Everybody, please check the FAQ first before asking me questions.
If it’s not on there, please feel free and ask. I only get annoyed at questions when the same one has been asked 10+ times, and by then I’ll have updated the FAQ. Thank you for your consideration, guys!

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School began again, and the results for the term-end exams were back. Students who did particularly well had their results posted up, and in the midst of all the scholarship students (Wakaba-chan included) were those two, as well as Fellow Stalking Horse again. They really were amazing~
Wakaba-chan seemed really happy about it. Good for her.
Thanks to all of these guys, the rest of us Zui’ran kids could save face. Thank you, thank you.

*

Not long after, it was time to elect the new Student Council President and Vice-President. It was a little lonely when I realised it was finally time for Tomoe-senpai to step down.

Despite it being officially an election, there weren’t really many candidates and the majority were previous members of the Student Council. Because of that there wasn’t much excitement.
This year’s election wasn’t any different. Our new StuCo President was pretty much who we all expected.
The new StuCo President didn’t have Tomoe-senpai’s charisma but he was a good enough leader amongst the second years. As for the Vice President, it was a diligent-looking senpai in glasses. Usually you’d expect the Vice President to be a scheming four-eyes, but this one seemed like the earnest sort.
Finally, Fellow Stalking Horse did as Tomoe-senpai suggested last term, and entered the StuCo as a 1st Year.

*

*

*

“Okay everybody! We are now choosing the participants for the Athletics Carnival!”

It was the next big event after the StuCo elections. I felt a bit sympathetic for how busy the new StuCo members would be, but they had veterans to help them so I hoped that would be enough.
This athletics carnival was going to be the first experience of the sort since I had become a high schooler. I was a little nervous too. I had to be careful not to make an idiot out of myself. Thankfully nobody in my class seemed to be too hung up over victory, so at least I wouldn’t be hounded for a mistake.

“Next is the baton relay,” I announced.

Satomi-kun was the first to volunteer for it, with others following behind him. We all had to participate in at least one event, so there was a lot of demand for the easy ones. I was going for the ball-toss as always.

“Next is the cavalry battle.”

Suddenly all the males looked grim. Thankfully, however, the legendary Emperor Kaburagi had already announced his retirement from the cavalry battles. It probably wouldn’t be the bloodbath it was in middle school.

“Well, if the Emperor isn’t participating…”

Eventually some of the more athletic boys started discussing the idea with some enthusiasm. Among the topics discussed were who were going to be the riders, and who the strong enemies from other classes would be.

“Mizusaki is definitely gunna participate.”

“He’s strong. Remember last year? He squared off against Emperor near the end.”

“Satomi! You join too!”

“Hmmm. I’ll think about it.”

The boys seemed really excited now. This school really was filled with cavalry battle maniacs.
Anyway, eventually we managed to get our ‘elite cavalry squad’ picked out, so it was onto the next event again.

“Next up is a dance available to all grades. This year, participating students are to be performing the quadrille,” I read.

For some reason a number of them looked up at me and then suddenly averted their eyes. Eh? What?
Anyhow, the dance event was included for the less athletically inclined so it wasn’t surprising that I immediately got volunteers. But the quadrille was supposed to get faster near the end. Were these guys going to be okay?

One of the boys falteringly raised a hand and asked,

“Umm… Kisshouin-san, you won’t be participating in the dance?”

“No. I plan on competing in the ball toss.”

“…I see.”

He looked a bit disappointed. Eh, why did he look so let down. Huh? Some of the other boys looked the same way. How come?
…Don’t tell me they wanted to dance with me?
Well, with my upbringing I wasn’t totally unfamiliar with dancing after all.
I wouldn’t be totally surprised if somebody asked me to dance.

…Maybe it was finally my time to be popular.

*

*

I signed up for the three-legged race as well. That’s why I was here to train with my partner, Ikoma-san.

“I’ll give it my everything to avoid letting you down, Reika-sama!”

“Please take care of me.”

Thus we began running around the yard, calling out a rhythm. It was more important to avoid falling than to go fast in this event, so the key was a lot of practice and synchronisation.
Other people were training too, in particular the people doing the baton race, which was the main event, really.
Tsuruhana-san was confident in her abilities, so she was amongst the ones running right now. She was as fast as you’d expect. Some other Outers weren’t bad either, so they were competing against each other. Gee, I wish I could run that fast.
Some shrill squealing broke me out of my reverie. I looked over to find Kaburagi and Enjou running. So fast!
In lieu of the cavalry battle, Kaburagi was going to join the relay and the sprints this year. The guy was staggeringly fast. Just before the goals though, Enjou pulled out ahead.

“Shuusuke! One more!”

“Ehhhh~”

“C’mon! Again!”

Enjou went along without a break. It was hard work being a friend to somebody stupidly passionate about athletics carnivals.
I got off my break, and then the two of us began practising again.

*

*

My legs were exhausted from all the practice.
I was walking down the hallway, complaining to my friends about it, when suddenly Katsuragi “Bird-Brain” Birdboy came sauntering down the other way.

“Ah! The Violent Woman!”

“Goodness, why if it isn’t Bird-Brain-kun. What might a middle schooler be doing in the high school section?”

“None of your fucking business!”

“Oh, I see.”

“How dare you talk to Reika-sama that way!”

Birdboy was being outrageous as always.

“Reika-sama, what do you mean by ‘bird-brain’?”

“It is his nickname, of course. I bestowed it.”

“My! It fits him perfectly!”

‘Hohoho!’ laughed my followers.

Birdboy turned bright red.

“Shut up! You’re just a-! You’re just a girl with oversized screws attached to your head!”

“S-Screws!?”

Aah… I was feeling faint…

“Reika-sama!”

“Reika-sama, get a hold of yourself!”

Screws… Reika, the Rococo Screw-Head…

“Just how rude can you be! Reika-sama’s hair isn’t that curly!”

“Yeah! Damn you, Birdbrain!”

“…Calm yourselves, everyone.”

I was probably just shocked because nobody had insulted my hair to my face before.

“The boy is simple. Pay no heed to his words. I certainly do not.”

“As expected of Reika-sama. You’re so big-hearted.”

“Hohoho!”

I left that idiot behind and continued on my way. The idiot continued to scream from behind me though.

*

…I swore that one day I would definitely have my revenge.

TL Note.
Extra reading for anyone who actually cares about exactly how Reika and her schoolmates were ranked (the hensachi):
https://jalt.org/test/SSA1.htm

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Everybody, please check the FAQ first before asking me questions.
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Join the Evil God Army on discord!
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Moving into the second half of summer break, it was time for the annual Pivoine Summer Party.
It was still gorgeous and a good time, but after so many years a lot of the magic had worn off, and Oniisama had graduated too.

Okaasama was in high spirits since parties were always a chance to dress me up like a doll, so she dragged me all over the place to choose a dress.

This year we decided on a layered chiffon dress in light pink. Personally I thought it was a little too cutesy for me, but Okaasama was really pleased with it.

Thinking it was a good chance, casually I said,

“Say, Okaasama, since is it summer after all, I was thinking about changing my hairstyle…”

“My, that wouldn’t do. Okaasama loves your hairstyle as it is, Reika-san.”

…Thought so. I mean, I knew this would happen. I just wanted to try.

“You know, as a child your Okaasama really loved Jumeau bisque dolls. It was my dream that if I ever had a daughter I would dress her up to be just as cute as one.”

Um, I think that might be a bit impossible. Aren’t they blonde for starters?
Thank god though that she never tried hair dye with me…
If you actually did have a kid like an antique doll, wouldn’t it be kind of scary though? She’d be just like a living doll. That has to be scary. I’d be scared. I’ve always hated dolls.
I mean, some of them are so realistic. Wouldn’t you be scared that they’d come to life at night? Particularly the Japanese ones…
You know, my house still has some of them around. Some of them were bought when I was just born, and some of them were passed down. And the older they were the creepier they were.
And each year when we brought them out it would always be like,

‘Huh? Were the eyes this squinted before? Was the mouth smirking like this before?’

It gave me the shivers. I swear their expressions changed each year.
And I know for a fact that they get hair cuts when we bring them to doll makers for maintenance.
…Does the hair grow or something? I’ve always been too scared of the answer to ask though.
Thankfully I at least stopped Okaasama from putting them in my room. Whenever I visit the doll room though, I swear they’re watching me.
I wouldn’t be surprised if that one antique one actually walked about at night. People always say that the old ones gain souls.
…Let’s stop this. If I keep thinking about this I might really wake up to find her standing on my chest. And when we’d look each other in the eyes and my hair would turn white in an instant. It actually seems like it could happen.

…But bisque dolls, huh.

Can’t be helped.

I decided to bear with my Rococo hairstyle for a little longer to help Okaasama fulfil her childhood dreams.

*

When I arrived at the Summer Party, Kaburagi and Enjou were already surrounded by a throng of girls.
Yurie-sama was still in the UK. I had been sure that Kaburagi would have skipped because of that, but I suppose he still had the sense to take these things seriously.
I exchanged greetings with other attendants with a drink in hand before heading out into the garden.
There was wind now that it was late, but it was still a little stuffy outside. It didn’t change the fact that the rose arch was still my favourite place each year.

Looking at the garden, I recalled how I rang the bell with Oniisama during my first time here. How nostalgic.
I still had the photo framed in my room.

I continued standing there looking at the rose arch when I noticed a little boy and girl nearby. They were small enough that they were probably from the Petite Pivoine, and seemed to be hanging around hesitantly.

Oh, could it be?

“Do you want to try ringing the bell?” I asked.

With a start, the two of them turned to face me. I realised they were holding hands. It was adorable.

“No, umm…”

They exchanged a look but didn’t know what to do.

“I have rung it before, myself. It was very fun. Go on. I will be right here with you.”

“…Can we really?”

“Of course! Bells are made to be rung!”

They held the rope together and hesitantly pulled a little.

“My, the bell will hardly ring with a tug like that.”

With a bit of encouragement, the two of them pulled again, harder this time, and the bell began to ring. I pulled out my camera and took a photo.
A crowd started to form from the sound of it. Although the two kids were turning red, they were wearing happy smiles.

“Satisfied?”

“Yes! Thank you very much!”

“Thank you very much.”

Other people began to happily ring the bell as well. It felt like déjà vu.
I told the two of them that I would give them the photo at school later, and then they introduced themselves. Apparently they were in the same year, and were very close. How nice~ I didn’t come out of primary school with any sweet memories like that. We spoke for a little longer after that before the pair began heading back to the hotel building as they waved at me. Before they left though, the girl stopped and bowed to me.

“Thank you very much, Reika-oneesama,” she smiled shyly before disappearing.

Reika-oneesama…

…So wonderful!!

Thinking about it, I don’t think I had ever been called that before. The only exception was when Ririna was being sarcastic.

It was oddly moving. I didn’t have much experience with being looked up to by somebody younger.

“Good evening, Kisshouin-san,” interrupted Enjou while I was basking in afterglow of the ‘oneesama’.

I hadn’t noticed him approaching at all. Are you a ninja or something!?

“Gokigen’yoh, Enjou-sama,” I replied with a fake smile.

I made sure to be on guard. Interacting with this guy was like navigating a minefield.

“You’re not going to ring the bell this time?”

“Eh-”

“Didn’t you ring it before? With your Oniisan, if I’m remembering right.”

Why did he know that!

“It’s because Masaya looked like he was really envious of you.”

Oh my god. Not only did he see the waltz, he even saw that!? And stop it! Stop reading my mind!

“The dress you’re wearing tonight really suits you. It looks like your dieting really paid off.”

“…Thank you.”

He still hadn’t forgotten about that…? Tsk, what an unpleasant guy.

“Masaya’s mum really loves you now, you know. She was talking about how she wanted to invite you to her dinner party too.”

“Eh.”

A dinner party? Don’t joke with me! That would be even worse than the tea party.

“You don’t look happy to hear that.”

“Oh, no, I feel very honoured.”

Oh crap. Was it showing on my face?

“Hmmm~”

I hated how it felt like he could see right through me. Why were there so many mind-readers around me.

“The wind is getting a little strong. I think I shall head back inside.”

With brisk steps I left him behind. Somehow it felt like he was laughing at me though.

Enjou had the same dark, unknowable depths as my Japanese dolls. Scary…

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Serika-chan contacted me about our outing. I was so looking forward to it!
Actually, being honest with you I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t get invited. But thank goodness. I guess I was just paranoid.
I made sure to mention that I was okay with us using my family’s holiday villa, but in the end we seemed to have decided on another girl’s. Gosh, I was really looking forward to it.

“Kisshouin-san, you seem really happy today,” Umewaka-kun said when I arrived at cram school.

I guess it was showing.

“Yes, some friends of mine have decided on where to stay for our trip.”

“Oooh, good for you! Going to a beach?”

“No, a summer resort.”

“Whoaaa! As expected of an ojousama. You aren’t going to the beach? I thought everyone went to the beach in summer!”

“You may have a point. You like the beach, Umewaka-kun?”

“Yeah! I’m going this year too! Long live babes in bikinis!”

“…I see. You prefer girls with good figures?”

“Yeah, I guess! I mean, the hourglass is a guy’s dream, right? If my Bea-tan was a human girl I’d bet she’d be the coy, sexy, bewitching type! Don’t you think so too, Kisshouin-san?”

“I suppose.”

“I knew it. I wonder if there’s a girl like that out there. A girl like Bea-tan!”

…Aren’t you the one that claimed I was the spitting image of Bea-tan? So it was just the hair? Only the hair was the same? So I’m not coy or sexy or bewitching, huh?

I was going to give him these cute dog-shaped chocolates that I found, but fat chance now.

The silver bone earring glinted in the light as Dog Lover-kun continued to laugh like an idiot.

*

I was in the bathroom when Bobcut and her friend walked in. As I began talking to Dog Lover-kun more and more, Bobcut’s gaze grew harder and harder. I had been considering staying at this cram school after the summer course ended, so this was becoming a bit of a problem. It was about time that I did something about it.

“Kisshouin-san, you and Umewaka seem to be getting awwwfully close these daaays. You actually don’t talk to anyone except Umewaka-kun.”

Oh boy.

“I am a little shy so I have problems approaching people first. I have actually wanted to talk to all of you more, Moriyama-san.”

“Hmmm~”

Moriyama-san referred to Bobcut.
Bobcut who didn’t seem to believe me at all.
She was casting me a suspicious glance through the reflection of the mirror.

“All of my friends at Zui’ran are female too.”

“Hmmm~ Is that soo~ I was so suure that you had your eye on Umewaka, you know~?”

Wow, that was blunt.

“Certainly not. I already have somebody I like.”

So I’m not your rival, okay?

“Eh-!? Really!? Who, who? Somebody from Zui’ran?”

Bobcut really fell for it.
Who indeed… Who?
Naturally nobody like that existed. I came up with him just now to get her off my case.
But who would be good. If I described somebody I had too much contact with it could have huge potential to backfire on me in the future. Kaburagi and Enjou were completely out of the question, obviously.

“A friend of my older brother. It is only a one-sided affection, however.”

“Wow, I had no idea! What’s he like?”

“Mature, and completely dreamy. Whenever he comes over to visit he always brings me a cute bouquet. I have liked him since I was little.”

“Wow.”

“What’s this, what’s this? Kisshouin-san is into older guys?” cut in the other girl.

It seemed that Sakaki-san was interested as well.

“Yes. I prefer the gentle, calm, and magnanimous types.”

Like Oniisama.

“I see. So you were into older guys, Kisshouin-san. Then that’s the complete opposite of Umewaka’s type, isn’t it! He’s always so excitable.”

It looked like Bobcut had relaxed quite a bit.

“I suppose if I had to say it, Umewaka-kun reminds me more of a younger brother.”

“Yeahh, spot on. That idiot always needs someone looking after him, you knooww?”

“Kisshouin-san, could it be that the person you like is some sort of celebrity?” asked Sakaki-san.

“I would hesitate to go as far to call him that, however… I suppose he is the heir to a large company.”

“Uwahh, I kneww it. The types that ojousama pair up with are all celebrities. No wayy would you be interested in someone like Umewaka~” agreed Bobcut.

“I should also note that Umewaka-kun’s preference is for ‘coy, sexy, bewitching’ girls with hourglass figures. He mentioned as such to me, and openly wondered if such a girl existed out there for him.”

“He said something that retarded? But huh. Hourglass, huh.”

Bobcut gave me a once over and then smiled brightly.

“Umewaka’s suuch a jerk. If that idiot gives you any trouble, just give me a shout, okay? I’ll come running.”

“Thank you.”

Apparently my meagre assets relieved her…
The self-proclaimed frank, chill, boyish woman was apparently also a self-proclaimed older sister type, so I suddenly found myself with some support. She would be a powerful ally in disputes with other girls. In a dispute with a guy though, I’d probably find her promptly on the other side.

“I actually have some delicious chocolate with me today. If it pleases you, would you two like some?”

“Oh, I love chocolate.”

“I wanna try rich people chocolate too,” added Sakaki-san.

I was still walking on a tightrope, but for now Bobcut didn’t see me as a rival anymore.
We headed back into the classroom while we continued chatting about my fictitious crush. My chocolates were shared with them – and them only – when Dog Lover-kun shouted,

“Bea-tan chocolates!”

I ignored him.

Taking the chance to be extra sure about it, I spoke to Bobcut.

“Apparently my hair looks exactly like Umewaka-kun’s dog. He incessantly compares the two of us. He actually once mentioned that his dog’s hair was glossier.”

“What the heck! Hey, Umewaka! Apologise to Kisshouin-san!” she shouted, as she happily went off to accost him.

Still sitting there eating chocolates, Sakaki-san smirked at me.

“Not bad, Kisshouin-san.”

*

*

We were finally here at Karuizawa!

It was just the six of us. The villa belonged to Kikuno-chan.
I was going to be sharing a room with Oomiya Ayame-chan.

I opened the window and found that the air was a little less humid than in Tokyo, which was wonderful.
After we got our luggage unpacked, between bouts of excited squealing, we all headed to the living room to talk about our plans.
Breakfast was taken care of by some staff here, but we decided on eating out or cooking for ourselves for our other meals.
We then headed out down the main street to have fun, eating sweets and picking up souvenirs like jam along the way.

Eventually we ate out for dinner, and then finally returned to the villa. With some snacks on hand, we spent our time chatting like crazy.
Gossip and rumours from school were some of the topics, and naturally the conversation turned to those two as well.
Were you one of the girls who preferred Kaburagi-sama, or one of the girls who preferred Enjou-sama?

“It has to be Kaburagi-sama for me. I’ve been in Team Kaburagi since primary school.”

“I think I might prefer the gentle Enjou-sama~ But of course I like Kaburagi-sama too!”

“Wha-! You can’t just choose both!”

“You know, it really gets on my nerves when people who just joined in middle school or high school try and get close to those two.”

“Me too. We’ve liked them for so much longer.”

Hmmm… Should I try some of that blueberry jam? But it’s night time. Maybe I shouldn’t. But if it’s just one bite…

“Which are you, Reika-sama?”

“Eh-, sorry, what was that?”

“Gosh, Reika-sama, haven’t you been listening at all? Kaburagi-sama or Enjou-sama. You prefer Kaburagi-sama for sure, right?”

“Goodness, but Reika-sama and Enjou-sama get along so well.”

“Hey, she’s close to Kaburagi-sama too.”

What an outrageous misunderstanding!

“I am not particularly close to either of them. Please let go of these strange misunderstandings.”

“My, but doesn’t Enjou-sama occasionally call out to you? He’s never done that to any other girls.”

“…Ummm, I actually heard that you attended a tea party at Kaburagi-sama’s house… Did that really happen?”

Where did you hear that!?

All the girls started squealing.

“That’s so wonderful! The Kaburagi family approves of her!”

“Reika-sama! I’m actually so jealous, but if it’s you I’ll definitely cheer for you!”

“Wai-!”

“I can’t believe you, Reika-sama. How could you hide something so important?”

Please stop saying these horrifying things!

“Please calm down, everyone! Really, enough with all of these odd ideas.”

“Ehhhhh~”

None of them seemed to accept that, so I cut them short.

“Kaburagi-sama has already set his heart on someone, has he not?”

“Ah…”

Everyone glanced at each other.

It was well-known that Kaburagi had a long-time crush on Yurie-sama.

The room was quiet after that, so we all turned in for the day.

*

The next morning Ayame-chan suddenly spoke to me.

“Reika-sama, you go to cram school, don’t you? Could it be you’ve been having trouble with your studies?”

Eh? What’s this all of a sudden?

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…I didn’t wanna go.
To begin with I didn’t want anything to do with that family. Going now would be even worse because that fasting course would definitely come up. It would be as good as announcing,
‘Hello everybody! I was fat enough to warrant fasting!’
…Yeah, no wayyy.

But thinking about it, a tea party probably meant that she wanted to get to know the kids in her son’s school year. With a lot of other people there it wouldn’t have been too bad. If it wasn’t for the fasting issue, that is.
Actually, I had been invited to something like this a few times before, but I got out of it by pretending to be shy. It’s a shame that something like that wasn’t possible at my age. How depressing…

*

The days continued to pass by. Dog Lover-kun continued to force his 『I ♡ Beatrice!』 photo collection on me. Okaasama got excited about the tea party and began dragging me to beauty salons and clothes shopping. Before long, the day of the tea party had arrived.
It was a casual thing so I just brought some flowers and chocolates with me. Well, I say ‘just’ but this chocolate was actually bought from the newly opened Japanese branch of a French chocolatier. A rising star of the chocolate world, they call him. I decided on this since I figured the sweet-toothed Kaburagi might appreciate it.
Anyhow, I arrived there for the first time feeling nervous. It didn’t take long for Madam Kaburagi to show me in, and I was brought to a large room overseeing the garden. Actually there were already a number of people there. Pretty much everybody was somebody from the Pivoine, so I let out a sigh of relief. Although naturally Kaburagi and Enjou were there too.

“Reika-san, might there be some people you haven’t met before? Allow me to introduce you,” said Mrs. Kaburagi before doing exactly that. Once she was done, she left to greet new guests.

I decided to just approach someone I knew. Nouzen Sarara-sama was here.
She was a Pivoine member, but spent most of her time reading quietly by herself. Sarara-sama had this tranquil and dignified air to her, and it felt like she lived in her own world, never taking part in the pointless conversations that the rest of us had. Any conversation I made might have seemed inane to her, so I’d always shied from talking to her. Thanks to that we weren’t really close.
I had to say though, I admired her constant composure. That was something I knew I had trouble with.
At any rate, it was surprising that somebody like Sarara-sama would even come to an event like this. I’d never seen her really talk to Kaburagi in the Pivoine salon, and neither he nor Enjou seemed to pay much attention to her.
Could it be that she was forced here by her parents like I was?

“Gokigen’yoh, Sarara-sama. I must admit I was not expecting you here.”

“Gokigen’yoh. Of all places, I wouldn’t have expected you here either, Reika-sama.”

“I must admit that this is my first time as a guest here. And you, Sarara-sama?”

“I do in fact visit here on occasion. The Kaburagi family are kind enough to allow me to peruse their book collection. Chairman Kaburagi is in fact a rare book collector.”

“Goodness, truly!?”

That dreamy Kaburagi-Papa’s hobby was books!? Gosh, why haven’t I been reading more books! I don’t know a thing about rare books! And what a refined hobby too!

In my mind, I pictured Kaburagi-Papa sitting in his study, dignified, reading from an old, leather-bound book…

It fits him so well! And what does my family’s Tanuki do for fun!? Collecting reading glasses for his eyesight!?

“Truly. In his spare time he tours Europe looking for rare books on his own, you know. This wondrous collection is the direct result of all that effort!”

“Is that so?”

“It is! Think about it! Early copies of Huysmans’ works! When I found out about it I couldn’t stop the trembling!”

“…My.”

It was the first time I’d ever seen the collected Sarara-sama talking so excitedly. I mean, I knew that she really liked her books, but I never thought she took them this seriously. I guess she had that same something that led people to getting dog paw earrings…
We chatted some more. Apparently she was particularly fond of French literature. Scouring my brains for my meagre knowledge on that field, I managed to squeeze out the names Cocteau and Wilde. Her eyes lit up, and she began to, even more excitedly, list title after title, and passionately discussed(?) their contents.

Um, that’s nice and all, Sarara-sama, but could you stop closing in on me like that?

At that moment, Mrs. Kaburagi came back with another girl. The girl had hair up to her shoulders, and the tips were lightly curled. Wow, what a casual.

“This is Maihama Ema-san from Yurinomiya. Everyone get along with her. Now that everybody is here, shall we begin the tea party!”

And that’s how it began. Maybe because his mother was right here, Kaburagi was even more silent than usual. He was literally giving only the bare minimum replies to Maihama-san who was desperately trying to start a conversation. Not that I couldn’t sympathise. A high-school boy being forced to attend a tea party with his mother? It was like some sort of strange punishment game, if you thought about it. Worse yet, there was no Yurie-sama here.
Apparently Yurie-sama and Aira-sama were in the UK right now, spending their break living with some host family.
I’ll bet anything that Kaburagi had wanted to go with.
Anyhow, Kaburagi, still morose, picked up a chocolate and put it into his mouth. His face betrayed faint surprise. Gotcha!
The chocolate that he ate just now was none other than the one I brought with me as a gift. How’s that, Kaburagi! It’s good, right!
Madam Kaburagi, sharp-eyed as usual, was quick to point out that it had been brought here by me.

“Hmm… Where’d you get this?”

I replied.

“So they opened a store in Japan…” he muttered.

He really knew his stuff.

“You like chocolates, Kaburagi-sama?”

“Chocolat isn’t bad.”

Ooh, “shoh-koh-lah“. Sorry, for being a commoner, Mr. Frenchman.

“Reika-san, the other day you stayed at one of our hotels with your Okaasama, didn’t you? How was it?”

“Yes. Your exclusive amenities were excellent. It was almost a shame to use them. I also enjoyed your garden. The way it lit up at night was simply magical.”

“My! Thank you! I’m glad that you enjoyed it.”

“Kisshouin-san, you stayed at one of the Kaburagi Group’s hotels?” Enjou suddenly asked.

“Well, yes…”

“Our hotel had some fasting course. To lose weight.”

KABURAGIIIIIIIII!
I knew you knew! And you’ve revealed me here!?
What is wrong with you!? Haven’t you heard of tact!?
You don’t understand a girl’s heart at all!

“Fasting?”

“It’s one of the courses our hotel offers.”

“Wow. So Kisshouin-san was fasting…”

Enjou looked like he was struggling not to smile. Everyone else started talking about it as well. Wasn’t this like publicly acknowledging that I was a fatty!

“My, it might have been a fasting course but it wasn’t just for dieting,” began Madam Kaburagi. “It was a detox course. Reika-san is skinny, so she wouldn’t have needed to diet.”

Unfortunately I doubt anybody believed her.

“Reika-san came to accompany her mother. She’s very close with her parents. Chairman Kisshouin told me all about how she makes handmade chocolates for him every Valentine’s.”

Tanuki! You’ve been spreading trouble again!

“Gosh, I wish I had a daughter… Sons really aren’t cute at all.”

Kaburagi looked put out by his mother’s words.

Then Maihama-san cut in.

“I know that you have a rule against home-made chocolates, but I’m attending desert school so please try one of mine!”

Also she was looking at me like I was some kind of rival.

“Don’t want. If I’m going to be eating some rank amateur’s mistakes, why shouldn’t I eat a professional’s successes instead.”

Maihama-san, shot down.

Kaburagi, one of these days you should really learn the art of subtlety.
After that, people kept coming over and asking about my fasting, so I got offended and blurted out,

“Recently I went with a friend to clear my spirit with zazen meditation as well,”

when a senpai from the Pivoine replied with a shocked,

“Eh-, Reika-san, you’re one of them?”

Enjou was facing away from me, breathless with laughter. I wished I had a zen stick with me to teach him some manners.

Anyhow, as a result of me regaling my experiences, a number of people said that they were interested in trying the fasting course as well.

When it was time to leave, Madam Kaburagi commented,

“Today was really lively thanks to you. Come again, okay!”

It wasn’t fun for me at all though…

Also Maihama-san huffed, and turned away from me. What a funny person.

*

Returning home exhausted, I was ambushed by Okaasama who asked me all about the tea party, but when I mentioned that they found out we were fasting participants, she was crestfallen.
Half of that was her fault though.

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Four days later I was suddenly rushed by Gaudy Piercings, right as I returned to cram school for the first time in a while.

“Kisshouin-saan! I’m so sorry!”

Uwah!? What’s with this guy!?

It creeped me out so I had taken a step back in reflex, but the guy didn’t mind and continued to rant.

“Since that happened, you haven’t been coming to cram school at all! I’ve been feeling so bad about it. I’m really sorry!”

Can somebody tell me what this guy is on about?

Then, who knows why, but he suddenly slumped in depression all on his own.

“You rushed out of the classroom right after, and you only came back when lunch ended. I was so worried that you were off crying somewhere.”

…Hmm? Oh! That time with the chakinzuchi!?
That’s right! I forget not the enmity you sowed on that day, scoundrel!

“And then you stopped coming as well. Was it because you didn’t wanna see me? Have you been crying at home every day?”

Oh yeah. Come to think of it, the day after the chakinzushi incident I skipped cram school to do that fasting course, didn’t I. Wow, it feels like so long ago. Aah, that course was hell~
Thanks to that though, apparently Gaudy Piercings came up with the idea that my feelings had been hurt, and had been arbitrarily wallowing in guilt for the last three days. My condolences.
I’m not going to tell him though. He stole my precious chakinzushi, so this is his punishment. Kekeke!
The enmity sowed due to food is a terrifying thing.

“I never thought you’d be hit with so much shock. I should have realised though. You’re a real ojousama. You’re more delicate than guys like us. You even look like you’ve lost weight over it.”

Eh!? What was that!? Did he just say what I thought he did? Did he just say I look like I’d lost weight!?
…Gaudy Piercings, I’ll make an exception just this once!

“Please do not trouble yourself over it. I was simply feeling under the weather, and had been resting at home,” I smiled as I forgave him. Just this once I’d let go of the grudge. It could disappear along with the fat I’d lost.

“Really!? Thank goodness! If you’re still feeling bad, then don’t overdo it, okay? Come on, sit down.”

Originally I had planned on sitting away from them, but before I knew it he had brought me over to his group. Ununu, what a crafty one.

“‘ been a while, Kisshouin-saan. Soorry about this idiot.”

“He’s such a jerk for stealing your food like that.”

“Ojousama suuure are delicate~ After all, Kisshouin-san stayed at home just for something like that.”

Bobcut was really casually being caustic.

“Kisshouin-san said she was ill. Hey, if you don’t feel well then you have to speak up, okay?”

“Thank you for your concern.”

Gaudy Piercings was oddly gentlemanly. I guess it’s because he came up with this image of me being some dainty, sheltered rich girl. Naive. While Gaudy Piercings was feeling guilty, I was living it up in a high class Chinese restaurant, stealing shark fin soup from Otousama.

But he said I’d lost weight… My last checkup said that I’d lost two kilos, certainly, but I knew the weight would return the moment I started eating again.

I decided that I would put in the effort to keep my midriff like this though.

Gaudy Piercings, thank you for the motivation.

Also, Gaudy Piercings, what was your real name again?

*

Break time came, and Gaudy Piercings’ group went out for lunch. As usual I had my bentou. After having a relaxing lunch, I had a skim through my textbook. I had already planned to have Marin-sensei help me catch up, but it wouldn’t hurt to try a bit on my own.
Coming back from his own lunch, Gaudy Piercings passed me a bag from a coffee shop. Confused, I looked inside and found a proscuitto and vegetable panino.

“This is for last time. I’m not sure if food like this would taste good to an ojousama like you, but if you’re okay with it then please take it.”

Ehhh!? Thank you! I love this stuff! What the heck! You’re actually a pretty good guy, Gaudy Piercings.

“Thank you. I will definitely enjoy it later,” I smiled brightly.

Smiles are cheap for people who give me panini. Gaudy Piercings seemed happy as well.

“Umewaka~ Lend me your electronic dictionary~” called Bobcut.

Oh, that’s right. Umewaka. Thanks for reminding me, Bobcut.
Umewaka-kun, who gave me a panino, went to give Bobcut his e-dictionary, and then happily played around with his phone.

*

Since that day, I started talking to Umewaka-kun a little more. He was oddly overprotective. Like, he’d ask if my bag was too heavy, or mention that it was hot today and ask me if I was okay.
And each and every time, Bobcut’s eyes would be lit up in jealousy. She was really easy to read. Sometimes she’d drop in a comment like,

“It must be nice, being a pampered ojousama~”

Really, really easy to read.

Umewaka-kun’s group of friends was made up of three guys and two girls. The other girl was the one who sat next to me on the first day, and it seemed like she was close with the brown-haired guy. Thanks to that, she didn’t seem to mind me as much as Bobcut did.

One day Bobcut caught me in the bathroom.

“You’re really girly, Kisshouin-san. Me, I’m more frank and chill, and kind of like a guy, so all the boys treat me like one.”

“I see.”

It’s also common-sense to girls that on the inside, the self-proclaimed frank, chill, and kind-of-like-a-guy women are actually the most frighteningly jealous women of all.
It was honestly a bother, so I just left.

*

Umewaka-kun continued to worry about me, telling me to be careful about the heat, or asking if it was hard keeping my hair tidy.
Once I was curious enough to ask him why he bothered with me so much. His eyes lit up and he said to me,

“Because my beloved Beatrice is just like you, Kisshouin-san!”

So I asked him who Beatrice was, and he pulled out his phone to show me.

It was a dog.

“See? Isn’t she cute? She’s an American Cocker Spaniel and she’s got the roundest, cutest eyes. And your hair is just like my Beatrice’s, Kisshouin-san. The first time I saw you from behind, I thought, oh my god! It’s my Beatrice! My Bea-tan is such an angel.”

Umewaka-kun’s beloved dog was one of the types with wavy long hair, and she was wearing a ribbon on her head too.
After that, even though I never asked for it, Umewaka-kun started showing me pictures of his adorable Bea-tan, one after another. Bea-tan running happily. Bea-tan rolling on the floor. Bea-tan asleep. One after another, he continued animatedly showing them off to me.
Umewaka-kun was a hardcore dog lover.

“Beatrice’s hair is really long and it’s so hard to get the kinks out. I make sure to brush her hair everyday, too. How do you take care of your hair, Kisshouin-san? It’s really hard maintaining Bea-tan’s sausage curls.”

The former Umewaka-kun, now revised to Dog Lover-kun, apparently wanted my advice on long hair.
Dog Lover-kun, I might look like this but I’m still technically a human.

“…You truly love dogs, Umewaka-kun.”

“Yeah. Oh, look at this!” he said as he pointed proudly to his earring.

Looking carefully, it was a silver earring of a dog paw.

He was an honest-to-god dog lover.

“This is my favourite one, but I’ve also got a bone earring too. Wanna see? I’ll show you next time, okay?”

He was an honest-to-god, maniac dog lover.

“I might not be a dog, but perhaps it would help to know that I use a brush that a salon recommended me. The teeth are very fine to avoid tangles.”

“Oh, my Bea-tan has an exclusive brush too.”

“I might not be a dog, but perhaps it would help to know that I visit a salon at least once a month for hair treatment.”

“My Bea-tan also gets a trimming once a month!”

…Really, can you just give up on this comparison already, Dog Lover-kun?

“Also American Cocker Spaniels get fat really easily, so I have to take care about her food and exercise.”

We’re the same species!

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Is it even necessary to add in a picture for a simple Western food…?

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If it’s not on there, please feel free and ask. I only get annoyed at questions when the same one has been asked 10+ times, and by then I’ll have updated the FAQ. Thank you for your consideration, guys!

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I was led to a twin bedroom suite filled with amenities. I wouldn’t have expected less from a hotel owned by the Kaburagi group.
Unfortunately the fridge had nothing except water and ice thanks to the nature of our visit. It really hit me that I wasn’t going to be eating for a while.
I decided to relax on the sofa for a bit with herbal tea. We were going to meet up with the others later for a walk in the park.

“Say, Okaasama, would Otousama not have been a better choice to bring to a fasting? I do believe that he needs it the most in our family.”

“Your father has work. And fasting would not make him skinnier.”

Ruthless.

“More importantly, it seems that Kaburagi-sama is very fond of you, Reika-san,” she commented happily.

…I suppose it might have seemed that way to others.

“As expected of my daughter! You are so terribly cute after all. Of course she thought you were a match for Masaya-san!”

Whoa, whoa, stop that, Okaasama. You just made a leap across the Grand Canyon of logic.

After spending some time getting Okaasama back under control, we went and met up with the others.
The staff led us on a stroll through the huge garden, and the older ladies were apparently still talking about what happened earlier.

“Even Kaburagi-sama approves of Reika-san. Your daughter certainly has a different kind of quality to her.”

“My, ohoho! Ladies, please don’t flatter her so.”

Okaasama sounds arrogant even when she’s turning down praise. I could tell she was in a fantastic mood. As the women continued to pay my mother lip service, suddenly, I remembered that there was one other person here my age. I started feeling a bit bad for Akimi-san.

After that we all headed to the same room and had drinks for dinner. I was still completely hungry… Couldn’t we have at least had seconds? I wasn’t looking forward to repeating that on the next two days.

Next on the itinerary was a massage as the beauty salon. It was actually kind of focused on my midsection. A stomach massage? Uhyahyahyahyahya! It tickles! Gueh!

I woke up the next morning with a sad-looking stomach. Breakfast was in drinkable form again. I want to eat something solid…

There was a pool and gym available for us to use, but I could muster up the energy for a walk at best. How do you expect people to move without food…

As for Okaasama, after our lunchtime drinks she immediately headed back to our room to sleep. I guess she was basically giving up. In her place I went with the madams to do some yoga.

It was easy yoga; simple poses designed around a class to help us relax. I was so hungry though that my stomach kept making embarrassing gurgling sounds.

The housewives around me were happily chatting away. They sure had energy~ Where on earth were they getting that stamina from.

Actually they were so energetic that they started asking me questions like,

“Reika-san, do you have anybody you like?”

“Masaya-san from the Kaburagi family is in your school year, isn’t he?”

“What about Shuusuke-san from the Enjou family?”

“Has your Oniisama decided on a lady yet?”

They sure loved gossipping about the lovelives of the young…

Dinner was in drinkable form yet again. I was sick of this…

Sure, they changed the flavours each time but still…

Okaasama was whining on the phone to Otousama.

*

Since it was night time I had time to study from a textbook, but my empty stomach had completely removed the will to do a thing.

I decided to go for a walk to help my mood. Just as I stepped out, I came across Akimi-san.

…Oh, that’s…

Hidden behind her back was a bag from the hotel patisserie.

Awkward…

Just as I had decided to pretend that I didn’t see anything, Akimi-san hesitantly brought it forward.

“The drinks just wouldn’t fill me up…” she said with a self-depreciating smile.

“Yes, I understand. I certainly feel famished,” I smiled politely in return.

Ah, come on now. Don’t look like that. It’s not like we’re hospitalised or anything, so if you want to eat, just eat.

“Reika-san, could we chat a little?”

The two of us went for a walk in the garden.

The lighting had made it incredibly beautiful. The two of us made our way over to one of the benches and sat down.

“After meeting you, Reika-san, I’ve been thinking… I really am a cowardly waste of space, aren’t I.”

“Eh?! Not at all!”

On the contrary, I don’t think you’ll ever meet a bigger coward than me. The Japanese have a saying, you know? ‘A Three-Day Priest’; basically somebody who gives up at the drop of the hat. If I didn’t know any better I’d say they created that phrase just for me.

“The more they tell me that I can’t eat, the more and more I want to.”

“…I understand how you feel,” I nodded vigorously.

Why does my stomach always growl the moment I decide to diet?

“I’ve been fat since I was little. I’ve tried losing weight a few times, but I always give up… The name Akimi(refulgent beauty) is wasted on me.”

Whoa, whoa, you think the name Reika(resplendent flower) fits me any better? It means that I’m supposedly as lovely as a flower, you know? So lovely that all I do is eat all day, a lay-about tanuki pup who even got mistaken for a pregnant woman once.
So there’s really no need for you to smile so sadly with your bag of pastries, okay?

“It must be nice being you, Reika-san. You’re so beautiful. I often hear rumours about Takateru-sama taking his younger sister out. He must be so proud of you. I’m envious.”

“Umm, I am not quite sure what you mean…”

“…I have an older brother too. But he hates me because I’m fat and ugly, no doubt. Not once has he invited me anywhere.”

Uhhh, yeaah, I think that’s less Oniisama bringing me out, and more me tagging along, but…?

“Even Kaburagi-sama has her eye on you. You’re really so amazing, Reika-san. Your father, Chairman Kisshouin, brags about you everywhere too, you know? Gosh, it’s amazing how proud of you he is.”

What the heck are you doing, damned tanuki! Just wait ’til I get home!

“My father is too doting with me. Goodness, this is embarrassing. I must warn him the next time I see him. And I will have you know that I am simply fat in places that others cannot see. My midsection for instance. Something that I seem to have inherited from my father, unfortunately. My stomach is a veritable marshmallow at the moment.”

“A veritable marshmallow? Goodness, you do say hilarious things,” she laughed with a kind smile. She was definitely on the chubby side, but that just made her cuter and more relaxing to be around. Really, there wasn’t any reason for her to look down on herself so much. I suppose she kind of reminded me of Hanachirusato from the Tale of Genji?

I decided on cheering her up. That’s why I started telling her all kinds of stories where I was the butt of the joke. Stuff like,

“Actually, once while wearing my school uniform the hook on my skirt popped when I sat down,”

or “So the moment I put it on in the changing room I heard a rip, so I bought it and never wore it again,”

or “This one day I ate a whole cake by myself and was bedridden from the stomach ache.”

Akimi-san listened to me as she laughed, but I had an inkling that she thought I was just exaggerating.

Naive.

Far from exaggerating, these stories were just the tip of the iceberg.

Unfortunately I still had plenty of embarrassing stories like “that time I was swinging from a rope and nearly stacked it,” or “that one time I crashed into the class rubbish bin,” and other such unmentionable tales.

Still, it looked like it worked a little. Akimi-san offered me a butter cookie in the shape of a leaf from her bag.

Butter cookie! I wanna eat! But I’m fasting right now! Why must you tempt me so!

Sensing my inner turmoil, Akimi-san smiled and told me,

“You know, it isn’t just me that’s sneaking out at night to eat, you know? Pretty much every single participant has been doing the same thing.”

“Ehhhh!?”

“I think it might only be your mother and you that’s actually fasting properly. The hotel staff keep quiet even if they see you. If they didn’t, how would I have bought these?”

Okaasamaaaa, we’ve been deceiveeed!
I’d wondered how everyone else was so energetic.

“…And here I was, so hungry that all I could think about was food…”

“Huhu, then shall we eat?”

“No, I think I shall hold on for a little longer. It would feel somewhat frustrating otherwise.”

“I suppose it would for you, Reika-san. Do your best.”

Since the air was beginning to get a bit chilly, the two of us decided to return to our rooms. Just to keep appearances up, I lent her my scarf to hide the bag of pastries with. She thanked me with a smile.

Do you think we’ve gotten a little closer?

Our final meal consisted of rice congee. Haaah~ Yummy…

Next to me, Okaasama seemed to be in total bliss. I get how you feel. I really do.

“The fasting course is now complete,” announced the staff.

And with that, we all prepared to leave.

Time to go home. Please let me go home.

The two of us went through our goodbyes before climbing into the awaiting car. Akimi-san even waved me goodbye as I left.

*

I’m hoooome~!

Otousama and Oniisama were waiting with warm food prepared.
Obviously due to her weakened spirit, Okaasama was overcome with emotion and clung to Otousama in an embrace. Truly the Beauty and the Tanuki.
I tried the same thing with Oniisama as well, but when I did it he dodged. Why!

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Everybody, please check the FAQ first before asking me questions.
If it’s not on there, please feel free and ask. I only get annoyed at questions when the same one has been asked 10+ times, and by then I’ll have updated the FAQ. Thank you for your consideration, guys!

Join the Evil God Army on discord!
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A ryoutei (料亭) is a type of luxurious traditional Japanese restaurant. Often used in important dinners or high-class banquets for important business meetings, or in low-key meetings between VIPs, celebrities or statesmen, traditionally ryoutei only accept new customers by referral.

Also a reminder that “Japanese food” in America is not necessarily actual Japanese cuisine. In the same way, “Chinese food” in America isn’t necessarily actual Chinese cuisine either, nor is “Chinese food” in Japan.

Ever since that first day, Gaudy Piercings continued to sit near me. Apparently his real name was Umewaka. “Gaudy Piercings” is enough for the likes of him.

“Hey, hey, Kisshouin-san! Say, you guys at Zui’ran are all like, ‘Gokigen’yoh’ right? Say it to me too! ‘Gokigen’yoh’~”

Annoying.
Starting the next day I made sure to bring questions and textbooks to read during the breaks. Hopefully if I looked busy enough he wouldn’t talk to me.
Sure, my secondary goal in coming here was to make some friends but it definitely wasn’t going to be those guys.
I continued to concentrate on my questions.

“Woooow. You’re so serious about studying, Kisshouin-san. Oh, you got that one wrong.”

Tsk!

Soon enough it was lunch. The cram school had one after each morning lecture. Almost all of the students went out to buy something to eat. Apparently Gaudy Piercings and his buddies were going outside as well.
I had my own lunch though, prepared by a chef hired by my family.

“Whooooaaa! Kisshouin-san, did your bentou come from a ryoutei or something!?”

…I should have waited for them to leave before opening this. Today’s lunch was a well-balanced square bentou.

“Looks yuuum! Lemme have one?”

Hey cretin, do you really think I would? Let me tell you now that I’m stingy when it comes to food. Especially today. I actually wanted a little bit more than this but because of the diet thing I tried to cut down. You really think there’s enough for you as well?

“Umewaka~ It’s time for us to gooo!” pressed the girl with the short hair.

You hear that? It’s time for you to go.

“Ohh! Bye then, Kisshouin-san!”

Yes, yes, go, go. And don’t come back, either.

I immediately got started on enjoying my tiny, but delicious lunch. The boiled fish was delicious.

It went perfectly with my chilled gyokuro tea.

Anyhow, once the break was over, it was back to concentrating on my studies.

My days at cram school were pretty much a repeat of that.

Until one day, disaster struck.

That Gaudy Piercings stole one of my chakinzushi!

“Whoooooooooooooa! This is suuuuper good! Kisshouin-san, don’t tell me your family actually owns a ryoutei!?”

Chakinzushi… Fresh ingredients mixed with vinegared rice, wrapped in a delicate layer of egg… and something that I only had two of… My chakinzushi…

“Mm? How come you’ve gone all still, Kisshouin-san? Did that maybe give you a shock? Don’t worry, I’ll treat you to lunch as an apology so come eat with us?”

I silently packed my things away, left my chair, and then left the classroom to make a call. My favourite man was busy right now, so I dialled my doormat backup.

“Take me to some good food right now!”

I jumped into a taxi and sped to my destination. Waiting excitedly for me at the company headquarters was my doormat tanuki.

“It makes me really happy that you’ve come to visit me. Come in, sit down!”

“Otousama, I only have an hour and a half. Let us hurry up and go somewhere!” I replied before dragging him by the arm.

“Ooh! Got it!”

After getting some quick directions from the secretary, we were exiting into the hallway when I bumped into my real man instead.

“Oh, Reika. Why are you here?” asked Oniisama.

“It seems Reika here wanted to have lunch with me. She came all the way here,” my father replied smugly.

I notice that he particularly emphasised “with me”.

Unfortunately for you, Otousama, you’re just a man of convenience. A foody call, if you will.

Regardless, Oniisama saw us out with a smile. But the whole time that doormat tanuki kept emphasising to all the employees we passed that I was a massive fathercon and saying, “My daughter just wouldn’t stop asking me to go out with her somewhere so I’ll be back after lunch.”

It felt a bit like a public execution. Damn tanuki.

Anyhow, Otousama took me to a high-class Chinese restaurant close by. It was multi-storied, had a nice view, and had private rooms as well, so you could eat in peace. Thanks to that it was popular.
I’m impressed that we even managed to get a reservation on such short notice. Impressed by Otousama’s secretary, that is.

“Don’t wait up, Reika. Eat as much as you want.”

So first I started with my favourites.

Chilli-fried prawns,

shark-fin soup,

and scorched-rice with seafood.

Otousama had whole-boiled shark fin and Shanghai Mitten Crab fried rice.

Pretty extravagant for just a lunch, Otousama.

In the end we ordered some sides like dim sum as well, and it all became a little too much in terms of volume.
Today was special though. After all, tomorrow I was stuck fasting with Okaasama. It felt like I was having my last meal.

“How’s cram school, Reika?”

“I am giving my all.”

And I had better hurry up and finish this all before my lessons began again.
Speaking of which, I wonder if Otousama leaving so suddenly was a problem. It was worrying to think about. Then again, everybody we passed looked like super-elite professionals, so.

“Are you doing your job properly, Otousama?”

“What are you saying, Reika. Of course I am. Right, Sasajima?”

Incidentally, his secretary Sasajima-san was sitting at the table with us. At first they tried to decline because it was just lunch between father and daughter, but we ordered so much and I had to go soon too, so I asked them to help eat as a favour.

“Yes. The President is extremely busy each day.”

Well of course you’d say that, you’re his secretary. And also I note that “extremely busy” doesn’t necessarily mean “actually getting work done”.

“I hear that you have been training my brother since his days in school?”

“Yes. Takateru-san is truly outstanding. He is presently working with the sales department as well.”

I see. Oniisama did look busy. I wonder if he’s making sure to take lunch breaks.
We continued to talk about Oniisama for a while so Otousama began to sulk a bit. Wow, your immaturity is showing, Otousama.

Now stuffed with food, I thanked Sasajima-san for keeping the time for us and then left my seat. Otousama wanted me to stay a bit longer but I was going to run late for class at this rate.
Speaking of which, shouldn’t he be hurrying back to the company?
Farewell, Otousama! Even if you try to lure me with dessert it won’t work!

I just barely made it back in time for class so all the seats were pretty much taken. I ended up on one of the last chairs in the corner. Which happened to be far away from Gaudy Piercing & co. so I wasn’t unhappy about it. My stomach was unhappy though. I had to use my bag and scarf to hide my tummy from view.

*

The next day was fasting with Okaasama.
I imagined that we would be training on some dojo deep in the mountains or something but she brought me to a first-class hotel instead.
Apparently we were going to spend the next two days getting into jacuzzis, going to beauty salons, and taking walks in the hotel’s famed garden. “Fasting in style” in other words.

The other people were pretty much all Okaasama’s acquaintances; married women from the upper class. According to her she couldn’t turn down the invitation so she dragged me with her instead. Well yeah, I mean, Okaasama was completely skinny so I don’t suppose she would need to fast.
To think that maintaining a social life would even call on you to fast. Terrible.

After getting a private medical check, the hotel staff explained our itinerary to us. Apparently the hotel would provide water, tea, and rice congee, but we were free to eat out, and they had a pool and gym too.

The women all immediately chose to go to the beauty salon. I ended up going with them as Okaasama’s extra. One rotund older woman brought along a round ojousama. Her name was Narutomi Akimi, and she was 20. We were the only two young participants. Madam Narutomi said that she really hoped we would get along when she introduced us. Akimi-san kind of hid behind her mother with her head hanging.
Wow, kind of shy for somebody older than me. Come on, I won’t bite~

At that moment, Madam Kaburagi gallantly strode in. It was like the whole room started sparkling with her entrance.
That’s right. Apparently this hotel was owned by the Kaburagi group. Apparently she heard that we were participating so she came here to say hello.

Of all things, a Kaburagi hotel…

That was my first thought.

But then I realised that just by being here it was like broadcasting that I was in need of a diet…

Kaburagi couldn’t know. And I didn’t want that dandy Kaburagi Papa to know either.
I guess this is what you call a maiden’s heart.

After Mrs. Kaburagi finished her greetings she spotted me hiding away, so she walked over with a smile.

“Reika-san, I’m glad you’ve come! It’s going to be a difficult two days, but hang in there! I’m cheering for you.”

“Yes, thank you very much…”

Embarrassing. So embarrassing. It was like admitting that I was fat. I’m still in the skinny zone for BMI measurements, okay!
Also after she mentioned cheering for me all the other madams started paying more attention to me. I endured with a forced smile.

After that, Mrs. Kaburagi flashed everybody one last smile before leaving like the wind.

*

I suppose it’s time to check out our accommodations.

Even if you try to lure me with dessert it won’t work!

Incidentally it was a type of almond jelly called annin tofu.

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