Rich Girl Caretaker Vol. 4 Epilogue

Epilogue

The morning after Yuri and I made up. Hinako and I were the first to leave the hotel, so we said a simple goodbye to everyone.

"Well, we're heading out."

I bowed in the hotel lobby. The bag on my back, heavy with my summer lecture textbooks and the swimsuit I'd worn to the beach, almost slipped. I felt that weight represented the fullness of the past week.

"Thanks to everyone, I had a very meaningful week."

"The pajama party and the beach were so much fun. I want to do it again!"

Tennouji-san and Narika had both made wonderful memories. I couldn't help but feel happy that I could share that fun with everyone.

"By the way, where's Konohana-san?"

"She said she forgot something and went back to her room."

I'd probably be leaving before Hinako got back... Other Kiou Academy students were also staying at this hotel, so just like on the way here, we'd be leaving in separate cars. I waited for a moment, and the sedan arrived. Shizune-san had told me that if the car came, I should just go without waiting for Hinako. Since I couldn't ride with her anyway, and we'd just meet at the Konohana mansion, the instruction made sense.

"Itsuki, if anything's bothering you, you can always talk to me."

Yuri, who had slipped away from her job, said with her hands on her hips.

"Yuri, just to be clear..."

"I know. I'm not going to think I have to help you anymore... But you can at least let me meddle."

Yuri said with a powerful smile:

"Because I am—your big sister!!"

Seeing Yuri's triumphant look, I felt relieved and replied at the same time:

"...We're the same age."

Yuri wasn't going to be bound by the need to help me anymore. In other words, she just wanted to act like my sister. I guess I can let that slide... though it still feels a bit complicated. I glanced outside and saw that the black sedan had parked. I made eye contact with the driver, who had rolled down the window, and they gave me a slight nod. This must be the car the Konohana family arranged. I said my final goodbyes and got in the car.

"Right... Just let me meddle."

Just before the window closed, I thought I heard Yuri mutter.

◆

Hinako and Shizune walked through the hotel grounds, heading back to the room. The thing she'd forgotten was her summer lecture textbook. She'd thought she wouldn't need it again, but it was part of her memories of the week, and she didn't want to leave it. They walked under the shade of the trees, avoiding the sun. Partway there, Hinako suddenly stopped.

"Ojou-sama?"

Shizune tilted her head, confused.

"Shizune... can I be alone for a moment?"

"Alone?"

It was an unusual request, and Shizune looked slightly surprised.

"Mhm. I need to think."

"...Understood. I will take my leave."

Shizune bowed respectfully and moved away. She kept her distance but was still watching—not not monitoring. Still, she averted her gaze as much as possible, a Shizune-like kindness that said, "Please, don't mind me."

Hinako sat on a nearby bench, and a sigh escaped her. She had made wonderful memories during the lecture. She should have been enjoying these out-of-the-ordinary experiences, like the pajama party and the beach, which she couldn't get at school. And yet, Hinako's heart grew heavier by the day.

(At the pajama party...)

She remembered what Yuri had said. That Itsuki was a "good person" who cared so much about others that he'd neglect himself. That he'd often take on too much without realizing it.

(At the beach that night...)

She remembered what she'd asked Itsuki after they'd enjoyed the sparklers. When she asked, "Do you want to see your old friends?" he'd said yes.

(When Itsuki ran after Hirano-san...)

When she'd asked if he cared about Hirano-san, he'd instantly replied, "I care about her." His serious expression at that moment was unforgettable.

"Konohana-san, what's wrong?"

Someone had approached without her noticing. When Hinako turned, a small girl was standing there.

"Hirano-san... No, it's nothing."

"Really? You look kind of down."

She'd seen right through her. The mask of the perfect ojou-sama cracked slightly. Her true feelings leaked through.

"...Tomonari-kun was so happy to see you."

"Mhm. It's been a while."

"Is it... really that nice to meet an old friend?"

"I never thought about it that deeply. But... normally, yeah, I guess?"

Normally—that word ate at Hinako's heart. Who was it that had stolen Itsuki's "normal" for so long? Who was it that put him in such a harsh environment that he had to forget himself just to survive? Who kept him from his old friends? Who separated him from Hirano-san?

"What I've done... could it be..."

Her heart ached. If Yuri hadn't been there, she might have cried. Hinako felt the color drain from her face, a sorrow like the solid ground crumbling beneath her, dragging everything into darkness. She didn't know why she felt this way. She couldn't understand where this emotion came from.

"—You know, I think I had the wrong idea."

Seeing Hinako's pale face, Yuri suddenly started talking.

"I thought everyone at Kiou Academy was stuck-up. But after talking with you, Konohana-san, and Tennouji-san and Miyakojima-san... I realized I was wrong. You're all working so hard, just trying to live. And... just like us, you fall in love."

Yuri smiled gently and continued:

"But for someone of your status, it's hard to date normally, isn't it? Even if it's not an arranged marriage, you're not one-hundred-percent free... That's what Tennouji-san said."

Yuri looked up at the sky, then fixed her gaze on Hinako.

"So I have to cheer for you. I don't plan on backing down, but... this is just too unfair."

Back down from what? What's unfair? Hinako couldn't understand. She couldn't understand at all—

"Konohana-san. I'll tell you why you're so conflicted."

Yuri said to the ignorant, unaware Hinako—

"You're in love with Itsuki."

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