Ever since I confessed, she has been acting strange. - CHAPTER 1:THE YOUNG LADY TO BE CONQUERED

Episode 2: The Perfect Plan

“I wonder what it’s like to commute by train.”

It was morning. As we were riding in the car to Tenjouin Academy, Ojou suddenly blurted it out.

“Are you dissatisfied with the ride? If you have any requests, please let me know. I’ll take care of it right away.”

“It’s not that. But some of the kids in class were talking about commuting by train, and it made me curious.”

So now she’s interested.

Ojou is sharp and capable at many things, which makes her naturally curious. She’s easily drawn to things she hasn’t experienced. This time, that curiosity seems to have shifted to “commuting by train.

“Come to think of it, Ojou, you don’t usually take the train, do you?”

“When I want to go somewhere, I get a ride. I’ve never commuted by train. I might as well try it.”

“But… it’s not that exciting. As the name suggests, commuting by train is just going to school. And it’s crowded in the morning. You’ll probably feel cramped.”

“Cramped?”

“It’s not just students – adults who commute to work take the train, too. So it gets pretty crowded, and depending on the time, you might not even get a seat.”

“Hmm. Sounds tough, just like I heard.”

“Especially during rush hour, you’ll be pressed up against strangers. For you, Ojou-”

“Let’s take the train home today.”

“Have you been listening to me?”

“Of course.”

“Then today…”

“Let’s take the train home.”

“Ojou!?”

What’s going on? Did she misunderstand me?

Just to be sure, I explained it again.

“Ojou. I don’t think commuting by train will be as pleasant as you expect.”

“Really?”

“Yes. If we get caught in the evening rush, you’ll end up pressed up against strangers, unable to move.”

“We’re taking the train home tonight.”

Why? Why does she insist on taking the train?

“Kagehito. You’ll take the train with me today.”

“Of course, but… Ojou, I don’t know what you expect, but please don’t push yourself too hard.”

“I’m not pushing myself. In fact, I’m so excited that I might burst, so don’t worry.”

I don’t know the reason, but Ojou seems absolutely determined to ride the train today.

Her moods have taken a strange turn this time.

Well, that’s part of her charm. As her companion, it is my job to fulfill her wishes.

(I’ve memorized the route from the station near the academy to the mansion, as well as the average crowd depending on the time of day… The weather is fine. Now for the time we’re leaving the school. I’d like to avoid the rush hour, but… that depends on Ojou’s mood. I’ll just have to hope for the best).

While I was mentally planning our route home, Ojou was seriously typing a message on her phone.

That’s unusual. Ojou is versatile and hardworking. Because of this, she’s very capable and can handle most things effortlessly.

For her to look so serious, it must be something important.

(I want to ask, but… I might break her concentration. I should just watch for now.)

The lesson ended without incident, and soon it was after school.

In a good mood, humming a tune, Ojou walked straight to the train station with the other students on their way home.

Is this the first time she has walked from the academy to the station? She moves as if she’s already memorized the map and knows the route perfectly.

“Ojou, have you walked this way before?”

“This is my first time. I usually take the car.”

Then why is she walking with such confidence?

Did she really study the map beforehand and memorize it? No, even if she was interested in taking the train, that seems unlikely.

“Ah, it’s Kagehito-kun and Tendou-san!”

“What are you doing today? You usually take the car, right?”

It must have been unusual to see Ojou and me walking home together instead of taking the car.

Some girls from our class called out to us.

“Hello. We decided to do something different today and take the train home.

They must have been from the class next door. We weren’t in the same class in middle school.

They don’t have much connection with Ojou, but that might change in the future.

I made sure to give them a polite, pleasant smile. I can’t let my actions tarnish Ojou’s reputation.

“I see. So you’ll ride the train with us!”

“Then… do you want to go back together? I’d like to hear more about Kagehito-kun, too!”

“Ojou, what should we-”

“Sorry. We’re in a bit of a hurry today.”

With a perfect smile, Ojou grabbed my arm and quickly marched off.

“O-Ojou? What’s wrong?”

“What do you mean, what’s wrong? What happened to that smile?”

“Did something upset you? I was trying to make sure I didn’t hurt your reputation…”

“It’s not upsetting. It’s too charming, and that’s the problem. That’s why all those little hussies…”

Ojou is unusually short. She mumbles under her breath and I can barely hear her…

“Anyway, let’s hurry.”

We walked briskly and finally arrived at the station.

It shouldn’t be crowded at this time of day. A crowded train is almost impossible unless the sky falls. The only people around were other students on their way home.

“Kagehito. There’s no place that sells bento.”

“You can only find them at bigger stations with bullet trains. They don’t sell them at stations this small.”

“I see. I wanted to try one, it’s a shame.”

“We can do that next time. I’ll arrange it.”

“No. I want to buy the bento at the station.”

While we were talking, the train arrived right on schedule.

The doors opened and Ojou and I got on. As expected, the train wasn’t crowded.

Besides the students from our academy, there were hardly any other passengers.

“Ojou, please take a seat. There are plenty of empty seats.”

“I’m fine standing.”

I couldn’t sit while my escort was standing, so of course I stood on the almost empty train as well.

(I hope this satisfies your curiosity about trains…)

While we were standing near Ojou, the train stopped at the next station.

The doors opened and people began to board.

“Huh?”

For some reason, a flood of people poured out of the platform. While I was still confused, the train quickly filled up, leaving no room to sit.

(W-What’s going on? This isn’t rush hour, so why are there so many people…?)

I had memorized all the information about the stations along our route before leaving the Academy.

There weren’t any big events. Maybe a raffle or some balloons being handed out, but nothing more than that…

“Oh my. It’s gotten pretty crowded.”

“Yes. I’m sorry, Ojou. This is my fault.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s just a coincidence that people happened to crowd into this car. You can’t predict the flow of all people. Don’t worry about it.”

“But if you feel cramped-”

“I’m fine. It’s not cramped at all.”

As expected. Ojou remained unfazed by the sudden crowd, smiling calmly.

I have to follow her example. I can’t let a small unexpected crowd throw me.

“Whoa-”

As the train shook, so did the crowd. I tried to make room for Ojou, but with so many people, it was impossible.

“I’m sorry, Ojou. Please bear with it for a while…”

“Don’t worry. More importantly, don’t hold back. Protect me properly.”

When I entered high school, I never expected competitors to appear so quickly.

Honestly, I panicked. I had to do something. But no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t come up with a good plan…

Until it hit me-the perfect idea, right under my nose.

A crowded train. How could I have missed it?

Normally, you’d think a crowded train would have no upside.

And you’d be right. I wouldn’t want to ride one.

But… what if there was an upside? A huge upside. Then what?

“Especially during rush hour, you’ll be pressed up against strangers. For you, Ojou-”

“Let’s take the train home today.”

Squeezed together. Yes. Physical contact could be effective.

I don’t want to brag, but I’ve developed quite well (just the other day, my chest felt a little tight in my uniform).

..and in a crowded train, we’d naturally, inevitably end up crowded together. It’s the perfect situation to use my assets. Besides, I’d be happy.

The moment I thought of it, I put the plan into action.

I took out my phone and sent a message through the Tendou family’s app. The plan came to me in two seconds. All I had to do was gather the people, and that was easy with the Tendou family’s influence.

The task was simple.

All I had to do was get the people I instructed on board the exact car I specified at the exact time I specified. That’s all.

…Well. I didn’t expect another girl to show up just because Kagehito took the train, but… no problem. I’ll settle it here on this crowded train.

When the people I arranged started to board, Kagehito looked confused, but I was satisfied. No, not satisfied. The real battle begins now.

“I’m sorry, Ojou. Please bear with it for a while-”

“Don’t worry. More importantly, don’t hold back. Protect me properly.”

“Understood.”

With the crowd pushing in, Kagehito and I were forced closer together. He pressed his arm against the wall of the train, trying to shield me, but with so many people, our bodies naturally pressed against each other.

…Mmm. Being so close is a bit embarrassing, but…

It might make Kagehito more aware of me.

…Heh. Sorry, the girls are trying to steal Kagehito away.

I’ll declare victory soon.

“Ojou, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. In fact, you can get even closer if you…”

I looked up.

(-…Ah.)

His face was much closer than I had expected.

His eyes, as clear as the night sky, almost drew me in, and all the plans and confidence I had in my head went completely blank.

(Close… much closer than I thought… and that posture… somehow…)

I’ve seen this before in the dramas and manga I’ve studied.

It’s that thing, right? “Kabe-don” or whatever? I never thought Kagehito would do that to me, even if it was by accident…

(W-Wait.)

Suddenly, my face felt hot. My heart was pounding…

“Ojou.”

“Hyah… Y-Yes?”

“Your face looks flushed. Are you feeling unwell…?”

“N-No! I’m fine. Really… I’m fine…”

…I don’t seem to have fully understood my own limitations.

“Just… don’t look at me too much right now.”

I realized this only after we got off the train and I found myself unable to move.

…By the way, later.

When I heard that rumors about Kagehito doing a kabe-don to protect a girl had spread and he was gaining even more fans…

I almost punched a wall.