“I-It’s nothing... J-Just, don’t look at me for a minute.”
With those words, Narika turned her back to me.
“It’s not fair... I-Itsuki, you really... you really love catching me off guard, don’t you?”
“...Sorry.”
I knew well enough that she wasn't actually blaming me.
Narika’s shoulders were trembling slightly. After waiting a short while, she finally turned back around.
“Are you calm now?”
“...Yeah.”
Her eyes were still a bit red, but she seemed to have composed herself. She looked me straight in the eye.
“I hope the number of 'special' things in your life increases little by little, Narika.”
“...Special?”
“You said before that I was the only person you felt was special, right? So, I thought it would be good if you could find more people who feel that way to you.”
I had been surprised when Narika called me special, but I assumed she didn't mean it in any deep, romantic sense. To her, I was simply the only person she felt she could truly trust right now.
If that was the case, I wanted that feeling to eventually become her new normal rather than something rare. She was so close to making it happen; I was sure she could manage it.
“Itsuki, that’s...”
Narika started to say something, but I suddenly remembered Hinako waiting on the floor below.
“Sorry. I have Konohana-san waiting nearby, so I should probably head back.”
We had talked longer than I intended. Hinako’s own conversation was likely finished by now, and it was probably for the best if I went to meet her.
I turned on my heel to head downstairs, but midway through the motion... I felt a tug on my shirt.
“...Wait.”
Narika had gripped my clothes with both hands.
“Narika...?”
Narika couldn't bring herself to look Itsuki in the face as he said her name.
She had reached out to stop him almost reflexively. By the time she realized what she was doing, it was too late. Knowing Itsuki was looking at her with a puzzled expression, she hurriedly lowered her head.
Normally, she would have just let him go. Even now, she could have brushed it off. A quick, “It’s nothing, see you later,” would have been enough to let her return to her everyday routine as if nothing had happened.
But... she felt she had to stop him.
She felt she had to clear up that one misunderstanding.
“Um, are you still feeling a bit overwhelmed?” Itsuki asked, his voice laced with concern.
“...No.”
Narika shook her head, keeping her gaze fixed on the floor.
“You’re wrong, Itsuki....That isn't it.”
She wasn't denying that she was flustered. She wanted to deny what Itsuki had just said about finding more people "like him."
“Thanks to you, Itsuki, I’ve become able to talk to all sorts of people,” Narika said haltingly. “Konohana-san, Tennoji-san, Taisho-kun, Asahi-san... and lately, I’ve even been able to talk to Kita-kun and the others.”
Itsuki nodded.
“But to me, Itsuki, you are—”
As she spoke the words, she realized it.
Ah, yes. That’s it.
Even when she spoke the names of the others, this specific emotion didn't well up. Only when she said Itsuki’s name did her heart grow warm.
A sense of security, of absolute trust, and then—a feeling of being helplessly happy and yet somehow pained.
She knew the pain came from her own insecurities. She was always causing trouble for Itsuki, and he was always worrying about her. She didn't want to be a burden to him anymore. She had intended to keep this feeling tucked away until she grew up a little more.
And yet... she couldn't suppress it.
No, she mustn't suppress it right now. She felt that if she didn’t say it here, she would regret it forever. Itsuki could be so dense about these things—if she didn't spell it out, it would never reach him.
“I-Itsuki! I... I, you see...!”
She snapped her head up and looked him in the eye. Though a mountain of words pressed against her teeth, they wouldn't come out right. She truly loathed her own awkwardness.
Even so, Itsuki waited for her. He stood there, patiently, silently.
It was that kindness. It was a kindness that belonged to him alone. She had felt it since they were children, and she knew it was irreplaceable.
That was why Narika Miyakojima felt this way about him.
“To me... it’s only you, Itsuki!”
Her emotions outran her. But she knew Itsuki would wait for her to finish. That trust gave her the push she needed. The feelings finally overflowed into speech.
“Even if I make a hundred friends from here on... the only special person to me is you, Itsuki! For all eternity, it’s only you!”
Her face felt like it was on fire. The emotions that couldn't be contained in words spilled over as tears.
“So... I could never make another friend 'like you.' Please... please don’t ever forget that!”
The storm in her chest slowly began to subside. Past or present, this one feeling had never changed. She knew it would be the same in the future, too.
Itsuki looked bewildered, and she felt sorry for that. But she had no regrets. For Narika, this was the one thing she absolutely had to say.
After parting with Narika, I looked back one last time before heading down the stairs.
She was already gone. Even if she had stayed, I wouldn't have known what to say to her. Her serious expression was burned into my mind.
As I descended the stairs, I felt like I was walking on air. It was a strange, light-headed sensation... as if I had wandered into the hazy space between a dream and reality.
“...Itsuki?”
A voice suddenly broke my reverie.
“Oh, Hinako.”
Without even realizing it, I had walked right to where she was standing.
“...What’s wrong? You were just staring into space.”
“No, it’s nothing...” I started to say, then stopped.
It wasn't nothing. I couldn't possibly describe what just happened as "nothing."
“...Actually, something important happened.”
“Important...?”
“Yeah. Very important.”
Important for both me and Narika. That short conversation meant everything.
“Please... please don’t ever forget that.”
As if I could. I’d remember today for the rest of my life.
“...That’s quite a heavy responsibility.”
The only one who's special, huh?
It seemed that without even noticing, I had taken a seat in an incredible, exclusive place in her heart. Narika likely hadn't even finished processing those emotions herself, and I certainly hadn't fully interpreted them yet.
Even so, she had felt she had to tell me. I could never take that lightly.
“...Alright.”
I shook myself out of it. There were plenty of things right in front of me that needed my attention. I was Hinako’s caretaker, and it wouldn't do to get distracted now.
“The second round should be starting soon. Shall we head back?”
“Mm.”
We returned to the Tennis Division venue. As expected, the second round was just about to begin. If we had been ten minutes later, we might have been disqualified. Putting aside my own match, if Hinako had been disqualified because of me, it would have caused a massive headache for everyone.
“Well then, Hinako, see you after.”
“Mm... Good luck, Itsuki.”
I left Hinako and stepped onto the court. The rules dictated that we shake hands across the net before the match. I walked forward, racket in hand.
“Still hard at work ingratiating yourself, I see.”
A familiar-looking boy was standing across from me.
“You’re...”
I hadn't forgotten him. He was the one who had been cold to Narika—the boy who had triggered my crisis of confidence regarding the social hierarchy at Kikou Academy.
With a heavy heart, I shook his hand. We decided the serve.
“One-set match, play!”
I started on the receiving end. As I barely managed to return his sharp serves, I thought back to a few days ago.
In a way, I actually owed this guy a debt of gratitude. He had forced me to rethink my position. But that didn't mean I could forgive the way he had treated Narika. No matter the family politics involved, there was no excuse for hurting someone like that.
“I'm not losing to someone like you...!”
He took his service game. Fine. But I wasn't dropping mine if it killed me.
He had the edge in technique, but I was in better physical shape. I didn't try for risky winners; instead, I focused on being persistent, returning every ball until I forced him to make a mistake.
“You just won't go down...!”
The boy started to get impatient, and his unforced errors piled up. My own stamina was nearing its limit, but...
“...the only special person to me is you, Itsuki!”
Narika’s words echoed in my head.
I realized I wanted to strike back against this boy for Narika’s sake—or perhaps, entirely for my own. I felt as if her words had given me permission to feel that way. I couldn't be some detached, formal observer where Narika was concerned.
The match was a brutal back-and-forth that went all the way to a tie-break. And finally—
“Game set!”
The match ended. I had won, though only by the skin of my teeth.
“Hah... hah... You’re... you’re pretty good...”
“Thanks...”
We bowed to each other over the net again. Perhaps it was because we’d both given it our all, or maybe it was just sheer exhaustion, but the bitterness I felt toward him had evaporated.
“Hey, just tell me one thing,” the boy said, still breathing hard. “What exactly is your relationship with Konohana-san?”
I hesitated, searching for an answer. Seeing his awkward expression—one of a boy swallowing his pride—I realized the truth.
“Um, by any chance... do you like Konohana-san?”
“...Just answer the question,” he snapped, trying to hide his embarrassment.
I was so tired I wanted to collapse and sleep on the spot, but I forced my brain to work.
“Our parents are just acquaintances.”
“I know that. But there are plenty of people connected to the Konohana Group. You’re the only one who’s... strangely close to her.”
The fact that he had looked into the connection between our parents confirmed my suspicion. He liked Hinako. That was why he’d targeted me and treated me as a rival.
“Please don’t tell anyone, but... I’m actually working for the Konohana family on my parents' orders.”
“A servant?”
“Something like an etiquette trainee. Since I’m not well-versed in high-society manners, the Konohana family is letting me stay there to learn.”
In reality, I was the one doing the serving, but a white lie was better than the whole truth.
“...I see.”
The boy seemed to accept that. “Tomonari... I’m just going to say it.” He looked at me with a pained expression. “I don't think I’m ever going to like you.”
“...That’s a shame, but I understand.”
That was fine. To him, I must look like a romantic obstacle.
“But... I’ll make sure to apologize to Miyakojima-san later.”
With that, he walked off the court. That last sentence caught me off guard, but I suppose he had been carrying some guilt of his own. Knowing that was enough for me. His coldness toward Narika hadn't been born of pure malice.
After leaving the court, I met up with Hinako at the bench behind the school.
“Did you win too, Hinako?”
“Mm.” She held up a V-sign. Unlike me, she looked like she still had plenty of energy.
“Itsuki... are you okay?”
“Somehow... but honestly, I just want to rest...”
I sat on the bench and let out a long breath. Tennis was a lot more demanding than it looked, especially when you had to cover the whole court yourself. That match had lasted an hour, and I was physically and mentally spent. I wanted to sit there for a while, but...
“...The third round starts soon, you know.”
“...What?”
My face twitched. I would later learn that as the tournament progresses and the number of players dwindles, the pace of the matches picks up. Since a court was free, I was called for my third-round match immediately.
The result was—
“...Don’t sweat it.”
“Hah... hah... damn it...”
My third-round opponent was a beast. I lost without even putting up a fight. Incidentally, a few hours later, Hinako went on to win the Girls' Division quite handily.
The Tennis Division of the Athletic Festival came to a close. Hinako, as the champion, handed her certificate to Ms. Shizune and came back to me.
“Phew... I’m beat.”
With the matches finished, Hinako finally let herself relax. It would have been nice to just lounge around together, but I couldn't stop thinking about one other person.
“Hinako. Can we go check on the Kendo Division?”
“Mm. I was wondering about her, too.”
Usually, the Kendo Division finishes before tennis. There was a chance it was already over, but we went to the gymnasium to check anyway. When we arrived, matches were still underway.
Progress is a lot slower than I expected.
Looking at the bracket, they were only just starting the semifinals.
“Um, did something happen?” I asked a male student nearby.
He looked surprised for a moment but quickly explained. “There was a problem with the air conditioning system, so they had to suspend the matches for a while. That’s why kendo is the only thing running late.”
That made sense. And it explained why there was such a large crowd. Most of the other divisions were finished, so bored students were flocking to the gymnasium.
“—Point!”
The match ended. The next one up was the second semifinal. A familiar girl stepped onto the floor.
“...Narika.”
She stood there with her black hair tied back, a look of quiet intensity on her face. Then, her eyes drifted toward us. With Hinako standing out as much as she did, it was easy for her to spot me right next to her.
The moment our eyes met, Narika immediately looked away, her cheeks turning bright red. I’m sure I didn't look much better.
“...Itsuki. What exactly happened between you and Miyakojima-san?”
“N-Nothing, don’t worry about it.”
“Suspicious...” Hinako peered at me with narrowed eyes, but I kept my mouth shut.
In the center of the gymnasium, Narika was preparing with practiced movements. She took a deep breath, and her eyes sharpened.
That focus is part of her charm, too.
A switch had flipped in her mind. She exuded an aura of raw fighting spirit—something entirely different from Tennoji-san’s refined dignity. Standing there, Narika looked far more mature and formidable than anyone else her age.
“—Begin!”
The referee gave the signal. Narika and her opponent began to circle, each testing the other’s defense.
Her form looks good. No problems there.
I’d been worried our conversation in the hallway would throw her off, but it seemed my fears were unfounded. If anything, it seemed she had found her resolve; there wasn't a trace of hesitation in her movements.
“Hey... don't you think Miyakojima-san might actually just want to make friends?”
I heard voices whispering nearby.
“Eh? Why would you think that?”
“A friend in Class B said she’s been really friendly lately. When you think about it, she’s always sort of tried, and I was just wondering...”
“Hmm, I don't know...”
Friendly or not, Narika had always been friendly at heart. It was just that her true nature never reached them.
“Is that the infamous Miyakojima-san?”
“She looks every bit as scary as the rumors say...”
She was a celebrity in her own right, it seemed. Just by standing there, she drew comments from everyone around.
This is bad... the more people gather, the worse the atmosphere around her gets.
Narika had worked hard over the past few days to change her image, but that new reputation hadn't spread to the whole Academy yet. The students who were starting to see her in a positive light were still in the minority.
In the crowded gymnasium, Narika swung her shinai.
“Point!”
In front of a massive audience, Narika claimed victory. She looked toward the crowd for just a split second. Perhaps she was hoping for a different reaction than last year. But reality was cruel; the spectators only looked more intimidated.
Narika retreated to the waiting room. Her back looked so lonely I had to force myself not to look away.
Why did it have to be like this?
Narika was in peak form. It was a flawless victory. So why was the atmosphere so heavy? The finals were next. Was it going to be a repeat of last year?
...Wait. I think I know a way.
I thought of one surefire way for Narika to stop being feared. I remembered the core of Tennoji-san’s Operation Noblesse Oblige—the idea wasn't for Narika to excel, but to let others take the spotlight.
If we applied that here... The reason she was feared was because she was so overwhelmingly strong. If she were to lose, however...
“If she gives up the win...”
“...I hadn't thought of that.”
I jumped at the response to my unconscious murmur. Narika was standing right there.
“Narika, when did you...”
“I’ve been here. You were thinking so hard I didn't want to disturb you, but...” Narika gave a dry laugh. “Losing on purpose to make myself look weak. I really hadn't considered that.”
She nodded with a strangely submissive attitude. But to me, she just looked like she was trying to hide her pain.
“Narika, that was just... it was just an idea...”
“It’s fine. I’ll make it look real. I’m perfectly capable of holding back if I have to.”
With that, she headed back to the waiting room. Even though the finals were about to start, I couldn't even manage a word of support.
I knew Narika didn't like holding back. When we'd practiced at the dojo, she’d made that clear. She could do it, but she hated it.
Was I really going to ask her to do something she hated?
“—Begin!”
The referee’s voice snapped me back to reality. The final match had begun while I was still lost in thought. In the tense air of the gymnasium, I saw immediately that Narika’s movements were sluggish.
“Wait, Miyakojima-san...”
“She looks like she’s in a slump.”
The crowd noticed it, too.
Narika was being pushed back, offerring almost no resistance. There was no doubt about it—she was planning to lose.
What should I do?
Her opponent took the first point. Narika took the next one back immediately after. Was she trying to make it look like a close fight? Kendo was a best-of-three match. Whoever took the next point would win.
My rational side and my instincts were at war. The fear people felt for Narika was tied to her strength. If she was shown to be beatable, that fear would fade. Besides, she was actually injured—she had a sprained finger from earlier in the tournament. If she lost now, people would just assume the injury had caught up with her.
The stage was perfectly set for her to lose. The plan would work.
And yet, I felt sick. What was I actually hoping for? I wanted Narika to be accepted. That was true. But I also didn't want her to betray herself.
“Itsuki... what do you really want?”
Hinako’s voice was quiet, meant only for me. It was as if she were reading my mind, giving voice to my inner conflict.
“I...” I started, trying to find the words. “I love how sincere Narika is about martial arts. She knows her own weaknesses, and that’s why she’s so proud of the things she is good at. I love the way she lives.”
It might have sounded a bit much, but saying it out loud cleared the fog in my head.
I see.
That nobility... it was familiar. It was the same as Hinako, who carried the weight of her family while searching for her own happiness. It was the same as Tennoji-san, who maintained her elegance to protect her family’s honor.
Narika was no different. Precisely because she knew she was weak in some ways—maybe even weaker than average—she chose to be proud of the strength she had worked for. My words might have started it, but Narika was the one who had made that strength her own.
Even with her weaknesses, she chose to be strong. Narika Miyakojima was a Young Lady.
“...It’ll be okay,” Hinako said, looking me in the eye. “Even if Miyakojima-san wins and the atmosphere gets weird... if you’re the first one to praise her, Itsuki, it’ll fix everything.”
“What do you mean...?”
Hinako didn't answer. She just smiled. “So, Itsuki... make sure you tell her how you really feel.”
In that moment, my mind was made up. Hinako was right. I hadn't told Narika my own feelings yet. If she wanted to make friends, maybe losing here was the logical choice.
But I didn't want that. The Narika I liked wouldn't do that.
Just as she had told me I was special... I wanted to tell her she was special, too. Even if it was selfish, it was how I truly felt. I didn't want Narika to be just another "normal" girl. The Narika Miyakojima I knew was incredible, cool—and far stronger than this.
“Narika!”
I shouted to her. She looked so fragile out there, as if she were about to be knocked over.
If I did this, all our hard work might go up in smoke. If it did, I’d just start over and help her again. I couldn't accept this "fake" loss.
“Give it everything you’ve got—!!”
In an instant, fighting spirit erupted from Narika. The weakness vanished. She stepped in, aggressive and fast.
“—!?”
Her opponent was stunned. No wonder—the momentum had shifted in a heartbeat. The other student desperately tried to strike her wrist, but Narika saw it coming and parried it effortlessly.
The floor shook with the force of her step. She swung her shinai straight down.
“MEEEEEEEN!!”
With a piercing kiai, Narika’s shinai struck her opponent's mask. It was a strike so powerful it made my skin crawl. It wasn't just fear; it was the awe of witnessing someone who was truly, terrifyingly serious. This was the Narika I admired. This was her strength.
“Point!”
The referee’s call rang out. The final match of the Kendo Division was an absolute blowout. Narika had won.
The two students faced each other and bowed. Even someone who knew nothing about kendo could tell she was on an entirely different level. Her sheer skill was so intimidating that the entire gymnasium fell into a stunned silence.
I began to clap, cutting through the quiet. I didn't care about the atmosphere; being on Narika’s side was more important. Even if I was the only person in the building clapping, I was going to let her know I was there for her.
But then...
I heard more clapping next to me. Hinako was applauding, her movements graceful and sure. Then, more applause came from further away.
Asahi-san, Kita, Suminoe-san, even the boy I’d just beaten in tennis... they were all clapping. Before long, the sound of applause filled the entire gym.
“Wow, that was... that was incredible, right?”
“Yeah. I was so surprised I couldn't even move...”
“Me too. I thought it was scary at first, but...”
The whispers of the students were lost in the ovation. This was the moment we’d been waiting for—the moment the school’s perception of Narika finally began to change.
“Miyakojima-san is amazing.”
The applause showed no sign of stopping. There were voices of genuine praise in the crowd now.
In the center of the floor, Narika had removed her mask. She stood there, frozen, her mouth slightly agape. But then, her eyes filled with tears, and she broke into a smile.
“...Haha.”
She looked truly, deeply happy.
“See? Just like I said,” Hinako said, looking quite proud of herself. “I know you best, after all, Itsuki.”
I didn't quite know what she meant by that, but she was right. I was glad I’d trusted her and shouted.
There was no more fear in the air. Narika had won.