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The next day, Kikou Academy was still buzzing with talk of the Management Game.
The difference today was that I could actually participate. Now that I officially had a company and was standing at the starting line, I could engage with the conversation as a fellow player.
"Still, Tomonari-kun... what were you thinking with a name like 'Tomonari Gift'?"
Asahi-san asked with a wry smile. Beside her, Taisho also wore a complicated expression.
It was recess, and I was discussing the game with the two of them. Since they had shared so many opinions during our tea party, I felt I owed them a progress report, but...
"...I’m starting to regret it a little."
"Ah?! No, no, it’s not that bad! It’s just, with a name like that, it sounds more like a manufacturing firm," Asahi-san said, hurriedly trying to cheer me up when she saw me slump.
Tomonari Gift Co., Ltd. That was the name I had registered.
Takuma-san had pointed it out too, and now that I thought about it, it really didn't have the feel of an IT enterprise.
"How are your results looking?" Taisho asked.
"Right after I used the Skip Function, things were flatlining. But I’ve found a breakthrough, so I think I’ll manage."
"Doing well, then. My company is hitting a bit of a plateau too. I might need to stage an intervention."
Even Taisho seemed to be racking his brain over corporate management.
(...I have to finish Takuma-san’s homework, too.)
My assignment was to research the management styles of Hinako, Tennoji-san, and Narika.
The deadline was Friday, which meant I had two days left. Knowing Takuma-san, he didn't want me to take it easy; he wanted me to investigate each of them thoroughly.
I looked toward Hinako first, but she was already surrounded by classmates. It looked like she was being consulted for advice on the Management Game.
I could talk to Hinako outside of school. In fact, it would be easier to speak privately once we returned to the manor.
...I’ll try reaching out to Tennoji-san today.
Like Hinako, Tennoji-san always seemed to be surrounded by people. Rather than waiting for lunch or after school, it might be better to ask for her schedule right now.
Just as I was considering my strategy for Takuma-san’s homework—
"Everyone."
A soft, gentle voice reached my ears.
"Ah, Suminoe-san! Morning!"
"Good morning."
Suminoe-san bowed quietly.
"I am very sorry for declining the invitation to the tea party yesterday."
"No, don't worry about it. You’re busy too, Suminoe-san."
"Once the Management Game starts, everyone's workload increases," Asahi-san and Taisho said respectively.
In contrast, I missed my opening to speak and remained silent.
"Tomonari-kun, have you not spoken much with Suminoe-san?"
"That’s right. It’s not like we’ve never talked, but..."
Perhaps reading my hesitation, Suminoe-san smiled kindly.
"Ufufu, you don't have to be so formal. We are classmates, after all."
"...Sorry."
It seemed she had seen right through my sudden nerves.
Chika Suminoe.
She was one of the few people in class who could converse with Hinako on equal terms. In addition to a refined conduct that rivaled Hinako's or Tennoji-san's, her lovely appearance was a frequent topic of conversation among the boys.
Her skin was as white as snow, and her black hair flowed softly from her shoulder blades down to her waist. From her gentle and elegant aura, I felt a Young Lady quality that was distinct from Hinako and the others.
This wasn't the first time I had spoken with her. I had talked to her a few times back when I was helping Narika with her social anxiety. Since I knew I needed to get along with Hinako's friends to stay by her side, I had made an effort to speak with Suminoe-san to some degree.
That said, we didn't have much contact, so our conversations were few and far between. Because of that distance, I couldn't help but get nervous when she suddenly addressed me. I was used to Hinako and Tennoji-san, but after a while apart, Suminoe-san exuded a noble aura that was almost overwhelming.
"We don't often have the chance to speak face-to-face. But I feel like I know quite a bit about you, Tomonari-san."
"Eh... how so?"
"You seem very close with Konohana-san. And besides..." Suminoe-san took a quick look at the group gathered here. "There are always so many people around you."
"...Is that so?"
"My, the fact that you aren't even aware of it is quite charming."
Being told something like that so openly was honestly embarrassing.
She really was like an angel—pure and untainted.
I didn't mean to rank people, but I could see why Suminoe-san was the most popular person in the class after Hinako. She possessed both a distinguished pedigree and a wonderful personality.
Just then, the preparatory bell rang.
"Ah."
The chime made me let out a small sound of disappointment.
"What is it, Tomonari-kun?"
"No... there was something I wanted to discuss with Tennoji-san, but class is starting. I'll wait until the next break."
I needed to speak with Tennoji-san to complete Takuma-san’s homework.
"...With Tennoji-san?"
Suddenly, Suminoe-san stared at me. Was there something that bothered her?
"Umm, I wanted to talk to her about the Management Game."
"...I see. Tennoji-san is very reliable, after all." Suminoe-san seemed satisfied with that answer.
"You were in the same class as her last year, weren't you, Suminoe-san?"
"Yes. She was very kind to me. Even back then, Tennoji-san was admired by people from other classes as well."
"That's impressive for a first-year."
"Indeed. I know of no one else so kind and noble."
I felt that Suminoe-san became noticeably more expressive the moment the topic turned to Tennoji-san. She clearly respected her immensely.
Before long, everyone took their seats, and the lesson began.
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Once class ended, I headed toward Tennoji-san’s classroom as planned.
Peeking into Class C, I spotted the shimmering golden ringlets—Tennoji-san.
As expected, she was surrounded by classmates... but she happened to catch my eye through the doorway. She tilted her head curiously and approached me.
"Tomonari-san, what is the matter?"
"Sorry. I have something I'd like to consult with you about..."
I felt bad for interrupting her, but for some reason, the students who had been talking to Tennoji-san were now looking at me with great interest.
"That gentleman often has tea with Tennoji-san..."
"So he’s another member of The Noble Tea Party..."
I could hear the hushed voices of the girls in the room.
"...The Noble Tea Party?"
"It seems the tea party we hold after school has acquired that name without my knowledge. Though, considering the company, I suppose it is an appropriate title."
I didn't think it was appropriate at all... I was sure Taisho and Asahi-san would be shaking their heads in disagreement too.
"We don't have a tea party scheduled for today, right?"
"Correct. If we meet too frequently, it will hinder our focus on the game."
"Then, on a personal note, would you mind if we spoke for just a little while after school?"
When I asked that, the girls watching from inside the classroom grew even more excited.
"H-How bold...!"
"He’s quite a assertive gentleman, despite his looks...!"
I heard their shrill cheers and felt a bead of cold sweat.
...Darn it.
I had let my guard down because everyone had been so friendly lately. The girls at Kikou Academy were incredibly sheltered—which meant they were easily excited by anything resembling romance.
However, Tennoji-san remained calm and nodded.
"It is about the game, isn't it?"
"Ah, yes. That's right....Sorry for the misleading way I phrased that."
"Do not worry about it. I already know you are that kind of person, Tomonari-san," she said with a smile.
I wonder why that smile felt a little intimidating.
"However, I have a prior engagement after school today. I can meet you, but I will be a little late..."
"That's perfectly fine. Please, I’d appreciate it."
"Very well. Let us meet at our usual cafe after school."
Good. With this, I could make progress on the homework.
"By the way, what did you wish to consult about?"
"Actually, I'm currently researching the management styles of different people."
"I see, a commendable mindset."
I was genuinely interested in Tennoji-san’s business strategy, so I would have wanted to hear about it even if it wasn't for the assignment.
"I am currently managing a firm in the textile industry."
"The textile industry?"
"Yes. It is an industry leader ranked second in the country, primarily dealing in synthetic fibers."
Since it was already ranked second, she must have been assigned an existing family company rather than starting from scratch.
"So your goal is to take that company to number one, Tennoji-san?"
"That... I am not so sure."
...Oh?
I had expected a confident "Of course!" but her reaction caught me off guard.
"That was the plan initially, but the scale of the top company in the textile industry is on a different level. It may not be realistic to overtake them within the three-year timeframe of the game."
Tennoji-san wore a troubled expression.
(...For Tennoji-san, who is usually so obsessed with being the best, she’s being remarkably level-headed.)
I felt a slight sense of incongruity. Did she have a hidden strategy, or was she just naturally more cautious when it came to business?
"...It would be a long story, so let us continue after school."
"Right. I'm looking forward to it."
It sounded like I was going to hear something very insightful. I was grateful she was making time for me despite her busy schedule.
"By the way—regarding that phone call last night."
Tennoji-san suddenly fixed me with a piercing gaze. A chill ran down my spine.
"I am aware of the circumstances between you and Konohana-san, but... at such an hour, you surely weren't alone in a room together, were you...!?"
"N-No, well, about that..."
"Please look me in the eye when you answer me, won't you~~~~~~~?"
Tennoji-san leaned in closer. I reflexively averted my eyes.
"W-Well, there was that time with you too, Tennoji-san."
"A time with me...?"
"You know, when I stayed over at your place..."
I was referring to the time a heavy storm had forced me to stay at her house, and she had brought tea to my room.
The time we had shouted together, "Defeat Hinako Konohana!!"
The time I had seen her with her hair down for the first time, fresh from the bath.
"Tennoji-san, you might have forgotten, but..."
"A-As if I could forget..."
Tennoji-san hurriedly looked away.