Ever since I confessed, she has been acting strange. - CHAPTER 3: THE LADY WHO COMMUNICATES AND THE SONG ARC

Episode 15: A Well-Deserved Reward

-And so, in the end…

In the first-year girls’ division of the Tenjouin Academy Sports Tournament, it appeared that Class 1-A, led by Ojou, had claimed victory.

“It was a fierce battle.”

Standing in the Academy’s courtyard, Otoha-san reflected on the match, nodding deeply as if replaying the moments in her mind.

“…As expected from the rising star of high school girls’ basketball. If not for the team’s efforts – and Hoshine’s skills – we would have lost.”

“It’s true that Oda-san is incredibly skilled, but the fact that you and Ojou were able to beat a team with her on it is also impressive, Otoha-san.”

Individual talent is important, but basketball is a team sport.

And this was a school tournament, where most teammates were complete amateurs.

The team size was also different from standard matches, adding another layer of difficulty.

Despite all these conditions, Ojou and Otoha-san had managed to turn things in their favor—a testament to their leadership and strategy.

“…Of course we won… There’s no way I’d lose… when I had Otoha and the others by my side…”

Ojou, sitting beside Otoha-san on the bench, spoke with her usual confidence.

But her drooping eyelids and the way she swayed slightly made it clear—she was seconds away from falling asleep.

“…I won’t… let that thieving cat have you…”

“…She’s completely exhausted.”

Ojou leaned against Otoha-san’s shoulder, barely clinging to consciousness.

No—scratch that. She just fell asleep.

“She trained so hard for today’s tournament. Now that the tension is gone, all the fatigue must have hit her at once.”

Otoha-san looked down at the sleeping Ojou, then turned to me.

“Eito. You look happy. Why?”

“Of course, I’m happy that Ojou and Otoha-san won.”

“But more than anything… I’m happy that you two have become closer.”

Coincidentally, the bench Ojou and Otoha-san were sitting on now was the same one they had sat on on their first day together.

Back then, they had sat at opposite ends, leaving space between them.

But now…

Their shoulders touched, leaning against each other.

It was as if their seating reflected the change in their relationship – a bond that had grown closer.

Watching them like this, I couldn’t help but feel happy. It was a heartwarming sight.

“You think so?”

“Of course. Before you knew it, you two even started calling each other by their first names.”

“That was just… in the heat of the moment.”

Both of them were stubborn and not the most honest with their feelings.

If I had to guess, they had probably acknowledged each other long before that – maybe even during their after-school practice sessions.

But they were too proud to say it out loud.

It took the excitement of the game for them to naturally start calling each other by their first names.

“You two are real friends now, huh?”

“Maybe so.”

Otoha-san looked down at Ojou, who slept soundly on her shoulder.

A soft smile crossed her face.

To me, she looked happy – really happy.

“Hoshine is my friend… yes. My friend.”

Otoha-san nodded as if to confirm it to herself.

It seemed that at this moment, the fact that Ojou was her friend had finally settled in her heart.

“But not just a friend.”

“Oh? And what else?”

Otoha-san’s gaze sharpened slightly.

“…A rival.”

A rival, huh.

That made sense.

I had always felt this competitive tension between them.

Even during training, they had pushed each other to improve – honing their skills together.

“…Which is why, as a rival, I have to say – this is careless of her.”

Otoha-san looked at Ojou, who was still sleeping peacefully on her shoulder.

Then she turned directly to me.

“…Eito. I want a reward.”

“A reward for winning the tournament… is that what you mean?”

“…Yes. I worked hard.”

“That’s right. You did a great job.”

…Wait.

“Uh… wait. Are you saying that I am the one who has to give you this reward?”

In response to my confirming question, Otoba-san nodded slightly.

“The first-year championship prize is the ‘Wonder Festival Land Special Invitation Ticket’… Let’s go on a date with it?”

Since I won in soccer and Otoba-san and the others won in basketball, we both had that ‘Special Invitation Ticket’.

It would be a waste not to use it.

And besides…

“Ah, that matter. Don’t worry, I already heard about it from Ojou.”

“……………………………… What do you mean??”

“You’re talking about using the winning tickets to go to Wonder Festival Land, right? The three of us (you, me, and Ojou) together.”

“The three… of us…?”

That’s strange. Otoba-san looks like she’s hearing this for the first time.

“Ojou told me last night. She said, ‘If we win the sports tournament, let’s use the prize tickets as a reward and go out together, the three of us. …And also, ‘I’m sure Habaku-san will come to invite you formally again. So I thought that was the point…”

“Right, right. Until yesterday, she was still calling her ‘Habaku-san’, so when she suddenly changed it to ‘Otoba’ earlier, I was honestly a little surprised.”

“…………No way… She predicted my actions…!”

Otoba-san looked at Ojou, who was sleeping soundly on her shoulder, in utter shock.

“…As expected from my rival… I can’t underestimate her…!”

“Huh? Well, yes. Ojou is amazing.”

I wasn’t quite sure what kind of rivalry she was talking about, but since she said “as expected,” she was probably praising Ojou.

“Alright, let’s go home. Before it gets too late.”

I didn’t want to wake Ojou, who was sleeping on the bench.

Gently, as if handling a precious treasure, I lifted her into my arms.

For some reason, Otoba-san looked at me with a look of envy.

“I guess I have no choice. I’ll give it to you today.”

Saying that, Otoba-san also got up from the bench.

“…But. I might want another reward sometime. Of course, from you, Eito.”

“Haha. If it’s something I can do, I’ll gladly oblige.”

“All right. I’ll think about it.”

— ☆ —

“Ojou. Wake up, Ojou.”

Even after arriving at the mansion, Ojou remained sound asleep. Lying on her bed, she continued to breathe peacefully, her closed eyelids barely fluttering.

Sleeping too much during the day would make it harder to rest at night, so ideally, she should wake up soon… But at the same time, she looked so comfortable, and since we had already showered at the academy, I somehow wanted to let her rest a little longer.

“It’s almost time for dinner. Please wake up.”

“Mmm… nooo…”

Well, she was awake – technically. But she was still half asleep. No, scratch that – she was completely out of it.

Waking Ojou in the morning was always a challenge. Usually, the maids did it, but occasionally, I was the one called upon to do it.

“Eito… sleep with me too…”

“I can’t do that. Come on, wake up.”

“Nooo…”

Probably because she didn’t have much chance to be spoiled by her parents growing up, Ojou always reverted to a much younger version of herself when she was half asleep like this. And when that happened, she refused to listen to reason.

Even the maids sometimes had trouble waking her. One of them once taught me a useful trick.

Instead of rejecting her whims outright, it was better to indulge her a little, get her to relax, and then guide her to wake up properly.

“All right, just for a little while, I’ll stay with you.”

With a wry smile, I slid into the bed next to her.

“Mmm…?”

As soon as Ojou saw my face up close, her expression melted into a soft, sleepy smile.

“Eito… hehehe♪”

Oh? Looks like her mood is improving. Maybe she’ll soon be awake enough to actually listen to me.

“Hug…♪”

Ojou, still in high spirits, suddenly clung to me.

As if I were nothing more than a stuffed animal or a body pillow.

“Wha- Ojou!?”

“♪”

She didn’t seem to hear me. But judging by the blissful expression she was probably wearing, she was definitely enjoying herself.

I say “probably” because – well, I couldn’t really see her face.

Why not?

Because my head was currently being crushed against her, um… ample, grown softness.

And to be honest, breathing was becoming a serious problem.

“Eito…”

…This is bad. Her voice becomes even more sleepy. She’s definitely planning to fall asleep again.

But I can’t just force her away from me.

“Reward… mmm…”

“………”

A reward, huh…?

That’s right. Winning the tournament was one thing, but today was also a special day –

The day Ojou made a friend.

Either way, the only kind of reward I can give her… is to let her have her way, just for now.

“Pwah!”

I finally managed to escape the soft, bouncy Twin Peaks and get some much-needed oxygen.

Gently, I ran my fingers through her silky, beautifully straight hair.

“…Just for today, okay?”

After taking a moment to admire her adorable sleeping face, I surrendered once again –

and returned to my role as Ojou’s personal security blanket.

She’ll probably wake up in the middle of the night, but… well, I’ll deal with it when it happens.