Prologue
Only about ten days of summer vacation remained.
For an ordinary student, this would be the time to feel a creeping sense of lethargy as the long break neared its end, but honestly, I didn’t have the luxury for that. I was already pushing my limits just to attend the prestigious Kiou Academy, the hallowed halls of the elite, so as summer vacation wound down, a familiar tension began to stir within me. Have I done all my homework properly? Am I letting my guard down? The self-questioning was piling up.
That said, a part of me was actually looking forward to the academy reopening.
I wanted to become someone who could stand naturally by Hinako’s side… That was my goal, and what spurred me on was an incident during summer classes.
In the summer course exams, I managed to score high marks.
That moment was pure bliss. Little by little, my efforts were yielding undeniably fruitful results.
“…Alright!”
So, today, I was once again preparing for the academy’s reopening with study and review.
There were still plenty of subjects to tackle, but what I really needed to tighten up on was etiquette. Having been away from Kiou Academy for a while, there was a chance my casual habits had slipped back to old ways. I opened the notebook I used when I first became a caretaker and began reviewing the table manners Shizune-san had taught me from the ground up.
(Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about my old life as a commoner…)
Reuniting with Yuri during summer classes had me recalling my past more often, those fleeting moments of my former life popping up unexpectedly. I figured a bit of nostalgia was harmless, but if it caused me to forget my manners, it could inconvenience Hinako and the others. I had to be careful…
Just then, my smartphone buzzed on the desk.
The app notified me of a new message.
Yuri: Summer break’s not over yet, right? Wanna come over for some food?
In short, it was an invitation to “hang out one last time.”
Since summer classes ended, Yuri and I have exchanged messages like this a few times. Apparently, her dad wanted to see me too, so dropping by didn’t sound like a bad idea. Once summer break was over, we’d both get busy again, so now was probably the best time to visit her place.
“Hinako.”
“Mmm…?”
Hinako’s voice drifted from the bed behind me.
Looks like she’s already up.
“Yuri’s asking if we wanna stop by her place before summer break ends.”
“I’m in.”
My eyes widened at Hinako’s instantaneous reply.
“That was quick. You’re not usually big on going out, are you?”
“Because I’m with you, Izuki.”
Hinako said this as she slowly sat up.
“And…”
She started to say something but clamped her mouth shut.
I tilted my head, waiting for her to continue, and she finally spoke again.
“Did you use to go to Hirano-san’s house a lot back then…?”
“Yeah, I guess. After work or when she invited me, I’d usually swing by.”
It was less “going to her house” and more “stopping by her family’s shop,” but still.
“…Then, I’m going.”
Hinako gave a slight nod.
Seeing her oddly solemn expression, I couldn’t help but feel puzzled.
I didn’t know why, but—lately, Hinako had been fixating on my past.
She’d started asking things like, “What did you do back then?” or “Did you use to do stuff like this before?” It wasn’t like her to pry like that before, but it started around the time of the summer courses. Whenever I subtly asked why, she’d dodge the question, leaving me clueless about what was going on.
For now, I replied to Yuri that I’d be coming with “Konohana-san.”
“Muuu…”
Hinako let out a low grumble as she rolled around on the bed.
After a bit, she got up and came over to me.
“…Izuki, lend me your dictionary.”
“Dictionary? Is the electronic one okay?”
“Mhm.”
Hinako nodded.
I pulled the black electronic dictionary I’d just put away from the desk drawer and handed it to her.
Taking it, Hinako sat on the bed and started looking something up.
A few minutes later, she came back to me.
“…Thanks.”
“You’re done already?”
“Mhm… I didn’t really get it.”
Hinako said, looking troubled.
I was curious about what she wanted to know, but her not telling me probably meant she didn’t want me to know.
This was another thing about Hinako that had been on my mind lately.
Every now and then, she’d show this contemplative side.
She had worries before, but she usually confided in me or Shizune-san. This time, though, she wasn’t talking to anyone, just grappling with it alone…
While inwardly concerned for Hinako, I resumed studying.
I opened the electronic dictionary to look up “viande.” I’d just checked it earlier but forgot again. When I glanced at the search history—
(…Oh, this is Hinako’s history.)
I accidentally saw what Hinako had looked up.
(Suki… suki… suki…? What’s she researching?)
In the end, even seeing her search history didn’t clue me in on her worries.
Recalling that “viande” was French for meat dishes, I continued my studies.
◆
At the dining hall.
While having dinner with Hinako, Shizune-san called out to me from behind.
“Izuki-san, have you reviewed your etiquette?”
“Huh? Oh, yes.”
“I was about to point out that your manners were getting a bit sloppy, but it seems my worries were unfounded.”
That was close…
A cold sweat trickled down, but at the same time, I felt a tiny spark of happiness. It seemed I’d been able to assess myself objectively after all.
“Ojou-sama, I have a message for you.”
Shizune-san spoke to Hinako, who was chewing on cod meunière.
“Takuma-sama will be staying at this mansion for a while.”
“Ughhh…”
Hinako’s face twisted into an openly disgusted expression.
That reaction was a bit unusual. Hinako often seemed languid in the mornings or when attending social events, but I’d never seen her show such aversion to a specific person.
“Takuma…san, that’s your older brother, right?”
“Yes.”
Unsure how to address him, I settled on adding “-san” for now.
Glancing at Hinako, she still looked thoroughly displeased.
“Why’s he coming here…?”
“It’s for work. He plans to stay for about a week starting tomorrow.”
“Ugh…”
Hinako furrowed her brow.
“Is he, like, someone you don’t get along with? Your brother, I mean.”
“I hate him.”
It went beyond not getting along.
“That guy… only ever thinks about himself.”
Hinako let out a heavy sigh as she spoke.
I’d always thought Hinako was the type to lead others around, but maybe Takuma-san was the kind of person who could even throw someone like her off balance.
“Ojou-sama, what would you like to do?”
“…Evacuate.”
“Understood.”
Shizune-san nodded.
Evacuate? What did that mean?
As I tilted my head, Shizune-san explained.
“This has happened several times before. Whenever Takuma-sama visits, Ojou-sama temporarily stays elsewhere.”
“…That’s thorough.”
Did she dislike him that much?
“Just so we’re clear, Izuki-san, you’re coming along.”
I’d expected as much, so I nodded with a “Yes.”
Being left alone in this mansion… would be beyond awkward.
“Where shall we evacuate to this time?”
“Somewhere cool… anywhere’s fine…”
“We’ve already been to Karuizawa, so another summer retreat might be…”
Hokkaido, or perhaps overseas… Shizune-san began considering destinations.
Watching her, I remembered my promise to Yuri.
“Um, if possible—and only if it’s doable—would it be tough to go near where I used to live? I made plans to meet Yuri with Hinako soon, so…”
Of course, I was ready to rework the schedule if it was too difficult.
Shizune-san’s face turned serious. I figured it might be a stretch, but then—
“…What about Izuki’s house?”
An unexpected suggestion came from a surprising source.
“Mine?”
“Mhm. I want to visit the house you used to live in.”
Was that… even possible?
If I remember right, we’d lost ownership of that house because we couldn’t pay the rent. But having witnessed Ojou-sama’s power to make the impossible possible time and again, I had a gut feeling this might somehow work out.
“Let me check.”
As expected, Shizune-san seemed to have a way to make it happen.
She took out her smartphone and made a call.
After a few minutes, she hung up.
“It’s possible.”
“It’s actually possible?”
“That house was originally handled by Konohana Real Estate. I just confirmed, and it’s currently unoccupied, so we can rent it for a while.”
Apparently, I’d been living in the palm of the Konohana Group’s hand even before meeting Hinako.
“However, Ojou-sama, with all due respect to Izuki-san, that house isn’t exactly what I’d call comfortable for you.”
I couldn’t argue with that.
Naturally, my old house wasn’t as spacious as this mansion, nor was it furnished with anything fancy. There was no beautiful garden, and with a road right in front, it wasn’t exactly quiet either.
“That’s fine.”
Hinako said, turning to look at me.
“I want to experience how Izuki used to live.”
Hinako seemed utterly fascinated by the idea of a commoner’s life.
Or was it just my imagination?
For some reason, Hinako’s expression felt tinged with a sense of duty.
Almost as if she had to know about my past life…
“Understood. I’ll make the arrangements immediately.”
Shizune-san picked up her smartphone again.
“Um, what about security? When Hinako and I first met, she almost got kidnapped around there, so…”
“No need to worry. We won’t repeat that mistake. I’ll arrange for round-the-clock security in the area.”
A fierce determination burned in Shizune-san’s eyes.
She must still deeply regret what happened that day.
Looking at her now, I was convinced such an incident would never happen again.
“Besides, you’re not the same person you were back then, are you?”
Shizune-san fixed me with a steady gaze.
“If it comes down to it, you’ll protect Ojou-sama, won’t you?”
“…Yes!”
That’s right.
I was her caretaker now.
Whether it was kidnappers or Hinako’s brother Takuma-san, my job remained the same. To stand by Hinako’s side and protect her—that was my duty.
