Saijo no Osewa ~ Takane no Hana [LN] - V2 Chp 2 part 4
After the ruckus in the bathroom, I went back to the guestroom to study.
[…And that’s today’s quota, for now]
I finished the preparation and review Shizune-san gave me. Since Tennouji-san has been teaching me lately, Shizune-san’s quota was a little more lax.
[…Let’s try just a bit harder]
Perhaps because I was studying in an unusual environment, I was able to concentrate well. The right amount of tension seemed to keep me from getting distracted or falling asleep.
I got back into it and turned the page of my textbooks.
At that moment, a knock came from the door.
[Excuse me]
Appearing through the open door was Tennouji-san dressed in loungewear.
[Tennouji-san?]
[I brewed you a cup of herbal tea, if you’d like to join me]
Tennouji-san, holding a tray in one hand, said.
Of the two cups on the tray, I received the one in the front.
[Thank you very much]
The steam rising from the cup touched my nose.
It had a calming scent.
[You’re really enthusiastic]
Tennouji-san looked at the materials spread out on my desk and muttered.
[It’s not like I’m enthusiastic or anything… I’m always on this kind of schedule, so I just don’t feel comfortable if I’m not studying this much]
[…You still need proof of your hard work]
Tennouji-san said while sipping her tea.
[I think the reason you still don’t feel confident after all that effort is because you haven’t made results that have affirmed your work. …I’m going to make sure you get into the top ranks for next month’s mock exam]
[I-I’ll do my best]
Masatsugu-san also told me that I should make an achievement. Certainly, being a top scorer at Kiou Academy would be a great achievement.
I was full of motivation, and at the same time I had respect for Tennouji-san.
I’m sure that Tennouji-san acts with such things in mind on a regular basis. Her usual imposing appearance didn’t come from nothing. Her hard work up until now must’ve created her daily attitude.
With that in mind, I looked at Tennouji-san and… her appearance looked different than usual.
[Is something wrong?]
[No, it’s just… I’ve never seen your hair down before]
[Oh, come to think of it, certainly. It’s not often that I put it down at the academy, and… I just finished bathing]
In fact, I saw her with her hair down when she rushed out of the bathroom, but at the same time I immediately looked away because of her “clothes”, or lack thereof.
Looking at her again, with her hair down, Tennouji-san looks more mature than usual. Unlike her usual looks, where her strong will is very apparent, she seemed more calm here. The gap between the two is quite interesting, and it makes my eyes glued to her.
[Haha~. Could it be… you were fascinated by me?]
Tennouji-san said with a grin followed by a nasty smile.
I was stumped upon hearing that and I couldn’t respond. I wanted to deny it, but it’d be far too late.
[…Unlike Tennouji-san, I’m not used to this kind of situation]
I looked away and uttered the words a sore loser would say.
[…That’s… the same here]
Tennouji-san said in a small voice.
[I was, just trying to be strong. …I know, even I get a little surprised. It’s the first time I’ve had someone of the opposite sex stay at my house, and… there’s also that incident in the bath]
Tennouji-san’s were flushed red while she was talking.
I involuntarily gulped my saliva at the sight of her embarrassed self like that of a maiden, which I couldn’t imagine from her usual self.
―It was no good.
The atmosphere was somehow very awkward.
An unfamiliar tension washed over me. I was more restless now than I was when I had dinner with Masatsugu-san.
My mind went blank, and that’s when I saw the herbal tea on my desk.
Let’s drink this and calm down. I thought to myself, and tilted the cup to my mouth when―
[Hoot―!?](TN: Owl?)
As a result of my hasty attempt to drink, I complained with a burning pain on my tongue.
[A-Are you okay!?]
Tennouji-san was in a panic and worried.
It’s not so bad that it burned. However, my tongue wasn’t moving properly, so I tried to tell her that I was fine with a simple glance, but then my eyes met Tennouji-san’s.
We both looked into each other’s eyes and looked away quickly.
The awkward atmosphere slowly fizzled out.
[Geez… I haven’t felt like this in a long time]
Tennouji-san says with a smile.
[If I think about it carefully, you’ve been stuck in my mind since the first day we met. You knew the Konohana Group, but not the Tennouji Group… and you said delusional things like my hair was dyed]
[No, I’m still wondering about that though…]
[Be quiet]
I was told to keep my mouth shut.
Neither Masatsugu-san nor Hanami-san had blonde hair. Considering the general characteristics of Japanese people, it’s likely that Tennouji-san dyed her hair.
[It’s not often that I get a chance to say this, so I’ll tell you now…. I’m grateful to you. Since I met you, my student life has been enriched by tea parties, study groups, and more]
Her tone of voice conveyed her gratitude.
With a fascinating smile, Tennouji-san continued.
[And since you seem to have more than you look, you motivate me when I’m around you. …If you can score in the top single digits on the next mock exam, I’ll recruit you to be my right hand man after graduation] (TN: Are you sure you don’t mean husband?)
[That’s… as expected, a bit of a long shot, isn’t it?]
[If you’re feeling weak right now, it certainly does seem like it is]
Tennouji-san joked as I laughed bitterly.
[But, working with Tennouji-san sounds like a lot of fun]
When I voiced my thoughts, Tennouji-san looked surprised.
[I-Is that so?]
[Yes. I’ve been enjoying studying these days thanks to Tennouji-san, so I’d like to thank you for your help, and I wish I could do my job this way, too]
I have no idea what the future holds, but if I work as Tennouji-san’s subordinate, I believe I can live happily. I have a lot of experience as a part-timer, so I know what I’m talking about. I’m sure that Tennouji-san will be a good boss.
[F-fufufu..!! Of course! Of course! If you follow me, I guarantee you’ll live a fulfilling life!]
Tennouji-san said passionately.
Perhaps due to her happiness, her cheeks were slightly blushing and her eyes sparkled.
[W-well, the reality is that in order for Tomonari-san to work for me, he has to pass the Tennouji Group’s employment exam…. No, but if only he could get a recommendation from the Academy… Or perhaps you’d like to become my fiance, which would guarantee you the position of secretary…] (TN: SHE IS ASKING FOR A HUSBAND)
[Fiance?]
[N-n-nothing! I-ignore that, it’s just, I’m thinking a little too far in the future!!]
I tilted my head at Tennouji-san’s flustered response.
[…Anyways, I’ve overstayed my welcome]
Tennouji-san looked at her watch and muttered.
[Then, last but not least, let’s decide on our slogan!]
[Slogan, is it?]
[Yes. Since ancient times, in times of war, there have been words to boost the morale of the corps—A battle cry. [Ei! Ei! Hoo!] and [The enemy is at Honno-ji] are the most famous] (TN: The enemy is at Honno-ji is a quote said during the warring times of Japan from what’s known the Honno-ji incident, google for more info)
[I see, so that’s what it’s for]
Ei! Ei! Ho! Tennouji-san looked a bit cute when she said that.
[Then, please repeat after me]
When I nodded, Tennouji-san opened her eyes with a chuckle and said our slogan.
[Beat Konohana Hinako!!]
[Beat Konohana――Eh!?]
[What’s wrong?]
[No, but… are you going with that slogan?]
[Yes! Isn’t it perfect for us!]
If I say that, I’ll be fired from my current job…
No, I have no choice. I can’t explain the situation, so I’ll just have to play along here.
[Now then, let’s try again]
Tennouji-san took a quick breath.
[Beat Konohana Hinako!!]
[B-beat Konohana Hinako!]
Sorry, Hinako.
Donations are very much appreciated.
TL: Ezu
ED: Animu
PR: Mateo
MilitantBuddhist
Best girl! Wish that this chap will never end.