◆
When I arrived at the cafe, two girls were already waiting for us.
One was Tennoji-san, recognizable by her signature blonde hair styled in vertical drills. The other was Narika, a girl who fit the "cool beauty" archetype but was, in reality, just socially awkward.
"It's finally here! The Management Game!"
The moment we sat down, Tennoji-san practically burst with excitement.
"Before we get into that... Tennoji-san, I’m looking forward to working with you this term."
"Ah... Ahem. Yes, quite right. One must never forget proper greetings."
Asahi-san gave a wry smile, prompting Tennoji-san to look slightly sheepish.
"I also look forward to working with you all this semester. I am truly delighted, from the bottom of my heart, that every member of our circle has reunited without anyone missing."
Tennoji-san wasn’t being dramatic.
The students at Kikou Academy all came from families of prominent politicians or business moguls. Because they were so heavily bound by their family circumstances, it wasn't unheard of for students to be forced to transfer even during the break.
That said, I had already confirmed that none of the six of us had such worries.
This group had been together since the very first tea parties, and I had grown quite fond of them. I felt a quiet sense of gratitude that we could spend the second semester together.
"I'll be in your care too, Miyakojima-san."
"Y—Yeah! Same here!"
Narika spoke with a stiff, almost grim expression, likely due to her nerves.
"Narika, your face is looking a little intense."
"Urgh... I—I just haven't seen anyone lately, so I forgot how to... ah...!"
Narika had supposedly grown since we first met, but I worried she might have regressed back to square one over the summer.
"I believe you organized this gathering, Tennoji-san. Was there something specific you wanted to discuss?" I asked.
"Yes. While I certainly wanted to see everyone again, the main topic is this."
Tennoji-san set her laptop on the table as she spoke.
"Before I begin, I must ask—does everyone have a firm grasp of the Management Game's mechanics?"
Most of the group nodded or gave a noncommittal "more or less."
"Forgive me," I said, raising my hand. "I know the general overview, but not the specific details."
"I... I am the same..." Narika added, following my lead.
"Then I shall explain, just to be safe. You could figure most of it out through the tutorial, of course, but that is quite a time-consuming endeavor."
When Ms. Shizune had briefed me on the game earlier, she had mentioned that it was a specialized course and suggested I hear the details from my classmates once the term started. I was honestly grateful for the help. Our teacher had mentioned it during homeroom as well, but the Management Game was clearly the academy's most famous tradition. Aside from a transfer student like me, most people seemed to know the basics—Narika being the obvious exception.
"The Management Game is a type of business simulation. Players assume the role of an executive and manage one or more corporations within the game for a period of three years."
I knew the genre. Back at my old high school, some of my classmates had been obsessed with games like that—building cities as a mayor or running a ranch.
"The variety of companies is vast: manufacturing, retail, schools, airports, theme parks—you name it. However, you cannot choose with complete freedom. Options are presented to you based on your family background and academic standing. For Narika, for instance, a sports equipment manufacturer is guaranteed to be an option."
"Yeah. My parents already told me that's what I have to pick."
"Every student should have access to the same industry as their family business. It makes the simulation more grounded in reality."
Though it was called a "game," it was strictly for educational purposes. It was for studying, not playing, so the restrictions made sense.
"What about the options for someone like you or Konohana-san?" I asked.
The Konohana Group encompassed everything from city banks and trading companies to heavy industry and real estate. I wondered if all of those were on the table.
"For individuals like us, the option to manage an entire corporate group is provided."
I see. So they could choose a position similar to the one Kagon held.
"The initial choice a player makes is called the Start Position. This determines not just the industry, but the scale—capital, number of employees, and so on."
Naturally, the scale of the options also fluctuated based on family name and grades. My own Start Position would likely be a mid-sized IT company or smaller.
"As an exception, there are certain Start Positions that any student can choose freely, such as restaurants or small-scale retail."
Beside me, Narika muttered, "I wonder if... a dagashi shop is an option...?"
Even if the game allowed it, I doubted her parents would.
"Wait, if the Start Positions are different, doesn't that make it unfair?" I asked. "If we're competing on revenue, wouldn't the people who can choose massive corporations have an unfair advantage over those restricted to small businesses?"
"Good catch, Tomonari-kun!" Asahi-san chirped.
"Exactly. Because everyone starts from a different place, revenue isn't the only metric for evaluation. Players have to adopt a strategy that fits their situation—whether that's steady, conservative management or something more innovative. That strategy is what determines your grade."
Taisho nodded in agreement with Asahi-san.
"Let's be real, even in the actual business world, profit isn't the only thing that matters. For us, and definitely for Hinako-san and Tennoji-san, maximizing profit isn't always the top priority, right?"
"That is correct," Hinako agreed quietly. "I believe a company's raison d'être is social contribution rather than mere sales. For example, Tennoji-san’s company has a long-standing management philosophy focused on job creation."
Tennoji-san turned toward her, looking genuinely surprised.
"My... you are remarkably well-informed about my company."
"Of course, Tennoji-san."
"Hmph! D—Do not think you've won just because of that!"
Watching her try to hide her embarrassment was actually a bit heartwarming. Tennoji-san was clearly struggling to suppress a grin.
"Do you usually study that kind of thing, Hinako-san?" Asahi-san asked.
"I wouldn't say I'm always studying, but I have many opportunities to dine with various executives lately, so I often hear about the state of the business world."
"As expected of Hinako-san. I’m sure you'll be a star in the Management Game too," Asahi-san said with admiration.
"Now that everyone understands the premise, I shall move to the main subject."
Tennoji-san looked each of us in the eye.
"I would like for the six of us to form an alliance."
"An alliance...?"
"The objectives are simple: regular information sharing and a non-aggression pact. That is all."
"...That's it?"
"Indeed. But those two points are vital in this game."
Tennoji-san began to elaborate.
"The crux of the Management Game is the existence of other players. It involves thrilling maneuvers like M&A buyouts and clandestine business partnerships."
She let out a bold, confident chuckle.
I knew that M&A stood for mergers and acquisitions—tools used by giants to swallow smaller firms or for two companies to join forces. Tennoji-san seemed like she’d be right in her element with that kind of thing.
I understood the merit of the alliance now. Basically, the Management Game was a business sim with a heavy multiplayer focus. Competition with other players was inevitable.
An alliance would be a powerful safety net—and a way to gain an edge. I was certain other students were already forming their own groups.
"Fortunately, our industries don't overlap much, so I believe this alliance will be mutually beneficial."
"True. I'm planning to go with the transportation industry," Taisho said.
"And I'm going with electronics retail. We're a nicely diverse bunch!" Asahi-san added.
"There is also a personal reason," Tennoji-san admitted. "I am aiming for the Student Council. To be blunt, I want as many allies as I can get."
This declaration caught everyone by surprise.
However, if it were anyone else, we might have been skeptical—but for Tennoji-san, it felt perfectly natural. The group’s mood shifted toward offering whatever support we could. Seeing the opening, I decided to speak up.
It was now or never.
"Actually... I'm aiming for it, too."
"What!?"
"I—Is that true, Itsuki!?"
Tennoji-san and Narika both cried out in shock. Taisho and Asahi-san were equally stunned. I had already mentioned it to Hinako, so she didn't look surprised—though for some reason, she looked disgruntled. She glanced back and forth between Tennoji-san and me, her cheeks puffing out slightly.
"I know it might seem overreaching, but I’d like to try."
Declaring my intent to join the Student Council required a lot of nerve. This was an elite, prestigious school for the ultra-wealthy. On the surface, I was the heir to a mid-sized firm, but in reality, I was just a commoner. For me to aim for the Student Council was more than just overreaching; it was the kind of thing most people would laugh at.
However...
"By all means! You absolutely, positively should aim for it!"
Contrary to my fears, Tennoji-san was fully supportive.
"Tomonari-san, you have the grit to make the impossible possible. I do not find it overreaching in the slightest."
"You're exaggerating... I have my hands full just keeping up with everyone else."
"You should realize just how special it is that you've kept up as well as you have in the few months since you transferred. I would find it very reassuring to have you by my side once I join the council."
Tennoji-san looked quite pleased as she imagined the possibility.
Her praise for my grit likely came from the fact that she knew who I really was. To be fair, I had survived Spartan training from both Ms. Shizune and Tennoji-san, so if nothing else, I had a lot of confidence in my endurance.
"Hinako-san, you're not going for the Student Council?" Asahi-san asked.
"My family circumstances make it difficult for me..."
"Oh, I see. That's too bad."
Asahi-san sounded genuinely disappointed. Hinako was the academy's premier lady, so naturally, many students wanted her on the council. Tennoji-san was popular too, but Hinako was on another level.
In truth, it wasn't her family stopping her—it was her own situation.
She was already exhausted from playing the role of the "perfect lady" every day. If she took on the responsibilities of the Student Council, she’d completely run out of steam. Besides, with her name and grades, she didn't need the extra credit for her future. Kagon knew that, which was why he told her she didn't have to do it.
I suspected Tennoji-san wasn't doing it for the credit either. I remembered our talk at the beach during the summer—she was aiming for the council to carve out a path different from Hinako’s.
"Regardless... you still intend to take the game seriously, I assume? Hinako Konohana."
Tennoji-san’s eyes burned with competitive fire as she stared at her rival.
Hinako took a sip of tea and set the cup down before answering.
"Of course. Let us both work hard to achieve good results."
She wasn't going for the council, but to maintain her facade as the perfect lady, Hinako had to take the game seriously.
Whether it was intentional or natural, when Hinako put on a serious face, she possessed an incredible presence. I’d felt a similar aura from Takuma-san before. They really were siblings, much as Hinako might dislike the comparison.
Tennoji-san didn't flinch; she just gave a daring smile.
"Then, since we all need to finish our tutorials, we should probably wrap this up. However... there is one last, very important thing."
"Something important?" we asked.
Tennoji-san stood up.
"We must decide on a name for our alliance!"
I wasn't sure if that was the most important thing, but I understood the sentiment. Having a name made it feel real and exciting.
"How about the Hexagon Alliance? Since there are six of us," Asahi-san suggested.
"Hmm, I would prefer something more uniquely 'us'."
"What about Team Luxury? Since we're loaded," Taisho joked.
"That feels a bit... tasteless," Tennoji-san replied.
Asahi-san and Taisho’s ideas were shot down. I wondered if I should chime in, but then Hinako raised her hand.
"Keeping it simple, what about the Tea Party Alliance?"
"Ugh... Well played, Hinako Konohana. To think you knew that simple is best...!"
She was definitely overthinking it. Still, I liked the name. The six of us had grown close because of these tea parties, so it fit us perfectly.
"Then we shall use that name. As of today, the Tea Party Alliance is officially formed!"
A small cheer went up, followed by a round of applause.
"We'll adjourn for now. I have no intention of losing to my rivals, after all."
Tennoji-san gave a polite bow and left.
I couldn't help but wonder—is it normal to have rivals inside your own alliance?
◆
After the tea party ended, I returned to the manor and immediately started on the Management Game tutorial.
"Excuse me."
There was a knock on the door, and Ms. Shizune and Hinako entered.
They had brought drinks. I took a cup from Ms. Shizune's tray.
"Oh, coffee today?"
"I heard from the Young Lady that you were drinking tea at your gathering earlier."
As expected of Ms. Shizune. Her hospitality was second to none.
"Thank you. Sorry... I know it’s fine for Hinako, but I feel like I'm starting to treat you like my own maid, Ms. Shizune."
"Me? Your maid, Itsuki-san?"
Oops. I might have overstepped.
"Sorry, I got ahead of myself."
"No... I was just thinking the possibility wasn't entirely non-existent."
Was that even possible? Still, she didn't seem angry. Ms. Shizune glanced at my laptop.
"So, how is the Management Game coming along?"
"I’m struggling with the Start Position. There are way more options than I expected..."
"That is a decision worth agonizing over."
Ms. Shizune seemed to immediately understand my dilemma.
"Young Lady, please take a page out of Itsuki-san’s book. You haven't even finished the tutorial yet, have you?"
"Impossible... too tired... I'll do it later..."
"Honestly... well, it was the first day back, so I’ll overlook it for today."
Ms. Shizune sighed.
"Hinako, if you're that tired, you can use the bed."
"Mmm... no, that's not..."
"Wait, you didn't come here to sleep? Then why...?"
Did she have something to talk about? I turned to her. Hinako was blushing, her eyes darting around.
"I just... wanted to see... you..."
"?"
"...I—I’m going to sleep!"
"Right. Just don't sleep too much, or you'll be up all night."
Hinako flopped face-down onto the bed. She was acting a little strange, but maybe I was just imagining things.
"Itsuki-san, may I see?"
"Sure."
Ms. Shizune leaned in to look at the screen. For a second, her face was very close, which made my heart skip a beat, but she spoke with a perfectly professional expression.
"As I suspected, industries related to IT are available."
"The industry is fine, but I'm worried about the scale."
Specifically, I was torn on the initial employee count. A thousand? A hundred? Or... start from scratch?
"Do you think it's more stable to start with a large company?"
"Not necessarily. For instance, a publicly traded company carries the risk of a hostile takeover. If you are bought out, your freedom of action will be severely restricted."
"I see..."
Managing a listed company would likely be too much for me right now. I wanted to start smaller, but...
If I’m going to do this, I want it to actually be useful for my future.
My goal was to become an executive in the Konohana Group. To get the experience I needed for that, which position was best?
"...Ms. Shizune. If I were really aiming to become an executive in the future, what kind of path would I take?"
"The most reliable route would be to join a small or mid-sized company that lacks a successor and eventually take over as president."
Only Takuma-san knew my real goal, so I worried the question was a bit sudden, but she gave me a remarkably concrete answer. For people in this world, planning a life as an executive wasn't a fantasy—it was a career path. It was nice to know she saw me as part of this world too.
"Is that more reliable than starting my own company?"
"Starting a business is faster, but if you want a steady, conservative life plan, I recommend succession. Ninety-nine percent of Japanese companies are small to mid-sized, and many are facing succession crises. You would have plenty of options."
I hadn't thought of that. With the birthrate declining, it was probably a serious issue for regional companies.
"However, for the purpose of this game, I believe starting a company from scratch would be better for you to learn the fundamentals of management."
"True."
I couldn't lose sight of the objective. The Management Game was for learning. Winning was just a means to that end. If I thought about what I needed for my own future...
"...I've decided. I'll start my own business."
"I think that's a wise choice."
I immediately entered my decision into the game. My Start Position: the founder of a brand-new IT startup.
The tutorial ended. The real game would begin tomorrow. I felt a surge of nerves. How would I measure up against everyone else at the academy?
"...It’ll be fine."
Hinako’s voice came from the bed.
"Hinako, you're still awake?"
"Mm." She gave a small nod. "Itsuki, it doesn't matter what you choose. You'll be fine."
"Why do you say that...?"
"If things get bad... I’ll protect you."
She made the declaration with total confidence, leaving me confused. At the time, I had no idea what she actually meant by that.
◆
The next day, the opening ceremony for the Management Game was held in the academy auditorium. The second-year students listened with grim determination to the guest speakers before returning to their classrooms, their faces full of drive.
"It’s finally started."
"Yeah," I replied to Taisho.
"I can't believe the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry actually showed up."
"There were plenty of other big shots too. Most of them are probably the parents of students here, though."
Taisho gave a wry smile as I let out a weary sigh. The ceremony had been packed with industry titans—CEOs of massive corporations and heads of trending unicorn startups. The solemn atmosphere had been overwhelming. It was a reminder of the sheer weight of Kikou Academy.
I looked around the classroom to see if anyone else was as stunned as I was.
"Hey, what did you pick for your Start Position?"
"A pharmaceutical company with two hundred billion in revenue."
"Our industries are similar. Want to talk after school? Maybe we can do a business partnership."
"That’d be great. I’ll have some documents ready."
My classmates were already deep into strategizing. Terms like "market cap" and "capital expenditure" were flying through the air.
"Everyone’s so serious."
"Of course. It’s no exaggeration to say that whoever rules the Management Game rules Kikou Academy."
"Is that right?"
"Most of these kids are going to be politicians or executives. Management skill is a vital status symbol here. The game makes it very clear who has it and who doesn't. If you do well, you don't just get on the Student Council—you get all sorts of doors opened for you."
That made sense. At this academy, the students who excelled in the Management Game were considered the most capable and exemplary. They earned the trust of the faculty, and their success in the game would ripple through their entire academic career.
I, too, intended to take this as seriously as possible. My body gave a small shudder. I chose to believe it was a shiver of excitement.
"We can't actually run the game until after school, but since it's the first day, everyone’s too restless to focus on anything else," Taisho laughed.
The game wasn't playable twenty-four hours a day. From Monday to Thursday, it was restricted to the hours of 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM—after school. On Fridays and Saturdays, it was open from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Classes were actually canceled on Fridays for the duration of the event, and Sundays were off-limits.
It was a serious commitment, but the schedule was designed to ensure it didn't completely cannibalize our other studies. Ms. Shizune had even told me I could skip my etiquette lessons while the game was active. I’d have to work hard to balance it with my regular coursework.
◆
After school, we gathered at the cafe and opened our laptops for a meeting.
"First, let's share our Start Positions," Tennoji-san said after taking a sip of tea. "I shall be managing the Tennoji Group. My operations are quite diversified."
"I am managing the Konohana Group," Hinako added. "Like Tennoji-san, my business spans several sectors, including general trading and heavy industry."
No surprises there. These were the positions they’d likely hold in the real world someday.
"So the company names are the same as in real life?"
"You can change them, but most people choose to keep them. It makes one more invested in the outcome," Tennoji-san explained.
Even if it was just a game, nobody wanted to see their family’s name go bankrupt. It made sense. Next was Narika.
"I’m Shimax. A sports equipment manufacturer. I actually wanted to start a dagashi shop from scratch, but my parents were absolutely furious when I suggested it."
I mean, obviously... This was a class, after all. That kind of thing was better left for home.
"I'm 'Moving Taisho'. Logistics and transport," Taisho said.
"And I'm Jays Holdings. Consumer electronics retail," Asahi-san announced.
Finally, it was my turn.
"...I've decided on an IT company."
Everyone tilted their heads in confusion.
"I'm starting a business from scratch. The focus will be IT, but I haven't decided on a name yet."
Since the tutorial only covered picking the Start Position, I still had a lot to figure out. Asahi-san’s eyes widened.
"T—Tomonari-kun... that's so ambitious!"
"Huh?"
"I mean, you’re ignoring your family’s established path to strike out on your own! A lot of people think about doing that, but almost nobody actually does it!"
Asahi-san’s eyes were sparkling with excitement.
Oh no... I hadn't realized it would be interpreted that way. If it was just a misunderstanding, fine, but I didn't want this to make people start digging into my "family background." I wanted to avoid standing out.
"Or perhaps he simply wants to study the mechanics of a company from the ground up," Hinako said, coming to my rescue. I nodded immediately.
"Exactly. Konohana-san is right. It wasn't about ambition."
"I see. Well, that’s very studious of you regardless!" Asahi-san said, still looking impressed.
But I had a question for her. "You said 'a lot of people think about doing that'... were you thinking of doing something similar, Asahi-san?"
"Well... let's not worry about me!" she said, brushing the question off.
I guessed she wasn't particularly keen on inheriting the family business either. If she didn't want to talk about it, I wasn't going to pry.
"Next, let us share our management philosophies," Tennoji-san said. "My primary goal is to maintain the status quo, while increasing revenue across all sectors as much as possible."
"My primary challenge will also be maintaining our current standing. I intend to manage conservatively," Hinako added.
Both of them were already at the top of the food chain. It made sense that stability was more important than expansion for them.
"I’m going for growth," Taisho said.
"Me too," Asahi-san added. "Even if it’s hard in reality, my parents told me they want me to aim for the top spot in the country in the game."
She let out a small sigh. Jays Holdings was one of the top five retailers in Japan, but they weren't number one. Being able to close a gap that seemed impossible in reality was part of the game’s appeal.
Finally, I shared my plan. "My first goal is just to get the business off the ground."
Tennoji-san nodded. You couldn't do anything else until that was achieved.
"Have you decided on the service you will develop?"
"Only in the broadest sense."
When starting an IT company, the service you developed was the first and most important hurdle. It determined your revenue and your market.
"This might be overstepping, but I have a piece of advice," Tennoji-san said seriously. "Tomonari-san, what kind of social contribution do you wish to make?"
"I..."
"Think on it deeply. That should be your answer."
Social contribution could take many forms. What would I choose? What could most accurately express what I wanted to do and what I had experienced?
I thought long and hard. Then, it hit me.
"...Actually, there is something I want to try."
The answer was already there. I spoke the idea I had been refining since the previous night.
"I want to create an e-commerce site specialized in gifts."
Everyone looked at me in surprise.
"The spark was what Tennoji-san said—thinking about how I want to contribute. Since coming to this academy, I've received help from so many people. I wanted to find a way to give back."
That was why I wanted to build a service for gifts.
"I have specific ideas for the service too. When you want to give a gift, isn't the first worry always 'how do I do this?' Whether to give it in person, where to buy it online... I want to make a service that removes all those headaches."
Gift-giving involved etiquette like wrapping and noshigami paper. I thought it would be great if the site could handle all that automatically or intuitively, while also managing a list of recipients. In short, I wanted to create the definitive site for gifts.
I watched for their reactions.
"...That actually sounds like it would be quite useful," Tennoji-san murmured.
"Oseibo gifts and stuff are a real pain, honestly. You never know what to get for who," Taisho added.
"I don't worry too much with friends, but for business partners, you really have to be careful with the etiquette," Asahi-san noted.
The reception seemed positive.
"Come to think of it, my father struggled quite a bit when he had to send Oseibo to an overseas business partner recently," Narika said, as if remembering.
I looked over at Hinako. I hadn't told her about this either.
"I think it’s very like you, Tomonari-kun. It’s a lovely idea."
Hinako gave a soft, genuine smile. I could tell she wasn't just acting.
"Gift-giving is a form of etiquette. You’ve been studying that quite intensely since you arrived, so it might be a perfect fit," Tennoji-san added.
I hadn't done it intentionally, but maybe I’d unconsciously linked the two. Since the reaction was good and I could use what I’d learned, I felt confident.
"I’ll submit my proposal with this content."
"I suspect it will receive a very high evaluation," Tennoji-san said confidently. "The game evaluates the quality of your ideas. When you launch a new business, your proposal is assessed by the AI and the faculty. If they judge it as innovative, you'll gain an advantage. And don't worry—there are strict NDAs to ensure no ideas from the game are stolen in the real world."
They really had thought of everything.
"Also, since you are starting from scratch, there is a Skip Function for the first two years. Once you're on track, you should use it."
"There’s a function like that?"
"The point of the game is to interact with other students and learn management. A brand-new startup has very little leverage for negotiation, so the function exists to help you move past that phase."
It seemed they weren't matching everything to reality. They’d laid some tracks to make the management experience more efficient.
"Thank you for the advice."
"Think nothing of it. In the real world, you would seek advice when starting a company as well. The game is much more effective when you collaborate."
I’d sensed it already, but the Management Game was clearly designed around human interaction. That was why we had the alliance.
"Besides," Tennoji-san continued, placing a hand on her chest, "we are comrades aiming for the Student Council together! You are more than welcome to rely on me—especially me!"
"I’m grateful for that. There really isn't anyone more reliable than Tennoji-san," I thought.
But then...
"...Comrades, is it?" Hinako said quietly.
"Did you say something, Hinako Konohana?" Tennoji-san asked.
"No. I just felt that 'comrades' wasn't quite the right word." Hinako closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and stared directly at me. "To be called 'comrades'... one should at least be on close enough terms to live under the same roof."
"Wait—what!?"
I nearly jumped out of my seat as Hinako dropped that bombshell. Was she really bringing up our living situation here? Where was this competitive streak coming from!?
"Ho—Hooo...?"
Tennoji-san’s teacup began to rattle. She knew I was living at the Konohana manor. Narika knew too, and she was looking back and forth between them with a terrified expression. Only Taisho and Asahi-san were looking on in confusion—which was a huge relief.
"H—Hmph! Physical distance is irrelevant!" Tennoji-san said, her voice trembling slightly. "In fact, being further apart physically only makes the spiritual connection more profound! Judging a relationship based solely on proximity is... shallow, I must say."
"...I see. Shallow, is it?"
Hinako set her cup down.
"But I have been studying, you know?"
"St—Studying...?"
"Yes. I’ve become quite interested in the complexities of human relationships. I'm self-taught, focusing primarily on... romance."
"Romance!?"
You're just reading manga! I knew for a fact she’d been borrowing shoujo manga from Yuri. Yuri worked as a part-time cook at the manor once a week, and she’d been lending Hinako manga every time.
But Tennoji-san and the others, who didn't know the truth, were wide-eyed with shock.
"Um, Hinako Konohana. If you wouldn't mind... perhaps I could join you in those—"
"Well! Everyone has different values, don't they! Let's leave it at that!"
I shouted to clear the air before Hinako could embarrass herself any further. Something was definitely wrong. Hinako had been getting much more... aggressive lately.
"Tennoji-san."
As I sat back down, a voice came from behind us. A girl had approached without me noticing.
"Suminoe-san?" I asked.
It was Suminoe-san, our classmate.
"Suminoe-san, is something wrong?" Tennoji-san asked.
"One of my classmates wanted to consult you about the Management Game..."
"I see. I’ll look into it immediately."
"Actually, you seemed busy with your tea party, so I sent the details to your email."
"I understand. Thank you for your thoughtfulness."
Tennoji-san expressed her gratitude, but Asahi-san looked surprised by their rapport.
"Suminoe-san, were you and Tennoji-san close?"
"Yes. We were in the same class last year."
Tennoji-san nodded. "Suminoe-san is always supporting me like this."
"Heeh," Taisho muttered, looking between them. "You're like Tennoji-san's secretary."
"I’m honored you think so," Suminoe-san replied with a smile.
"I’ve told you before, you don't need to go that far for me," Tennoji-san said.
"Nonsense. I do it because I want to."
The exchange was exactly like a veteran secretary and her boss. I hadn't realized they were that close. Suminoe-san was in our class, but we’d never talked much.
"Hey, hey! Suminoe-san, why don't you join us?" Asahi-san invited.
"I apologize. I appreciate the offer, but I have family business to attend to..."
Suminoe-san politely declined and turned to leave. But just before she did...
Was it my imagination? For a split second, it felt like she glared at me.
"Are you going to form an alliance with Suminoe-san too, Tennoji-san?"
"She suggested it, but I’ve put the idea on hold for now."
On hold? Even though they seemed so close?
Tennoji-san looked unusually solemn. "Her skills are beyond reproach, but my relationship with her is... complicated. It’s a delicate matter, so I shouldn't speak of it lightly."
She had more to say, but she held back. I wondered what was going on between them.
◆
Back at the manor, I was at my desk with my laptop.
"Office and equipment, ready. Engineering staff, hired. E-commerce site mockup, done... Okay, time to use the Skip Function."
In reality, a startup would struggle with fundraising at this stage, but if I got stuck there, I’d never get to the real meat of the game—the interaction with other companies. I decided it was better to skip ahead to the management phase.
(Besides, for most of the kids at this school, money probably isn't a hurdle anyway. Half of them have parents running investment funds.)
The screen flashed: Skip complete.
Just like that, my company was in its second year. Since the game lasted for three in-game years, my company would be five years old by the end. I checked the details of the service generated by the skip.
"Whoa...!"
Even if it was just a game, seeing my company growing steadily was moving. I checked the stats—user traffic, ad revenue, everything was there. I even checked the landing page design. Since it was auto-generated, I’d expected it to be basic, but it actually looked pretty professional to my eyes.