(Something was wrong...)
The possibility that they used the same detergent was practically zero. Detergent for clothing and detergent for bedding were two separate things. It was bizarre that the scent she had picked up from Hinako Konohana’s clothes was the same one lingering on this bed.
Mirei had danced with Itsuki on several occasions. Since dancing required close physical contact, it was easy to catch the other person’s scent.
That was why Mirei was certain.
This scent did not belong to Itsuki.
(...I was distracted earlier, but it really is suspicious that there are women's slippers and a blanket in Itsuki-san’s room.)
Just what was he hiding?
As she pondered this with absolute seriousness—
"—Excuse me."
The door swung open abruptly, and Shizune entered.
Technically, she had knocked, but Mirei had been so caught up in her frantic thoughts that she hadn't noticed.
And she had forgotten.
She had forgotten exactly where she was...
"Tennoji-sama, would you prefer scones or muffins with your tea—"
Shizune froze.
Mirei was lying flat on her back in Itsuki’s bed.
She had the duvet pulled all the way up to her chest, tucked in from her toes...
Cold sweat broke out across Mirei’s entire body.
"T-The Tennoji Group! We have been quite active in bedding development lately!"
"I see."
"It would be no exaggeration to say that checking the performance of the bed Tomonari-san uses daily is my mission as a daughter of the Tennoji family!"
"I understand."
"I-In other words, this was by no means due to any... impure feelings...!"
"Is that so?"
"............"
"............"
"............"
"............"
............................
"............Please, do not tell anyone."
"Understood."
She chose the muffins.
◆
The study session proceeded without a hitch.
Once the tea and snacks were ready, Hinako, Tennoji-san, and I opened our laptops in my room to debate the results of our Management Game.
Our discussion mostly focused on identifying areas for improvement—the "I should have done this" or "that would have been better" moments. We went particularly deep into whether those theoretical measures could actually be implemented in reality.
"Hinako Konohana. Your method is certainly efficient, but don't you think it would be difficult to maintain employee motivation with that alone?"
"I believe that as long as the vision is carefully shared with the employees, that won't be an issue. In fact, these are the results of an internal survey of Konohana Group employees collected in the real world..."
"Do you really intend to share the vision in such detail with every company in the group? Neither time nor labor costs are free. In that case, I still believe a clear, bold reform like mine is..."
"In this day and age, where the limits of lifetime employment are constantly debated, flashy reforms don't seem to fit the current trends. That might work for a venture company, but we are managing rock-solid, massive corporations..."
Both of them brought out real-world data to back up their arguments.
"What do you think, Tomonari-san?"
The conversation turned to me, so I took a moment to consider my answer.
"A reform of the personnel system might be necessary. I'm currently studying personnel management consulting, and I found a similar case..."
I happened to have a reference book on my desk, so I picked it up to show them. Having the study session in my own room turned out to be a lucky break.
The session continued in that serious vein until the very end—
"—Oh, it seems my ride is here."
It was finally time for Tennoji-san to head home.
When we left the manor and passed through the gates, the Tennoji family’s car was already waiting. I exchanged a nod with the driver. He was a sharp-looking man in a well-tailored black suit. As expected of the Tennoji family; even their driver was impressive.
"Ahem."
Tennoji-san cleared her throat softly.
"Um... today was very enjoyable! So, um... you may feel free to invite me again, if you like."
"Yes, I'll be sure to invite you again," Hinako said with a smile, and Tennoji-san looked genuinely delighted.
"W-Well then! I shall take my leave!!"
Tennoji-san climbed into the car.
It might have been my imagination, but her step seemed a little lighter than usual as she left.
After seeing the car off, we returned to the manor.
I headed back to my room, and Hinako followed me inside as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"That was a lot of studying."
"Mm... I'm tired."
However, Hinako looked satisfied, as if she felt it had been time well spent.
She naturally slipped into the slippers I kept in my room and wrapped herself in her blanket. It was a normal sight to me now, but I made a mental note to hide them whenever there was even a slight possibility of visitors in the future.
"Well then... time to get to work."
I sat at my desk and looked at the documents waiting there.
Hinako approached me, still bundled in her blanket.
"A report for the Student Council?"
"Yeah. I figured I'd finish yesterday's and today's all at once."
I already knew what I wanted to say, so the pen moved smoothly. Recalling yesterday's schedule, I recorded my actions and the reasoning behind them.
Since I had to keep the fact that I lived at the Konohana manor a secret, I translated "cleaning the manor" into "cleaning my room," "caretaking for Hinako" became "taking care of pets," and "sparring with the guards" became "jogging and strength training." Since the core nature of the activities wasn't that different, it should serve the purpose of showing the Student Council my character....Though "taking care of Hinako" felt like it might be a bit of a stretch.
Before I knew it, Hinako was fast asleep on the bed, looking perfectly content.
The only sound in the room for a while was the scratching of my pen against the paper.
"...Alright."
I finished the report and stretched my back.
It had taken about an hour. I turned to check on Hinako and found her still snoring softly. She hadn't been able to take her usual nap because of the study session, so her exhaustion must have finally caught up with her.
(...Ah, I was supposed to organize the kitchen.)
While I was looking for tea leaves earlier, Ms. Shizune had asked me to tidy up the kitchen if I had a spare moment. I decided to take care of it now.
(I'll... let Hinako sleep.)
It was almost time for dinner.
I’d have to wake her then anyway, so I figured I should let her rest as long as possible.
I opened the door quietly and slipped out of the room.
◇
Sensing the door move, Hinako slowly blinked her eyes open.
"...Itsuki?"
He was gone. Did he have an errand?
She tried to drift back to sleep, but she was fully awake now. A glance at the clock told her dinner was approaching. It was probably better to just stay up.
Climbing sluggishly out of bed, Hinako’s gaze fell on the desk.
The report from the Student Council was sitting there.
"...Nnh."
It looked like he had finished it, so she decided to take a peek.
Yesterday's and today's schedules were laid out in broad strokes...
(...This is so like Itsuki.)
A small smile escaped her.
Itsuki’s personality bled through his writing.
I spent the morning cleaning. However, there were some tools I didn't know how to maintain properly, so I realized I still have much to learn. —And so on.
I finished my lesson previews and reviews. However, I feel like my performance in subjects requiring memorization has been slipping lately, so I may need to improve my study methods. —And so on.
He was never satisfied with the status quo.
The report hummed with his determination to work even harder.
In reality, however, Itsuki was already working incredibly hard.
The proof was in how often Hinako overheard the manor staff praising him.
For instance, yesterday... she had heard the gardener speaking with the butler.
'The flowers today were exquisite. The guests were quite moved.'
'To be honest, Itsuki-kun came to help me collect them this morning. I find I can't slack off when he's around. He looks upon a mere gardener like myself with such genuine respect... It makes me want to work my hardest to live up to his expectations.'
She had heard the maids talking.
'Itsuki-kun has already memorized every single brand of tableware we use.'
'He knows the vases, too. He's so dedicated to his studies. We really ought to follow his example.'
She had even heard the guards.
'We are the ones who protect the Young Lady, not that man!!'
'Exactly!!...Ugh, dammit...!!'
'Stop crying, you lot! If we don't want to lose to him, we have to aim even higher!!'
Since Itsuki’s arrival, the atmosphere in the manor felt brighter.
He probably didn't even realize he was the cause of the change... but Hinako, Shizune, and the servants who had been here for years saw it clearly.
Everyone was grateful for him.
"............Just a little bit."
Picking up the pen, she added a few lines to the report.
A little addition wouldn't hurt anyone.
Itsuki tended to undervalue himself. She couldn't have the Student Council reading his humble self-evaluation and thinking they knew the whole truth about him.
"...There."
She put the pen back exactly where she found it.
Just then, the door opened and Itsuki returned.
"Oh, Hinako. You're awake."
"Just now."
"Perfect timing. Dinner's almost ready."
"Mm... let's go."
She walked out of the room with him.
To the Hinako of the past, Itsuki had been nothing more than a convenient caretaker she could lean on.
But now, Hinako was in love with him...
And his back... had grown so broad and reliable that it felt larger than anyone else's.