“That cornered look... I saw it in the mirror more than I cared to in the past.”
Tennoji-san murmured somewhat sadly, her expression hardening with a sudden, sharp resolve.
“You’re aware that you can’t log into the Management Game on Sundays, right? Do you know the reason why?”
“Is it... because we’re supposed to study things other than the game?”
“It is not.” Tennoji-san shook her head. “It is so that students who have been pushed to their limits by the game can regain their composure.”
The answer was entirely unexpected.
“A business owner is in a position to shoulder immense responsibility. Because of that, they are more prone to mental health issues compared to employees... In fact, the suicide rate among executives is quite high.”
“...Is that so?”
“The Management Game is merely a game, but it is also a course that significantly affects one’s grades. Furthermore, many students at Kikou Academy are sensitive about their academic performance because they carry the weight of their parents' expectations. Every year, some students suffer a mental breakdown during the game’s duration. That is why the academy established a mandatory day of rest once a week.”
I hadn't known about those circumstances.
But Tennoji-san was right. Every student enrolled at Kikou Academy carried the burden of their family name and their parents' hopes. Even without the Management Game, there were students who worked themselves to the bone every day. Hinako and Tennoji-san were no exceptions.
“Mental care is essential for any leader. It is the same even in a simulation. Please, resign yourself for today and accompany me for my own relaxation.”
Tennoji-san's words resonated deep within my chest.
More than anything, the fact that I had caused her enough worry to say that hit me the hardest.
(...I see. I really was being pushed to the brink.)
There had been plenty of signs. Hinako, Asahi-san, Taisho, and even Ms. Shizune had expressed concern about my lack of sleep and fatigue. There was no way I was in a normal state if everyone around me was this worried.
“...I understand,” I said with a deep nod, looking her in the eye. “I knew I was overextending myself. Today, I’ll devote myself to relaxing.”
“Very good. Resting is part of the job, after all.” Tennoji-san nodded with satisfaction. “Honestly... didn’t I tell you that you must not work too hard?”
Come to think of it, I recalled her saying something similar when I was researching her management methods. Even then, she might have already noticed this facet of my personality.
“Tennoji-san... you're the only one who's told me that.”
“The more successful one is in the Management Game, the easier it is to become obsessed. I had a faint suspicion, but I suspect you are a borderline workaholic, Itsuki-san.”
I had no rebuttal. Before coming to Kikou Academy, I had done nothing but work part-time jobs for living expenses, and since arriving, I had done nothing but study. After talking with my former classmates back home, I had resolved to stick to that way of life, but I might have been unconsciously bound by it. While I had to continue working hard, making the people around me worry this much was never my intention.
“Now then, let us move! First, we shall go to the art museum!”
“Right. But when I checked earlier, wasn't it quite far from here?”
“Yes. Therefore, we shall use a car.”
Tennoji-san looked to the side. The car that had dropped her off was still idling there. When my eyes met those of the man in the black suit behind the wheel, he bowed deeply.
“Last time, Itsuki-san, you escorted me through commoner-style recreation. This time, I shall escort you through the recreation of the upper class!”
I headed toward the car with Tennoji-san, who seemed more energetic than usual. I apologized silently for having made her look so somber until now because of my own obsessive work habits. At the same time, I thought that a bright expression really did suit her better.
◆
After spending two hours thoroughly exploring the museum, we stepped back outside, still immersed in the afterglow of the exhibits.
“How was it?” Tennoji-san asked.
“It was my first time at an art museum... but it was fun.”
“Fufu, I thought so.” Tennoji-san smiled happily. “Entertainment enjoyed not with the eyes or ears... but with the heart. That is what art is. I believe this stimulation is a precious thing that cannot be obtained elsewhere.”
That was apparently why she had wanted to share it with me. I certainly felt the unique charm of appreciating art. Sports, videos, manga, games... this kind of entertainment for the soul, distinct from the others, had a flavor that was hard to describe.
“Do you go to art museums often?”
“About once or twice a month. I go whenever a piece I am interested in is on display.”
That was quite frequent. Tennoji-san had acted as a guide through most of the museum. Since she knew the route so well, she must have visited this specific museum many times.
“Were there any paintings that caught your interest, Itsuki-san?”
“Well... it might be a bit cliché, but the ‘Water Lilies’ had a charm that really drew me in.”
“One of Claude Monet's representative works.”
There had been a large crowd around "Water Lilies," and since it was featured as the museum's center-piece, it was clearly famous. The painting of flowers floating on the water's surface felt heavy and dominated by deep blues from a distance, but up close, I noticed the soft, delicate expression of light. I had found myself standing transfixed before it for quite some time.
“Actually, those ‘Water Lilies’ are part of a series; there are different variations as well.”
“Oh, really?”
“There will be an event soon where the other versions are exhibited. I shall invite you again.”
I genuinely looked forward to that. As we started walking, the soles of my feet tingled slightly. It was a massive museum, and I was clearly tired from all the walking. I checked the time on my phone: three in the afternoon. There was still time before dinner.
“Shall we take a short break?”
“Yes, let’s. In that case, let us go to a cafe,” Tennoji-san proposed smoothly. “I have already decided on the establishment. It is only a short walk from here.”
“...As expected, a perfect escort.”
“It is simply a lady’s etiquette,” she said with a proud look. In her case, she could master anything with that single phrase. Whether it truly had anything to do with being a lady was debatable, but she was undoubtedly an impressive person.
“Welcome, Tennoji-sama, Tomonari-sama.”
When we entered the cafe she led me to, a male staff member in a tailcoat bowed deeply. I followed Tennoji-san, who seemed entirely at home, and took a seat.
The interior was lavish, reminiscent of a European palace. The floors were marble, paintings adorned the walls, and expensive-looking tea sets sat on every table. In the back, a grand piano sat prominently on a small stage. Golden chandeliers hung from the white ceiling, offering a refined view no matter where I looked.
“This is a members-only cafe frequented by the Tennoji family. I visit about once a week.”
She was more than just familiar with it; she was a regular. I was surprised when the waiter addressed us by name without an introduction, but the staff clearly knew her and had likely been briefed that I would be her guest today.
“It’s a very elegant shop.”
“There is no need to be so stiff... is what I intended to say,” Tennoji-san said, looking directly at me across the table. “But you are more composed than I expected.”
“Well, you know... look at where I usually live.”
Living in the Konohana manor, I saw furniture worth six figures and paintings worth seven just by existing. I had naturally built up a tolerance.
“You live in the Konohana family villa, don’t you, Itsuki-san?”
“Yeah. Not the Main Residence.”
“The Main Residence is even more spacious. I visited long ago for a party in social circles, and even I was impressed then... though it is a frustrating memory.”
Back then, Tennoji-san hadn't viewed Hinako as a rival, so she probably had been genuinely impressed. Of course, that streak of honesty still peeked through even now.
Come to think of it, I had never seen the Konohana Main Residence. Kegon-san often used the villa, but Takuma-san seemed to stay at the Main Residence. Hinako and Ms. Shizune were likely at a banquet with Konohana Group executives right now, and the venue might very well be that Main Residence.
“Here is the menu.”
The waiter handed it to us. While I had grown used to elegant atmospheres, that tolerance was strictly aesthetic. When I was confronted with a menu that had no prices listed, my brain ground to a halt.
“...How much are the prices?”
“You do not need to worry about that today. Think of it as a reward for accompanying me.”
Either way, I had thought today was a study session and hadn't brought much cash. I felt it would be boorish to argue about the cost, so I decided to accept her kindness.
When I ordered the same tea as Tennoji-san, it arrived almost immediately. I lifted the cup without a sound and took a quiet sip.
“...Delicious.”
It was a milk tea with a gentle sweetness. A faint astringency provided a perfect accent, and the aftertaste was clean.
“Tea during this season is particularly rich.”
“The taste changes with the season?”
“Yes. The period when high-quality tea is harvested is called the ‘quality season.’ Among them, the ‘autumnal’—the tea from around autumn—is fragrant and rich, making it an excellent match for milk tea.”
“Huh... I’ve had more tea since coming to Kikou Academy, but I didn't know any of that.”
“As for tea, it is a personal hobby of mine, so I am simply more knowledgeable than most.”
I was relieved it wasn't just common upper-class knowledge. I’d started learning the types of tea and brands of tea sets since enrolling at the academy, but I still occasionally got a shock when talking to my classmates, thinking, I’m supposed to know that much?! The culture of the elite was deep.
As we spent a graceful moment together, a woman in a beautiful dress stood on the stage at the back and bowed to the patrons. She sat at the grand piano and began to play serenely.
It was a delicate piece. Perhaps because I had just spent time with the art at the museum, the gentle notes flowed naturally into my heart.
“‘Pavane for a Dead Princess’... a pavane is a dance that was popular in sixteenth-century Europe.”
Savoring her commentary alongside the tea, I enjoyed the performance. I wasn't an expert on pianos, but the complex, continuous notes were played with such clarity that they felt like individual beads. It was very easy to listen to. The pianist was undoubtedly a professional of some standing.
When the performance ended, the audience clapped. The pianist stood up and bowed once more, catching Tennoji-san's eye and nodding. Tennoji-san smiled back.
“If she's an acquaintance, it’s okay to go talk to her.”
“Right now, I am a customer, and she is a performer. I will not commit such a boorish act as to disrupt that relationship.” Tennoji-san took a quiet sip of tea.
Acquaintances or not, they were currently performer and patron. Tennoji-san was enjoying the music of a professional, not just an acquaintance. It was an expression of the highest respect.
(So this is what it means to be a top-tier young lady.)
If Hinako was the perfect lady, it felt right to call Tennoji-san a top-tier one. It wasn't just her graceful words and actions; her entire way of being—her life itself—was filled with nobility.
“You have surprisingly many hobbies, Tennoji-san.”
“The ‘surprisingly’ was uncalled for.”
It was a slip of the tongue. However, Tennoji-san wasn't truly angry; she was smiling.
“But most of the hobbies I’ve shared with you today were only recently acquired.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” Tennoji-san looked at me with a soft, gentle gaze. “It is thanks to you.”
She continued in high spirits.
“Until recently, I spent every day desperately trying to become a lady worthy of the Tennoji family. I was careful not to let it show, but back then, I was cornered both mentally and physically. My family worried about me constantly.”
I knew the Tennoji-san from that time. It was the version of her from when the marriage arrangement had come up and she mistakenly thought she had no choice but to obey. Back then, she had certainly been pushed to the brink.
“The one who expanded my world was you, Itsuki-san. Thanks to you, I was able to face my parents' true feelings and gain the room to breathe. As a result, I’ve been able to discover all these hobbies.”
Tennoji-san had originally been trying too hard to meet her parents' expectations. Or rather, she had constructed those expectations in her own head and believed that meeting them was her sole mission.
The Tennoji-san of today was the result of being released from those shackles. She was as hardworking as ever, but she no longer suffered from tunnel vision. She lived by properly accepting the emotions directed at her.
She had misunderstood that she was carrying a heavy burden, but in truth, she had been free from the start. Now, she was using that freedom to experience everything the world had to offer.
“Itsuki-san, let me thank you once again. Thanks to you, my life has expanded immensely.”
Tennoji-san bowed her head quietly.
“I don't think I did anything that significant, though.”
“To me, it was of the utmost importance.”
If she was willing to go that far, then my efforts to persuade her had been worth it.
“In any case, what I wish to convey to you, Itsuki-san, is that I was able to change my life thanks to you.”
Tennoji-san finished her tea and set the cup down with a firm clatter.
“And! Yet! Even though that is the case—! Now you are the one who is as brooding and obsessed as I once was! I had to say something!”
“My apologies...”
I’d had a bad feeling since she finished her tea, and as expected, the conversation looped right back around.
“Lately, you have been just like I was. That is why I decided: this time, I must be the one to lend a hand.”
“...So that’s what this was all about.”
“If it were the old me, I might have seen you so cornered and simply said, ‘Keep up the good work.’”
I wondered about that. It was true she had changed, but surely even the old Tennoji-san would have told me to rest if she saw me in this state.
Because she was so aware of her own transformation, she tended to disparage her past self... but to me, Tennoji-san had been kind from the moment we met. I still clearly remembered when I was searching for the wallet Hinako had dropped and Tennoji-san had stopped me to tell me to fix my posture. The Tennoji-san from that day had been so cool and kind. She was the person who made me think, I want to be like that, back when I didn't know left from right. She talked about me lending her a hand, but she was the one who had truly reached out first.
“I... I was also able to change thanks to you, Tennoji-san.” The thought slipped out before I could stop it. “Having confidence. Speaking clearly. Fixing my posture. Working hard. You taught me all of that. I’m the one who should be saying thank you.”
The person who showed me the importance of those things was undoubtedly her. I straightened my back and looked her in the eye.
In this refined space, in an atmosphere where I couldn't afford a single blunder, I was talking alone with the daughter of the Tennoji Group. The old me would have been intimidated. But now, I was able to carry myself with a dignity that surprised even me.
Seeing me like that, Tennoji-san was dazed for a long moment. Her cheeks slowly turned a soft shade of pink.
“I-If that is the case, then that is good!”
The air grew awkward. My face felt hot; I was probably turning just as red as she was.
“Oh, by the way, Suminoe-san also mentioned that you had changed, Tennoji-san.” I blurted out the first topic I could think of to break the tension.
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. We talked about a lot of things during our study session the other day.” I kept my comments about Suminoe-san within a safe range, avoiding her true nature. “You helped Suminoe-san in the past, didn't you?”
“It was not that I helped her. I simply did not want to see her talent go to waste. She saved herself through her own effort.”
As far as Tennoji-san was concerned, she had scouted Suminoe-san for a group company because she had genuine ability.
“Do you talk with her often?”
“Yes. Though, since we have been in different classes since the second year, it is mostly just greeting each other after school.”
“I see. Suminoe-san clearly admires you, so she might be lonely.”
“Oh? Did she seem that way?”
“Well...”
I didn't know if she was lonely, but her devotion to Tennoji-san was impossible to miss. Before the classes changed—back when she could see Tennoji-san every day—Suminoe-san might have been a bit more stable than she was now.
“I have a vague sense that she admires me.”
It seemed Tennoji-san was aware of the sentiment. Though, she certainly hadn't realized the girl's true colors.
“However... since she respected me as I was before, she might have complicated feelings about who I am now.” Tennoji-san said with a complex expression, then glanced at the clock on the wall. “Now then, shall we move on to the next destination?”
“There’s more?”
“Yes. Lately, we have both been doing far too much desk work, have we not?”
I couldn't argue with that.
“At times like this—nothing beats moving your body!”
◆
I let out a breath, feeling a faint tingle of nerves. As I stood waiting, I heard footsteps approaching.
“Thank you for waiting.”
When Tennoji-san walked toward me, I found myself completely captivated.
“...It really suits you.”
“You’ve gone back to formal speech,” she teased.
I was wearing a simple black suit, while Tennoji-san was clad in a stunning blue dress. She reached out her hand.
“Now... shall we dance?”
A slow, rhythmic melody began to play. After leaving the cafe, she had led me to a dance hall. It was a facility clearly designed for ballroom dancing—spacious, elegant, and prestigious. The flooring had just the right amount of glide, and every movement returned a satisfying sound. Golden chandeliers cast a soft, warm glow from the ceiling.
Since the hall offered rentals, we had both changed into formal attire. I hadn't danced in a while, so it felt strange to be back in these clothes.
The dance we were performing was the slow waltz. Come to think of it, the first dance she had ever taught me was this very waltz.
“Oh, you remember it surprisingly well.”
“Well, I was trained by a very strict teacher...”
“It seems your instructor was excellent. Perhaps I shall teach you the tango next time?”
The tango was passionate and intense, unlike the waltz. I was a bit intrigued, but I decided to save that for another time.
Maintaining our frame, we turned halfway around together. The movement was incredibly smooth, and I felt no resistance at all. In ballroom dancing, there are moments when you feel perfectly in sync with your partner. It’s a wonderful sensation—as if the boundary between us has blurred and disappeared, and we are both simply surrendering to the flow.
“It is quite moving, thinking back on it,” Tennoji-san said with a smile. “When we first danced, you were a flustered, nervous mess, Itsuki-san.”
“Was I really that bad?”
“Yes, indeed. You became stiff the moment our eyes met.”
Now that she mentioned it, I think she was right.
“I was the same when I was young. I wanted to do well so badly that I would freeze up...”
“No, that’s... that’s a bit different.” I continued, looking at her puzzled expression. “The reason I was nervous... was because my partner was you, Tennoji-san.”
“...”
I didn't say anything more. It was too embarrassing. Even if it was just a dance, our bodies were close, and our faces were near. Because I was doing this with her, there was no way I wouldn't be nervous.
I’d gotten more used to it, but the truth was that I was still a little tense. As I danced, feeling apologetic for still being so unskilled, Tennoji-san suddenly missed a step and nearly lost her balance.
“Tennoji-san?”
It was a rare mistake for her. I looked at her face, and...
“...You are not the only one who is nervous,” she whispered.
“Eh?”
Tennoji-san’s cheeks were flushed, and she was pointedly looking away. We continued to dance in the awkward silence.
(What do I do? Suddenly I’m worried about my palms being sweaty.)
Perhaps she felt the same, as we both moved restlessly as we continued the waltz.
“S-So, Itsuki-san, why did you decide to join the Student Council?” she asked, changing the subject.
I realized I hadn't actually explained that to her. But how should I put it? Tennoji-san felt a strong rivalry with Hinako. I didn't want to ruin this rare, pleasant atmosphere, so I decided to be a bit vague.
“Actually, I want to become an executive at a certain company in the future, and I needed the credentials. I heard that serving on the Student Council at Kikou Academy would be a major advantage...”
As I explained, Tennoji-san’s gaze sharpened.
“Is it the Konohana Group?”
“Eh.”
“The fact that you didn't name them. The fact that you need a high-level credential like our Student Council. It was easy to infer.”
I was seen through instantly. I stood there, speechless.
“In other words, you are aiming for the Student Council for the sake of Hinako Konohana?”
“No, it's not just that...”
Tennoji-san stopped dancing. The beautiful, serene melody echoed through the hall, but now it sounded a little lonely, a little bittersweet.
“Who is it... that you are looking at?” she asked, pulling my body close to hers. “Is Hinako Konohana... the only one you see?”
The tips of our noses almost touched. Even so, she didn't look away. My own reflection in her eyes was one of agitation—the face of a man struggling for an answer, his mouth clamped shut.
Then, I noticed her eyes were wavering. They always seemed so strong and brilliant, but not now. From this close, I could see the faint flicker of anxiety.
It was strange. She was looking at me with such intensity, such sincerity... so why was I wearing such a bewildered expression?
“...No.”
My breath stirred her hair. I closed my eyes and opened them again. My reflection in her eyes was no longer wavering.
“I was about to say it before, but it’s not just for her. I want to be on equal footing with everyone I care about—with you, with Narika, with everyone.”
“Equal footing...?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
This was the resolve I’d made at the end of the summer. I could have gone back to my old life then, but I didn't. And one of the reasons was her.
“Since coming to Kikou Academy and meeting all of you, I’ve started wanting to become someone who can stand beside you. You’re one of the people who made me feel that way, Tennoji-san.”
She listened to me with absolute focus. I wanted to be someone who could shoulder big responsibilities. Specifically, I wanted to reach the level of an executive in the Konohana Group. And I had ambitions beyond even that.
“Right now, I’m still here under a borrowed title. But one day, I want to stand beside all of you with my true status. Serving on the Student Council is just the first step toward that.”
I believed that was the only way to be truly equal. To truly stand among them.
Hearing my thoughts, Tennoji-san let out a soft breath.
“...You really are a Challenger, aren't you?”
A Challenger. Put that way, maybe I was. A mere commoner harboring such ambitions was nothing if not a Challenger.
“Because you are such a person... I...” Tennoji-san looked at me with an expression that was almost ecstatic.
“Tennoji-san?”
“I-It is nothing! I was dangerously close to saying it.” Her face turned crimson, and she hid her mouth behind both hands.
As the next piece began, we took hands and started dancing again. We moved in a careful waltz, as if confirming each other's feelings through every step.
“Let me ask you one thing. If I were to ask you to join the Tennoji Group... what would you do?”
“That is...”
I was indebted to Hinako for hiring me. And as her caretaker, I wanted to be there to lighten her burden. She was fighting a lonely battle every day, and I wanted to be her support.
But I was also indebted to Tennoji-san, and if she were in trouble, I would want to help her. When she looked at me with that trust and expectation, a part of me wanted to answer it no matter what.
Should I choose by the work environment? I couldn't decide based on salary; both would likely offer far better treatment than I deserved. Then, by the industry? If I wasn't suited for one, I’d just have to study until I was.
I thought so hard that sweat started to bead on my forehead. Finally, I reached a conclusion.
“...H-How about... both...?”
“Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!” Tennoji-san let out the deepest sigh I’d ever heard. “Swindler. Dense. Blockhead.”
“Umm...”
“I have once again understood you very, very well, Itsuki-san. You are the type who will postpone these problems forever and never give an answer until the very end.”
“...Hmph.”
Being told that made me want a little payback. Besides, what about her? If I made a decision right now, would she be ready for it?
“Well, I intended to do that from the beginning. If anything, this makes me the most advantageous. After all, it suits my nature better to go out and get what I want rather than waiting—”
“—Then I’ll go to your company, Tennoji-san.”
Her eyes went wide. “Ha, wha...!?”
“I choose you.”
“Honya?! Wait—!?” Tennoji-san made a strange sound and stopped in her tracks.
I was satisfied. “It was a joke. See? Even you aren't mentally prepared.”
“Wait, hold on! I think we’re thinking about very different things!”
“Different things? We’re talking about the future, right?”
“We are! We are, but!”
Wasn't this about which company to work for...?
“I’ve understood you better too, Tennoji-san. You’re weak to being pushed.”
“Wh-wh-wh...!?” She stood there, her mouth opening and closing like a fish. “D-Do not get too ahead of yourself! If you say something like that again...”
“If I do?”
Tennoji-san, her face a brilliant red, declared: “I’ll make you... take responsibility!”
That sounded a bit too serious for a joke, so I practically bowed until my head hit the floor in apology.
◆
Afterward, we danced for another hour, showered, and left the hall.
“Phew... I worked up a good sweat today.”
“Yeah.” I’d worked up some strange sweats of my own.
As we walked leisurely through the golden afternoon sun, a small chime came from Tennoji-san's bag.
“Pardon me.” She pulled out her phone and put it to her ear. I could hear someone on the other end. I caught the term "Management Game," so it was likely a classmate. “I will call you back later,” she said, and hung up.
“Was that about the game?”
“Yes. But I decided today was for relaxing, so I shall deal with it later.”
Still, for them to call her directly usually meant it was urgent.
“If you're being considerate of me, it’s fine. Thanks to you, I’m fully recharged.”
My stubbornness was the reason she was so set on me resting. Now that I’d reflected on it, I didn't see a need to be so rigid. Besides, she seemed to be managing her own mental care perfectly. There was no reason for her to stop her own progress for my sake. Tennoji-san should do what she needed to do.
She seemed to understand my feelings, as she chuckled and nodded. “I understand. Then, I shall excuse myself for a moment.”
She stepped a short distance away to make the call. It was a long one. From her expression, it wasn't idle chatter; it was a conversation that required serious thought and careful responses. I sat on a nearby bench and waited until she returned.
“Thank you for waiting.” She sat down beside me.
“Good work. What was it about?”
“A business alliance. I am currently vetting potential partners, and one of them was pitching themselves quite aggressively.”
“Huh. Well, with your company, everyone would want to be an ally.”
“Fortunately, it seems so.”
First it was M&A, now business alliances. She was managing her company by utilizing a complex web of connections. I’d likely need to do the same someday. I found myself curious about what kind of alliance it was.
“What kind of candidates are you looking at?”
“In general... something like this.” She handed me her phone. The screen displayed profiles for about ten different companies. I scrolled through them, checking their individual traits. “So far, the second company is the leading candidate.”
I looked at that one. It was a clear-cut "safe" choice—large scale, similar industry. An alliance would mean stable returns.
(...Hm?)
However, looking at the other profiles, I saw something more interesting. “What about this one? It looks like a better fit.”
“Eh?”
I handed the phone back. She read through the profile I’d pointed out in silence.
“...You think so? Their budget is a bit tight, and their scale doesn't quite match mine.”
“On paper, maybe. but I feel like they have a vision that’s much closer to yours.”
As soon as I said it, I realized I couldn't actually explain why I thought that. But Tennoji-san looked at it with sudden, intense focus.
“...I shall conduct an interview.” She took her phone and started another call.
A few minutes into the conversation, her face lit up. I could tell from her tone that the discussion was going incredibly well. When she finally finished and returned to me, she was beaming.
“How was it?”
“We got along perfectly!” she said happily. “It was just as you said, Itsuki-san. This company was looking even further ahead than I was. On paper, others might have been more suitable, but I’ve decided to partner with them. There is nothing more precious than a partner who shares your vision!”
It seemed that, in her heart, she hadn't wanted to choose based on numbers alone. Materials can only tell you so much. Finding the partner she was truly looking for had put her in a fantastic mood.
“...But Itsuki-san, how did you know it would turn out like this?”
I thought about it. But I couldn't put it into words.
“I just felt it when I read the profile... I thought they’d have the best chemistry with you.”
In other words, pure intuition. I felt a bit bad for jerking her around based on a hunch, but the result was good, so I hoped she’d forgive me.
But then, Tennoji-san looked at me with a solemn, searching expression. “Itsuki-san... you might turn out to be a much more significant figure than I ever imagined.”
◆
A few days had passed since my day out with Tennoji-san. At the Konohana manor, I was checking the status of Tomonari Gift.
“...Looking good.”
With the help of the marketing firm Asahi-san had introduced, it looked like my company’s performance was finally going to break out of its plateau. By analyzing customer data, I was beginning to achieve a much more efficient, waste-free management style.
As I was organizing the company’s status in my head, my video call app chimed. I got my microphone ready and answered.
“Takuma-san, good work.”
“Good work. I saw your email. Looks like things are moving in the right direction.”
“Thanks to you.” I’d been keeping him updated on the progress. Tomonari Gift’s success was undoubtedly thanks to his guidance. Without his advice, I would have stumbled long ago. I made sure to share every detail with him out of genuine gratitude.
“With these numbers, you can start looking at expansion.” He said from the other side of the monitor. “The catalog gifts were a new venture, but next, you should look at expanding your core business. Do you have any ideas?”
“Yes. I’m thinking of adding B2B services. Up until now, we’ve focused strictly on individual customers, but I want to start targeting corporations.”
“I see. Good. The base won't be much different from your existing services, so you can implement it quickly. It’s a sound plan.”
“Thank you.” It lacked the flash of a new business venture, but the risk was lower. I was glad to hear his approval.
“That said, you’re about to hit a wall.” Takuma-san’s tone turned ominous. “Entering a new market segment always carries risk. And since your company has been growing so rapidly, it wouldn't be surprising to see some friction here.”
“Umm...” What was he seeing that I wasn't? He never said things without a reason.
“How are your stock studies coming along?”
“Good. I’ve covered everything you sent in the email for now.”
“Still at the basic level, then. We’ll have a written test soon. Anything less than a perfect score means no dinner for a day.”
“...Isn't that a bit of an old-fashioned punishment?”
“It's about the only thing you’d actually care about. If I made you do chores, you’d probably enjoy the experience too much.”
He had a point. I probably would find his errands educational. However, thanks to my time being poor, I was very used to being hungry. Even he hadn't accounted for that.
“Keep studying stocks. It will serve as your defense.” He fell into thought again. “Ah, but then again, you have Hinako...”
“What about her?”
“No... it’s nothing. You’ll be fine.”
He’d dodged the question again.
“Let’s end it here. Your homework is to keep studying stocks.”
“Thank you very much.”
I ended the call.
(I really do get a lot of stimulation from him.)
Recently, talking to Takuma-san always boosted my motivation for the game. I realized I’d come to respect him from the bottom of my heart. At first, he was a total mystery and I thought we were incompatible, but he was such an incredible person that those feelings had faded away.
Even so, to me, he was a wall that I had to overcome.
(For now, I’ll have the marketing firm look into the potential profit for the B2B services.)
I was glad I’d used Asahi-san’s connection. I decided to have them perform another market analysis.
There were only six weeks in the Management Game, and we were almost at the halfway point. I didn't want to rush, but I had to be mindful of the schedule.
(It’ll take a while for the results to come back. I’ll use the time to catch up on prep and review for my classes.)
I closed my laptop. Since I’d been falling behind in class lately, I’d decided to focus on my schoolwork today. It was perfect. I just had to work steadily and calmly. Tennoji-san had taught me that.
After finishing my self-imposed study quota, I opened the laptop again.
“Now, what are the results...?”
While I was studying, a few days had passed within the game. The market analysis results were waiting. I scrolled through them.
“...Huh?” I tilted my head. The profit forecast was far lower than I’d expected.
What did this mean? I didn't think my ideas were perfect, but the plan to enter the corporate market was something even Takuma-san had agreed with. I couldn't imagine him making such a simple misjudgment. Which meant... he’d likely seen this coming when he gave his approval.
I checked the details of the analysis. The reason for the low forecast was written clearly.
“...A competitor?”
Simply put, another company had already started a similar service. I looked at the name of the company and froze.
“This company is...”
I was facing a problem that wouldn't be solved easily. The competitor was SIS Co., Ltd.
Suminoe-san’s company.
◆
The next day. After school, I happened to look out the classroom window and saw a familiar figure watching me. She beckoned me over.
“Hello, Tomonari-san.” Suminoe-san wore a soft, gentle smile. “Shall we talk for a bit?”
“...Yes. I wanted to talk to you as well.”
That was why I’d told Hinako and Ms. Shizune I’d be late. We headed to the cafe where we’d held our study session with Kita. We sat down, ordered drinks, and took a breath.
“From your expression, you’ve realized it,” she said with a smile. “My company operates a B2B e-commerce service. We primarily handle office supplies, but we also sell gifts as part of our catalog.”
The waiter arrived with our tea. Perhaps sensing the gravity of the conversation, he set the cups down and left quietly. Suminoe-san closed her eyes and took an elegant sip.
“The real SIS Co., Ltd. doesn't have a service like that. So that e-commerce site is something you created in the game, isn't it?”
“Yes. I launched the E-commerce Division as a new venture the moment the game began.”
Just as I’d suspected. I’d looked it up, and the real company didn't have such a division. It was something she had started entirely on her own initiative.
“So I was quite surprised. To think there was someone else doing exactly the same thing as me.”
Strictly speaking, it wasn't exactly the same. I ran a niche, individual-focused gift service. Her business was corporate-focused and handled stationery, whiteboards, files, and office furniture. But she also handled ceremonial and formal gift items.
That was the overlap. Since her site already handled stationery, if a company wanted to buy fountain pens as a commemorative gift, her service already met that need perfectly. She wasn't a gift specialist, but she was satisfying the gift demand. That was where we collided.
“That said, it looks like you're about to hit a wall.”
I understood what Takuma-san had meant. The wall was a competitor—a rival. I believed that entering the B2B market was essential to growing Tomonari Gift. The sophisticated, adult brand I’d built was a perfect fit for corporate clients. It was a wall I couldn't avoid.
What now? Should I try to outcompete her? Should we make some kind of alliance? And what, exactly, was her aim?
“...Why did you start an E-commerce Division in the first place, Suminoe-san?”
“For Tennoji-sama, of course.”
I’d tried to probe her for a logical business reason, but she came back with pure personal emotion.
“I created this service to support Tennoji-sama’s company. The Tennoji Group is very active in M&A and restructuring, so they are constantly in need of office supplies. I wanted to solve that problem with the power of my love.”
She looked practically ecstatic. Regardless of the motive, she’d accurately identified a demand. I’d looked into the office supply market myself. If used correctly, it was a gateway to a whole new customer base.
“Tomonari-san, I have a proposal.” Suminoe-san looked me straight in the eye. “Won't you give me your company?”
I’d expected that. It was an acquisition offer.
“The service I manage and the service you manage target very similar markets. If we both try to expand now, we will simply end up cannibalizing each other's customers. It would be a lose-lose situation.”
It was a niche market. If we fought over it, we’d likely both go under. Her explanation for the acquisition was perfectly logical. However, there was one thing I didn't understand.
“Before I answer, can I ask you something?”
Suminoe-san’s eyes widened slightly, and she nodded.
“I only realized we were competing recently, but... why did you keep your E-commerce Division a secret from me all this time?”
This was what I really wanted to know. During our study session with Kita, she could have mentioned it at any time. She’d intentionally avoided the topic.
I had a guess.
“Were you... waiting for my company to grow?”
Suminoe-san took a sip of tea before answering. “Yes. Since you were doing exactly what I intended to do eventually, I decided to watch and see how you fared. If you failed, I would have avoided the risk. If you succeeded, I planned to acquire you at the right moment.”
And now, she was making her move exactly as planned. Simply put, she’d used me as a proof of concept. She’d waited to see if a gift-focused e-commerce site was viable and how large it could grow. Now that it looked promising, she intended to swallow it whole.
It was a cold, effective strategy. For a company with the resources of SIS Co., Ltd., using M&A to expand into a new field was a textbook maneuver.
“Thank you for building such a wonderful service. From here on out—leave the rest to me.”
Suminoe-san looked into my eyes with a confident, reliable smile. Somewhere in the back of my mind, a voice whispered that following her lead was the right choice.