The day after the pajama party.
Six in the morning. Since it was summer, the sky was already bright even at this early hour, and Yuri was enjoying a refreshing morning walk through Karuizawa. For Yuri, Karuizawa was not a place she could visit often. She wanted to savor this special environment as carefully and for as long as possible.
Just as she was about to head back to the hotel, she noticed a familiar girl walking ahead of her.
Yuri quickened her pace to approach her and called out.
"Miyakojima-san?"
"!? O-Oh, Hirano-san."
Narika turned around.
The scorching morning sun made her damp skin glow. Her lustrous black hair fluttered, and when her pale face turned toward Yuri, she felt a quiet but certain elegance in her sapphire-like beauty.
However, that same Narika currently had an incredibly stiff expression on her face.
It had only been a few days since they met. She likely hadn't managed to relax yet.
In times like this, the important thing was to act as if she didn't notice. Yuri spoke to her in a casual manner.
"Are you taking a walk too, Miyakojima-san?"
"N-No, I'm out for a run. I thought it would be easy to run here since it's cool..."
So that was why she was in sportswear. No wonder her outfit seemed a bit too serious for a mere stroll. Since she was lightly perspiring, it seemed she had been running until just a moment ago.
...Perfect timing.
Yuri decided to immediately fulfill the mission she had set for herself last night—to find out what the Young Ladies thought of Itsuki.
"Come to think of it, during the pajama party, we mostly talked about me and Itsuki. I didn't get to hear much about you, Miyakojima-san."
"A-About me? But I don't really have anything interesting to..."
"Itsuki went to your house back in the day, didn't he? Tell me about that."
"O-Oh! If it's that, then fine! I can talk about that as much as you want!"
Narika's expression brightened instantly.
As they walked slowly, Narika talked about the past. How Itsuki had come to her home, how she had been much more cowardly then than she was now, and how Itsuki had pulled her along...
"Wow! Itsuki did that?!"
"Yes. Thanks to Itsuki, I was able to learn about the outside world."
Hearing the story about him taking her to a dagashi shop, Yuri was slightly moved.
That Itsuki... he's surprisingly capable.
Narika spoke of her memories with Itsuki, her eyes sparkling. Hearing this, Yuri felt a sense of pride as his childhood friend.
"How are you feeling? Did the tension fade?"
"Eh?...Ah, n-now that you mention it..."
Before she knew it, Narika's stiff face had softened into that of a typical girl her age.
"Usually, people find me more intimidating... but Hirano-san, you're easy to talk to. It helps."
"Thanks. Well, it's easier to relax when you're talking about a topic you like."
"That's true."
Narika nodded, looking completely calm.
She had just been talking entirely about Itsuki; was it really okay for her to so boldly affirm that he was her "favorite topic"?...She probably said it without realizing it, Yuri thought.
"Hirano-san, you were already close with Itsuki back then, weren't you?"
"That's right. We've been together since the first grade, so at that time, it had already been about five years."
"I see....So your history goes deeper than mine."
The fact that she used such a grand word like "history" made it clear that Narika harbored special feelings toward her relationship with Itsuki.
Yuri remembered those days well.
One day, Itsuki had suddenly run away from home with his mother. Until then, although the Tomonari family's finances seemed tight, she had thought the family got along well enough, so it was a surprising turn of events.
He hadn't skipped school, so the Miyakojima family must have been providing transportation for him. As soon as school ended, Itsuki would leave the classroom and head straight home. She had wondered back then why he was in such a hurry or if he had errands to run, but apparently, he had been taking care of Narika.
When she asked Itsuki about it after his "runaway" period ended, he explained, "I stayed in an incredibly huge house," "I lived with a girl," and "But I got scolded really badly at the end." Perhaps because he was so shocked by that final episode, Itsuki didn't want to go into much detail.
It had been a while since she'd heard stories about an Itsuki she didn't know.
She felt a sense of enjoyment and... a slightly complicated feeling welling up.
"Both then and now, I've done nothing but cause trouble for Itsuki. But you were there to support him, weren't you, Hirano-san?"
"Well, yeah. I used to cook for him, gave him hand-me-down clothes when we were about the same height, and even taught him his schoolwork."
"You taught him his schoolwork too?"
"Yeah. He was often unable to focus during class, probably because he was tired from his part-time jobs. So I often taught him after school. I really took care of him in all sorts of ways."
Before she knew it, Yuri had unconsciously taken on a boastful expression.
Hearing Yuri's story, Narika was genuinely surprised.
"I thought Itsuki was more of the type to handle his own affairs, so that's a bit unexpected."
At Narika's words, Yuri recalled the old days.
"...That guy really had no leeway back then."
Considering those times, he's much better off now.
"By the way. To be blunt, what do you think of Itsuki, Miyakojima-san?"
"Ngh."
Caught off guard by Yuri's sudden strike, Narika stopped in her tracks, visibly shaken.
"N-No, I mean, it's not like there's anything in particular..."
"If you're honest with me, I might be able to give you some advice, you know?"
Yuri peered into Narika's face with a mischievous grin.
After looking down for a while, Narika finally opened her mouth as if having made up her mind.
"T-The truth is... I suppose I harbor more than a little affection for Itsuki..."
I knew it—.
She had been almost certain of it since the pajama party.
"How far have you two gotten?"
"H-How far... even if you ask me that, we haven't... ah, but I suppose I did tell him a little bit."
"Details."
Since they seemed further along than she expected, Yuri reacted with an instinctive hunger for information.
A person who looks terrifying at first glance but actually possesses a delicate heart—that was the person Yuri believed Narika Miyakojima to be. But perhaps she was more proactive than she thought.
"Even if I say I told him, I haven't told him anything clear yet. It's just, how do I put it... I made a declaration of interest!"
"A declaration of interest...?"
"In other words, I've at least conveyed that I consider Itsuki to be someone special..."
"...Wait, does that mean you already confessed?"
"N-No! It didn't mean that much yet!"
Narika turned beet red and shook her head vigorously.
How indecisive. Though, considering Narika's personality, this pace was likely quite fast for her.
"But if you've told him that much, isn't all that's left just to close the distance?"
"...I'm a bit troubled about that."
Narika lowered her gaze and spoke.
"What you told me yesterday hasn't left my mind, Hirano-san....I think Itsuki is busy right now. I wonder if I'll just be a nuisance if I do something unnecessary."
Hearing the worry Narika confessed, Yuri thought, "Oops."
She was overthinking it.
"Sorry, I might have made things sound confusing yesterday....In my opinion, you probably don't need to worry that much."
"...Is that so?"
"I don't think Itsuki's good-natured spirit is something that can be fixed. Besides, no matter how much we try to be considerate, he'll just end up shouldering all sorts of things on his own anyway."
Narika didn't say "True" aloud, but her expression showed she was convinced.
It gave a glimpse into Itsuki's self-sacrificing behavior at Kikou Academy.
"Besides, I bet that's one of the things you like about him, right, Miyakojima-san?"
"Ugh... w-well, I suppose so."
"Then I feel like it's wrong to view that helpful side as a problem....Anyway, I think you could afford to be a bit more proactive, Miyakojima-san."
After hearing Yuri's opinion, Narika gave a short nod.
She was trying to prioritize Itsuki over the feelings sprouting within herself....Wasn't this girl just as much of a softie as Itsuki?
"Besides, if Itsuki looks like he's struggling, I'll support him!"
"Support...?"
"I told you, didn't I? That I used to take care of Itsuki....Supporting his meddlesome nature has been my role since long ago. If it looks like he's going over his capacity, I'll do something about it."
After all, I'm Itsuki's big sister—.
She recited her signature line in her heart.
It had been about four months since Itsuki suddenly left school. It had been an awkward period, but from now on, they would probably be able to contact each other frequently as they used to.
She was sure she could be of help to the girl in front of her, too.
"B-But concretely, how should I go about closing the distance...?"
"Eh... T-That's, hmm..."
Being asked that question, Yuri realized something belatedly.
—What should she do?
Yuri was an expert on Itsuki, but she wasn't an expert on romance.
She hadn't told Itsuki, but... she did have experience being approached by boys in her class or being hit on by guys who came to her family's workplace. However, it always felt wrong to develop those into romantic relationships, so she had turned them all down.
Therefore, she wasn't well-versed in methods to close the distance herself.
Still, she felt she knew more than Narika. Yuri recalled the shoujo manga she occasionally read and the romantic advice she'd given friends, trying to think of any usable techniques.
"........................Kabedon, maybe?"
"Kabe... don?"
"It's like, you corner the other person against a wall and bring your face close while pinning the wall with one hand..."
"...There's a technique like that?"
The fact that she described it as a "technique" made Yuri lose confidence in having explained it well, but since she wasn't an expert on kabedon either, she decided not to explain any further.
"Also, it might be too obvious, but I think you should just increase the amount of conversation you have."
She thought this was surely correct advice.
Though she looked like a middle schooler—or at worst, an elementary student—Yuri was now a high school girl in her prime. The romantic stories she heard through the grapevine increased year by year, and her slight lack of experience could be compensated for with imagination.
"C-Conversation, huh. To be honest, that's my weak point..."
"If not conversation, then exchanging messages would work, right? I'm not familiar with high-society common sense, but you have that kind of app on your smartphone, don't you?"
"I-I know those things exist, but..."
Narika spoke with a bitter face.
"...I haven't exchanged phone numbers or email addresses with Itsuki yet."
"..................What?"
Even though they seemed this close, they hadn't done that yet?
However, Itsuki was likely at fault for this too.
Itsuki had owned a smartphone since last year, but since its only purpose was for work communications for his part-time jobs, it was cheap and low-performance. Thus, Itsuki didn't have the habit of using a smartphone to communicate with friends. The idea of exchanging contact information probably didn't occur to him easily.
"Well then, maybe start with that."
"Right... Thank you, Hirano-san. I'll... I'll try to do my best and take a step forward."
"Yeah. I'm looking forward to a good report."
It was an honor to be of help to a Young Lady attending Kikou Academy.
"A-Ah, Hirano-san!"
As Yuri was about to walk away, Narika called out to stop her.
"Um, what do you think of Itsuki, Hirano-san?"
"Me?"
Narika had an anxious look on her face.
Seeing that, Yuri couldn't help but smile.
"I'm Itsuki's big sister, so I don't have those kinds of feelings."
"I-I see...!"
When Yuri told her that with a laugh, Narika's face broke into a completely relaxed smile of relief.
Saying she would continue her run for a bit longer, Narika ran off.
Yuri stood there until Narika's back was out of sight, then finally unable to contain the emotions she had been holding back, she crouched down.
(Whaaat!! Wait a minute! Those two have progressed that far?!)
They were one or even two steps further than she thought.
To begin with, Yuri had only been thinking, "Maybe I'll give her a push if it looks like she might be interested in Itsuki." But when she opened the lid, it wasn't just a matter of being interested; she plain liked him, and it seemed she had already started making approaches.
(Geez, that Itsuki....He's quite the dark horse, isn't he?)
To think he'd be liked this much by a Young Lady from Kikou Academy.
As a childhood friend, it made her feel proud. But it wasn't surprising.
Itsuki had called meeting Hinako "something like a miracle," but Yuri didn't think so.
Even immediately after realizing his parents had run off in the middle of the night, how many people in this world would try to help a total stranger who had dropped their student ID?
Because Yuri was his childhood friend, she understood.
The fact that Itsuki was now attending Kikou Academy and that the Young Ladies were fond of him was entirely due to Itsuki's own merit. It wasn't a miracle.
—What do you think of Itsuki, Hirano-san?
She stopped dead in her tracks.
In her head, the words Narika had spoken to her echoed.
Her buoyant mood vanished in an instant.
(I... don't think anything of him.)
She didn't declare it to anyone; she merely whispered it in her heart as if to convince herself.
Above her was a canopy of tree branches and leaves. The light filtering through the gaps felt strangely dazzling. She felt a gloominess, as if the emotions she had pushed into a corner of her heart were being forcibly illuminated.
"Right! Next, I have to talk to Tennoji-san!"
Shaking her head to regain her composure, Yuri started walking with a forced smile, even though no one was watching.
◇
The way back after her part-time shift. Yuri was walking outside, feeling the cool of the gentle night breeze.
The next target Yuri had set was Mirei. However, she seemed to have a diligent personality, and during the Summer Seminar, she naturally spent much of her free time studying in her room.
Maybe I won't have a chance to talk to her today... Just as she thought that.
Yuri spotted Mirei sitting on a bench, gazing up at the sky.
"Tennoji-san."
When she called out, the Young Lady with the golden vertical rolls turned around.
It was an eccentric hairstyle, but it suited her perfectly. The fleeting moonlight pouring down blended into her beautiful golden hair.
"Oh, Hirano-san. Has your part-time shift already ended?"
"Yeah. What were you doing, Tennoji-san?"
"I was looking at the sky. The stars are visible so clearly here."
Tennoji-san said while gazing at the starry sky spread out above them.
Yuri thought she was an elegant person. If an ordinary high school girl made a statement about looking at the sky, she'd be laughed at for putting on airs, but when this Young Lady said it, it looked perfectly natural.
"Come to think of it, there's something I wanted to ask you, Tennoji-san."
"Something you wish to ask?"
"Yeah. It's about something we couldn't talk about during the pajama party..."
Now, how to bring it up?
Yuri's mind whirled.
Toward such a Yuri, Mirei smiled gently.
"Is it about me that you wish to know? Or is it about Tomonari-san?"
Yuri's eyes widened at that question.
However, she soon shrugged her shoulders in resignation.
"Both, I guess....How did you know I wanted to ask about Itsuki?"
"I do not have siblings, but if I were an older sister, I would always be worried about my younger brother. If possible, I would want to hear stories from a third party, not just from the person himself."
"...You saw right through me."
"It is because you are like a big sister to Tomonari-san, Hirano-san."
There were two things Yuri wanted to ask the Young Ladies.
One was what they thought of Itsuki.
And the other was whether Itsuki was actually getting along well at the Academy.
She had only been able to ask Narika the former. She had intended to ask the latter as well, but Narika's head seemed so full after the first question that Yuri had hesitated to ask any more.
"I trust you, as you are a friend of Tomonari-san. If there is anything you wish to hear, I shall tell you anything."
When Mirei told her that, an indescribable joy welled up in Yuri's chest.
To be told face-to-face that she was trusted by someone so full of dignity gave her a certain kind of pleasure. Yuri's body shivered with goosebumps.
"...Itsuki really is trusted, isn't he?"
"Tomonari-san is not the type to become friends with a bad person."
"No doubt about it."
That was a correct understanding. Yuri couldn't help but laugh.
If Itsuki saw someone doing something wrong, he was the type to gently tell them, "Isn't that bad?" People doing bad things would surely feel very uncomfortable with Itsuki around.
If the person she was facing was this girl who understood Itsuki, Yuri felt she could trust her completely as well.
Yuri cast aside all her anxieties and broached the main topic.
"How is it? Is Itsuki getting along well?"
"Yes. There are no problems at all. After all, he is the person who made even me feel—if only for a moment—that he was truly just another student of Kikou Academy."
Yuri immediately understood the meaning behind Mirei's statement.
Itsuki, who was faking both his status and background, was behaving as a student of Kikou Academy through unremitting effort.
That effort had been enough to deceive even Mirei's eyes, if only temporarily.
"I see, that's good then. Well, Kikou Academy has an image of being very safe, so I guess there's no such thing as being an errand boy or bullying."
"Errand boy... I am not sure what that is, but there is likely no bullying. In its place, pressure based on family lineage can arise, but Tomonari-san is skillfully avoiding that as well."
The fact that the term "errand boy" didn't even register meant it really was a safe environment.
"Hmm. That guy is moving around more skillfully than I thought."
"Indeed. Especially recently, he seems to be working very hard."
That was before the Athletic Festival was held. Itsuki, who had been cooperating with Narika's friend-making efforts, had noticed his own reputation within the Academy during that process and attempted to improve it.
Mirei had noticed that improvement. One could tell by looking. Itsuki, who at first had been wandering aimlessly like a fledgling bird, had before she knew it begun to act while sensing the gazes directed at him from his surroundings. In terms of looking at his surroundings, he was the same as before, but the meaning was entirely different. Itsuki, who had been somewhat intimidated by the environment of Kikou Academy, was now pushing forward to become a person worthy of the Academy's honor.
Students of Kikou Academy would often become business owners or politicians in the future, standing above others. Standing above others meant being noticed by people. That was why daughters of the upper class like Mirei had their awareness polished by their parents and teachers from a young age.
It was significant that Itsuki had gained that awareness. Finally, in a true sense, he was becoming a person who would not bring shame no matter where he went as a student of Kikou Academy. Of course, there were still areas where his knowledge was shallow, but he had grown to the point where he would never make a blunder in small social circles.
"Tomonari-san is... truly a hard worker."
Mirei was as happy about Itsuki's growth as if it were her own.
Looking at Mirei, Yuri opened her mouth.
"Tennoji-san, do you like Itsuki?"
"Fwa-huh?!"
A strange sound came out.
"W-W-W-What are you suddenly saying so foolishly...?!"
"Ah, um, sorry. It's just that when I'm with you, Tennoji-san, I feel like I can just be straight with you, or rather, that I don't need to beat around the bush..."
"Even I can be shaken, you know!"
She had looked so dignified that it didn't seem that way.
"Ahem....W-Well, I suppose I do harbor a certain amount of goodwill."
Tennoji-san said, giving a forced cough.
Her cheeks were slightly stained red. Did she really think she could deceive anyone with that?
"If you tell me more about it, I might be able to give you some good advice, you know? I'm Itsuki's big sister after all, so I know a lot about him."
"Ugh..."
Hesitation crossed Mirei's expression.
The moment she made that face, it was clear Mirei was harboring something. However, unlike Narika, perhaps because she was strong-willed, she wouldn't easily confess even though she was troubled.
So, Yuri decided to press her further.
"Rather than someone from Kikou Academy, wouldn't someone with my kind of distance be easier to consult with?"
"Uuu..."
"No good comes from keeping your worries to yourself, right? You want to focus on the Summer Seminar too, don't you?"
"Auu..."
There was no longer any trace of the dignity Yuri had felt earlier.
Looking at Mirei, who reacted like a normal girl—no, far more innocently and delicately than a normal girl—Yuri felt a warm, fond feeling.
"................Occasionally, I feel anxious."
Mirei quietly confessed.
"As you can see, I have a conspicuous appearance, and even setting that aside, I was born and raised to stand out. Therefore, I must be careful with those close to me. If someone is by my side, they will inevitably stand out together with me."
Yuri continued to listen with a sincere expression to the worries poured out with downcast eyes.
"And... Tomonari-san is likely not the type of person who enjoys standing out."
This wasn't about being a commoner; it was simply his natural disposition.
They were a minority at Kikou Academy, but it wasn't as if they didn't exist. The so-called behind-the-scenes types exist in every society. In Itsuki's case, although he has trained himself to behave properly in front of others out of necessity, at heart, he doesn't seem to seek out such opportunities.
"Um, so in other words, you're anxious that Itsuki might feel cramped by being with you, Tennoji-san?"
"That is what it comes down to."
It was a pure romance, rare in this day and age. Narika was the same, but Mirei too was unable to take a step forward because she was thinking of the other person—Itsuki—rather than her own circumstances.
In that case, the direction of the advice was simple.
Just like with Narika, she just needed to give her a push.
"Itsuki certainly isn't the type to like standing out, but I don't think he would reject it because of that. He'll stand out if he needs to."
"...But if the things Tomonari-san needs to do increase because of me, I wonder if that would still end up being a burden to him."
"Ah... I see."
Yuri thought there was some truth to that concern.
"Furthermore, considering what you said at the pajama party, Hirano-san, I feel it would be truly regrettable to place any further burden upon Tomonari-san."
It seemed she was thinking similar things to Narika.
After organizing the poured-out worries in her head, Yuri stated her opinions in order.
First, regarding the talk at the pajama party.
She intentionally omitted the part about having told Miyakojima-san the same thing.
"Sorry if I misled you. Being considerate is fine, but Itsuki is the type who's going to get busy anyway, so if you think about not being a burden, your relationship will never change. Well, you'll probably be thanked, but..."
Mirei gave a small nod.
She likely didn't want just mere thanks.
"And about the talk that he might stand out if you're nearby, Tennoji-san, I think it's best to ask him directly about that. Itsuki would answer that kind of thing without deceiving you."
"Yes, that is true....In the end, asking him directly is for the best."
Whether Mirei had reached a similar conclusion, she nodded her head.
Yuri couldn't give much advice, but with this, Mirei's counseling session was over. Mirei still seemed to have some anxiety remaining, but Yuri thought that once she had clearly decided what she needed to do, she would take action sooner or later.
"But to be honest, it's a surprise. I had an image of you being more dignified, Tennoji-san, but you worry about things like this too."
"...I am, after all, only human. There are times when I feel timid."
Perhaps because she wasn't the type to show weakness often, Mirei had a frustrated look on her face.
"Moreover, um, I am experiencing this kind of problem for the first time... I am not used to it."
"Heh. I thought someone like you, Tennoji-san, would have all sorts of romantic experience, but I guess not."
Yuri spoke with surprise.
Then Mirei stated with a knowing look in her eyes.
"...When one's family name is great, the number of difficult stories increases as well."
Yuri vaguely felt the suffering and conflict contained in those words.
"It's hard being a Young Lady, isn't it?"
"Yes. While it does not go as far as an arranged marriage, a completely free romance is also not a realistic position to take....Well, in my case, I had simply fallen into self-imposed restraints."
Not understanding the intent behind the latter half of the statement, Yuri tilted her head.
In Mirei's case—since her parents encouraged her to live freely, free romance wasn't particularly a problem. However, until very recently, Mirei's awareness of living as a daughter of the Tennoji Group had been excessive, so she had sealed away free romance by her own will. She truly believed she should be united with someone worthy of a daughter of the Tennoji family and that her own will was irrelevant.
To Mirei, her days of self-imposed restraints until now carried a certain preciousness as a memory, even while admitting they were distorted. After all, it was thanks to those restraints that she was able to meet Itsuki, so they weren't so bad after all. Precisely because she had been curled up inside a hard shell for a long time, she had met someone she wanted to be with even if she had to break that shell.
"...I thank you for listening to my consultation."
Mirei bowed deeply.
"Yeah. Let me know if you're ever in trouble again."
"Yes. But I shall end it here."
Hmm? Yuri tilted her head, and Mirei spoke.
"I am Mirei Tennoji. A noble lady who will one day shoulder the Tennoji Group. —Therefore, my showing of weakness ends here."
The dignity that had vanished before she knew it was revived.
"Please keep what happened today strictly between us."
"Y-Yes..."
Yuri nodded nervously toward Mirei, who held a forefinger in front of her lips.
Mirei's eyes were filled with her usual fire.
With Tennoji-san, maybe there was no need to give her a push... Yuri thought so. Mirei possessed the humility to say she wasn't perfect, but that was also proof that she could view her own weaknesses objectively, and she had the strength to face them. In that case, she would have taken a step forward sooner or later.
"Hirano-san."
Mirei called out to stop Yuri as she was about to leave.
"I had forgotten to ask....What do you think of Tomonari-san?"
Again, she was asked the same thing.
Why did everyone ask her that? Yuri wondered.
"I don't think anything of him, really."
"Is that true?"
Mirei looked straight at Yuri and continued.
"After all—you are thinking about Tomonari-san very seriously."
If it were someone she didn't think anything of, she wouldn't think about them that seriously. Mirei stated that implicitly.
At that moment, Yuri had a premonition that something she had kept locked away was about to overflow.
Yuri was aware that her expression had become stern. However, Mirei pointed out nothing and maintained her silence. During that time, Yuri calmed her heart.
"I told you, didn't I? I'm Itsuki's big sister, so it's natural."
"...That is true."
Mirei made a gesture of acceptance.
However, her expression—neither smiling nor puzzled—seemed to be saying, "Let's go with that then."
After parting with Mirei, Yuri returned to her room.
Opening the small refrigerator, she took out the mineral water she had purchased at the front shop and moistened her throat. A comfortable coolness pierced through the depths of her body.
(How should I put it... She was an intense person.)
When facing her, she had felt an intensity beyond description. As the conversation progressed, the tension had gradually eased, but Mirei possessed a solemn style that commoners do not have. That presence was something she had never experienced in her friendships until now. She was a Young Lady one would never forget after meeting once.
Besides, she was also a sharp person.
Having helped with her family's service business since she was young, Yuri had pride in her own ability to read people, but she probably couldn't compete with that Young Lady.
(Even so... students of Kikou Academy fall in love like normal people, don't they?)
Though she felt that the content of that love couldn't exactly be called "normal."
It seemed Young Ladies had various constraints of their own. Until now, she had held feelings of admiration toward Kikou Academy, but now she also had an impression of it being somewhat suffocating.
"After all—you are thinking about Tomonari-san very seriously."
Suddenly, she recalled the words Mirei had spoken to her.
She had been shaken for a moment, but thinking about it, it was natural.
Because I'm Itsuki's big sister.
There's no reason beyond that.
"...Well then. One more to go."
The investigation of Narika and Mirei was finished. As expected, both of them seemed to harbor affection for Itsuki.
One person left.
Thinking about the last Young Lady, Yuri felt a little nervous.
◇
To investigate Hinako, Yuri waited for an opportunity to talk to her.
However, unlike Narika and Mirei, it was hard to find a gap to talk to Hinako. Every morning, they faced each other in the cafeteria, but precisely because of the nature of what she wanted to ask, it was hard to call out to her in front of people. Even after the Summer Seminar classes ended, she seemed to return to the hotel together with Itsuki and the others, and Yuri didn't see her outside after that.
(Is Konohana-san... quite the indoor person?)
They were in Karuizawa, of all places. She thought she could enjoy it more, like Narika running outside or Mirei enjoying the starry sky... but she didn't see that side of Hinako.
No, the other person was the daughter of the Konohana Group. To begin with, Karuizawa was probably nothing unusual to her. Thinking that way, she could understand why she didn't come out of her room much.
But that way, she would never be able to talk to her.
(Maybe I should just visit her room directly? But although it was a coincidence, I ended up knowing her room through what feels like an abuse of my professional authority... Hmm, I'd hate to be thought of as weird.)
While worrying about such things, Yuri slowly approached the room where Hinako was staying.
It was already dark outside. The fatigue from her part-time shift demanded a quick solution to the problem. When she was tired, she started to feel resistance to thinking too hard.
Forget it. I'll just visit the room.
Thinking that, the moment Yuri was about to start walking—.
"Hirano-sama, was it not?"
"Uhyah?!"
She was suddenly called out to from behind.
Turning around, she saw a woman in a maid uniform—Shizune—standing there.
She hadn't felt her presence at all.
"You have been observing my lady's room for a while now... Do you have some business?"
Ms. Shizune's eyes narrowed sharply.
She was completely on guard.
Apparently, this maid wasn't just a servant. Yuri sensed that she also carried the role of security to protect Hinako.
"E-Eh, um, that is... I thought I'd like to talk with Konohana-san for a bit..."
"...A talk, is it?"
"E-Eh, yeah. If it's a bother, then never mind..."
Shizune placed a finger on her chin and stared straight at Yuri.
"...We have already done an investigation, so is there no need to doubt her?"
Shizune said, "Please wait a moment," and took a smartphone from her pocket.
After a while, Ms. Shizune put the smartphone away.
"Well then, I shall guide you to my lady's room."
"Ah, yes. Please do..."
Probably, Hinako's permission was given in that phone call just now.
Proceeding up a gentle slope, they headed to where the three-star buildings were lined up.
Shizune knocked on the door.
Footsteps approached, and the door opened.
"I have been waiting for you."
A Young Lady with flowing amber hair, Hinako Konohana, appeared.
Her figure smiling gently was very dazzling. For a moment, Yuri hallucinated that the light of the room was Hinako's halo.
"Please, come inside."
Saying that, Hinako went inside the room.
Shizune held the open door. Yuri slowly stepped into the room.
"Whoa... amazing."
A large ceiling. Luxurious-looking furniture.
Every single piece of furniture radiated a delicate and beautiful presence. It was as if she had visited another world.
Come to think of it, a colleague at her part-time job had mentioned it.
When they carried food to a three-star room, they almost dropped the plate out of sheer surprise.
If you stay for a long time, you feel like your values might change.
"Hirano-san?"
"S-Sorry. It's just more luxurious than I thought... I-I need a moment to calm down..."
If she were to damage the furniture, she couldn't take responsibility.
She placed a hand on her chest and took a deep breath.
Hinako looked at Yuri with a look of wonder.
As if she hadn't even imagined she would be that shaken—.
"My lady. Tomonari-san is almost on 'this side,' so please do not treat them together..."
"...That is true."
Shizune whispered into Hinako's ear.
Those words were faintly audible.
When Itsuki visited this room, had he not been as surprised as she was?
Thinking that, power welled up from somewhere.
Yuri sat down opposite Hinako and let out a light sigh.
"It is herbal tea."
Shizune, holding a tray, placed two cups on the table.
Since Hinako took a cup in her hand, Yuri also decided to moisten her throat first.
It had a mellow drinking feel. It was likely blended with black tea. Taking another sip, the spicy aroma unique to herbs passed through her nostrils.
"...Rosemary, perhaps?"
"Yes. As expected of you."
Rosemary is also used as a cooking spice or to remove odors.
That was why Yuri knew it. Rosemary has a fatigue recovery effect.
Probably, for her sake—who was tired from her daily part-time job—she had gone through the trouble of preparing tea using this herb.
(Whoa... the level of hospitality is too high...)
This kind of thing was originally something one only obtained by paying a high price.
It wasn't something to be tasted in the room of an acquaintance one visited casually.
This was the world of real Young Ladies.
Had Itsuki jumped into such an intense world...? Yuri thought deeply.
"Um, sorry. Thanks for making time for me."
"You need not worry about it. I also wanted to become closer with you, Hirano-san, taking this Summer Seminar as an opportunity."
What a kind and gentle girl.
A pure and innocent warmth enveloped Yuri.
"Actually, I wanted to ask about Itsuki."
"About Tomonari-kun?"
Hinako tilted her head cutely.
"See, Itsuki feels like he's showing his commoner side, doesn't he? So I was worried, or rather..."
"I see....You are kind, Hirano-san."
"I-It's not like that. I just wanted to know, as Itsuki's big sister."
Toward Yuri who looked away, Hinako had a gentle look on her face.
"If it is Tomonari-kun, there are no problems at all. At first, he was struggling with Academy life, but he has visibly become used to it recently. I think he has relaxed a bit too."
"...I see. But he has a surprisingly soft side, doesn't he? Not just the Academy, he's also working at your house, Konohana-san, so I thought he might be making all sorts of mistakes."
"It is all right. Since he is being taught manners step-by-step by Shizune... my servant, his absorption is actually faster than that of a typical servant."
"H-Hmm. That's good then."
Shizune, whose name was called, gave a small bow.
She had thought so when she heard it from Mirei, but Itsuki seemed to be doing better than expected.
(...Oh, what is this? This feeling.)
Why did she just feel a bit bitter?
As if she were lonely, as if she were in pain. She felt a slightly negative feeling well up.
At this rate, it was as if she were wishing for Itsuki to fail.
There was no way that was true.
"By the way, Hirano-san."
Hinako stared at her.
"In the end, what is Tomonari-kun's preferred type?"
"...Eh?"
That seemed like a somewhat abrupt question.
"During the pajama party, you were about to say it."
"Ah, yeah. Um, that was, to be blunt, I just wanted to see the reactions of you three, so I just said it randomly, but..."
"But you do know, don't you?"
"...W-Well, I have an idea."
"Since it's a rare chance, would you tell me? Perhaps because I heard it halfway, it has been stuck in my ears the whole time."
Hinako said while smiling.
She's biting more than I thought—.
But if she's curious, well, it can't be helped.
It's true that now that she mentioned it, she might have said it in a way that made her curious about the rest because it was left halfway. So she wanted to know. Was that it...?
...Wait, no, isn't that a stretch?
Countless question marks welled up in her head.
"W-Well, let's see..."
While feeling perplexed, Yuri looked at Hinako.
No matter how many times she looked, she was a perfect lady. Having felt the difference in rank as a girl and as a person with her own skin, Yuri instantly erased the idea that "this Young Lady might also like Itsuki."
This Young Lady was truly on another level.
Probably, she was just asking out of simple curiosity. That was how Yuri interpreted it.
"...Itsuki is a softie, and he's the type to get busy on his own, but I think he's actually satisfied with that in one way or another."
"Meaning?"
"In other words, Itsuki likes people who keep him busy....To put it further, I think he likes people who need him."
"Is that so?"
Having heard the story, Hinako nodded.
"...Fufufu."
"? Konohana-san, is something wrong?"
"No, it is nothing....Fufu."
For some reason, Hinako was laughing in a very good mood.
She didn't know the reason for that smile, but it was very cute.
"You might not be Itsuki's type, Konohana-san. How should I put it, you look like you can do anything... you're exactly like a perfect lady."
"That may be true."
Hinako nodded somewhat composedly.
She didn't look discouraged.
As expected, she didn't seem to harbor affection for Itsuki.
"Sorry for taking your time. This was about all I wanted to ask."
Well then, Yuri was about to leave the room.
Immediately after,
"What do you think of Tomonari-kun, Hirano-san?"
Ah, as I thought. She was asked again.
She didn't know why everyone asked that question, but they say things happen in threes. Therefore, Yuri had been mentally prepared from the start this time.
More so than she had expected, she could answer immediately without being shaken.
"I think of him like a younger brother. There's nothing else."
As if to make up for her being shaken until now, Yuri answered clearly.
Then, for truly a fleeting moment—and it was minor and might have been her imagination—Hinako showed a look of slight relief.
In the next moment she blinked, she had returned to her usual expression, soft as a flower.
Was it her imagination? Resigning herself to that, Yuri parted with Hinako.