Rich Girl Caretaker Vol. 1 Bonus Chapter

Narika Miyakojima's Defeat

After school.

I watched Hinako get into the Konohana family's car, then walked alone down the school road toward the rendezvous point. On the way... I ran into an acquaintance.

"...Narika?"

It was the girl with long black hair tied in a ponytail. Right now—her face was covered in countless scratches, and she was crying.

"Narika!?"

She clearly looked different from usual. I unconsciously called her name and rushed over.

"Hm?... Oh, it's Itsuki. Sorry, I didn't notice you."

Narika turned her head and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with her fingers. However, there was no hiding the scratch marks on her face.

"Narika... what happened to your face?"

"Don't worry about it... I just got in a fight."

"A fight!?"

That sounded serious.

"Wh-Who was it?"

"An opponent whose name I don't even know... Hmph, I was completely beaten."

Listening to her mutter, I couldn't help but stare wide-eyed. That Narika—the Narika Miyakojima who, despite her many other shortcomings, possesses superhuman athletic ability—lost a fight?

"...Was your opponent that strong?"

"Yeah. Hard to deal with."

I silently moved closer to the dejected Narika.

"Um... if something's bothering you, you can talk to me. You don't have to hide away and cry alone."

Narika has a personality that tends to keep worries bottled up. I didn't know what happened, but I couldn't just leave her alone.

"You're right... Okay. I'm going to challenge them again."

"What?"

I couldn't hide my surprise at Narika's bizarrely timed determination.

"No, I meant you should talk to your parents or a teacher—"

"—Itsuki! Follow me!"

Narika took off running. I hurriedly followed, and—

"Come on, let's fight again... This time, I'll definitely make you my friend!!"

Narika's tone was firm. Her opponent—let out a "Meow."

"..................It's a cat."

It seems I'd jumped to conclusions. Her opponent wasn't a person, but a cat. Narika took a step forward, and the cat, which had been sleeping peacefully, suddenly looked wary. She cautiously approached... but the cat struck first, pouncing at Narika's face.

"Ahhh!? Stop it! I just want to be friends with you!"

The cat left a few more scratches on Narika's face, then ran off without a backward glance.

"Narika... I can't believe even animals are afraid of you."

"Ugh... Don't say that."

Tears streamed down Narika's face.

Mirei Tennouji's Elegant Smile

It was break time at the academy. On my way back to the classroom from the restroom, a strange laugh reached my ears.

"Ohohoho!"

A high-pitched voice was coming from outside the school building. I walked toward the sound and saw a familiar figure.

"That's... Tennouji-san."

It was the Tennouji Group's heiress, a perfect match for her blonde, curly hair.

"Ohohoho!... Hmm, the pitch seems a little too high."

Tennouji-san was laughing to herself. ...What was she doing? Discretion is the better part of valor. It was probably best to pretend I saw nothing and leave. Unfortunately, I have a curiosity for the strange.

"Posture is OK. Gaze is OK... The more I look, the more this pose befits the Tennouji family. All that's left is to perfect this elegant laugh, and my charm will be enhanced even further..."

Tennouji-san muttered, looking at her reflection in the window glass. Just then, she spotted a figure in the glass other than her own and became guarded.

"Who's there!?"

She turned, saw me half-hidden in the bushes, and looked startled.

"Uh, sorry..."

"...What is it. It's just Tomonari-kun."

She seemed very composed. Was it okay for me to see... that bizarre behavior?

"What were you doing?"

"I was practicing my elegant laugh."

"Your elegant... laugh?"

"Yes. I previously read a shoujo manga one of my classmates had. The way the characters in it laughed was my ideal, and I decided I must learn it."

Just as I'd expect from Tennouji-san, always striving to improve. I was just a little curious about her source material.

"May I ask the name of the manga...?"

"The Rose of Versailles Plum Blossom!"

Tennouji-san's eyes sparkled. She seemed to really like that manga.

"Tomonari-kun, since you're here, would you mind helping me practice?"

"...I don't mind."

I was cornered and could only agree.

"Then, let us begin... Ohohoho!"

As I watched Tennouji-san let out her high-pitched laugh, I... made an indescribable face.

"How was it!?"

"...You sound like a villain."

"A villain!?"

Tennouji-san's eyes went wide, as if she'd taken a huge blow.

"N-Now that you mention it... the character who laughed like that in the manga was the villain."

Then you probably shouldn't imitate it...

"Ngh... I practiced so hard, but I cannot bring shame to the Tennouji family. And here I was, hoping to laugh loudly in front of Hinako Konohana..."

"If you did that, it would just look like you were trying to pick a fight with Konohana-san."

"..................That's a good point."

It seems she had calmed down.

"Hmph... I don't usually read manga. I suppose I was unnecessarily stimulated."

"You don't read manga often?"

"No. I primarily read books that increase my knowledge. But... perhaps it's because my horizons are too narrow that I've made this blunder."

Tennouji-san looked a little dejected.

"...I read manga, too. If you're interested, I could recommend some to you next time."

"Thank you... Hehe, Tomonari-kun, you're very thoughtful."

Tennouji-san gave a soft smile. I was a little captivated by her expression.

"Your natural smile right now is much more charming, you know."

"What!? I-I just relaxed for a moment!"

"...Is it bad to relax?"

"N-No! I am the heiress of the Tennouji family, I cannot!"

I thought for a moment, then offered my opinion to the strangely stubborn Tennouji-san.

"At least, I don't mind... You can relax in front of me."

It was just a suggestion, but her entire face turned red—

"N-Now that I think about it... I... I borrowed a few other manga... In those manga, they have a name for people like you."

She said, glaring at me with sharp eyes.

"Itsuki Tomonari! You are—a playboy!"

"What!?"

I had no intention of being one. If that rumor spreads, Shizune-san will definitely kill me.

Hinako Konohana's Handling Manual Update

One day.

"I'm home..."

After opening the door to my room, Hinako tossed her things on the floor and flopped onto my bed.

"...This is my room."

I sighed as Hinako took over my bed. It was a familiar sight, but I never knew how to handle it. Shizune-san walked in behind me.

"Itsuki-san, as I mentioned in the car, today's training is canceled due to my schedule. Please conduct your own prep and review, and practice your usual training regimen within your abilities."

"Understood."

Today, Shizune-san was too busy with her head maid duties to train me in etiquette and self-defense, so I had planned to stay in my room until dinner. But... Hinako had followed me as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Shizune-san, what about Hinako...?"

"...Ojou-sama also has no schedule until this evening. I will leave her in your care for now."

Even if she leaves her in my care... I have no way of controlling Hinako.

"Nnnn~"

Hinako made a sleepy noise. She was lying on the bed, still in her school uniform, about to fall asleep completely defenseless.

"Hinako, at least change your clothes..."

"So~ much~ trouble~..."

She replied with her eyes closed. In private, Hinako was as lazy as ever. But... if she stays like that, her skirt is going to ride up and reveal her underwear. Her well-toned thighs were almost entirely exposed, which was quite a temptation for a healthy boy like me.

"Hinako, you should really change first..."

"No~pe~..."

It's no use. She's not listening. I needed to start my prep and review. While relaxing with Hinako like this felt nice, if I fell behind on my schoolwork, I'd probably get an earful from Shizune-san.

"...Guess I'll see if the handling manual has any advice."

I picked up the manual Shizune-san had given me when I first moved into the mansion. This manual recorded the attendant's duties... and it also had methods for dealing with Hinako.

"...This Q&A section seems useful."

I flipped through the manual, looking for the advice I needed.

Q: What to do if Ojou-sama falls asleep without changing?

A: First, warm the pajamas, then place them inside the blanket. This will increase the likelihood of Ojou-sama changing.

"Oh... Let's try it."

I immediately went to Hinako's room, grabbed her loungewear, then turned on the bathroom dryer in my room to warm the clothes.

"Hinako, I warmed your clothes for you. Change into them."

"Mhm..."

I handed her the warm clothes, and Hinako squirmed around under the blanket. A moment later, an arm emerged from under the covers and tossed her school uniform onto the floor.

"Hehe... so warm."

After changing, Hinako had a blissful look on her face.

"Whoa... it worked."

Just as the manual suggested, Hinako really did change her clothes. That's interesting.

"What else is in here..."

I flipped casually through the manual.

Q: What to do if Ojou-sama refuses to leave school?

A: Lure her with potato chips.

"...I already used that one on the first day."

On my first day of school, Hinako had refused to go home. When I took out the potato chips Shizune-san had given me, she was easily lured back.

Q: Is it okay to leave Ojou-sama be if she drools in her sleep?

A: Please wipe it gently with a handkerchief. If the handkerchief has a lavender scent, Ojou-sama will actively press her face against it.

"Seriously?... I'll try that next time."

This manual was a crystallization of the hardships of all the previous attendants. It was extremely thorough.

Q: Ojou-sama often tells me to "Get lost." Is it my fault?

A: This is a common occurrence. Do not take it to heart.

"...Huh?"

I looked at that passage, puzzled.

"Hinako."

"Mhm...?"

"You don't really tell me to 'Get lost,' do you?"

When I asked, Hinako tilted her head cutely.

"...'Cause I don't want you to be apart from me."

"Hmmmm?"

Now it was my turn to tilt my head. Hinako had, at least, never told me to "get lost"...

"...This manual might be too old."

Maybe it hadn't been updated to the latest version? I'll have to ask Shizune-san about it when I get the chance.

A few days later. When I asked Shizune-san if the handling manual was too old—

"Yes. That manual is outdated. You may amend it as necessary."

"Huh? Me?"

"Of course. You are the reason, after all."

I was puzzled, not understanding what she meant. She sighed.

"It's not that the manual is old. It's that Ojou-sama has been updated. And that is all thanks to a certain someone."

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