Rich Girl Caretaker Vol. 7 Bonus Chapter

If Itsuki Lived at the Miyakojima House

"...Even now, I sometimes think about it. The possibility that Itsuki didn't go to Konohana-san's house... but lived at my house instead."

Narika murmured this persistent "what-if" to herself while soaking in the bath. Thinking about it was pointless; it would only trouble Itsuki. Besides—

"...I think the way things are now isn't bad."

Narika remembered Itsuki's reply and knew he was right. She wasn't good with words. The only reason she'd managed to build her current relationships with Konohana-san and Tennouji-san was because Itsuki hadn't stayed at the Miyakojima house. That being the case, she should just appreciate the good fortune she had now.

(It's true, just like Itsuki said...)

Narika felt a sense of relief, her heart calming. She recognized how lucky she was.

(...But... if Itsuki had stayed at my house, what would it have been like?)

It was pure curiosity. It wasn't that she thought it would be better; it was just an idle fantasy, a possible world she painted in her mind.

◆

"Narika, wake up."

"Nn... it's Itsuki."

Miyakojima Narika's day would begin with Itsuki waking her up. If he was there to wake her up every morning, she wouldn't need to do it herself.

In fact... she might even pretend to be groggy just to have him wake her up. Ah, but then he'd see her sleeping face. She had no idea what she looked like when she slept, but she wouldn't want him to see a messy expression and be disappointed.

After waking up, it would be time for breakfast. Mother's breakfast would be delicious. But, because the 'her' in this world would be so bad in the mornings, she'd be groggy and drop her food.

"Ah."

"...You're hopeless."

Itsuki would see her drop her tamagoyaki on the table and just smile.

"Here, say 'ah'..."

"Ah, ahh..."

He would feed the groggy version of her, one bite at a time. It would be delicious, and her heart would feel so warm.

After that blissful breakfast, it would be time for practice. Even living at the Miyakojima house, Itsuki would train hard every day. And he would be right there, next to her.

"I... I give up... You're just too strong."

"Hmph. See?"

She'd win against him in a kendo match. He'd praise her honestly... No, wait. If Itsuki were living at her house, he would definitely be training more and be much stronger. Plus, he's naturally athletic. So the match wouldn't be so one-sided...

"Body!"

"Too naive!"

Itsuki would narrowly dodge her full-power strike.

"Not bad, Narika, but—!"

He'd quickly retract his shinai and strike her kote.

"Ngh!?"

He'd score a point. They'd bow and remove their men. Itsuki, dripping with sweat, would grin.

"How's that? I've gotten stronger, right?"

"...Yeah. You totally beat me."

"By the way, the sports festival is coming up, right? I'm entering the kendo match too."

"Really? I'm looking forward to it."

"Me too. I hope I can face you in the finals."

They might have conversations like that.

But, if Itsuki became as good at sports as she was, wouldn't he get attention from all the girls at school? And unlike her, Itsuki is sociable. If that happened, he'd get a girlfriend, and eventually leave the Miyakojima house...

...Continuing this line of thought would just be depressing. Better to stop.

Narika thought, pulling herself back to reality.

◆

(...That wasn't just imagination, that was a full-blown delusion.)

Narika's cheeks flushed, embarrassed by her own thoughts.

(And, at my age, being fed... that's just ridiculous...)

Just as she was thinking that—

A certain perfect ojou-sama let out a delicate sneeze.

Narika's Progress

When I was ten, I was living at the Miyakojima house.

The first time I met Narika, she called me a "weakling!" but we eventually got along, and the time we spent in the same room increased.

One morning.

"...Hey."

I woke up and said to Narika, who was asleep in the futon next to me:

"It's morning."

Narika often overslept, so Otsuko-san had asked me, "If you wake up, could you please wake her, too...?" I gently shook her.

But...

"Mngh..."

She was sound asleep and clearly had no intention of waking.

Since I was living in their house—and mostly because my mom was such a troublemaker—I really tried not to cause the Miyakojima family any problems.

So, not giving in, I shouted louder:

"It's morning!"

In response, Narika just rolled over, annoyed.

"No... want to sleep..."

"You can't. You'll miss breakfast."

"I said... I'm sleeping..."

As I shook her, she suddenly grabbed my arm.

"Whoa!?"

I thought she'd pull me into her futon, but no. Narika, still half-asleep, with terrifyingly god-like skill—slapped me into a juji-gatame (cross-armbar).

"Hey! I-I-I give up...!"

"Mmmngh..."

"Oooow...!? S-Someone... help me...!!"

It hurt so much I couldn't help but cry out. After a moment, her grip loosened, and I scrambled away. I looked at her, sleeping so soundly, and felt a chill.

(How am I supposed to wake her up?)

If I get close, I get put in a joint lock... What kind of master was she? This wasn't Drunken Fist; it was Sleeping Fist.

Alright—I'd try approaching without her sensing me. I crouched low, moved quietly to her other side, and then lunged.

Just as I was about to grab her head to shake her—

"Mngh..."

"Gah!?"

Narika's hand shot out and grabbed my collar.

I'm caught! I realized it instantly, aborted the mission, and retreated.

So fast.

That was a kata-ha-jime (single-wing choke)... She's not just using joint locks; she's using chokes...

(In that case...)

What if I came from above, not the sides? I stood up, aiming to grab her collar.

But, with blinding speed, she opened her legs and snared my neck and arm.

"No way!?"

A triangle choke—!?

This girl could defend from all directions! Was she planning to be a grappling specialist? Ne-waza (ground techniques) wasn't supposed to literally mean ne-waza (sleeping techniques)!

(It's over... I'm going to pass out.)

This wasn't the time for wordplay. My consciousness was fading. It was a different kind of fuzziness from sleep... something else was slowing my brain.

If I passed out like this, I'd be the one who got in trouble for oversleeping. That sucked. I woke up on time.

I thought this, and looked forward—right into Narika's eyes. Her big eyes were wide open.

"...What are you doing?"

"...That's my line."

No matter how you looked at it, I was the one having things done to me.

"Ngh... sorry. I was half-asleep and... did judo."

She really seemed to have been half-asleep. I'd assumed she was just faking it...

"Do you have trouble waking up?"

"It's not that..."

Narika said, finding it hard to admit.

"My father's morning practice... is really tough."

"...I see."

The practice was so harsh, she didn't want to get up.

—Later on, Narika would overcome her father's strict training, dedicate herself to her own morning practice, and become an early riser... but at this moment, I couldn't imagine that day would ever come.

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

"No! You can't! Please get up!"

If I let her go back to sleep, she'll never wake up!

I didn't want to get put in another ground hold, so I frantically tried to convince Narika.

◆

Years passed. Narika said she wanted to repay me for my help in the Management Tournament, and I accepted her invitation. So, once again, I was at the Miyakojima house in the morning.

"Narika, good morning."

"Nn...?"

After I called her a few times, Narika stirred.

"Itsuki... it's Itsuki..."

"Hey, hey. Don't be so groggy."

Narika sat up and nuzzled against me.

I looked at her sleepy face and remembered the past...

(She's so much better than she was back then.)

Just the fact that she doesn't put me in a submission hold... I'd say that's significant progress.

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