Saijo no Osewa ~ Takane no Hana [LN] - V2 Chp 4 part 3
After school the following day, I headed to the gym for a dance lesson with Tennouji-san.
[Ah…Tennouji-san]
I changed into my workout clothes in the changing room and went inside the gym, where I saw Tennouji-san who had just gotten changed like me.
Tennouji-san looked at me, then quickly looked around.
[Itsuki-san]
She gave the signal.
Right now, there’s no one here but us.
Then, I can go back to my usual attitude―After all, I had been talking to her in a polite tone. I’m not sure if Tennouji-san gave me the permission to do so, but I decided to let loose.
[Uhm… I’m looking forward to another lesson with you today]
[What are you so nervous about?]
When I awkwardly greeted her, Tennouji–san giggled.
I felt embarrassed, but it also helped me to relax.
[You called the Konohana family yesterday, didn’t you? …That greatly helped me. If it weren’t for that, I might’ve been expelled.]
[You needn’t worry about it. I feel responsible for it]
With a mysterious look on her face, Tennouji-san said.
[Actually, today, I observed you secretly…. and you certainly behaved like a follower of Konohana Hinako. You’re always by her side casually and you prepare to rush in as soon as something happens… Really, Konohana Hinako is very blessed]
[I’m relieved to hear you say that. Well, to be honest, I have my hands full]
[No need to be modest. Perhaps you’ve been trained by the servants of the Konohana family. You’re at least good enough to be a servant]
That said, Tennouji-san looked a little down.
[Honestly, it’s enviable… I wish you could be my servant] (TN: You mean husband)
Tennouji-san muttered something.
[Did you say anything?]
[…No, it’s nothing]
Tennouji-san said with a slightly grumpy attitude.
Maybe I said something that might’ve offended her…?
[Anyways, Itsuki-san. …What are you doing with Konohana Hinako during your lunch break? I know that both of you go to the old student building..]
Tennouji-san glared at me.
The only thing I did during my lunch break today was feed Hinako her lunch and put her on my lap so she could take a nap….
[What did I do… we just ate lunch]
[If all you did was eat, you could just do that in a classroom. Aren’t you doing something else?]
As expected of Tennouji-san, she has great intuition. So, I had no choice but to―
[…Please don’t question it further]
[…Houuu]
Tennouji-san’s eyes narrowed.
[I’m asking just to be sure, you’re not doing anything wrong, are you?]
[Well, that’s…]
Suddenly, I remembered that I gave Hinako a lap pillow.
I wonder if that would be considered impure in the eyes of the public. No, but…since both parties gave their consent, I’m sure it wouldn’t be a problem. (TN: By that logic, if 2 people consented incest, they would be fine and the world would be a hellhole by now)
[…That’s, I don’t think so]
[Why did you pause there?]
[I didn’t]
The anxiety in my head seemed to have manifested in my words.
I quickly assured her, but it was a little too late, and Tennouji-san became even more doubtful.
[A-As I thought, you and Konohana Hinako have some kind of special relationship…!!]
[Even if you say that… What makes you think so?]
[A hunch desuwa!!]
[A hunch is it…]
In other words, she has no evidence at all.
[…If I were to guess, I’d say something a little more intimate than an average servant]
[I-Intimate…?]
Tennouji-san frowned.
[…How close?]
[How close what?]
[As I’ve said! How close are you!? There are a lot of ways that show it, just from talking to each other or when passing one another!!]
That’s something I’d do with strangers, let alone someone close to me.
Why am I being asked this question? I asked myself, wondering.
[For example, maybe we have a quick chat]
[W-well, there’s nothing weird with that, is there? I do that as well]
[And, as I said before, we have dinner together]
[…T-That’s also not a problem. I did that too]
[Also… I give her headpats]
[I don’t do that!!!]
Tennouji-san yelled.
Shit. I was let go easily twice in a row, so I slipped.
[Patting her head!? Patting her HEAD!? What kind of situation is that!?]
[N-No, you know, it’s just sometimes, the mood is like that]
[What kind of mood causes that to happen!?]
Bang! Tennouji-san stepped on the floor strongly.
It was difficult to explain what we do. When I was lost for an answer, Tennouji-san’s face turned bright red.
[You should… also stroke my head]
[…Yes?]
[My head! Mine! Pet it! Yours truly–Tennouji Mirei! I can’t let Konohana Hinako get ahead of me!!] (TN: Our tsundere Ojou-sama everyone, TSKR :pray:)
First is…
What exactly is she trying to compete with Hinako for?
[Then…]
I reached out to Tennouji-san’s head because she’d be angry if I didn’t pat her.
[Fuaa~…]
When I patted her head, Tennouji-san let out a strange sound.
Despite Tennouji-san’s stout personality, her hair was soft as silk. It felt different from Hinako’s hair. Tennouji-san’s whorl was just slightly off center.
As I continued to stroke her little head for a while… Tennouji-san’s cheeks turned bright red and she fell silent. I was afraid to call out to her.
[….Tennouji-san?]
[HAA–!?]
Tennouji-san’s eyes widened as if she snapped back to reality.
When I withdrew my hand, Tennouji-san coughed in an obviously distracting way.
[Ehem. I’m sorry…. I was just thinking about something]
[Thinking…?]
[What?]
It didn’t look like that to me, but I’ll keep quiet because I’m afraid of opening Pandora’s Box… if I try mentioning it.
[Ah, you do this kind of thing… with Konohana Hinako?]
[Well…]
When I affirmed her statement, Tennouji-san wrinkled her brows.
[Fu-fufufu… Konohana Hinako and I seem to have an incompatible relationship after all desuwa…!!]
Tennouji-san squeezed her fist and muttered.
[….I’ll start the lesson]
[Eh?]
[I said I’m starting the lesson!!]
[Y-Yes!]
For some reason, Tennouji-san was very angry.
[There, you’re moving too slow!!]
An hour had passed since the lesson started.
Whenever I made a wrong move, Tennouji-san was quick to point it out.
[S-Somehow, you seem more strict than usual…]
[I’m not going to go easy on a cheater!!]
[That’s… I can’t refute that]
I realized that my legs and back were exhausted. If it were just physical strength, I would’ve been as strong as Tennouji-san, but I was probably more tired than her because I was wasting a lot of time and energy in my movements.
After another hour or so, we stopped.
[Then, let’s call it a day]
[T-Thank you very much…]
I bowed and wiped the sweat dripping from my cheeks with the back of my hand.
Tennouji-san also stretched her collar and wiped the sweat from her face. I looked away as her clothes lifted to reveal her thin and white waist.
[As usual, you’re a fast learner]
[…I don’t really feel like that though]
[It’s not flattery whatsoever. What normally takes two days to learn, you learn in only half a day. …After all, your ambition helps you grow tremendously]
After saying that, Tennouji-san looked like she thought of something.
[Is something wrong?]
[No, I’m just now becoming aware of my hobbies and interests. …Apparently, I like people who make an effort]
Tennouji-san said abruptly.
She probably said it unconsciously. But her line just now was hard for me to ignore.
[Errr, that… by like, you mean…]
[Please don’t misunderstand that!! It meant respect as a person!!]
[A-Ahhh, so that’s what…]
[Of course! Otherwise—]
Tennouij-san looked as if she came back to her senses.
[…Otherwise, I shouldn’t]
Tennouji-san mumbled with a mysterious look on her face.
Lately, Tennouji-san has been making this face often. I was at a loss for a response, so I decided to change the subject for the time being.
[Come to think of it, Tennouji-san said she was adopted, but it doesn’t really feel that way. Unlike me, you don’t seem to be like a commoner…]
[I was raised in the Tennouji family since I can remember, and in that sense, I don’t need to change my behavior, unlike Itsuki-san, so I didn’t have to put as much effort into it]
I, who was raised as a commoner, first had to make an effort to act in an upper-class behavior in order to fit into the academy. Although Tennouji-san is an adopted child, she was raised by the Tennouji family since she was an infant, so unlike me, she didn’t experience the need to change.
However, that doesn’t mean that Tennouji-san doesn’t work harder than I do. Living as the daughter of the Tennouji family… that heavy responsibility is a huge pressure I don’t have.
[So you don’t know much about the commoner life, do you, Tennouji-san?]
[That’s right. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t interested]
Among the students of the academy, there are only some who know the life of commoners. Narika, for example, seems to visit candy stores often.
[But… right now, I have to concentrate on my studies in order to win against Konohana Hinako]
Tennouji-san had a serious expression as she said this.
[….I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but Tennouji-san likes to win, doesn’t she?]
[Yeah. Originally I just tried to aim to do my best for the Tennouji family… Before I knew it, it became a core part of my nature]
That seemed very like Tennouji-san.
[I don’t know… what will happen to my future, especially at this time, depending on the arranged marriage. I must settle things with Konohana Hinako while I still can]
[…In the future?]
She looked very determined, and I suddenly had a question.
[The future… could it be different because of the arranged marriage?]
[Yes. Worst case scenario, I would have to leave the academy]
[Huh?]
My eyes widened hearing those words.
[The person whom I’m arranged with lives a little far from here. …He wants us to live together as soon as possible, so I will probably leave the academy as soon as it’s set in stone]
[W-Wait a minute. Why so suddenly…]
[It can’t be helped. I also just heard about it last night]
Tennouji-san said calmly.
[This is what it means to accept an arranged marriage. …I will follow the wishes of the family and work hard for the sake of the two families. I’m in a position where I’m no longer free to do what I want…]
Saying so, Tennouji-san’s lips shut tightly.
The confidence that was always there was no longer present in Tennouji-san.
[I know I’ve asked this many times… but, let me ask again. Does Tennouji-san really feel happy about this arranged marriage?]
To my question, Tennouji-san looked sad for a moment.
No lies. Tennouji-san was the one who told me so.
Tennouji-san closed her eyes and made an elegant smile… while saying.
[I’ll stay silent about it]
Somehow… It’s like she already gave her answer.
Editor here, seems like I changed the spacing of the text of the recent chapters by accident, do you prefer the longer spaces? If not I’m going to keep it as is.
Donations are very much appreciated.
TL: Ezu
ED: Animu
PR: Mateo
RinTohsakan
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