Chapter 3

Well, Pivoine has a dedicated salon within the academy.

It has already completely transcended the realm of just another classroom, resembling the luxurious living room of a royal suite in some top hotel.

Furthermore, there is even a dedicated concierge for the salon.

The Pivoine salon is located within the elementary school, but since I am a member, I have to make an appearance.

If I were to be selected as an honorable Pivoine and never visit, it could create unnecessary backlash and make enemies.

In human relationships, socializing and communication are important.

Actually, I don’t mind going to the salon. There are delicious sweets, and I can get information from upperclassmen.

If that were all, I might go with a much happier mood.

But, there is “that person” there.

“that person”

Yes, Tachibana Masahiro, who will later be called the Emperor.

Originally, the Tachibana family is one of the wealthiest families in Japan, with group companies all over the world.

And like the Kichijouin family, they also have the blood of former nobility.

It seems the Tachibana family’s title was higher.

It appears that some of their ancestors had very noble bloodlines.

It’s like they’re on a completely different stage…

A flawless, perfect family in every aspect. That’s the Tachibana family.

Tachibana Masahiro is the direct heir of the Tachibana family.

He already shows signs of being a worthy successor to the Tachibana family.

Even though he is just a first-grader, he exudes an aura that commands obedience, and his blue-flame-like beauty and attitude of looking down on the masses are truly imperial.

He sits in the salon’s best seat as if it’s his right.

It seems he has no concept of giving up his seat to upperclassmen. Truly, the Emperor.

People gather around Tachibana Masahiro like bees around a flower.

He shows almost no interest in them, occasionally looking out the window with a bored expression.

How is a child like this, who seems bored with life at six, raised?

Imperial education, perhaps. Does imperial education turn children into this?

If he’s that bored, he should go play dodgeball or tag on the playground.

Well, unfortunately, there are no children playing such games on the playground at Suiran.

Does this child even play like a normal child?

Tachibana Masahiro, riding a tricycle and laughing and playing around.

Hehe, it’s funny to imagine.

While I was secretly observing from a distance, our eyes met.

Oh no, he frowned. Did he read my mind?!

Ahh, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!

I pretended to remember something I needed to do in the classroom and subtly, very subtly, averted my gaze from Tachibana Masahiro, leaving the salon as if nothing had happened.

Scary. I couldn’t even turn back.

"Rika-sama, were you at the Pivoine salon?"

When I returned to the classroom, a girl classmate spoke to me.

"Yes, I had some tea."

Another girl came over and asked, blushing,

"Was Tachibana-sama there too?"

"Yes, he was there."

"Oh!"

The girls started to squeal excitedly.

These girls are not Pivoine members, and since Tachibana Masahiro and I are in different classes, they rarely get a chance to get close to him.

"Are you close to Tachibana-sama, Rika-sama? What did you talk about in the salon?"

I’m not close to him, and I don’t plan to be in the future.

"Tachibana-sama is a man of few words, and I haven’t spoken to him much. I usually talk to the upperclassmen."

"Oh, I see..."

The girls’ excitement dropped instantly.

Hmm, I’m sorry. I wish I could provide them with better gossip, but my future is at stake.

"I’m sorry I couldn’t meet your expectations. Oh, but he was eating chocolate. He might like sweet things."

To cheer up the disappointed girls, I shared my observation.

It’s not much, but how about it?

"Wow, I want to see Tachibana-sama eating chocolate!"

"I love chocolate too. I’m just like him!"

"If he likes chocolate, I have to prepare the best for Valentine’s Day!"

Oh, they took it better than I expected.

At least they’re happy.

But, thinking about Valentine’s Day already? Isn’t that a bit early?

"Trying to hear about Tachibana-sama from Rika-sama is..."

"Yes, it’s rude."

Oh, Kichijouin Rika’s sidekicks, number 1 and number 2—

Fukami Serika and Imamura Kikuno.

In the idol world, they were obsessed with the Emperor along with Rika, and they were already fans even in elementary school.

They pretend to be angry for my sake, but they’re actually just upset that I’m sharing information about their idol, Tachibana Masahiro, equally with others.

As sidekicks, they want to get the best information first.

"It was wrong of me to casually spread rumors about Tachibana-sama. I’m sorry, Serika-san, Kikuno-san."

"Oh, no!"

"Rika-sama, you don’t need to apologize."

They panicked, so I smiled and smoothed things over.

As fans, we should all get along and enjoy talking about our idol (Tachibana Masahiro).

I’ll tell them the brand of chocolate Tachibana Masahiro was eating later.