CH 37

“Nishinari-san are you really the heir to a medium-sized company?”

That question gripped my heart.

“…… What makes you think that?”

I spun my thoughts around as I asked Tennoji-san back.

–Calm down.

I suppressed my agitation and tried to act as calm as possible.

First of all, what is the purpose of the …… question? Is Tennoji-san convinced that my identity is being forged?　If so, it’s too late for me to do anything about it now.

“… Your table manners.”

Tennoji-san said simply.

“Are you saying that my …… manners were inadequate?”

“No, it was a little inadequate, but it was in order. However, in my eyes, it seemed to be …… improvised.”

She looked at me like she was observing me.

“There’s something off about your every move. Your manners seem to be a bit …… simple, as if you were just jamming in knowledge. At the very least, they are not the movements of someone who has been educated from an early age as an heir.”

I guess there is no clear evidence. That is why no objections are acceptable.　 I wondered if there was some kind of strange feeling that only Tennoji-san could feel. I remembered how she had told me earlier that she has a good eye for people.

“I’m not accusing you of anything.”

As I remained silent, Tennoji-san seemed to calm down a bit.

“I’m just a little curious. Nishinari-san is a transfer student, so he probably didn’t need to learn manners before. It makes sense if you think about it that way. However, I think it is too good …… for that.”

“… Is it too good?”

“”It’s just that your knowledge is unusually advanced. You’ve put in a lot of work in the last few days, haven’t you?””

She was clearly convinced, though her tone was questioning.

“I was wondering why you are making such an effort. It’s not that I want to talk about it, it’s just that I’m wondering if there’s a reason for your situation. If you don’t want to talk about it……, I won’t pry any further.”

No prying.

I appreciated that consideration, but at the same time, I had my doubts.

“Don’t you think …… it’s suspicious?”

I asked fearfully, to which Tennoji-san replied with a gentle smile.

“We can’t have any suspicious students in our school. I’m sure the school did a background check on you when you transferred in.”

Come to think of it, Narika had also said that a background check would be conducted, when she entered the academy.

But if that’s the case, why did Tennoji-san bring up this topic?

“…… I was simply asking out of curiosity.”

As if she could see through my mind, Tennoji-san said.

“Perhaps you are also ……………….”

In a very quiet voice, she muttered something.

As I tilted my head, not hearing anything, Tennoji-san looked at me and seemed to regain her composure.

“It’s nothing. …… We’d better get back.”

“……Yes.”