A few days later, news broke that Tomonari Gift Co., Ltd. had successfully completed a third-party allotment of new shares. There were two subscribers in total: Wedding Needs Co., Ltd. and another reliable major bridal corporation that Ikuno had introduced to me afterward.
With this, Tomonari Gift succeeded in halting SIS’s offensive. Since the two companies that took on the new shares had promised not to let go of our stock, Suminoe-san’s management rights over Tomonari Gift would not increase any further. While it was hard to say that a promise to never sell was absolute, if the subscribers ever broke that pledge and caused damage to Tomonari Gift, our business partner Wedding Needs would also suffer. For the time being, there was nothing to worry about.
When I arrived at Kikou Academy, I spotted Suminoe-san.
She was drawing gazes from the surrounding students—though the same applied to me. The influence the Management Game exerted on reality was truly immeasurable.
Our buyout scandal had likely become the biggest incident of the current Management Game. Even Ikuno, whom I had only just met, knew about it; the rest of the student body undoubtedly knew the outcome as well.
"Suminoe-san."
I called out to her as she headed toward her classroom.
"Oh, Tomonari-san. Have you come to shower me with insults?"
"I wouldn't do something like that."
Our days of glaring at each other were over. I had no desire to keep that up. Honestly, even if the matter hadn't been settled yet, I wouldn't have had any intention of hurling abuse.
It was true that we had been in conflict, but I didn't harbor any ill feelings toward her.
"If you're aiming for the top of the industry, sometimes you have to use forceful tactics. The idea of acquiring a fund to gain control was something I never would have thought of... I learned a lot from you this time, Suminoe-san."
"...You are far too kind for your own good."
Suminoe-san let out a small sigh.
"I won't be collecting any more Tomonari Gift shares. I’ve judged that a buyout is now impossible, and spending more capital on it would be a waste."
"...I see."
That was a relief. Any further conflict would have turned into a quagmire. We would have risked being devoured by competitors while we were busy dragging each other down, so I was grateful she had decided to call it quits.
"Suminoe-san. If you’re free after school today, would you like to join us for a tea party?"
"Excuse me?"
She looked genuinely perplexed by my suggestion.
"The matter is settled, so I thought it would be nice if we could build a friendly relationship from here on."
"...I see."
Suminoe-san nodded as if she understood my intention, but then her eyes narrowed. "But you’re still planning to launch an e-commerce service for corporations, aren't you?"
"I have no intention of yielding on that point."
In the future, I expected Tomonari Gift to come out on top regarding gift services for the corporate sector. Using our partnership with Wedding Needs Co., Ltd. as a catalyst, we planned to handle ceremonial gifts even more seriously. With that track record, we could expect to build connections not just in the bridal industry, but in many others.
I wanted to make Tomonari Gift a much larger company. I had no intention of stopping here.
"...I will attend the tea party. After all, the loser must accept the winner's demands."
"I wouldn't go so far as to call it winning or losing..."
"No matter how you look at it, it was your victory."
Suminoe-san gave a faint smile. Well, if she was okay with it, I wouldn't argue.
"Then let's meet at the cafe after school."
"Understood."
"By the way, I've also invited Tennoji-san."
"............I just remembered an urgent matter. I’ll have to decline for today."
"It's fine. Let's go together."
"N-No... the pressure will kill me...!"
Suminoe-san's face suddenly went pale.
"You were able to speak with her normally before, weren't you?"
"That was a facade!"
"You don't have to be so blunt about it..."
She really did become a different person whenever it concerned Tennoji-san.
Suminoe-san grabbed my sleeve with a desperate expression, but then she seemed to realize something and fell into a deep silence, eyes downcast.
"..................Actually, I'll go," she said in a small voice. "I need to apologize to Tennoji-sama."
After school.
While Suminoe-san and I were at the usual cafe ordering drinks, Tennoji-san approached the table.
"I am sorry to have kept you waiting."
"No, we just arrived ourselves."
Tennoji-san immediately ordered tea as well. To be honest, the original plan for today was for the entire Tea Party Alliance to gather, but I had wanted to talk with Suminoe-san properly, so I’d asked to prioritize this. Tennoji-san had sensed our feelings and given her approval beforehand.
After a while, our drinks were brought over. Tennoji-san lifted her cup to her lips.
"The tea here is quite good as well."
Watching her murmur to herself, Suminoe-san tentatively spoke up.
"...Um."
She looked between Tennoji-san and me.
"I wish to retract my statements from the other day. It was a mistake to say that Tomonari-san had led you astray, Tennoji-san."
Suminoe-san bowed her head deeply. Tennoji-san looked straight at her.
"I have received your apology."
Tennoji-san forgave her. For Suminoe-san, this was an apology to settle the score. Since the Management Game assumed competition between students, the fight between Tomonari Gift and SIS wouldn't be held against her. However, Suminoe-san had brought a conflict into it that slightly exceeded the framework of the game.
Unless she cleared the air, the incident wouldn't truly be over. She wanted to properly make up with everyone.
"I am no longer angry. However... I am curious. Why did you think I had been corrupted because of Tomonari-san?"
"That's..."
Suminoe-san looked troubled, finding it difficult to answer. I decided to speak up for her, knowing the lingering resentment wouldn't vanish otherwise.
"Suminoe-san respects you very much, Tennoji-san."
"Wait—!"
Suminoe-san looked at me, her face pale. I ignored her protest; the story wasn't over.
"That's exactly why she was so bewildered by your changes. I think she was worried about you in her own way."
I didn't feel the need to explain that Suminoe-san adored her; this was enough to get the point across. Tennoji-san nodded deeply, the pieces seemingly falling into place for her.
"Suminoe-san. Actually, my grades have been steadily improving lately."
Suminoe-san's eyes went wide.
"I was stoic to a fault until now, but I must have been carrying a great deal of unconscious stress. I am only human, after all. I thought I could endure any hardship for the sake of my goals, but it seems that was not the case."
It was true. The old Tennoji-san had been incredibly stoic, the type of person who would never vent her stress to anyone.
"I will omit the details, but thanks to Tomonari-san, I have found a great deal of room in my life. As a result, I have become able to face my own weaknesses and put in effort freely. Therefore, to me, Tomonari-san is nothing less than a benefactor."
She was likely referring to the marriage arrangement I helped her avoid. It was embarrassing to be called a benefactor, but I was glad I had stopped her back then. If that arrangement had gone through, she would have left the academy and vanished from our lives by now.
"Besides, you might not know this, Suminoe-san, but I am aiming for a seat on the Student Council through this Management Game."
"...Is that so?"
"Yes. My ambitions haven't gone anywhere."
Tennoji-san had changed, but she hadn't lost her edge. I knew that better than anyone.
"By the way, Tomonari-san is also aiming for it."
"Eh...?"
"He's quite an ambitious man, despite how he looks, wouldn't you say?"
Suminoe-san stared at me intently. I gave a wry smile.
"I'm aware it might be beyond my station, but as Tennoji-san said, I'm aiming for the Student Council as well."
It was a goal so high that my heart rate spiked every time I spoke of it. But I couldn't take it back now. After talking with my former classmates at the end of summer vacation, I had found an unwavering resolve. I had reached the point where there was no turning back.
"Beyond your station... I would have agreed with that before, but I don't think so now," Suminoe-san said with a solemn expression. "Look around you."
"Around?"
I didn't follow, but I looked around as she suggested. Since the Management Game began, the cafe had become even more crowded. Everyone likely wanted a place to talk strategy in peace.
The students gathered there were all stealing glances at us.
I could understand why Tennoji-san, the young lady of the Tennoji Group, or Suminoe-san, the heir to a major IT firm, would be noticed... but unless I was being narcissistic, I felt like the gazes were mostly on me.
"This buyout scandal has drawn attention from across the entire academy. As the victor, your abilities are being recognized by the entire school. You are seen as a skilled manager who was challenged by an overwhelmingly superior company and repelled them brilliantly."
So that was how they saw me...
It was an itchy, embarrassing feeling, but happiness won out. For someone like me who wanted to be worthy of standing beside Hinako and the others, that was the evaluation I wanted most.
The quality of the gazes was different than before. It wasn't conceit—I was actually being respected. They didn't just see me as an equal; they saw me as something more.
Overwhelmed with emotion, I clenched my fists under the table.
"Is something wrong, Tomonari-san?"
"No... I'm just happy to be recognized like that."
"It's only sinking in now?" Suminoe-san chuckled. "I understand now why Tennoji-san stays by your side. The two of you are stimulating each other by standing on equal footing."
"Yes! Exactly!" Tennoji-san said proudly.
Watching her, Suminoe-san whispered in a voice so small it was almost lost to the wind. "...I'm envious."
Tennoji-san didn't miss it. "Oh, I believe I can forge a similar bond with you."
"Eh...?"
"Leaving aside our positions, this buyout scandal was very interesting. As I thought, my eye for people is never wrong." Tennoji-san looked quite pleased with herself. "The Management Game is only at the halfway point. If you like, you are more than welcome to come at me with the intention of defeating me from now on."
"S-Such a thing would be far too presumptuous..."
"Honestly, you're just not getting it." Tennoji-san smiled gently. "I am saying that I want us to engage in friendly rivalry and improve together."
Suminoe-san seemed stunned by the offer, freezing with her mouth open. Seeing her like that, Tennoji-san stood up with a satisfied expression.
"Well then, I shall take my leave. I’ve been inspired by you two, and I have many meetings scheduled for today."
With that, Tennoji-san left the cafe. At the same time, the phone in my pocket vibrated. I gave a quick nod to the still-frozen Suminoe-san and answered.
"Good work, Itsuki-san."
"Ms. Shizune... what is it?"
"I wanted to know when you would be returning today."
I realized I hadn't told her my schedule. My business here was done, but...
"Itsuki... today is a celebration."
I heard Hinako’s voice. She was with Ms. Shizune.
"A celebration?"
"Mm....Itsuki's victory celebration."
So that was it. If they had gone to the trouble of planning an event, I should get home.
"I'll be back right away."
"Understood. I have a car waiting nearby, so I will have it head toward the academy."
As expected of Ms. Shizune. She was nothing if not efficient.
The call ended, and I stood up with my bag.
"Well then, Suminoe-san. I’ll be taking my leave as well."
I intended to leave after a brief goodbye, but...
"...Suminoe-san?"
There was no reaction. She had been silent for a while. Had something happened? I leaned in to check on her.
"S-She's dead!?"
"...I'm not dead."
Suminoe-san, who looked like she’d been reduced to white ash, replied in a faint voice. She must have been so happy to be recognized by Tennoji-san that her mental capacity had reached its limit.
"...In the end, you didn't blame me for anything," Suminoe-san said, her eyes downcast. "I understand why people gather around you now. It's because you're straightforward and you work so hard that everyone can't help but want to cheer for you."
She spoke with a refreshed look, as if she were making a final declaration of defeat. In that case, I couldn't just stay silent.
"I think the same applies to you, Suminoe-san."
As she blinked in surprise, I continued.
"When you launched the buyout, I researched SIS Co., Ltd. I saw that your performance has been climbing steadily... and I realized how hard you’ve been working. Knowing that, I couldn't bring myself to blame you. If anything, it motivated me."
It might have been hindsight, but the truth was that I had learned to manage my company more seriously because of her. There was the sense of crisis, of course, but more than that, seeing the traces of her effort made me want to work harder too.
"You can't produce those kinds of results overnight. You’ve been studying management constantly, haven't you?"
"Well, I mean..."
Acquiring a fund isn't something a company can do without significant leeway. I could only praise her skill in creating that stability. Tennoji-san had noticed her ability a year ago; Suminoe-san must have been working hard even then. She might have natural talent, but even Hinako studies every day, however reluctantly. There was no way Suminoe-san, whose grades rivaled Hinako's, had been neglecting her studies. She had said she spent her days "without a goal" back then, but she had still done what needed to be done.
Straightforward, hardworking, and someone everyone wants to cheer for...
That was Suminoe-san.
"I understand why Tennoji-san called out to you a year ago. You're a hard worker, Suminoe-san."
I felt I’d been positively influenced by her myself. Hearing that, Suminoe-san...
"...Suminoe-san?"
Once again, she stopped responding. But this time, she wasn't white as ash—her face was turning bright red, all the way to her ears.
"I-I...!! I won't be cajoled by someone like you...!!"
I hadn't been trying to cajole her. Seeing her declare that with a beet-red face, I could only manage a wry smile.