Chapter 41: What should we do when we get together?

Nowadays, Ishikawa Yuka, Matsuyama Shoko, and Anmiya Marina walk to the Ōka Association Salon together every day after school.

This fixed trio moving through the campus has become a regular sight, and the whispers from the beginning can no longer be heard.

Of course, it is also possible that people simply stopped discussing it where she could hear, or that even though they remain curious, they cannot cling to the same topic forever.

After all, saying the same things about the same person every time they are seen only makes one appear boring.

If there were a fresh topic, perhaps it would spark another round of discussion.

But since the three of them are merely going to the Salon together, there is really nothing newsworthy worth mentioning.

Initially, some thought it was a novelty and even rumored that Yuka had threatened the other two, but now that has become a tired, outdated subject.

“The rumors about Yuka-sama have finally settled down a bit.”

“Hmm… indeed.”

Yuka agreed with Shoko’s assessment.

Compared to that initial period, things have certainly quieted down quite a lot.

However, it is still too early to say the effects have been completely erased; even a slight disturbance could bring them back to the surface.

As expected, it is difficult to change someone’s ingrained impressions without personal contact and genuine interaction…

That said, it is an utter fantasy to expect to know and become friends with every single student from first to sixth grade at Ōka Academy.

While Yuka pondered this difficult problem, she pushed open the door to the Salon.

“Good day, everyone.”

“Good day.”

“Hello, everyone.”

Yuka pushed the door open and entered, with Shoko and Marina following half a step behind to her left and right.

…It suddenly occurred to her that she was seemingly the one to open the Salon door every single time.

In her memory, she had never seen Shoko or Marina take the initiative to open the door and enter first.

‘Could people see me as some bossy old patriarch with two attendants?’

Although she didn’t particularly care herself… she wondered if anyone thought she was putting on airs or ordering others around.

That wouldn’t be very good…

“Good day, Yuka~”

“Good day, Senior Kohara.”

As the three entered in single file, Kohara Yuko of the sixth grade came forward to greet them.

Yuka felt she had become quite well-acquainted with the members of the Ōka Association, and Yuko was the one she was on the best terms with.

She brewed some tea and sat in her usual spot, and for some reason, Yuko sat down across from her.

Even when there was nothing special to discuss, Yuko had frequently been staying near Yuka lately.

The moment Shoko and Marina entered the Salon, they would be surrounded by people from their respective factions and lineages; if they wanted to see Yuka, they had to wait until those social obligations were finished.

Shoko had many complaints about this, but one could not neglect factions and networking.

Yuka persuaded her by saying they were together in the classroom and during lunch anyway, so being apart for a while in the Salon was fine, and Shoko finally accepted it half-heartedly.

“Ah… by the way, Senior Kohara.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

Since Shoko and Marina were away and Yuko was right there, it was a good opportunity.

Yuka decided to ask the question she had been keeping in her heart.

“Actually… there is something I’d like to ask you to keep secret…”

“Mmhmm.”

Yuka leaned in and lowered her voice; Yuko cooperatively leaned forward and softened her tone as well.

‘She reacts so quickly… rather than a wealthy young lady, she’s more like an ordinary, considerate senior…’

But that was probably the reality of it.

No matter how noble one’s birth, it was impossible to spend every day laughing with an “O~hohoho” in daily life.

Putting that aside, she had to hurry and ask the main business.

If it was Yuko, she should be able to give some good advice.

“The truth is… I have some friends coming over to my house to play… what do first-grade young ladies usually do for fun?”

“……”

“……”

Yuko froze with a peculiar expression, leaving Yuka with no choice but to look back at her in confusion.

‘What’s wrong?’

“Haah~… I see… Yuka really is that kind of child, isn’t she… I was so foolish to ever suspect you were plotting something…”

“Um…?”

Yuko held her forehead and sighed deeply while shaking her head.

‘Natural? Plotting? What does that mean?’

“I have never played with friends before, so I don’t know how to host them or what we should play. I am asking you quite seriously.”

“Hmm… I understand… I realize that Yuka, you are truly a natural airhead…”

‘What does that mean…’

Although she could tell it was a polite way of calling her stupid, in what way was she a natural airhead?

Well… she certainly hadn’t had plastic surgery, so she was natural in that sense.

She wasn’t artificial… ah!

But as a reincarnator, shouldn’t she be more mature than all of them?

Even if she had been assimilated by everyone recently, exactly where did Yuko think she was a natural airhead?

“As for what to play… wouldn’t it be fine to invite them to play the games you usually play?”

‘Oh? It seems she’s willing to answer seriously after all.’

She had been worried Yuko would just keep stalling, but it turned out she was considering it for her.

“You say that… but things I usually play… there aren’t any…”

That was true; she didn’t usually play.

She didn’t have the time.

And even if she did play something, it wouldn’t be very useful as a reference.

What she wanted to know was what first-grade young ladies usually played, not the entertainment methods of a former adult male.

That would be entirely useless as a reference.

“No way? Watching movies, going to the theater, listening to music—surely there’s something like that?”

“Hmm…”

‘Is it okay to play those things?’

She had thought it would be playing house or playing with dolls…

“For example, your own hobbies and interests would be fine too. Just share something with your friends; you don’t need to overthink it.”

Yuko’s words weren’t incomprehensible.

No, although she felt something was wrong?

These definitely aren’t “first-grade games,” are they?

Though she understood the sentiment.

If it were an interaction between adults, sharing one’s hobbies would indeed be appropriate.

Just as Yuko said, watching a movie or a play they wanted to see, or listening to music together, should be enough.

But is that really okay for first-grade young ladies?

It felt entirely like the way adults socialized.

If they were ordinary children, they should go to the park and play tag… no, that probably wouldn’t happen…

The children of Ōka Academy were all precocious beyond their years…

But even so, she had no hobbies or anything she was particularly interested in.

Every day she went to school, went to the Salon after school, and then went to talent classes.

In the evening, she studied and slept.

On weekends and holidays, she also went to talent classes, with no other free time whatsoever.

Thinking about it, her life really didn’t resemble that of a primary schooler…

At least in her past life, she would play outside with friends during the lower grades.

Though as she went up in grade, that was gradually replaced by prep schools and tutors…

“Hmm…”

‘It’s no use… I can’t think of anything at all. What should I do?’

“What would you do, Senior Kohara?”

“Me? I would probably go see something with my friends, and then we’d have a meal and go shopping together, I suppose…”

That sounded quite ordinary.

Although that “seeing something” might not be a regular movie but perhaps a Noh play or something similar…

Having a meal and shopping was certainly something girls would enjoy.

Regardless of age or background, most girls seemed to love those things.

But would first-graders really be happy doing those things?

That doubt refused to go away.

Precocious girls in the higher grades would certainly go shopping, but can first-graders enjoy shopping already?

As expected, there was still a difference between the sixth-grader Yuko and them.

Although she had gained some references, copying them completely didn’t seem viable.

Besides, she had absolutely no interest in movies or theater.

Inviting others to something she didn’t understand herself would be too strange.

If the host understood nothing, the discussion segment after watching or listening would be embarrassing.

“Yuka-sama! Please let me join too!”

“Shoko.”

It seemed Shoko was finished talking with the people of her lineage and had come over.

Yuko cast a glance her way, and Yuka nodded slightly.

That look just now was probably asking whether she should keep their previous conversation a secret from Shoko.

So Yuka used a nod to indicate she wouldn’t tell Shoko.

After all, Yuko was a sixth-grader and wasn’t slow; she must have understood long ago.

If Shoko had nothing to do with it, Yuka would have asked Shoko or Marina first.

Since they were in the same grade, it was only natural to ask a close peer if she wanted to find something out.

But since Yuka hadn’t asked Shoko or Marina, it meant they were the ones involved.

Since Yuka had requested secrecy from the start, Yuko would likely keep her lips sealed.

Afterward, just as expected, Yuko didn’t mention the topic at all and naturally started chatting with Shoko.

****

After class that day, Yuka stopped by the Toraiwa Style dojo and bowed respectfully to her master.

“Sensei! I would like to request time off for the Thursday after next!”

“Hmm… the reason?”

When Yuka bowed and made her request, the master asked for a reason, as expected.

That was only natural.

Even if the master was going to grant the leave, he had to understand the situation first.

Although as a student, a request for leave due to something at home would usually be granted… in short, if she didn’t explain clearly, the master wouldn’t agree easily.

“Yes… actually, I have some friends coming to visit my home that day.”

“I see… granted.”

“Eh!?”

‘For real!?’

She hadn’t expected the master to agree so readily at all.

Granted, it would be unreasonable not to allow leave when a student has guests at home and cannot attend class… but she truly didn’t expect this master to grant it so easily.

“Why so surprised… do you perhaps think this old man wouldn’t allow it?”

“Ah~… no~… well~…”

She did think that… but she couldn’t say it out loud.

Saying it would have severe consequences.

“Hmph… fine. This old man understands that those in the upper classes always have social obligations they cannot avoid. However…”

‘Here it comes! There’s a condition, isn’t there? Or is he going to make me finish that day’s practice in advance?’

“Who is the other party? Why the visit? What will you do once they arrive?”

“Ugh… that…”

‘Do I even have to report these personal matters?’

It wasn’t that she needed to hide anything, but would she be scolded if she said she was skipping training to play…?

‘Sigh, might as well come clean!’

So Yuka explained about Shoko and the others coming to play.

But when asked for a reason, she could only say it was to play together, and when asked for specific arrangements, she couldn’t answer that either.

After all, even she didn’t know what to do…

After she told the truth, the master closed his eyes and listened in silence.

“Hmm… in that case, why not host them with a tea ceremony? They are visiting after school, so there likely won’t be much time, right? A tea ceremony is perfect.”

“Eh!?”

‘Subjecting first-grade elementary students to a tea ceremony…?’

‘That’s just too absurd…’

She had indeed studied Chado (tea ceremony) and Kado (flower arrangement) under the master, but that was hardly an activity used to entertain first-graders.

Besides, would they even be used to the tea?

Children probably couldn’t appreciate that kind of flavor…

“You could do it outdoors, or invite them into a tea room. Decorate with some flowers as well. How about it? Quite nice, isn’t it?”

“Uh… that… since it isn’t a decision I can make alone, please allow me to discuss it with my guests before deciding…”

If she spoke too definitively, she would be led by the nose by the master.

If she were alone, she would certainly be forced into it by him.

But by bringing up the guests, even the master wouldn’t go too far.

After all, the master himself said that the most important thing in Chado is the heart of hospitality.

If one ignored the guests’ wishes and forced a tea ceremony upon them, it wouldn’t be hospitality at all.

For some reason, the master instead enthusiastically started giving her all sorts of ideas.

Throughout the entire practice session, Yuka racked her brains to deflect the master’s passionate suggestions of “how about this” and “how about that.”