Three days later. I had just returned to the manor from the academy and immediately booted up the Management Game.
"Whoa!"
The sheer volume of unread messages in my in-game mailbox made me cry out in surprise.
"...Are these all consulting requests?"
Judging by the subject lines, nearly every single one was an email asking for my consulting services. But why such a sudden influx?
(Wait... right. Was it announced today?)
A possibility occurred to me, and I checked the Management Game news feed. Just as I suspected, there was an article reporting on the business alliance between Jays Holdings and Moving Taisho.
It was being treated as a major headline. The coverage was likely on par with—or perhaps even greater than—the buzz when I had blocked the takeover of Suminoe.
The article's view count was staggering. And right there in the text, it credited Tomonari Consulting for spearheading the venture. It seemed this single piece of news was the catalyst for the surge in requests.
As I stood dazed before the mountain of unread emails, I heard a knock at the door.
"Come in."
"Excuse me."
Ms. Shizune entered the room, pushing a cart. It seemed she had brought me refreshments again.
"Itsuki-san. I thought I heard you cry out just now..."
"Ah, sorry. Something unexpected happened in the Management Game."
"Something unexpected?"
As Ms. Shizune tilted her head curiously, I showed her my monitor. After scanning the news article and my overflowing inbox, she quickly grasped the situation.
"This is... quite an impressive venture you proposed."
"You think so too, Ms. Shizune?"
"The ultimate goal of the Management Game is to apply the experiences gained within it to reality. This venture accomplishes that perfectly. I imagine the other students are reacting because they recognize that as well. I'm certain the judges are equally surprised."
Come to think of it, Asahi-san and Taisho had also been impressed by the fact that this business would be viable in the real world. My proposal had apparently struck the very heart of what the game was meant to achieve.
I scrolled down to continue reading the article.
(Taisho really pulled through, too.)
There was another prominent mention in the headlines. Moving Taisho had developed a new type of packaging material and obtained a patent for it. This material was primarily intended for the transport of precision instruments, and the company planned to sell it as a standalone product.
I had merely described the ideal scenario to him, but Taisho had certainly lived up to my expectations. Moving Taisho was, as the name implied, a moving company, which made transporting home appliances their specialty. That niche had meshed perfectly with our new venture. The development of the packaging material likely leveraged the specialized know-how Moving Taisho had accumulated over the years.
Just then, my smartphone vibrated. The display showed Takuma Konohana.
"Is that Takuma-sama?"
"Yes. We're scheduled for a meeting."
"...Then I shall take my leave."
Ms. Shizune reached for the doorknob. I felt a pang of guilt, as if I were kicking her out immediately after receiving her snacks.
"You're welcome to stay if you like..."
"I'm afraid I might start spitting venom, so I shall refrain."
That... might be for the best.
Once the door closed, I answered the call.
"Hello, Itsuki-kun. How is the consulting business faring?"
"It's going well so far."
"I imagined it would. I suggested this path precisely because I believed you could handle it. So, what specific work have you been doing?"
"I've put together a rough summary, so I'll send it over via email."
To keep the meeting efficient, I shared the documents I had prepared in advance. Shimax, Jays Holdings, and Moving Taisho—these were the three companies I had engaged with as a consultant.
"...Heh, mobile sales for home appliances? You've come up with something quite interesting."
Takuma-san praised the idea.
"I simply identified the strengths of the two companies. It just so happened that those two connected well..."
"The ability to identify those strengths is your talent. And that, in essence, is the job of a consultant."
Hearing him say that didn't feel bad at all. Things were going almost too well for me this time—it was more than just a good start. However, if I really thought about it, these jobs had only come my way because Narika, Asahi-san, and the others were in my circle.
I realized once again how fortunate I was to have formed the Tea Party Alliance. Human connections clearly manifested a power all their own in situations like this.
"Could you share the Shimax data with me as well?"
"Certainly."
I sent the materials. A brief silence followed as he presumably reviewed the documents.
"Hmm... You and Miyakojima-san might be quite compatible," Takuma-san remarked while sipping his tea. "She has a genius-level talent for ideas, doesn't she? But it seems she isn't very good at interacting with others in her industry. She could produce even better results if she partnered effectively, but she seems to be the type who struggles with interpersonal connections."
Incredible. He was spot on.
"In contrast, you are skilled at managing people. In particular, you excel at negotiating with peers and other business owners. If you use that strength to support Miyakojima-san, Shimax will surely make a great leap forward. It wouldn't just be compensating for a weakness; it would be a powerful synergy."
"...I see."
So, joining forces with Narika had indeed been the right move.
"Hm?"
A new message arrived in my in-game mailbox. The sender was Narika.
"Is something the matter?"
"Ah, no, I just received a work email from Narika."
"Speak of the devil. In that case, let's end this meeting here. You should respond to Miyakojima-san immediately."
"Wait, we're finished already?"
"Speed is the lifeblood of business. Especially with a major client. I'll send over some points for improvement via email later; you can look them over then."
Well, Narika was certainly a major client. As Takuma-san suggested, I decided to prioritize her request.
After hanging up, I noticed a missed call notification on my smartphone from Narika. She must have tried calling me while I was on the line. I dialed her back immediately.
She picked up on the first ring.
"Sorry, I was on the phone. Is now a good time?"
"A-Ah. Actually, I have something I wanted to consult with you about again."
Narika sounded hesitant.
"I'd like to strengthen our internal security, but I'm not sure how to go about it."
"...Security, huh?"
She meant information security—specifically, the IT sector. However, Shimax should have already had a department dedicated to that.
"Is the current security insufficient?"
"We have some measures, but since starting the e-commerce business, I thought it would be best to overhaul the IT department as a whole. I wanted to see if there was a better way than what we have now."
She wanted to modernize the company's infrastructure using the launch of the e-commerce site as a catalyst. Shimax was a long-standing firm, and such companies often had antiquated IT systems. I could understand the desire to improve that area now that they were expanding.
"S-So, um... how long will I have to wait? Can you handle it right away?"
"Well, Shimax is under a consulting contract. Even though it's an unplanned field, I'll make it a priority, but..."
I trailed off, sensing something odd in her demeanor.
"...Narika. Are you... acting a bit panicked?"
"!? N-N-N-No, I'm not!!"
She was a terrible liar. I lowered my voice, sounding a bit more serious.
"This might be important, so please be honest with me. Why are you so panicked?"
A consultant's work depends entirely on the trust of the business owner. If a problem is hidden, the response will be delayed when it counts. I wanted the truth, even if I had to be a bit firm to get it.
"N-No, well... it's not really related to the company," Narika stammered. "A little while ago, when I logged into the game, I saw the news about the mobile appliance sales with Asahi-san's company....That was your proposal, Itsuki, wasn't it?"
"Yeah."
"That's going to be an incredible business. I'm sure everyone else thinks so too. So, aren't you getting all sorts of requests right now?"
"...That's true."
In fact, another request email had arrived even while we were talking. But why would that make Narika panic?
"And so, well..." Narika's voice grew weak. "I thought... if Itsuki becomes popular... you might leave my side..."
She sounded genuinely anxious. I could picture her right now—fidgeting with a self-conscious, insecure expression. Hearing her true feelings, I couldn't help it.
"Heh."
"W-Why are you laughing! I'm seriously worried here!"
I knew it was rude, but I couldn't stop myself.
"Listen... if you think I'm this attentive to just anyone, you're dead wrong."
Narika's worry was a total waste of energy.
"Do you remember what I told you the other day about you having normal sensibilities?"
"A-Ah."
"Because you're so obviously working hard, Narika, it makes me want to support you. I guess I empathize with the things you worry about. Wanting friends, or finding studies difficult—you don't really hear about those kinds of problems at this academy, do you?"
"Ugh... well, that's true."
From my perspective, as someone desperately trying to fit into Kikou Academy, Narika's worries were the ones I could empathize with most. They were familiar, human problems that I might have struggled with myself.
"This might not sound like a compliment, but I see a very human weakness in you. That's why, when I see you trying your best, I want to try my best alongside you."
Hinako and Tennoji-san each had their own weaknesses. But in reality, Narika was probably the weakest of the three. She was the most relatable. And that human weakness was the root of her normal sensibilities.
I often heard that strengths and weaknesses were two sides of the same coin, and Narika was the perfect example. When I thought about it, since she had received a 'genius' evaluation from Takuma-san over even Hinako or Tennoji-san... she had incredible potential.
"I'm still inexperienced, so there's a limit to how many requests I can handle... but I have no intention of terminating my contract with you. Let me stay on the same ship until the end."
"I-Itsukiiiiii...!"
Overwhelmed with relief, Narika called my name in a tearful voice.
"I've noted the security matter. I'll come up with a plan soon, so please wait for me."
"Yeah! Itsuki, thank you!"
I hung up the phone. I leaned back in my chair and let out a quiet breath.
"...Security measures, huh?"
Shimax already had a security department, but if she wanted a complete overhaul, it might be better to rely on a third-party software provider rather than internal staff.
Coincidentally, Narika had emailed me the latest internal reports, so I read through them. The e-commerce business was going well for now, but I could see early signs of a manpower shortage as new operations began. Given how busy the employees already were, I felt that piling more tasks on them would lead to a total breakdown.
If you use that strength to support Miyakojima-san, Shimax will surely make a great leap forward.
I recalled Takuma-san's words about my strengths.
"Negotiation, huh..."
He probably didn't mean psychological games or trickery. He was likely referring to the fundamental art of trading—bowing your head and bringing people together. Takuma-san probably wanted me to develop the more deceptive side of negotiation too, but that profound territory was still beyond me.
I had learned from my time with Asahi-san and Taisho: business that leans on your natural strengths is more likely to succeed. Therefore, I needed to lean on mine. Negotiation. Human connections. Those were my edges.
"If I recall, it's in here..."
I opened my desk drawer and pulled out a business card I'd kept tucked away. It was a card Ms. Shizune had given me before the Athletic Festival.
Initially, my background was supposed to be the heir to a mid-sized IT firm. It was just a cover story, but as I adjusted to the academy, I'd had to study IT seriously. When Ms. Shizune realized this, she'd suggested, "Why not actually work for an IT company in the future?" To give that idea some weight, she'd handed me this card, even going so far as to secure a promise that they would hire me after graduation if I were interested.
The company was an IT firm that developed security software for offices. Being a recommendation from Ms. Shizune, it was a top-tier company with low turnover and national commercials.
Leaving my room, I headed toward the kitchen. There, I found Ms. Shizune inspecting the ingredients delivered to the manor.
"Ms. Shizune, do you have a moment?"
"What is it?"
I showed her the business card I had retrieved from my desk.
"I'd like to use this card..."
◆
The following evening. I was at the office building in front of the station by myself.
Wearing a suit would make me indistinguishable from a regular salaryman, which would be confusing, so I had come in my Kikou Academy uniform. A lone student standing in an office building lobby was a rare sight, and I could feel the passersby and security guards staring at me.
After waiting for a short while, a man approached from the elevator.
"I'm sorry, my meeting ran long..."
"No, thank you for taking the time to see me on such short notice."
He apologized even though he wasn't even five minutes late. He was young—likely in his mid-twenties. He bowed with a practiced, professional air, and I reflexively bowed back.
He handed me a business card.
"I am Watarai, from Sales Division Two at Horizon Inc."
"Itsuki Tomonari. It's a pleasure to meet you."
I accepted the card with both hands. I had studied business card etiquette, and while I wasn't giving one back, receiving it with both hands and a polite, "I gratefully accept it," was standard.
"Well then, shall we head to the conference room?"
I followed Watarai into the elevator. Horizon Inc.'s offices were on the seventeenth floor. We exited the elevator and walked down a long, narrow corridor into a conference room.
"I must say, I was surprised. To hear that you're interested in our products and wanted to learn more... we get plenty of clients, but this is the first time a student has reached out."
Surmising that I wasn't used to a stiff corporate atmosphere, Watarai deliberately relaxed his tone. He guided me to the seat of honor, where a bottle of tea was already waiting. A projector was set up on the table, ready for a presentation.
A full-scale business environment had been prepared just for me. I felt a surge of gratitude that they hadn't cut corners for a student visitor.
"I'm sorry. I feel terrible taking up your time as a student..."
"No, no. The Management Game at Kikou Academy is quite famous here. It's an honor to be of help."
Watarai closed the door. I placed his business card on my card case on the table. It was proper etiquette to keep it visible during a meeting rather than tucking it away immediately.
"To tell you the truth, our president is a Kikou Academy alumnus."
"Wait, really?"
"Yeah. So this is practically a presidential order. He told me just the other day: 'The Management Game is incredibly tough, so make sure you help him!' Think of this as a slightly formal alumni visit."
"...I'm very grateful."
Horizon Inc. had been founded twenty years ago, and I believed the original founder was still the president. That meant he was the one who had graduated from the academy and built this company from nothing. While not publicly traded, the firm had sales of around eighty billion yen and over three thousand employees. The skill required to build that was staggering. They surely met the criteria for going public, but likely chose to remain private to maintain management freedom without the pressure of shareholders.
"Now then, allow me to explain our flagship product... Horizon Viewing."
"...Please."
Switching into sales mode, Watarai's tone became more formal. I opened my laptop and prepared to take notes.
The reason I was here was to find a solution for Shimax's security issues. Horizon produced a software called Horizon Viewing, which managed internal IT assets like computers and peripherals. I wanted to see if it was the right fit for Narika's company.
Horizon Inc. existed within the Management Game as well, but it was run by an AI. I figured visiting the real company was the best way to get details. Normally, this would be impossible, but I had a connection. The card Ms. Shizune had given me was for this very company. I'd called the number on the card, and to my surprise, they'd readily agreed to a meeting.
"Horizon Viewing is a software designed to support IT asset management and operation. Our implementation cases are diverse, ranging from private firms to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications—"
Watarai gave a flawless presentation. The software was trusted by government offices and prestigious private universities and held the top market share with over twenty thousand clients. It was clear proof of how much companies valued internal security—validating Narika's instincts.
"With Horizon Viewing, you can also prevent information leaks. For instance, if an unregistered USB drive is inserted, file transfers can be restricted and a notification sent immediately."
It wasn't just management; it was active protection.
"How long does implementation usually take?"
"It depends on the scale, but for example—"
Watarai answered every question without hesitation. I felt a sense of professional poise from him. I wondered if I could become an adult like that one day.
Watarai continued his explanation until...
"—And that's the gist of it."
He finally relaxed his shoulders.
"You're so level-headed, Itsuki-kun, that I ended up going into full sales mode. Was that easy enough to follow?"
"Yes. Thank you for the detailed explanation."
He'd covered everything from basic functions to the setup process. Given their wealth of experience, it seemed like a versatile tool that would work perfectly for Shimax.
As I was considering the next steps, there was a knock on the door.
"Oh, would you happen to be Itsuki-kun!?"
A portly man with silvering hair entered, laughing heartily. He wore an expensive-looking suit—likely a custom-made piece that fit him perfectly.
"Pleasure to meet you. I am Sorano, the President and Representative Director of Horizon."
"Itsuki Tomonari. Thank you for this opportunity today."
Having sensed his status, I immediately bowed and accepted his card.
"How was it? Did you learn anything useful today?"
"Yes, it was very educational."
"Glad to hear it. You might have heard, but I'm a Kikou Academy alumnus myself. Does the garden still have that pond?"
"Ah, yes. The one with the koi, right?"
I remembered it well because Hinako had been feeding them shortly after I transferred. Come to think of it... was feeding them actually allowed?
"That pond was built during my time. The Student Council back then wanted to use the budget to change the landscape. It was quite a grand election."
So the pond hadn't always been there.
"If you're on the Student Council, you can change the academy's environment that much, huh?"
"Are you interested in joining?"
"Yes. I'm aiming for a seat."
"An ambitious one, I see." President Sorano looked impressed. "If you're aiming for the Council, you should get used to talking to adults. You'll be dealing with bigwigs from outside the academy quite often."
"I see... thank you."
In that regard, I was getting plenty of practice. I lived in the Konohana family manor, surrounded by high-level adults like Takuma-san, Kagon-san, and the other professional staff.
"Watarai, why don't you give him some advice too?"
"You say that, but I'm just a salesman..." Watarai chuckled wryly at the President's suggestion.
I turned to Watarai. "Um, do you have any tips for sales? I've been negotiating with various people lately..."
I hadn't had much trouble so far, but there might be blind spots I hadn't noticed. Getting advice from a pro was a rare opportunity.
"Let's see... I'd say it's about reading the room and adjusting your attitude based on who's in front of you," Watarai explained, tapping his chin. "For example, a high-energy young person and a solemn older gentleman—approaching them both with the exact same attitude would be strange, right? With a younger person, mixing in some small talk and keeping it light works better, while a more grounded, calm approach is better for deep conversations with someone older."
"...I see."
Initially, the idea of "changing your attitude based on the person" sounded a bit two-faced, but hearing it explained like that, it was perfectly logical. If I approached a young person with too much gravity, they might find it stifling. If I approached an elder with too much energy, I might seem frivolous.
"It's true for all communication, really. Among your friends, some like to joke around while others are quiet, right? You wouldn't invite a quiet person to go out clubbing. Everyone does it unconsciously. You just have to apply that to sales."
It made perfect sense. It was a technique people used every day without thinking.
"By the way, this helps in job interviews too. Usually, you'll have a young HR person and an older executive together, so if you can switch between them, you'll at least get an offer from us."
"Is that how you got hired...?" President Sorano muttered with a wry smile. He must have been part of Watarai's interview.
However, the mention of job hunting sent a prick of guilt through my chest. The truth was, I had received a business card that was essentially a soft job offer. I was using that connection now, but I had already decided to pursue consulting.
"...Um, I'm sorry!"
I couldn't stay silent. I bowed my head deeply.
"I... I probably won't be joining this company!"
"Hahaha, I know. I had a feeling."
"Eh?" The sound escaped my lips before I could stop it.
"Even as a student, you have the initiative to visit a company alone. Not many Kikou Academy students would go this far. With that much ambition, you surely have a higher goal in mind than just joining us, don't you?"
"Ah..."
He had hit the nail on the head. To be precise, it wasn't that I had chosen a "higher" goal, but rather a different direction. To him, though, it likely looked the same.
"If I'm being calculating, just interacting with you might strengthen my ties to the Konohana Group. That's worth more to me than a new hire. So please, don't feel bad."
"...I'm sorry."
While that was likely part of his true feelings, the rest was undoubtedly out of kindness. Ms. Shizune had given me the card, meaning Horizon already had ties to the Konohana Group. President Sorano probably hoped to nurture that.
Through the Management Game, I was learning a vital lesson. To me, business was about connections. Others might have different philosophies—Hinako, Tennoji-san, Narika, Asahi-san, Taisho—they all moved their companies with different ideals. But for me, it was connections. More than numbers, ideas, or luck, my business was powered by the people I knew.
"Life is long, though. If you ever feel like it, please keep us in mind. A kid like you would be more than welcome."
"...Thank you very much."
I bowed deeply. I was being saved by the breadth of President Sorano's character.
"By the way, did you know the Management Game has a hidden trick?"
"Eh? No, I didn't..."
President Sorano wrote a string of alphanumeric characters on a notepad and handed it to me.
"Try entering this code when you trade with our company in the game."
"Um... okay."
I had no idea what it would do, but I took it. Finally, I bowed to both of them once more.
"Thank you very much for today."
◆
After returning to the manor, I immediately updated Narika.
"So, we'll use Horizon Viewing to secure Shimax."
"Understood!"
I shared the product info from Horizon, and after some discussion, we decided to proceed with the implementation.
"I'll mediate the transaction with Horizon, okay?"
"Yeah. I have no intention of stealing your credit, Itsuki!"
I wasn't worried about that. I just wanted to see it through since I had done the research. I opened the Management Game to start the transaction. Come to think of it, President Sorano mentioned a secret trick...
(Wait... there's an input form here.)
I found a small field in the corner of the trade screen. I took out the note from President Sorano and typed in the code. Immediately, the price of Horizon Viewing dropped.
"So that's the trick."
The trick was a way to reflect real-world negotiations in the game. It was similar to the marketing firm Asahi-san had introduced to me. Since those were real students, they'd given me a direct discount, but since Horizon was an AI-run entity in the game, this was the mechanism for it.
It really was a well-designed game. It allowed real-world connections to influence the digital world.
"Narika, it's going to be cheaper than expected."
"Wait, really? How?"
"I guess the president is just a really nice guy."
Business is run by people. Sometimes you're saved by their humanity—and sometimes, of course, the opposite is true.
"Even so, Itsuki, you're amazing. I can't believe you actually visited a real company..."
"I just happened to have a connection. And I was interested."
"If it were me, I'd be too intimidated to even walk through the door..."
Judging by the president's reaction, I was the outlier here. It was fine that Narika couldn't do the same.
"B-By the way, Itsuki. Are you free this Saturday?"
"Saturday? Yeah, I'm free."
"T-Then, why don't you come to my house!"
To her house?
"You've been such a help lately. I want to thank you... and my father says he wants to apologize for the misunderstanding when we were kids."
"The misunderstanding... oh, that."
Years ago, I'd thought her father, Musashi-san, hated me. I hadn't realized it was a mistake until after the Athletic Festival. I felt I was partly to blame for the confusion, but Musashi-san clearly wanted to set things right. I had no reason to say no.
"And, um... this was my father's idea, but he wondered if you'd like to stay over, like in the old days..."
"...A sleepover?"
Honestly, I was happy. Staying at her house as a kid had been one of my fondest memories. A child couldn't help but be excited by such a massive mansion. That excitement was probably why the misunderstanding had stung so much. I'd visited during the first semester, but I hadn't stayed the night. If I could do that again... it sounded like a great weekend.
"...I'll ask Konohana-san, just in case."
"A-Ah!"
I needed to clear it with Hinako, Ms. Shizune, and Kagon-san. I headed to Hinako's room.
"Hm... Itsuki?"
"Itsuki-san? Is something wrong?"
Ms. Shizune was also in the room.
"Sorry to bother you. Would it be alright if I stayed over at Narika's house this weekend?"
Hinako's eyes went wide.
"S-S-S-Stay over...? What exactly do you mean by that!?"
"Just a normal sleepover..."
"But why stay over!?"
I tilted my head, not understanding her shock. Ms. Shizune leaned in and whispered in my ear.
"Itsuki-san. Just so you know... it's not quite 'normal' for a high school boy to stay at a girl's house."
"Ah... I see. But I'm basically living with Hinako already."
"That is a different matter, I suppose. At least to the Young Lady."
Is it? I didn't have anything to hide, so I explained.
"There's no deep meaning to it. Narika's father just suggested we spend some time like we did when we were kids."
"I... I see. Hmph."
She seemed satisfied, or at least mollified. No matter how frustrated I might be, I wouldn't announce a sleepover at a girl's house so casually if there were something more to it.
"...Fine. You can go."
Hinako gave her permission. I looked at Ms. Shizune, and she gave a small nod. It was settled.
"Want to come too, Hinako?"
"I'll pass. Itsuki and Miyakojima-san have a long history... I think you should have some time to yourselves."
Well, Hinako might feel like a third wheel if we started talking about childhood memories.
"Thanks. I'll tell Narika."
◇
Saturday night. Hinako stood with Shizune at the manor gate to see Itsuki off.
"I'm off, then."
"Hm... have a safe trip."
As planned, Itsuki left for Narika's home. The Konohana family car drove away slowly until it vanished from sight.
"Young Lady. Are you truly alright with this?"
"...I'm fine. I don't want to take away Itsuki's place anymore because of my own feelings."
She remembered the mistake she had realized at the end of summer vacation. Hinako had thoughtlessly appointed Itsuki—who just happened to be there—as her caretaker. Because of that, he had been robbed of his normal life. Itsuki acted like he didn't mind, but Hinako had reflected on it deeply. She wouldn't let her selfishness take anything else from him.
(Itsuki will come back. I have to believe that.)
The shojo manga always said it: possessive women were disliked.
(But... Miyakojima-san is so cool...)
Narika was a formidable rival to trust. Hinako found her cool. She was timid at tea parties, but that only highlighted her usual dignified aura. Hinako still couldn't beat her in PE... in fact, she felt she never would. Even her father thought losing to Narika in sports was unavoidable.
She was so cool, yet she had that communication struggle—the exact kind of person Itsuki loved to look after.
It's not fair. That was supposed to be my role. He's my caretaker.
(Ugh... I'm getting worried...)
What if Itsuki didn't come back? What if he liked her house more than the manor?
Hinako, I'm going to be Narika's caretaker from now on.
She imagined Itsuki saying those words and felt like she might die of shock.
"U-Ughhhhh..."
"Young Lady... you're so brave...!"
Hinako collapsed to her knees, her strength failing her. She had managed to hide her anxiety until he was gone. Watching the girl's slender back, Shizune felt tears prick her eyes.
◆
A long, sprawling house resembling an old samurai residence sat before me. It had been a while since I'd visited the Miyakojima family home. The solemn atmosphere was unchanged. While the Konohana manor and Tennoji's house were grand Western buildings, this Japanese estate offered a different kind of beauty—serene, solemn, and perfectly balanced. The epitome of wabi-sabi.
"Master Tomonari, we have been expecting you."
A servant guided me through the gate, past a zen garden, and into the building.
"—W-Welcome to the Miyakojima house!"
"Whoa!?"
A party cracker went off with a sharp pop, scattering colorful paper. Narika stood there holding the tube, smiling awkwardly.
"...What was that for?"
"I... I wanted to liven things up..."
I appreciated the thought, but it was so sudden I couldn't keep up. Sensing my reaction, Narika slumped.
"...Fufu, I knew it. I'm useless. I'm just spinning my wheels, just like always..."
"Ah, no! That's not true!"
I didn't want the mood to sour immediately. "I was actually really happy! I'm looking forward to today!"
"R-Really? You're happy? Then it was worth it...!"
She brightened up instantly. Just then, a woman in a kimono appeared.
"Tomonari-san, it's been far too long."
"...It's good to see you again, Otsuko-san."
This was Otsuko Miyakojima, Narika's mother. With her short black hair and elegant kimono, she was a quiet, refined beauty. Narika's dignified side clearly came from her father, Musashi-san. Otsuko-san gave a slow, graceful bow.
"Thank you for putting up with my daughter's antics."
"Antics!?" Narika gasped at her mother's bluntness.
If Otsuko-san knew it was a farce, she probably should have stopped her.
"You must be hungry. Dinner is ready; please, come to the living room."
"Thank you. I appreciate you having me."
"My, what a polite boy. I wish Narika would take notes."
Narika groaned. Otsuko-san... she really liked teasing her daughter.
We moved to the living room, where a massive spread was waiting on the table.
"O-Oh..."
It was a full kaiseki meal. Sushi, tempura, shabu-shabu, salt-grilled sea bream—all beautifully plated and vibrant. I knew this was a special welcome, but seeing such luxury still made my spirits rise. Narika seemed just as impressed.
"Mother, you really went all out!"
"Yes, I put my heart into it," Otsuko-san said, looking pleased.
"Did you make all of this, Otsuko-san?"
"The servants helped, but I did the bulk of it."
Incredible. I always had the impression she could do anything, and it seemed I was right. That dexterity clearly hadn't skipped a generation—it had just avoided Narika entirely.
As I sat next to Narika, a man entered the room. He was wearing a jinbei, and our eyes met.
"Musashi-san."
"...You're here."
His sharp eyes fixed on me.
"Um, it's been a long time."
"...Yeah."
"..."
"..."
Wait... the misunderstanding was cleared up, right? At the Athletic Festival, Otsuko-san had mentioned he was just bad with words. I hoped this silence was just more of that.
"Now then, let's eat while it's hot."
We all said our thanks and dug in. While kaiseki usually has a strict order, everything was served at once—likely so I wouldn't have to worry about formal etiquette, just like when I was a kid.
I took a sip of the clear soup.
"...This taste."
"You noticed?" Otsuko-san smiled gently. "It's the same recipe I made for you years ago."
"...No wonder it tastes so nostalgic."
I savored the soup, along with her kindness.
"I hear my daughter is in your debt regarding the Management Game."
"No... I'm a consultant. It's just business."
Otsuko-san must have heard the details from Narika.
"Itsuki is amazing! He just started his second firm and it's already a hit! People in my class are starting to pay attention to him!"
"I'm glad you think so, but you gave me the start I needed, Narika. Consulting for Shimax as my first job was more luck than I deserved."
"Don't be silly! It's because of your hard work, Itsuki..."
"If we're talking about hard work, then you're the one—"
I stopped when I noticed Otsuko-san watching us with an amused smile.
"It's good to see you two so close."
Embarrassed, I took a long drink of tea. Narika did the same.
"Narika. I'll tell you now, you mustn't become too dependent on Tomonari-san."
"Y-Yes..." Narika looked suitably chastened. I didn't think she was that dependent, but...
"And the same goes for you, Tomonari-san."
"Eh?"
"From what Narika tells me, you have many young women around you these days."
"No... well, it's not just women..." I thought of Taisho, Kita, and Ikuno. Wait, was Taisho the only guy I regularly talked to?
"...It really is mostly women." Narika's cold gaze pierced me.
"You've always had a caretaker's heart, Tomonari-san. That's a virtue, but if you look after everyone without discretion..." Otsuko-san's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Eventually, someone will stab you in the back."
"Hie!"
I was startled, but surely she was exaggerating. I looked at Narika for backup, but she was just staring at me with a heavy, judgmental gaze.
Hey, Narika? Why aren't you defending me?
◆
After dinner, I was shown to the bath.
"What a luxury..."
The house had a massive open-air bath, and I had it all to myself. We were in the city, so I couldn't see many stars, but soaking while looking up at the sky felt amazing. Between the food and this bath, it felt like a high-end inn. As a kid, I definitely hadn't appreciated this enough.
As I was relaxing, the changing room door opened.
"Musashi-san..."
"...Oh. You."
He gave me a quick glance and started washing up. Then he moved to a spot a short distance away and soaked in the water.
This was awkward. Should I say something? I couldn't think of a single topic.
"...Are you afraid?" He asked suddenly.
His voice was so abrupt it took me a second to process. "Are you not afraid of me now?"
I felt him reaching out in his own way. He had a terrifying face, even more so than Narika, and he didn't show much emotion. But he was a kind man at heart.
"No. I'm okay now."
"...Good."
I think I saw a faint smile. In the Management Game, I looked at the faces of business owners behind their data every day. Compared to them, Musashi-san's heart was easy to read.
"I have something to say to you," he said in his usual low rumble. "You know about Narika's trauma, yes?"
"Ah... yes. From last year's Athletic Festival."
"Correct. She gave her all, and her classmates feared her for it. She was devastated. Neither my words nor Otsuko's could reach her."
I hadn't seen her then, but the gravity in his voice told me everything.
"I thought it wasn't an issue, in my heart. I had faced the same thing and moved past it as I aged. I told you before: Narika and I are built to be misunderstood. But in the world of business, only results matter. When her strength was proven, the misunderstandings would fade. I thought her pain was temporary."
I nodded silently.
"But I was wrong." A shadow of regret crossed his eyes. "We watched her in the finals. When I realized she was trying to lose on purpose, we were horrified. We didn't realize how much we had pushed our daughter into a corner."
To them, Narika must have looked like she was breaking her own spirit. It had been the same for me. I was the one who suggested losing as a strategy, and I had regretted it the moment I saw her do it. That wasn't what I wanted for her.
"I should have reached out. Just as I was blaming myself—I heard you."
In the finals, when Narika was about to give up... I had shouted.
I didn't want her to settle for being ordinary. I'd thrown my own selfish desire for her to be special at her with everything I had.
Do it with everything you've got!
It might have been the loudest I'd ever yelled. I didn't realize Musashi-san had heard it too.
"Your words... they set her straight." He stood up and faced me, bowing deeply. "Thank you. You are more than her friend... you are a benefactor to this family."
That was what he'd wanted to tell me. He was surely as busy as Kagon-san, yet he'd made time for me and bowed to my face. He really loved Narika. I was a little envious.
"Please, raise your head."
He looked up slowly.
"This might be rude, but... Narika is the most 'regrettably close' person I know." I thought of how she looked—dignified when silent, terrifying when she spoke, yet timid with those she liked. I laughed a little. "If she just had more confidence, she'd be more magnificent than anyone. I love supporting her because I can't wait to see the moment she finally takes that last step."
My goal was simpler than he thought. "I just want everyone else to see how amazing she is. That's all."
"............I see."
It was almost entirely self-satisfaction on my part. When I found her again at the academy, I felt like I was the only one who saw her true charm. It was something to be proud of... and maybe a little possessive. But she was too good to keep to myself.
(Yeah... I get it now.)
Talking to Musashi-san helped me understand my own heart. To me, Narika was the Young Lady I wanted to see succeed more than anyone else. I was just excited for her future.
"I see," Musashi-san said, soaking in the water again with a thoughtful look. "In that case, I'd like you to stay by her side for as long as possible."
"As long as possible?"
"If you can, stay with her even after graduation."
I didn't know how to answer. I could see the image clearly—me supporting her forever. But as a consultant, my future was getting more complex. If I truly succeeded, I'd be supporting many people, not just one.
"I won't ask for the impossible. I know the Konohana and Tennoji families have their eyes on you."
"Wait, how do you...?"
The information network of the elite was terrifying.
"Just support her as much as you can. Can you promise me that?"
"...Yes." I nodded. I'd planned to do that anyway.
Just then, the changing room door opened. It wasn't the men's side.
(...Narika?)
The baths were divided, but this house was so big they were practically separate rooms. I heard the shower run, then footsteps.
"Itsuki, are you there?"
Narika's voice came from the other side of the wall. She sounded a bit more cheerful than usual.
"Yeah. I'm here."
"I see." She sounded excited. "Fufu... it's a strange feeling. Knowing you're right there on the other side."
I heard her get into the water. It was a strange feeling, but...
(Please, don't say anything too vivid. Her dad is right here...)
Musashi-san was staring at the wall, listening intently. This was incredibly awkward.
"Remember when we used to take baths together?"
"Eh!?"
Did we? Even if we did, why bring it up now!?
"We got caught in that storm after the candy store, and Mother told us to get in the bath to warm up."
"............"
"I was crying because the rain ruined my snacks, and you washed my hair because I wouldn't stop fussing."
"T-That... sounds familiar..."
Musashi-san was staring at me. He was staring hard.
"Mother told me to keep it a secret from Father back then... I wonder why?"
Probably to keep me from being murdered. I started sweating, and it wasn't from the hot water.
"We obviously can't wash each other's hair now."
"T-True. We're too old for that." Let's end this topic. Please.
"Though... if it were you, Itsuki, I wouldn't mind—"
Stop! Narika, stop! Your dad is going to kill me!
"S-Sorry! That came out wrong!"
"D-Don't worry about it! I know you're joking!"
"...It wasn't exactly a joke..."
"It was a joke! Definitely a joke! Right!?"
"Eh? A-Ah, right. A joke...?"
I was barely dodging a bullet here. I finally made peace with Musashi-san, and now I was about to lose it all.
"Hey, Itsuki? Do you remember?" Narika sounded shy now. "We used to sleep in the same room too, right?"
"Yeah..."
That was true. We were kids, so it wasn't a total disaster, but—
"Today... why don't we sleep in the same room again?"
Musashi-san's eyes went wide. I wondered if I'd live to see Sunday.
"Not in a weird way! I just want to spend time together like we used to!"
"I-I know that, but..."
I wasn't sure Musashi-san knew that.
"Sometimes I imagine it," Narika said softly. "The life where you lived here instead of with Konohana-san."
That was a world that could have existed. If I hadn't been there for Hinako's kidnapping, who knows where I would have ended up. I might have stayed with Yuri, or maybe the Miyakojimas would have reached out. Knowing them now, it was a real possibility.
But...
"I think things are better this way," I told her through the wall. "If I'd been here from the start, I never would have met Hinako or the others at the academy."
"Ah..."
"And your circle of friends would be completely different too."
There would be no Tea Party Alliance. No study sessions.
"You're right," Narika whispered. "Thanks to you, I met Hinako-san, Tennoji-san, Taisho-kun, Asahi-san... I'm so glad I met everyone."
She was growing, thanks to all of them. Once she realized that, she'd know this was the better path. I felt a wave of relief, but then I noticed Musashi-san watching me. He looked relieved too, and he even gave a small smile before...
"Treasure your daily life all you want—but I will not permit you to sleep in the same room."
He stood up as he spoke.
"F-Father!? S-S-Since when were you there!?"
"From the start."
He headed for the shower, pausing once to look back. "Itsuki Tomonari."
"Y-Yes."
His sharp gaze pierced me. "Do not overstep your bounds."
"I... I wouldn't dream of it."
I nodded fervently, and he began washing up.
"Uwaaaaa! He heard everything! Everything!" Narika's mortified cry echoed through the wall.
◆
The next morning. I woke up in the guest room, changed into my jinbei, and stepped outside.
"Oh, Itsuki-san. Good morning."
"Otsuko-san, good morning."
I ran into Narika's mother in the hall. She was carrying a flower vase. At the manor, the staff would do that, but Otsuko-san seemed to enjoy doing things herself.
"Breakfast is ready. Would you mind waking Narika up for me?"
"Me?"
"I think she'd prefer it if it were you."
I wasn't so sure about that, but I headed to her room. There was no answer when I called, so I let myself in.
"Asleep, huh."
She had kicked off half her futon. Her sleeping posture was as bad as it had been when we were kids. I remembered waking her up back then too.
"Narika, wake up."
"Nnh...?"
After a few tries, she finally opened her eyes. "Itsuki... it's really you..."
"Hey, don't talk in your sleep."
She sat up and snuggled against my side like a puppy. Her yukata was a bit loose, so I quickly looked away.
"Otsuko-san has breakfast ready. Let's go."
"Carry me..."
"Just wash your face first."
"Wash it for me..."
She was acting exactly like Hinako. I ended up leading her to the washroom by the hand and making her wash up. We headed to the living room together.
"Itadakimasu..."
She started eating, still half-dazed.
"Narika usually wakes up early, but she's letting her guard down because you're here," Otsuko-san noted.
"She used to practice at the dojo first thing in the morning when we were kids, didn't she?"
She was usually an early bird, but it was Sunday. She deserved a break. Unlike Hinako, who would laze around forever if I let her.
"Narika, you awake?"
"Nnh... yeah, I'm getting there."
She finally seemed to snap out of it. "Itsuki, thanks for waking me up."
"Sure."
"You seemed really used to that, though. Do you wake Konohana-san up every morning too?"
Damn. I'd slipped up. "N-No, I was just doing what I used to do for you. I don't do that for her."
"I see. Well, she can probably wake up on her own."
She'd sleep through the apocalypse if I didn't intervene, but I kept that to myself.
"Since it's Sunday and we can't play the game, what's the plan?"
"I'd love to say practice, but I've been prioritizing studies lately. I want to spend today getting ahead on my schoolwork."
That was a very responsible goal.
"Alright. I'll help you out then."
"That would be great! Let's do it in my room!"
She finished her soup with a bright smile.
◆
"Mumumu..."
Half a day had passed. Narika's focus was starting to waver as she groaned at her desk. I checked her notebook against the textbook.
"Narika, you missed a part here."
"Mu... where?"
"This formula. Just a simple mistake."
We had to balance the Management Game with our actual classes. Right now, we were working through math.
"I see! Like this?"
"Perfect."
She had been working hard on her previews and reviews since the last exam. At this rate, she'd easily hit the average on the next one.
"Is it like this with Konohana-san too?"
"Pretty much. We have a similar distance."
Though I didn't actually teach Hinako anything.
"You're closer than I thought," she said, looking surprised. "I thought you were more of a formal butler."
"The pros handle the butler stuff. I'm just there to be her neighbor—someone to help fill the loneliness."
"Is she lonely?"
"Ah, no, well..."
I'd said too much. Hinako worked hard to maintain her 'perfect lady' image. I expected Narika to dismiss the idea, but...
"...I suppose so. She did lose her mother very young."
Narika's murmur suggested she understood. I knew that too, but nothing else. Kagon-san had mentioned it once, but it wasn't a topic people broached easily.
"She might be carrying more than she shows," Narika said, her expression complex.
"What about you? Any progress on being more dignified in public?"
"Ugh... none at all."
I expected as much. "You really should be more confident, though..."
I thought about what Tennoji's father said. No one starts out confident, but results build a foundation that doesn't shake. Narika had those results—she even outperformed Hinako in some areas.
"What's your rank in kendo, anyway?"
"I'm 3rd dan in kendo and 2nd dan in judo."
I didn't know much about ranks, so I looked it up on my laptop. They were incredible. 3rd dan was the highest a high schooler could get in kendo, and 2nd dan in judo was national-champion level.
"Why aren't you confident when you're that good?"
"Ranks don't always mean skill. I'm still just a student compared to adult pros."
Adult pros? She was looking that far ahead? But her family owned the biggest sports retailer in the country. She'd probably been around pros her whole life.
"Let's just build some confidence then," I said.
"Eh?"
"I'm going to praise everything about you. Let me know when you feel confident."
She blinked at me, stunned. If she couldn't praise herself, I'd just have to do it for her. I started listing everything I'd noticed.
"You're amazing at sports."
"O-Oh..."
"You look cool and dignified when you're silent."
"Oh...!"
"You're humble and never look down on people."
"O-Ohh...!"
"You're responsible, ambitious, and have real grit. You're kind, thoughtful, and serious. You're loyal, a good teacher, and you have great handwriting—"
I threw out every strength I could think of. "How's that? Feeling confident?"
"E-Ehehe... ehehehehe...!"
She had the dopiest smile I'd ever seen. Instead of dignified, she looked like she was about to turn into a puddle. Was this actually working?
"Well? You ready?"
"Yeah! I feel like I can do anything!"
"Good. Let's call Konohana-san."
"Eh!?"
I held up my phone. "Tell her I'll be back at eight tonight."
"U-U-Understood!"
I kept a straight face to keep the pressure on. She took a deep breath and opened her mouth.
"K-Konohana-san... go-dhi."
No good. She sounded like a movie thug.
"Still hard, huh..."
"Ugh... wait. Itsuki, why isn't she answering?"
"I wasn't actually calling."
She slumped in disappointment. "I'm sorry for being such a pain. You're always pulling me along, and I'm just a failure like always."
I tilted my head at that. "Narika, do you think you fail more than other people?"
"Well, yeah... I do."
"Failing that much just means you're facing your weaknesses. Most people don't even try to overcome them, so they don't fail. Your failures are just proof of your effort."
Challenge and failure go hand in hand. She challenged herself more than anyone, so of course she had more failures.
"Like I said before, seeing you try so hard motivates me. So don't say you're a pain. I'm being pulled along by you too."
When we were kids, I was the one pulling her hand. But since coming to this academy, her presence had pushed me forward countless times. Somewhere along the way, she'd become the one leading me.
"Itsukiiii... ugh..." Tears welled up in her eyes as she snuggled against me. "Stay here forever..."
"Hey..."
"Don't go back to her place... please..."
She was asking the impossible, but I couldn't help being happy she felt that way.
The sliding door opened quietly. It was Otsuko-san.
"Sorry to interrupt. Narika, isn't it time to get ready?"
"Ah, right!"
Narika scrambled to her feet. I had no idea what they were talking about.
"Itsuki-san, please follow me to the other room."
"Sure."
I followed Otsuko-san while Narika rushed off in the opposite direction.
◆
"Please wait here," Otsuko-san said before leaving.
The room I was in was a tea room—four and a half tatami mats with a hearth in the center. The walls were earth, the pillars were raw logs. It was simple, natural, and radiating high-end wabi-sabi. There were no flashy decorations, yet the room felt incredibly rich.
"Itsuki. Sorry for the wait."
Narika entered through the small doorway.
"Narika. That outfit..."
"Formal wear. For the tea ceremony."
She wore a golden-brown kimono the color of ginkgo leaves. It was a solid color, but it had a subtle, lustrous pattern that gave it a refined depth. Her hair was done up neatly, making her look far more mature than usual.
"I chose the color for the season. Does it suit me?"
"............Yeah. It looks amazing on you."
I'd been staring, so my reply was a little slow. She walked across the tatami in her white tabi, moving with a silent, graceful step. She was so beautiful I couldn't take my eyes off her.
"I invited you here to thank you. You've helped me so much with the game. I talked to Mother about the best way to show my gratitude, and this is what we decided."
"I appreciate the thought."
She really knew how to pull off a surprise.
"Have you been doing this a long time?"
"Yes. The Miyakojima family values the traditional arts—flower arrangement, dance, and tea ceremony. We even run classes. I've practiced since I was small."
She really was multi-talented.
"I can be calm when I'm doing this."
She placed the matcha in the bowl she'd warmed, then added the hot water. Her movements were fluid and practiced. She whisked the tea with a steady, rhythmic hand, her sleeves swaying gently. It was mesmerizing—the very definition of grace.
Watching her prepare the tea in silence, I realized something.
(Narika really is a beauty.)
This was a side of her I never saw at school—not panicked, not fierce, just serene. I felt like I was seeing the real Narika.
When the tea was ready, she rotated the bowl and offered it to me. She gave a polite bow, and I accepted.
"I gratefully accept the tea."
I returned the bow, and her eyes widened.
"You know the etiquette?"
"I had it drilled into me."
I rotated the bowl back to show her the pattern. I was still in my jinbei, and there were no sweets since dinner was coming, so it wasn't a perfect ceremony. But Narika's form had been so flawless I wanted to match her respect as best I could.
"The Konohana education is thorough. No wonder Hinako-san is so impressive."