Chapter 74

Finally, this day has arrived.

Will the protagonist really come to this academy?

I'm nervous. My life will be decided over the next three years. I have to do my best!

The high school entrance ceremony was held on a sunny day in April, with cherry blossoms scattering.

I looked around the auditorium, but I couldn't see anyone who looked like her.

About 100 new students from outside the school are expected to enter, so it would be difficult to find her here.

I calmly attended the ceremony.

The representative speech from the current students was given by Senpai Tomigashiki, who is the student council president in high school. He has become incredibly mature since the last time I saw him. He's completely different from the middle school student who used to laugh and eat snacks.

Just as I was thinking how cool he is, Hayate stood up to give the speech as the new student representative.

When Hayate stepped onto the stage, the auditorium buzzed for a moment. Indeed, Hayate has a face that can make anyone stop and stare, with sharp features that are breathtaking. His black hair and slightly cold, stern face make him look like a sleek black panther. For the internal students, it might be normal, but for the external students, it must be quite a shock.

Hayate's charismatic aura at such moments is truly impressive. Despite all the attention, he stands confidently, showing no signs of tension or nervousness. I can't help but admire him. But he's actually a fool for horseback riding.

The entrance ceremony, which included the Hayate shock, ended, and I moved to my classroom, looking at the class list I was given.

After confirming my name, I naturally searched for her name. She's not in my class. I looked through the classes in order. Hmm... There she is!

Koudou Wakaba

...She really is here.

Wakaba. The protagonist of "You Are My Dolce," the heroine who eventually marries the emperor after many twists and turns. The girl who will play a crucial role in my future.

Where is she? I want to see her. I want to confirm Wakaba's presence.

However, new students need to move to their classrooms quickly, so there's no time to go to other classes.

Well, I'll have plenty of chances to confirm later. I'll give up for now.

I headed to my classroom calmly.

In the new class, the external students sat alone, looking nervous, while the internal students, who were in the same group, were excited and chatted happily.

"Ah, Rika-sama!"

"Good morning, Rika-sama. We're in the same class! I'm so happy!"

I was welcomed into a circle of girls, with the girls from my group at the center.

"Good morning, everyone. I'm glad we're in the same class. I hope we can have a good year together."

"Good morning, Rika-sama. I feel relieved to be in the same class as you."

"Good morning, Rika-sama."

I greeted everyone with a smile. A few external students were looking at me curiously. Among them were some faces I recognized, so they must belong to the upper class. The number of special admission slots is not large, so the other external students, while not necessarily from the upper class, are from families that can afford the tuition at Suiran. Genuine commoners are actually quite rare. And Wakaba is one of those few commoners.

Wakaba must be experiencing culture shock right now. The difference from the public school she used to attend must be significant. I was also surprised when I entered the elementary school. But she will be even more shocked when she is shown around the school facilities.

When the new homeroom teacher entered the classroom and everyone took their seats, the self-introductions began.

"I am Rika Kishuuin. I hope we can have a good year together."

When it was my turn, I tried to give a simple greeting, but a few students clapped.

Hey, stop it!

I know the students who clapped didn't mean anything by it, but that's not appropriate!

Look, the external students are startled. Some of them look like they're in trouble!

It's not that bad. I'm not that scary. I'm not a person to watch out for.

After that, the teacher assigned class committee positions. The girls were somewhat prepared, but it turned out to be me. Oh no, I wanted to have a year without doing any odd jobs, like a Pivoine.

There were other girls who could have done it, so I thought about declining, but the teacher's eyes said, "You can't refuse, can you?" and I ended up accepting. Ugh, it's going to be tough.

I was paired with a boy who had transferred to Suiran from the middle school.

The other committee positions and duties were to be decided in tomorrow's homeroom, so the day ended there.

In the end, I didn't get to see Wakaba today.

The Wakaba in the manga was a lively girl, but what kind of person is the real Wakaba?

However, the fact that Wakaba has really enrolled means there's no time to waste.

When I got home, I repeatedly told my father, "Cheating is wrong." My father pretended not to understand, but please tell me the truth.

I don't want to interfere with Hayate and Wakaba's love, but if my father has been cheating, someone else might report it.

Ah, my father is no help. I need to talk to my brother too!

The next day started with deciding the committee positions and duties.

I remember last year, the young monk said, "Enshiro helped the new external students get used to the school by recommending them for committee positions and duties." Maybe I should do the same.

But it might be too much to ask them to do it right away. Maybe I should let them participate as assistant members.

I tried to encourage them by saying, "I hope the new students who joined Suiran this year will actively volunteer."

But not many external students raised their hands. Well, I guess that's to be expected.

In the end, the positions were decided mainly by the internal students, but I hope they will gradually participate.

After that, we toured the school. The high school building was larger and had more facilities than the middle school, but the layout was similar. Thanks to this, the internal students were relatively relaxed, but the external students were surprised and bewildered by everything. Well, that's to be expected.

Next, we went to the cafeteria. It's bigger than the middle school cafeteria. I wonder if the menu has expanded?

Ah! I remember, this is where Wakaba tried to sit at the Pivoine's special seat and got into trouble. What should I do? Should I warn the external students here? But first, I need to explain what Pivoine is. I don't want to openly talk about Pivoine's privileges. Maybe I can ask someone to tell them quietly later.

How did it work in the middle school? I think it became an unspoken rule among the external students over time.

After touring various places, we finally arrived at the student council room.

"Oh, it's Kishuuin's class this time. Please come in."

Inside the room, the student council president, Senpai Tomigashiki, and other officers were waiting and introduced themselves one by one.

"Kishuuin, you're a Pivoine and yet you're a class committee member again? Why don't you join the student council?"

Senpai Tomigashiki laughed heartily.

"I could never do that."

"True, you are a Pivoine. Ah, the external students, Pivoine is a group of students who receive special treatment at Suiran. Ask the internal students for more details. By the way, the red flower badge that Kishuuin is wearing is the symbol of the members, so be careful around people with this badge."

Senpai Tomigashiki, your explanation is good, but the way you said it makes it sound like I'm someone to be cautious of!

Senpai Tomigashiki's girlfriend is also a Pivoine. I'll tell her.

Look, the external students are even more wary of me now...

"If you have any problems at the school, feel free to talk to the student council. But since you have Kishuuin in your class, you'll be fine. She's very responsible. If you have any questions, ask Kishuuin. She's a great person."

Kyaaan! Senpai Tomigashiki! I still love you so much!

After saying goodbye to the wonderful Senpai Tomigashiki and the others, I was walking down the hallway when a group from another class approached.

– At that moment, a face I recognized passed by my side.

Wakaba!

The first time I saw Wakaba, she was exactly as I knew her. Her hair still had a slight curl. Her eyes were full of curiosity. That girl is definitely the real Wakaba.

Wow, I'm so moved.

After looking back at Wakaba's back several times, the new committee president, who was walking next to me, started to worry. Oops, I made a mistake on the first day. I'm not a suspicious person.

Yesterday, I only saw Wakaba's name, but seeing her in person today made it all feel real.

I once again earnestly explained the meaning of the four-character idiom "tenbatsu hitomen" to my father.

Perhaps he has something to hide, as he locked himself in his study. I was standing in front of the study, saying, "The sun sees everything," when my brother came home and silently led me to the living room, scolding me, "After being involved in the school for two years, I can assure you there's no such thing. Don't worry unnecessarily."

Is that true, brother? Can I believe you?

My brother said, "Father is upset because you accused him of something he didn't do," so I felt a bit guilty.

I understand. I will trust my father and my brother's words. After all, we are family.

...But just in case, I might remind my father from time to time that the sun, or I, is watching. Just to be safe, you know.