Saijo no Osewa ~ Takane no Hana [LN] - V2 Chp 1 part 1
Chapter 1 : Tennouji Mirei’s Proposal
[Then, I’m off]
I got out of the car and bowed to Shizune-san and the driver.
Hinako was walking about ten meters in front of me. I kept that distance and headed towards the academy.
[Good morning, Konohana-san]
[Ara, Tomonari-san. Good morning]
I met up with Hinako at the shoe-box area and we greeted each other.
In truth, I already greeted Hinako in her room this morning… But this is the first time I greeted her in public.
Hinako, playing the role of a perfect Ojou-sama, is so affable, yet exudes a highbrow demeanor that makes anyone of the opposite gender agitated.
But I preferred the usual and original Hinako, probably because I knew who she really was.
[…Every time, it’s such a pain]
[…What is?]
As Hinako revealed her true feelings in a small voice, I asked back in a whisper, while paying attention to the ears around me.
[In the morning, we go together… then I have to leave first and meet up with you later]
[…We don’t have a choice. It’d be bad if someone found out we live together]
It’s cramped, but it’s still better.
Through tea parties and study sessions, it seems that the fact that Hinako and I are friends has already become a well-known fact in the academy. Therefore, compared to the start, I no longer have to keep my distance with Hinako as much as I used to. We can have normal conversations in the classroom, and even if they see us spending time together, we can cover it up.
[But… I want to go to school together]
[We’re in the same car the entire commute though, right? We just split up at the end]
[It’s not like that…]
Hinako said, lowering her gaze.
[I want… the two of us walk outside together]
So that’s how it is.
While I would like to agree, I don’t think it’s something easy to achieve, unfortunately. …I’ll talk to Shizune-san the next time I see her.
[Ah! The two of you!]
I changed my shoes and was heading to class with Hinako when I ran into my classmate, Asahi-san, on the way.
[Good morning!]
[Unn, morning! You know, I heard the results of the mid term exams are now posted in front of the staff room, so why don’t we go see it together?]
Asahi-san said as she looked at me and Hinako.
At Kiou Academy, the ranks of the students are announced each time the regular examinations are held. However, only the top 50 students are publicly announced, which probably didn’t include me.
I looked at Hinako and we nodded our heads.
[I’m okay with that]
[I would be happy to join you]
There was still plenty of time before classes began.
I didn’t have to be in the classroom just yet, and to be honest, I was interested in the ranking placements. I didn’t have anything like this at my old high school…
The three of us headed towards the staff room.
On our way there, I spotted a familiar boy.
[Ah, Taisho-kun]
[Oooh. You all came]
Taisho noticed us and smiled lightly.
[Taisho-kun isn’t on it anyway]
[Shut up. I want to see what I want even if I’m not listed]
Taisho then looked at the rankings posted on the bulletin board.
We also turn our eyes to the bulletin board, following him.
The first place, the first name we saw, was someone we all knew well.
[The first place this time is still Konohana-san. As expected from her!]
[Fufu, thank you very much]
Hinako smiled with the elegant smile of an ojou-sama. Her beauty attracted the gazes of the students around her.
Knowing her true self, I sometimes forget Hinako is a talented person in both studies and sports.
Though… it’s only her skill that’s excellent.
Her skills only.
[Ouch-]
Suddenly, Hinako stepped on my foot.
[…You were thinking something rude, weren’t you?]
How’d she know?
I looked away from Hinako, who was pouting.
Compared to before, Hinako seemed to be more expressive.
And it’s not an act, it’s real. I think it’s a good thing. I don’t know what triggered the change though.
The change in Hinako may not be bad at all.
As I thought about this, I suddenly moved my gaze to the side and saw a girl with blonde hair in vertical rolls who stood out.
The girl held a finger to her chin and made some kind of difficult face.
I was curious to see how she was doing, so I called out to her.
[Tennouji-san?]
[Ara, Tomonari-san is here as well]
Tennouji Mirei.
She’s the daughter of the Tennouji Group, a conglomerate comparable to the Konohana Group.
I took one look at the bulletin board she was looking at earlier and opened my mouth.
[Congratulations on second place]
[…As long as that hateful name is in the first place, I can’t rejoice]
I thought I was being honest in my praise, but Tennouji-san looked frustrated.
Come to think of it, Tennouji-san has been competitive with Hinako ever since they first met. She wouldn’t be satisfied when Hinako’s name was written above hers.
[But this time, the results were significant]
Significant?
As I tilted my head, Tennouji-san explained.
[The gap between me and Konohana-san has narrowed down compared to last time. This doesn’t mean Konohana-san’s score has dropped. This means that this is undeniably my growth…! Fufufu, I finally see a chance to win…!]
Tennouji-san muttered, flames burning inside her eyes.
[Speaking of which, what place did you come in?]
She asked me so naturally that I didn’t think when replying.
[I wasn’t on the list. I’m probably average or a little below average]
[Pardon?]
Tennouji-san asked, emitting a faintly angry tone.
[What was that?]
[Uhm, well, I’d say I’m average or slightly below…]
[Below average, despite being personally tutored… by me?]
A blue streak appeared on Tennouji-san’s forehead.
[T-The problems you taught me had good results]
[Shut it!]
She snapped.
[You still lack self-awareness! No matter how serious you are, if your goals are low, you will never grow, will you?]
[Yes…]
That sentence hit home.
For my part, I was going to grow little by little while figuring out what I want, but that may have been a little bit too humble of an idea.
[Bent back]
[Y-Yes]
When she pointed it out, I straightened my back, which had bent for some time.
[Geez… I’ve always thought you’re the type of person whose emotions tend to show from your attitude]
[I-Is that so…]
I wasn’t aware of that.
[On the other hand, if you felt more confident, that would radiate much more]
Saying so, Tennouji-san showed a pretense of thinking.
What will she say next? I waited nervously…
[I have a proposal. Why don’t you spend some time after school with me for the next couple of days?]
Tennouji-san said something that was completely different from what I expected.
Wow quick one on this aren’t we? Anyways, more soonish. And it isn’t ya boi if he wasn’t sick, so wish me well guys, imma need it. (Tight chest ain’t exactly the best)
Donations are very much appreciated.
TL: Ezu
ED: Animu
PR: Mateo