It was surely... a shiver of anticipation.
"Yeah... I know."
◆
After school the following day.
The moment class ended, more than half the students in the room stood up at once. One of them, Hinako, left the classroom without a backward glance. I and the rest of the students followed in her wake.
Our destination was the lounge. Normally, the lounge at Kikou Academy was reserved for guests to relax, but Hinako had booked the entire space for today. As Hinako approached the lounge doors, a man in a suit waiting outside bowed deeply and opened them for her.
With Hinako leading the way, the students filed into the room.
There were nearly a hundred people present. Since the Management Game was in its final stages, many students had already been disqualified, yet the turnout was still impressive. Looking across the room, I spotted Taisho and Asahi-san. Those two were apparently participating in this assembly as well.
I picked up one of the documents being distributed near the entrance.
A projector had been set up on the table in the center of the lounge.
"I am Hinako Konohana. Thank you all for gathering here today."
Once everyone was inside, Hinako’s voice rang through the space.
She stood on the platform, gripping a microphone.
"Despite the fact that we have only two days remaining in the Management Game, I cannot thank you enough for the interest you have shown in my company."
As always, Hinako spoke in a refined tone that struck a perfect balance between formal and accessible.
"Now, as time is limited, I will get straight to the point. Currently, Konohana Motors—one of the companies I manage—is in a predicament. I would like to solicit ideas from all of you to overcome this crisis. I am open to everything from investment offers to full business proposals."
In reality, it wasn't so much that Hinako was soliciting them as it was that she was dealing with an overwhelming influx of unsolicited offers. She was likely framing it this way to let the other students feel like they were being invited to help.
The small gesture of consideration seemed to work, as a wave of motivation swept through the students in the lounge.
"For your reference, the plan I currently consider most promising is to accept an investment from Hamada Motors, as outlined in the documents you hold. Data regarding Hamada Motors has been included as well."
I flipped through the pages.
The documents detailed Hamada Motors' offer to invest for a thirty-percent stake, along with a deep dive into the corporation itself.
"Now then... those with proposals, please raise your hands."
At Hinako’s prompt, a forest of hands went up.
A staff member handed a microphone to the first student.
"I am Tateishi from Omuron Co., Ltd. My company would be honored to provide investment—"
The presentations began immediately.
"I am Kuroda from Kokuyou Co., Ltd. My proposal is as follows—"
One after another, people stepped forward to offer help in Hinako’s time of need. Some connected their laptops to the projector, delivering polished presentations with slides.
Everyone here was a student of Kikou Academy. They were well-versed in management and possessed the capital to back their words. However...
"I am sorry, but it would be difficult to adopt that proposal."
Hinako did not accept their offers.
"Please look at the materials in your hands. Hamada Motors is not simply offering capital; they are looking toward a comprehensive business alliance. While I appreciate the sentiment, I cannot restore trust in Konohana Motors without a vision of at least that caliber. I do not simply need money."
"That is..."
The proposing student faltered.
It was only natural. Everyone understood her point, yet they lacked the means to propose a venture truly beneficial to Konohana Motors. Their opponent was a titan, managed by the academy's premier perfect lady. While they could offer cash, a business proposal required a partnership where both sides could pull their own weight. Most students lacked the strength to support the massive burden of Konohana Motors. Hamada Motors was one of the few exceptions.
"This is quite a grand undertaking, isn't it?"
Suddenly, a voice with a distinct, haughty lilt reached my ears.
Before I knew it, a girl with blonde drill curls was standing beside me.
"Tennoji-san. Is everything all right with your situation?"
"Thanks to Suminoe-san’s hard work, the worst is over. By improving our cash flow, we’ve eliminated the root causes of the window-dressing scandal and mapped out a clear path back to profitability. We considered delisting temporarily to wipe the slate clean, but it seems we won't have to go that far."
It seemed things had been settled on Tennoji-san's end.
I’d had faith in them, but those two really were exceptional.
"I have only just arrived. How many have been shot down so far?"
"About twenty. She’s being quite firm with her rejections."
"Considering that many proposals likely overlap, nearly seventy percent of the room has probably been shut down by now. No wonder the atmosphere feels so heavy."
Hamada Motors’ terms were simply too attractive.
While the lounge had started with a flurry of raised hands, only two or three people were still trying. The air in the room grew increasingly oppressive.
"Fufufu... It would be quite something if she ended up being hated for this."
"...Tennoji-san, you can be surprisingly wicked."
"I am joking, of course. But look at that."
I followed Tennoji-san’s finger.
The rejected students were trembling where they stood.
"Dammit... Am I really not strong enough to be of use to Konohana-san...!"
"I hate how powerless I am... I have to study harder just to keep up with her...!"
They were clenching their fists in sheer frustration.
"If anything, it seems her fanatical following is only going to grow," Tennoji-san observed.
"...You're right."
Kikou Academy students were surprisingly resilient. I suppose receiving an elite education since childhood forged a certain mental toughness. Between the rigorous etiquette training and formal dinners with powerful adults, they had plenty of opportunities to build character.
Getting the better of people like this wasn't going to be easy.
"...Well, I suppose it’s time I went up."
"Eh?"
Leaving a surprised Tennoji-san behind, I raised my hand.
Ordinary strength could not support Konohana Motors.
That was why I had prepared something extraordinary.
◇
"Next..."
Having just rejected a proposal from Teppan Printing Co., Ltd., Hinako scanned the room for the next candidate.
Only one student had their hand raised. Seeing his face, Hinako’s eyes wavered almost imperceptibly.
The staff member handed the microphone to him.
"I am Itsuki Tomonari from Tomonari Consulting."
A stir of whispers swept through the lounge.
(...He's finally here.)
While listening to the others, Hinako had been searching for Itsuki. She had spotted him a while ago, but because she didn't know when he would step forward, she had been on edge. Perhaps he had wanted to listen to the other proposals first to use them as a reference.
"...Go ahead."
Suppressing her inner turmoil, Hinako granted Itsuki permission to present.
"First, I will explain the risks."
Itsuki connected his laptop, and his documents appeared on the large screen on the stage.
"If you hand over shares to Hamada Motors, there is a significant risk that the company will be taken over."
A concise, blunt warning rang out from Itsuki.
Every student before him had focused solely on their own proposals. Itsuki, however, began by exposing the danger of the rival offer.
"While investigating Konohana Motors, I discovered that the company has several suspicious major shareholders. After hiring an external agency to investigate, it has become clear that every single one of them is linked to Hamada Motors."
The buzz in the lounge intensified.
Itsuki projected a breakdown of Konohana Motors’ shareholders onto the screen. It was all information gathered from public financial statements; none of it was confidential.
"In the event you accept Hamada Motors' investment, their combined stake with these affiliated shareholders would exceed forty percent. At that point, the company is within range for a hostile takeover. If they were to execute a sudden tender offer, Konohana Motors would be swallowed whole."
The students were visibly shaken by Itsuki’s data.
Is that really true? If so, Hamada Motors is playing dirty... Whispers like these began to fill the room.
(I trust everything Itsuki says, but...)
Hinako moved her gaze from the screen to Itsuki himself.
He was staring back at her with a look of absolute seriousness.
(Itsuki... he told me he wanted to be my equal.)
While everyone else looked at her with reverence, Itsuki was different. He had expressed his desire to stand beside her.
Hinako was honestly happy about that.
(That's why... I can't hold back.)
He didn't want her sympathy. Itsuki had said as much.
What he sought was a fair, high-stakes dialogue. Hinako decided she would honor those feelings.
—Because I love him.
That was exactly why she would clash with him with everything she had.
"What benefit would Hamada Motors gain from acquiring Konohana Motors?" Hinako asked, looking him straight in the eye. "Our business models are similar. Considering the current market size, expanding our existing operations isn't realistic. I don't see any outcome that justifies the cost of an acquisition."
The students in the room nodded in agreement with Hinako’s logic.
The momentum began to shift against Itsuki. But he didn't flinch.
"That is only true if you limit your perspective to the domestic market," Itsuki said flatly.
He wasn't improvising. He had anticipated this counter-argument from the start.
"What Hamada Motors truly wants from Konohana Motors is your know-how for expanding light vehicles into overseas markets. A year ago, Konohana Motors successfully launched light vehicles abroad. This is notoriously difficult due to the need to pass various national certification tests, but because you succeeded, Konohana Motors is a step ahead of the competition. You hold the lead in overseas light vehicle expansion."
Itsuki switched the slide. It showed that Konohana Motors’ light vehicle sales were second in the domestic market, accompanied by various news articles regarding their international success.
He had done his homework.
This wasn't just a matter of talent or intuition. It was pure, unadulterated tenacity. The automotive industry should have been outside Itsuki’s expertise, yet he had mastered the specifics in an incredibly short time.
"Hamada Motors has long struggled with international expansion. By leveraging Konohana Motors’ technology and know-how, they could sweep the overseas light vehicle market and use those established channels to sell their existing lineup."
"...Even so, that doesn't prove an intent to acquire us."
"Regardless of their intent, allowing Hamada Motors and its affiliates to control over forty percent of your stock is a massive risk for Konohana Motors. It is a vulnerability that cannot be ignored."
He was right. Regardless of Hamada Motors’ true motives, a forty-percent stake was a dangerous foothold.
Before anyone realized it, the air in the lounge had become electric. It was common knowledge that these two were members of The Noble Tea Party and were close. No one had expected them to engage in such a fierce verbal battle in public.
Yet, strangely, Hinako didn't feel bad.
The more they spoke, the more Itsuki’s sincerity reached her. His desire to save her was being hammered home with every word.
"...As expected of a consultant with such a reputation."
Itsuki blinked, looking utterly surprised by the comment.
She wasn't saying it out of favoritism. Had he really not noticed the stir he caused when he introduced himself? Itsuki was currently the man of the hour. He had gained notoriety for rebuffing the SIS acquisition, and his reputation had skyrocketed after consulting for Shimax, Jays Holdings, and Moving Taisho.
By now, there wasn't a soul in the academy who didn't know his name.
He probably doesn't realize it himself, Hinako thought with a small inner smile.
"I have acknowledged the risks," Hinako said, nodding.
To the audience, it looked like a declaration of defeat.
"Then—"
"—However, the reward outweighs the risk."
Hinako raised her head, locking eyes with him. Pierced by the gaze of the perfect lady, Itsuki winced slightly.
"If I accept Hamada Motors' investment, I intend to immediately request a restructuring of our development department. It is embarrassing to admit, but after the recall cover-up, the corporate culture of Konohana Motors must be completely transformed. We need a new wind blowing from the outside."
"...Does it have to be Hamada Motors?"
"We have a history of joint development with them on commercial vehicles. We are old acquaintances who know each other's methods. No other company can match that synergy."
It was a flawless rebuttal. It was a claim so absolute it would have left most people bewildered, feeling there was no way forward.
But when Itsuki heard Hinako’s dismissive statement, a fearless smile crossed his lips.
"In short, you just need a company you can trust to help overhaul the organization, right?"
He hadn't given up. He showed a level of composure that suggested he had even expected this response.
"Then I will provide that company."
With that, Itsuki turned and handed the microphone to the girl standing behind him.
"Narika."
"Yeah."
Itsuki and Narika raised their free hands simultaneously.
"Passing the baton."
The sound of their high-five echoed through the room.
(...I'm actually a little jealous,) Hinako thought.
She pushed the flighty feeling aside immediately. Seeing the serious expression on the girl now holding the microphone, Hinako knew she would be overwhelmed if she didn't focus.
"I am Narika Miyakojima of Shimax Co., Ltd. I will take over from here."
◇
Having been entrusted with the room, Narika continued.
"Currently, my company is launching a new venture with the help of Tomonari Consulting. That venture is..." Narika said, staring directly at Hinako, "...entry into the motorsports industry."
A new document appeared on the screen. Itsuki had moved to the background to handle the slides.
"Originally, Shimax developed safety footwear and specialized materials for racing. But this time, we intend to go further. We are developing our own racing seats, helmets, and other equipment. We want the Shimax brand to be a staple in the world of motorsports."
She wanted to dive deeper into the racing world than ever before. That was the vision Narika sought.
"To achieve this, I want to partner with Konohana Motors."
Itsuki switched the slide.
"Konohana Motors owns a sports brand with fifty years of history: Konohana Rally. It is a heritage brand that still aspires to compete in the World Rally Championship and the Dakar Rally. I am requesting an alliance based on my trust in that legacy."
Konohana Rally was a legendary team. Shimax was offering them full financial and material support.
"Furthermore, Shimax promises an investment amount equal to that offered by Hamada Motors."
The students in the lounge let out a collective gasp of admiration.
"That’s a hell of a project..."
"With Shimax’s resources, they could actually pull it off..."
Shimax wasn't the industry leader for nothing. Their capital was massive.
After listening to the proposal, Hinako brought the microphone to her lips.
"...I believe that is a very attractive proposal."
Her refined, clear voice filled the room.
"However, I must ask: why Konohana Motors? We are not the only manufacturer with a sports brand."
"That is..."
The answer to that question was... what was it again?
The script she had prepared in her head began to dissolve. Narika unconsciously looked around the room.
"Ugh—"
The gazes.
Gaze, gaze, gaze, gaze, gaze... dozens of eyes were pinned on her from every direction.
Despite her earlier resolve, her heart suddenly withered. The moment she became conscious of the crowd, her tongue felt like lead.
(I-I only meant to present this to Konohana-san alone... I didn't plan to speak in front of so many people...!)
She hadn't known there would be an assembly. She hadn't realized there would be so many spectators. Her body began to tremble.
"Narika, calm down," Itsuki whispered from beside her.
(...Itsuki is watching.)
Itsuki’s serious gaze was fixed on her. And that gaze was exactly the same as the ones from the other students.
(...Ah.)
In that moment, Narika realized something.
(I see. They... they believe in me.)
Itsuki’s eyes were full of trust. If that was true, then the other students looking at her with the same intensity must also believe in her.
It wasn't just Itsuki. Everyone in this room believed in her. In Narika Miyakojima.
(I... I have to live up to that trust.)
She had been mistaken. She had always thought that the attention of strangers was something to be feared.
But she was wrong. These people were just like Itsuki—allies who believed she had something worth saying.
Itsuki had told her that she was amazing. That she should stand tall. And yet, she had stayed a coward, constantly denying his praise.
But that was a betrayal of his faith.
The same applied to everyone here. In truth, every one of them likely wanted to help Hinako themselves, yet they were listening to her with rapt attention. They believed her words had value.
I have to respond.
If everyone here believed in her while she remained a coward, she was betraying them all.
(I'm probably still a coward. I still don't have any real confidence...)
But there was one thing she knew for sure. She didn't want to betray Itsuki—or anyone else in this room.
She felt like she could hear Itsuki’s voice in her head.
—Just go for it with everything you've got!!
She remembered what he’d said during the finals of the Athletic Festival. At the time, she had only followed the command instinctively, but now she understood what he meant.
She remembered. Come to think of it, they had been there from the start. Even during that final match, while most people were afraid of her, there had been people cheering for her in earnest. She had spent her life pretending not to see them, or pushing them away because she didn't understand.
But they had always been there. Allies. Comrades. People who believed in her.
Itsuki had taught her that. He had surrounded her with people like that until she finally noticed.
(...I really am a lucky person, aren't I?)
I don't want to betray them anymore.
So, from now on, I’ll give it everything I’ve got. I’ll act with freedom. I’ll speak my mind. I’ll throw myself into everything I do.
As long as someone expects that of me, I am done being half-hearted.
"...Because I believe Konohana-san will make it work."
Behind her, Itsuki stiffened slightly. It was only natural; she had completely abandoned the script.
But it was fine now. She didn't have documents for this, and every word was an ad-lib, but it didn't matter.
Go for it with everything you've got. That’s what Itsuki had said.
"I don't believe in Konohana Motors. I believe in Konohana-san."
"What... do you mean by that?"
"Konohana-san’s management has been brilliant. The massive increase in sales, the market share expansion, the commitment to carbon neutrality, the research into battery recycling, and the overseas expansion of light vehicles. Your achievements are countless. That is why I want to work with you, and no one else."
Hinako’s eyes went wide.
Narika had just listed every achievement Hinako had built throughout the Management Game, starting from the very first days.
Why have you researched me so thoroughly...? Hinako’s gaze asked the question.
The answer was simple. Of course she had. There was no way she would ever ignore information about her rival. She had been watching the entire time.
Narika Miyakojima had always been looking at Hinako Konohana.
"Konohana-san."
Narika walked slowly toward the edge of the stage. It might only be a gesture for now, but...
One day, I will truly stand beside you.
"Won't you take my hand? I... I want to work with you."
Standing on the platform, she reached out her hand to the perfect lady before her.
Hinako blinked, stunned. Then, a quiet smile spread across her face.
"...I suppose I'm beaten. To think you would see a chance for victory not in the company, but in me."
Hinako spoke with an expression of graceful resignation.
"There is no greater honor. I accept your proposal."
Hinako reached out and took the hand offered to her.