Rich Girl Caretaker Vol. 11 Chapter 2

 

Each Other's True Selves

The next morning. Arriving at the academy, I opened the classroom door with a faint sense of nervousness.

"Morning, Tomonari-kun!"

As I headed to my seat, Asahi-san immediately noticed me and approached.

It's fine, I've simulated this moment countless times. ...Taking a quiet, deep breath to calm my heart, I looked at Asahi-san, pretending it was business as usual.

"M-Morning, Asahi-san."

"........................Hm?"

Hearing me speak in a different tone than usual, Asahi-san tilted her head after a delayed reaction.

"Tomonari-kun, do you have student council work today too?"

"Yeah. I think it'll continue until the cultural festival is over."

"I see. Leave the play to us, we'll do our best too!"

"Thanks, I'm counting on everyone."

Seeing Asahi-san brimming with motivation, I made sure to give her the most refreshing smile I could muster in response.

However, Asahi-san stared at my face for a while with her mouth hanging wide open, before...

"............................Hweh."

With tears welling up in the corners of her eyes, Asahi-san let out a whimper that sounded like she was on the verge of crying.

"Asahi-san!?"

"Tomonari-kun............ did you turn into a delinquent...?"

"No, no!! I'll explain, so just listen to me!!"

I really didn't think my responses sounded like a delinquent's, but... the change in my tone was apparently shocking enough to make that detail not matter.

The commotion gathered our classmates around us, so I explained the situation to everyone, just like I did in the student council room yesterday. I didn't want to make it into such a big deal, but... sooner or later, I suppose.

I had wanted to avoid causing a panic, but that didn't mean I could just make some idiotic announcement like, "Listen up everyone, I'll be changing my tone starting today." I have a sense of shame, too. I wanted to get it over with as inconspicuously as possible, but no good ideas came to mind, and I ended up walking into the classroom with a "whatever happens, happens" mentality.

"Heh... Ain't that nice!"

After I explained the situation, Taisho spoke up in a cheerful tone.

"I'm happy about it. Feels like a wall has disappeared."

"...Thanks, Taisho."

"Oh, you're finally dropping the honorifics with me. ...Hehe, it's kinda deeply moving."

"Sorry, the truth is I've been dropping them in my head this whole time."

"Seriously?"

Not just since yesterday, but this entire time. Even Taisho was genuinely surprised.

Basically, I drop honorifics for guys and add '-san' for girls. It's a habit that carried over from my previous high school.

However, what Taisho casually said just now bothered me.

Feels like a wall has disappeared... The fact that he thought that meant he really had felt a wall between us up until now.

It can't be helped. No matter how much you try to keep up appearances, a person's true nature can't be hidden that easily.

Unless, of course, you're an acting genius like Hinako...

(...Somehow, I was accepted really easily again.)

I observed the reactions of my classmates other than Taisho, and everyone showed a favorable attitude toward my change. I didn't think anyone would throw malice at me over something so personal, but even so, it was so easy it was almost anticlimactic.

"What's wrong, Tomonari?"

"No, it's just... I was accepted so easily, it's actually making me worried..."

Since everyone was being so calm about it, it wrapped back around to me being the one who looked confused.

"What I was most anxious about was people misunderstanding and thinking something like, 'He's getting full of himself just because he became the Vice President'..."

"Nah, nobody would think that."

Right, guys? Taisho looked at the surrounding classmates as if asking for their agreement.

The classmates nodded their heads.

"We've been watching you for half a year, Tomonari. ...You just worried about a bunch of things as usual and finally ended up doing this, right?"

"...Well, yeah."

"We understand you perfectly."

Taisho patted my shoulder lightly. The surrounding classmates were also nodding with gestures that practically screamed, Say no more.

What is this... It helps, but I have mixed feelings about it.

Do I really look like I'm constantly brooding and worrying about everything? ...I can't argue back because they aren't exactly wrong, though.

"I really think you're more approachable and nice this way. Asahi thinks so too, right?"

"Eep!?"

Called out by Taisho, Asahi-san's shoulders jumped in surprise.

"Ah, um, yeah. I think so too...?"

She looked like she was blatantly hiding her true feelings.

"Asahi-san, did you perhaps prefer how I was before?"

"Eh!? N-Not at all!?"

"But you haven't looked me in the eyes for a while now."

"T-That's..."

Her gaze darting back and forth, Asahi-san eventually looked straight at me, seemingly having grown desperate.

"M-My heart is racing!!"

Asahi-san's voice echoed through the classroom.

"Because you're more manly than usual, Tomonari-kun, my heart is pounding and I can't speak properly!!"

"S-Sorry..."

Not knowing how to react, I apologized reflexively.

Holding her chest with one hand, Asahi-san glared at me, as if saying her flushed cheeks and all the attention she was getting right now were entirely my fault.

Looking at the two of us, Taisho's expression turned stern.

"Tomonari, don't tell me you... were aiming for the gap moe...!?"

"I was not."

I thought you understood me perfectly?

What exactly have you been looking at for the past half year?

Letting out a small sigh, I casually looked toward the front and saw Hinako staring fixedly at me from her seat. Feeling a sense of unease from her aura, I approached and called out to her.

"Hi... Konohana-san?"

That was close, I almost called her Hinako just now.

Even though I returned my tone to normal, the fact that my relationship with Hinako is a secret hasn't changed.

"What is it, Tomonari-kun."

"...No, if it's nothing, never mind."

There was a trivial sense of discord that only I, who am always with her, would notice.

If I had to guess the cause, maybe she has some thoughts about the play practice? I feel like Hinako has been acting strange ever since I helped her practice last night.

"I'm cheering for your play practice."

"Thank you very much."

Hinako bowed her head in a flowing motion. Her long amber hair swayed softly. That momentary dignity exuded from her refined movements was truly fitting of the title "perfect young lady."

But to my eyes, she still seemed somewhat off.

◆

After school. While walking down the hallway toward the student council room, I spotted Narika's back.

"Narika."

"Hm? ...Itsuki!"

Even though we were heading to the exact same place, Narika went out of her way to jog back to me. ...She's like a loyal dog. Maybe I should prepare a reward or something for her.

"Are you on your way to the student council room too, Itsuki?"

"Yeah. It seems fine to leave my class to everyone else."

"Same here. ...Goodness, I don't know who is helping who anymore."

Narika laughed happily.

I understand exactly what she means. Now that I've been chosen for the student council, I'm trying to be a pillar of support for the students, but in reality, I can feel that I'm actually the one being supported by everyone. My classmates have been very considerate of me given my student council duties. They frequently tell me that the play is going perfectly smoothly, probably because they want to reassure me.

If I still have any lingering concerns, it would definitely be Hinako's behavior.

If something happened, does it have to do with the play, or something else...?

"Itsuki, what's wrong?"

As I was lost in thought, Narika peered into my face.

"Konohana-san has been acting a bit strange to me. Timing-wise, I'd assume it has to do with the cultural festival preparations..."

Getting that far, I realized something.

There was one more recent event that occurred.

"...Or maybe it has to do with me starting to use my natural tone."

Had I been making Hinako uncomfortable without realizing it? If so, I feel terrible.

Hearing my speculation, Narika thought about it seriously.

"...Itsuki, were you using your natural tone with Konohana-san outside the academy?"

"Eh."

I was at a loss for words at her suddenly sharp question.

Normally, I'd have to keep this a secret... but now that I'm speaking to everyone in my natural tone, wouldn't it be fine to tell her? Setting aside anyone else, Narika already knows that I live at the Konohana family's estate anyway.

More importantly, I can trust Narika.

"...Please keep it a secret from everyone, but yeah."

"I knew it. Well, it's not unreasonable if you're spending time in the same house."

It's not exactly on a scale that can be called a 'house', though...

...I'll keep the fact that we're mostly in the exact same room a secret from Narika too.

Thinking about it objectively, the reason I spoke to Narika in my natural tone in the first place was because I stayed overnight at her house in the past. Since the situations overlapped, it must have been easy for her to accept.

"This is strictly my guess, but... isn't Konohana-san feeling a bit conflicted about you using your natural tone with everyone else?"

Narika asked, looking somewhat awkward.

However, unable to make sense of that, I tilted my head.

"Why would she feel conflicted?"

"Ugh, that's, well..."

Narika panicked, breaking a slight sweat.

"B-Because I felt conflicted about it!"

"You did?"

"I mean! Up until now, I was the only one at the academy you spoke to in your natural tone, Itsuki! I was the only special one... but now you belong to everyone!"

Belong to everyone, you say...

It's a little embarrassing, but I understand what she's saying. Is it like the feeling when someone you consider your best friend suddenly becomes close with other people?

...No, in Narika's case, it might not be that.

Narika, well... likes me, so she might be especially sensitive to that kind of thing.

The person you like becomes close with someone other than you. The conflicted feelings generated in that moment probably don't compare to a best friend's. Probably...

"...Even if my tone is the same as everyone else's now, the fact remains that you're the only one I could show my true self to from the very beginning."

"............Are you trying to dodge the issue by saying something complicated?"

That's not it.

I'm saying something embarrassing here too, so please trust me a bit more...

"You're special to me, Narika, which is why I could speak naturally with you from the start. I'm saying that special relationship itself will remain from here on out."

"Itsuki..."

Narika stared at me for a while.

Then, she suddenly ground her teeth, acting as if she were desperately suppressing a surge of intense emotion.

"S-Saying things like 'special' to me of all people... just sounds like you're inviting a misunderstanding, you know...?"

"...Sorry, honestly, I thought the same thing just now."

Choosing my words was difficult.

"Phew, phew, phew.............. Be careful, even I have my limits to my patience, you know."

What exactly were you suppressing just now?

For a split second, she glared at me with the eyes of a ferocious carnivore... but I'll hold off on asking. Something terrifying might happen.

I headed to the student council room together with Narika, who was still enduring the embers of her intense emotions. If I talked to her now, I felt like I'd get eaten in more ways than one, so I stayed quiet, but that silence helped me cool my head.

(Is the reason Hinako is acting strange really what Narika said...?)

Somehow, it didn't feel right.

Since it was nothing more than a hunch, I tried to find various pieces of evidence to turn it into conviction, but I couldn't find any.

"My, you two arrived together."

When we entered the student council room, everyone else was already gathered.

It seemed everyone's respective classes were doing fine.

"Tomonari-san, I apologize for the addition, but I would like you to select the guests for the cultural festival from this list. I'll leave the criteria to you."

"Understood. ...I mean, got it."

"Hehe, it seems you yourself are not quite used to it yet."

Being laughed at by Tennouji-san made me feel a little embarrassed.

It seems ingrained habits can't be discarded easily, even if you deem them unnecessary.

Now then, as for the work... I see. Every class wants to invite guests this year, but if we invite too many, it'll become impossible to manage, so she wants to limit the numbers.

Considering Kiou Academy's brand, it's better not to use budget as a criterion. Maybe I should narrow it down based on things like feuds stemming from business rivalries or the sketchiness of their backgrounds.

(...Kagen-san also asked me for a favor, so I should finish my student council work early and go check on my class.)

I also want to confirm how Hinako is doing.

Fortunately, the workload today isn't that heavy. If I focus, I can probably make enough time to go check on the class.

I slapped both my cheeks to fire myself up.

"――Alright!!"

"Oh, you're pretty motivated today, Tomonari-san!"

I'm always motivated.

That's why I'm sitting in this seat.

◆

It's unclear how much of a difference my psyching up made, but having successfully finished my work early, I immediately went to check on Class A.

As I casually tried to enter the classroom, I heard the voices of the actors practicing the play. It'd be bad to interrupt them. Making sure not to make any noise, I slowly opened the door and slipped inside.

Just like Class C previously, the desks and chairs in the classroom were pushed to the edges, and the empty space in the center was being used for practice. In the center, two students were practicing their acting. One of them was Hinako. The surrounding students were silently and intently observing their performance.

An appropriate level of tension filled the classroom. Their ability to switch gears like this is truly characteristic of Kiou Academy students. I'm glad I read the room and opened the door quietly.

While everyone watched over her, Hinako spoke to the male student in front of her as Ophelia.

"'Father. Lord Hamlet has shown me genuine love time and time again.'"

"'Genuine? Hah, that's what a naive girl thinks. Do you truly believe in that love?'"

"'Father, Lord Hamlet has sworn to the heavens.'"

"'That vow is nothing but a fleeting passion.'"

It's an exchange from the early stages. The person Ophelia is speaking to is her father, Polonius. Ophelia believes she and Hamlet love each other, but her father Polonius considers it a mere whim on Hamlet's part.

Ophelia wants to assert that this love is real, while Polonius insists it's just her imagination. Sadly, this conflict between parent and child is never resolved.

Because Polonius gets killed.

"Okay, next let's skip a few scenes and practice the part after Polonius dies. It's the scene where Ophelia's personality turns lazy because of her father's death."

The male student who had been watching their practice instructed them to move on to the next scene.

Polonius is killed. By Hamlet. However, Hamlet didn't do it on purpose either. Hamlet mistakenly thinks it's his hateful uncle and kills Polonius.

But even if it wasn't on purpose, losing her father was far too painful for Ophelia.

As a result, the chaste and noble Ophelia's personality inverts.

"'Ophelia, why won't you come out of your room.'"

After Polonius's death, there is a scene where Hamlet's mother, Queen Gertrude, converses with Ophelia. This seems to be that scene.

...So Suminoe-san is playing the role of the Queen, huh.

It's a fitting casting choice. Among our classmates, Suminoe-san exudes elegance second only to Hinako.

As long as she keeps her mouth shut, that is...

Standing in front of such a Suminoe-san was a Hinako who had let all the strength drain from her body, looking as if she were about to melt away—a complete 180 from just moments ago.

"'I've had enough... I'm tired. I don't want to go anywhere.'"

I could feel the classmates collectively holding their breath.

There was an overwhelming temperature difference compared to her acting just before. Her voice, her movements, her aura—she was like a completely different person. This tremendous gap will undoubtedly captivate the eyes of the audience.

Hinako hid her mouth as she yawned, looking out the window.

"'Is the right to lie around and live reserved only for old men? If so, I am an old man. Because this heart wants to sleep so very much. A deep sleep from which it will never wake.'"

"'Ophelia, let's go outside. There are many things I want to discuss with you.'"

"'No... I'm going to sleep now. Rather than standing up and walking forward, I'd be much happier just eating food every day like a bird in a cage. ...Goodnight. Don't wake me up...'"

Hinako lay down on her side right there, performing the act of sleeping while mumbling softly.

Suminoe-san let out a small breath. The practice seemed to be over.

"Perfect... It's too perfect of a performance!!"

"She's the reincarnation of Audrey Hepburn!!"

The classmates were deeply moved by Hinako's acting.

I applauded along with everyone else for the time being, but...

(...She's literally just reverting to her true self, though.)

She's using phrasing appropriate for the setting's worldview, but her attitude is almost entirely unchanged from when she's at the estate. I bet the contents of her lines are entirely her true feelings, too.

"When I sent the video to the scriptwriter, I got an immediate response. They said it's perfect!"

When Kita said that with a laptop in one hand, cheers of "Ooh!!" erupted throughout the classroom.

It looks like Kita shifted to a behind-the-scenes role. His family runs an IT company and he himself is well-versed in technology, so he probably chose that role himself. Since Hamlet doesn't have that many characters, they can allocate more people behind the scenes to carefully craft the play.

Having received the professional scriptwriter's seal of approval calling it "perfect," the classmates were extremely hyped up. However...

"...Perfect."

Only the person in question, Hinako, had a somewhat conflicted expression.

The acting she had been practicing went well. I thought Hinako would be genuinely happy just this once, but... as I suspected, it seemed she was harboring some kind of worry.

◆

"The young lady has been acting strangely, you say?"

"That's right."

A sharp squeak echoed out.

Firmly stepping on the tatami with my bare feet, I lunged to grab Shizune-san's collar. However, having read my movements, Shizune-san retreated by the exact length of my arm and dodged.

"Come to think of it, she occasionally seemed lost in thought when she was with me as well."

Shizune-san reached for my elbow... but this was a feint. The real target was my other arm near my waist. As expected, the moment I dodged the hand aimed at my elbow, Shizune-san tried to grab my belt with her other hand.

Because the movement was exactly as I predicted, I swept her arm away.

"Since when?"

"Since this morning."

The one who broke the deadlock was Shizune-san.

Since she closed the distance in a straight line, I lightly extended both hands forward to keep her in check and prevent her from getting into my guard. In that instant, Shizune-san powerfully grabbed both of my wrists.

It seems she baited me into sticking my arms out, but――.

"Alley-oop."

"Oh my."

Before Shizune-san could twist my arms and throw me, I stepped forward and closed in on her. At this close range, neither throws nor joint locks are possible.

"I thought that one would go through."

"It was one of the techniques I was on guard against."

Since this deadlock looked like it would last a while, we broke away to reset.

Once we put some distance between us, I let out a small breath, Phew.... It had been a while since Shizune-san invited me to a self-defense lesson. I was worried I had gotten rusty, but it seemed I was fine.

Part of the reason I accepted the invitation was that I wanted to break a sweat for a change, but mostly, I wanted to consult her about Hinako. However, it seems Shizune-san doesn't have any clues either.

"I will keep a close eye on the young lady as well."

"Thank you."

I thought perhaps she had a worry that was hard to tell me, but it seems she's keeping quiet around Shizune-san too.

Maybe it's all just my misunderstanding, but... I still can't shake the feeling that my caretaker instincts are kicking in.

"Changing the subject, how did your classmates react after you returned to your normal tone?"

Shizune-san asked while straightening the collar of her disheveled uniform.

"No problems at all. But I feel like it's only allowed because of how things are now."

"It's a relief to see it hasn't gone to your head."

Shizune-san peeled a strand of hair stuck to her sweaty cheek with her finger.

"It is the destiny of a caretaker, but as long as you are by the young lady's side, you will inevitably stand out in a bad way when you first transfer in. On top of that, your title as the heir to a mid-sized company is not exactly a shining beacon at that academy. It would be safe to say you were acknowledged precisely because you produced results in the Management Tournament and the student council election."

I share Shizune-san's opinion.

However, no matter how many times I hear it, I almost want to laugh. At Kiou Academy, the title of 'heir to a mid-sized company' is so common that it actually functions perfectly as camouflage.

"Though, had you not produced results, I doubt there would have been a need to change your tone in the first place."

"...That's true."

"You always had the option to stay under the radar and live quietly. I cannot thank you enough for your attitude in daring to take an active role for the young lady's sake."

"You've already thanked me plenty. I appreciate it."

Shizune-san is strict where she needs to be strict, but she properly praises what deserves to be praised.

And I only realized this recently, but Shizune-san continuously praises what deserves to be praised. Not just recent things, but she occasionally praises me for things in the past, too.

At this rate, if I stay with Shizune-san from now on, won't she just praise me infinitely eventually?

...I kinda want to see that.

I'll work hard so I don't get fired.

We resumed our spar. Once we grappled, the difference in muscle strength between men and women gave me the advantage, so Shizune-san was keeping her distance while observing my moves.

I throw a hand out, it gets swept away.

She throws a hand out, I sweep it away.

An exchange of probing for an opening continues for a while.

"...Are you going to keep it that way in front of me?"

"Eh?"

"Your tone."

My extended hand was swatted away with a smack.

Sensing she was about to step in, I moved clockwise to make it harder for her to grab me.

"I've been speaking naturally with you from the start, Shizune-san. I originally use polite speech with people older than me or my superiors."

"I don't believe our relationship is so superficial that it can be summed up with the words 'older' or 'superior'."

What's this, what's this, what's this?

Why did she suddenly say something so cute????

Shizune-san tried to grab my belt. Close one, I jumped back in the nick of time.

"That's true, but..."

"I believe I spend more time with you than your classmates do."

That's also true.

But it's not really a competition or anything...

"...Are you perhaps a little lonely?"

"..........................No, I am not."

I think it's completely fair to take that pause just now as an affirmation.

Shizune-san isn't the type to show much emotion on her face, but it definitely affected her sparring. Her weight shifting had become sloppy. I could easily break her balance right now.

"Right there."

I grabbed Shizune-san's shoulder and pulled her in. Once her balance was broken, I pushed her face with the inside of my elbow and pushed her down on her back.

Unable to support her body, Shizune-san took a perfect breakfall on the tatami.

"...Iriminage, is it. Beautifully done."

"I'm not great at Aikido, but it works occasionally."

Judo techniques are easier to land~ I thought, as Shizune-san reached her arm out from the floor with a pouty face. That expression probably wasn't because she lost.

I grabbed her outstretched arm and pulled her up to get her back on her feet.

It can't be helped... I feel a bit too intimidated to talk casually to Shizune-san, though.

"How's that? I've gotten stronger too, haven't I?"

"――"

When I spoke to her in the requested casual tone, Shizune-san's face turned bright red.

"E-Even though you're just Itsuki-san..."

Shizune-san hurriedly distanced herself from me.

Her eyes glared at me in frustration.

"Even though you're just Itsuki-san... making me feel this way..."

What exactly was I supposed to do...?

In the end, I decided to keep using polite speech with Shizune-san from now on.

If we're both doing things we aren't used to, it didn't seem like we'd be able to focus on our jobs.

◆

After taking a shower, I headed to my room to see Hinako. ...It's a bit late to mention this, but it's a strange thing that the very first place I go when looking for Hinako is my own room.

The reason I was looking for her was to check on how she was doing, but as her caretaker, I try to stay by her side as much as possible after I finish my daily assignments anyway. For me, having finished both my prep and review for school, looking for Hinako was no longer just a job, but a habit.

On my way to my room, Kagen-san walked from the back of the hallway. Since it looked like we were going to pass each other, I stopped and gave a slight bow.

"Good work, Kagen-san."

"Perfect timing, I was looking for you."

Looking for me?

I wondered what for... but the answer was obvious.

It was about the cultural festival.

"How is the play coming along?"

"No problems so far."

I switched my brain to work mode.

Lately, I've gotten the hang of switching gears like everyone else at the academy. It's probably because I overworked my brain consecutively with the Management Tournament and the student council election. My body is starting to remember the state of being hyper-focused on work. As long as I can recall that state, I can switch my brain at any time.

"The student council is also moving forward with the stage setup preparations. For now, we should be able to maintain the same quality of environment as last year."

"Can you prepare special seating for the audience?"

"Since the Minister is coming this year, we plan to prepare several exclusive seats... but I don't know if we can secure a seat just because someone is the Head of the Konohana Group."

"...Kiou Academy truly is a demonic realm. Usually, just being the Head of the Konohana Group would grant you permission for anything."

I think so too. But if we do that at Kiou Academy, we'd have to prepare premium seats for almost all the guests. Since almost every guest is a VIP, giving preferential treatment would be a never-ending task.

"Takuma-san was involved in the production of the Management Tournament, right? If we use that as a reason, it might be possible――"

"Absolutely not."

A voice laced with irritation cut off my words.

I was surprised by Kagen-san's sudden change in attitude. Kagen-san quickly came back to his senses, and explained while regretting his lack of composure.

"The Head despises Takuma. To the point where he doesn't even want to hear his name."

"...Understood."

When I first became a caretaker, Shizune-san explained it to me. That people harbor doubts about whether Takuma-san is fit to succeed the Konohana Group. Back then, I didn't quite understand the subject of that sentence, but seeing Kagen-san now, I finally understood the full picture.

The one who refuses to acknowledge Takuma-san as the heir is the Head. Rather than Kagen-san, it's the people of the Konohana family above him who despise Takuma-san.

"Are there cafes at the cultural festival?"

"Yes. Cafes are popular, so seven classes are planning to do it. Aside from that, the academy cafe will also be open."

"I want the academy cafe to prepare a specific black tea. A Ceylon Uva blend. It's apparently a special blend, and we usually order it from France."

It's probably the Head's preferred tea leaves.

Kagen-san took out his business card case from his jacket pocket.

"I will give you a business card with the contact information of the intermediary. If necessary, use the name of the Konohana Group..."

Kagen-san choked on his words.

"...No, you may use the name Kagen Konohana."

I silently accepted the offered business card.

I understood the meaning behind his rephrasing just now.

Understanding it made my chest grow hot.

Kagen-san trusts me as an individual enough to let me borrow his personal name. Sensing that made me incredibly happy.

"Understood, I'll use it if necessary."

Kagen-san floated a faintly satisfied smile and walked down the hallway.

The business card I received was written entirely in French. He said it was an intermediary, but it seems they're French as well. Public relations is Narika's domain, but depending on the situation, it might be better to ask someone else.

...I feel like Tennouji-san would be able to speak French normally, for example.

I might want to start studying foreign languages myself.

(I should go see Hinako.)

Remembering my original objective, I started walking down the hallway in the opposite direction of Kagen-san.

When I opened the door to my room, Hinako was sleeping spread-eagle on the bed.

"Nn... Itsuki...?"

"Were you awake?"

"I was sleeping until just now~..."

Looks like it... the covers and everything are a mess.

"Itsuki, can you help me practice the play again...?"

"Sure... you're pretty motivated lately."

Hinako handed me the script she had placed near her pillow.

Hinako has a lazy true nature, but that doesn't mean she likes causing trouble for others. What Hinako truly wishes for from the bottom of her heart is surely everyone's happiness. Including herself in that happiness is probably what's most important to her.

That's why I understand why she feels a sense of responsibility for the play's success, but even so, Hinako seems even more motivated today than usual.

Did something happen to spark her motivation while I was working in the student council room?

Right in front of my eyes, Hinako became Ophelia.

This time, it's the scene after her personality inverts... where she plays the girl who has become lazy.

"'Why don't you all just slack off like me? Eat some sweets, lie down on the bed, let all the strength leave your body, and it's just like this. ..................Zzz.'"

Speaking her lines, Hinako sat on the chair, and finally slumped over the desk.

She looked as if she had completely fallen asleep.

Curious, I approached her, and Hinako's eyes snapped open.

"...How was it?"

"Wow, that surprised me. I thought you actually fell asleep."

"The trick is to go right up to the very moment before falling asleep..."

Hinako looked proud.

Isn't that dangerous...?

What if Hinako is dead asleep on stage during the actual performance...?

"Itsuki."

While I was having delusions of a major incident occurring on stage, Hinako stared at me intently.

"Is my acting... perfect?"

"...? Yeah, I think it's perfect."

To me, Hinako's acting was perfect. At the very least, just as perfect as her usual perfect young lady act.

However, Hinako was deep in thought.

"Hinako, are you worried about something after all?"

"Ngh... It's a bit complicated... so don't worry about it."

She affirmed that she was worried. Narika said my tone might be the cause, but considering the timing of her worrying, nine times out of ten it has to do with her acting in the play.

Perhaps she hasn't analyzed her own worries enough to be able to convey them to someone else yet. That happens to me a lot too, so maybe it's best to leave her alone for now.

I'll let her sleep on it, and if nothing changes, I'll try asking again.

After helping her with play practice a few more times, I got Hinako into the bath, and finally walked her back to her room.

◇

Returning to her room, Hinako immediately lay down on her bed.

To her body, flushed from the bath, the cool sensation of the covers felt wonderful. She had already finished the assignments given by her father, and thanks to Itsuki, she had practiced the play plenty. No one would complain if she just went to sleep now, but Hinako stared blankly at the ceiling without closing her eyes.

(...Itsuki's true self was accepted by everyone.)

What she remembered was the scene she saw at the academy.

Itsuki showed his natural tone to everyone. It was one of the things he had hidden for half a year.

His trust wouldn't crumble just because his tone got a little more casual. Having watched over everything Itsuki had built up right beside him, Hinako could easily imagine that much.

But upon actually witnessing the sight of the classmates accepting Itsuki, Hinako couldn't hold back the question bubbling up in her chest.

(............What would happen if it were me?)

If I showed my true self, would everyone accept me?

The period of time she had been hiding was incomparable to Itsuki's. Long before she enrolled in the academy, Hinako had been acting the perfect young lady. That mask had become so robust, not just to others but to herself as well, that she couldn't even imagine a future where she threw it away.

And yet, lately, the opportunity to cast aside that mask had presented itself.

When she was acting as Ophelia.

(I've always thought I had to become the perfect young lady, and acted the part. ...But now, my normal self is being called perfect...)

She recalled practicing the play in the classroom after school today.

Toward Hinako, who had acted out a lazy Ophelia, her classmates praised her as "perfect." The professional scriptwriter on the video call had also commended her as "perfect."

I just showed my true self, and yet...

Perfect. Just how hard had she worked up until now to receive those two words?

She had desperately acted the young lady, to the point of running a fever. She thought 'perfect' was the reward for that. But now, even when showing her true self, 'perfect' just falls right into her lap. It simply comes to her.

What was I supposed to be doing again?

(Hmm... I don't really get it anymore...)

She was confused. When she finally took off the mask she had been strictly told over and over never to remove, nothing changed. Was she hoping something would happen? Not exactly. It should be a situation to feel relieved about, yet her chest was buzzing with unease.

(Which one... is the perfect young lady to everyone?)

Where exactly is my "perfect"?

She felt exactly like a lost child.

Just then, the smartphone she had placed on her bedside table notified her of an incoming call. It's rare to get a call at this hour. Surprised, she answered the phone.

On the screen, a friend's name was displayed.

"Hirano-san?"

"Ah, you answered. Is now a good time?"

"It is, but..."

What could she want at this hour?

She answered the phone thinking it might be urgent, but Yuri didn't sound like it.

"I just wanted to ask what manga I should lend you next. I've been giving you the same genre lately, right? I figured you might want to read something else for a change."

It was a trivial conversation.

Thinking about it, it was still early for bed, and normal people probably had these kinds of trivial conversations over the phone all the time.

Is this phone call appropriate for a perfect young lady? She wondered out of habit. But right now, the value of that habit was wavering inside her. The sun had set, she had cleansed her body, and she should be healing in tranquil peace—chatting excitedly on the phone with a friend at this hour might not be very perfect-young-lady-like. But right now, those values as a young lady felt somehow distant.

"A manga I want... let me see..."

It's true she felt like she had borrowed several manga of the same genre lately.

Originally, the reason she borrowed manga was to get her dense caretaker to notice her, and to confront her own feelings toward that dense caretaker.

She wanted to continue reading shoujo manga for research purposes, but right now, she had emotions she couldn't handle entirely separate from romance. She wanted to know more about the acting that had left her so confused.

"Are there any manga related to acting?"

"Acting? There are a few, but you've gotten awfully specific all of a sudden."

"Actually, I'm currently practicing for a play to be performed at the cultural festival. I thought it might serve as a reference."

"Wow! You're gonna be in a play, Konohana-san!"

Far from just being in it, she was the lead, but she hesitated to say that herself.

"That makes me look forward to the cultural festival even more."

"Yes, I will be waiting for you."

"I'll bring the manga with me when I go to your house. I'll send you the titles in a message, so if you want to use them for reference right away, go check out the previews online."

After the call ended, Yuri immediately sent her a list of the manga she planned to lend her via message. Hinako felt a sense of kindness in it—a desire to help even a little with Hinako's request to use them for play practice. Hard workers pay respect to the hard work of others. That was something she understood very well just by looking at Itsuki.

Setting that aside...

(Previews...?)

It was a word she had never heard before. Sitting at her desk, she looked up previews on her laptop. Understanding the meaning, Hinako searched for the titles of the manga she was going to borrow and viewed their official pages.

It seemed she could proceed to a purchase page from here as well... but she had a friend who was going to lend them to her. Sometimes, accepting someone's goodwill is a form of courtesy. Not as a young lady, but as a friend.

She promptly tried reading a preview.

Just as Hinako requested, the manga was themed around theater. The protagonist was a girl aspiring to be an actress. She possessed outstanding acting talent, and the first chapter ended with a scene where she showed off that talent to a director. From here, the girl would likely engage in friendly rivalry with her peers and climb the stairs toward becoming an actress.

Taking her eyes off the monitor, she let out a breath. She felt like she had obtained the knowledge she was seeking.

Acting has value.

Acting is by no means a bad thing.

That might be why her father demanded that Hinako act.

Because it becomes value for the Konohana family.

(...Huh? But right now, I'm required to not act at the academy...)

Her father tolerates that as well. Because the success of the play is the top priority.

Is my current self worthless?

...No, that's not true. Her father wouldn't allow that.

What she is showing everyone at the academy right now is an act of not acting.

Up until now, she had always been acting at the academy, but right now, only during play practice, she is doing an act of her non-acting self...

For everyone's sake, right now she is doing an act of Ophelia using an act of not acting...

(..................?????????)

She was starting to not understand anything anymore.

Whatever, let's just go to sleep. She got into bed. Sleep resolves everything. All she had to do was roll up her tangled thoughts and toss them into the abyss of oblivion.

Closing her eyes, drowsiness immediately enveloped her body. She liked this constitution of hers that allowed her to fall asleep easily.

However, even this brain that normally sank into a deep sleep right away had a dream today. It must be because she was pondering such complicated things right before falling asleep.

In her dream, Hinako was attending the academy.

She overslept in the morning, and she slept through her classes. Hinako showed her lazy self at the academy. But all her classmates accepted her, saying, "I feel less of a wall this way," and "It's perfect!!"

Returning to the estate, Hinako immediately went back to her room and silently completed the assignments given by her father. Her table manners were a perfect 100 out of 100. Her father and Shizune praised her, saying, "As expected," and "It's perfect."

When she's at the academy, she can slack off, and when she's at the estate, she has to be diligent...

...Wait? Was it supposed to be like this?

Which one is the real me again?

...Well whatever.

Even in my dreams, I don't want to think about difficult things.

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