CH 39

After the study session, Shizune-san gave me more exam preparation at the mansion.

These days continued for about a week and finally the day arrived.

The midterm exams at the Academy were structured a little differently than at my old high school. Each subject was given 90 minutes. This is simply because there are more questions and therefore more time. In addition, there are additional subjects such as economics that are not offered in other high schools.

The midterm exam took place over three days.

On the last day, when the last exam was over, …… I was finally able to relax.

“…… Somehow, I’ve finished.”

I breathed out a sigh of relief as the bell rang to announce the end of the exam.

There were no more classes today, so the students left the school looking tired.

I cast a glance towards Hinako. Hinako was surrounded by her classmates, chatting about how well she did on the exam. It looked like it was going to take a while, so I headed to the bathroom.

As I finished up and headed back to the classroom, I ran into a familiar face.

“Naruka?”

“… Itsuki?”

Naruka, who was walking down the corridor with unsteady steps, turned around to look at me.

Her eyes had lost their light.

“It’s over. The ……. exam and I.”

“…… I guess you didn’t do well.”

I had a vague idea from the study session, but it seems that Naruka is not very good at studying. Other than physical education and history subjects, she seems to be below average.

“How was Itsuki?”

“…… At least I think I avoided red marks.”

“Huh, I suppose so. I knew that would be the case anyway, because you’re a traitor.”

“A traitor. ……”

“You’ve left me to work at Konohana-san’s house, and you’ve quickly surpassed me in grades. …… Hmmm… You’re still my benefactor. It reminds me of how useless I am. …… Do you hate me by any chance, Itsuki?”

“No, not at all, but ……”

“……This is hard.”

It was a simple whimper.

Not wanting to get caught up in the overflowing negative aura any further, I quickly turned on my heels.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow …….”

“Tomorrow? …… I want to take a day off. ……”

Don’t be like Hinako.

After leaving Naruka, who was looking out the window with distant eyes, I went back to the classroom.

Just then, Hinako seemed to have finished chatting with her classmates and was getting ready to leave school.

As usual, after Hinako got into the car, I got in at the meeting point.

“Thank you for your hard work on the exam.”

As I got into the car, Shizune-san called out to me.

“How was your performance?”

“Thanks to you, I was able to solve it reasonably well.”

“I don’t know how good it was, but considering the results of the mock exam the day before ……, I’d say it wasn’t too bad. It was worth studying hard for the exam.”

“……Thank you.”

With Shizune-san’s praise, I was finally able to feel that the exam was over.

The car heads to the Konohana family residence. As expected, I was tired today, so we didn’t have much conversation.

“Speaking of which, young lady. The day after tomorrow, on Saturday, you will be attending a dinner with Kagen-sama.”

Shizune’s voice could be heard from the passenger seat.

“You will be meeting the president of Chikamoto Shipbuilding and several executives from Sea Japan United. Both companies are shipbuilders, and Chikamoto Shipbuilding is affiliated with the Konohana Group. Sea Japan United has a capital and business tie-up with Chikamoto Shipbuilding, so it seems that’s why they decided to attend the meeting.”

Looking over the documents, Shizune continued to explain.

“The young lady was greeted by the president of Chikamoto Shipbuilding at a social function when she was seven years old. When arranging the dinner appointment, he said he wanted to see the young lady grown up, so it was decided that she would attend. I ask that you do not misbehave in any way.”

“Hmmm, …… is a pain.”

“Please.”

Perhaps used to this kind of exchange, Shizune said without any hesitation.

Hinako, who is sitting right next to me, pouted.

“And also, Itsuki-san.”

“Yes”

“I’ll ask you to come near event site”

“Yes?”

I tilted my head at this unexpected news.

“In the future, Itsuki-san will probably have the opportunity to attend social gatherings, so there’s no harm in getting used to that kind of atmosphere while you still can. It seems that the dinner will be held outdoors, so please observe from afar as a servant of the Konohana family on that day.”

“…… I understand.”