Saijo no Osewa ~ Takane no Hana [LN] - V2 Chp 4 part 1
Maybe, it was just another normal day.
I took my classes seriously, ate with Hinako during my lunch break, and held study sessions with Tennouji-san after school.
However, after school, as I was about to change my shoes in the shoebox lockers, I saw something unusual.
A single envelope in my locker.
Seeing the white letter, I reflexively closed my locker.
[Are you kidding me…?]
A love letter.
…It’s a love letter!!!
No, no, no… That’s impossible.
What kind of student in the Imperial Academy falls in love with a man like me? (TN: There’s like three already)
It’s true I take care of my appearance as a caretaker, but there are many good looking men and women amongst the students of the academy. I’m sure that I wouldn’t have been chosen because of my appearance.
My social status is also ostensibly that of the son and heir of a medium-sized company. In an ordinary high school, I might be the object of admiration, but in this academy, there are many candidates for the presidency of larger companies. I still didn’t understand why they’d choose me.
[W-What should I do, should I tell Shizune-san…?]
My head was spinning and I wanted to talk to someone about it right away.
If this was a normal high school, I’d first think it was a prank, but surely no student would do such a thing in this academy.
I took a deep breath and opened my locker again.
Fearfully I picked up the envelope and—
—Letter of challenge.
On the top of the letter were large words that were not supposed to be there.
[…Huh?]
I stiffened for a minute and slowly turned my head.
Is this… a prank? At least the possibility of it being a love letter is gone. I’m both happy and sad… No, I didn’t expect any in the first place, so there’s nothing wrong with it. Let’s put it that way.
When I opened the letter of challenge, the time and place for the meeting were written.
No greetings, no nothing. It just said [After school, at the dojo]
[…Nn?]
I tilted my head when I saw the words written in a beautiful way.
[This is… Tennouji-san’s handwriting?]
Because we’ve been together for quite some time, I remember Tennouji-san’s handwriting.
The masterful brush strokes, as if written by a calligrapher with great enthusiasm, are typical of the strong-willed Tennouji-san.
At any rate, I headed for the dojo as directed.
At Kiou Academy, there’s a dojo next to the gymnasium. I opened the door and went inside.
In the center of the dojo, Tennouji-san, clad in a hakama, was sitting in a seiza.
[You’re finally here]
Slowly opening her eyelids, Tennouji-san said.
[Uhm Tennouji-san. What did you mean by the letter of challenge…?]
[First, please change into a hakama in the changing room]
(EDN: An outfit used for martial arts, but also worn by shrine priests, or at least that’s what google says)
I felt the power in her words, and quietly followed her instructions, even though I was still confused.
In the men’s locker room, there was one kendo suit. I knew how to wear one because I studied self-defense in the Konohana family.
After changing, as I was leaving the locker room, I noticed a single shinai by the door. Should I take this with me as well? Unsure of Tennouji-san’s intentions, I picked up the shinai, tilting my head. (EDN: A shinai is a bamboo practice sword)
[Tennouji-san. I changed my clothes as you told me, but what is―]
[―Tomonari-san]
Standing up from her seiza position, Tennouji-san put her hand inside her hakama.
[What is this, I wonder?]
Tennouji-san took out three photos.
She then handed me the photos, and when I saw them―My eyes widened.
[T-This is..!?]
This was a picture taken this morning, when I left the Konohana family mansion with Hinako.
The photos were carefully taken from three different angles, showing that the people in that photo were unmistakably me and Hinako.
[This morning, I had someone take a picture. …And it seems that you and Konohana-san live in the same place]
I recalled Shizune-san detecting an intruder this morning.
At that time, she brushed it off, believing she imagined things. But…. It looks like there really was an intruder.
[That’s… It was a family affair, and I was sent to the Konohana family…]
[…Then let me change the question. Where and with whom did you spend lunch with today?]
This time, I couldn’t answer her question.
Her suspicions were confirmed this morning. I’m sure that’s why Tennouji-san has been observing me and Hinako all day today. I was on the lookout for the shadows around me…. But the Tennouji family is on par with the Konohana family.
[Then, I take that silence as affirmation]
Tennouji-san said while lowering her gaze.
[In other words, you were betraying me?]
Tennouji-san said that while keeping her gaze sharp at me.
[I didn’t mean to betray you, it’s not like that…]
[Stand up]
Tennouji-san pointed her shinai at me and shouted.
[That twisted mind and heart of yours―I’ll crush all of that!!]
She swung her shinai down.
[Uaaa!?]
It was a powerful blow, not what you would normally expect from a woman.
I avoided it just in time and the shinai missed the tip of my nose.
[P-Please wait, Tennouji-san!]
[I won’t wait!!]
Again, a swing aimed at my head was imminent.
Right now we’re only wearing hakama and no protective gear. We might injure each other if we don’t dodge. (TN: dodge best in the game fr)
I hurriedly held my shinai to the side and tried to defend myself, then―Tennouji-san turned her wrist and changed her trajectory.
[Kote~!!] (TN: Kote is the name of gloves used in Kendo, and is a viable target for a strike in Kendo)
[…Ugh!?]
A sharp pain ran through my wrist.
Tenonuji-san is serious. …But that doesn’t mean I can fight back seriously. The other party is the daughter of the Tennouji family. If she were to get hurt, it could lead to a big problem.
[You were…!]
While swinging her shinai down, Tennouji-san starts to yell.
[Y-You were…! You were making fun of me this whole time…!!]
When our eyes met, I saw that her eyes were wet.
[While I was competing against Konohana Hinako… You were pretending to cooperate with me… and laughing behind my back all this time…..!!]
Hearing those words in a trembling voice, I realized.
Tennouji-san, she―misunderstood me.
[T-That’s not it!!]
I said as I received her shinai with my own.
[It’s true that I’ve been taken care of by the Konohana family! I apologize for not telling you that! But I am spending time with Tennouji-san because I want to! Hinako has nothing to do with this!]
[Keep your mouth shut…! I can’t trust a word you say, you traitor!!]
Tennouji-san pushed down her shinai.
I wondered where in the world her thin arms held such power. I began to break out in a cold sweat.
I lied to Tennouji-san. That… could be considered as betrayal.
I lied to her about my identity, about my background, and hid my true feelings from her. Tennouji-san trusted me and even confided in me that she was adopted… but I betrayed her trust.
[Tennouji-san… It’s not like that. I’m really not laughing at you, Tennouji-san]
[You have no excuse!]
That’s right. Every word out of my mouth is an excuse.
I understand why Tennouji-san is so angry.
It’s because of how much she believed in me.
What about me, on the other hand?
I said I didn’t betray her and that Hinako had nothing to do with this, but… in the end, Tennouji-san didn’t believe anything I told her.
Is Tennouji-san an untrustworthy person?
No, she isn’t. In fact, there’s probably few people who can be trusted as much as Tennouji-san. I’m sure that no matter what she says, she will always tell the truth.
[I admit, I did lie]
I said as I caught Tennouji-san’s shinai.
[I admit that I did hide some things. But… it wasn’t to hurt Tennouji-san]
[I told you already, no more excuses!]
Right now, Tennouji-san is confused. That’s why my words won’t reach her.
I’m sure that Tennouji-san would understand if she were calm. She may suspect something insidious, like bullying… but who would spend every day after school together or take strict lessons just for that?
[That much is true]
[I told you, I don’t believe you―]
Tennouji-san tried to swing down her sword once again.
Just before that, I moved my right arm forward and grabbed Tennouji-san’s shinai to stop her.
[…It’s true]
I’ll tell you all about me.
I made up my mind while gripping my shinai.
I’ll tell you everything.
Just like Tennouji-san believed in me―I want to believe in Tennouji-san too.
[Then, shall we hear your explanation?]
Tennouji-san said, regaining her composure and staring straight at me.
In the center of the dojo, the air was tense between us and we sat down facing each other.
[Actually―]
I was honest about my situation.
About how I wasn’t the heir of a medium-sized company and how I was a servant of the Konohana family. I explained it all.
However, I didn’t say anything about Hinako’s true nature.
I couldn’t say that much. It was a matter deeply related to the entire Konohana family. And besides, taking only me in consideration, I hesitated to disclose Hinako’s secret without permission.
[I see… I see, I see, I see…]
After hearing the explanation, Tennouji-san nodded her head repeatedly.
[You’re actually the eldest son of a poor family, not the heir apparent of an IT company, and you are now working for Konohana Hinako, and as part of that, you’ve become a student at the Academy. The reason you didn’t tell anyone is because you didn’t want to cause any trouble for the Konohana family that picked you up. …It’s hard to believe out of blue, but it makes sense]
Tennouji-san looked convinced.
Then she looked at me with still eyes and said,
[Impostor]
She told me shortly.
[You are a fraud desuwa]
[…I can’t deny that]
I couldn’t even refute her claim and I bowed my head.
[….The way you talk]
[Eh?]
[The way you talk is also an act, is it not? When you stopped my shinai, it seemed like your tone changed]
[…Well]
It was not as big of an act as she made it sound like, but it was certainly not my normal tone of voice.
Just because you’re a student at the Imperial Academy doesn’t mean you have to use honorifics. In fact, my classmates, Taisho and Asahi-san, used a frank tone to everyone.
[You should return to your original tone of voice]
[…However]
[I told you to change it back]
She said in an overwhelming force.
In any case, since it had already become like this, there was no use in covering it up.
[…Alright]
When I returned to my original tone under Tennouji-san’s pressure, Tennouji-san looked surprised.
[So… It’s true that you had such a tone]
After telling me so with a mysterious look on her face, Tennouji-san looked at me again with sharp eyes.
[Promise me. Promise me from now on, you’ll never lie in front of me, not only in words, but also your actions]
Tennouji-san continued.
[If you keep that promise, I promise to continue our relationship as before]
[…Are you sure…? Acting the same as usual?]
[I told you. I’m confident in my ability to see through people. …You ultimately decided to follow through your lie out of respect for the wishes of the Konohana family rather than for yourself, so I can’t just dismiss it outright]
Even in this situation, Tennouji-san was a charismatic person through and through.
In fact, Tennouji-san wouldn’t do anything that would put others in a disadvantage. Depending on the situation she would distinguish what should and shouldn’t be said.
[It’s inevitable that you have something to hide. But from now on, please say that you can’t say what you can’t say. That’s what it means to not lie]
[…Alright. Uhm, Tennouji-san, I won’t lie in front of you anymore]
When I said this, Tennouji-san looked like she just thought of something.
[Since this is a good chance, let’s change the way we call each other, shall we? …When we’re alone, can you just call me Mirei?]
[Eh?]
[…What’s with that surprised face? You should feel honored]
Tennouji-san pouted in protest.
[I, too, will call you Itsuki-san. …That will be my cue when talking to the real you]
I see… that might come in handy.
When we’re around other people, we will call each other as we usually do, and when we can let our guard down, we will change the way we call each other. Oddly enough, I already have that kind of relationship with Hinako, so it doesn’t feel that strange to me.
[Then… Mirei]
I called Tennouji-san’s name to try it out.
Then, Tennouji-san’s face turned red.
Tennouji-san became silent. It looked like she was desperately trying to push down her agitation.
[Mirei?]
[M-Maybe let’s not do this after all]
[Eh…?]
Tennouji-san played with her golden hair with her fingertips and stuttered as she looked away.
[I-I can’t stay calm, so… you can continue calling me as you have in the past. I’m going to call you Itsuki-san]
Huh, well that’s that. If Tennouji-san’s fine with it, then I’m not opposed to it.
[Anyways, from today and onwards, you won’t lie to me. In order to maintain a fair relationship, I won’t lie to you either. …You too, if you have anything you want to ask, just ask]
[Even if you say anything, I’m not sure what to ask…]
When being put on the spot, it’s no easy task to just come up with a question.
I had thought that at first, but there was one thing about Tennouji-san that had been bothering me for some time. However, I decided it wasn’t the time to ask… yet.
[….I don’t have anything to ask]
[Just now, your eyes were looking around]
Tennouji-san didn’t miss my momentary hesitation.
[Geez. I don’t see why you’re being so hesitant now]
[No… I just thought that, I didn’t really care that much about it]
[I already told you I wouldn’t lie. Besides, I would be more concerned if you were to hesitate in this situation… Just go ahead and ask me anything]
[…Then]
The actual person is telling me to ask, so I’ll ask her honestly.
[Your hair, it’s actually dyed, isn’t it?]
[―!?]
When I asked my question, a strange [Hngh] spilled out of Tennouji-san’s mouth.
[W-W-What kind of question are you asking!? can’t you read the mood!?]
[….But, I’ve been wondering about it for a long time]
[I-I never thought that I’d get strangled so soon…. As I thought, you’re a fraud..!!!]
I don’t think this one is my fault.
[…Dyed it]
[Eh?]
[I dyed it, okay!? Is there a problem with that!?]
Tennouji-san’s face turned red as she admitted it.
I shook my head, but it was not that I had anything to complain about. Then, Tennouji-san regained her composure and the flush on her face faded.
[…I dyed my hair gold ever since I was a child to look appropriate as the eldest daughter of the Tennouji family. …The same goes to my peculiar tone desuwa]
[Ahhh, I knew that you did that one on purpose]
[Of course desuwa. …And now, I can no longer go back]
Tennouji-san said with a complicated face.
Indeed, as someone who knows the usual Tennouji-san, it may be difficult to imagine Tennouji-san with black hair and a normal tone of voice. I worry that she may have done something unnecessary.
[….Let me ask just one more thing]
I realized just now that I forgot an important question.
[Is there anyone other than Tennouji-san who knows I’m being taken care of by the Konohana family?]
[No, it’s just me. I personally commissioned the entire investigation. …It was my mother who first suspected you… but I’ll deceive her later]
[…I see]
Thank you, I tried to say that… but I just kept my mouth shut.
[Is something wrong?]
[No… I was just thinking that now I’ve been exposed, I might not be able to stay at the academy much longer]
[…!!]
Keeping quiet about this to Hinako and Shizune-san wasn’t an option.
I believe in Tennouji-san. And I’m still convinced that she would never leak any information that she learned today with anyone.
But… Keigon-san surely wouldn’t allow it.
While thinking about it, I noticed that Tennouji-san looked sad.
[I-I’m sorry, because of my persistent questioning…. I wasn’t thinking that far ahead]
[…No, it isn’t Tennouji-san’s fault]
Tennouji-san misunderstood and I quickly corrected her.
Tennouji-san isn’t responsible for this matter at all. Because―
[I didn’t want to lie to Tennouji-san any more than I already had]
Right now, I’m not sure if I’m smiling properly.
Who knows what the future has in store for me.
All will be revealed after I return to the mansion today.
Donations are very much appreciated.
TL: Ezu
ED: Animu
PR: Mateo