Rich Girl Caretaker Vol. 5 Chapter 3

A Beginner's Guide to Love, Shared with the Commoners

The next morning, I was studying silently, just like always.

By our third day in the apartment, we had more or less settled in. We’d already visited the shopping street and my old school, and I was running out of other places to show Hinako. Besides, she was tired from all the walking we’d done and wanted to just relax inside today.

(...I should probably review the summer lecture material, too.)

I finished going over my regular schoolwork and the table manners Shizune-san had taught me, so I decided to use the quiet time to review what I’d learned at the lecture. It was all specialized knowledge, but I was sure it would come in handy down the line.

Just then, I glanced at my phone and saw a new message.

"...Tennouji-san?"

Seeing the sender, I immediately opened it.

Tennouji-san: Sorry to bother you, but I want to invite you to a study session!!

I could practically hear her voice just from reading the text. The message continued.

Tennouji-san: School's starting soon, want to get our spirits up?

This was exactly what I’d been concerned about lately. For me, there was no reason to refuse. I'd been able to focus completely at our first study session at school. I knew if I was with my Kiou Academy classmates, I could stay immersed in a productive atmosphere.

Itsuki: Please, let me join.

She read my reply instantly, but no new message came back right away. After a minute, a new one popped up.

Tennouji-san: Can I call you now?

Since we were both replying instantly, she probably figured a call would be faster. I replied "Sure," and my phone immediately vibrated.

"Hello"

Even her "hello" had that ojou-sama ring to it.

"Long time no see."

"Right! We haven't seen each other since the summer lecture!"

I heard Tennouji-san's cheerful voice. She was energetic as ever. Just hearing her made me feel more energetic, too.

"I figured you'd be interested."

"That's right. Given my position, I have to work twice as hard as others just to keep up."

"But you already are working twice as hard. You're the same as ever, so diligent."

I could almost see her smiling on the other end of the line.

"Ahem, back to the topic... When are you free, Itsuki-kun?"

I noticed her voice get just a little louder when she said my name. I knew exactly what she was getting at... but given my circumstances, I had to pretend I didn't.

"...I am free anytime."

"...Itsuki-kun is free anytime?"

"...Yes."

No good. I couldn't brush it off. If she was calling me that, she wanted me to speak casually, not formally. I understood. I really did... But Hinako and Shizune-san were right behind me.

"I'm sorry, due to the situation right now, I can only speak this way..."

"...You have people with you."

"Exactly."

Thank goodness, she catches on quick. My voice might have carried a bit. Besides, if I was joining the study session, I’d have to tell Hinako, and I'd need to mention Tennouji-san was hosting. If I dropped the formal language now, they'd both realize I spoke casually with her. She let out a disappointed sigh.

"And here I thought we could finally talk normally if it was over the phone..."

"I'm sorry..."

"I thought we could finally talk casually after so long..."

She was even more disappointed than I'd thought. She's usually so high-spirited, so making her feel down made me feel extra guilty.

"W-Well, let's talk at the study session, then."

"At the study session...?"

"Yeah. We can find a moment to talk in private."

...Though I had no idea how I was going to make that happen. I'll figure something out.

"It's a promise."

"Okay."

"...Then I'll forgive you."

I'd managed to get her back in a good mood.

"So, for the study group, have you found members?"

"No, not yet. I was thinking the same people as last time..."

"Taisho and Asahi-san seem to be enjoying their trip."

"Yeah, they contacted me too."

They went on a staff trip during the first half of the break and were now on family trips for the second half. They asked what souvenir I wanted. I told them "something simple" would be fine—an expensive gift would give me a heart attack, so anything cheap was good.

"Then I'll ask Konohana-san first."

"Okay, thanks. I'll ask Miyakojima-san."

"We should ask about available days, too."

"Right."

I wasn't sure about Narika's schedule, but Hinako would definitely be free. She'd been participating in these gatherings a lot more lately.

"Also, if possible, I'd like to invite Hirano-san."

"Good idea. She's a hard worker, too. I'll ask her."

It was a relief that my friends were getting along. It seemed that after the summer lecture, Tennouji-san considered Yuri a friend, too.

"Also, we need to think about..."

"The location."

Exactly.

"My house is fine, but since this is the last event of summer break, it's a rare chance. I want to go somewhere different from usual."

The homes of the upper-class kids were, like Kiou Academy, all elegant and luxurious. A unique environment Kiou didn't have... maybe Narika's house? It was just as grand, but that traditional Japanese atmosphere was something you couldn't find just anywhere. But then, another thought struck me. The most unique environment I could suggest right now was—

"Sorry, can you hold on a second?"

After getting Tennouji-san's "okay," I put the phone on the table. I turned to Shizune-san, who was handling paperwork in the living room.

"Shizune-san, I was just on the phone with Tennouji-san, and—"

"It's fine."

She answered instantly.

"I've grasped the general situation. You want to host the study session here, correct?"

"Uh, yes. So I wanted to ask..."

"No problem."

Shizune-san replied without hesitation. I was thrilled, but I still had one worry.

"Um, considering the Konohana Group's current situation, is it better if outsiders don't know where Hinako is...?"

She was allowed to leave the mansion to avoid the scandal. If her safe house was made public, people with bad intentions might try to get close. Hearing my concern, Shizune-san's eyes widened for just a moment. Then, she smiled gently.

"You don't need to worry. That matter has been mostly resolved."

"Oh, really?"

"Master Kagen allowed Ojou-sama to leave because he was worried it might escalate, but it's in the process of being settled now, so there's no problem."

A lot of people must have been working hard behind the scenes. But if that was the case, we could offer this place for the study session without any worries. I picked the phone back up.

"Hello, Tennouji-san? I have a suggestion for the location..."

I had no idea if they'd be able to concentrate here, but when I proposed it, Tennouji-san was very excited. It might be a study session, but it was also the last get-together of the summer. I hoped it would be both productive and fun.

"...Perhaps it's as Waka-sama said."

Shizune-san murmured, watching me talk on the phone.

"I should have told you about the scandal from the start."

She said, and returned to her paperwork.

◆

The next day, around noon. Three girls arrived at my apartment.

"Th-This is Itsuki's house..."

Narika said nervously, staring at the building's exterior.

"My old house, to be precise."

It was just a ten-day rental; it wasn't really my house anymore. Even the furniture was just temporarily borrowed through Shizune-san's connections.

"Ohohoho! It's just like a doghouse."

Tennouji-san remarked.

"...You're not wrong."

"I-I was joking! I just saw that line in a shoujo manga called 'The Rose of Versailles Plum Blossoms' and it just slipped out!"

I knew she was kidding, but I didn't know how to respond, so I just went with it.

"Tennouji-san, you read shoujo manga?"

"Y-Yes, I borrowed it from a classmate..."

Yuri asked, and Tennouji-san answered shyly.

"Hirano-san, have you been to Itsuki's house many times?"

"No, this is my first time, too..."

Yuri replied to Narika, looking up at the apartment. I hoped she understood... frankly, my family wasn't the kind you could just casually introduce to friends.

"Well, come on in... It's small, though."

I opened the door and led them inside. Hinako, who was already sitting primly at the low table, gave a small nod.

"Good afternoon, everyone."

"Eh? Konohana-san?"

Narika was startled.

"I arrived early, so I asked him to let me wait inside."

That was our cover story. They all knew I lived at the Konohana mansion, but I was worried how they'd react if they knew Hinako and I were living together in this tiny apartment. To be safe, I'd hidden all of Hinako's and Shizune-san's shoes, bedding, and spare clothes deep in the closet. Speaking of which, Shizune-san had also made herself scarce. She was worried that "if a maid is present, the atmosphere will become just like the school's cafe."

"Huh. I was picturing some tiny, one-room shoebox, but it’s not that small."

"Well, it was supposed to be for a family of three."

I said, as Yuri scanned the room.

"So this is where Tomonari-kun lived..."

"This is the house Itsuki grew up in..."

Tennouji-san and Narika were restlessly looking everywhere. All this attention was a little embarrassing.

"There's no bed."

"We sleep on futons on the floor."

"Itsuki! What's this cord hanging from the ceiling!? Can I pull it?"

"That's the light switch. Go ahead."

The room went dark, then bright again. Narika's home was a Japanese-style mansion, so I thought the aesthetic might be similar, but I’d never seen a pull-cord light there. Bedside lamps, sure... but her house, while traditional, was probably completely modernized.

I glanced over at Hinako. She was watching the excited Tennouji-san and Narika with a calm expression. She might look composed... but she'd been exactly the same on her first day.

One low table was too cramped, so we pushed two together in the center of the room and set out five cushions. Everyone took a seat.

"Uh, this is a commoner-style study session. I can't guarantee comfort, but please make yourselves at home."

Tennouji-san and Narika were still looking around restlessly, but not because they were uncomfortable. They were acting like kids at a new theme park.

"I brought these, just in case..."

Yuri took some snacks out of her bag. She must have considered the company, because she'd brought some slightly high-end cookies.

"I brought some, too."

"I-I brought some, too."

Tennouji-san and Narika had also brought refreshments. Tennouji-san had scones, and Narika had castella cake, both in fancy packaging.

(Crap, at this rate, Hinako's going to be the odd one out.)

...No helping it. I stood up and grabbed what I’d hidden in the kitchen cabinet.

"Actually, Konohana-san gave me this."

I said, placing it on the table.

"Potato chips?"

Yuri sounded puzzled.

"Yeah. Since we're studying somewhere different from usual, she got chips to match the style."

"Oh~ I should have brought those."

The theme was a "commoner study session," so the idea of chips was praised. Tennouji-san groaned, "Mngh," in regret.

(In truth, these were the chips Shizune-san and I had stashed away as an emergency "cheer-up" item for Hinako.)

"I don't usually eat potato chips, so I'm looking forward to it."

Hinako said this, but her eyes had been locked on the chip bag for a while. She was staring at them with the eyes of a hound.

(...Is she actually going to be able to study?)

I was genuinely worried. But, the moment we put our textbooks on the table, everyone went silent and dove in. Kiou students are naturally serious. That ability to switch gears on a dime was very Kiou-like. I looked up and saw Yuri give a slightly surprised expression before focusing on her own work. I knew exactly how she felt; their intense, driven attitude was always surprising. It wasn't that the atmosphere was too heavy, though—

"This is delicious."

We chatted a bit while snacking. Tennouji-san ate a chip, looking fascinated.

"It's a fried, sliced potato. But it's quite salty. Interesting."

I chose to believe that her reaction was the classic sheltered-lady response... Hinako, I’m begging you, please stop glaring murderously every time someone reaches for the chips.

"Narika, you've had these, right?"

"Yes. They sell them at the dagashiya, so I sometimes buy three bags at once... Eek!? K-Konohana-san!? Wh-Why are you glaring at me!?"

"You're imagining it."

Hinako said, playing innocent. She was so obviously jealous.

"...This atmosphere is nice."

Tennouji-san said, looking around.

"I'm rarely with people in such a relaxed setting... I wish Kiou Academy had a place with just a floor and a low table."

"You think so, too?"

"I, too, possess the sensitivity to find a lively place comfortable."

I'd assumed that for a celebrity like Tennouji-san, this place would be nothing more than a curiosity. But surprisingly, that didn't seem to be true.

"I feel like Itsuki-kun is more relaxed today than usual. It's because this house is the most familiar place to you, isn't it?"

"...Yeah."

I agreed. Forgetting the house, I wished school had a place like this. Always going to elegant restaurants or cafes is nerve-wracking. As a mere attendant, I couldn't exactly voice such a weak complaint, but I did wish there was a slightly rowdy, less formal place. If the campus had somewhere like that, I’d probably hide out there regularly. As I was thinking, I noticed Hinako staring at me.

"Konohana-san, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. Um..."

It was rare for her to stumble over her words while in her perfect ojou-sama mode. It was only for a second. No one but me, who was always by her side, would have noticed.

"...I was just wondering what you're studying."

Hinako said quickly. Unfortunately, I still couldn't tell if that was her true feeling or an excuse she'd just blurted out.

"I'm reviewing what I learned at the summer lecture."

"I-Itsuki, you were chosen as an honors student, but you're still so serious."

"I think you should work harder, Narika."

"Ugh, I walked right into that...!"

Narika looked away. I was curious about something too, and looked at Yuri's textbook. I thought she was studying a normal subject like Japanese or Math, but her book was full of diagrams I didn't recognize.

"What are you studying?"

"The written exam for a chef's license. Since I'm not going to culinary school after high school, I want to work at the diner and get my license while I do."

I felt like she’d mentioned that a few times before. Yuri had her own challenges, but she seemed fulfilled. Her notebook, crammed with tiny writing, practically radiated her proactive attitude.

"Changing the subject, Konohana Group company fired a manager for power harassment a while ago."

Tennouji-san said, her pen never stopping. I didn't know how to react, so I kept quiet. I knew about it, but I wasn't sure if it was okay to just bring it up.

"You don't need to be reserved. When a family business gets to our scale, these kinds of scandals are unavoidable... That's not to say it doesn't hurt."

"Yes, it's very regrettable."

Hinako nodded.

"Was it on the news?"

"It wasn't made public, but the industry knows through various channels. I keep track of my... competitors' information."

Tennouji-san answered Yuri's question. She’d clearly stumbled on her words, but I decided not to point it out. Her face had turned a little red.

"Still, firing is rare."

Narika said.

"What do you mean?"

"Because firing is an extremely severe punishment. Especially disciplinary dismissal, there probably aren't even fifty cases in the whole country in a year. If they were fired for power harassment, that person must have been a really bad repeat offender."

You often see it in the news for business fraud or embezzlement, since those are actual crimes. In contrast, power harassment usually has other disciplinary steps before it gets to an immediate firing.

"By the way. I heard the Tennouji family's company has extremely few disciplinary actions based on power harassment for a group of its size. It's rare on a global scale."

"Oh..."

Somehow, that made perfect sense. At school, Tennouji-san always values personal connections and empathy. The Tennouji Group must be an organization that treasures its employees.

"Miyakojima-san, you're very well-informed. Even about my family's situation."

"N-Not really!"

Narika, perhaps because her own studying wasn't going so well, seized the moment to sound triumphant.

"The second semester at Kiou Academy is starting soon, and that 'project' is about to begin. I figured I should learn about business management now."

"Oh my, then we might be rivals."

"Th-Th-Th-Th-That's not what I meant..."

"You're too flustered."

Tennouji-san smiled wryly at a pale-faced Narika. Project...? What on earth was that? I was puzzled. I picked up the teapot. It felt light—we were low on water.

"We're out of drinks. I'll go to the convenience store to buy some."

We’d gotten way more snacks than I’d planned, so the tea had disappeared quickly. I could offer endless tap water, but I felt bad making ojou-samas drink it. I stood up and looked at Tennouji-san.

"By the way, Tennouji-san, you said you were interested in convenience stores. If it's okay, would you like to come?"

"Eh?... Y-Yes! Please let me accompany you!"

Although Tennouji-san was a bit confused, she stood up.

"Good. Now we can talk normally."

When we were planning this, we’d agreed to chat in private. I was relieved I could finally keep my promise. For some reason, Tennouji-san was staring at me.

"...You're pretty smooth, aren't you."

"Huh?"

"This is how you swindle people."

"Don't put it like that..."

I thought it was a pretty slick move, myself.

"Hearing you sound so disappointed on the phone, anyone would want to do this."

"D-Disappointed... maybe I was."

She seemed to lose her confidence, her voice getting quieter.

"I don't feel distant just because of honorifics, so I wouldn't have asked... but if you need it, you should just tell me."

"...I don't feel distant."

She said it matter-of-factly. I'm used to the superior/subordinate dynamic from work, so I don't mind using formal language. But thinking about it, she’s probably just used to it by default. As the heir to the Tennouji Group, she's probably attended countless formal events.

"But... you usually have to hide your identity."

"Ngh."

"The Itsuki-kun who uses honorifics is, of course, still Itsuki-kun... but when you speak normally, it inexplicably feels like your true self is showing."

"True self..."

It's not like I have two personalities I can just switch between.

"Am I really that different...?"

"...When you go back to your normal tone, you tease me sometimes."

"Huh, I do?"

"Yes! At the summer lecture, when I was struggling to open the drink can, you laughed! At the arcade, too! You laughed because I didn't know the rules!"

"No, that's just because you were being funny, I couldn't help..."

"See! You're doing it again! See!"

Tennouji-san pouted, jabbing a finger in my direction. I see. Now that she mentions it, I am more blunt now than when I'm being formal. But my inner thoughts are exactly the same; I just usually don't say them out loud.

"Ah, it's just around this corner... By the way, Tennouji-san, do you know what a convenience store is?"

"I know! Don't treat me like an idiot!"

At least she knew what one was. And yet, the moment she walked into the store, she stared at the hot-food display by the counter and murmured in awe:

"...These plastic food models are so realistic."

"Hehe."

She was even more shocked when I bought her one at the checkout.

◆

At 5 PM, the study session ended, and we disbanded. Two black sedans were parked in front of the apartment, here to pick up Tennouji-san and Narika.

"Next time we meet, it'll be at school."

"Yeah."

There was still one week until Kiou Academy's second semester. I had free time, but Tennouji-san and Narika were both busy. The next time we'd see them would probably be the opening ceremony. As for Yuri, I'd see her when she came to the Konohana mansion for work.

"Hirano-san, this way, please."

"Mhm, thank you, Tennouji-san."

Yuri had come on foot, so Tennouji-san's car was giving her a lift partway. Yuri got into the car and, seeming surprised by how soft the seat was, silently kneaded the upholstery.

"Hm? Konohana-san isn't going home?"

Narika asked, noticing there was one less car.

"Oh, no. The car picking me up seems to be running a little late."

"I-In that case, you can ride in my family's car..."

"Thank you, but I'm told it will be here in a few minutes. Please don't worry about me."

"I-Is that so. Well, in that case, I'll... be taking my leave..."

Even though her kind offer was declined, Narika must have worked up her courage to suggest it. Considering her past communication issues, it was such a sign of growth, it almost made me tear up. Besides, to be frank, having this many black, luxury sedans parked in front of a tiny apartment building was extremely conspicuous. We needed to scatter before we started neighborhood gossip.

"Ah!? O-Oh, right, Konohana-san!"

Yuri, sitting in Tennouji-san's car, suddenly cried out anxiously. She pulled a paper shopping bag from her luggage and handed it to Hinako.

"I completely forgot... Here, borrow these. I want you to read them seriously."

"This is...?"

"You came to me for advice, right? After you read these, I think you'll find your answer."

"...Thank you."

Hinako gave a deep bow. It seemed to be an important gift.

"Yuri, what'd you give her?"

"A secret!"

I was curious and asked, but Yuri refused to answer. Yuri probably didn't realize it, but the Konohana bodyguards had the area completely locked down... From neighboring windows, dark alleys, and even passing pedestrians, countless eyes were fixed on that paper bag. The girls finally got into their cars and drove away, disappearing into the distance.

When the cars turned the corner and were out of sight, I let out a breath.

"...They're gone."

"They're gone."

"Waah!?"

A sudden voice from behind me made me jump.

"Sh-Shizune-san, when did you...?"

"That's a secret."

First Yuri, now Shizune-san has secrets from me... I have no idea where she came from, but seeing this, she must have been secretly monitoring us from somewhere nearby. Did she build an underground tunnel or something...?

"Huaah..."

Hinako also let out a breath, her posture relaxing. Of course, there was no car coming for her. She was coming back into the apartment with me.

"Ojou-sama, just as a precaution, please allow me to inspect the contents of that bag."

"Mhm... go ahead."

Hinako handed the paper bag Yuri had given her to Shizune-san. Shizune-san looked inside, her eyes widened slightly, and then she nodded.

"There is no problem."

She returned the bag to Hinako.

"Shizune-san, what was in it?"

"Hirano-sama wished it to be a secret, so I cannot answer. Protecting a guest's privacy is also part of a maid's duty."

She was a maid of perfect, incorruptible professionalism. If she put it that way, I had no choice but to give up...

"...You're not in your usual maid uniform."

"Because sometimes, drawing attention to oneself is a form of inconsideration."

In short, she didn't want to stand out. I remembered she was wearing her uniform when she left before the study session, but now she was in casual clothes. She wore a simple white blouse and a black, ankle-length pleated skirt... To me, who knows her usual look, the black-and-white color scheme was still strangely reminiscent of her uniform, giving her a dignified, refined feel. Just then, I remembered the summer lecture. When Hinako and the others showed up in swimsuits, Yuri had told me, "Shouldn't you say something?" That line popped into my head.

"Um, that outfit looks very good on you."

"That was pure self-preservation. Points deducted."

What points are you deducting... I turned pale, but Shizune-san just smiled. It seems I hadn't upset her. We went inside. The table was already cleared, and the empty chip bags were in the trash. Partway through, Hinako had started secretly taking two chips at a time, so they'd vanished incredibly fast. Thankfully, Yuri had casually remarked, "Chip bags look big, but there's actually not much inside," which smoothed the whole thing over. In any case, I was glad the study session had ended well. Everyone was able to focus, and I think we made a good memory for the end of summer.

"Itsuki-san."

Shizune-san said, after moving the tables back to their original spots.

"Are you free after this?"

"Yes. I finished my daily tasks."

"Then, would you mind accompanying me to buy ingredients for dinner?"

I paused for a beat before answering. Shizune-san rarely asks me for favors, which, strangely, made me feel motivated.

"Understood. I'd be happy to help."

After I replied, she looked at Hinako.

"And Ojou-sama?"

"I can't~... I'm going to sleep~..."

Hinako was rolling around lazily on the floor. She must be tired from focusing on her studies for so long.

"Then, it will just be the two of us... Please watch the house, Ojou-sama. I will have the bodyguards remain on standby around the apartment. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Mhm-eep."

◆

After Itsuki and the others left. Hinako was about to use a cushion as a pillow and sleep, but when she lay down, Yuri's paper bag entered her field of vision.

(Before I sleep... just a peek.)

She was on the verge of passing out and had planned to fall asleep immediately, but she figured she should at least see what Yuri gave her. It was—

"...Books?"

A lot of books. When Hinako saw the covers and the obi (promo bands), she tilted her head in confusion.

"Shoujo... manga...?"

The promo text on one read, "The number one bestseller right now!" It seemed to be shoujo manga. "Meteor Plant Garden... Only Telling You... NYANYA..." She read the titles. There were several other series. Hinako hadn't heard of any of them. She tried flipping one open.

"This is..."

She was immediately hooked. The stories were mostly set in school—some in normal schools like Itsuki's, others in rich-kid schools like Kiou Academy. The main character was, usually, an average high school girl. The stories all started similarly: the heroine meets a boy by chance, they become close, and they gradually narrow the distance between them. Before she knows it, the heroine starts to have feelings for him—

"This is...!"

Hinako was startled.

(That's exactly like me...!)

The manga heroine's feelings were identical to her own. Her heart pounded just by being near him. The palpitations grew day by day, confusing even her. Sometimes it was even hard to breathe, and yet, mysteriously, she never wanted to be away from him. The manga's protagonist was suffering from these same feelings.

(If I keep reading, maybe I'll find out what this is..._!)

This must be why Yuri lent them to her. Her sleepiness completely gone, Hinako dove excitedly into the world of manga.

—Why is he all I can think about sometimes? The protagonist would find herself thinking of the boy she liked. In class, during meals, as she was trying to fall asleep.

(I know...)

Hinako was exactly the same. In the car, on the way to school, during class, in the bath, while lazing around... she would find herself thinking about Itsuki. He's been working so hard lately. His etiquette is much smoother than before. He seems to be struggling with his studies. He... treasures me. Hinako's mind was always full of these thoughts. She turned the page.

—Why? Why does it bother me when he just talks to other girls? When the boy she liked talked to other girls, the protagonist would feel a tightness in her chest and look pained. But she didn't want him to see, so she would just quietly clutch her chest.

(I totally get that feeling...)

Hinako was the same. When Itsuki spoke to other girls at school, honestly, she felt restless. A flash of anxiety—What if he disappears?—would go through her mind. But it was always just her being paranoid. When she stared at him with worry, Itsuki always seemed to sense her mood. He would turn to her and, as if to reassure her, give her a small smile. Every time that happened, Hinako knew Itsuki was watching over her. And her heart would fill with an unstoppable warmth, mixed with a strange anxiety. What was this? She turned the page.

—Ah. This is... love. The protagonist finally realized her feelings.

"—!?"

Hinako was so shocked she physically pulled her face away from the manga. The impact was so great she looked around frantically, but her reliable maid and attendant weren't there. Hinako steeled herself and went back to the page.

(Love?... Love!? What is love...? What am I supposed to do...!?)

The protagonist blushed bright red upon her realization. Hinako blushed right along with her as she read on.

(Wh-Why are they suddenly acting so lovey-dovey... B-But... they look so happy...)

The protagonist started actively making moves on the boy she liked. They held hands while walking around town. Interlocking their fingers. She asked to be alone with him. Wasn't she embarrassed? But the boy was the same. In this romantic tug-of-war of excitement and anxiety, their distance shortened—

(Eh... Eh, eh, eh...!? Wh-Why are their mouths on... each other's mouths...?)

It took Hinako a moment to realize this action was called "kissing." Hinako Konohana, sixteen years of age. At her father's command, she had been forced to study countless professional fields since childhood, but she was a complete amateur in matters of love. Sure, as the Konohana heiress and Kiou student, she'd learned the basics of romance from her interactions, but her lack of experience meant the knowledge and the reality never connected. This was a first for Hinako. For the first time in her life, she was experiencing love as a participant, not an observer.

—I want you. —I want you, too. The couple's relationship had become unbelievably intimate. They kissed on the balcony. Hinako saw this scene and... replaced the characters with herself.

—Hinako. Itsuki stood before her, staring straight at her. —I want you. He said, and leaned in to press his lips to hers—

"...!!"

Hinako shook her head violently.

 


(What am I thinking..._!)

She tried to force the fantasy from her mind. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't forget the fact that she had imagined it. The manga heroine had struggled in the same way.

(Is this what 'like' is...?)

She'd had this feeling for a while. It was pointed out at the summer lecture, but she'd felt it long before that. A month after Itsuki became her attendant. When he was forced to quit, but came back for her. When he caught her as she jumped from the window. Thinking back, that was it. From that moment—she'd had this feeling.

(I... want to do that with Itsuki_!?)

Had she wanted this ever since that moment? Had she been hoping for this... for a long, long time?

"Awu..."

This felt... incredibly embarrassing... At the very least, Yuri had seen right through her...

"Uwaaaaaaaaaah...!"

Hinako's high-performance brain, inherited from the Konohana bloodline, experienced its first system crash since birth.

◆

Back from the supermarket, Shizune-san and I had our shopping bags full.

"Itsuki-san, thank you for your help."

"Not at all. It was nothing."

We'd bought several days' worth of food. We still had drinks and seasonings, so we hadn't bought anything too heavy, but it would have been a lot for one person.

"But this was a surprise. I didn't think you'd be so hesitant while shopping."

"Who do you take me for... It's just been a long time since I've been in a normal supermarket, so I wasn't sure which ingredients would suit Ojou-sama's palate."

Shizune-san had, in fact, taken a long time choosing. Even for a single carrot, she'd deliberated over which one would be best for Hinako.

"How are groceries normally handled?"

"It's all online delivery. We considered having it delivered to your apartment, but the expense was higher than expected, so we abandoned the plan."

"Saving money where we can."

"Figuring out how to cut costs within the bounds of maintaining the Ojou-sama's dignity... that is also part of a maid's duty. The fact that we are walking back right now is part of that."

If Hinako were with us, we would have taken a car. Shizune-san certainly had the authority to summon a car from the Konohana family, but she didn't use it.

"Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."

"Understood. I will wait outside."

I handed Shizune-san my shopping bag and went to the restroom near the supermarket entrance. I felt guilty making a woman hold all the heavy bags, so I tried to be as quick as possible. Shizune-san probably didn't mind, but I did.

(Huh? Where's Shizune-san...?)

When I got outside, I didn't see her. I started walking in the direction of my apartment and found her at the entrance to the shopping street. Shizune-san was staring silently into the display window of a clothing store. The mannequin was dressed in a very sweet, frilly, girly style... It looked a bit childish and out of place, but it had that "local shop" feel. It was a long way from a trendy youth brand. Shizune-san was staring at the outfit with a strangely serious expression. It would look great on Hinako, but I honestly couldn't picture Shizune-san wearing it. Still, she seemed very interested...

"...Uh, would you like to try it on?"

"!?"

When I spoke, she turned her head, looking unusually flustered.

"N-No. I have no desire to wear it."

"No, it's fine. I can keep a secret if you..."

"I said no."

"Ah, yes, sorry."

She glared at me with an intensity I couldn't ignore. I'd thought she was just trying to cover, but it seemed she really meant it.

"That... My family used to be in the apparel industry. I was just interested."

Shizune-san said, as we started walking home. From what she said, it sounded less like her family worked in apparel and more like her family owned an apparel company. I'd glimpsed her good breeding in her daily conduct, so this made sense. ...So why did she become a maid for the Konohana family? Maybe because we'd been living in this different environment together, I'd become more curious about her past and her values.

"This is a good opportunity, so I'll tell you a bit about my background."

Shizune-san seemed to have read my mind and began to talk.

"You know that Kiou Academy is one of the top three elite schools in Japan, correct?"

"Uh, yes."

"That means there are two others on its level."

She held up two fingers.

"I attended one of them."

"Huh?"

I had no idea. Her academic background was apparently just as impressive.

"...So you really are from a good family."

"On the outside, yes."

Shizune-san said, her tone heavy with meaning.

"My family ran an apparel company founded in the Meiji era. It was listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. We had our time... but after the bubble economy burst, we failed to keep up with the times, and our finances fell into dire straits. Eventually, we went bankrupt."

So, they'd failed. We studied history and business at Kiou, so I knew a little about that period. The big trend after the bubble was the rise of fast fashion. The public was pinching pennies, department stores were struggling, and fast fashion took over, restructuring the entire industry. Shizune-san's family must have missed that shift.

"I was able to attend that school for two reasons. One, the school's consideration for my family's past prestige. Two, my parents' desire to use me to satisfy their own vanity... But in reality, our family had fallen. As I mentioned, our standard of living was no different from a normal family's."

She paused, then looked at me as if she'd realized something.

"In a way, my position might have been very similar to yours. I desperately hid my family's situation while living among my classmates."

"...Now that you mention it, you're right."

Thinking back, Shizune-san had always been sympathetic to my situation and considerate of my feelings.

"I was tormented by the gap between my image and the truth, but I still took my studies seriously. Before I knew it, I had one of the top grades in the school."

Our situations were completely different. Where Shizune-san and I differed, mainly, was in the brain department.

"It was then that I met the eldest son of the Konohana family... Takuma Waka-sama."

She finally mentioned her connection to the Konohana family, but it started with Takuma Waka-sama, not Hinako. "Waka-sama and I attended the same school, but he was often busy with work and rarely showed up. Still, I don't know where he heard it, but he learned of my grades and my situation. He came to my home and made an offer: 'If you haven't decided what to do after graduation, why not come work for my family?' I was planning on university, so I refused... but after a few twists and turns, I accepted his offer a year later."

"Twists and turns?"

"To put it simply, university classes were boring."

That's... really simple.

"If you're considering university, you should choose carefully. After getting used to Kiou Academy, going to a normal university will be confusing in more ways than one."

I nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Also... and it infuriates me to admit... I did respect Waka-sama a little back then... I was young and foolish. In high school, I looked down on my classmates. I thought, 'My family may have fallen, but my ability is second to none.' I was proud. I saw the rich kids around me as carefree fools raised in a greenhouse."

Shizune-san looked down, as if ashamed of her past self.

"The one who shattered that pride was Waka-sama. In academics, in experience... he was the only one I couldn't beat. I remember thinking with a chill, 'So this is a real genius.'"

She'd said it before. That Takuma-san possessed the true Konohana talent. Was he scouting for talent back then? If so, finding Shizune-san was a huge win. Top of her class, and no family business to inherit. Recruiting her was a smart move.

"So, you're grateful to Takuma-san, then."

"No. Not at all."

Huh? That's not where this was going?

"The moment I started working under Waka-sama, any gratitude I had was completely erased... He is... so arbitrary. I felt like I was getting a stomach ulcer every day."

"If it's about being arbitrary, I think Hinako is also..."

"Hmph."

Shizune-san let out a cold laugh.

"Ojou-sama is adorable compared to Waka-sama... If you take your eyes off him for a second, he'll run off to Antarctica."

She stared into the distance with hollow eyes. The siblings' level of willfulness was worlds apart. Hinako is the energy-conserving type, which keeps her relatively in check. Takuma-san sounds like the hyper-energetic type who drags everyone else into his chaos.

"I grew tired of Waka-sama's wild nature and was thinking of going back to university when, due to Master Kagen's judgment, I was reassigned to Ojou-sama... And here I am today."

Shizune-san concluded. She'd been through a lot to get here. That solved the mystery of why she became a maid and why she serves Hinako. But now I was even more curious about Takuma-san.

"Um, Shizune-san."

"What is it?"

"When I met Takuma-san before, his last words to me were, 'As you are now, you can't become Hinako's safe harbor'... What do you think he meant by that?"

"...I see. What do you think he meant?"

She was asking me back, which probably meant it was important for me to think about it myself. Still, I'd been turning it over and over in my head and couldn't figure it out, which is why I was asking her.

"I've been thinking... that I need to improve my education and my etiquette even more."

"I see. That's the normal way to think... but I doubt that's it."

So I was wrong.

"I believe Waka-sama was referring to something more fundamental. Not grades or manners..."

"...Do you know what he meant?"

"I have a guess... but honestly, I think it's too much to ask of you right now."

Shizune-san looked troubled, pursing her lips. She was clearly debating whether to tell me or not. Maybe his real meaning was more sensitive than I'd realized.

We finally arrived at the apartment. When I opened the door, Hinako jumped, her shoulders jolting. She frantically stuffed what was in her hands into the paper bag.

"Hinako, what's wrong?"

"N-Noth... Nyo-thing...!"

What was she doing? Her face was bright red.

"Oh, right."

Before I forgot, I pulled what I wanted to show her from the shopping bag.

"Shizune-san found this. We bought a bath comb. If you comb your hair with it before shampooing, it gets cleaner. Let's try it today."

A thorough wash would probably do the same thing, but this narrow, poorly-ventilated bathroom wasn't like the spacious one at the mansion. Hinako always wanted to get out fast. This comb was meant to speed things up. I thought she'd be interested—

"I..."

"You?"

"I... I'll be... bathing by myself... today..."

Hinako mumbled, her words slurred. Her unexpected reaction made me freeze.

"...Did I do something?"

"No, it's fine."

Shizune-san ignored my anxiety and glanced at the paper bag on the floor. She nodded, as if she'd figured out the secret.

"This just means Ojou-sama is growing up."

"...?"

I had absolutely no idea what that meant. She'll be back to normal in a few days... I thought, deciding not to dwell on it.

However, the result was the opposite of what I expected. From that day on, Hinako started acting very strange.

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