Rich Girl Caretaker Vol. 9 Prologue

Prologue

I saw the autumn leaves this morning.

The gardens at the Konohana mansion are meticulously planted with all sorts of flowers and grasses by the gardeners. In one corner, the leaves of a tall tree were stained with the crimson of autumn. It’s still a little while before the peak viewing season, but you can already feel the inevitable change from fall to winter.

Just like the season, the atmosphere at Kiou Academy is changing. The post-Management Tournament burnout, that period when all the students were listless, has finally ended. Now, we're all living hectic lives, spread thin as we prepare for the next event.

"Tomonari-kun!"

After school, Tennouji-san walked into the classroom and called out to me.

"Please check these posters and flyers I made!"

"Alright."

Tennouji-san spread the posters and flyers out on the desk.

"Hmm... It's still a bit too flashy. It's better if you reduce the number of colors."

"I see. I'll go fix it right away."

Tennouji-san immediately gathered her things and left the classroom. Just then, a girl with her black hair tied in a ponytail brushed past her and entered the room.

"Itsuki! Can you check this for me!?"

Narika spread her posters and flyers on the desk.

"Well... there are too many annotations. It's better to take some out. Try to cut down on the detailed explanations."

"Okay! Wait for me!"

Narika snatched up her posters and flyers and sprinted straight out of the classroom.

I let out a sigh. I was a little tired, but I couldn't show any fatigue in front of those two, who were giving it even more than I was. Afternoons have been like this for days. Today marks the sixth time Tennouji-san and Narika have come to me for poster checks. Twice during lunch, and this last one was the fourth time since school ended. At this rate, they'll be back again.

"Itsuki... Is this going to take much longer?"

Hinako said, having dropped her Ojou-sama Mode and reverted to her private self. Before I knew it, Hinako and I were the only two left in the classroom. Everyone else had gone home.

"Sorry, I get the feeling they'll be back for one more round."

"I don't mind. As long as you're okay... I'm okay."

Was she worried about me? I gave a small smile, trying to signal that I was fine.

The sky outside was stained with the colors of sunset, and the wind was starting to carry a chill. The sun was setting earlier now. This might be the latest I've ever stayed at school, aside from tea parties.

"It's tomorrow..."

"Yeah. It's finally starting."

It's no wonder Tennouji-san and Narika are so anxious. Starting tomorrow, this is a critical time for them. No... it's a critical time for me, too. As I steeled my nerves, I noticed Hinako actually looked a little happy.

"Hinako, you seem pretty happy. I thought you didn't really like this kind of thing..."

"Hehehe... Because this time, it has nothing to do with me."

Hinako gave me her laziest possible smile. Since she's not involved, she can just enjoy it.

"Besides, no matter which one of them becomes president... I'll probably be freer than I am now."

"...True. It might draw some of the attention away from you."

"Mhm... But I have a feeling Father will be mad at me."

I wasn't so sure about that. After all, Kagen-san has been changing lately...

"Won't you feel lonely, not being the center of attention anymore?"

"Not at all."

An instant answer.

"...But... I don't want... you to go to other people."

Hinako looked down, worried. I just gave her a wry smile.

"Don't worry. I'm your caretaker, remember?"

"Mhm..."

It's not like I pay special attention to Hinako just because everyone else does. So, even if the spotlight moves off her, I'll still be watching out for her. Though, in reality, I can't imagine a world where she's not the center of attention.

"...Even if you weren't my caretaker—"

"Huh?"

Hinako had whispered something, so I asked her to repeat it.

"I want you... to always be watching—"

"—I fixed it!"

The classroom door was yanked open. Tennouji-san walked over, looked at our faces, and tilted her head in confusion.

"Oh? What's wrong with you two?"

"It's nothing..."

I glanced at Hinako.

"We're fine."

Hinako switched back to Ojou-sama Mode and smiled sweetly.

It was late October. The Kiou Academy student council election season was here.

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