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

EPISODE 29: The Fall

“It seems she’s figured it out.”

I stared at the monitor in the other room, watching the sly fox (troublemaker) on the screen as she seemed to realize something.

Her name is Shigenin Miu. The Shigenin family has a long history with mine, so I’ve known her for years. There hasn’t been any sign of trouble from her for so long that even I have let my guard down…

Still, this cunning fox seems to be quite capable.

Not only did she notice the tampering with the lots and the security cameras, but she also suppressed any reaction that might show that she “noticed” to those around her.

As expected of the Shigenin family, I suppose. Well, if she were an ordinary person, I might have overlooked it. But unfortunately for them, since I’ve been keeping a close eye on things, even the slightest hint of something off wouldn’t escape me.

“In that case, we’ll just have to move up the schedule. Are the preparations ready?”

“No problems here.”

“I thought so.”

After confirming that Otoha’s preparations were, of course, already complete, I contacted Kazami.

☆

The King’s Game was just beginning to come to life.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Here are the extra drinks.”

Along with a familiar voice, the waiter brought over drinks poured into glasses with bright colors. All of us Tenjōin Academy students couldn’t help but look up at the waiter’s face and show our surprise.

“Huh? Tenjō-san?”

“My, what a coincidence to meet you all here.”

That’s right. The one who brought the drinks was, for some reason, the young lady wearing the uniform of this shop.

“Y-young lady!? Why are you dressed like that?”

“Of course. Because I work here.”

“You work here!? The young lady!?”

“That’s right. As part of my social studies, I’m working here part-time during the summer break.”

What in the world… The daughter of the famous Tenjō group working part-time in a cafe…

No, maybe this is a good sign. It’s something I couldn’t have imagined when I was at her side. In fact, you could say that the results of my absence are already showing. Not that I’m a bit depressed about it or anything…

“And besides, I’m not the only one who works here.”

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Here are the fries you ordered.”

With that, the person who put a mountain of fries on the table-

“Even Otoha-san!?”

“Yes. I work part time.”

“Wh-why on earth…?”

“…For life experience.”

“I…see…?”

In Otoha-san’s case, she’s an artist, so it’s possible that gaining life experience might add depth to her songs… or not. Maybe.

“Uh… Could you be Habane Otoha-san…?”

“That’s right.”

“No way, the real one!?”

“…The real one.”

Wow, as expected from the singer. It seems that even the students at Hōrai Ōka Academy know the name Habane Otoha. Especially the girls are now filled with surprise and excitement at the sudden appearance of the singer.

“That’s right. Since you’re here, why don’t you join us, Tenjō-san and Habane-san? It’s a group date after all.”

“I’m sorry. I’m actually on duty right now…”

The young lady looked really disappointed by the invitation from our male classmate. But soon she clapped her hands together as if she had an idea.

“Ah, but as a staff member, maybe I can help you liven up your group date.”

“Help?”

“Yes. Let’s see… For example, I could prepare a special menu.”

“A special menu? You have something like that?”

In response to the male classmate’s question, Otoha-san nodded softly.

“There are a few items that are still in the trial stage. Since this is a good opportunity, they’d like you all to try them out and give them your feedback.”

“Wow, that sounds interesting.”

“Me too. What kind of items are there?”

“Just a moment. I’ll bring you the menu.”

With that, the young lady started handing out menus to everyone.

“Hey, Yukimichi.”

“What is this?”

“If this is a special menu for the trial stage, why is there already a menu for it? And why are there enough copies for everyone?”

“That’s just because you don’t understand what a ‘typical high school boy’ is yet.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s right.”

So this is normal too, and it’s just me who doesn’t know about it?

“Here you go, Eito.”

“Thank you, young lady.”

When I opened the special menu given to me by the young lady, I saw:

– Take a two-shot with a staff member in a private room (couple style)

– Play a game of Pocky with a staff member in a private room (flirty version)

– Lap pillow with a staff member in a private room ~with a lullaby from the singer~.

………………? ……??? …………??????

“Hey, Yukimichi…”

“That’s just because you don’t understand what a ‘typical high school boy’ is yet.”

Before I could even express my thoughts, he cut me off. The word “shutdown” flashed through my mind, though I’m not sure if it’s relevant.

But why a private room…? Could it be that the other special menu items have similar descriptions…?

“Hey, which one should we get?”

“Hmm… That ‘Clubhouse Sandwich’ looks pretty tasty.”

…………Isn’t that different from my special menu?

“Um, young lady. Otoha-san.”

“What is it, Eito?”

“Have you decided yet?”

“No, it’s just… the menu seems a little off…”

“My recommendation is the Pocky game.”

“…I’d go with the lap pillow.”

This is ridiculous…! Are you saying this is a normal menu…!

“My, my. It seems that Eito is still hesitating.”

“…Then why not think about it in the private room?”

“How about trying everything?”

“…That sounds good.”

The young lady and Otoha-san smile on the surface. They are, but… there’s a mysterious pressure in the air.

Also, since I’m sitting on the edge of the seat, I feel like I’m being pulled along… Huh?

(Yotsumoto-in-sama isn’t here…?)

☆

“Haa……”

Watching the crowded streets on this holiday, I sat on the edge of the fountain in the station square where we had gathered this morning.

“What am I even doing…?”

The moment Tendou Seon stepped in, the atmosphere in this place changed instantly.

The gentlemen from the Tenjouin Academy all had their eyes stolen by Tendou Seon, and on top of that, even the students from the Houraisakura Academy (our side) had their interest and attention taken away by the presence of Habaku Otoha, a true “diva”.

No one looked at me anymore.

…The moment I realized that, I felt like I was the only one out of place in the room. Unable to bear it, I finally left the store.

The fact that no one even noticed me leaving was an unexpected blow – a subtle but painful shock.

“This always happens…to me.”

Maybe I am competent. But at best, I am only competent. No matter how often I try, no matter what I do, I can never surpass them – the true geniuses.

“……”

People pass by. The world moves on, oblivious to me, as if I don’t even exist.

“I must look so stupid.”

I had prepared myself, determined to use them to my advantage – yet in the end my heart was so easily shattered.

I knew it from the beginning. I can’t beat Tendou Seon.

Everyone only looks at true geniuses like Tendou Seon and Habaku Otoha.

No one ever looks at me.

“I found you, Yotsumoto-in-sama.”

“…Huh?”

I raised my eyes.

“…Yagiri-sama? Why are you here…?”

“What do you mean why? You suddenly disappeared, so I got worried and started looking for you.”

“You… noticed that I was gone?”

“Of course I did.”

Hearing that made me a little happy, but I told myself not to get my hopes up – it was probably just another fleeting moment of false joy.

“I apologize. I just wanted to get some fresh air, that’s all. As you can see, I’m perfectly fine, so please, Yagiri-sama, you should return.”

“But…”

“You really don’t need to worry about me. Besides, wouldn’t you rather return to Seon-sama’s side?”

“Huh? Why are you bringing up Ojou all of a sudden?”

“Seon-sama surpasses me in academics, and I’ve never beaten her in sports. Even in appearance… she is much more beautiful than I could ever be.”

“It’s true that Ojou is ranked higher, but Yotsumoto-in-sama, you consistently place second in the national mock exams every year. And in the most recent one, you even improved your score by reducing your mistakes.”

“You know my scores?”

“Of course I do. Your name is always right next to Ojou’s. I’ve watched you steadily reduce your mistakes and improve your scores year after year, and I’ve always thought it was really amazing.”

You paid attention to that, too? I was sure you only had eyes for Tendou Seon…

“But that was just a tennis match a long time ago, wasn’t it? You’ve been practicing and improving ever since. If you were to play now, the result might be completely different.”

“W-Why do you even know about my tennis?!”

“I heard some rumors at a party.”

Rumors like that were nothing compared to those about Tendou Seon – small, fleeting whispers that would soon be forgotten.

And yet… Yagiri-sama remembered.

“And besides… your appearance as well-”

Suddenly, Yagiri-sama’s hand reached out to me.

Without thinking, I closed my eyes.

I didn’t know what he would do.

But somehow, it didn’t matter to me.

I accepted his touch.

Darkness filled my vision.

I felt Yagiri-sama’s hand move toward my head –

-only to pull it away moments later.

“……?”

I opened my eyes.

In his fingers he was holding a leaf – carried by the wind from who knows where – that had apparently landed on my head.

“I think you’re really beautiful.”

“Th-That’s a lie…”

“It’s not a lie. At the last party you looked like a goddess in that dress. Especially that blue gem hairpin – it suited you perfectly.”

I remembered that party well. I had worn my favorite hairpin and tried my best to look my best.

But in the end, all the attention still went to Tendou Seon.

At that time, I had thought that no one was looking at me…

“…Yagiri-sama, you observe things closely, don’t you? The people around you.”

“Well, that’s my job.”

Right. I mustn’t misunderstand.

It’s not that he was watching me specifically.

Paying attention to his surroundings is just part of his job.

“But I think I am paying special attention to you, Yotsumoto-in-sama. You stand out.”

“I… do?”

“Yes. Someone who works as hard as you do always shines brightly.”

Then, as if he remembered something, Yagiri-sama added, “Ah, and also-”

He leaned forward and brought his face close to my ear.

“…Just between us, whether it’s academics or sports, seeing you work so hard has always motivated me, too.”

“M-Motivated you?”

“Yes. Somehow, watching you makes me feel like I should try my best as well.”

As I watched him smile shyly, something swelled in my chest.

Happiness.

Even though I had never beaten Tendou Seon.

Even if no one else recognized me.

He saw me.

Not as “the poor girl who was always compared to Tendou Seon”.

Not as “the girl who could never surpass her”.

But as Shigen’in Miu.

That made me unbearably happy, as if all the effort I had put in so far had finally been rewarded.

“Yagiri-sama. May I… borrow your shoulder for a moment?”

“…I don’t mind.”

Despite my sudden request, Yagiri-sama accepted without hesitation.

I leaned into his chest and let myself rest against him.

If I didn’t, I felt like I would burst into tears.

Tears were already falling.

I didn’t want him to see them.

But he probably knew anyway. And yet he said nothing. He just left me alone.

After a while, when I finally lifted my head, a new determination had taken root in me.

“…I apologize, Yagiri-sama. I must have looked rather shameful.”

“Not at all.”

“Fufu… Thank you. And… may I ask a favor of you?”

“What is it?”

“From now on, may I call you Eito-sama? And… please call me Miu.”

For a moment, he looked surprised.

But then he smiled softly and said-

“Alright. I don’t mind at all… Miu-san.”

Hearing him say my name filled my chest with warmth- no, with a quiet warmth.

How strange. It was just a name, just a simple change of address… and yet it made me so incredibly happy.

“What exactly are you two doing over there?”

A voice called out.

Instinctively, we turned towards it.

There, standing in front of us, were Tendou Seon and Habaku Otoha – both out of breath, probably from sprinting to get here.