with Itsuki yesterday after school..."
That would be the boy who said he was going to start a business.
When we first spoke, he was still wary of Narika, but it seemed Kita had cleared up the misunderstanding.
"That's great."
"Yes, I was so happy...! I felt the warmth of human kindness...!"
Narika was so moved that tears actually welled up in her eyes.
"You two, please let me thank you properly on our next day off!"
That was welcome news; I was starting to want to practice tennis anyway.
Seeing Narika in such high spirits made me happy as well.
With a sense of fulfillment, I returned to the classroom.
◆
That night.
Even though I felt fulfilled, there were still many points to reflect on.
After finishing my chores and studying, I reviewed the day's successes and failures.
(For now, I'm gradually seeing results regarding Narika...)
If there was anything to worry about, it was whether we would make it in time for the Athletic Festival.
If it were just about making friends, the current progress suggested it would work out if we took our time. However, there was only a little over a week left until the event. We hadn't yet reached Narika's goal of wiping away her past trauma so she could face the festival in perfect condition.
That said, I was doing what I could for now.
Doing too many new things at once was a source of anxiety. It was probably fine to just maintain this momentum.
(As for me... I wonder.)
Centering around Kita, my circle of acquaintances had grown.
Moreover, today I had spoken with the top-caste people I had previously kept my distance from.
To be honest, I didn't think the impression I left was bad.
However—
(It's not like I actually want to climb the school caste ladder...)
This was likely just my nature.
I still preferred a somewhat cluttered and calm environment over a glamorous one. While I was gradually becoming able to adapt through my daily studies, preference was a different matter....And that was likely the same for Hinako.
To stand by Hinako's side, I had no choice but to involve myself with the people at the top of the social hierarchy.
But when you try to associate with those at the top, it can look like you're brown-nosing to those below.
It was a difficult problem.
If you try to be friendly with everyone, you're seen as a sycophant.
(...Back at my old school, I never worried about things like this.)
I'm sure there was a school caste at my old school too. But back then, I was indifferent to it.
Why was I racking my brain over human relationships this much now?
Fortunately, things were going well so far, but talking to strangers still made me fairly nervous. Even when I lay in bed trying to sleep, I would find myself reflecting on moments, thinking, "Maybe I should have done that differently." To be honest, I was mentally exhausted.
Because I knew I would get tired, I hadn't worried this much at my old school.
So why was I worrying so seriously now?
One reason was that I wanted to help Narika make friends.
And the other reason was—Hinako.
"Itsuki... taking care of someone other than me... I don't like it."
I recalled the words Hinako had spoken after our tennis practice.
Those words, uttered with a peaceful face, were still etched in my mind.
(What... do I think of Hinako?)
Time passed for a while without an answer.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
"...Itsuki."
"Hinako?"
It was Hinako who entered the room.
Looking sleepy, she immediately lay down on my bed.
My eyes met Ms. Shizune's, who was standing behind the door. Ms. Shizune gave a silent bow and closed the door.
"Hinako, do you need something?"
"Not really..."
Apparently, she didn't have any particular business.
In other words, it was business as usual.
"Are you... study-ing, Itsuki?"
"Well, something like that..."
I had been studying for the Fundamental Information Technology Engineer certification until a moment ago, so I had my notebook open. That's why it probably looked like I was studying. In reality, I had just been worrying about social dynamics.
But perhaps because I had been thinking about Hinako just before... it's hard to put into words, but right now, I was in the mood to talk to her.
"...I was just about to take a break anyway. Want to chat?"
Hinako gave a short "Mm" in response.
It seemed she hadn't come to my room just to sleep.
For a while after that, we talked about trivial things. Life at the Academy, things at the manor, Narika's Loner Escape Plan... we just chatted idly.
"Come to think of it, you haven't been feeling unwell lately, Hinako."
"...You mean the exhaustion from the act?"
I nodded. "Yeah."
"When Itsuki is here... it's easier."
"Is it?"
"Mm....This time is precious to me, too."
Until now, Hinako had periodically run fevers due to the fatigue of playing the perfect young lady. But since I became her caretaker, the frequency had apparently plummeted.
If they were psychogenic fevers, it made sense that the frequency would decrease as her stress was reduced.
It seemed that for Hinako, I had become someone who eased her burdens.
That was a relief.
"Yawn..."
Hinako let out a yawn.
"If you're sleepy, I'll take you back to your room soon."
"Are you not sleepy, Itsuki...?"
"No, I'm starting to get sleepy too."
I stretched my back slightly, but the drowsiness didn't vanish.
As I let out a light yawn myself, Hinako, still lying on the bed, patted the empty space beside her.
"How about... we sleep together for once?"
My head spun.
I looked down at Hinako, who was smiling softly.
"I think I'll pass on that."
"Muu..."
Because Ms. Shizune would have my head, I declined.
However, Hinako puffed out her cheeks and stood up.
"Come here..."
"No, no, I told you, I can't..."
Hinako pulled my hand and led me toward the bed.
Her arm was slender. I felt like I would be overcome with guilt if I shook off her hand, so I let her lead me to the bedside.
Hinako lay down on the bed while still holding my hand.
Then, she pulled my hand with a sudden surge of strength.
"Whoa!?"
I hadn't expected her to pull so hard, and I toppled onto the bed.
A moment of confusion followed. Then I realized immediately.
I was now looming directly over Hinako.
"............Eh?"
Hinako let out a small, startled sound.
I fell into the illusion that time had stopped.
I had been bewildered by the distance between me and Hinako many times before. Whether it was when she gave me a lap pillow on the rooftop or when she leaned against me in the car, we were often close enough for our skin to touch.
However, my instincts understood that this was different.
Hinako's warm, heavy breath lifted my bangs.
I slightly relaxed the strength in the arms supporting my weight. The distance between us closed by another centimeter.
I tried to pull away in a hurry... but then I hesitated.
Before pulling away, there was something I absolutely had to ask.
"...Hinako."
I spoke to Hinako, who was staring up at me with wide, round eyes.