◆
Monday.
The Management Game—two weeks remaining.
Now that we had entered the second half, the discussions between students in the classroom were more heated than ever. They talked about business alliances, M&As, or market-sharing agreements between competitors, similar to what Suminoe-san and I had negotiated. Here and there, I saw students exchanging words with tense expressions.
By this stage, everyone was thinking about how to wrap things up. Some were trying to maximize their market capitalization, some were striving to protect their company's brand until the very end, and others, whose strategies hadn't panned out, were focusing on business restructuring to minimize the damage.
Amidst all that—I fell into the rare category of starting a completely new business.
"...Well then."
Today was the day for our usual Tea Party.
At this gathering, I intended to tell everyone that I was aiming to become a consultant.
"Sorry, Tomonari! I’ve got a meeting, so I’ll be a little late to the Tea Party!"
"Sorry, Tomonari-kun! I'm going to be a little late too!"
Taisho and Asahi-san both seemed to have business to attend to and excused themselves.
(Hinako too... looks like she'll be late.)
I looked toward the center of the classroom, where Hinako was busy taking consultations from our classmates. It seemed students from other classes had things to ask her about as well, as a long line had formed in front of her.
As I watched her, our eyes met, and she gave me a quiet nod.
Receiving her message to go on ahead, I made my way to the cafe alone.
"...Oh."
When I arrived, Tennoji-san—the girl with the elegant blonde drill curls—was already there.
It seemed Narika hadn't arrived yet either.
Tennoji-san sat alone, absorbed in a book.
(Is she studying?...Tennoji-san seems as busy as ever.)
"Hmm, I see, so that's how it is..." she muttered to herself, flipping a page. She seemed so intensely focused that I didn't want to disturb her, so I pulled out a chair as quietly as possible.
However, in doing so, I caught a glimpse of the book's cover.
—Romance Tactics Even a Monkey Can Understand!
...Tennoji-san?
What on earth are you reading in the Kikou Academy cafe...?
"...Um, Tennoji-san."
"!?"
The moment I spoke, Tennoji-san slammed the book shut with incredible force.
"What you were just reading..."
"Th-th-th-don't get the wrong idea! Hinako Konohana mentioned she was studying this, so I simply found myself curious...! That's all!!"
She shook her head frantically, her face flushed.
"Well, I figured it was something like that."
Since no other students were nearby, I dropped my formal tone.
"...You know, it's okay if I get the 'wrong idea' just a little bit, isn't it?"
For some reason, Tennoji-san pouted at that.
The "wrong idea"... so she actually is interested in romance?
Tennoji-san had a marriage arrangement brought up recently. Though it was eventually cancelled after many complications, perhaps that experience had triggered her to start thinking seriously about love.
"...Tennoji-san, what kind of person is your type?"
"M-my type!?"
"Ah, no, if you don't want to answer, that's fine..."
She reacted with much more shock than I’d expected, so I offered her a way out of the topic.
However, Tennoji-san answered me anyway, her cheeks burning red.
"W-well, let's see! Naturally, they must be someone worthy of the Tennoji family! Flawless etiquette is a given, but they must also be shrewd, pure of heart, and possess the caliber to lead many people—"
"Those... sound like some very difficult conditions."
"Ha!?"
When I let out a wry smile, Tennoji-san’s eyes widened as if she’d just snapped back to reality.
"N-no, that's not it. What I just said was, um, merely the conditions that would be desirable for the house..."
It seemed those weren't her personal preferences.
Tennoji-san hurriedly shook her head. Likely, the requirements favorable to her family were simply the first things that came to mind.
It’s my fault for asking such a strange question. I felt a bit guilty.
"My personal preference is, um... someone who is serious, kind, and even if they aren't perfect right now, they always have the desire to improve... and someone who will stand by my side, no matter how weak I become."
With her cheeks flushed deeper than before, Tennoji-san spoke while stealing glances at me.
If this had been back when the marriage arrangement was first proposed, she probably would have only given the first set of conditions. But the current Tennoji-san, who had learned to value her own life over her family's demands, was different.
"...You've really put a lot of thought into it."
Knowing that she was finally facing her own feelings made me feel somewhat sentimental.
However—.
"..."
Wait, why is she glaring at me now...?
Wasn't this the part where we shared a touching moment?
"...And what about you, Itsuki-san?"
"Me?"
Tennoji-san looked me straight in the eye.
"Do you remember what my father said to you?"
"Th-that's..."
Of course I remember, but...
"Will you marry into our family?...Come to think of it, I still haven't heard your answer to that question."
That was from when I visited the Tennoji family home with Hinako after the exams.
Perhaps because I had helped draw out her true feelings—that she wanted to refuse the arrangement—I had earned her father's favor, leading him to make that offer.
"Th-that was just something said in the heat of the moment, wasn't it...?"
"...Do you really believe that?"
Staring up at me with those upturned eyes, I found myself at a loss for words.
If I agreed with her, she would surely think I was a shallow person.
But if I denied it... how was I supposed to answer?
Tennoji-san was looking at me so directly that my mind went completely blank from the nerves.
As I sat there in utter distress, a smartphone vibrated on the table.
"I-it is mine."
Tennoji-san picked up her phone.
"...Oh, it's a message from Suminoe-san."
It seemed she had received a message through an app rather than a call.
As Tennoji-san typed a reply, I asked her, "Have you two stayed in contact since then?"
"Yes....It seems losing to Itsuki-san hit her quite hard. She's been working even harder lately to improve her company's performance."
It appeared the friction between them had been completely smoothed over.
I was also aware that Suminoe-san's company, SIS, was growing.
In all likelihood, Suminoe-san was in her true element now, much more so than when she was fighting me. If I were to compete with her now—focused as she was on her goals and growing greedily—I might actually lose this time.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, you two~!"
I heard Asahi-san's voice from a distance. Behind her were Hinako, Taisho, and Narika.
Tennoji-san casually slipped the book she had been reading into her bag.
The Tea Party was beginning....I was just glad that previous conversation didn't go any further.
◆
Usually, the Tea Party was a place to share progress and consult on problems.
However, now that the game was in the final stretch, everyone had locked in their strategies, leaving less to report. Additionally, because the members of this group were all so capable, they tended to resolve most issues on their own.
As a result...
"As always, I am glad to see that everyone is progressing smoothly."
Just as Tennoji-san said, we all confirmed that things were going well.
Everyone's business was growing, and no one had hit any major roadblocks.
Except... that was true for everyone but me.
"An alliance that is too competent can be a bit of a problem. We have nothing left to talk about—"
"Excuse me. I have something I want to tell you all."
I raised my hand, drawing their attention.
Since they seemed bored from the lack of topics, this was the perfect moment.
"Actually, I've decided to start working as a consultant."
Everyone's eyes went wide, but I pushed forward.
"I made this decision after thinking about several things. I'm going to let go of Tomonari Gift Co., Ltd. and start a new consulting firm."
"...There are only two weeks left in the game, you know? It might be difficult to produce any significant numbers in that time."
Tennoji-san's concern was valid.
But...
"Even so, I believe this is the path that will best serve my own future."
I had made this decision by looking past the Management Game.
I didn't want to become a consultant just to win a game. I wanted to gain experience here so that I could pursue consulting as a career later on.
At my declaration, Asahi-san and Taisho both nodded.
"I'm all for it! I think you're cut out for it, Tomonari-kun!"
"I agree. I've always thought you were easy to talk to, Tomonari."
Being easy to talk to is an undeniable asset for a consultant.
The two of them, like Ms. Shizune, seemed to think I was suited for the role.
"I-I am in favor as well, of course! I was simply worried it might be an unfavorable move if you are still aiming for the Student Council..."
I see, so Tennoji-san was worried about my reputation.
However, I had already considered that, so I shook my head.
"Right now, my grades are still behind Konohana-san's and Tennoji-san's. I also lack Narika's family status and her specialized athletic background....Even with the Suminoe-san incident, I don't think I'll be chosen for the Student Council if I just play it safe from here on out."
"...So, you're going to make a move?"
"Yes. I figured it wouldn't hurt to have one more card to play."
I didn't think someone like me, with mediocre academics and a modest background, could win everyone's trust just by stopping Suminoe-san's buyout. I needed one more big splash.
Twice. I wanted to make a significant impact twice during this Management Game.
If I did that, people would realize it wasn't just luck—it was real ability.
"...It seems I made a rather uncharacteristic point."
Tennoji-san gave a bold smile.
"To push for even more success immediately after achieving it... that attitude is worthy of praise! I look forward to your further growth, Tomonari-san!"
"Thank you," I said, bowing my head to her sincere encouragement.
"I support this as well."
And Hinako, once again, voiced her approval in front of the group.
"Come to think of it, Tomonari-kun was the one who gathered everyone here....I’ve heard that consulting is a job where human connections are vital, so perhaps you were always destined for this path."
The first time we all gathered was shortly after I enrolled. I felt guilty about constantly turning down Taisho and Asahi-san's invitations, so I ended up spending time with them after school, and I’d decided to invite Tennoji-san and Narika along as well.
I was touched she still remembered that.
Finally, Narika looked at me.
"I'm in favor too! And on that note... please! Could you listen to my request!"
Narika pressed her hands together and bowed her head.
I wondered what she had in mind.
"Actually, I'm thinking of creating an e-commerce site for my company."
"An e-commerce site?"
She nodded at my question.
"I want to create a sports equipment e-commerce site under my own brand. But I don't have the technical know-how, so I was planning to consult with Itsuki... If you're becoming a consultant, I’d like to make this a formal request."
So Narika wanted to hire me to consult on a new digital venture.
—It was a good offer.
Narika's company, Shimax, was an industry leader. If I could successfully consult for a corporation of that scale, it would be a massive achievement. Plus, since I had managed Tomonari Gift Co., Ltd., I already had some experience with e-commerce.
But... could I really handle it?
If I suddenly took on such a large client, wouldn't I just fail?
(...No.)
I didn't have the luxury of hesitating when an opportunity like this presented itself.
I remembered who I was trying to catch up to. Asahi-san, Taisho, Narika, Tennoji-san, and especially Hinako. —They weren't the kind of people I could stand alongside unless I seized every chance that came my way.
"Narika. I'd be honored to take the job."
"Ah, really!? That’s a huge relief!"
And so, my first client was Narika’s company—Shimax Co., Ltd.
◆
After school, I returned to the manor and immediately set to work.
"Tomonari-kun. Let me confirm one last time."
Ikuno's voice came through the speaker of my smartphone. He was the manager of Wedding Needs Co., Ltd., and his voice was stiff, carrying a sense of tension even over the line.
"Are you truly sure about this?"
"...Yes. Please proceed."
It was a decision from which there was no turning back.
To Ikuno's final confirmation, I nodded.
"Understood. Then—I will take full responsibility for managing Tomonari Gift from here on."
One major hurdle was cleared.
The business succession of Tomonari Gift Co., Ltd. —I had finalized it by selling all my shares to Ikuno.
"I’d appreciate it if you would aim for a public listing as we agreed."
"Of course. You’ve been a great help to me, Tomonari-kun, so I intend to do my absolute best."
In handing over the company, I had made two requests of Ikuno.
First, that Tomonari Gift would remain an independent company rather than being absorbed into Wedding Needs Co., Ltd.
Second, that he would aim to list Tomonari Gift on the Standard Market.
We had aligned our views during our business alliance, and I felt Ikuno's approach to business was very similar to mine. That was why I felt comfortable entrusting the company to him.
Furthermore, since Wedding Needs was already listed on the TSE Prime, Ikuno had the necessary experience to handle everything from the initial listing to long-term management. Just to be sure, I had asked about his strategy, and he had several plans to increase revenue by integrating with the bridal market he had already developed. Hearing that, I felt certain he was the right choice.
While I probably should have handled it myself to gain experience, balancing a public listing with my new consulting duties was simply beyond my current capacity.
(...It's a little sad, though.)
It was a lonely feeling to let go of the company I had built from the ground up.
Farewell, Tomonari Gift.
Spread your wings in Ikuno's hands.
"Now... next."
I didn't have time to dwell on sentimentality.
After hanging up with Ikuno, I immediately called Narika.
She answered right away.
"Narika, do you have a minute?"
"Yeah, I’m free."
Operating my laptop with one hand, I got straight to business.
"About the e-commerce site—did you finish the materials I asked for?"
"The documents regarding the budget and all that? I think I managed it. I just sent them over to you."
"Good. I'll use these as a reference and start selecting outsourcing companies on my end."
A message from Narika arrived in my mailbox within the Management Game.
I skimmed the attached documents.
"I did some research myself, but since we're running a website, should we set up a dedicated maintenance department?"
"Right. If you just wanted a simple storefront, a revenue-sharing model would have worked, but you want to keep everything in-house, don't you?"
"Yeah. I think that'll be easier for the customers to trust."
"Understood. Then, while we'll outsource the build, the ongoing maintenance will be Shimax's responsibility. Be ready to hire some people who can hit the ground running."
"U-got it!"
Revenue sharing is essentially a contract where multiple companies cooperate on a single venture. But since Narika wanted to operate the site entirely herself, she needed her own staff to handle the day-to-day once the initial build was done.
Of course, operating a site perfectly from day one is difficult, so I suggested we outsource both the creation and the operation as a package initially. We could bring it in-house gradually once things stabilized.
"Setting up your own servers is expensive, and you'll want to test the waters first, so let's go with a public cloud for now, okay?"
"Huh?...Ah, yeah! That sounds fine!"
"Don't worry, I'll send you the details later."
"S-s-sorry..."
I think she was trying not to get in my way, but I could tell Narika was pretending to understand more than she did, so I did my best to reassure her.
Narika had come to me because she was a layperson when it came to IT; I could explain the technical details later.
"Still... Shimax is incredible. Your stock price has jumped this much in just one week?"
A week in the real world was six months in the game.
Seeing the extraordinary growth rate, I was genuinely impressed.
"I shouldn't really be the one saying this, but Shimax was already a massive company. The environment was already there for me to do whatever I wanted."
"That may be true, but..."
Narika’s deep knowledge of sports allowed her to generate great ideas, and Shimax had the resources to turn those ideas into products. Her talent and the company's status were clicking together perfectly.
"Is the pressure just as big as the company?"
"Yeah. When the game first started, I couldn't stop breaking out in cold sweats....Ugh, just remembering it makes my stomach hurt..."
I could hear the genuine distress in her voice.
"...Narika, you have a surprisingly grounded perspective, don't you?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"People like Konohana-san... and especially Tennoji-san... I feel like if I asked them that, they'd just say, 'Isn't that just how things are?' as if it were perfectly normal."
"Ah... that's probably true."
Even Hinako, despite her complaints about things being "a pain," would shoulder the burden without a second thought.
Compared to them, Narika’s worries were relatable. Social anxiety, pressure, struggling with studies... these were the same things people dealt with at my old high school.
That was exactly why Narika understood ordinary people so well.
Like when she explained the joy of sports to Kita, who felt inadequate, Narika was able to empathize with those who had normal insecurities.
I realized that was a tremendous talent in its own right.
Maintaining a normal sensibility that others could relate to, even while living in such an extraordinary environment. I suspected that this was Narika's true strength.
And that sensibility was clearly being valued in the Management Game.
At that moment—a sharp clack echoed from the other end of the phone.
"Oops, sorry."
Then, I heard the sound of rushing water.
It sounded like... a shower.
"...Narika. Where exactly are you right now?"
"In the bath!"
In the bath..................?
"I didn't know when you'd call. Since I was the one who asked for help, I felt bad about missing the call, so I’ve been keeping my phone with me at all times."
"N-no... you didn't have to go that far."
Another clack.
Probably the sound of a plastic basin being set on the floor.
"...Maybe we should finish this conversation later?"
"No, it's fine! I'm just going to wash up real quick, so just hold on a second!"
I could hear the distinct squish-squish of a soap pump over the line.
I found myself involuntarily imagining what was happening on the other side of the phone.
By the time I heard the sound of her scrubbing her skin, I—
"...I'll call you back."
I hung up without waiting for an answer.
Suddenly, I felt very tired.
(...I need to focus.)
I lightly slapped my cheeks to drive out any stray thoughts. I wanted to have a list of potential outsourcing partners ready before I spoke to Narika again.
With only two weeks left in the Management Game, I was in a race against time to produce results as a consultant.
As I stared intensely at my monitor, there was a knock at the door.
Ms. Shizune entered.
"Itsuki-san, I have the materials you requested."
"Thank you, that’s a huge help."
"Think nothing of it. These were originally prepared to assist the Young Lady."
I took the tablet from her.
The screen was filled with data on various companies. I set it on my desk and began quickly swiping through the pages.
"...You read very quickly, don't you?"
"I'm skipping over the scale of the companies—sales, capital, and so on—for now."
"And why... is that?"
In business, numbers are often considered the most vital data. Ms. Shizune looked at me with curiosity, wondering why I was intentionally ignoring them.
"I want to eliminate preconceptions. I can make a fairer judgment by looking at the business itself first."
"...I see."
One thing I’d learned from the Management Game was that numbers often hide invisible irrationalities. A company could develop a perfect product only for the trend to shift by chance, or a rival could steal a lead because of an internal leak. Numbers don't account for that kind of unfairness. A company that would surely succeed if given a second chance might be branded a "failure that can never be trusted again" by the data alone.
So, I look at the business first.
I grasp the corporate philosophy—and then I look at the face of the manager behind it all.
If I feel I can trust the manager, then I go back and look at the numbers.
"...This company looks promising."
I found several firms that seemed like a good fit for Shimax, so I listed them and shared them with Narika via email, along with rough cost estimates for each.
A short while later, Narika replied with her preference.
Good—now I just need to arrange a meeting, and if all goes well, we can start building the e-commerce site.
◇
Shizune watched in silence as Itsuki worked, his eyes darting between his laptop and the tablet.
He had already forgotten she was in the room.
That terrifying level of concentration was something he shared with Hinako, Takuma-sama, and even the Head of the House, Kagon.
(I knew he would become something formidable, but...)
She felt the atmosphere in the room gradually grow solemn, centered around the boy.
It was exactly the same aura Takuma and Kagon projected when they were truly focused on their work. Because Shizune assisted both of them, she recognized the change in Itsuki with absolute clarity.
—I'm skipping over the scale of the companies.
She recalled his words.
—I want to eliminate preconceptions. I can make a fairer judgment by looking at the business itself first.
When she had heard that, Shizune had almost laughed.
It was a perspective from an entirely different dimension.
"...Only you could do that," she whispered softly, making sure he didn't hear.
Only he, or perhaps Takuma-sama, could perform such a feat.
Normally, people rely on numbers because they cannot judge by the business alone. Philosophies and mission statements can be filled with lies. It’s all too common to claim to work for the good of the world while being purely profit-driven.
Numbers, however, do not lie. That's why most managers and investors use them to judge others—but Itsuki apparently didn't need to.
He had the ability to see through the lies in the data.
To him, the numbers were secondary to the ideals.
(His encounter with Takuma-sama, and then the opportunity of the Management Game. The perfect alignment of these two things has led to this explosive growth...)
He had awakened. Completely.
Witnessing a talent bloom so vividly stirred an indescribable emotion in Shizune's heart. A simple desire to support him, a sense of relief that his efforts were being rewarded, and perhaps a touch of trepidation at what he might become.
One thing was certain: with this level of talent, he might actually be able to stand by Hinako's side forever.
That hope was more precious to Shizune than anything else.
(...I'm glad I chose him to be the caretaker.)
And having made that choice, she felt a duty to see him through to the end.
How far would he go? As she watched him stare intensely at his screens, Shizune looked on with a faint, intrigued smile.
◆
The next day at the academy.
"Itsuki!"
Someone called out to me from the hallway during a break.
I stood up and went to see who it was.
"Narika, what is it?"
"I came to thank you for yesterday!" she said, her eyes practically sparkling.
I could almost see a tail and dog ears on her. Her imaginary tail was wagging so hard it looked like it might fly off.
"Are you not worried about everyone watching anymore?"
"Huh?...Wait, eek!?"
Noticing the curious gazes from our classmates, Narika turned bright red and ducked behind the doorframe. I’d thought it was unusual for her to shout like that, but apparently, it hadn't been intentional.
"I-I was just in a hurry, so I..."
"You could have just sent me an email, you know."
"What are you saying!? You have to give thanks for something like this in person!"
She was very principled about things like that. It was one of her best qualities.
"Ahem....Anyway, thank you for yesterday! It looks like things are going to go well!"
"I'm glad. We're still technically under contract, so make sure to keep sharing your business data with me."
"Right! I'm counting on you!"
Our consulting contract for Shimax was set for one year. In real-world terms, that was two weeks—meaning we would be partners until the end of the Management Game.
In truth, we probably didn't need that long, but since the game was ending soon, we decided to make it a nice, round number.
"I'll finish the payment today, too! It should go to that new company of yours, right?"
"Yeah. Tomonari Consulting Co., Ltd., please."
Tomonari Consulting—my second company.
Even though I’d been teased about the name of my first company, I’d ended up with another literal one... but I had an excuse. Narika had made her request right as I was starting out, and while I was grateful, I had been incredibly busy.
"As usual, the name is very... straightforward."
As expected, she started to tease me.
"Hey, you can't talk. Shimax is just as literal."
"What!? A-are you mocking my ancestors' naming sense!?"
I didn't want to be mocked by someone with a similar naming sense, but then I remembered that for Narika, it was a name passed down through generations.
"Shimax is meaningful! It comes from the idea of being the biggest—the max—company in this island nation (shima)!"
"I-is that so..."
Isn't that still a bit simple...?
Well, in the end, the most important thing for a company name is being memorable, and from that perspective, Shimax was actually a great name.
After parting with Narika, I went back into the classroom.
"Ah, hey, Tomonari-kun."
This time, it was Asahi-san who called out to me.
"Do you have a moment?"
"Sure, but is it not okay here?"
"Hmm... I’d rather talk just the two of us, if that's okay."
That was rare.
Asahi-san, who usually didn't care much about what others thought, was asking for a private meeting. As far as I could remember, it was the first time she'd done that.
However, with the Management Game reaching its climax, every private nook in the school was occupied by students plotting their next moves. Even the stair landings and quiet corners were full.
"It looks like we won't find a spot during the break. Shall we talk at the usual cafe after school?"
"Yeah, that’d be great!"
At that cafe, the tables were far apart, so we wouldn't be overheard if we kept our voices down.
Plus... for some reason, ever since the rumors about The Noble Tea Party started, no one ever sat at our usual table. It was treated as if it were perpetually reserved. It had the best view and was the most relaxing spot... I felt a bit bad about it, but we might as well take advantage of it.
◆
After school.
After letting Hinako and Ms. Shizune know I'd be late, I met Asahi-san at the cafe.
"So, what did you want to talk about?"
Asahi-san took a sip of her tea and opened her mouth with a serious expression.
"Actually... I want to increase my company's sales even further."
A long silence followed.
After thinking for a moment, I caught her drift.
"...I see. You want to outmaneuver your rivals."
"Exactly~! You're so quick on the uptake, Tomonari-kun."
If she just wanted general advice on sales, she could have talked about it in class.
The fact that she didn't meant she didn't want anyone to overhear. She was planning to move in secret to get ahead.
"My company isn't number one like Miyakojima-san's. If my rivals catch wind of what I'm doing, they could overtake me in an instant. It’s a bit suffocating, but I just can't talk about this stuff publicly..."
"...It’s a cutthroat industry."
Shimax’s sales were leagues ahead of the second-place company. With a gap like that, Narika could afford to be open, but it was a different story for Asahi-san. Her company, Jays Holdings, was currently fourth in the consumer electronics retail sector.
"So, I wanted to make a formal request! I saw you talking with Miyakojima-san earlier... and it looks like things are going well for her, right?"
"Well, yes."
"I was hoping I could share in some of that success~?" she said, giving me a sidelong glance.
She didn't need to do all that; my answer was already decided.
"I'll take the job. I still owe you for introducing me to that marketing firm, anyway."
"Yes! Okay, here! These are the materials for my company!"
She was certainly prepared. Asahi-san had clearly expected me to say yes.
She handed me a tablet with the documents and also sent the data to my laptop via the Management Game's internal mail.
I began to skim through Jays Holdings' financial reports.
Thanks to Takuma-sama’s guidance, I had become accustomed to reading balance sheets and profit and loss statements. I could grasp the situation much faster than before.
"...Sales to the elderly are surprisingly low."
"Right? I guess electronics are just like that sometimes."
Technology evolves every year, which can make it difficult for older customers to keep up.
"You used to sell electronics specifically for the elderly....Are you not manufacturing those anymore?"
"Yeah. We ran commercials and everything, but the numbers were terrible. We were trying to capitalize on the aging population, but when it failed, everyone in the company was pretty shocked."
According to the records, that was about three years ago—meaning it was a real-world event, not part of the game.
The business itself hadn't worked out, but they already had the foundation for those products. That meant we could develop a strategy that could be implemented quickly.
"Asahi-san, what does this department do?"
"Hmm? Let me see, that’s..."
Because the text was small, Asahi-san leaned in close to my laptop monitor.
Our foreheads bumped with a soft thud.
"Ah."
"Ah."
We both spoke at the same time.
We reflexively pulled away and stared at each other.
"S-sorry..."
"N-no, it was my fault, sorry...?"
I’d been so focused that I’d misjudged the distance. Asahi-san’s cheeks were flushed, and she looked incredibly awkward.
"...I didn't think you were the type to get flustered like that, Asahi-san."
"I-I do! I'm a girl, too, you know!?" she snapped, glaring at me.
"I just thought you were the type to laugh something like that off..."
"W-well, maybe if it were any other guy! But you're different, Tomonari-kun!"
"Different?"
What was that supposed to mean?
When I tilted my head, Asahi-san’s face turned even redder, and she began to wave her hands frantically.
"W-waaa~! Forget that!! I didn't say anything!?"
"O-okay."
I decided to just go along with her, considering even her ears were bright red.
"Well, um... since we're here, I’ll tell you," she said, slowly calming down.
"When you first enrolled, I was actually pretty worried....You know, Kikou Academy sometimes has people who just can't keep up and drop out immediately. Honestly, you looked like a textbook case of that at first..."
I couldn't argue with that. Back then, I was a commoner through and through who looked completely out of place. If I let my guard down, I still was, so my core hadn't really changed.
"But in the end, it turns out my eyes were failing me. You worked your heart out, and in the blink of an eye, you became someone everyone relies on. Konohana-san, Tennoji-san, Miyakojima-san... and now even I'm the one coming to you for help."
She looked me straight in the eye.
"Seeing you grow so reliable in such a short time... it made me think you were amazing. And cool....So, that’s why..."
She trailed off, her face heating up again.
"N-no! Forget this too! Forget everything I just said!"
"O-okay..."
I’d act like I hadn't heard that, either.
I wanted to get back to talking about the game, but the atmosphere was far too charged for serious business.
Both of us were sitting there with bright red faces.
"Ugh, geez! Now it's all weird! This is so embarrassing~~!"
"This isn't like me at all~~!" she groaned, burying her face in her hands. I could only offer a strained, awkward laugh.
Usually, our distance was much more casual... I felt like it was almost unfair for her to suddenly change the mood like that.
◆
The next morning.
"Tomonari! Save me!"
The moment I arrived at school, Taisho slammed his hands onto my desk and bowed his head.
"Is this another consulting request?"
"Yeah!"
"I'd like to say yes, but I'm actually quite busy right now. Can I hear the details before I decide?"
"Of course!"
I was still working for Shimax, and I hadn't even come up with a strategy for Asahi-san's Jays Holdings yet. I was grateful for the work, but I was nearing my limit.
"I'll get right to it. —An e-commerce giant is going to steal our jobs!" Taisho cried, dramatically clutching his face like a tragic hero.
"...Oh, right. I heard there was a massive shift in the logistics industry recently."
"Yeah. A major overseas e-commerce company has officially entered the logistics sector."
The global giant—Amazones.
It was a company everyone knew, but in the Management Game, they had just announced their entry into the logistics field. Since the service was already established overseas, it was predicted that domestic logistics companies would take a massive hit.
"Amazones isn't a student-run company, is it? It seemed like a pretty extreme move for the game..."
"Wait, you don't know, Tomonari?" Taisho asked, looking slightly surprised.
"It happens every year. When the game starts to stagnate, the academy triggers events like this to shake things up."
"...I see. So Amazones' entry is an academy-orchestrated event."
"Yeah. The logistics industry had been stable since the start, so it looks like we were the targets," Taisho said with a sigh.
The academy was truly terrifying. They were relentless when it came to training elite managers.
"When an event like this happens in the game, it makes me feel like it could really happen in real life, too. That's why I want to take it seriously and find a real countermeasure."
"I see..."
"I mean, it could happen. Right now, Amazones relies on logistics companies to deliver their goods, but they have the global recognition and the infrastructure to do it themselves if they wanted to....Logistics is essential to almost every industry. Even if it weren't Amazones, some other company would eventually try to move in."
As expected of the heir to Moving Taisho. He knew his industry well.
I also realized how skilled the academy’s higher-ups were to come up with this. With the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry involved, these events were likely scenarios crafted by professionals after intense debate, making them highly credible.
"I know I'm asking for a lot, but you used to run an e-commerce company, right? I was hoping you could give me some kind of hint...!"
"Let's see... this is a tough one. Give me a little time to think about it."
"Thanks! If you need any internal data, just let me know!"
Taisho bowed deeply, clearly anxious.
Because it could happen in reality, he wanted a real solution. I wanted to help him, but it was an incredibly difficult problem. I needed to move quickly but carefully.
◆
Lunch break. On the rooftop of the Old Student Council Building, Hinako and I were having lunch together as we always did.
"Itsuki... something on your mind?"
"Yeah. The requests from Asahi-san and the others are pretty difficult..."
I munched on my food while weighing the two problems.
Asahi-san wanted to boost sales and beat her rivals. Taisho wanted to survive the storm of Amazones entering the logistics industry. Both were facing significant hurdles.
"What do you want to eat next?"
"Um... how about the tamagoyaki?"
I picked up a piece of the omelet with my chopsticks and moved it toward Hinako’s mouth.
"Here, say 'ah'."
"Ah... ahh..."
Hinako turned red and opened her mouth, though she looked away shyly.
Her reaction... was very different from before. When I first became her caretaker, she had been much more natural about this. Lately, everything felt awkward.
No, it wasn't just awkward.
"...Hinako."
"Wh-what is it?"
"Are you... embarrassed?"
"Npeh!?"
Hinako almost spat out the food she was chewing and quickly covered her mouth.
"You don't have to hide it. It's perfectly natural."
After all, I had been embarrassed from the very beginning.
To be honest, as a healthy high school boy, these interactions were terrible for my heart. I’d been enduring it, but internally, I was always a mess.
"Maybe we should stop doing this."
"N-n-no... it's not like we have to stop...?"
"But if it's making it hard for you to eat, then it's better if we do, right? It’d be bad if we were late for class..."
As I said it, I realized I was feeling a little lonely at the thought of stopping. Even if it was stressful, I couldn't deny that it was a time I cherished.
Should we continue, or should we end it? A conflict began within me.
"Maybe I should also reconsider taking baths together..."
"Wait...!?"
Hinako let out a sound that was nearly a scream.
"B-but, that's... that's my vested interest...!"
What kind of vested interest was that?
Lately, things had been strange in the bath, too, so I thought it was a good time to reevaluate our boundaries.
At least, that’s what I thought... but Hinako had other ideas.
"................t."
"T?"
Hinako looked up at me, her eyes slightly moist.
"................Is it not allowed?" she asked in a small, breathless whisper, as if she were in a daze.
............
........................
................................
"......................................It's not allowed not to."
What on earth was I saying? I should have thought about my answer for more than a second.
Ignoring the voice of reason in my head, I brought a piece of fish to her lips.
"Say 'ah'."
"Ah... ahh..."
After chewing and swallowing, Hinako gave a bright, happy smile.
"It's delicious... hehe..."
The awkwardness was still there, but more than that, she looked truly happy.
(Well... she's cute, so I guess it's fine.)
I decided not to overthink it anymore. If she was happy, that was enough for me.
In truth, this time during lunch was just as important for me as it was for her. Stepping away from the strange pressure of Kikou Academy to just breathe like this was a vital rest for my soul.
I just wanted to protect this time we had. I’d leave it at that.