Rich Girl Caretaker Vol. 4 Prologue

Prologue

Summer vacation had arrived at Kiou Academy.

For a normal high school student, what is summer vacation...? I've spent my life in a way that couldn't be called normal even if I were being generous. When I hear "summer vacation," I just think of part-time jobs. This season has a lot of event-based work, and I spent every day under the scorching sun, directing customer queues.

For a normal high school student, summer vacation is probably a long, fun break to look forward to. For example, it's a precious annual chance to focus on club activities, nurture a relationship with a boyfriend or girlfriend, or spend time on other special things.

My childhood friend, Yuri Hirano, who I was with from elementary school through my first year of high school... I bet she's having a summer vacation like that this year.

Unlike her, I won't be having a "normal" summer vacation like in years past. Or rather, my life this year is completely different from my old one, which was ruled by money worries.

"Itsuki-san, are you ready?"

"Sorry, please wait just a little longer!"

I hurriedly replied to Shizune-san, who was waiting outside the door.

I checked the contents of my suitcase. Change of clothes, check. Textbooks and stationery, check. Potato chips to please Hinako, check. Because the potato chip bags took up so much space, the suitcase wouldn't close. I'll just buy some when we get there, I thought, and took one bag out.

"I'm ready!"

"Then let's go. The car is waiting."

I dragged my suitcase and walked outside with Shizune-san. The sunlight beating down on me wasn't just warm, it was searing. But that dazzling light also made the familiar Konohana mansion seem brighter and more vivid than usual. The temperature really felt like summer vacation. And while it was uncomfortable, I couldn't bring myself to hate it.

"You're—soo—sloooow—..."

In front of the mansion's entrance stood a girl with amber-colored hair, dressed in a pure white one-piece dress. Hinako Konohana—the person I am in charge of caring for. The Konohana Group—a zaibatsu-style conglomerate with total assets of 300 trillion yen, known by all in Japan. As the ojou-sama of that group, Hinako was currently so exhausted she looked like she was about to melt.

"Hinako, sorry. You could have waited in the car."

"I can't. I can't walk anymore... Carry me."

"It's too hot to carry you like that."

"Then a piggyback."

I guess I can do that, I thought, and crouched down for her to climb on. But in this sweltering heat, any skin contact was just hot.

"...It's hot."

"Do you want to get down?"

"...I'll endure it."

It seemed better to just carry her. Hinako is light, so getting her to the car was easy, but it left my hands full, and I couldn't pull my suitcase. As I was wondering what to do, Shizune-san silently picked up my luggage. I gave her a small nod and carried Hinako to the car. The car door opened automatically, and a gust of cool air washed over us. The inside was blasting with air conditioning. I deposited the exhausted Hinako into the back seat.

"Phew... I'm alive again..."

"You don't like summer?"

"...I don't like winter, either."

It seems she dislikes everything except "comfortable."

"Then let's depart."

At Shizune-san's words, the car began to move slowly. After becoming Hinako's attendant—and enrolling in the historic and prestigious Kiou Academy—it looks like I'll be spending a different kind of summer vacation this year. For the students of Kiou Academy, there are various ways to use the summer. They will one day inherit large corporations or enter politics, so they don't have time for long breaks. Some use this long vacation to help with the family business, while others travel the world to build networks that will be useful one day. This time, with our futures in mind, we've chosen to participate in the summer lecture to study even more than usual.

"Itsuki... you seem happy?"

Hinako asked from the seat next to me, tilting her head.

"Yeah, a little."

I didn't think I was showing it, but she saw right through me. Our destination is the classic summer resort, Karuizawa. Even though this trip is for studying... it feels a little like a vacation, and I'm excited.

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