Chapter 4: The Young Lady and the Songstress
The news of the songstress, who had been on hiatus, transferring into our school spread like wildfire.
"Whoa! It's really Habataki Otoha!"
"Why did she transfer to our school?!"
"Would it be okay to exchange contact information...?"
"Excuse me! I'm a huge fan! Could you shake my hand?!"
The moment the first homeroom after her introduction ended, students swarmed around her. By the end of second period, and then third, the crowd grew during each break. Eventually, there were so many onlookers that the crowd spilled out of the classroom.
By lunchtime, the student council had to step in directly to address the situation and warn the growing number of spectators.
"I can’t believe she transferred to our school..."
The Young Lady had been slumped over her desk since morning. It was rare to see her this dejected, but I couldn’t begin to guess why she was so upset.
"It’s likely that the transfer arrangements were made a while ago. Just bad timing, I suppose..."
Yukimichi gazed at the Young Lady with a look full of sympathy.
...Is it just me, or do I feel like I’m being completely left out of the loop here?
In any case, the sheer size of the crowd meant that from morning all the way to the closing homeroom, we couldn’t even approach Otoha-san, let alone speak to her.
Even the Young Lady seemed hesitant to approach, perhaps out of embarrassment.
Yet, during the ride home last weekend, she had talked at length with her. Maybe because I was their only mutual connection, much of their conversation revolved around me—things like, "What exactly is your relationship with Kagehito?" or "Does Kagehito serve you, too?" With Otoha's transfer, I hoped they could broaden their interactions and find more to talk about directly.
If that happened, perhaps the Young Lady would gain a close friend in Otoha-san.
"Uh, Habataki-san! It must be overwhelming to get used to the school on your first day, right?"
"If you'd like, I'd be happy to guide you around!"
"Hey, are you trying to cut in ahead of us?!"
The competition over the prestigious task of guiding Habataki Otoha around had already begun.
The commotion spread, and it seemed like it might escalate to the point where the student council would have to intervene again, but—
"…Thank you. But I’m fine."
Otoha-san, who had maintained an unshakable composure until now, suddenly stood from her seat. Silently, she walked over to where I was sitting.
"…I'll have Kagehito show me around."
With just that one sentence, the noisy classroom fell into an eerie silence, as if all sound had been sucked out of the room.
And then—
"WHAT!?"
The students' collective shock erupted like a tidal wave, breaking the silence in an instant.
"H-Hey, Yagiri! You know Habataki-san!?"
"Wait, what’s the deal with you two? How do you even know each other!?"
The tide of curiosity that had surrounded her now shifted its attention entirely onto me.
Well, I suppose this was the natural reaction to finding out someone like me knew the Songstress.
But when asked, "What exactly is your relationship?" I found myself at a loss.
Could I call us friends? That seemed presumptuous. Were we just "runaway companions"? I couldn’t think of the right words.
"My relationship with Kagehito is…"
As I was still struggling to find an answer, Otoha-san seemed to have already made up her mind. She raised a slender, elegant finger to her lips. The grace of her movement left the surrounding students mesmerized, watching in rapt silence.
After a brief pause, she finally spoke.
"…It’s a secret."
Her delicate, snow-like smile was so beautiful that it almost seemed ephemeral.
A secret, huh. Considering the circumstances—like her running away from home or the fact that she couldn’t sing anymore, neither of which were public knowledge—this was likely the safest answer. Wrapped in the veil of secrecy, it was a tactful move. As expected from a songstress, she handled such situations with effortless finesse.
"A… secret relationship!?"
"Does that mean you’re, like, dating!?"
"…That’s also a secret."
Her serene smile didn’t falter as she answered an overly eager classmate’s question in the same manner. She probably wanted to avoid saying too much—lest anything slip about her personal struggles. Limiting the information she shared to the bare minimum was her way of protecting herself.
"Young Lady, Otoha-san’s approach is impressive. We could learn a lot from her."
"Protecting herself? You mean this is an attack!"
The Young Lady muttered with a mix of admiration and frustration.
"To think all that media training and experience could be wielded so effectively… What a headache!"
Her tone was somewhere between begrudging respect and genuine annoyance. It was clear that, in this moment, she felt completely outmatched.
"...Kagehito, let’s go."
Otoha-san gently wrapped my hand in both of hers, her fingers as pale and delicate as freshly fallen snow.
"Young Lady, is this alright?"
"Of course. I think it’s best if someone she knows is there to help her settle in," she replied with a bright smile, rising gracefully from her seat.
"Well then, shall we? We wouldn’t want to waste this precious after-school time, would we?"
With that, the Young Lady grabbed onto my arm, holding it snugly against her side.
…Wait, why does it feel like she’s pressing against me? The words from that moment during the “Life Game (provisional)” came rushing back to my mind.
"...I only need Kagehito to show me around," Otoha-san interjected firmly.
"Don’t worry about me," the Young Lady replied smoothly. "We can do what we did during the last break—spend time together, just the three of us."
"..."
"..."
"That wasn’t 'the three of us.' Kagehito and I were alone," Otoha-san corrected, her tone unyielding.
"Oh my. Did you forget the park? We were together there, the three of us. And let’s not forget the lively conversation we had on the ride home," the Young Lady countered with a sly smile.
"............................"
"............................"
For a brief moment—just a split second—I had the strangest vision of the two of them locked in a duel, swords clashing, sparks flying with every parry.
Weird. Maybe I’m just overworked. I need to get a grip—basic health management is important. Looks like I still have a lot to learn.
"‘The three of you’? ‘Like during the break’? So Tendou-san was there too?"
"Oh, that makes sense! It wasn’t just Yagiri and Habataki-san—Tendou-san was part of it too!"
"Of course! Yagiri works for Tendou-san, after all."
The class seemed to collectively reach an understanding of the relationship between the three of us.
The Young Lady had expertly diverted their attention from Otoha-san's more sensitive circumstances—her runaway incident and inability to sing. By inserting herself into the narrative, she ensured their focus shifted elsewhere. Truly, her social finesse was every bit as impressive as Otoha-san's polished responses.
"...Hey, Kagehito," Yukimichi muttered beside me, his tone tinged with disbelief.
"Yeah? What's up?"
"I mean, how do you stay so calm with that kind of pressure on both sides of you? If it were me, I’d already be diced into a thousand pieces like a poorly rolled steak. Honestly, I’m impressed, man."
"Where do you even come up with this stuff? Anyway, wanna come along for the tour? You're the go-to guy for info. It’d actually be a big help if you tagged along."
"Careful how you word that, Kagehito," Yukimichi quipped, a wry grin tugging at his lips as he shrugged his shoulders dramatically.
".................................."
".................................."
From nearby, two pairs of intense, unspoken gazes—one from the Young Lady and one from Otoha-san—landed squarely on Yukimichi.
The silent scrutiny was palpable. Whatever Yukimichi's next move might be, it seemed as though it had already been weighed, measured, and quietly judged.
"One wrong word can snuff out a life in this world, you know?"
"There you go again, being overly dramatic..."
Good grief. Yukimichi's bad habit strikes again.
Sometimes, he just can’t resist throwing out these over-the-top statements.
"…Well, shall we get going, Habataki-san?"
"…Sure. Let’s go together, Tendou-san."
The two of them seem to have warmed up to each other quite a bit.
Maybe, just maybe, they’re on their way to becoming good friends.
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
"Over there is the cafeteria. It might be a bit tricky to visit right now, but once things settle down, please give it a try. The food gets great reviews from the students."
"…I’ll keep it in mind. When the time comes, will you come with me, Kagehito?"
"Of course. A lunch outing with the three of us could be fun," Tendou interjected.
"…It doesn’t have to be all three of us."
"Oh? Then let’s invite Kazami and make it four," she added with a teasing smile.
As I continued guiding them around the school, the exchange between Young Lady and Otoha-san grew livelier with each passing moment. Strangely, in my mind’s eye, they almost seemed like two swordswomen crossing blades. But surely, that’s just my exhaustion playing tricks on me.
(It's rare to see the Young Lady having this much of a conversation with another girl at school. And Otoha-san… she’s talking much more than she did that day we first met.)
Both of them are smiling. It seems like they’re getting along better than I thought. Who knows, with the right push, they might even become close friends.
"This is the courtyard. As you can see, it’s spacious and lively during lunch breaks. Some students relax on the grass, while others enjoy games. The beautiful flowers blooming over there are thanks to the hard work of the gardening club. …What do you think? Shall we sit on that bench and take a break while admiring the flowers?"
"…That sounds nice. There’s no point in staying tense the whole time."
"…I agree. It might be good to catch our breath here."
With perfect timing, our tour brought us to the courtyard. I guided the two of them to a bench surrounded by vibrant flowers.
...I wasn’t expecting them to sit shoulder-to-shoulder, but still, seeing them both seated at opposite ends of the bench feels... distant.
At a glance, it doesn’t seem like they’re on particularly good terms. Or... wait. Could it be that the two of them are—
(—just shy?)
That makes sense. With me, a third party, here, both the Young Lady and Otoha-san might feel too self-conscious to act warmly toward one another. If that’s the case, maybe they really do get along better than it seems.
(Alright then.)
I’ve always been aware that the Young Lady doesn’t have many friends here at school.
If it’s Otoha-san, maybe she could be the kind of companion the Young Lady needs—someone she can truly connect with.
It might be presumptuous of me, but perhaps I could give them a little push.
"Young Lady, Otoha-san. You must be thirsty, right? Let me go grab us something to drink. Please, stay here and rest."
Not giving them a chance to respond, I promptly left the bench and started walking away.
I am genuinely going to get drinks, of course. Just not from the school’s cafeteria or vending machines. Instead, I plan to stop by the coffee shop near the school.
(Hopefully, during this time, they’ll find a way to open up to each other a bit more.)
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
...I couldn’t even call out to stop him before he left.
Honestly, what is Kagehito thinking?
"…………"
Habataki-san also seems a little bewildered at suddenly being left alone with me. Not that I can blame her—truth be told, I’m feeling a bit unsettled myself.
Up until a moment ago, I had the momentum of keeping that sly little thief in check. But with Kagehito gone, that drive has fizzled out completely.
Still, sitting here in awkward silence feels even worse.
"…Hey."
"…What?"
"…Can you sing again now?"
"…Yeah. Little by little, I’ve been able to sing again since that day. I’m taking it slow with lessons, rehabilitating as I go. While I’m at it, I figured I’d enjoy school life too. I think experiencing student life might expand my ability to express myself. Plus... I want to ease my dad’s worries."
"I see. That’s good, then."
"…Were you worried about me?"
"W-What? Of course not. I just... well, when it comes to your voice... as much as it annoys me, even I have to acknowledge how incredible it is. It would be such a waste if it were gone—that’s all."
"…Isn’t that the same as being worried?"
"I said it’s not!" (T/N: Tsun)
Ugh, this girl—could she be a little... naive?
Maybe it’s better to shift the conversation.
"Anyway. Why did you transfer to this school in the first place?"
"…I’ve always been curious about it. This is the school my mom attended. I didn’t know Kagehito was here, though—that was a happy coincidence."
"Your mother, huh… I’ve listened to a few of her songs before. They’re beautiful—resonating with people’s hearts and coloring them with emotion. Even someone like me has to admit that, without hesitation."
"…Of course. She is my mother, after all."
"I’ve been thinking this since that day we spent together—you can make expressions like this too, huh? You always seemed so much cooler on TV."
"…It’s because of Kagehito."
So that’s how it is. Honestly… Kagehito. The moment I take my eyes off you, this is the kind of thing you go and do. I know this all too well, being someone he saved myself. It makes it even easier to understand how she feels.
"…I want to stay with him. Be by his side. I don’t want to give him to anyone. This is the first time I’ve felt this way. Kagehito is my first."
"…I see."
A breeze flows through the courtyard, gently brushing against our cheeks.
"Yes. I can understand that feeling too."
Because both of us were saved by the same person… and both of us ended up falling for him.
"…Young Lady of the Tendou Group. I’ve only seen you briefly at a party before, but… you’re quite different from what I expected."
"Different how? Surprised to find I’m cuter than you imagined?"
"…I found you more interesting and… entertaining than I expected."
"Is that supposed to be a compliment?"
"…It’s meant to be."
I’m not sure whether I should feel happy about that or not.
"…You’re beautiful, charming, smart, athletic, and Kagehito’s master. A formidable rival."
"…Well? You’re gorgeous yourself. Like some fairy who stepped right out of a storybook. And as much as it frustrates me, even I have to acknowledge your singing talent. Compared to the other would-be rivals, you’re quite the formidable opponent."
Having such a bold conversation with another girl wasn’t something I’d experienced much of before in this academy.
It’s a strange feeling.
"…But I won’t lose."
"That’s my line."
No matter how tough the competition might be, I have no intention of letting Kagehito go.
"Young Lady, Otoha-san."
At last, Kagehito returned, carrying a paper bag from a coffee shop. Judging by his timing and the expression on his face, he’d clearly stepped away on purpose.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. …My apologies for the delay—I was stopped by someone I know on the way back."
"It’s fine. We were having a good time here ourselves."
"…Yeah. It was a meaningful conversation."
"That’s good to hear."
I accepted the coffee he handed me. The logo on the cup was from one of the shops under the Tendou Group’s umbrella. Of course, Kagehito would know my preferences perfectly. This particular espresso had my touch in its development—I’d offered advice during its creation, resulting in tweaks that boosted sales after its launch…
"Wait just a moment."
"Young Lady?"
My instincts were screaming at me. Something about what Kagehito just said didn’t sit right.
"Kagehito, you mentioned earlier that you were called over by someone you know, didn’t you?"
"Yes. Is there an issue with that?"
"Who was it, and what did they want?"
"It was a member of the girls' basketball team from Class C. She said she had an urgent favor to ask of me."
"Oh, really? An urgent favor, you say..."
If I remember correctly, there’s only one girl from Class C on the basketball team. She’s supposed to be a rising star who even made it to nationals during middle school. A prodigy who’s been featured in magazines as a player to watch.
"And what’s your connection to her?"
"She had some concerns about basketball at one point, and I happened to run into her. I just lent an ear and helped her with practice a bit."
Ah, I see. Now it makes sense. Back in middle school, there was a time when Kagehito seemed oddly engrossed in books about basketball and training. He even started crafting these meticulously balanced bento lunches early in the morning. I remember wondering why he suddenly cared so much about basketball… Well, mystery solved.
"…And what’s this favor about?"
It seems Habataki-san caught on as well.
"She said if her team wins the upcoming sports tournament, she wants me to join the girls' basketball team as a coach or, ideally, become her exclusive training partner."
"…"
"…"
The silence between me and Habataki-san was almost deafening.
"I see, I see. A personal practice partner, huh…?"
"Ah, I get it. So that’s how it is. This is one of those situations where it starts as a practice partner and eventually turns into a life partner or something like that."
"Kagehito, I’ll be heading home from here today. Could you grab my bag from the classroom? Oh, and get Habataki-san’s too while you’re at it."
"Understood. Please wait here for a moment."
"Of course. I’m counting on you."
With that, Kagehito dashed off again. He’d probably be back even quicker than before, but even a few moments were enough for what I had in mind.
"Hey, Habataki-san, do you know what the next sport for the girls’ division at the ballgame tournament is?"
"…Basketball."
"Correct. By the way, do you have any experience playing basketball?"
"…I’ve never played before. But I’m decent at physical activities."
"I haven’t played much either, but I’d say I have a good sense for it."
"…In that case, we’ll both need practice."
"Exactly. First, we’ll need access to proper equipment and a coach to guide us."
"…If we want to be ready in time for the tournament, we’ll need some intense training. I’m not sure a young lady like you could handle it."
"Watch your words. I’m more worried about the glamorous songstress here—you might collapse halfway through."
"…Now that is nonsense. Rigorous training is part of my everyday life."
We locked eyes, gazes unwavering. …The intent was clear. Our resolve, mutual.
"I’ll take care of arranging the training equipment and finding a coach."
"…I’ll clear all my after-school plans."
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
The ballgame tournament at Tenjoin Academy was a major event for the students, not least because it offered prizes.
This hadn’t always been the case. At some point, reforms were introduced by the student council and the Harmony Committee—a group established to bridge the gap between internal and external students. These changes led to the current prize system, significantly raising the stakes and enthusiasm for the tournament.
As a result, the classroom buzzed with high spirits as students waited. Athletes, in particular, were noticeably eager. Those who belonged to clubs relevant to the tournament events carried the weight of their peers’ expectations.
"That said… even if we’re on the basketball team, we don’t even make it to the bench," one girl lamented.
"And C-Class has Oda-san, you know…"
Oda Honami. A freshman and already a starting player on the girls’ basketball team—or rather, a rising star in the world of girls’ basketball. She had faced struggles during middle school, but having overcome those challenges, she went on to play in the national tournament, proving her exceptional talent.
"C-Class only has Oda-san on the basketball team, but even so…"
"Yeah, doesn’t matter how many people like us are on the team; it won’t make a difference…"
These two—Aikawa and Ueno—were internal students who had advanced from the same middle school as Oda-san. They clearly understood her skill level all too well.
"That’s not true," I interjected. "Aikawa-san has an excellent sense of spatial awareness and is skilled at making quick decisions in unexpected situations. Your passing speed and timing are remarkable. Ueno-san, you have the stamina to keep running from the start of a match to the very end, and your shooting accuracy is quite impressive. Above all, both of you have a solid foundation. Your ability to stick with the basics through persistent practice is a testament to your dedication."
"Don’t you remember? Back in middle school, when Oda-san invited me to watch the girls’ basketball team practice for a bit?"
"Yeah, I remember. But I thought you were only watching Oda-san."
"That’s not true. I remember the efforts of everyone on the team. Aikawa-san, Ueno-san, and all the other members—you were all working so hard for the national tournament. Your dedication and determination shone just as brightly as Oda-san’s."
Perhaps it was because I had witnessed the Young Lady strive relentlessly since she was young, never letting her talents make her arrogant. To me, those who work hard always appear radiant. Supporting such people has become second nature.
"Oh, right. If you’d like, please use this with everyone."
"What’s this… a cooler bag? What’s inside?"
"It’s filled with things for energy replenishment—rice balls, jelly packs, and such. I’ve also included drinks. Please share them with the Young Lady and the others."
"You went out of your way to prepare this for us?"
"Wait… is all of this handmade? It must’ve taken you an early morning to prepare everything…"
"This is the least I can do."
In truth, I wanted to participate in the matches myself and support the Young Lady directly. But since I couldn’t join the girls’ games, offering this small help was all I could manage—and it frustrated me to no end.
"…Thank you, Yakiri-kun."
"Right… we can’t give up before the match even starts. Okay, we’ll do our best, too!"
"Yes, please do. I’ll be cheering for you from the sidelines."
Supporting them from the shadows—this was the best I could do as someone who served the Young Lady.
"—That’s far enough, Kagehito."
"…Raise your hands and don’t move."
The Young Lady and Otoha-san had entered the classroom. Both had already changed in the locker room and were now dressed in the Tenjoin Academy athletic uniforms. Likely for ease of movement, their hair was tied back into ponytails.
"Why am I being told to hold up my hands…?"
"“Just stay still. Please.”"
I complied as instructed, but I had no idea why I was being ordered to hold my hands up.
The Young Lady and Otoha-san glanced briefly at Aikawa-san and Ueno-san before exchanging deeply pained expressions.
"No way… in just the brief moment we were changing…!?"
"…Their efficiency is… almost frightening…"
I didn’t fully grasp what was happening, but one thing was certain—the two had already bonded on a peculiar wavelength.
We had practiced together almost every day leading up to today's tournament.
"Kagehito. You should head over to the boys’ side now."
"But there’s still some time to spare…"
"…You shouldn’t keep them waiting."
With that, the two gently but firmly pushed me along, practically shooing me out in the direction of Yukimichi and the others.
"Ah, um, Young Lady! Everyone! Good luck out there!"
I called out as I was ushered away, but they were already focused, their determination shining through as they prepared for the matches ahead.
With a slight smile, I puffed out my chest and declared:
"Above all else, we have a reason to win!"
A moment of bewilderment crossed Aikawa-san and Ueno-san’s faces before they chuckled.
"Haha, that's some confidence. Well, I kinda get what you're saying, though."
"A reason, huh... Yeah, you're right. We've come this far, so losing would suck. Let’s give it our all!"
Their response made both me and Habataki-san nod lightly.
"Exactly. That’s the spirit. Let’s throw away those timid attitudes and give it everything we’ve got."
"…Agreed. We can win."
Habataki-san’s quiet yet resolute words only amplified the energy in the air.
Looking at Aikawa-san and Ueno-san, their hesitation and doubt were gone. Both of them now had the determined expressions of athletes ready to face their challenge.
"Alright, let’s do a bit more warming up. It’s important to be completely prepared before the match!"
"Agreed! If we’re doing this, we’re going all out!"
And so, we focused on the final preparations before the match. The determination was palpable, and our team’s unity had solidified.
Now, all that was left was to give it our all on the court.
"The two of us, Habataki-san and I, underwent grueling training that made our blood, sweat, and tears flow for this sports tournament," I declared with full confidence.
"'Grueling training...?'"
The two of them looked at me blankly in response to my statement.
...That's strange. This is the part where they're supposed to be impressed and applaud. Could it be that they misunderstood and think we did some half-hearted practice?
"That's right. It wasn't some half-baked practice. We rented out a whole facility and even hired a former professional coach to thoroughly train us."
"Whoa, that's amazing. As expected from the daughter of the Tendou Group..."
"Really? Is that true, Habataki-san...?"
"Mm-hmm. Totally true. I worked hard because I really wanted to win."
With her cool expression unchanged, Habataki-san gave a small nod and made a peace sign.
Watching us, Aikawa-san and Ueno-san exchanged glances and then—
"Pfft... heheh..."
"Hahaha!"
For some reason, they burst out laughing.
"Ah, sorry, sorry! We're not making fun of you or anything."
"It's just... it's so intense for a casual sports tournament that it caught me off guard... haha!"
Apparently, they weren't ridiculing us.
Still, I didn't expect to be laughed at. Being serious about a sports tournament is only natural. Especially since we're determined to stop that sneaky cat burglar no matter what.
"Still, 'grueling training that made your blood, sweat, and tears flow'...?"
"Tendou-san, you're way more entertaining than I thought."
"Wha—!? E-entertaining?"
They said it again. Entertaining? That makes it sound like I'm some sort of comedian or something!
"...Yes. Tendou-san is entertaining. And delightful."
"Ahaha! Habataki-san, you're also more entertaining than I expected."
"By the way, if you were doing such intense training, you could’ve just invited us to join."
I had considered that possibility. But...
"You two have basketball club practice after school, don’t you?"
"...I couldn’t possibly ask you to cut into your club activities just for the sports tournament."
When I said that, Aikawa-san and Ueno-san widened their eyes in surprise.
"Tendou-san... you're surprisingly considerate, huh?"
"Yeah, yeah. You’re more relatable than I thought."
They seemed to be searching for the right words, slowly piecing together their thoughts.
"How should I put it... It’s not like you were scary or anything, but..."
"You felt like... a flower on a high peak, you know? Like you were out of our league, so it was hard to approach you. But if you’re this entertaining, maybe we should’ve talked to you sooner."
...So that's what they thought of me. Not that I particularly care.
"Well, well, intense training, huh? As members of the basketball club, we can’t let you outshine us."
"Yeah, I’m feeling pumped now! Let’s aim for victory together!"
In any case, their morale being boosted is a good thing.
“We’re not aiming for it—we will win. Don’t get it twisted.”
“...No other option.”
When Habataki-san and I declared this decisively, Aikawa-san and Ueno-san both nodded in agreement.
“You’re right! No room for hesitation, huh?”
“Let’s win this! Just the four of us!”
By now, the first match of the girls’ tournament was likely coming to a close.
I had wanted to cheer for the young lady, but she had preemptively shut me down with, “I don’t need your support. Just look forward to hearing the results.” Reluctantly, I had to respect her wishes.
Knowing her, she must have already secured a victory in her first match. With all the practice sessions she devoted herself to after school, and considering the disparity in skill levels, there was virtually no chance of her losing.
“Yo, Kagehito! Found you. I was looking for you,” Yukimichi called out as he walked into the courtyard.
“Yukimichi. Is your match coming up soon?”
“Yep. Just wanted to check in on you. You’re usually punctual, but it’d be a disaster if you showed up late. It’s about keeping morale high, you know?”
“You seem particularly fired up about this tournament. Any reason why?”
“Heh, of course I am! For a high school guy, it’s not just about hitting the books; you’ve got to pour your heart into sports, work up a righteous sweat, and live a pure, healthy youth full of--”
“And your real reason?”
“…To win that exclusive Wonder Festival Land pass and become a chick magnet.”
“Honest. I like that.”
The prizes for the tournament varied by grade level. For first-years, the reward was an exclusive invitation to Wonder Festival Land, the hugely popular theme park everyone was buzzing about. The tickets were fetching exorbitant prices online, making them incredibly hard to get.
By the way, Wonder Festival Land is operated by a subsidiary under the Tendou Group. Some of the attractions were redesigned based on the young mistress's advice, leading to a substantial increase in both revenue and reputation.
“You know, leaving you aside, it’s impressive how hyped up the guys in our class get over a theme park ticket.”
“A Wonder Festival Land exclusive pass isn’t just a ticket, man. It’s a literal magic key that gets you attention from girls all over. Of course everyone’s fired up about it! And listen, Kagehito, it’s fine to say that to me, but don’t you dare bring it up in front of the other guys.”
“I wasn’t planning on it, but… why not?”
“Because if you value your life, you’ll keep your mouth shut.”
Fair enough—I do value my life. If I were to die, I wouldn’t be able to serve the young lady anymore.
“Man, did you see the first-year girls’ basketball match earlier? That was insane,” someone nearby said.
“Yeah. Honestly, it blew me away,” another student chimed in.
Overhearing this conversation between some male students, I couldn’t help but listen closer.
“They totally crushed Class D.”
“With that performance, they might even take down the favorites—Class C.”
As expected of the young lady. It seems her match went off without a hitch, resulting in a flawless victory.
“Hey, hey, you guys. Why’re you watching basketball so seriously? That’s not where you should be focusing,” another voice butted in.
The conversation about the young lady's impressive basketball match was suddenly disrupted by the arrival of a burly male student. His smug grin and mocking expression immediately shifted the tone of the discussion.
"And what are you looking at?" one of the students asked, frowning at the new arrival.
"Isn't it obvious?" he replied, his grin widening. "Tendou's... uh, that body of hers." (T/N: Disgusting)
"Having separate groups for boys and girls is such a drag, isn’t it? I mean, why not just invite them to play basketball after school? Then maybe, in the chaos, I could, you know, accidentally touch those huge boobs or something."
“Whoa. That’s the worst thing I’ve heard from you yet.”
“Don’t act all righteous. If you’re interested, you guys can join too. Who knows, maybe you’ll get lucky and cop a feel.”
“No way that’s happening. You’re such an idiot.”
The crude laughter of the burly male student gradually faded into the distance.
Until his voice disappeared completely, Kazami Yukimichi—I—couldn’t bring myself to look Kagehito at all.
Kagehito, standing frozen, didn’t budge an inch, as though his body had turned to stone. If he didn’t restrain himself, he might’ve unleashed a killing intent, and both he and I knew it.
Kagehito has always strived to be the kind of person worthy of serving his master, Tendou Hoshine. He’s constantly conscious of his role and doesn’t want to tarnish Hoshine’s name. A castaway like him couldn’t afford to become a stain on her honor. He mustn’t burden her with unnecessary troubles. That’s why he always aims to be a "good and noble person worthy of his master."
...Well, it’s precisely because of that sense of duty that he unintentionally sets up all sorts of flags everywhere, which must be complicated for Tendou herself to deal with.
Anyway, that’s probably why he’s keeping a low profile now—to avoid creating more trouble for his master. ...Though, to be honest, the sheer intensity of his anger is practically radiating off him.
“...Yukimichi. That guy just now, he’s from Class 1-E, isn’t he?”
“Y-yeah… he is. Wait, how’d you know that?”
"Since it’s the school where the young lady attends, I’ve memorized the faces, names, and assigned classes of all the students… So, our opponents will be…”
“…The next match.”
“Exactly. That’s perfect timing.”
Kagehito’s face wore a cheerful smile on the surface, but the dark, ominous aura radiating from him was crystal clear to me. It was so terrifying that I found myself grateful he wasn’t my enemy.
"As high school boys, it’s not just about academics. We need to dedicate ourselves to sports, sweat honestly, and enjoy a healthy youth. Let’s make sure no pests can even think about indulging in such nonsense."
To be honest, I’d thought the upcoming match against Class 1-E would be our biggest challenge.
After all, their soccer team—featuring that burly guy who had just gone beyond merely stepping on Kagehito’s tail and outright stomped on it—was made up of some of the top players in our year. …But now, I didn’t feel the need to worry about the match anymore.
Kagehito’s determination had already surpassed that of anyone else on our team. In fact, it might be better to feel sorry for the opponents instead.
After all, this was just a school sports tournament. Just a simple soccer match.
As long as the match stayed within the bounds of the rules, there wouldn’t be any issues.
For instance, even if the pride of those soccer players was shattered to the point they lost the will to do anything after school, it would still technically be within the rules.
"Well then… I guess we’re on the same page."
I clasped my hands together in my mind, silently offering a prayer for that burly soccer player I barely even knew.
By the way, our Class 1-A achieved an unprecedented landslide victory, securing the special invitation tickets to Wonder Festival Land as the championship prize.
---As a result.
It seems that in the girls’ division of the first-year sports tournament at Tenjoin Academy, the young lady’s Class 1-A claimed victory.
“…It was an intense battle.”
Otoha-san, speaking in the school courtyard, seemed to be reminiscing about the match. She nodded solemnly, clearly reflecting on the events.
“…As expected of the rising star of the high school girls' basketball world. If it hadn’t been for the teamwork and Hoshine’s contributions, we would’ve lost.”
“That’s true. Oda-san’s skills are remarkable, but for you and the young lady to defeat a team that included someone of her caliber—even with teamwork—it’s proof of your abilities, Otoha-san.”
While individual skill is important, basketball is ultimately a team sport.
Moreover, this was a sports tournament, and most of the teammates were amateurs. The number of players was also unorthodox compared to regular matches. Despite the unusual conditions, the young lady and Otoha-san’s tactical brilliance shone through.
“…Of course… There’s no way I would lose… with Otoha and everyone else on my team…”
Sitting on the bench beside Otoha-san, the young lady spoke confidently. However, she was clearly on the verge of dozing off, her eyelids threatening to close at any moment.
“…I won’t… lose… to some… sneaky thief…”
“She’s completely exhausted.”
The young lady leaned against Otoha-san’s shoulder, practically asleep already—no, she’s definitely asleep now.
“She trained extensively in preparation for today’s tournament. Now that the tension has lifted, the fatigue must have hit her all at once,” Otoha-san remarked, looking at her with a gentle expression.
"…Kagehito, you look happy. Why is that?"
“I’m delighted by the young lady and Otoha-san’s victory, of course—but what makes me happiest is how much closer the two of you have become.”
By coincidence, the bench where the young lady and Otoha-san now sat was the same one they had used on her first day after transferring.
Back then, they had been sitting at opposite ends of the bench. But now, their shoulders touched as they leaned on each other.
The sight of the young lady and Otoha-san like this seemed to reflect how their relationship had evolved. It made me feel genuinely happy and warmed my heart.
“…Really?”
“Yes. Before I realized it, the two of you began calling each other by your first names.”
“…That was… just in the flow of the match.”
They’re both stubborn and not the most straightforward people, after all.
I bet they’d acknowledged each other’s skills long ago—probably back during those after-school practice sessions. But neither could admit it, and so they couldn’t bring themselves to use each other’s first names.
Then, caught up in the intensity of the match, they must’ve naturally started calling each other that way without even realizing it.
“You’ve already become good friends, haven’t you?”
“…Maybe so.”
Otoha-san looked down at the young lady, who was peacefully asleep on her shoulder, and smiled softly.
To me, it was clear—she looked truly happy, almost overjoyed.
“Hoshine is my friend… Yes. My friend.”
The fact that the young lady was her friend seemed to settle naturally in Otoha-san's heart.
“…But, she’s not just a friend.”
“And by that, you mean?”
“…She’s my rival.”
A rival, huh? That made sense. I’d always felt the subtle tension between them, as though they were constantly competing. Even during practice, they’d driven each other forward, improving rapidly together.
“…Which is why, as a rival, I can’t let this slide.”
After glancing briefly at the young lady sleeping on her shoulder, Otoha-san turned to face me fully.
“…Kagehito. I want a reward.”
“A reward… for winning the sports tournament?”
“…Yes. I worked hard.”
“Indeed, you did. You gave it your all,” I replied with a nod.
…Wait, huh?
“Uh… Are you saying I should give you a reward?”
When I asked for clarification, Otoha-san nodded firmly.
“The prize for winning as first-years is the ‘Wonder Festival Land Special Invitation Ticket’... Let’s use it for a date.”
Since I won in soccer and Otoha-san and the young lady won in basketball, we each had one of these special invitation tickets. Letting them go to waste would be a shame. Besides—
“Ah, that matter. Don’t worry; the young lady has already mentioned it to me.”
"………………………………What do you mean???"
“You know, the plan to use the prize tickets to go to Wonder Festival Land? With me, Otoha-san, and the young lady—just the three of us.”
“The three of us…?”
That’s strange. Otoha-san is reacting as if this is the first she’s heard of it.
“The young lady 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, just the three of us.’ She also added, ‘I’m sure Habataki-san will formally ask you about it later.’ So naturally, I thought that’s what this was about.”
Come to think of it, last night she still referred to her as “Habataki-san.” I’d noticed earlier when she called her “Otoha” instead—it had caught me off guard for a moment.
“……………………No way… Did she predict my actions in advance…?!”
Otoha-san stared at the sleeping young lady on her shoulder with a look of astonishment.
"…As expected of a rival… Truly formidable…!"
"? Yes, that's right. I think the young lady is amazing."
I’m not quite sure what kind of rivalry she’s talking about, but since she said "as expected," it seems she’s complimenting the young lady.
"Well then. Let’s head home soon before it gets too late."
I can’t bring myself to wake the young lady sleeping on the bench.
Carefully, as though handling a precious treasure, I gently cradle the young lady in my arms.
For some reason, Otoha-san looks at me with envy as she watches this.
"…It can’t be helped. I’ll let you have this one for today."
Saying that, Otoha-san also rises from the bench.
"…But. I might want a different kind of reward at some point. Of course, from you."
"Ahaha. If it’s something I can do, I’ll do anything for you."
"…Alright. I’ll think about it."
"Young Lady. Please wake up, Young Lady."
Even after we arrived at the estate, the Young Lady remained asleep. She lay peacefully on her bed, her eyelids closed as she breathed softly in her sleep.
Sleeping too much during the day would make it hard for her to sleep at night. Ideally, I’d like her to wake up now... but since she, like me, had already taken a shower at the academy, I also felt like letting her rest a little longer.
"It's almost time for dinner. Please wake up."
"Mmnn—... no…"
It seemed like she woke up, but… this was still—no, very much a half-asleep state.
Waking the Young Lady in the mornings is always a challenge. Normally, the maids handle it, but occasionally I get called in to do it myself.
"Kagehito, sleep with me…"
"I can't do that. Come on, you need to get up."
"Nooo…"
Perhaps because she had so few opportunities to be doted on by her parents, both in her childhood and even now, the Young Lady becomes incredibly childlike when she's half-asleep. In this state, she rarely listens to what anyone says. I've heard the maids often struggle with this, too.
One of the maids once taught me a trick.
If you outright reject her whims, it backfires. The key is to first indulge her a little to ease her into cooperating.
"Alright, fine. Just for a little while, I'll lie down with you."
I let out a wry smile as I joined her on the bed.
"Mmm—...?"
The moment the Young Lady saw my face as I joined her in bed, her expression softened into a relaxed, gentle smile.
"Kagehito... Hehe~♪"
Oh, she’s in a good mood now. Maybe in a little while, she’ll start listening to me.
"Hug—♪"
Still in high spirits, the Young Lady suddenly clung to me.
It was like how one would hold onto a doll or a body pillow—completely without hesitation.
"Wait… Young Lady?"
"♪"
She didn’t seem to hear me at all. But one thing I could sense was the look of pure happiness on her face. At least, I assumed as much since I couldn’t actually see her face.
Why? Because my head was currently pressed against her well-developed and soft chest, making it hard to even breathe, let alone think straight.
"Kagehito…"
…This is bad. Her voice was becoming sleepier by the second. She’s clearly planning to fall asleep again.
But there’s no way I can forcibly pry her off of me, either.
"Reward… Mmm…"
"……"
A reward, huh…
She’s right. Not just for winning the sports tournament, but today was also a significant day—the day the Young Lady made a new friend.
In the end, the only kind of reward I can offer her is to indulge her whims a little.
"Gasp!"
Managing to escape from the soft, springy twin hills and securing my breathing once more, I gently ran my hand through her silky, beautifully smooth hair.
"…Just for today, alright?"
After taking a brief glance at her adorable sleeping face, I resigned myself to becoming her hug pillow once more.
She’ll probably wake up in the middle of the night, but... well, I’ll deal with that when the time comes.
"Mm...?"
My hazy consciousness gradually began to awaken.
It was dark. Warm, comfortable... and this sensation… I was on a bed.
"Mm—..."
I realized I must have fallen asleep at some point without noticing.
Judging by the time, it was probably still night. The outside wasn’t bright—it was dark. If it were morning, the maids would have already come to wake me up.
Should I get up? But if I did now, I’d probably end up wide awake and unable to fall asleep again. Besides, for some reason, I felt an unusual resistance to the very idea of "getting up" today.
It was strange. I’d never felt so strongly about not wanting to leave my bed before.
I’ve always been bad at waking up, but… this comforting warmth—this sense of security—I didn’t want to let it go.
That’s right. I didn’t want to let it go... But let what go?
My pillow? No, that couldn’t be it. My pillow wasn’t this warm, and the size didn’t match.
A body pillow? No, that wasn’t it either. I didn’t even own one.
A stuffed animal? No, definitely not. It was far too large, and I could swear I could hear something like breathing.
Cautiously, I opened my eyes.
"……Kagehito?"
What I had been hugging, without realizing it, was unmistakably… him. The one and only Kagehito.
(What? What? Why? How?)
I couldn’t comprehend it. It was too much to process, and my mind spiraled into confusion.
No. Calm down. At times like this, the first thing to do is to calm down, Tendou Hoshine.
Calm down, stay composed, and organize the facts of what’s happening in front of you.
Fact 1: I somehow fell asleep.
Fact 2: When I woke up, I was hugging Kagehito while sleeping.
The conclusion I can draw from this is… nothing! No conclusions, none at all!
(Ugh, seriously! How am I supposed to stay calm in a situation like this!?)
If this were about suggesting improvements for a theme park attraction or a new menu item at a nationwide coffee chain, I could come up with countless ideas.
If it were about achieving high rankings in a national mock exam or excelling in sports, I could handle that, too.
But understanding this situation? That’s harder than anything. Actually, no—it’s downright impossible.
…Still, why is Kagehito letting me hug him so quietly like this?
Could it be that he doesn’t mind? But what if he does? What if he’s uncomfortable? The thought scares me, but… I need to look at Kagehito’s face. If he seems upset, I’ll have to apologize.
"Soo… soo…"
Wait. What is this adorable creature?
…Now that I think about it, I’ve hardly ever seen Kagehito’s sleeping face. After all, he doesn’t sleep until I’ve fallen asleep first.
"So this is the face you make when you’re sleeping…"
Cute. Kagehito has such a handsome face, but when he’s asleep, he looks a little more innocent—almost childlike.
"Hehe…"
I tried gently patting his head. His hair was so smooth and soft, it felt amazing to touch. Maybe I’ll ask if I can do this more often from now on.
"…………"
But wait. Is it really okay to be satisfied with just patting his head?
Am I focusing too much on something small (well, it’s not small at all, but let’s call it that for now) and possibly letting something bigger slip away?
Calm down. Tendou Hoshine, calm down.
Breathe, stay composed, and organize the facts of the situation.
Fact 1: It’s nighttime.
Fact 2: Kagehito is here.
Fact 3: We’re on the bed.
"………………………………I see."
I won’t specify how or why, but… perhaps, purely by chance, through some unavoidable force, and entirely by accident (note: it’s not an accident from my perspective), something could happen here.
"……!"
My heart thudded loudly in my chest. It was pounding, filling the room with its rhythm.
I instinctively began to lean closer, but then—suddenly—I realized something.
(We just had the sports tournament today, and we both exercised so much…)
I did take a shower at the academy, just in case. Even so, it still bothers me. Just to be safe. Yes, just to be safe. It’s not like I was getting carried away by anything. Definitely not.
"Alright."
I shook off the irresistible comfort all at once and decided to get up first.
The fogginess from earlier was gone as if it had been a lie, and my head was now clear.
I’ll take a bath. I mustn’t waste any time, so I’ll have a light meal prepared while I’m at it.
If my stomach were to growl at a critical moment, it could ruin the mood or something like that.
No time to waste (because this is undeniably the right thing to do, no matter what anyone says). Surely he will wake up, too. Before that happens...!
I hurried as much as I could, washed myself more thoroughly than I ever had in my life, had a light meal, brushed my teeth, and slipped into the special negligee I had bought just for such an occasion... Then, I returned to the battleground.
All that was left was to climb back into bed as if nothing had happened. I even had my lines ready.
“Oh, wow, what a surprise. I had no idea you were here, not even a little bit.”
What a perfect performance... Maybe I have a hidden talent for acting.
"...Alright. It’s fine. I’ll be fine," I reassured myself.
Though embarrassment was starting to creep in, my courage outweighed it.
...Because at this point, I already like him so much.
All that’s left is to open this door and crawl into bed. That’s it. Nothing more. It’s just getting into my bed—no big deal.
"I’m going in... Alright. I’m going in now...! I’ll count to three and then go in...! Th-ree, tw-o..."
"Young Lady, are you preparing to retire for the night?"
"Yes. Well, not so much retiring as just getting back into bed. It’s a battle."
"...? I see. You seem quite tired today, so please rest well."
"Yes. Good night, Kagehito."
Alright, let’s reset.
This time for sure, I’ll count to three and go in...! Th-ree, tw-o...
O-one... Zer—o...
...………………………………………………
"…Kagehito?"
"Is something the matter, Young Lady?"
"…You’re awake?"
"Yes. Actually, I must have dozed off at some point myself... Sorry, I didn’t mean to."
"I see... No, I mean, it’s perfectly fine if you fall asleep, but..."
Looking closer, I noticed Kagehito had already changed out of his uniform into a shirt, and his hair seemed just the slightest bit damp.
"...Are you about to go to bed too, Kagehito?"
"Ah, yes. I’ve already taken a bath and finished preparing to sleep."
So, while I was still up, Kagehito had gone ahead and done the same thing.
…What an outrage! All because I hesitated at that moment...! Ah, no. That’s a lie. There’s no way I’d hesitate! It just turned out that way by chance!
"Well then, good night, Young Lady."
Kagehito bowed his head politely.
...It seemed the moment had slipped away again. Ah... In the end, this time too...
"Ah, yeah... Good night..."
I started to turn and head back to my room, as I always did—
"…Wait."
I had grabbed the hem of Kagehito’s shirt.
"Young Lady?"
"…Today, I worked really hard."
"Yes, you did. Although it’s unfortunate that you couldn’t meet directly, I think you truly gave it your all."
"That’s why... I want a reward."
I was fully aware of how strange my request sounded. But if I backed down now, like I always did, I felt I’d never move forward.
"You’re tired, and I’m tired too... So, yes. Sleep with me. I feel like it’ll help us both recover... Just stay by my side while I sleep, and that’s enough... Is that too much to ask?"
It was such a childish request, so embarrassing, but I couldn’t afford to worry about appearances anymore.
"…Heh."
"…Kagehito?"
For some reason, Kagehito was smiling.
"Ah, my apologies. Young Lady, you said the exact same thing while you were asleep earlier."
"W-What!?"
The idea that I’d unconsciously been asking for a reward... What even is that? It’s kind of... embarrassing.
"If you don’t mind, I’ll be your supportive body pillow to help you sleep peacefully."
"O-Okay... Yes. Please do."
Gathering my courage, I stretched out both arms, like a child asking to be picked up.
"…Carry me. To the bed."
"As you wish, Young Lady."
With that, Kagehito smoothly lifted me into his arms.
"After all, this is your reward."
"Kagehito. You should head over to the boys’ side now."
"But there’s still some time to spare…"
"…You shouldn’t keep them waiting."
With that, the two gently but firmly pushed me along, practically shooing me out in the direction of Yukimichi and the others.
"Ah, um, Young Lady! Everyone! Good luck out there!"
I called out as I was ushered away, but they were already focused, their determination shining through as they prepared for the matches ahead.
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
With a slight smile, I puffed out my chest and declared:
"Above all else, we have a reason to win!"
A moment of bewilderment crossed Aikawa-san and Ueno-san’s faces before they chuckled.
"Haha, that's some confidence. Well, I kinda get what you're saying, though."
"A reason, huh... Yeah, you're right. We've come this far, so losing would suck. Let’s give it our all!"
Their response made both me and Habataki-san nod lightly.
"Exactly. That’s the spirit. Let’s throw away those timid attitudes and give it everything we’ve got."
"…Agreed. We can win."
Habataki-san’s quiet yet resolute words only amplified the energy in the air.
Looking at Aikawa-san and Ueno-san, their hesitation and doubt were gone. Both of them now had the determined expressions of athletes ready to face their challenge.
"Alright, let’s do a bit more warming up. It’s important to be completely prepared before the match!"
"Agreed! If we’re doing this, we’re going all out!"
And so, we focused on the final preparations before the match. The determination was palpable, and our team’s unity had solidified.
Now, all that was left was to give it our all on the court.
"The two of us, Habataki-san and I, underwent grueling training that made our blood, sweat, and tears flow for this sports tournament," I declared with full confidence.
"'Grueling training...?'"
The two of them looked at me blankly in response to my statement.
...That's strange. This is the part where they're supposed to be impressed and applaud. Could it be that they misunderstood and think we did some half-hearted practice?
"That's right. It wasn't some half-baked practice. We rented out a whole facility and even hired a former professional coach to thoroughly train us."
"Whoa, that's amazing. As expected from the daughter of the Tendou Group..."
"Really? Is that true, Habataki-san...?"
"Mm-hmm. Totally true. I worked hard because I really wanted to win."
With her cool expression unchanged, Habataki-san gave a small nod and made a peace sign.
Watching us, Aikawa-san and Ueno-san exchanged glances and then—
"Pfft... heheh..."
"Hahaha!"
For some reason, they burst out laughing.
"Ah, sorry, sorry! We're not making fun of you or anything."
"It's just... it's so intense for a casual sports tournament that it caught me off guard... haha!"
Apparently, they weren't ridiculing us.
Still, I didn't expect to be laughed at. Being serious about a sports tournament is only natural. Especially since we're determined to stop that sneaky cat burglar no matter what.
"Still, 'grueling training that made your blood, sweat, and tears flow'...?"
"Tendou-san, you're way more entertaining than I thought."
"Wha—!? E-entertaining?"
They said it again. Entertaining? That makes it sound like I'm some sort of comedian or something!
"...Yes. Tendou-san is entertaining. And delightful."
"Ahaha! Habataki-san, you're also more entertaining than I expected."
"By the way, if you were doing such intense training, you could’ve just invited us to join."
I had considered that possibility. But...
"You two have basketball club practice after school, don’t you?"
"...I couldn’t possibly ask you to cut into your club activities just for the sports tournament."
When I said that, Aikawa-san and Ueno-san widened their eyes in surprise.
"Tendou-san... you're surprisingly considerate, huh?"
"Yeah, yeah. You’re more relatable than I thought."
They seemed to be searching for the right words, slowly piecing together their thoughts.
"How should I put it... It’s not like you were scary or anything, but..."
"You felt like... a flower on a high peak, you know? Like you were out of our league, so it was hard to approach you. But if you’re this entertaining, maybe we should’ve talked to you sooner."
...So that's what they thought of me. Not that I particularly care.
"Well, well, intense training, huh? As members of the basketball club, we can’t let you outshine us."
"Yeah, I’m feeling pumped now! Let’s aim for victory together!"
In any case, their morale being boosted is a good thing.
“We’re not aiming for it—we will win. Don’t get it twisted.”
“...No other option.”
When Habataki-san and I declared this decisively, Aikawa-san and Ueno-san both nodded in agreement.
“You’re right! No room for hesitation, huh?”
“Let’s win this! Just the four of us!”
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
By now, the first match of the girls’ tournament was likely coming to a close.
I had wanted to cheer for the young lady, but she had preemptively shut me down with, “I don’t need your support. Just look forward to hearing the results.” Reluctantly, I had to respect her wishes.
Knowing her, she must have already secured a victory in her first match. With all the practice sessions she devoted herself to after school, and considering the disparity in skill levels, there was virtually no chance of her losing.
“Yo, Kagehito! Found you. I was looking for you,” Yukimichi called out as he walked into the courtyard.
“Yukimichi. Is your match coming up soon?”
“Yep. Just wanted to check in on you. You’re usually punctual, but it’d be a disaster if you showed up late. It’s about keeping morale high, you know?”
“You seem particularly fired up about this tournament. Any reason why?”
“Heh, of course I am! For a high school guy, it’s not just about hitting the books; you’ve got to pour your heart into sports, work up a righteous sweat, and live a pure, healthy youth full of--”
“And your real reason?”
“…To win that exclusive Wonder Festival Land pass and become a chick magnet.”
“Honest. I like that.”
The prizes for the tournament varied by grade level. For first-years, the reward was an exclusive invitation to Wonder Festival Land, the hugely popular theme park everyone was buzzing about. The tickets were fetching exorbitant prices online, making them incredibly hard to get.
By the way, Wonder Festival Land is operated by a subsidiary under the Tendou Group. Some of the attractions were redesigned based on the young mistress's advice, leading to a substantial increase in both revenue and reputation.
“You know, leaving you aside, it’s impressive how hyped up the guys in our class get over a theme park ticket.”
“A Wonder Festival Land exclusive pass isn’t just a ticket, man. It’s a literal magic key that gets you attention from girls all over. Of course everyone’s fired up about it! And listen, Kagehito, it’s fine to say that to me, but don’t you dare bring it up in front of the other guys.”
“I wasn’t planning on it, but… why not?”
“Because if you value your life, you’ll keep your mouth shut.”
Fair enough—I do value my life. If I were to die, I wouldn’t be able to serve the young lady anymore.
“Man, did you see the first-year girls’ basketball match earlier? That was insane,” someone nearby said.
“Yeah. Honestly, it blew me away,” another student chimed in.
Overhearing this conversation between some male students, I couldn’t help but listen closer.
“They totally crushed Class D.”
“With that performance, they might even take down the favorites—Class C.”
As expected of the young lady. It seems her match went off without a hitch, resulting in a flawless victory.
“Hey, hey, you guys. Why’re you watching basketball so seriously? That’s not where you should be focusing,” another voice butted in.
The conversation about the young lady's impressive basketball match was suddenly disrupted by the arrival of a burly male student. His smug grin and mocking expression immediately shifted the tone of the discussion.
"And what are you looking at?" one of the students asked, frowning at the new arrival.
"Isn't it obvious?" he replied, his grin widening. "Tendou's... uh, that body of hers." (T/N: Disgusting)
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
"Having separate groups for boys and girls is such a drag, isn’t it? I mean, why not just invite them to play basketball after school? Then maybe, in the chaos, I could, you know, accidentally touch those huge boobs or something."
“Whoa. That’s the worst thing I’ve heard from you yet.”
“Don’t act all righteous. If you’re interested, you guys can join too. Who knows, maybe you’ll get lucky and cop a feel.”
“No way that’s happening. You’re such an idiot.”
The crude laughter of the burly male student gradually faded into the distance.
Until his voice disappeared completely, Kazami Yukimichi—I—couldn’t bring myself to look Kagehito at all.
Kagehito, standing frozen, didn’t budge an inch, as though his body had turned to stone. If he didn’t restrain himself, he might’ve unleashed a killing intent, and both he and I knew it.
Kagehito has always strived to be the kind of person worthy of serving his master, Tendou Hoshine. He’s constantly conscious of his role and doesn’t want to tarnish Hoshine’s name. A castaway like him couldn’t afford to become a stain on her honor. He mustn’t burden her with unnecessary troubles. That’s why he always aims to be a "good and noble person worthy of his master."
...Well, it’s precisely because of that sense of duty that he unintentionally sets up all sorts of flags everywhere, which must be complicated for Tendou herself to deal with.
Anyway, that’s probably why he’s keeping a low profile now—to avoid creating more trouble for his master. ...Though, to be honest, the sheer intensity of his anger is practically radiating off him.
“...Yukimichi. That guy just now, he’s from Class 1-E, isn’t he?”
“Y-yeah… he is. Wait, how’d you know that?”
"Since it’s the school where the young lady attends, I’ve memorized the faces, names, and assigned classes of all the students… So, our opponents will be…”
“…The next match.”
“Exactly. That’s perfect timing.”
Kagehito’s face wore a cheerful smile on the surface, but the dark, ominous aura radiating from him was crystal clear to me. It was so terrifying that I found myself grateful he wasn’t my enemy.
"As high school boys, it’s not just about academics. We need to dedicate ourselves to sports, sweat honestly, and enjoy a healthy youth. Let’s make sure no pests can even think about indulging in such nonsense."
To be honest, I’d thought the upcoming match against Class 1-E would be our biggest challenge.
After all, their soccer team—featuring that burly guy who had just gone beyond merely stepping on Kagehito’s tail and outright stomped on it—was made up of some of the top players in our year. …But now, I didn’t feel the need to worry about the match anymore.
Kagehito’s determination had already surpassed that of anyone else on our team. In fact, it might be better to feel sorry for the opponents instead.
After all, this was just a school sports tournament. Just a simple soccer match.
As long as the match stayed within the bounds of the rules, there wouldn’t be any issues.
For instance, even if the pride of those soccer players was shattered to the point they lost the will to do anything after school, it would still technically be within the rules.
"Well then… I guess we’re on the same page."
I clasped my hands together in my mind, silently offering a prayer for that burly soccer player I barely even knew.
By the way, our Class 1-A achieved an unprecedented landslide victory, securing the special invitation tickets to Wonder Festival Land as the championship prize.
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
---As a result.
It seems that in the girls’ division of the first-year sports tournament at Tenjoin Academy, the young lady’s Class 1-A claimed victory.
“…It was an intense battle.”
Otoha-san, speaking in the school courtyard, seemed to be reminiscing about the match. She nodded solemnly, clearly reflecting on the events.
“…As expected of the rising star of the high school girls' basketball world. If it hadn’t been for the teamwork and Hoshine’s contributions, we would’ve lost.”
“That’s true. Oda-san’s skills are remarkable, but for you and the young lady to defeat a team that included someone of her caliber—even with teamwork—it’s proof of your abilities, Otoha-san.”
While individual skill is important, basketball is ultimately a team sport.
Moreover, this was a sports tournament, and most of the teammates were amateurs. The number of players was also unorthodox compared to regular matches. Despite the unusual conditions, the young lady and Otoha-san’s tactical brilliance shone through.
“…Of course… There’s no way I would lose… with Otoha and everyone else on my team…”
Sitting on the bench beside Otoha-san, the young lady spoke confidently. However, she was clearly on the verge of dozing off, her eyelids threatening to close at any moment.
“…I won’t… lose… to some… sneaky thief…”
“She’s completely exhausted.”
The young lady leaned against Otoha-san’s shoulder, practically asleep already—no, she’s definitely asleep now.
“She trained extensively in preparation for today’s tournament. Now that the tension has lifted, the fatigue must have hit her all at once,” Otoha-san remarked, looking at her with a gentle expression.
"…Kagehito, you look happy. Why is that?"
“I’m delighted by the young lady and Otoha-san’s victory, of course—but what makes me happiest is how much closer the two of you have become.”
By coincidence, the bench where the young lady and Otoha-san now sat was the same one they had used on her first day after transferring.
Back then, they had been sitting at opposite ends of the bench. But now, their shoulders touched as they leaned on each other.
The sight of the young lady and Otoha-san like this seemed to reflect how their relationship had evolved. It made me feel genuinely happy and warmed my heart.
“…Really?”
“Yes. Before I realized it, the two of you began calling each other by your first names.”
“…That was… just in the flow of the match.”
They’re both stubborn and not the most straightforward people, after all.
I bet they’d acknowledged each other’s skills long ago—probably back during those after-school practice sessions. But neither could admit it, and so they couldn’t bring themselves to use each other’s first names.
Then, caught up in the intensity of the match, they must’ve naturally started calling each other that way without even realizing it.
“You’ve already become good friends, haven’t you?”
“…Maybe so.”
Otoha-san looked down at the young lady, who was peacefully asleep on her shoulder, and smiled softly.
To me, it was clear—she looked truly happy, almost overjoyed.
“Hoshine is my friend… Yes. My friend.”
The fact that the young lady was her friend seemed to settle naturally in Otoha-san's heart.
“…But, she’s not just a friend.”
“And by that, you mean?”
“…She’s my rival.”
A rival, huh? That made sense. I’d always felt the subtle tension between them, as though they were constantly competing. Even during practice, they’d driven each other forward, improving rapidly together.
“…Which is why, as a rival, I can’t let this slide.”
After glancing briefly at the young lady sleeping on her shoulder, Otoha-san turned to face me fully.
“…Kagehito. I want a reward.”
“A reward… for winning the sports tournament?”
“…Yes. I worked hard.”
“Indeed, you did. You gave it your all,” I replied with a nod.
…Wait, huh?
“Uh… Are you saying I should give you a reward?”
When I asked for clarification, Otoha-san nodded firmly.
“The prize for winning as first-years is the ‘Wonder Festival Land Special Invitation Ticket’... Let’s use it for a date.”
Since I won in soccer and Otoha-san and the young lady won in basketball, we each had one of these special invitation tickets. Letting them go to waste would be a shame. Besides—
“Ah, that matter. Don’t worry; the young lady has already mentioned it to me.”
"………………………………What do you mean???"
“You know, the plan to use the prize tickets to go to Wonder Festival Land? With me, Otoha-san, and the young lady—just the three of us.”
“The three of us…?”
That’s strange. Otoha-san is reacting as if this is the first she’s heard of it.
“The young lady 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, just the three of us.’ She also added, ‘I’m sure Habataki-san will formally ask you about it later.’ So naturally, I thought that’s what this was about.”
Come to think of it, last night she still referred to her as “Habataki-san.” I’d noticed earlier when she called her “Otoha” instead—it had caught me off guard for a moment.
“……………………No way… Did she predict my actions in advance…?!”
Otoha-san stared at the sleeping young lady on her shoulder with a look of astonishment.
"…As expected of a rival… Truly formidable…!"
"? Yes, that's right. I think the young lady is amazing."
I’m not quite sure what kind of rivalry she’s talking about, but since she said "as expected," it seems she’s complimenting the young lady.
"Well then. Let’s head home soon before it gets too late."
I can’t bring myself to wake the young lady sleeping on the bench.
Carefully, as though handling a precious treasure, I gently cradle the young lady in my arms.
For some reason, Otoha-san looks at me with envy as she watches this.
"…It can’t be helped. I’ll let you have this one for today."
Saying that, Otoha-san also rises from the bench.
"…But. I might want a different kind of reward at some point. Of course, from you."
"Ahaha. If it’s something I can do, I’ll do anything for you."
"…Alright. I’ll think about it."
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
"Young Lady. Please wake up, Young Lady."
Even after we arrived at the estate, the Young Lady remained asleep. She lay peacefully on her bed, her eyelids closed as she breathed softly in her sleep.
Sleeping too much during the day would make it hard for her to sleep at night. Ideally, I’d like her to wake up now... but since she, like me, had already taken a shower at the academy, I also felt like letting her rest a little longer.
"It's almost time for dinner. Please wake up."
"Mmnn—... no…"
It seemed like she woke up, but… this was still—no, very much a half-asleep state.
Waking the Young Lady in the mornings is always a challenge. Normally, the maids handle it, but occasionally I get called in to do it myself.
"Kagehito, sleep with me…"
"I can't do that. Come on, you need to get up."
"Nooo…"
Perhaps because she had so few opportunities to be doted on by her parents, both in her childhood and even now, the Young Lady becomes incredibly childlike when she's half-asleep. In this state, she rarely listens to what anyone says. I've heard the maids often struggle with this, too.
One of the maids once taught me a trick.
If you outright reject her whims, it backfires. The key is to first indulge her a little to ease her into cooperating.
"Alright, fine. Just for a little while, I'll lie down with you."
I let out a wry smile as I joined her on the bed.
"Mmm—...?"
The moment the Young Lady saw my face as I joined her in bed, her expression softened into a relaxed, gentle smile.
"Kagehito... Hehe~♪"
Oh, she’s in a good mood now. Maybe in a little while, she’ll start listening to me.
"Hug—♪"
Still in high spirits, the Young Lady suddenly clung to me.
It was like how one would hold onto a doll or a body pillow—completely without hesitation.
"Wait… Young Lady?"
"♪"
She didn’t seem to hear me at all. But one thing I could sense was the look of pure happiness on her face. At least, I assumed as much since I couldn’t actually see her face.
Why? Because my head was currently pressed against her well-developed and soft chest, making it hard to even breathe, let alone think straight.
"Kagehito…"
…This is bad. Her voice was becoming sleepier by the second. She’s clearly planning to fall asleep again.
But there’s no way I can forcibly pry her off of me, either.
"Reward… Mmm…"
"……"
A reward, huh…
She’s right. Not just for winning the sports tournament, but today was also a significant day—the day the Young Lady made a new friend.
In the end, the only kind of reward I can offer her is to indulge her whims a little.
"Gasp!"
Managing to escape from the soft, springy twin hills and securing my breathing once more, I gently ran my hand through her silky, beautifully smooth hair.
"…Just for today, alright?"
After taking a brief glance at her adorable sleeping face, I resigned myself to becoming her hug pillow once more.
She’ll probably wake up in the middle of the night, but... well, I’ll deal with that when the time comes.
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
"Mm...?"
My hazy consciousness gradually began to awaken.
It was dark. Warm, comfortable... and this sensation… I was on a bed.
"Mm—..."
I realized I must have fallen asleep at some point without noticing.
Judging by the time, it was probably still night. The outside wasn’t bright—it was dark. If it were morning, the maids would have already come to wake me up.
Should I get up? But if I did now, I’d probably end up wide awake and unable to fall asleep again. Besides, for some reason, I felt an unusual resistance to the very idea of "getting up" today.
It was strange. I’d never felt so strongly about not wanting to leave my bed before.
I’ve always been bad at waking up, but… this comforting warmth—this sense of security—I didn’t want to let it go.
That’s right. I didn’t want to let it go... But let what go?
My pillow? No, that couldn’t be it. My pillow wasn’t this warm, and the size didn’t match.
A body pillow? No, that wasn’t it either. I didn’t even own one.
A stuffed animal? No, definitely not. It was far too large, and I could swear I could hear something like breathing.
Cautiously, I opened my eyes.
"……Kagehito?"
What I had been hugging, without realizing it, was unmistakably… him. The one and only Kagehito.
(What? What? Why? How?)
I couldn’t comprehend it. It was too much to process, and my mind spiraled into confusion.
No. Calm down. At times like this, the first thing to do is to calm down, Tendou Hoshine.
Calm down, stay composed, and organize the facts of what’s happening in front of you.
Fact 1: I somehow fell asleep.
Fact 2: When I woke up, I was hugging Kagehito while sleeping.
The conclusion I can draw from this is… nothing! No conclusions, none at all!
(Ugh, seriously! How am I supposed to stay calm in a situation like this!?)
If this were about suggesting improvements for a theme park attraction or a new menu item at a nationwide coffee chain, I could come up with countless ideas.
If it were about achieving high rankings in a national mock exam or excelling in sports, I could handle that, too.
But understanding this situation? That’s harder than anything. Actually, no—it’s downright impossible.
…Still, why is Kagehito letting me hug him so quietly like this?
Could it be that he doesn’t mind? But what if he does? What if he’s uncomfortable? The thought scares me, but… I need to look at Kagehito’s face. If he seems upset, I’ll have to apologize.
"Soo… soo…"
Wait. What is this adorable creature?
…Now that I think about it, I’ve hardly ever seen Kagehito’s sleeping face. After all, he doesn’t sleep until I’ve fallen asleep first.
"So this is the face you make when you’re sleeping…"
Cute. Kagehito has such a handsome face, but when he’s asleep, he looks a little more innocent—almost childlike.
"Hehe…"
I tried gently patting his head. His hair was so smooth and soft, it felt amazing to touch. Maybe I’ll ask if I can do this more often from now on.
"…………"
But wait. Is it really okay to be satisfied with just patting his head?
Am I focusing too much on something small (well, it’s not small at all, but let’s call it that for now) and possibly letting something bigger slip away?
Calm down. Tendou Hoshine, calm down.
Breathe, stay composed, and organize the facts of the situation.
Fact 1: It’s nighttime.
Fact 2: Kagehito is here.
Fact 3: We’re on the bed.
"………………………………I see."
I won’t specify how or why, but… perhaps, purely by chance, through some unavoidable force, and entirely by accident (note: it’s not an accident from my perspective), something could happen here.
"……!"
My heart thudded loudly in my chest. It was pounding, filling the room with its rhythm.
I instinctively began to lean closer, but then—suddenly—I realized something.
(We just had the sports tournament today, and we both exercised so much…)
I did take a shower at the academy, just in case. Even so, it still bothers me. Just to be safe. Yes, just to be safe. It’s not like I was getting carried away by anything. Definitely not.
"Alright."
I shook off the irresistible comfort all at once and decided to get up first.
The fogginess from earlier was gone as if it had been a lie, and my head was now clear.
I’ll take a bath. I mustn’t waste any time, so I’ll have a light meal prepared while I’m at it.
If my stomach were to growl at a critical moment, it could ruin the mood or something like that.
No time to waste (because this is undeniably the right thing to do, no matter what anyone says). Surely he will wake up, too. Before that happens...!
I hurried as much as I could, washed myself more thoroughly than I ever had in my life, had a light meal, brushed my teeth, and slipped into the special negligee I had bought just for such an occasion... Then, I returned to the battleground.
All that was left was to climb back into bed as if nothing had happened. I even had my lines ready.
“Oh, wow, what a surprise. I had no idea you were here, not even a little bit.”
What a perfect performance... Maybe I have a hidden talent for acting.
"...Alright. It’s fine. I’ll be fine," I reassured myself.
Though embarrassment was starting to creep in, my courage outweighed it.
...Because at this point, I already like him so much.
All that’s left is to open this door and crawl into bed. That’s it. Nothing more. It’s just getting into my bed—no big deal.
"I’m going in... Alright. I’m going in now...! I’ll count to three and then go in...! Th-ree, tw-o..."
"Young Lady, are you preparing to retire for the night?"
"Yes. Well, not so much retiring as just getting back into bed. It’s a battle."
"...? I see. You seem quite tired today, so please rest well."
"Yes. Good night, Kagehito."
Alright, let’s reset.
This time for sure, I’ll count to three and go in...! Th-ree, tw-o...
O-one... Zer—o...
...………………………………………………
"…Kagehito?"
"Is something the matter, Young Lady?"
"…You’re awake?"
"Yes. Actually, I must have dozed off at some point myself... Sorry, I didn’t mean to."
"I see... No, I mean, it’s perfectly fine if you fall asleep, but..."
Looking closer, I noticed Kagehito had already changed out of his uniform into a shirt, and his hair seemed just the slightest bit damp.
"...Are you about to go to bed too, Kagehito?"
"Ah, yes. I’ve already taken a bath and finished preparing to sleep."
So, while I was still up, Kagehito had gone ahead and done the same thing.
…What an outrage! All because I hesitated at that moment...! Ah, no. That’s a lie. There’s no way I’d hesitate! It just turned out that way by chance!
"Well then, good night, Young Lady."
Kagehito bowed his head politely.
...It seemed the moment had slipped away again. Ah... In the end, this time too...
"Ah, yeah... Good night..."
I started to turn and head back to my room, as I always did—
"…Wait."
I had grabbed the hem of Kagehito’s shirt.
"Young Lady?"
"…Today, I worked really hard."
"Yes, you did. Although it’s unfortunate that you couldn’t meet directly, I think you truly gave it your all."
"That’s why... I want a reward."
I was fully aware of how strange my request sounded. But if I backed down now, like I always did, I felt I’d never move forward.
"You’re tired, and I’m tired too... So, yes. Sleep with me. I feel like it’ll help us both recover... Just stay by my side while I sleep, and that’s enough... Is that too much to ask?"
It was such a childish request, so embarrassing, but I couldn’t afford to worry about appearances anymore.
"…Heh."
"…Kagehito?"
For some reason, Kagehito was smiling.
"Ah, my apologies. Young Lady, you said the exact same thing while you were asleep earlier."
"W-What!?"
The idea that I’d unconsciously been asking for a reward... What even is that? It’s kind of... embarrassing.
"If you don’t mind, I’ll be your supportive body pillow to help you sleep peacefully."
"O-Okay... Yes. Please do."
Gathering my courage, I stretched out both arms, like a child asking to be picked up.
"…Carry me. To the bed."
"As you wish, Young Lady."
With that, Kagehito smoothly lifted me into his arms.
"After all, this is your reward."
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
The Young Lady, cradled in my arms, was as quiet as a borrowed cat. She let herself be carried without protest and remained completely silent until I laid her down on the bed. In fact, for a moment, I worried her body might have turned to stone from how stiff she felt.
"Was I... heavy?"
"Not at all. You were as light as a feather."
"…There you go again, saying things like that."
"I'm merely stating the truth."
The Young Lady, perhaps embarrassed, turned her face away abruptly and gave me her back.
Even so, as she kept her back to me, she muttered softly.
"…Hey. Won’t you sleep with me?"
It seemed the Young Lady was in a particularly affectionate mood tonight. Recently, I’d seen mostly her bright and carefree side, so this more vulnerable version of her felt nostalgically familiar.
"Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere."
"…That’s not what I meant, though."
She sounded slightly dissatisfied, making me chuckle softly. Mustering some courage, I respectfully knelt on the bed beside her.
"Then, excuse me."
The pristine white sheets creased under my weight, and the faint creak of the bed blended into the dimly lit room. Gently, I lay down next to the Young Lady.
"…"
Lying on my back, I closed my eyes.
I wasn’t so weak as to be completely exhausted by something like a sports festival, but the activity had been enough to give me a good workout. At this rate, I felt I could fall asleep again in no time.
"…Kagehito. Are you awake?"
"I’m awake."
With my eyes closed, I couldn’t tell what the Young Lady was doing, but I could hear faint rustling noises. Moments later, something warm and soft pressed against me.
"Young Lady?"
"…A substitute for a body pillow. That’s what this reward was supposed to be, wasn’t it?"
Surprised, I opened my eyes, and the source of the warmth and softness became clear.
The Young Lady, dressed in a delicate, light pink negligee that was both elegant and adorable, was clinging to me.
"Ah, so it was," I replied.
"Hmm… That’s why, just let me sleep like this tonight."
"Of course. Please rest as you wish."
The Young Lady buried her face into my chest and closed her eyes.
Perhaps because of how close we were, a sweet, floral fragrance—likely from her bath—floated gently in the air. Watching her relax so trustingly against me, a deep tenderness swelled in my chest.
When the Young Lady was younger, she often felt lonely because her beloved parents were so busy with work.
Yet, not wanting them to notice, she bottled up her sadness and loneliness, sometimes crying quietly by herself (though I always made sure to be by her side when that happened).
Perhaps as a result, she’d grown somewhat unaccustomed to expressing her true feelings or relying on others.
While she could handle casual conversations or polite interactions with ease, she had few people she could truly call friends. Beyond me and the staff at the mansion, perhaps only Yukimichi and a handful of others could see her genuine self.
…And now, the Young Lady had made friends at the academy.
I think it’s a significant step for her, and I truly want to celebrate it today.
If I had permission, I’d love to embrace her and let this overwhelming happiness and affection flow freely.
"You can… hug me if you want."
"—Wait, what?"
Her words, almost as if she had read my thoughts, left me momentarily unable to respond.
"Se-see? It was the sports festival today, so you must be tired, right?"
Ah, so that’s what she meant. The Young Lady was concerned about my fatigue.
That startled me… Of course, she’s incredibly perceptive. She’s inherited the kind of intuition from her mother that people whisper could almost see the future. But reading my thoughts? That would be impossible.
"Please don’t worry about me. It’s true I exerted myself a little today, but I’m not so poorly trained as to be completely worn out by a sports festival."
"You’re tired, aren’t you?"
"Young Lady, please don’t trouble yourself over me…"
"Kagehito. You’re very tired today."
…What was this? I felt an immense, undeniable pressure.
"Uh… yes. I’m tired."
"Good. Then, hug me and relieve your fatigue."
"What?"
"…What? Am I not good enough as a body pillow?"
"Not at all. If anything, this is more luxury than I could ever deserve… I mean, no, that’s not it—"
That was close. I almost got swept away by the Young Lady’s words.
"Um… Young Lady, are you sure about this? If anyone is tired today, it’s probably you."
"It’s fine. This will help me relax."
"Understood. Then, as you wish."
The Young Lady worked so hard today. If this is her reward, then I can certainly indulge this small whim.
"Excuse me, then."
I gently, carefully wrapped the Young Lady in my arms, as if cradling a fragile piece of glass.
Her body was delicate, refined, soft, and warm… the kind of presence that made you want to protect her.
"…Ah…"
"If this makes you uncomfortable, I can stop immediately—"
"Th-that’s not it!"
As soon as I embraced her, her body gave a sudden jolt.
"It’s just… being hugged like this under the covers, it made my heart race. There’s no way I’d ever dislike you, Kagehito."
"I see. That’s a relief."
It truly was. From the depths of my heart, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief.
More than being hated by everyone else in the world, the thought of being disliked by the Young Lady was the most terrifying thing of all.
"…"
Before I realized it, my hand was gently stroking the Young Lady’s hair.
"Hyah!"
"Oh, my apologies. I didn’t mean to—it was instinctive."
"I-It’s fine. If it’s with my kagehito… as much as you like."
What am I doing? Even if it was unintentional, I’ve gone too far.
Just being in the same bed, holding her like this, is already outrageous enough. Yet, here I am, getting carried away.
"...What about the rest?"
"Th-The rest?"
"Won’t you stroke my head anymore?"
The young lady in my arms looked up at me with upturned eyes. Seeing her like that stirred a playful impulse deep within me.
"...Is that what you wish for?"
"...Yes."
"In that case, you’ll have to properly ask for it."
"Eh..."
Even I wasn’t sure what I was saying. But the sight of the usually cheerful and confident young lady acting so sweet and reliant in my arms awakened a part of me I didn’t know existed.
"If you don’t ask, I won’t stroke your head."
"Ugh..."
Without realizing it, I reached out and placed a hand on her cheek.
...Ah. This is bad. Watching her gaze at me with moist, glistening eyes only made me lose more of my self-control. This is wrong. I know it’s wrong, but I can’t stop.
Was I always this weak-willed?
"...Please."
"Such a lovely, bird-like voice. But I couldn’t quite hear you."
"...Today’s kagehito is a bit mean."
"Indeed, it seems I’m being rather mean right now."
Usually, she would look at me with a protesting gaze, but tonight, the young lady lacks her usual vigor. That demeanor only makes it harder for me to hold back.
"What does the young lady want me to do?"
"...Want you to."
Her voice was small. But as I gently stroked her cheek, her face flushed bright red, and she spoke again.
"...I want my kagehito to pat my head."
"Well done."
"Mmm..."
The smile that escaped me—what kind of smile was it? I avoided thinking too deeply about it as I softly stroked her hair. The young lady in my arms looked embarrassed, but she let me continue without resistance.
"Good night, young lady. Sweet dreams."
If this went on any longer, something would surely break. Mustering the last of my willpower, I let myself drift off to sleep.
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
Bathed in the morning sunlight streaming through the window, I was filled with a deep sense of defeat.
".................................."
I gave it my all last night. Truly, I did my best.
In fact, I was determined to settle things then and there, summoning every ounce of courage I could muster.
But when I opened the lid…
"To think I’d be defeated again…"
Defeated. Completely outmatched. That’s the only way to describe it, and there’s no other way to put it.
When I woke up, my kagehito was no longer in the bed. The space beside me was empty, as though he’d never been there.
For the record, I was wearing my "battle attire," a negligee. And at some point during the night, it had shifted slightly, with one of the straps slipping off my shoulder… but it seemed to have gone completely unnoticed.
"Am I… not that attractive?"
I mean, I’m aware of my figure. That’s exactly why I tried to use it. My resolve was to make use of anything at my disposal. Yet, even when he saw me in such a disheveled state, my kagehito apparently did nothing.
I suppose it’s gentlemanly of him. But, as someone who had gone in fully intending to win, it’s a bit disheartening.
…Well, last night’s kagehito wasn’t exactly what I’d call "gentlemanly," but… that was kind of the charm.
"Ugh… that’s so unfair."
Just remembering how I ended up pleading embarrasses me. And yet, I also find myself excited by that mischievous kagehito. …If anything, I might actually like it. That kind of kagehito.
"...I wonder if he’d tease me again if I asked."
Thinking such a shameless thought made me feel all the more embarrassed.
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
Bathed in the morning sunlight streaming through the window, I was overcome with self-loathing.
".................................."
Of all things, I ended up doing that to the young lady I serve.
"Mmm…"
The young lady herself was now sleeping soundly beside me, looking peaceful and content.
Her clothes must have shifted while she slept. One of her shoulder straps had slipped down, leaving her smooth, pale shoulder exposed without a care in the world.
"…Honestly. You’re far too defenseless."
I gently stroked her head, and even in her sleep, she let out an adorably soft sound.
...Yeah. From now on, I should probably find some excuse to decline if I’m ever ordered to act as a body pillow again. I’d prefer to avoid a repeat of last night’s situation for my own sake as well.
My fingers brushed through her silky, golden hair, smooth as threads of spun silk, scooping it up lightly.
Under the sunlight, her golden locks shimmered and sparkled. I quietly pressed a kiss to that beautiful hair.
"Please don’t offer me such rewards again. They’re far too tempting."
With that final kiss, I tucked away the mischievous impulse that had surfaced, pushing it back into the depths of my heart.
…But now that I’ve become aware of this playful side of myself, I have a feeling it’s going to be quite the challenge to keep it in check from here on out.
Chapter 4 END
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