July, a few days after Tanabata, on a Monday after the break.

The Class 2-1 classroom had been hit by a localized blizzard in the morning. The source goes without saying: the red-haired young lady seated next to me—Hojo Anju.

"....Hmph!"

With a slam! She slammed her textbook onto the desk as if avenging her parents' mortal enemy. Even when I greeted her with "Good morning," she kept her face averted, arms crossed, grinding her back teeth.

...I see. She's completely in "furious mode."

As I took my seat, I gave a small internal sigh. The cause was as plain as day.

Last night, on my phone (my mom's hand-me-down kids' cell phone, but it can do LINE, at least), Aoi had sent a message full of heart marks: I've properly reported to Anju-chan about the earrings Shizuku-chan gave me and our marriage promise ♡.

The fact that she deliberately boasted to her rival about a "future promise" (which was just a dodging phrase to me) shows Aoi's one-up tendencies are something, but I can fully imagine what's going on in Anju's heart.

"...Hey, Anju. Don't be so mad. You'll tear the textbook."

When I spoke with a wry smile, Anju finally reached her limit and whipped around to face me. In her amber eyes, a thin film of frustrated tears welled up.

"I am not angry! I am merely a little astonished, having heard that some someone out there gave that blonde thieving cat violet earrings and then went and made a shameless contract like 'when we grow up, let's get married'!"

"A shameless contract... that's exaggerating."

I recalled my past life as a corporate slave. This is highly similar to what's called "complaint handling when preferential treatment toward a competitor is exposed."

Last Christmas, right after I gave Aoi the star barrette, at New Year's. Back then, Anju had been blatantly jealous and standoffish, just like today. I had succeeded then in restoring the client's (Anju's) mood by offering the aftercare of a "private sleepover for just the two of us."

The basics of sales are swift follow-up. After favoring Company A (Aoi), you must present Company B (Anju) with equal or greater benefits to let off steam.

Putting the hospitality skills I'd cultivated in my past life to full use, I rested my chin on my desk and looked straight into Anju's face.

"You know, Anju. I don't know what Aoi told you, but that was just a 'what if' talk. It's on the ridiculously distant condition of 'when we grow up, after seeing all kinds of worlds, if our feelings still haven't changed...'"

"Th-That's..."

"We're still seven, right? I have no intention of picking just one person right now. Aoi's a precious childhood friend... but the fact that you, Anju, are my special princess hasn't changed one bit."

Fuh. Narrowing my mature violet eyes, I dropped my husky voice a notch to whisper. Anju's shoulders gave a huge jolt.

"Th-Then... that means... I-I also still have a chance?"

"Chance or whatnot. If you want to be by my side, you're always welcome. And besides."

I leaned in even closer, bringing my face softly near Anju's ear.

"I haven't forgotten. Your birthday is October 20th, right? Aoi's birthday was a celebration at home, but... for your birthday, Anju, I've been scheming up all kinds of plans from now, thinking of preparing a special surprise befitting a beautiful, refined young lady like you."

Anju's face instantly boiled bright red like a boiled octopus.

Alright, a good reaction. I made a victory pose in my mind.

‘You're special.’ ‘I've already started preparing for you.’

These are a salesman's strongest killer lines, satisfying a client's need for approval to the absolute fullest. Sure enough, the blizzard from a moment ago vanished like a lie, and Anju let out a pathetic "Hyaaauu..." covering her face with both hands.

"So, stop being so prickly and look forward to autumn, okay?"

"I-I understand... If you insist that much, I shall not refuse to look forward to it..."

So easy. No, she's just an honest and cute girl. With a satisfied "case closed" nod, I started getting ready for first period Japanese.

...Unaware that I had just set a monumental expectation hurdle for the distinguished family young lady's birthday, far surpassing the verbal promise with Aoi.

* * *

[Hojo Anju's Perspective]

—Calm down, Hojo Anju. Take a deep breath. Inhale, exhale... I can't! My heart feels like it's going to leap out of my mouth!

Hiding her face behind her propped-up Japanese textbook, Anju's mouth had slackened into an irrepressible, sloppy grin.

...When I heard Aoi-san's boasting, I almost forgot myself in anger.

...But what's this? Shizuku isn't taking it seriously at all!

Inside Anju's brilliant mind, Shizuku's words were being conveniently (and in a sense, accurately) parsed.

If our feelings haven't changed when we're adults

In other words, Shizuku is merely brushing off Aoi's feelings as "a child's first love." An uncertain future promise holds no meaning in this world.

And in comparison, how am I being treated!? Aoi-san's birthday was just a home party. But for my birthday in October, she's already planning a "special surprise fitting for a young lady" for me!

Anju clenched her fists tightly on her lap.

...I've won. This is my complete victory! Shizuku's mind is now filled with thoughts of my birthday in October!

While Aoi clings to a vague promise in the distant future, she herself will receive the highest-grade escort from Shizuku on October 20th—a fixed future, an X-Day.

...Yes. If Shizuku is going to go that far for me, then I must show a corresponding level of resolve.

It won't just be a child's birthday party where I simply receive a present and am happy. October 20th. On that day, I shall mobilize the full financial and political power of the Hojo family and show Shizuku not "child's play," but the charm of a true woman.

...Just you wait, Shizuku. Along with the surprise you prepare, I will ensnare you completely... and on that October night, I shall make you entirely "my own prince"... fufu ♡

Behind the propped-up textbook, the red-haired young lady wore a sweet and terribly heavy smile of resolve.

The oblivious salesman's "venting follow-up" had dropped a massive dose of fuel onto the tsundere young lady's pride and possessiveness, secretly setting in motion a "mega-scale monopolization project" aimed at the autumn three months away.