Chapter 19: He was willing to go to such lengths for his sister!

Ah! So her etiquette really does have a problem!
And just because she learned Tora-iwa Style, it seems she’s going to be ostracized by this entire circle!

What should she do? What can she do?
Should she hide the fact that she learned Tora-iwa Style, pretend she knows nothing, and look for an etiquette school willing to take her in?

But the training of Tora-iwa Style had already been deeply engraved into her body. It surfaced naturally, even when she wasn’t thinking about it. In the beginning, she even trained in her dreams—so much so that she suspected her master had used some kind of sleep-learning method…

…No way, right?
That would be impossible… wouldn’t it…?

Forget that for now!
This is getting really bad!

“Brother… that etiquette school said there was nothing they could teach me, and sent me back…”

After all the effort her brother went through to find that school, this was the result.
She had wasted his goodwill—and probably embarrassed him, too…

“Ah, I figured that might happen.”

Yet her brother only smiled calmly, completely unconcerned.

Oh, brother! Please forgive this useless little sister!
Please pardon the sister who has brought shame upon her brother!

“What should I do now…?”

“Why worry so much? Why not just keep learning from Master Tora-iwa?”

Foolish brother!
If she did that, wouldn’t she become a laughingstock in high society?!

Even if she herself were mocked, she wouldn’t care. But she couldn’t allow the Ishikawa family to be disgraced. She absolutely could not stain the family name.

“If this continues… I’ll disgrace the Ishikawa family…”

She had to do something… or this would really lead to a ruin-ending.

“Yuka, you don’t need to think about disgracing the family or living for the family’s sake. I’ll inherit the Ishikawa household. I’ll handle everything. You should just live the way you want.”

“Yota… brother…”

What… what a perfect brother.
To go this far for his sister—he didn’t act like an elementary schooler at all.

When she had been in sixth grade in her previous life, she’d been a complete idiot, never thinking about the future, much less worrying about siblings. Not that she’d even had a sibling back then.

But this brother—he thought this far ahead for her, worried about her, ran around for her sake… and even shouldered the responsibility of the family himself.

Too perfect.
With Yota around, the Ishikawa family would surely be fine.

“Miss Yuka, we’ve arrived.”

While they were talking, they had reached the fitness club. With nothing else to do, her brother dropped her off with the maid Emi and left.

“Yo, Yuka. You said you’d be late, but you’re actually earlier than usual.”

“Good afternoon, Coach Toyama.”

She ran into Coach Toyama as soon as she entered. He seemed to be preparing for her. Since there was no strict start or end time, she decided to begin training immediately.

“But you’re wearing a kimono today.”

“…Eh? Ah!”

She’d completely forgotten. After being “politely escorted out” of the etiquette school, she’d fled straight here—still wearing it.

…Well, whatever. It wasn’t Tora-iwa training anyway. She wasn’t going to swim in a kimono. She’d be changing into a swimsuit or training clothes regardless, and Komachi had brought her spare clothes.

“I’m sorry. I’ll go change.”

“No rush.”

After nodding to the smiling Coach Toyama, Yuka headed to the locker room.

As usual, it was noisy inside, the ladies bustling about. Why did it take them so long just to change clothes?

“Oh my! Yuka, did someone help you put on that kimono? How cute!”

“It’s such a lovely kimono—really suits you.”

“Thank you.”

Because it was rare to see her in one, the women immediately surrounded her. Even though Coach Toyama had said there was no rush, they wouldn’t let her go, crowding around her like an appraisal meeting.

“You might suit lighter colors better…”

“No, since she’s young, patterns would be nice…”

She couldn’t change at all like this. If she just listened, it would never end—better to interrupt.

“Everyone, I’m very sorry. Coach Toyama is waiting for me…”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yuka, come visit my house sometime.”

“Yes, yes—come to my party next time.”

“Thank you. If I receive an invitation, I’ll check my schedule and respond. Then…”

Finally escaping the crowd, Yuka quickly folded her kimono. Somehow, these women felt less like wealthy socialites and more like neighborhood aunties…

After brushing off a few party invitations, she changed into her swimsuit and went to find Coach Toyama.

That evening, after returning home, the topic of the etiquette school naturally came up at dinner.

“So, how was the school you went to today?”

“Well… um…”

Faced with her mother’s sharp questioning, she hesitated. If her mother found out she’d been turned away with “we have nothing to teach you,” there would surely be a storm.

“I heard she was rejected. They said they couldn’t teach her anything.”

You idiot brother!
Why would you just say that so casually?!

“Oh dear… I thought that might happen, but still… Yuka, now you understand, right? From now on, just learn properly from Master Tora-iwa.”

“Yes…”

It seemed her mother wouldn’t allow her to attend any other schools now.
Was that really okay?

Being mocked for poor etiquette at school or parties would be one thing—but damaging the Ishikawa family’s reputation was another matter entirely.

“Yuka, rather than learning a little of everything, it’s better to master one thing completely. Anything, when pursued to its extreme, becomes extraordinary. Dabbling halfway in many things is worse.”

“Father…”

Damn it. Even that old fox was making sense.

He was right. Even if Tora-iwa Style was seen as heretical, even if it was unpopular—if she perfected it, that would be enough. She didn’t need to feel inferior. She would face it proudly.

She was Tora-iwa Takenomi’s disciple.

“Thanks to you today, Father, I’ll be able to sleep well!”

“Oh? Thanks to me? Then you can call me ‘Dad’ from now on.”

“I’ll be returning to my room now. Thank you for the meal. Thank you very much, Father.”

“Ah… y-yes…”

Ignoring the fox’s disappointment, Yuka returned to her room with a light, almost skipping step.

Every day had been enjoyable lately. She looked forward to talking with Shoko and Marina at Oka Academy. She complained, but didn’t dislike her training anymore—in fact, she was starting to like it.

The training was harsh… but the joy of learning something unknown, of mastering something she couldn’t do before, was irreplaceable.

“Good morning, Marina.”

“Good morning, Yuka.”

She greeted her first, but Marina seemed listless.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“…Eh?”

At the question, Marina looked up blankly. Yuka crouched down to match her eye level.

“Why…? Um… nothing. Really, it’s nothing.”

Something was definitely wrong. But if Marina didn’t want to say, pushing might not be right.

Given their current relationship—classmates who chatted occasionally—it probably wasn’t appropriate to pry.

“I see… I understand…”

As Yuka stood up, she heard Marina make a faint sound. There was a trace of guilt on her face.

“If you say it’s nothing, I won’t ask further. But I consider you my friend. If you’re in trouble, I want to help. So… if you also see me as a friend… you can tell me anytime, okay?”

Marina said nothing. But she didn’t reject her either.

Yuka returned to her seat.

Marina was strange all day. No one else asked her about it—whether they didn’t notice, didn’t care, or noticed and ignored it.

And then, in the Oka Association salon…

“Hey…”

“Hm? What is it, Shoko?”

Rare. Extremely rare. Shoko had come to speak to her on her own.

“Don’t call me ‘Shoko’ so casually! How many times do I have to tell you?!”

“So, Shoko, what is it?”

“…I give up! Anyway—what’s wrong with her?”

“That girl?”

“The one you’re always clinging to! Didn’t you notice something was off today?”

She meant Marina.

“Hehe.”

“Hey! What are you laughing at?!”

“I’m not laughing about Marina. I’m happy you noticed something was wrong and came to ask me. I think that’s cute. And I’m glad you care about Marina.”

“W-What?! I don’t—!”

Shoko’s face flushed bright red as she denied it furiously.
She was incredibly cute.