Rich Girl Caretaker Vol. 1 Epilogue

Epilogue

A week had passed since my dismissal as an attendant was suddenly canceled.

I was invited to attend the banquet hosted by the Konohana family.

"Does it fit all right?"

"Yes."

Shizune-san was carefully inspecting my attire. As it was hosted by the world-famous Konohana Group, the banquet was dazzling. Many guests had already arrived, and the party was about to begin.

"This time, you are invited under your official cover... as the successor to a mid-level company. If you aren't confident in your etiquette, at least try not to do anything that draws attention."

"Understood."

Then, I spoke to Shizune-san, who was calmly doing her job.

"Shizune-san, I need to formally thank you."

Shizune-san looked at me, and I continued:

"You were the one who went to convince Kagen-san, weren't you? To get him to overlook my mistake at the dinner and hire me again?"

"...It's true that I was the one who spoke to the Master, but its success was entirely your own achievement." Shizune-san said, tightening the necktie around my neck.

"That said, I was in a cold sweat that day. I judged that words alone wouldn't convince the Master, so I planned to put the RSVP cards from the main building directly in front of him and try to persuade him that way... but I never imagined you would take such bold action first."

"...Sorry."

I still clearly remembered what Shizune-san said that day. I am employed by Master Kagen, but I am also on Ojou-sama's side—that's what she'd said. She must have been working on Hinako's behalf in places I didn't know about.

"Well then, I will return to my post."

Shizune-san said after finishing her inspection of my attire.

"You mustn't let your guard down during the banquet. If you have the energy to spare, you might as well observe the behavior of those around you as a form of study."

"Got it... This banquet is also a form of training for me."

"Of course."

Shizune-san said.

"Because you still have to grow from now on."

She turned and left. Those words, "from now on," put me at ease. At least Shizune-san believed I would continue to work as an attendant.

A few minutes later, the banquet began. Political magnates, corporate presidents and executives, and their associates were all gathered. The moment I stepped into the lavish hall, I immediately felt out of place.

"...I really don't fit in."

Shizune-san had warned me not to draw attention, so I figured I'd just stand quietly to the side. I was avoiding everyone's gaze and heading for the wall when—

"Hiii, Tomonari-kun!"

Someone suddenly called out from behind me, making me jump. I turned around to see two familiar figures.

"Asahi-san and Taisho-kun..."

"Yo."

Next to the energetic Asahi-san, Katsuya Taisho also gave me a casual greeting. Unlike me, they seemed used to the party atmosphere, walking toward me with ease.

"Tomonari, nice suit. Is that an Italian brand?"

"Yeah. It was prepared for today, though I'm not used to it..."

"Ah... same here. It's a Konohana-hosted party, after all. Can't show up looking shabby. It's best to be careful."

Taisho was right. I nodded, then noticed Asahi-san's dress.

"That's a gorgeous dress too, Asahi-san."

"Right!? What do you think, captivated by my charm!?"

"Yes, it's very charming..."

Asahi-san spun around and puffed out her chest. I replied with a wry smile. It felt like she was trying a bit too hard to look mature, but there was no need to say that out loud.

"Tomonari, it's fine to be honest. The clothes make the man, as they say."

"Ahaha! Taisho-kun, you're so witty. Could you come here a moment?"

Asahi-san dragged Taisho away by the ear, disappearing somewhere. I was watching them go when a blonde-haired girl walked over.

"They're as noisy as ever."

The one who sighed was Tennouji-san.

"Still, being able to act as one pleases in any environment might be a talent in itself."

"...Yes."

For me, hiding in the corner of the hall, that statement hit hard.

"I-Itsuki..."

A familiar voice came from behind.

"...Oh, it's Narika."

"Ugh... save me. This glittering space is so bright... It's too bright..."

Narika was pale and whining. Seeing her, Tennouji-san sighed.

"Miyakojima-san... How are you going to manage in the future, acting like this?"

"Y-You're right, but this is just how I am..."

"Unbelievable... This is a good opportunity. How about some shock therapy?"

"Sh-Shock therapy?"

"Come with me to greet everyone. Luckily, this hall is filled with influential figures from every industry. Talking with them will surely build up your nerve."

"I-I don't want to! I'll die if I do that!"

On the verge of tears, Narika was forcibly dragged away by Tennouji-san. Those two were just as rowdy as Asahi-san and Taisho.

"Everyone's so energetic..."

I muttered, watching the girls' retreating backs. My throat was a little dry, so I went to get a drink. On the way, I saw a man in a sharp suit. I steeled myself and approached him.

"Kagen-san."

Kagen-san turned to face me. I bowed my head.

"Thank you for your generosity this time."

"...Oh."

Kagen-san looked a little surprised.

"I thought you'd have a few choice words for me."

"Cursing you wouldn't accomplish anything. Besides... this worked out well for me. I'm not about to shoot myself in the foot."

In this situation, there was no benefit to angering Kagen-san. After I said that, his calm gaze turned to me.

"I thought you were an impulsive person, but it seems you do use your head... And yet, that day, you were planning to charge right in to find me."

Kagen-san said, turning to walk away. He beckoned to me with the hand holding his wine glass, seeming to want to talk elsewhere.

We walked out to the terrace connected to the main hall, went a little further, and turned a corner, arriving at a quiet, secluded spot. Kagen-san stopped there, leaning his elbows on the railing and letting out a breath. I stood beside him wordlessly.

"Hinako is a genius."

Kagen-san said suddenly.

"She's also number one at Kiou Academy."

"I'm not talking about school grades."

Kagen-san said, bringing the glass to his lips.

"Hinako has a problematic personality, but in practical matters, she is exceptionally gifted... She may not look it, but she has inherited a talent worthy of the Konohana bloodline."

Kagen-san said, gazing into the distance.

"That's why I want Hinako to inherit the family business. On the surface, a son-in-law would take over, of course... but it would be a waste not to use her talent. After she graduates from the academy, she won't be bound by time, and just giving her a private office will significantly reduce her burden. If she can just endure this period, she has a great future ahead of her."

I felt I could slightly understand the future Kagen-san envisioned. And though I understood it, I couldn't agree with it, nor would I accept it.

"...Does it have to be Hinako?"

"Haha. If there were anyone who could replace her, I'd jump at the chance."

Kagen-san laughed.

"But, the Konohana family is a heavy burden."

His smile vanished instantly, replaced by a serious expression.

"The group employs about 800,000 people. A mediocre talent isn't enough to carry all those lives. A single failure means many of those employees will be sacrificed... And because of that unbearable pressure, you can lose the people important to you."

As he spoke, Kagen-san touched the ring on his ring finger. Shizune-san had said that in the Konohana family, not just the master, but the mistress also immerses herself in the work. But... I'd heard Kagen-san's wife had passed away. Something must have happened in his past, too. Even so, that was no reason to neglect Hinako.

"Kagen-san, how do you see Hinako?"

I had always wanted to ask him this. He lowered his gaze and answered my question.

"Compared to my daughter, I prioritize this family. Because of that, whether it's my daughter or my son, they are all just cogs in the Konohana family to me."

He lifted his elbows from the railing and turned toward the hall.

"Of course... I am, too."

He said in a low voice and left the terrace. The cold night wind brushed my cheeks; the warmth from the hall couldn't reach here. I stayed on the terrace for a while, trying to cool my jumbled thoughts.

"Itsuki."

Someone called me.

"...Hinako."

The lovely, amber-haired girl was there. She was wearing a beautiful white dress and walking toward me with small steps.

"What are you doing out here?"

"Father said you were here..."

"...I see."

There was no one else around, so Hinako had reverted to her private self.

"Thank you... for staying on as my attendant."

Hinako said, touching the terrace railing.

"What you said back then... made me really happy."

She must have meant when I'd lost it in front of Shizune-san. I had let my emotions run wild, and the memory is a little embarrassing, but... if it made Hinako happy, then it's fine.

"I... will trust you from now on, too."

Her innocent eyes stared at me. Her attitude, her expression, her words—all of it shook my emotions intensely.

"...Oh."

I replied, suppressing the turmoil inside me. Sometimes—I almost forget. Hinako doesn't see me as a member of the opposite sex. To meet her expectations, I must never see her that way either.

"Huu..."

Hinako rested her chin on the railing and let out a lazy sigh.

"You okay?"

"Greeting everyone is so tiring... I need a head pat."

"...Yes, yes."

Hinako leaned her head toward me, and I couldn't help but smile wryly. As I thought, what she wants from me is family warmth. I stroked her head as gently as I could, responding to her expectations.

"...Ngh?"

As I patted her head like usual, she made a strange sound.

"...Ngh?... Ngh?"

I continued patting her head, and her face grew redder and redder—

"...Ngh!?"

Hinako, her ears flushing red, suddenly took a big step back. Her eyes were wide with confusion.

"That's weird...?"

"What's wrong? Your face is suddenly so red..."

"...It's nothing."

Hinako looked puzzled, as if she herself didn't understand what was happening. Maybe she was feeling unwell. Worried, I stepped toward her.

"If you're not feeling well, you shouldn't push your—"

"I-It's really nothing...!"

Hinako seemed strangely flustered and retreated even further.

—Huh? Could it be... she's avoiding me? As far as I know, this is the first time she's been so obviously flustered... Is she trying to avoid me so openly? Was I being too familiar? No way. I've patted her head plenty of times before.

"...So weird."

As if to hide her bright red face, Hinako covered her cheeks with her hands and said, confused:

"I... I feel so strange..."

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