The week after the Athletic Festival.
"Um, Miyakojima-san."
"W-What is it?"
The environment surrounding Narika had shifted noticeably.
After school, as I approached the Class B classroom, I saw Narika being spoken to by someone again. Though she looked a bit bewildered, she was responding slowly and politely.
(I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.)
Seeing her being approached by so many different people put my mind at ease.
Since the Athletic Festival had only just ended, she might have been getting a special amount of attention, but her unapproachable aura had definitely softened.
She still looked surprised every time someone spoke to her, but that was likely just her innate personality. I hoped she would overcome that shyness eventually.
"Hey. Wasn't Miyakojima-san the one everyone was whispering about?"
Just then, I overheard a conversation between two boys walking down the hallway.
"...The rumors seem to be total lies. She clearly has friends and everything."
"Oh, really?"
When I stole a glance back, I saw the boy I had faced during the Athletic Festival.
The boy who had acted coldly toward Narika while hiding his feelings for Hinako was now the one speaking up to clear her name.
As I watched in surprise, our eyes met for a fleeting second.
I gave a light nod, and he walked away as if nothing had happened.
"Itsuki!"
Narika called out to me from the Class B classroom.
I had intended to just take a quick peek and leave, but it seemed I’d been spotted.
"You look busy."
"Yes, well, a classmate said they wanted to start kendo. They asked if I could help them practice, so we were discussing a schedule."
Narika spoke with a happy lilt in her voice.
"Almost certainly because of your influence, Narika."
"I-I wouldn't know about that... but if it is, I’m glad."
"Your old reputation was just a misunderstanding; this is how things were always meant to be. I think you should hold your head higher."
Narika looked down bashfully.
As for me, I felt like I hadn't praised her nearly enough.
"The final match was truly incredible, after all."
"D-Do you really think so?"
"Yeah. I mean... I fell for you."
"You fell for me!?"
"You were so cool. I actually got goosebumps. They're still talking about it in my class, too. 'The Great Swordmaster has arrived,' they say."
"O-Oh, so that's what you meant..."
For some reason, Narika's shoulders slumped.
From now on, Narika would probably interact with many different people. When that happened, the opportunities for us to talk alone like this might decrease.
If that was the case, then before it happened... I had to tell her at least this much.
"...I won't forget."
I told her with the utmost sincerity.
"I mean... I won't forget what you told me on the day of the Athletic Festival, Narika."
"Eh, ah..."
I looked as directly at her face as I could. Narika's face turned beet-red, and she averted her gaze.
"...Why are you blushing? You're the one who said it."
"T-That’s true, but when I actually stop to remember it, it’s quite embarrassing..."
From the gaps in Narika's beautiful black hair, I could see her ears had turned bright crimson. My own were likely a similar color.
Looking at how embarrassed she was, I couldn't help but mutter.
"Neither of us is the same as we were back then."
"T-That’s right! I’ve been growing up too, you know!"
With her cheeks still flushed, Narika puffed out her chest.
(You don't have to tell me twice...)
My heart had been pounding so hard it was starting to hurt.
Narika was no longer a child. She was a girl my own age who occasionally made me feel completely flustered.
"Oh, that's right, Itsuki. Actually, my father is at the Academy for work right now... If you'd like, would you come speak with him?"
It was almost certainly an attempt to change the subject, but for once, I was happy to go along with the flow. However, this new topic was difficult in its own way.
"Even if you say 'speak'... I'm pretty sure your father hates me."
"Hmm? That is not the case. As I told you before, Father is quite fond of you."
Narika had said as much before, but I still found it hard to believe.
"If you are anxious, I shall go with you," Narika added in a bright tone.
It might have been pathetic of me, but honestly, it was encouraging.
When we left the school building and headed toward the gymnasium, we found Musashi-san. He must have had some business regarding the equipment.
He noticed us immediately.
"Itsuki Tomonari."
"I-It’s been a while."
Since only a few days had passed since I visited their home, "it's been a while" felt like the wrong expression. When I was intimidated, I tended to spiral into negative thoughts.
Then, I noticed a woman in a kimono standing beside Musashi-san.
When our eyes met, she gave a quiet bow.
"I am Otsuko Miyakojima. It has been a long time."
"Yes, it’s been a long time..."
She was Narika's mother. I had met her when I was very young.
Her back was perfectly straight, and every movement was refined. However, unlike Narika's sharp presence, she radiated a gentle and friendly aura.
Otsuko-san’s presence noticeably softened Musashi-san's grimness. Thanks to that, I finally regained my composure—
(Wait...)
A question suddenly occurred to me.
(Why exactly was I so afraid of Musashi-san?)
His appearance was terrifying. His words were harsh. The memory of being reprimanded for taking Narika out in the past remained deeply rooted in my mind.
His looks, his words, the impression he left... all of them were the exact same reasons people misunderstood Narika.
"Um, Musashi-san. When I was a kid, you scolded me for taking Narika outside, didn't you...?"
"Scolded you?"
Musashi-san furrowed his brow.
"I have no memory of that. Rather, I recall expressing my gratitude."
Gratitude...?
I had no memory of that at all. What was going on?
"Tomonari-san."
Otsuko-san, who had been silent beside her husband, spoke up.
"It may be hard to believe, but my husband is very poor with words."
"Poor with words...?"
"Yes. It has caused quite a bit of trouble over the years."
Otsuko-san let out a sigh and looked at her husband.
"What exactly did you say to Tomonari-san that day?"
"Hmm... that was, surely..."
Musashi-san searched his memories.
After I had gone outside with Narika without permission and she ended up getting injured, I had been summoned by him.
To the trembling version of my younger self, Musashi-san had said:
"Thank you for entertaining my daughter today."
He had stated it simply, and then...
"……Next, I shall entertain you."
"Hieee!"
He had said that with a terrifying, demonic smile.
The sheer pressure was so great that I had instinctively bolted.
However, Musashi-san made a puzzled face as he finished the story.
"When I said that... for some reason, you ran away in terror."
Musashi-san looked slightly dejected.
Could it be...?
"Um, was that intended in the sense of, say, beating me to a pulp?"
"No. It is often misunderstood, but my husband's statements never have any meaning beyond the literal words," Otsuko-san explained on his behalf.
Looking at Musashi-san's face, there was no sign of a lie.
So, truly... he meant exactly what he said.
(I was just misunderstanding him the whole time.)
The tension finally left my shoulders.
Next, I shall entertain you—it seemed the true intention wasn't that he would crush me for injuring Narika, but purely "Next time you come over, I'll make sure you have a good time, too."
The Musashi-san in my memory was much scarier and had clearly scolded me. However, that was apparently an image I had conjured up myself.
Musashi-san was just a kind-hearted man who was terrible at communicating.
Just as the entire Academy had misunderstood Narika, I had done the same to her father.
"I should also mention that we do not intend to treat you based on your family circumstances. We are... on somewhat bad terms with your mother, but we have no intention of being cold to you because of that."
"...Thank you very much."
What broad-minded people. I bowed deeply to them both.
"Musashi-san, I'm sorry for misunderstanding you for so long."
"No... as long as it is cleared up, that is enough."
Musashi-san’s voice held a slight hint of relief.
But that left one more question.
"Um, the other day, you said that Narika being weak was my fault. What did you mean by that?"
"I meant... that she only appeared that way because you were trying to force her to behave like an ordinary person."
Musashi-san continued.
"Misunderstandings eventually clear. Once one graduates from the Academy, the world ahead is one of merit. There is no room for trivial rumors there. Therefore, I judged that if she continued to grow as she was, Narika would become a leader respected and feared by many, just as I am. There was never any need for her to be 'ordinary.'"
Now that my fear of him was gone, I could accurately understand his meaning.
He believed Narika’s social isolation was only a temporary byproduct of being at the Academy. Once she entered society, that fear would transform into awe—a feeling closer to respect.
Compared to other students, Narika's lack of a social life was glaring. I had stepped in to help, but Musashi-san didn't think she needed to be compared to "normal" students at all. It was his way of respecting her individuality.
He understood Narika's strength in his own way. That was why he thought she was fine as she was...
(He judged...?)
He spoke as if that was in the past.
"Now, however, I think this was for the best," Musashi-san stated. "I lived thinking only of becoming an excellent leader. But Narika seems to be different. I learned that by watching you two."
Musashi-san looked at both of us.
Narika looked blankly back at him, but I think I understood. He had realized that Narika wasn't meant to stand alone; she was the type of person who thrived by supporting and being supported by others. That person didn't have to be me. It could be Taisho, Asahi-san, Tennoji-san, or Hinako... Narika was better off with someone by her side.
"Come to think of it, Father! I completely forgot, but why didn't you tell me Itsuki was coming to visit me when I was sick? I was terribly surprised!"
"That was... because I thought you would be happier that way."
"I wasn't happy at all!"
Narika snapped.
The overwhelming aura radiating from Musashi-san vanished instantly. His shoulders actually looked like they were drooping.
This man might be more of a "normal father" than I ever imagined.
"If you had told us in advance, she could have dressed up a bit more, after all," Otsuko-san teased.
"Exactly as Mother says—N-N-N-No! That's not it at all! I-It's not like that!"
Narika turned to me, her face glowing red.
"Sure, sure," I laughed, letting the subject slide.
"Changing the subject, Tomonari-san, did you sign up for the Summer Seminar?"
"Summer Seminar?" I asked Otsuko-san.
"Kikou Academy holds a Summer Seminar every year. I went to pick up some materials earlier while I was here for work... please, take a copy. I have an extra."
I thanked Otsuko-san and accepted the pamphlet.
It looked like an event similar to a camp, but with classes taught by famous guest lecturers. Participation was optional, and one had to apply in advance.
I was curious, so I decided I'd consult Shizune-san about it later.
"The location is... Karuizawa, huh?"
It was the ultimate classic destination. But I supposed only a privileged few actually got to enjoy such a classic trip.
(Come to think of it, Karuizawa...)
I remembered an old acquaintance—a girl who had gone to my old high school.
If I remembered correctly, she mentioned she'd taken a resort part-time job in Karuizawa during our freshman year. She said it was a great experience, so she might be going back again this year.
If I went to the Summer Seminar, there was a chance I might run into her there—
"No... surely I'm overthinking it."