It was the second time I had been given a ride by Iga-no-sensei — and this time, there were more people in the car.
“Fujiwara-kun, are you okay?”
“Y-yes, there’s almost no problem.”
“…Both of them fell asleep so quickly. It’s understandable, though, since they were tired.”
Without any prior discussion, Nanami-san took the front passenger seat, while I sat in the back with the Mikuriya sisters — but it was a mistake to sit in the middle.
“…Suu…”
The sisters fell asleep shortly after we started driving, and although it was fine at first, as we hit a slope, they began to lean against me.
“Fujiwara-kun, you really are amazing. I heard you entered the dungeon with the Mikuriya sisters, but to see that they trust you so much already…”
“N-no… it was really tough inside the dungeon, so I think they were just exhausted.”
“That makes sense… Once Ryuudo Hinata regains consciousness, we’ll hear what happened, but Iwakiri-san has already gotten a bit of information from the academy’s audit department. It seems those girls followed you into the dungeon, Fujiwara-kun.”
“But… with Renjou-sensei there, how did they even manage to get in?”
“Renjou-sensei is related to the Hinata family. There are people in every explorer school, or institutions connected to explorers, who are under the influence of the Hinata family.”
“…Even so, I can’t imagine Renjou-sensei would easily bend the rules. Is it something like the Hinata family’s subordinates being absolutely unable to disobey their master?”
Iga-no-sensei was at a loss for words. Of course, it makes sense — the idea that Hinata family students could command certain teachers is not something that could be openly admitted.
“When I first met Hinata-kun, I thought it was natural that he would gain the trust of his classmates. Even though I had heard about the ‘power’ of the Hinata family beforehand. He was truly exceptional, but that was probably the influence of a skill.”
“A skill that makes people trust him… or maybe a skill that charms others? If skills are displayed on student cards, then isn’t it possible that such a skill would be registered in the database?”
“…Skill data is reported by the person who discovers it. Unless it is analyzed and corrected by a research institution, self-reported skills remain as they are in the database.”
If Nanami-san’s words are true — then it’s possible that the database holds incorrect information about the abilities the Hinata family uses to control others.
“…Even so, it would be difficult to verify Hinata-kun’s skills at the academy’s research center. The Hinata main family won’t ignore what happens to their relatives, and they hold important positions in the Explorer’s League. The academy, which is technically under the League, is effectively untouchable by the Hinata family.”
“So that’s how it is… I understand the situation now. The Hinata family is one of the ‘Three Great Noble Families.’ Can you tell me more about the other two?”
“Yes, the Hinata family, the Ichimiya family, and the Yagami family… These are the ‘Three Great Noble Families.’ The Ichimiya and Yagami families have many branch families…”
“My family is a branch of the Ichimiya family. We are the seventh house, so our name is Nanami.”
“Nanami-san’s family is a branch of the Three Great Noble Families… I see…”
I now had some understanding of why Nanami-san had kept this a secret — though, it still begged the question as to why Hinata was so fixated on her.
— “Since you are a ‘Nanami,’ you have an obligation to pair with the most exceptional person in the class.”
“…I’m sorry for keeping it a secret. I just didn’t want you to think differently of me because of my family.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. I’m a little surprised, but to me, Nanami-san is Nanami-san. Knowing about your family doesn’t change anything.”
“…Thank you.”
“I’m sorry if it feels like I’m jumping on the bandwagon, but… Our family, the Mikuriya, is a branch of the Yagami family.”
“Haruka-senpai, you’re awake?”
“That’s what you’re concerned about? It’s not like I was pretending to sleep.”
So, the Mikuriya sisters were also from a branch of one of the Three Great Noble Families… Without realizing it, I may have been acting impolitely toward them.
“The Hinata family seems to believe that pairing strong professions results in stronger offspring. However, I don’t think my profession and Ryuudo-kun’s profession are particularly compatible. Honestly, it’s more like oil and water.”
“Mikuriya-san, you’re very blunt… I had a refined image of you, so this is quite surprising.”
“I try not to ruin that image as much as possible. But when I’m with Tsukasa-kun, I end up discovering parts of myself I didn’t know existed.”
“…That’s a deduction.”
“I don’t want to be disliked by Nanami-san… Silence is golden, I suppose.”
Haruka-senpai pressed her finger to her lips — Nanami-san, watching her through the rearview mirror, shrugged in an exasperated manner, as if to say, “What can you do?”
“We’re almost there. Fujiwara-kun, if you don’t mind, I’d love to talk again after school.”
“Yes, please do.”
It seems I’ll be able to learn more about the Three Great Noble Families and what happened to the Hinata siblings if we get some time to talk again later.
Akizuki-san had already prepared dinner and was waiting for us. She had even made enough for the Mikuriya sisters, and they were eating with us at the same table.
However, Haruka-senpai seemed nervous ever since meeting Akizuki-san.
“Hmm? My cooking isn’t to your liking?”
“N-no, that’s not it at all. I just never expected to meet you here, Akizuki-senpai.”
“You didn’t think I’d be working here? Well, a lot has happened, so here I am. Don’t think too much about it.”
“Of course, I wouldn’t pry… but I had heard that you were uncomfortable around men…”
“Oh, that? People change over time. You saw how I was when I first met Tsukasa-kun, right?”
“When we first met… Ah, yes. You did put me in a hold rather casually.”
“A hold? Fujihara-san, what exactly happened between you and Akizuki-san? I’m really curious.”
“…I’m curious too. It seemed like you two got along well from the beginning.”
Apparently, that’s how it looked to Nanami-san. While it wasn’t like we were on bad terms, Akizuki-san has always struck me as someone friendly and open with everyone, treating people without bias.
But if Akizuki-san had previously been uncomfortable around men, why did she allow me to live in the dorm?
––At that moment, a bell-like sound rang from the kitchen. It seemed like the oven had finished baking.
“Today’s special menu is seafood foil bake. I got some fresh ingredients, so there’s crab in it too.”
“That sounds so luxurious… Is it really okay for just a single silver coin?”
“Yes, the price stays the same. Haruka-chan, how about you two?”
“Is it really okay? We kind of barged in suddenly…”
“To think we’d get to eat Akizuki-san’s homemade cooking… I’ve heard rumors that you’ve won over the Student Council’s stomachs.”
“Where did you hear that…? Well, I just cook as a hobby. Though I did take a culinary course in one of my electives.”
Though she said “just a hobby,” it made me wonder if she had some kind of cooking-related skills. It might be a useful skill for camping, and I’d love to learn it myself.
“…Delicious.”
“Ah, I’m relieved to hear that from Shiro-chan. You don’t seem to be someone who gets too attached to food.”
“That’s not entirely true. I do like sweets and tea…”
Nanami-san glanced at me––a subtle invitation for tea, perhaps? If the opportunity arises, I’d love to join, but the Mikuriya sisters are closely observing us.
“Since you all live in the same dorm, do you have tea together often? I’m honestly a bit envious.”
“I-is that so…? Living in the same dorm with a guy is already a special situation, so don’t get too close… or, I mean…”
“…Futaba-san, are you being protective?”
“Oh, n-no, not at all! I’m sorry if I overstepped by saying something so bold when we’ve just met…”
“It’s fine, isn’t it? You all explored together, right? At times like these, it’s important to enjoy a meal, soak in a bath, and then rest well. That’s what makes for a good explorer.”
Akizuki-san’s words seemed to resonate with the Mikuriya sisters––and I had to admit, I felt the same way.
“Hm? Something’s tickling my calf…”
“Oh… Is that… a cat?”
“I keep one here. Her name is Rin.”
“Meow.”
The Mikuriya sisters, being cat lovers, immediately noticed Rin rubbing against their legs. They seemed overjoyed, with the cat comfortably settling on their laps––a truly heartwarming scene.
“If there were any vacant rooms in this dorm, I’d want to live here just for the meals and the adorable cat.”
“Sis, you mean Rin-chan. She has a cute name, you know.”
“Alright, alright. Let’s finish eating before playing with her.”
“Ah, it looks like you’re having a lot of fun. The Mikuriya sisters staying over at our place––did Fujihara pull some strings again?”
“Erisa’s been watching from the sidelines this whole time, and she’s finally made up her mind to come out. It’s kind of endearing, don’t you think?”
“Y-you’re so annoying…”
“Kashino-san, it seems like I’ll be sleeping at your place or Amagi-san’s tonight.”
“Eh? I mean, it’s fine, but you’re a lady, wouldn’t Akoya’s room suit you better?”
“Fufu… My room is a bit plain, so Erisa’s room might be better. Or maybe the three of us second-years should sleep together.”
It seemed Kashino-senpai had some reservations about Haruka-senpai, but it didn’t appear to be too serious. The second-years were all getting along just fine.
“Um… Nanami-san, I’m sorry, but…”
“…Don’t worry, I’ll sleep on the sofa. Futaba-san, you take the bed.”
“No, I’m fine sleeping on the floor, so please don’t trouble yourself, Nanami-san!”
There didn’t seem to be any issues here either––Nanami-san’s kindness was always heartwarming to see.
“Tsukasa-kun, since you’re a first-year, you could join us… just kidding, of course.”
“Ugh… Akizuki-san, please don’t tease me like that out of nowhere.”
“Haha, sorry, sorry.”
Of course, I would be sleeping alone, but thanks to Akizuki-san’s playful teasing, it became a bit difficult to look at Nanami-san and Futaba-san afterward.
