Saijo no Osewa ~ Takane no Hana [LN] - V3 Chp 1 part 1

Chapter 1: Competitions and Narika’s Melancholy

[In three weeks, there will be a competition]

Fukushima-sensei, the homeroom teacher of Class A, informed us.

[Please refer to the booklet available to you for more information about each competition. Everyone is encouraged to participate, so please decide which competitions you’d like to enter and submit your applications this week]

I listened to the teacher while turning the booklet at hand.

This is… another very elaborate event.

When first period class started, my mind was occupied with the competition for a while.

Then, lunch break.

I was eating lunch with Hinako on the roof of the old student hall as usual.

[A competition, huh…]

I muttered while eating my thick omelet.

[Didn’t the high school Itsuki went to… have something like this too…?]

[Well, there were, but not on this scale]

I picked up smoked duck with my chopsticks.

After that, I feed it to Hinako.

[Nn. …Delicious]

Hinako giggled and smiled prettily.

The chef would be delighted hearing her compliment.

I wanted to discuss things with Hinako, so I brought a booklet about the competition. I put the booklet on the floor and flipped through it.

[I thought the grounds of the academy alone were huge, but I see there are multiple venues further divided up for competitions. There’s… golf, horseback, and even ice skating?]

That means there’s a golf course, a ranch, and a skating rink. Surprisingly, these venues aren’t rented, but owned by the academy.

Seriously, how much land does this academy have…?

[Itsuki, make the next one a little sweeter…]

[Yes yes]

I’ll try eating it for myself first.

The broiled egg and kabocha were sweet and tasty, but the sweetened black beans were especially delicious. I picked up some of the beans with my chopsticks and fed it to Hinako.

[Mmph~… It’s delicious]

[Why don’t you at least eat the beans yourself?]

[Noooo~…]

It takes time to feed each piece.

As I was thinking this, I saw a spoon at the edge of the lunch box.

I’m going to use it since it seems like a good opportunity.

[Itsuki… I don’t think you need to worry too much]

Hinako said as she chewed her food.

[What do you mean?]

[The competitions are relatively casual, so… there are a lot of people who cut corners]

Is that so?

Well, I certainly felt a casual atmosphere from the contents of the booklet. The competitions did not affect your grades and it seemed to prioritize having fun over getting results.

I felt a little better about it.

The atmosphere at the academy didn’t seem to be changing just because of the competition.

[So Hinako, do you feel like you’re just going with the flow?]

[I’d like to but… I have to try to win]

I felt surprised by her words.

[Is it Keigon-san’s orders?]

[Yes… It is…]

Hinako seemed dispirited.

Even if it was a casual event, it seemed difficult to aim for the top.

[By the way, how did it go last time?]

[I won. …Very tiring]

I was astonished when Hinako told me that while munching on her broiled egg.

I almost forget from time to time that Hinako is still a talented girl.

Hinako’s abilities are outstanding even in this academy of elites.

(Keigon-san’s methods can’t be denied in its entirety, can they…?)

If she’s so capable, it would be a shame to let her rot. I can understand that kind of parental love.

Still, I was on Hinako’s side.

I’ll try to reduce her burden as much as I can.

[Which sport is Hinako going to participate in?]

[Tennis, same as last year. …There are a lot of people, and it’s easier to get attention when you win]

Well, it’s true that tennis seems to have more participants than golf or skating.

[Then I’ll play tennis too]

[…You can play?]

[I used to play with someone I knew for a while]

A certain childhood friend invited me to play with her a few times.

The girl was a member of the tennis club, so after school, I would sometimes accompany her to practice. 

I miss those days when we used to hit the ball around in the park at dusk.

It was a small park, so I couldn’t run too fast, and I had a hard time as the ball kept going into the bushes. If I were to do something like that with Hinako today, it would probably be in a big, beautiful facility. It would be very convenient and I would have been envious of it as a kid, but I feel nostalgic because my daily life has been completely changed.

At that moment, I heard something vibrating.

[Hinako, you’re getting a call]

[…You’re right]

Hinako took out her phone from her skirt pocket.

Hinako presses the answer button and immediately switches to speaker mode.

“Ojou-sama, may I have a word?”

[Nnn]

Hinako nodded her head.

The person on the other end of the phone seems to be Shizune-san.

“This is about the competition that is about to begin. We were going to hire the same tennis coach as usual, but it turns out, the person in charge sprained his hand the other day and it seems too difficult for him to cope with the situation. We are looking for a replacement coach right now, but in some cases it might be better for you to participate in other competitions”

It was timely, but not a good story.

[The line of not participating is, one chance…]

“No chance”

[Neee…]

“This competition is a great opportunity for Ojou-sama to show that she’s both capable in studies and sports. I’m sure Keigon-sama will not compromise on this”

Even if the competition didn’t affect grades, it was still a big event.

Winning the competition would strengthen Hinako’s impression of the perfect Ojou-sama.

“Besides, it’s good for Ojou-sama to be physically active. Lately, I think she’s gained a little weight, perhaps because she’s been able to enjoy meals with Itsuki-san—”

[Nnph~!?]

Suddenly Hinako made a strange noise.

Because of that, I couldn’t hear Shizune-san’s words halfway through but… I wonder what she said.

Hinako, her face bright red, moved away from me with her phone.

“Ojou-sama?”

[N-Now I’m with Itsuki… so, don’t say that much…]

“I see. Then it’d be better if you move your body even more”

[Nghh… Muuu…]

Hinako made a really complicated face.

“Itsuki-san, are you there?”

Shizune-san asked for me.

Hinako handed me her phone.

[I’m here]

“What are you going to participate in, Itsuki-san?”

[I’m thinking of matching Hinako, but…]

“I understand. In the case of Itsuki-san, please be careful not to overdo it”

[…That’s right. I’ll be careful]

I recalled last month where I was found out by Tennoji-san.

Many students will participate in the competition. If I perform poorly in public, I might cause trouble for the Konohana family… no, for Hinako.

[[However, since Itsuki-san is athletic, he should have no problem in most normal sports. However, I think it would be better to refrain from equestrian events]]

I’d willingly refrain from doing so without being told.

I’m a little interested, but there’s no need to do so at a competitive event.

I finished the call with Shizune-san and handed the phone back to Hinako.

[Hinako, what do you want to do?]

In terms of competitions to participate in, the tennis coach, and so on.

The question was intended to confirm various policies, but for some reason, Hinako was feeling agitated as she lightly touched her belly.

Hinako poked her sides and broke out in cold sweat.

[….Itsuki]

[Nn?]

[How am I… these days?]

I don’t know what she’s asking.

I tilted my head.

[Maybe… just a little more round…?]

What does she mean round… Ahh, she’s talking about body shape.

[If you ask me, maybe you’ve gotten slightly fatter]

[Ugh]

But Hinako was very thin to begin with, and I thought that was natural… but Hinako looked hopeless.

[…Win, for sure]

Hinako clenched her fists and said.

[I… will win, for sure..!!]

[Y-Yeah]

I couldn’t keep up with Hinako’s sudden motivation, but it was good that she was motivated, regardless of her motive.

After finishing lunch, we put away our lunch boxes and headed back to the school building.

[Wait. Hinako, there’s a grain in your mouth]

[Hmm….]

I wiped Hinako’s mouth with a handkerchief.

I almost tarnished Hinako’s image of the perfect Ojou-sama.

We then headed to the school building again.

(But the question is which sport is she going to partake in. If Hinako wants to win, I think she should go for tennis, which she’s already used to…)

And if that is the case, I’ll be participating in tennis too.

I’m concerned about the absence of the coach that Shizune-san was talking about, but I would also like to compete in a sport I’m familiar with if possible. I wonder if we can somehow find a replacement coach.

[I-Itsuki…!!]

Someone called out to me as we were walking down the hallway.

I turned around, and there was a girl behind us—

[Narika?]

Narika, a girl with long black hair tied in a single point, approached me.

[What’s wrong? You seem agitated]

[…Itsuki, have you heard about the competitions?]

[I only heard it from the teacher this morning in homeroom]

Narika’s eyes welled up with tears as she grabbed both of my shoulders.

[Please, Itsuki! —Please help me!!]

Donations are very much appreciated. (EDN: Help fuel me and Ezu’s Honkai addiction plz)

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TL: Ezu
ED: Animu
PR: Mateo