Saijo no Osewa ~ Takane no Hana [LN] - V2 Chp 1 part 4
The next day.
During break, I told Tennouji-san that I received permission for her offer, and we immediately decided to start a study session after school.
[Now then, I’ll teach you a thing or two!]
[P-Please go easy on me…]
While the other students left school, Tennouji-san and I met up at a cafe next to the cafeteria.
Even after all this time, I wondered if I would be able to keep up. Tennouji-san was so full of motivation that I had such concerns.
[Fufufu… overthrow… Konohana Hinako…! This time, I’m going to make that smile of yours twitch…!] (EDN: You already succeeded)
Tennouji-san declared with a devilish smile.
Tennouji-san, who had arrived earlier, ordered drinks for me as well, and as soon as I took my seat, a cup of tea was served to me.
[First, let’s set a goal. My goal is to defeat Konohana Hinako in the next exam]
Tennouji-san said, tipping her cup gracefully.
[When is the next exam?]
[A month from now]
In the first place, it looked like Tennouji-san’s and Hinako’s scores were very close.
After a month of intense study, there’s a good chance Tennouji-san could win.
[Tomonari-san, you will score in the top 50 in that exam]
[Eh?]
I was surprised by her sudden statement.
[In the top 50…? I’m a little below average right now… that’s a bit…]
[No need to worry. I’m here to teach you how]
I gave Tennouji-san, who was puffing out her chest with confidence, a complicated look.
The more I complain, the more trouble I’m putting myself in. So I’ll make an effort to believe in her here.
[And, Tomonari-san said you wanted to be taught more about etiquette… Is there a reason for that?]
I answered Tennouji-san’s question carefully.
[When I attended the Konohana family social gathering… I felt that I still wasn’t good enough to act natural in such situations. At the very least, I’d like to learn etiquette in a way that doesn’t embarrass myself]
[That’s a good objective]
Tennouji-san nodded in satisfaction.
[Then I’ll teach Tomonari-san some social etiquette. I should be able to teach you table etiquette, speaking skills, and dancing as well]
[D-Dancing?]
[What dances can you do, Tomonari-san?]
Even if I wanted to answer…
If I had to say one, something I practiced during the sports festival―
[…Maybe Soran Bushi?] (TN: Soran Bushi is a traditional Japanese dance. For reference, you can check Kaguya-sama Love is War S2 EP 10)
[Pardon?]
[I’m sorry. I can’t dance at all]
I can’t dance Soran Bushi in a social gathering. No, on the contrary, it might attract attention, but I would lose my status in exchange for laughter.
[Then I’ll teach you the basics of dancing as well]
Tennouji-san said, muttering.
[We have the general plan in place. Let’s get started by studying first. We’ll study until 6:00 p.m., and then we’ll move on to etiquette]
[Yes, I’m looking forward to working with you]
♢♢♢
6:00 p.m.
Today’s studying ended without a hitch. I solved the last question from the textbook and now Tennouji-san was checking my answers.
[…I see]
After looking over my answers, Tennouji-san muttered.
[It seems that you study hard even on a regular basis. At this rate, I’m sure your grades will get better than before]
[Thank you very much]
Shizune-san’s lessons were also helpful, but Tennouji-san is also a student, so she can give me tips on how to get higher grades. I should probably acquire a wide range of knowledge and skills for the future, but what I need now is a grade that wouldn’t be inconvenient for me to be around Hinako.
[How about you, Tennouji-san? Do you think this is helpful to you?]
[Yes. It was better than I thought it’d be. Maybe I have a talent for teaching people things]
Tennouji-san said, surprising even herself.
Being just the two of us, both Tennouji-san and I were able to concentrate in today’s study session. But the reason I was able to concentrate on my studies was probably because Tennouji-san taught me so earnestly.
[Why is Tennouji-san being so competitive with Konohana-san?]
Suddenly, I asked something that had bothered me.
[There’s no deep reason for it]
Tennouji-san gazed down a little, then looked me in the eyes and answered.
[I would like to point out that there is no such relationship between myself and Konohana-san. …If I had a reason, it is because I’m the daughter of the Tennouji family and cannot afford to fall behind other students]
[That is… Is that like a family motto?]
[No. It’s a rule I set for myself]
Why did she impose such harsh rules on herself?
To my question, Tennouji-san continued.
[The academy is a microcosm of society, so to speak. If you lose here, you will surely lose in the future. …I believe that the Tennouji Group is the best corporate group in Japan. As such, defeat is against my belief]
I thought her declaration was a proud ideal.
If someone had said this at my old high school, I would’ve thought the’re joking. But this academy is a special environment. Tennouji-san’s statement had a sense of reality… and above all, because it was said by Tennouji-san, who acted with sincerity on a daily basis, it demonstrated her real intent to do so.
But, on the other hand.
Born and raised as a commoner, I couldn’t help but ask a question.
[…Have you ever thought of it as a struggle?]
[Not at all]
Tennouji-san responded immediately.
[As the daughter of the Tennouji family, I will contribute to the Tennouji family. That is my mission… and the happiness that I desire]
The way she asserted this with confidence was very typical of Tennouji-san.
I reflected on the unnecessary question I had asked.
[Now, on to etiquette]
Putting away the textbooks, Tennouji-san prepared for the next lesson.
[Tennouji-san. I have one favor to ask you. First, can I ask you to focus on table etiquette?]
[That’s fine, but do you have a reason for doing so?]
[Yes. Well… personal reasons]
I wasn’t confident I could explain it well, so I apologized and drank my tea. Tennouji-san may have guessed what it was, but decided not to pry.
[If so, Tomonari-san. Why don’t you have dinner with me for a while?]
[Dinner, was it?]
[Yes. That way, we’ll be able to teach table etiquette in a practical way. Fortunately, this academy provides a variety of cuisines from different countries, so we’ll be able to cover the full range of this topic]
I see. So we’re going to continue to study table etiquette while having dinner at the academy.
It’s an efficient proposal that I would like to accept, but let’s consult with Shizune-san to be sure.
[I’ll talk about it with my house]
With that said, I excused myself and took out my phone in the back of the school building.
『What’s wrong, Itsuki-sama?』
Shizune-san called me by “sama”.
I guess they’re pretending to be servants under me in case someone is listening to the call on the side.
[Tennouji-san suggested that I have dinner at the academy for a while starting today, is that okay? Seems like she’s going to teach me table etiquette]
『I understand. There’s no problem, but…』
Shizune-san stopped mid-sentence.
『Excuse me. Ojou-sama would like to talk, so please wait a moment』
Hinako?
I wonder if she has something to say.
『Itsuki…?』
[Yeah? What’s wrong?]
『…Will you be late today?』
Hinako asked in a slightly disappointed voice.
[I think I will for today, or at least for a while]
In reply, Hinako was silent for a few seconds.
『Quickly… come back, okay?』
With that, Hinako returned the phone to Shizune-san.
『That’s why I’d appreciate it if you could come back as soon as possible』
[…I understand]
I thought about what time to ask Shizune-san to pick me up, consulting with her.
I shouldn’t forget my real job. I’m Hinako’s caretaker. I’m in the position of being taught by Tennouji-san, but I’ll be there for Hinako as much as possible so that I don’t end up in the same situation as before.
[Sorry to keep you waiting]
When I returned to the cafe, Tennouji-san had begun preparing for the next lesson.
She must’ve asked the waiter at the cafe because a variety of tableware was laid out.
[This is, once again, the real deal…]
[I’m just trying to motivate you]
Tennouji-san said proudly, her chest puffing with pride.
[It’s a little late for this, but is that okay? I’m the one benefiting from all this]
[I thought we were over that already. I’m having a good time in my own way, so don’t worry about it]
Having said that, Tennouji-san continued in a small voice.
[And… you’re so much like me in the past that I wanted to help a little]
I tilted my head at her words.
[What do you mean…?]
[Now then, let’s begin the lesson]
As if to shrug it off, Tennouji-san began the lesson.
[…I see]
Tennouji-sama, truly a sight to behold. Now then ED got some stacks of before school, so I’ll be uploading maybe daily/sub-daily while listening to Birdku Dokkan OST til I’m finished, so y’all just enjoy 🙂
Donations are very much appreciated.
TL: Ezu
ED: Animu
PR: Mateo