By A Slight Mistake Chapter 16-17

Translator: Silver Editor: Namorax

「16」

“I have a request, will you hear me out?”

On the last day of the final exams, I visited Hayate’s cla.s.s and sought out Ariwara and Tachibana.

“Ummm, okay. What is it?”

“I’ll be happy to grant any request you have, Mizuki.”

The pair responded in their usual manner and waited for me to continue.

“Thank you. Actually, it’s regarding this.”

I pulled out Nanami-sama’s invitation.

“……An invitation from Otomo-sama?”

Tachibana flipped the envelope over and confirmed the name of the sender.

“It's addressed to Mizuki.”

“My grandmother is friends with Nanami-sama, Otomo-sama’s wife, so these invitations come every year. Until now, I was too young to attend so grandfather declined on my behalf, but since I’m in high school now it seems I have to start fulfilling my role as a Sagara at social functions. You can look at the contents if you’d like.”

“Oh, well then. Allow me.”

Tachibana took the card out of the envelope and opened it.

After quickly reading it over he pa.s.sed the invitation to Ariwara.

“It says you can bring a friend along.”

Ariwara’s eyes sparkled as his eyes wandered between the invitation and me.

“Yes, it does.”

“A friend…… I-I can attend with Mizuki?”

“Can I ask this of you?”

“I’ll go!! I’ll attend with Mizuki.”

“Thank you,”

“Of course, I will attend as well. As I said, I will grant any request you have, Mizuki.”

“Please accept my heartfelt grat.i.tude.”

It had been a bit of a gamble when I brought up the invitation.

Receiving an invitation to Otomo’s summer banquet was a sign of status.

It was also a source of envy for the houses who didn’t receive one, so there have been cases where recipients suffered ill-fated accidents, even if the invitation was sent to one’s residence.

“I’m delighted. As Mizuki’s friend.”

Ariwara chuckled with a large smile on his face.

“Huh?”

“This is certainly more valuable than receiving a standard invitation. An invitation that certifies my friends.h.i.+p with Mizuki……”

“……Is that so?”

Was it really something to be happy over?

“I think it's better that Mizuki acknowledging it herself.”

Tachibana said so with a lazy chuckle.

“Mmm. Acknowledgement…… an in martial arts? No, I am weaker than Hayate…… as Yak.u.mo-oniisan’s younger sister?”

Few people cared about my evaluation of them.

Generally, such things don’t even reach a person’s ear.

“Well, whatever. Since its a costume party I need to get in touch with my tailor to get things in order.”

I put aside my concerns about my own evaluations and informed Ariwara of something important.

“What!?”

“I said, 『Umezaksama』was also invited to this party. Fujiwara Umezaka.”

Ariwara’s joyous expression froze stiff.

The mere mention of Ariwara’s self-proclaimed fiancée was enough to get this reaction out of her.

“Are you alright?”

“Y-Yes…… I hope it doesn’t trouble you, Mizuki……”

I shrugged my shoulders at Ariwara’s downhearted mumbling.

“I’ve been keeping the other party away from my home by saying that I needed to concentrate on school…… if only summer vacation never came.”

Tachibana put his hand on Ariwara’s shoulder as I tried to cheer him up.

“I got some information from my older sister. If things go well, you’ll be left in peace at the party. If Umezaka tries to talk to you, just come to me.”

“Huh!? There’s such a convenient solution!?”

“It isn’t a convenient solution. My second oldest sister, Kikkneesan, seems to have thought up a scheme……”

『Return a stalker for a stalker』, she explained her strategy to me using these words, with an evil queen's wicked smile on her face.

That seemed related to the acknowledgment Tachibana had been talking about.

Hayate was left in a foul mood when I told him Kikkneesan’s idea.

“It’s alright Ariwara. Kikkneesan has the right idea. Things will be fine.”

“So… why was Okabe in such a bad mood?”

Ariwara tried to change the heavy atmosphere by asking another question.

“Please don't mind it. As long as Kikksama's plan gets implemented, that issue will resolve itself.”

“Hahaha…… Leaving Umezaksama aside, it appears that I also have my own stalker. Considering their age, they must be a shotacon.”

“Shota……”

I was left speechless at Ariwara’s statement.

“T-That is… How old is the other party?”

Considering Tachibana's facial expression, it seemed like he didn't want me to ask that question.

“About… a decade year older? No matter how many times I refuse, I am beholden to my family. My older brother has even begun speaking with the head of her family. My wants are being ignored for the wants of my house.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s what he said when I asked him.”

“When did you hear that?”

“Last year.”

“And until now, you were just leaving the matter alone?”

“No. I was waiting for an opportunity to present itself, but… it seems like it's time to give up.”

“……………”

Even Tachibana had a worried look on his face.

Yeah, I felt the same way.

Having a presumed shotacon as your stalker must've felt rather unpleasant, but having your own siblings engage you with said shotacon must've been just as unpleasant.

Hayate wasn’t in a bad mood because of the plan, it was because of the potential backlash.

It was a good thing that s.h.i.+nonome Academy allowed for car pickups and drop-offs, making it safe for students to be taken to and from school.

Because honestly, a woman in the latter half of her twenties saying that she wants to marry Ariwara, a junior high school student, was kinda strange, right?

And yet, there had been someone who attempted a proposal to marry me by saying that because of my scars n.o.body else would be willing to have me, which made my older siblings furious.

Back when I used to receive proposals, most of the would-be suitors seemed to accept my initial rejection and asked for permission to bring up the proposal again once I was older.

They simply withdrew quietly and waited for a better opportunity.

Because the characteristics of the Sagara house were well known, my siblings paid those suitors no mind.

“W-Well…… even though Umezaksama can be a bit annoying and frustrating, she’s not a bad person, so……”

“Yes. I understand that. I haven’t heard anything bad about Umezaksama either. My older sister is aware of that…… I think.”

“This is a delicate situation…”

Ariwara laughed it off as if it were a bad joke After lunch, I invited the pair to my house to take measurements for their costumes.

I left school that day with a chuckling Tachibana and a grinning Ariwara.

The costumes were completed the same day the results of the finals were announced.

There was only a single point of difference between 1st and 2nd place.

Well, there were various circ.u.mstances, so it couldn’t be helped.

Should I redeem myself on the next pre-holiday break exam?

When I turned around, Ariwara's face looked like an hanya mask.

“Why is it fourth place again!?”

He continued to scowl at the results board.

“Well, compared to last year my score has risen and I've also been ranked higher.”

Confronted with such a terrifying visage, that was all I could come up with on the spot.

“That’s great, but still!  d.a.m.n it! It’s so vexing. Looks like it's no good unless I start dragging down Ookami and Suwa, isn't it?”

“Eh? Ookami and Suwa? Why?”

“Because those two are standing between Mizuki and first rank!”

Recently, it was becoming difficult to follow Ariwara's line of thought.

Were my scores part of a bet or something?

“Ariwara, I know it sounds tedious, but students shouldn't be competing with scores.”

“I know! But this is also really important for me!”

“It is necessary… I see. In that case, hang in there?”

“Mizuki~!! My heart will not waver!!”

When I tried to object, this was the immediate answe,r so I had no idea what to say.

“Then, when the graded exams are returned, how about checking our answers to look for our mistakes?”

“Yes.”

Ariwara was laughing happily when I tried to give a safe answer, all the while still somewhat confused over what he was talking about

“You can not overcome obstacles without knowing your abilities.”

“……Suwa.”

Suwa, who’d come up behind Ariwara, glared at him after listening to our conversation.

“You’re not thinking of such corny things as defeating me with more effort, are you?”

Suwa was the type to immediately crush his opponent in a fight.

“Eh? Are you winning?”

I looked at the results board for the answer.

“It's different for Sagara!”

When Suwa shouted, I silenced them with a glance.

“Well, then. Ariwara, are there any subjects you ranked higher than Suwa?”

Apart from the overall top scores, the ten highest subject scores were also listed.

j.a.panese was among them.

Ariwara took second in this subject while Suwa was forth.

It was a five-point difference.

Suwa had the sciences, but Ariwara excelled in liberal arts.

Their pride fluctuated with each subject.

“Hold on, you’re winning!”

Ariwara, let out a victorious laugh.

Suwa’s expression darkened.

“By the way, I’m also an effort type. I don’t have any strong subjects, but I don’t have any weak ones either.”

“You're special!”

“No, I’m ordinary. Skills are only gathered step by step.”

Only the years acc.u.mulated were different.

“Suwa, it would be better if you lost that binary worldview. Neither I nor the world are beholden to it. Ariwara, you shouldn't provoke others so much either, lest you invite more trouble upon yourself.”

“I will take Sagarsan's advice into consideration.”

Ookami smiled wryly as he arrived behind an embarra.s.sed Ariwara.

“I said this before, but studying isn’t a compet.i.tion. It is meant to provide nourishment to your mind like food does for your body. Studying loses its charm if you make that mistake.”

“That’s true.”

Ookami’s smile darkened when he placed his hand on Suwa’s shoulder.

“You should apologize to Ariwara.”

“That’s not necessary.”

Ariwara took a drastic measure in front of a disgruntled Suwa.

“Mizuki, can I visit your house during summer break?”

Was that Suwa’s revenge?

Ariwara glanced over the smug looking Suwa.

“You can come, but I won't be at home.”

“Eh!? Are you gonna be spending your summer in the southern Hemisphere?”

“No. I wouldn’t want to waste time on unnecessary travel.”

I wasn’t going abroad because I couldn’t stand being trapped on a plane for hours.

It was much more fun to visit the neighboring provinces.

The place called Little Kyoto and its basin had cool mornings and nights.

The delicious water there meant that the local cuisine was also delicious.

It was a place where I could relax.

However, I couldn’t go there this summer.

“In that case, where are you going?”

“I’ll just be in the hospital.”

“……Ah……”

Everyone’s complexion changed when my hospitalization was brought up.

“Then, may I come visit you?”

“Ask Hayate. If Hayate permits it, you can come. I can’t offer you any hospitality in the hospital though.”

“……Sagara, I……”

“I don’t want to hinder you or Ookami. Visiting someone who isn’t a friend will only cause trouble for your families.”

I cut Suwa off before he could say anything.

I could see the pain in Suwa expression at not being considered a friend.

The truth was, I hadn’t had the chance to build up a friends.h.i.+p with Suwa till now.。

Both of us were part of the student council, but that was merely the hierarchical relations.h.i.+p of president and secretary.

Co-workers weren’t necessarily friends.

I used alumni for Ritsuko, but that only meant that we attended the same school.

It was the same for Ookami.

“Let’s get going, Ariwara. We have to find Tachibana.”

“Yes. I think he was with Okabe.”

Ariwara nodded and we walked off together.

I felt Suwa’s eyes on us the entire time, but I decided to ignore him for the time being.

Translator: Silver Editor: Namorax

「17」

The day of the summer banquet.

Hayate was wearing his costume and the necessary accessories.

Though it was a costume, it was just a three-piece suit.

Because it was formal wear, it included a proper jacket.

Of course, it was hot in the summer.

While the heat didn’t bother us due to the air conditioning, it would impolite to greet other guests in half-hearted outfits.

Even though it was just a costume party, we were still young guests.

“Ariwara, your tie is crooked.”

“Huh? Really? Should I tighten it, or just re-tie it again?”

Ariwara presented his tie to Hayate.

That’s it.

Fujos.h.i.+s would be delighted by this scene.

Tachibana’s voice caught me off guard.

“You look good Mizuki. I didn’t know a slim suit suited you so well. You don’t have your tie on yet. Shall I tie it for you?”

No, not me!!

Tachibana took the tie from my hand and smoothly unfolded it.

“……by myself…”

“Am I doing it right?”

The tie decorating the smiling Tachibana’s neck was immaculate.

I’ve never even seen his uniform's necktie come undone.

Though I wanted it to look good, it was embarra.s.sing to have someone else tie it.

“Umm……”

Tachibana chuckled and pa.s.sed the tie under my collar while I was lost in thought.

“Don’t move, Mizuki.”

“Uhuh!?”

“Oh, Mizuki! The honor to tie your necktieー”

Ariwara’s voice was laced with envy.

Is it okay?

Is there any value in tying things?

Tachibana finished my tie while I was still worrying about it.

“There, it's done. Though the uniform is fine, this is good too. However, I can’t invite you to dance.”

“The waltz is too excessive, but how about the Charleston?”

“No, I don’t dance.”

I gave the high-spirited Ariwara a brief warning.

“Huh!? What a waste.”

“I was always a poor dancer. I never danced beyond what I learned in cla.s.s.”

“That can't be true!? A young maiden of the Sagara family who doesn’t dance!?”

“There are too few partners compatible with my height.”

Though I didn’t feel inconvenienced since I didn’t buy pre-made clothes, the fact that I was at eye level with most of the boys in my grade was another issue.

I used that to get out of dancing.

“You’re rather quiet today, Hayate.”

“Yes. I’m looking forward to visiting the former manor of a genuine j.a.panese samurai.”

“…… Well, it's enjoyable in various ways. Especially in the summer.”

I stared at the laughing Ariwara before glancing at Hayate.

“Well, there are various things.”

Hayate suppressed his own laughter even as his eyes wandered.

“What? What various things!?”

“You should look forward to the trip, it’s a rarity for you after all. Even the summer haunting is a valuable experience.”

Tachibana joined in on the teasing.

“Valuable! Of course, that’s a valuable experience!!”

I put aside Ariwara shouting over ghost stories for later and carefully arranged the contents of the box in front of me.

We were dressed as hustlers.

A somber disguise for the well-informed.

“Now then, let’s go.”

I tried to pick up the box after snapping the metal clamps shut, but Hayate s.n.a.t.c.hed it up first.

“We leave early, we return early. Treat this like a showcase, nice and simple.”

“Yes.”

After nodding in agreement to Hayate’s comment, we went to the main building and got into the car waiting out front.

The Otomo mansion was an old and elegant western-style building.

Coupled with the tasteful garden, the mansion was befitting of european n.o.bility.

The party began at noon and would last till midnight.

The younger guests arrived during the day and would gradually be phased out by the adults as the night wore on.

We were planning to enjoy a light lunch and leave around late evening.

Well, it couldn’t be said that the Otomo didn’t go all out when they hosted events.

“Let’s say h.e.l.lo to Nanami-sama, then we walk around for a bit. The Sugawara twins seem to be coming too.”

I began to imagine what type of costumes Chikage and Chiaki would have when, almost as if on cue, a young man looking similar to Suwa got out of the car in front of us.

“Good evening, Mizuki-san. I haven’t seen you in a while, but I’m happy to see you’re in good health.”

He was part of a Suwa branch family and, unlike Suwa, had a kind demeanor and gentle smile.

He was one of Suwa’s cousins, like s.h.i.+ori.

“Long time no see, Suwa Kaori-sama. I’m doing fine, thank you.”

Even though he was from a Suwa branch family, my family remained on good terms with Kaori’s.

His family immediately a.s.sisted my family when news of the accident reached them.

Though Kaori attends a different school these days, he still visited frequently.

He was about the same age as Yak.u.mo-niisan and was easy to talk to.

“I was relieved when I saw your smile in the distance.”

“Is that so? Have I done something to worry you?”

“No. As for that matter, we were completely at fault.”

Kaori’s gaze wavered as he lowered it for a moment, before looking back at me.

“Do you remember my engagement proposal from before?”

“Yes. We received it, but I would like a have a bit more time to decide……

“There's no need. Even though it is a bit rude to ask you this in such a place Mizuki-san, but I would like to withdraw the proposal.”

“……Huh?”

I was taken back by Kaori’s unexpected comment.

Hayate was throwing glances at me from my right.

Ariwara and Tachibana remained silent.

“Would you like to discuss this somewhere else?”

“No, this place is fine. It is a rather short story. My engagement has already been determined. The next head of the household has already decided it.”

“Suwa……”

“Yes. The current first branch family will be dismantled and Mrs. Saori shall be divorced. Her former husband will become a member of a different branch family six months later.”

“And… your new fiancé……”

“If I had to guess, it would be s.h.i.+ori. Although, it’s just a guess at this point. If s.h.i.+ori is engaged to me, my family will move up in rank. However, I will not marry s.h.i.+ori. s.h.i.+ori will become my adoptive sister, then she will be exiled.”

“Why? Why are you telling me this?”

“It will become public soon, but the estrangement of that branch family has started to become obvious. The decision was made to destroy the house ahead of the criminal charges. Mrs.Saori and s.h.i.+ori were equally guilty, but since they weren’t directly involved in the crime, Saori will be monitored by another branch family and s.h.i.+ori will be completely cut off from the Suwa once she learns to live like a commoner. It’s impossible for them to have a normal life as things are now.”

“I see.”

I thought of the various ways to handle the situation.

Power was conceded to another branch family, the possibility to send them abroad was still there and the embezzled profits were rendered forfeit.

Suwa had certainly played a sweet hand this time.

However, only the severity of the wound had been lessened.

It wasn’t wrong to protect the things which you should protect, but trying to mitigate the damage like that was a bit greedy.

As for Suwa himself, doing so must have been like inflicting a wound upon himself.

Not only was he ordering s.h.i.+ori, who’d he'd been pining for all this time, to get engaged to another man, he was also having her learn how to be a commoner because he knew they couldn’t be apart of the same world anymore.

“My speculations about the Suwa seem to have troubled you. I understand the wrath of the Sagara, but I wanted to inform you of that branch family’s situation.”

“Is this the intention of the new leading branch family’s head?”

“Yes.”

I glanced at Hayate when Kaori nodded his head.

“Hayate. What do you think of this?”

“I’d accept the new branch’s sincerity. However, I wouldn’t have any further contact with the former heads.”

“Is that so? It's as you’ve heard, Kaori-sama. I have nothing more to say on the matter, but my grandfather will definitely hear about the Suwas’ intentions. I won’t congratulate you on your engagement either.”

“Thank you. To be honest, I didn't want to hear those words from you, but I will still do this.”

Kaori bowed his head and attempted to leave the way he came.

“Kaori-sama? You are not going to stay?”

“Yes. While I did receive an invitation, I only came to speak with you. I do not want to see the people inside. Do you think that is childish?”

Kaori offered a complex smile which conveyed his intentions to leave.

I see.

'They' were inside.

“No. Please have a safe trip. Then.”

“Excuse me.”

Kaori bowed again and headed towards his car.

An atmosphere of uncertainty was left in his wake.

“It would have been better if that man had been born to the main family.”

Hayate bitterly muttered that.

“Obviously… That person would never fall in love with s.h.i.+ori. He was aiming for Mizuki.”

“Is that so? I remember how she gave children's books to the younger children back then. It was rather troublesome, which is why I still remember that.”

“Mizuki!! It's like you don't have any girl power…”

Ariwara grabbed my shoulder and shook me.

“I think you do have some femininity. Your cooking is delicious. Your fas.h.i.+on sense is impeccable. As for makeup…… you’re more beautiful without it.”

“I see. It’s attractive to see a high school girl wear makeup. I lose to everyone when it comes to makeup, huh?”

“Makeup is something like a woman’s battle attire. Take a moment to reflect on it. In addition, it would be strange to wear makeup in this outfit.”

When it came to cosplay, you could make your eyebrows fiery or deep. Everyday restraints were unnecessary.

“Well then, shall we go and look for Nanami-sama?”

I managed to recover and enter the mansion.

I heard the sound of a live band.

“It’d be nice to visit the garden later.”

Tachibana whispered that into my ear.

I see.

The performance was in the garden.

“Is there a game room here? A game of billiard would be delightful.”

Ariwara seemed to be getting into his hustler cosplay.

Both of them looked happy.

However, greeting Nanami-sama came first.

A shout from behind us reached our ears.

“Well, that’s quite the figure! Haha, Dracula. Even though you’d be better suited as Frankenstein.”

“………eh!”

Hayate glared at the person that said that.

He also grabbed my arm and pulled me close to him.

Ariwara, Tachibana, and I cl.u.s.tered together.

A woman in her twenties stood in a group near the stairs.

She was looking at me and laughing.

I let out a sigh when I recognized her face.

Apparently meeting Nanami-sama wouldn’t be so easy.