Rich Girl Caretaker Vol. 3 Epilogue

Epilogue

The week after the sports festival.

"Um, Miyakojima-san."

"Wh-What is it?"

The atmosphere around Narika had clearly changed. After school, when I approached the Class B classroom, I found that today, too, people were talking to Narika. Although she was a bit flustered, she still handled it unhurriedly and politely. (I can rest easy now.) I saw many people chatting with Narika and felt a sense of relief. Because the sports festival had just ended, it felt like people were going out of their way to talk to her, and Narika's originally unapproachable aura had softened because of it. Although she jumped in surprise every time someone spoke to her, that must just be her nature. It'd be nice if she could overcome that shyness one day...

"Hey, wasn't Miyakojima-san the subject of all those rumors?"

Just then, I heard two guys walking past in the hallway chatting.

"...Those rumors don't seem true. She has friends, too."

"Oh, is that so."

I quietly turned my head and saw the guy I played against in the sports festival. That guy, who had been cold to Narika and was hiding his feelings for Hinako, was now saying things that would change people's prejudice against Narika. I was surprised, and our eyes met briefly. After I gave a small nod, he walked away as if nothing had happened.

"Itsuki!"

Narika called to me from the Class B classroom. I'd only planned to sneak a peek at the situation and leave, but it seems she spotted me.

"You're busy."

"Yeah. A classmate said she wants to start kendo and asked me to practice with her, so we're figuring out a schedule."

Narika said, clearly enjoying herself.

"That's almost certainly because of your influence."

"I-I don't know about that... but if so, I'd be happy."

"Your past image was just a misunderstanding. This is who you really are. You can be prouder."

She bashfully lowered her gaze. But for me, that praise didn't feel like enough.

"Honestly, you were incredible in the final."

"W-Was I?"

"Yeah. It was enough to make someone... fall for you."

"Fall for me!?"

"You were so cool, it gave me goosebumps. My class is talking about you too. They're saying a 'master swordswoman' has appeared."

"Oh, o-oh. That's what you meant..."

Hearing that, Narika's shoulders slumped for some reason. She'll probably make all kinds of friends from now on. When that happens, our chances to talk alone like this will decrease. If so, before that happens... I have to tell her one thing.

"...I won't forget."

I told her seriously.

"Um... I won't forget what you said to me on the day of the sports festival."

"Eh, ah, oo..."

I tried my best to look straight at Narika's face. At that, she turned bright red and looked away.

"...Why are you embarrassed? You're the one who said it."

"Th-That's true, but... just thinking about it is embarrassing..."

Narika's red ears peeked out from her beautiful black hair. My ears were probably a similar color. Watching the shy Narika, I couldn't help but murmur:

"We're not like we used to be."

"R-Right... I've grown up properly, too!"

She said, still bright red, puffing her chest out with pride. (Even if you didn't say it, I know...) My heart has been pounding so hard it hurts. Narika isn't a kid anymore. She's a girl my age who, at times, leaves me at a total loss.

"Ah, right! Itsuki! My dad's actually at the school for work right now... If you're okay with it, do you want to talk to him?"

That was probably to change the subject, and I went along with it. But, in another sense, this new topic was just as hard to respond to.

"Even if you say 'talk to him'... he probably hates me..."

"Hm? No he doesn't. I told you before, he really likes you."

She had said that, but I found it hard to believe.

"If you're worried, I'll go with you."

Narika said cheerfully. It was pathetic of me, but honestly, it was a huge relief.

We left the school building and headed for the gym. On the way, we ran into Musashi-san. He was probably here about gym equipment. He noticed us.

"It's Itsuki Tomonari."

"L-Long time no see."

Since it's only been a few days since I visited their house, "long time no see" was probably the wrong greeting... When I get scared, I just think negatively. Just then, I noticed a woman in a kimono next to Musashi-san. When our eyes met, she gave a quiet bow and said:

"I am Otsuko Miyakojima. It has been a long time."

"Yes, it has been a long time..."

This was Narika's mother. I'd met her when we were children. She was a woman with a straight back and very polite gestures, but she didn't have Narika's imposing aura. Instead, she had a dignified and kind atmosphere. Otsuko-san's presence softened Musashi-san's severe intensity. Because of that, I calmed down— (Huh...?) I suddenly felt a doubt. (Come to think of it... why am I so afraid of Musashi-san?) His appearance is scary. His tone is harsh. And my memory of him scolding me for sneaking Narika out is strong. Appearance, tone, impression... these are all the same reasons Narika is misunderstood.

"Um, Musashi-san, when I was a kid... did you scold me for taking Narika out...?"

"Scold?"

Musashi-san frowned.

"I don't recall. I believe I thanked you."

Thanked me...? I don't remember... What's going on?

"Tomonari-kun."

Just then, Otsuko-san, who had been silent, spoke up:

"This may be hard to believe, but my husband is terrible with words."

"Terrible with words...?"

"Yes. He's suffered a lot because of it."

She sighed and looked at Musashi-san.

"Honey, what did you say to him that day?"

"Ngh... I think it was..."

Musashi-san searched his memory. When Narika and I snuck out and she got hurt, he called for me. To a frightened me—

"You made my daughter very happy today."—he said simply.

"Ugh!"

He said it with a terrifying, demon-like smile. I recoiled from the horrifying pressure. But Musashi-san just looked confused.

"After I said that... you got scared and ran away for some reason."

For some reason, he looked quite dejected. Could this be...

"Excuse me... you didn't mean you were going to beat me up...?"

"No. It's easy to misunderstand, but my husband's words are purely literal."

Otsuko-san explained in his place. Looking at Musashi-san's expression, he wasn't lying. Which means, it really... was just literal. (I... misunderstood him too.) My tension eased. The Musashi-san in my memory was far more terrifying and had clearly berated me. But it seems that was just my own subjective impression. He's just a kind-hearted person who's bad with words. Just as the students misunderstood Narika, I misunderstood Musashi-san.

"By the way, we don't hold your family's circumstances against you. We... had some unpleasantness with your mother, but we have no intention of being cold to you because of it."

"...Thank you."

They're so generous. I bowed deeply.

"Musashi-san, I'm sorry. I misunderstood you."

"Not at all... I'm just glad the misunderstanding is cleared up."

He said, his voice sounding a little cheerful. But, in that case, I still have one more question.

"Excuse me, what did you mean before when you said the reason Narika is 'timid' is my fault?"

"That... I was trying to say that because you were forcing her to act like a 'normal' person, she just looked that way."

Musashi-san explained slowly:

"Misunderstandings clear up eventually. After graduation, it's a world based on merit... There's no room for rumors. So I had judged that if Narika continued to grow as she was, she would become a leader who, like me, is respected and feared... She had no need to be 'normal'."

Now that I was free of my prejudice, I could understand the true meaning of his words. He believed that people would only fear her during school, and after she entered society, that fear would turn into awe... something close to respect. Compared to other students, Narika's lack of friends stood out, which is why I helped. But Musashi-san believed there was no need to compare her to 'normal' students. He was respecting her individuality. He understood her strength in his own way. And so, he thought things were fine as they were... (He had judged... past tense?) It seems that was his previous stance.

"But now, I think this is good."

Musashi-san said:

"I only ever thought about how to be an excellent manager, but Narika isn't like that... I realized that after watching you two."

He said, looking at me and Narika. Narika was confused, but I could vaguely sense the meaning in his eyes. He must have realized she isn't the type to go it alone, but the type who needs to cooperate with others. And it didn't have to be me. Whether it's Taisho, Asahi, Tennouji-san, or Hinako... it's better for Narika to have people by her side.

"By the way, Dad! I forgot! Why didn't you tell me Itsuki was coming to visit!? You scared me!"

"Because... I thought it would make you happier."

"It absolutely does not!"

Narika declared flatly. At that, all the imposing dominance vanished from Musashi-san. For some reason, I felt his shoulders droop slightly. He might be a more normal father than I thought.

"If he had told you, you could have dressed up nicely."

"Just as Mom said—No-no-no-no-no!? Th-That's not it! Wh-Why would I think that!"

Narika looked at me, bright red. I just smiled and said, "Alright, alright."

"Speaking of which, changing the subject, Tomonari-kun, have you applied for the summer lecture?"

"Summer lecture?"

I heard Otsuko-san's question and just repeated it.

"Kiou Academy holds a summer lecture series every year. We just picked up the materials while we were here for work... If you'd like, please take one. We have an extra."

I thanked Otsuko-san, who handed me the document. It seems to be an event similar to a training camp, but it also includes lessons from famous lecturers. Students can participate freely, but they have to apply beforehand. I'm a little interested, so I'll talk to Shizune-san about it.

"The location is... Karuizawa."

It's the classic summer resort, but surprisingly, it's a classic that very few people actually get to enjoy. (Speaking of which, Karuizawa...) I thought of my old friend... the girl I went to high school with. In our first year, she said she worked part-time at a resort in Karuizawa. She said it was a novel experience and a lot of fun. Maybe she'll do it again this year. If I join the summer lecture, maybe I'll run into her in Karuizawa—

"...I'm probably overthinking it."

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