Rich Girl Caretaker Vol. 3 Prologue

Prologue

Morning.

I woke up in the Konohana family mansion, immediately changed into my student uniform, and left my bedroom.

"Good morning."

"Itsuki, good morning."

I exchanged greetings with one of the Konohana family maids and began my servant duties.

First up is cleaning... Having to start cleaning this incredibly spacious mansion right after waking up is exhausting, but I'm finally getting used to it.

I wiped the staircase railing with a cloth.

There's still over an hour until I leave for school. I'll put some muscle into it.

"Shizune-san, good morning."

"Good morning."

Partway through my cleaning, I ran into Shizune-san, the head maid, and we exchanged greetings. Shizune-san was wiping one of the hallway decorations.

"Itsuki-san, could you lift that vase for me?"

"Sure... Hup."

I temporarily held the surprisingly heavy vase. While I did, Shizune-san wiped the surface of the display stand where the vase had been.

"It's about time to change the flowers in this vase."

She murmured, staring at the white-cut flowers.

"These are the hydrangeas from two weeks ago, right?"

"Yes. They lasted for a while, but they're about to wilt... It's almost July. Switching to something colorful like Sandersonia might be a nice change of pace."

As head maid, Shizune-san also manages the mansion's interior decor. They used white hydrangeas for June, but it seems they're switching to different flowers starting this month. I don't have any knowledge about flowers, nor the display skills to choose decorations that would harmonize with this vast space. I thought I'd gotten used to my servant duties... but it seems I still have a lot to learn.

"Oh, Itsuki-kun. Are you assisting the head maid today?"

Someone spoke to me as I placed the vase back on the stand. A man in a butler's uniform was walking from the other end of the hall. I gave him a slight bow.

"Oliver-san, good morning."

Oliver-san is the head butler. He's German but speaks fluent Japanese. He's in his fifties, with a tall, slender frame, and a perfectly straight back. He's an imposing butler with no sign of age.

"Oliver-san, the tableware organization..."

"I've just finished. I was about to prepare breakfast, but we're short-staffed and I was looking for help."

Oliver-san replied to Shizune-san's question. His gaze shifted to me. I'm free right now. Should I help...?

"Itsuki-san doesn't have much experience with kitchen duties. I'll go."

Shizune-san answered. Oliver-san gave a gentle smile and nodded. "Thank you, in that case."

"Itsuki-kun, could you please go wake Ojou-sama?"

Shizune-san said, turning to me.

Come to think of it, it is about time for Hinako to wake up. But...

"Is it okay for me to go? She told me before she didn't want me waking her up."

"Don't worry. It wasn't because she dislikes you."

Well, it's true she doesn't seem to hate me... but then what was the reason? I'm still clueless. Still, if Shizune-san is busy, I should be the one to do it.

"Itsuki-kun, we're counting on you for Ojou-sama."

Oliver-san said, looking at me.

"An attendant is not a butler or a maid. An attendant is someone who stays by Ojou-sama's side, on equal footing, and cares for her daily needs... We cannot fulfill that role. So, please take care of Ojou-sama."

"...I'll do my best."

Taking Oliver-san's words to heart, I headed for Hinako's bedroom.

Compared to cleaning, I felt a little more cheerful. It's a bit late to be thinking this, but "attendant" really is a strange title. It's been three months since I got this title... I find this job of taking care of Hinako quite fulfilling.

"Hinako, are you up?"

I knocked first, just in case. As expected, there was no reply. I quietly opened the door and went inside.

(She's sleeping as soundly as ever.)

I've seen Hinako's sleeping face many times, but it's been a while since I've seen it in her bedroom in the morning. She looks so happy, she must be having a good dream.

"Hinako, it's morning."

I said, opening the curtains. Warm sunlight spilled onto Hinako's face.

"Nngh... so bright."

Hinako covered her eyes with her hand.

"Breakfast is almost ready, so go wash your face."

"Mmm~ 'kay."

I heard a muffled reply. Hinako sat up slowly, eyes closed, and then froze.

"I'll put your clothes here."

I'd better get her dressed before she falls back asleep. I took the Kiou Academy uniform from her closet and laid it on the desk.

"Dress me~..."

Hinako said, her voice thick with sleep.

"Are you sure it's okay for me to dress you?"

"Mmm...? Why...?"

She asked, lightly rubbing her eyes. Hinako gave a big yawn, her watery eyes looking up at me... and she tilted her head in confusion.

"...Huh?............ Itsuki?"

"Hinako, good morning."

She must have just woken up.

"You... why...?"

"Shizune-san was busy, so I came instead."

When I said that, Hinako slowly retreated back into the covers, like a bear hibernating.

"...Why are you hiding?"

"Because... my bed hair... might look... weird..."

"You think I'd care about that at this point?"

"...I care."

I could see Hinako's face peeking from the covers, slightly red.

"In that case,"

I said, walking over to the washstand to grab a few tools.

"Sit here. I'll fix it."

I moved a chair near the bed. Hinako reluctantly sat down. Her hair fell smoothly; it didn't look like she'd just woken up at all. There's nothing to fix, I thought, but if it bothers her, I'll comb it. I spritzed her hair with styling water to tame any bed hair, then used a hairdryer as I combed it.

"How's this?"

"Mhm... 's good."

Hinako looked in the mirror and nodded. I feel like a hairstylist.

(I've gotten used to doing Hinako's hair...)

What am I getting used to? I calmly retorted to myself.

"This is... nice."

"Hm?"

"I think... I like it when you touch my hair like this."

Another strange comment. I thought to myself, but didn't say it. After all, I felt the same way. Bathing in the morning sun, slowly stroking Hinako's hair... it just felt peaceful.

(Don't tell me I have a hair fetish...)

I convinced myself that wasn't it.

"Then stop worrying about your bed hair."

The reason I'm here is to create a place where she can relax. So, I want her to be as comfortable as possible.

"...Even if you see my messy hair, you don't think it's sloppy...?"

"Nope."

After I said it firmly, she nodded lightly.

"Then I'll... stop worrying..."

She said that, and immediately lay back down.

"So... I'm going back to sleep..."

"No, you're not."

Bed hair is fine. Oversleeping is not.

After that, I left the room while Hinako changed and went back to my duties. Finally, I finished my own preparations and met up with Hinako, who had finished breakfast.

"Alright, let's head to school."

Shizune-san sat in the front passenger seat. Hinako and I got in the back. I've completely gotten used to this commute.

"There's traffic... Take another route."

Shizune-san murmured. The driver nodded silently and took a right where we usually go straight. Unfamiliar scenery passed by the window. I saw a small alley. Inside, there was a small shop.

(...A dagashi shop.)

I haven't been there recently. It's not just me; it's the kind of shop you naturally stop visiting as you get older. Still, for me, it's a nostalgic place.

(I wonder how Narika is doing...)

My distant relative. The girl I used to take care of as a child, before Hinako. I wonder if she's doing well today?

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