Rich Girl Caretaker Vol. 1 Prologue

Prologue

One of Japan's top three prestigious schools—Kiou Academy.

This academy has produced many prominent figures, such as prime ministers and famous corporate leaders—core members of the nation. Even now, many children of the wealthy attend.

The students' career paths are largely split between politicians and business managers, so the curriculum is naturally specialized. Although the school building looks like a mansion, the students aren't coddled. Kiou Academy hires first-rate teachers to provide first-rate instruction.

However—even at a special academy like this, a hierarchy exists.

The one who currently reigns at the top of Kiou Academy is a single girl.

Total assets: approximately 300 trillion yen. A conglomerate known by everyone in this country—the Konohana Group. That girl is the conglomerate's young lady—Hinako Konohana.

"Konohana-san, hello."

"Hello."

Her amber-colored hair fluttered in the wind as she replied with a graceful smile.

"Ah, so elegant again today... Konohana-san."

"If I could be in the same class as her, this year would surely be blissful..."

The girl walked gracefully through the academy, her head held high.

"K-Konohana-san! We're holding a tea party in the garden after school... w-would you like to join us?"

"That sounds lovely. Please, I'd be delighted to attend."

"Konohana-san, there was something from the last lecture I didn't quite understand..."

"If you'd like, you're welcome to discuss it with me."

Graceful, beautiful, and excelling in both academics and sports—some called her the perfect ojou-sama.

Loved by all, always surrounded by people—I watched over her quietly from a distance.

"Yo, Tomonari. Staring at Konohana-san again?" The male student in the next seat said.

"...Was it that obvious?"

"You should just give up. She's a 'flower on a high peak' (takane no hana), you know."

A flower on a high peak... For me, the only commoner in this academy, every girl here is a flower on a high peak.

"We have to change classrooms for the next period. I'm gonna hit the restroom, see ya." My classmate said, leaving the classroom.

During the break, after the other students had filed into the hallway, I slowly walked over to her.

"Konohana-ojousama, if we don't leave now, you'll be late for the next class."

Only the two of us were left in the classroom. The girl called the "perfect ojou-sama"—was sprawled out on her desk, not moving an inch.

"...Konohana-ojousama?"

"...Your wording."

"...Don't be selfish. Come on, let's go."

"Wording." Her tone was a bit forceful.

After checking that no one else was around, I complied with her demand.

"...Hinako, let's get going."

After I said that, the girl finally broke into a happy grin.

"Hehe..."

That sloppy appearance was a far cry from her image as the perfect ojou-sama. The girl lazily sat up and stretched her arms out to me.

"Carry me."

"...Give me a break. What if someone sees us?"

"I don't mind..."

"The Konohana family will kill me." When I said that, the girl pouted.

"I don't wanna go to class."

"Not an option."

"I wanna go home. I wanna sleep. I wanna eat potato chips."

"I'll get you potato chips when we get home. Now let's go."

"Ngh..."

The girl absolutely refused to budge. I sighed. Guess I have no choice. I'll just have to drag her out of the classroom.

Just as I was thinking that—the classroom door suddenly opened.

"Why are you two still in the classroom? You're supposed to change rooms for the next period, aren't you?" The female teacher said, looking at the girl and me.

"Uh, well—"

"—Pardon me. I was just discussing something from class that I didn't understand with Tomonari-kun."

I couldn't think of an excuse, but the girl explained for me. Her expression showed none of the childishness from a moment ago; it was the face of the perfect ojou-sama the academy knew so well.

"I see. Studying hard even during the break. How admirable." The teacher nodded.

"What's wrong, Tomonari-kun? It's about time to go, isn't it?"

"...................Right."

In front of others, she put on her usual flawless performance. I nodded, still feeling a bit unsettled, and walked out of the classroom with her.

I'm not a genius, nor am I a prodigy. I wasn't born into a wealthy family—in fact, it's the complete opposite.

The reason why a commoner like me ended up at this prestigious academy... all goes back to an incident that happened one month ago.

It all started when I became Hinako Konohana's attendant.

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