Ever since I confessed, she has been acting strange. - CHAPTER 5: SUMMER VACATION ARC

Episode 27: The Daughter of the Shigen’in Family

When I arrived at the fountain in the square in front of the station, the designated meeting place, it was crowded with people, probably because it was the weekend.

In this crowd, it was impossible to tell who the other participants in the group meeting were.

…Well, I had shown up an hour early out of habit, so there was still plenty of time until the actual meeting. I might as well kill time while keeping an eye out for anything suspicious.

“…Huh?”

A pure white handkerchief fluttered at the edge of my vision.

Carried by the wind, it seemed to be about to soar high into the sky. Reflexively, I reached out and caught it.

Tracing the direction from which the wind had carried it, I turned my gaze–

The first thing I saw was an umbrella.

Next, long, pale blue hair.

She wore a dress that exuded an air of purity, giving her an almost ethereal presence. A single girl stood there.

(This person…)

I recognized her.

No, it is more than recognition.

-The Shigen’in family.

A prestigious household with deep historical ties to the Tendō family.

And that girl in the elegant dress – she was none other than the daughter of the Shigen’in family…

“Lady Shigen’in Miu? It has been a long time.”

“Indeed, it has, Lord Yogiri. I believe the last time we met was at the Spring Festival, correct?”

“Yes. …Ah, is this handkerchief yours, Lady Shigen’in?”

“Yes. The wind blew it away. You have my gratitude for retrieving it.”

Her skin was as pale and radiant as a shimmering beach of white sand.

A well-proportioned figure – graceful curves, a slender waist – somehow reminiscent of Ojō.

The way she held her parasol, the delicate fingers brushing against her hair to keep it from being blown away by the wind…

Her movements were soft and refined, quite different from Ojō’s strong-willed presence.

If Ojō was “fire,” then Lady Shigen’in was “water.

If Ojō were a “sword,” then Lady Shigen’in was a “bow.

If Ojō were “strength,” then Lady Shigen’in was “grace.

Because Ojō carried herself with an uninhibited, almost unladylike vivacity, the pure and elegant presence of Lady Shigen’in felt refreshingly different.

No, this is not good.

No matter what happens, I always compare everything to Ojō.

This summer break was supposed to be a time away from her-yet here I am, still thinking about her as my frame of reference.

Even if I didn’t say it out loud, comparing one woman to another was just plain rude. I had to think about it.

“By the way, Lady Shigen’in, what brings you to such a place?”

The Shigen’in family had long-standing ties to the Tendō family, and while not as prestigious, they were still quite respectable.

I doubted that she had much to do with public transportation in her daily life.

It was unlikely that she was just here for some casual shopping.

“Actually, I came here today for a ‘goukon.'”

“Ehh!? You, Lady Shigen’in!?”

Wait… No.

If Master was involved in this, then maybe it was possible…?

If I remember correctly, Lady Shigen’in attended the Hōraiō Academy…

It wasn’t impossible, but still… unexpected.

“Oh my, there is no need to be so surprised. I, too, am a young woman of marriageable age. Is it not natural to be interested in such things?”

“M-My apologies. It was just so unexpected that I…”

“Unexpected? If anything, I find your participation in a ‘goukon’ much more surprising, Lord Yogiri.”

“You knew? That I would participate?”

“Fufu, I happened to overhear something.”

Lady Shigen’in and Ojō had known each other since childhood, which of course meant that they had met on many occasions.

…Well, if you could call it “interaction”.

At most, we exchanged polite greetings at parties.

We weren’t particularly close, but at least she knew me well enough to find my participation in a goukon surprising.

“Normally, I would have expected Lady Hoshine to put a stop to something like this.”

“Actually, I was granted a summer vacation. I decided to use this time to gain new experiences – so I took the plunge and joined this event.”

…And yet, the experience I chose to gain was a goukon.

Frankly, even I found it a bit pathetic.

From an outsider’s perspective, it probably just sounded like an excuse to goof off.

“I think this is a wonderful idea. In fact, I wanted to have a different kind of experience this summer. That is why I decided to participate in this ‘goukon’ as well.”

Lady Shigen’in smiled, elegant and pure like a blooming flower.

“To think that by chance, you and I both entered this ‘goukon’ with the same attitude… Fufu, maybe we get along better than we thought?”

“That may be true… Though for someone like me, it feels a bit undeserved.”

“Oh? Are you saying you find my company unsatisfactory?”

“Not at all!”

“I’m just teasing.”

We both laughed, the atmosphere light and pleasant.

I had distanced myself from the Tendou family, trying to put some distance between me and Ojou – but still, to run into such a familiar face…

Yeah. It wasn’t that bad.

“Yukimichi? That’s rare. You show up at the rendezvous point so early?”

“Shut uuuuupppp!! Enough with the damn friendly atmosphere!”

The sharp tension in his voice was the complete opposite of the relaxed mood a few moments ago. It was like a taut string, ready to snap at any moment.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about… Sorry. He’s always like this.”

I turned to Fourgen’in-sama with an apologetic shrug.

“Oh, please don’t mind, Yogiri-sama,” she replied with a gentle smile. “Today, I am just a student here to participate in a ‘goukon.’ No need for formalities.”

That only seemed to make Yukimichi more desperate.

“Just put your hands up! Do you want me to be crushed like a damn bug?!”

Seriously, what was he talking about?

And just like that, the chaotic energy of the event had already begun before the “Goukon” had even officially started.

With Yukimichi still shaking like a cornered animal, I couldn’t help but sigh.

“This is going to be a long day…”

(Just like the information said…)

I already knew that Yagiri Eito had the habit of arriving at the meeting place an hour early to check out the surroundings.

That’s why I came here an hour early, pretending it was just a coincidence, and waited for him.

(“This ‘goukon’ is ridiculous… but, well, it doesn’t change the fact that this is a coincidence.”)

I overheard the talk about this ‘goukon’ by chance. And I also know that its real purpose is to find a suitable partner for Eito Yagiri – basically an arranged marriage meeting.

To be honest, I have no interest in him, nor in marriage itself. I couldn’t care less.

But.

If I were to become his partner—-I would be able to fully enjoy the sight of Tendou Hoshine seething with frustration.

(Tendou Hoshine…)

My family, the Shigen’in family, has been connected with the Tendou family for a long time.

Our families have a good relationship. We’ve had our share of interactions.

Because of that, and because Tendou Hoshine and I are the same age, people around us always compared us.

“Whether it was studies, sports, or even the reputation of my appearance, I was always the ‘second best’ compared to Tendou Hoshine.

“I was never ridiculed by my peers or blamed by my family. But that only made it more miserable for me.

It was inevitable that I couldn’t beat Tendou Hoshine. There was nothing to worry about. Those were the only voices I heard.

No one expects anything from me. No matter how hard I tried, it didn’t matter. I was never able to win even once.”

“But Tendou Hoshine herself showed no interest in studying, sports, or even her appearance, as if it didn’t matter how much she was praised by others.

I was frustrated. I wanted to win. I just wanted to beat that girl, no matter what.

—-At that time, I overheard a talk about Yagiri Eito’s arranged marriage.

“I thought this was the perfect opportunity.

I would steal the person she cares for the most.

If I do that, I can… become number one.

(I will use you, Yagiri Eito-san.)”