Takane no Hana - Volume 2 Chapter 14

After a ruckus in the bathroom, I went back to the guest room to study.

“……And that’s the end of my quota for today, anyway.”

Finish the quota of preparation and review given by Shizune-san. Since Tennoji-san has been teaching me how to study recently, Shizune-san’s quota was a little more restrained. However, she could not let up because if she did not concentrate on her work, it would take a long time to complete.

“I’m going to try …… just a little bit harder.”

Perhaps because I am studying in an unusual environment, I am able to concentrate well. The right amount of tension seemed to keep me from loosening up and falling asleep.

I got back into the swing of things and turned the pages of my textbook.

At that moment, there was a knock at the door.

“Excuse me.”

Appearing through the open door was Tennoji-san, dressed in her loungewear.

“Tennoji-san?”

“I made a pot of herbal tea, if you’d like to join me.”

Tennoji-san, holding a tray in one hand, says.

I accepted one of the two cups on the tray, the one in front of me.

“Thank you.”

The steam rising from the surface of the cup touches my nose.

There was a calming aroma.

“You are really enthusiastic, aren’t you?”

Tennoji-san looks at the educational materials spread out on the desk and mutters to herself.

“I’m not so much enthusiastic …… as I am just always on this kind of schedule and I just don’t feel comfortable if I’m not studying.”

“I still think you need a track record of accomplishments…”

Tennoji says, taking a sip of herbal tea.

“You’ve been working that hard, but you still don’t feel confident, probably because you haven’t been able to produce results that you are satisfied with. I’m going to ask you to take the competency exam next month, and I’ll do everything in my power to get you into the top positions.”

“But I’ll do my best.”

Masatsugu just told me that I should also make achievements. Certainly, if I became a top achiever at the Academy, it would be an achievement I could proudly boast about.

At the same time that I was filled with motivation, I also felt a sense of respect for Tennoji-san.

I am sure that Tennoji-san always acts with that kind of awareness. Her usual imposing appearance is not something that comes from nothing. I am sure that her hard work up to now has given birth to her attitude on a daily basis.

With this in mind, I looked again at Tennoji-san and got a different impression from …… usual.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s …… the first time I’ve seen you with your hair down.”

“Speaking of which, yes, you are right. We very rarely wear our hair down at the academy …… and since ………. it is after my bath………..”

In truth, I had seen her with her hair down when she rushed into the bathhouse, but at that time I immediately looked away because she was very well dressed.

Looking at her again, Tennoji-san with her hair down looks more mature than usual. Unlike her usual appearance in which her strong-willedness comes to the forefront, she gives off an impression of intelligence. The gap between us is fascinating, and my gaze is unintentionally drawn to her.

“Haha~. Perhaps you are admiring …… me?”

Tennoji-san said with a grin and a nasty smile.

I was stumped for words when she hit the mark. I wanted to deny it, but it would be too late.

“I’m not used to this kind of situation, unlike Tennoji-san.”

I look away and utter the words defeated.

“It’s the same for me………….”

Tennoji-san said in a quiet voice.

“I was just trying to be strong earlier……. Well, even I get a little upset. This is the first time I’ve had a member of the opposite sex stay at my house, …… and there …… was also the incident in the bath.”

Tennoji-san says, her cheeks flushed red.

I involuntarily gulped down a mouthful of saliva at the sight of her embarrassed appearance, which I could not imagine from her usual imposing appearance, as if she were a maiden.

–I’m not allowed to do that.

The atmosphere was somehow very awkward.

A tension that I don’t understand surged over me. I feel more restless than when I had dinner with Masatsugu a few hours ago.

My mind went blank, and then I saw a cup of herbal tea on the desk.

Let’s drink this and calm down. I thought so, and tilted the cup up to my mouth.

“Hot !?”

As a result of my hasty attempt to drink the herbal tea, I complained of a burning pain on the tip of my tongue.

“Are you all right!?”

Tennoji-san also panicked and worried.

It wasn’t so bad that it burned. My tongue was not moving properly, so I tried to tell her “I’m fine” with my gaze, and my eyes met with Tennoji’s.

We both looked into each other’s eyes, which were wide open, and I couldn’t help but blurt out.

The awkward atmosphere had fizzled out before I knew it.

“I haven’t felt like this in a long time.”

Tennoji-san says with a smile.

“Thinking back, you have been disturbing my mind since the first time we met. You know the Konohana group, but not the Tennoji group ……, and you even said delusional things about my hair being dyed.”

“No, I’m still wondering about that.”

“Calm down.”

I was told in a snap, and I kept my mouth shut.

Neither Masatsugu nor Hanami had blonde hair. Considering the general characteristics of Japanese people, I guessed that Tennoji-san dyed her hair.

“It’s not often that I get a chance to say this, so I’ll tell you now …… how grateful I am to you. My student life has become more fulfilling since I met you at the tea party and study groups.”

The tone of her voice conveys her gratitude.

With a smile that made me admire her, Tennoji-san continued.

“And since you seem to have a lot more guts than you appear, being with you motivates me to do better. If …… you can score in the top single digits on your next competency exam, I will recruit you to be my righthand man after graduation.”

“That’s a …… unlikely …… scenario.”

“If you’re feeling weak right now, you certainly have little hope.”

I laughed bitterly, and Tennoji-san jokingly told me.

“But it would be fun to work with Tennoji-san, wouldn’t it?”

When I mentioned such a thought, Tennoji-san rounded her eyes.

“Well, is that so?”

“Yes. I have been enjoying my studies recently thanks to Tennoji-san, so I hope I can work like this as well.”

I have no idea about the future, but if I work as Tennoji-san’s subordinate, I will be able to enjoy my life in a certain way. I have plenty of part-time work experience, so I know what I’m talking about. I am sure Tennoji-san will be a good boss.

“Fufufufu……! I know you will! If you will follow me here, I guarantee you a life well lived!”

Tennoji-san says with all her might.

Perhaps she was so happy that her cheeks were lightly flushed and her eyes were sparkling.

“Well, the reality is, in order for Nishinari-san to work for me, he has to pass the Tennoji Group’s employment exam, ………… no, but if he can get a recommendation from the Academy or even better, become my fiancée, he will be guaranteed the position of secretary.”

“Fiancée?”

“Nothing! Soot, I just anticipated the future a little too much!!”

I tilted my head at Tennoji-san’s mortified look.

“…… I’ve overstayed my welcome.”

Tennoji-san looks at her watch and mutters.

“Then, finally, let’s decide on our slogan!”

“Slogans, huh?”

“Yes. Since ancient times, in times of war, there have been words to boost the morale of the legions – a battle cry at times. “Ei! Ei! Oh!” and “The enemy is at Honnoji!” are well-known examples.”

“I see. So that’s what you want to make.”

Ei! Ei! Oh! Tennoji-san was a little cute.

“Then please follow me.”

When I nodded, Tennoji-san’s eyes widened with a snap and she announced our slogan.

“Overthrow Konohana Hinako!!”

“Overthrow, Konohana …. eh!?”

“What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s ……, is that what you’re going with, the slogan?”

“Yes! Isn’t this perfect for us!”

If I say it, I’m going to get fired from my current job…….

No, I don’t have a choice. I can’t explain the situation, I’ll just have to go along with it here.

“Then let’s go.”

Tennoji-san took a quick breath.

“Overthrow Konohana Hinako!!”

“Yes. Overthrow Konohana Hinako!!”

Sorry, Hinako.