Saijo no Osewa ~ Takane no Hana [LN] - V2 Chp 4 part 6
Before I knew it, the sky was already dark.
The sun had already set, and it was almost 7 pm.
As I leisurely headed for the station, I lightly stretched my body.
[It’s been a while since I played this much…]
Muttering almost unconsciously, I looked at Tennouji-san.
[Tennouji-san. What did you think of today?]
[It was the worstttttt!!!!]
Tennouji-san yelled loudly.
[In the end, I never won a game, and I was a wreck at bowling!]
[But karaoke was a good competition, wasn’t it?]
[I won’t be satisfied with high scores on nursery rhymes!]
Since I had won at the game center and bowling convincingly, I thought I would be able to handle karaoke, but that wasn’t the case. It seems that Tennouji-san had undergone voice training, and her singing ability was remarkable.
However, her singing repertoire was limited. She seemed to be familiar with classical music, but she didn’t know any of the popular bands that people usually listen to. So, in the end, Tennouji-san had no choice but to sing a children’s song that everyone knew. The humiliated look on Tennouji-san’s face that moment was clearly etched in my memory.
[It seemed like Tennouji-san likes competitions, so I tried to plan it towards that today… but I’m glad you enjoyed it]
[Yeah… Thanks to you, I felt my blood boiling for the first time in a while]
Tennouji-san was so frustrated that she clenched her fist tightly.
[What’re we going to do now? Are we going somewhere else?]
[I would love to do that but… as expected, it’s already late today]
[…That’s right]
I agreed with Tennouji-san as she looked up at the darkened sky.
[Well then, let’s leave it here for today]
Hearing my casual words, Tennouji-san reacted with a twitch.
[…You say mean words, you know?]
Tennouji-san stopped and stared at her feet.
After all, Tennouji-san seemed to think of today as the last time to make memories before leaving the academy.
However, whether today is the last day or not will depend on Tennouji-san.
[If you refuse the arranged marriage, we can always continue where we left off]
[….Even if you say that, my stance won’t change]
Tennouji-san said with a trembling voice.
[We had a very enjoyable time together today. However, if you ask me if it was for the good of the Tennouji family―]
[Can’t it just be for fun?]
I interrupted Tennouji-san and asked.
[Isn’t that enough reason to turn down the marriage offer?]
Tennouji-san opened her eyes in confusion, as if she didn’t expect to be told such a thing.
[That’s…. not possible. Today’s event was about me personally. On the other hand, the arranged marriage is about the situation of the Tennouji family. The scale is too different]
The passers-by looked at us as we suddenly stopped.
I then ask Tennouji-san clearly, while she was biting her lips.
[Then, Tennouji-san―Are you willing to throw away everything for the Tennouji family?]
Tennouji-san kept her mouth shut.
[I can’t imagine how much pressure Tennouji-san is under. But after actually meeting Tennouji-san’s parents, I’m convinced… They must be wishing for Tennouji-san’s happiness. They care about Tennouji Mirei, not just the Tennouji family]
When I visited Tennouji-san’s house, I was asked by her mother, Hanami-san, [Is Mirei having a good time at the academy?]
From the beginning, she had no interest in Tennouji-san’s public appearance. As long as her daughter was having a good time at the academy, it’d be fine… That’s what she thought.
[That’s… just your imagination desuwa]
Tennouji-san said with her face down.
[Father and mother are both very kind, so they don’t force me to do anything. However, I’m sure that they really want me to live for the family―]
[―That’s not true!!]
I just couldn’t listen to her words any longer.
Right now, I am a little pissed.
How could this person not notice..?
[Dyeing your hair gold! Speaking in a strange tone! Do you really think that’s for the good of the Tennouji family!?]
[Wha!? H-H-Hey…!?]
Tennouji-san’s face flushed red as if to say “I’m not talking about that here!”.
When she was a child, Tennouji-san truly believed that doing so would be for the good of the family. Now that she had grown up, she was still sticking to that belief by her own will.
[But Masatsugu-san and Hanami-san didn’t complain about anything, did they!?]
[―!?]
Tennouji-san gasped. I may have let my emotions run wild. Yet I had no intention of withdrawing my statement.
The situation with Hinako was different.
Hinko was suffering under unreasonable pressure from the Konohana family and Keigon-san’s decision. However, in Tennouji-san’s case, there is nothing unreasonable. Tennouji-san is just trapped in her own conviction.
I just couldn’t stand it.
[Those people… are prioritizing Tennouji-san over the family]
I will tell her again the facts that I see as an outsider.
[Is Tennouji-san properly facing those thoughts?]
Unlike me, Tennouji-san can still talk to her parents properly.
Hiding this thought in my heart, I told her.
The serious eyes of the boy standing in front of her pierced her heart strongly.
Tennouji Mirei recalled an incident from her childhood in response to Itsuki’s words.
[We want to make Mirei happy, okay?]
That’s what her parents said several times to Mirei, who was taken in as her adopted child. They declared that they would treat Mirei as their own child. However, they never wanted to tie Mirei down. This was something that has been conveyed to her since she was a child.
That was why Mirei always wanted to repay her kind hearted father and mother.
After learning about the fame of the Tennouji family―The family that took her in, Mirei realized how to repay their kindness.
[Mother. If I study hard, will it benefit the Tennouji family?]
When she was a little girl. Mirei asked her mother.
Her mother happily replied [Yes].
[Father. If I become famous, would it benefit the Tennouji family?]
When she was a little girl. Mirei asked her father.
Her father answered [Yes] with a hearty laugh.
Since then, Mirei studied hard, dyed her hair, changed her tone of voice, and began her life as the daughter of the Tennouji family. At first, she made many mistakes. Originally, her test scores were average, and she wasn’t particularly popular. Nevertheless, as a result of her desperate efforts, Mirei became famous as an outstanding student. Mirei made such a bloody effort that her past self disappeared in a haze.
[Mirei. I know you’re always studying late at night, but… You could live more freely, you know?]
One day. Her mother told her so.
[Please don’t worry. This is the path I chose for myself]
Mirei answered with a smile. Then her mother agreed with a [I see], but her face was anxious.
She may indeed be trying a little too hard. But she’s sure they’ll eventually understand. She just wants to repay her parents for taking her in.
[Mirei. It’s all well and good to have good manners, but it’s okay to cut loose once in a while, okay?]
[No problem. As the daughter of the Tennouji family, I’ll do at least this much]
How long has it been like this?
She noticed that she shook her head without a moment’s hesitation at her parents’ questions.
(Ahh… I see)
The words of Itsuki,the boy in front of her, ruminated in her brain.
[Is Tennouji-san properly facing those thoughts?]―Those words shook Mirei’s core values.
(I was… running away desuwa)
She didn’t have the confidence to be their daughter.
She chose to become the daughter of the Tennouji family in her own way.
Because it was easier to understand. It was much easier to get a good score on a test and act with the class than it was to respond to one’s parents’ wishes.
The boy in front of her made her realize…She’d been running away from such feelings.
[Why…]
Unintentionally, such words spilled from her lips.
[Why… is Itsuki-san so willing to help me this much…?]
How could this person be so sincere with her, even though he wasn’t part of her family?
To Mirei’s question, Itsuki answered with a serious expression.
[Because… I too, want Tennouji-san to live as happily as possible]
Itsuki spoke boldly, without feeling embarrassed.
[If… you think today’s experience is valuable… please don’t throw it away]
Today… she thought back to what she went through.
Game centers, bowling, and karaoke… All may be unnecessary experiences for the daughter of the Tennouji family. But for Tennouji Mirei, that wasn’t the case.
Today, she was able to truly enjoy herself.
[…Swindler]
Mirei muttered in a shaky voice.
It wasn’t just her parents.
Not for the daughter of the Tennouji family… but for someone named Tennouji Mirei, there was someone… Someone who thought of her dearly.
That’s why, she realized.
[Swindler, scammer, con man… You’re really good with your words, aren’t you…]
She struggled to hold back tears that formed in the corner of her eyes, trying not to let any through.
Her emotions were a jumbled mess. She was certain that right now, her actions were unbecoming of the daughter of the Tennouji family.
But, it was okay.
Right now, she doesn’t see herself that way.
[…I’ve been coaxed by you]
Wiping tears from her eyes, Mirei laughed.
[I’ll refuse the offer. …I can’t give up something as valuable as this]
[…I see]
Itsuki was visibly relieved.
Just the sight of that alone might be worth turning down the marriage offer.
[Well, to be honest, if you asked me whether today was precious, I wouldn’t―]
[No, that’s not what I meant]
She didn’t just say that today was valuable.
Honestly… She couldn’t tell whether he was sharp or dull.
[You are precious] (TN: ALL HAIL BEST GIRL)
Donations are very much appreciated.
TL: Ezu
ED: Animu
PR: Mateo
Delgado
And best girl is born!