I hung up the phone and slipped my smartphone into my pocket.
"Phew..."
He seemed busy, so I kept my gratitude brief, but he made it clear he intended to grade me thoroughly later.
Knowing Takuma-san, I was sure he’d provide feedback that was as strict as it was insightful. For me, the Management Game wouldn't truly be over until that moment.
After parting ways with Hinako, I spent about thirty minutes killing time at a cafe.
...It was probably about time.
I returned to the school building and headed toward the classroom.
As I walked down the hallway, I spotted the person I was looking for up ahead.
"Narika."
"Itsuki!"
She noticed me at almost the exact same time.
I had to praise Narika today. She had poured her heart into helping Hinako. Not only had she drafted the proposal to enter the motorsports industry, but she had also done a magnificent job of persuading Hinako during the assembly. Of course, I had assisted her, but those achievements were entirely the result of Narika’s ideas and courage.
At the very least, I wanted to say something to her. That was why I had returned to the school building.
"Narika. Congratulations on the New Business Award—"
"—You’re amazing, Itsuki! To think you’d take first place in the rankings and win the Consultant Award too!"
Just as I was about to praise her with all my heart, Narika beat me to it with even greater enthusiasm.
...Well, this was a predicament.
Even though she had accomplished something so significant, the first thing she did was shower me with praise.
It was very much like Narika.
"Thanks. You seemed to be surrounded by your classmates earlier; is everything okay now?"
"Yeah....More importantly, why are you here, Itsuki? Is the Tea Party over already?"
"The Tea Party was moved to Monday after school. Will you come too, Narika?"
"Of course!"
Narika spoke with delight. Deep down, she must have been dying to participate.
"Once again... good work, Narika. You got a great result."
"It's thanks to you. Thank you for helping me."
Narika looked me straight in the eye as she spoke.
...What was this?
I felt like Narika was acting more dignified than before. Usually, she would be fidgeting or looking a bit embarrassed...
"What is it, Itsuki?"
"No, I just thought you seemed more full of confidence than usual today. Did something happen?"
"Hmm... well, I suppose. Yesterday, when I was giving the presentation to Konohana-san, I thought about a lot of things. I feel like I've finally grasped the trick to carrying myself with poise..."
As if she couldn't quite put it into words, Narika answered while deep in thought.
"U-Um, Miyakojima-san!"
At that moment, a petite female student came running toward us from down the hallway.
She wasn't someone I knew... and she didn't seem to be an acquaintance of Narika's either. Narika spoke to the student who had rushed up, looking puzzled.
"Um, what is it?"
"I-I'm sorry for the sudden approach. My family runs a sporting goods store, just like yours, Miyakojima-san. If it's not too much trouble, would you be willing to give me some advice?"
"I don't mind, but... are you sure you want me?"
"Yes! Your results in the Management Game were incredible, and your debate with Konohana-san yesterday was... it was so cool!"
Faced with such direct praise, Narika was overwhelmed. For a split second, her expression softened with joy, but she immediately composed herself.
"Thank you....Regarding the advice, would email be okay? I was just about to head home for the day..."
"T-That's perfectly fine! I'll give you my contact information!"
The girl quickly scribbled an email address in a notebook, tore out the page, and handed it to Narika.
"W-Well then, please excuse me!"
The girl bowed deeply and turned to leave. Perhaps she was still nervous. She began to walk awkwardly and—
"Eeek!?"
"Oops."
The girl tripped over nothing, but Narika caught her in an instant.
Holding the girl in her arms, Narika gave a wry smile.
"Sorry. Because I have a scary face, I often make people nervous."
"N-No, it's not Miyakojima-san's fault..."
The girl's eyes grew teary.
If this were the usual Narika, she would have slumped, thinking she'd messed up again—convinced that her "scary face" had caused trouble. But today's Narika was different.
"I'd prefer it if you didn't misunderstand....I want to be friends with you."
When Narika said that... the girl's face turned beet red, as if it had erupted.
"Y-Yes..."
The girl nodded, looking dazed. She then scampered away with tiny, quick steps.
I shifted my gaze from the girl's back to Narika.
"...You've changed quite a bit."
"To be honest, it's taking everything I have. It's still awkward right now, but I want to make it the real deal."
It seemed she wasn't lying about grasping the trick to carrying herself with poise.
However... I looked back once more at the girl who had left. She was walking exceptionally slowly, frequently glancing back toward Narika—
"Miyakojima... Onesama."
In the eyes of the girl gazing at Narika, suspicious little hearts seemed to be reflected.
...Did she just awaken to something?
How should I put it? It seemed like from here on out, Narika would become popular in a different sense than Hinako or Tennoji-san. She didn't seem to realize it herself... but I didn't want to be boorish about it, so I decided to keep quiet.
"Itsuki, are you aiming for the Student Council?" Narika asked suddenly.
"Yeah. But the election isn't until the month after next, so I think I'll take it easy for a while."
"That sounds good. It's important to recover from your exhaustion."
At Kikou Academy, Student Council elections were held in December.
The Management Game was over, and before I knew it, it was mid-October. Since there was still time until the election, I wanted to let my mind settle for a bit.
"Changing oneself is fun," Narika murmured.
"It's difficult, and I'm not used to it yet, but it's very rewarding. I feel like if I keep this up, I'll be able to gain true strength."
Through yesterday's assembly, Narika must have realized some important values. I felt that the current Narika was looking firmly at the path she needed to take.
"That's why, Itsuki. I've decided that I'm going to aim for Student Council President too."
"………………Huh?"
I widened my eyes at the completely unexpected declaration.
"I know it's reckless. But I think this is exactly the kind of challenge I need right now."
...She was serious.
While I stood there speechless, Narika pouted.
"Hmph... What is it, Itsuki? Aren't you going to root for me?"
"Ah, no, of course I'll support you... It's just so unexpected that my brain hasn't quite caught up..."
"In other words, it's a challenge that is very unlike me. That makes it even more worth doing."
You don't have to push yourself so hard—I thought about saying that, but looking at the fearless smile on Narika's face, I didn't get the sense that she was forcing herself at all. This wasn't out of impatience or a sudden whim. It seemed like a thoughtful, rational decision.
However, if that was the case...
(...Who should I support, Tennoji-san or Narika?)
If she was aiming for the presidency rather than just an officer position, she was bound to clash with Tennoji-san. When that time came, whose back should I be pushing?
"Itsuki, thank you, truly."
Narika said, looking straight at me.
"Yesterday, I learned something important. You were the one who taught it to me, Itsuki."
Perhaps it was because of the light of the sunset. Narika's face appeared to be tinged with a slight flush.
"I can't do it alone. But when there's someone beside me who trusts me, I can carry myself with this much confidence....That's why, as I thought, you are necessary to me, Itsuki. You are special."
With that, Narika took a step closer to me.
Then, she brought her face close and—
—Something soft touched my cheek.
"Huh? Eh? N-Narika...!?"
"~~~~~~!!"
My field of vision was filled with Narika, whose face was bright red.
With tears of extreme embarrassment pooling in the corners of her eyes, Narika took a step back while hiding her lips with her hand.
"I-I won't ask for an answer! But it's too late for regrets!"
Narika pointed a finger at me.
"The one who told me to just go all out and do it... was you, Itsuki!!"
With that shout, Narika ran away at a terrifying speed.
There was surely not a single person in this academy who could have caught up to Narika once she started running in earnest.