Chapter 1: The Day My Parents Ran Off in the Night, I Was Kidnapped

“Take care of yourself.”

I never thought I’d hear such a line from my own parents. Maybe they’d been influenced by some hard-boiled Western movie or manga, but that’s what my dad and mom said as they left our shabby apartment with a rent of twenty thousand yen. It was ten o’clock at night. Maybe they were just going to an izakaya? Well, I figured they’d be back by midnight… At least, that’s what I thought at the time.

But even after days passed, my parents never came back to the apartment. Apparently, I’d been abandoned.

“No way…”

Or rather, instead of being abandoned, it seemed my parents had run away in the night. Our family finances had always been a mess, mostly because of Dad’s drinking and Mom’s gambling. People around us knew about their reputation too, so the neighbors apparently witnessed my parents running off in a panic. I only understood what had happened when they told me how my parents had rushed away somewhere.

“…Wait, but I have my high school opening ceremony tomorrow.”

Looking back, it’s a miracle I was able to go to high school at all. While taking care of my parents, I worked part-time every day to pay for tuition, and somehow managed to enter my second year… or so I thought. But now, who knows. What about rent? Utilities? Food? Until now, I’d basically been supporting us, but at least my parents covered a little bit of those bills. There’s no way I can suddenly take on everything myself.

…Guess I’ll go buy lunch.

I give up thinking. The clock showed 4 p.m. I hadn’t eaten a thing since this morning. After searching the whole apartment, I found I only had the two hundred yen that just happened to be in my wallet.

Should I go to the police? Or maybe ask my friends at school for help? No, I’d just be bothering them.

Basking in the bright sunlight just made my mood even worse. As I walked through the familiar streets, I heard voices from somewhere.

“Hehe.”

“Oh my, is that so?”

What an awfully refined way to respond.

Looking over, I saw two girls in neat school uniforms walking up a gentle slope.

I’d heard about it before—up at the top of that slope was one of the top three elite schools in the country. Not your average prep school; to put it bluntly, it was a rich kids’ school. Only sons and daughters of the wealthy—Ojou-samas and young masters—attended that school. The academic level was extremely high, the facilities were luxurious, and the classes were serious business, not what you’d expect of a high school. They supposedly lived a refined life in all sorts of ways. My own school’s opening ceremony was tomorrow, but it seemed like their school had already started. Maybe elite schools have shorter breaks.

“I really do live in a different world… Not even funny.”

Even the way they walked was different. Their upbringing was obvious. I didn’t even feel jealous at this point.

But it was rare to see students from that school walking around here. It was after school now, but I’d heard the students at that school usually got driven home by car. It was unusual to see them just out and about.

“…Hm?”

On my way to the convenience store, I noticed something like a card holder on the ground. I picked it up and checked inside. —It was a student ID.

It seemed one of the two girls I’d just seen had dropped it.

“Konohana Hinako, huh… Wait, now’s not the time to check the name.”

The owner was right in front of me. No need to check her name or address.

I jogged over and easily caught up. Maybe she’d split up with her friend already, because she was walking alone now.

“Um, excuse me!”

I called out, and the girl turned around. Her bright amber hair fluttered, and in the sunlight I could see her perfectly-shaped profile. Is this what they call a beautiful woman seen from behind? As I got distracted by how pretty she looked—

“—Huh?”

Suddenly, a black car stopped right next to the girl. The car door opened and two burly men stepped out.

Before I knew it, they’d dragged the girl into the car.

—What’s going on?

No, it’s obvious what’s happening. I was just shocked because this kind of thing only happens in manga or TV dramas…

This is no time to be shocked. Right in front of my eyes—a kidnapping was happening.

“Hey, wait!!”

Not willing to just ignore it, I ended up shouting.

“Who the hell are you!?”

“You know this girl!?”

The two men—presumably the kidnappers—yelled at me.

Unluckily, there was nobody else around. So my shout just made these two more agitated.

“Shit, we can’t let any witnesses get away! You’re coming too!”

“Whoa—!?”

One of them grabbed my arm and dragged me into the car too. And just like that, I was kidnapped along with the girl.

“Alright, now you can’t move. You two, stay put.”

The smaller of the two kidnappers said this.

We were now deep inside an abandoned factory. Apparently, this kidnapping was pretty well-planned—they had handcuffs and shackles ready for both me and the girl. On top of that, the handcuffs on me and the girl were linked with a thick chain.

“…Um, I don’t think my parents could pay any ransom, you know?”

“Shut up. You’re just an extra.”

The kidnapper spat the words out.

I sighed. My parents ran away, and now I’d been dragged into a kidnapping… Did I do something terrible in a past life or what? My spirit was crushed. Either way, my future was bleak. No matter how this kidnapping ends, there’s nothing waiting for me.

“You lucked out, boss. This one’s the Konohana family’s Ojou-sama. She’s the jackpot among our targets, right?”

“Yeah… The Konohana family is one of the richest among the students at Kiou Academy. We can squeeze a hefty ransom out of them.”

The two kidnappers grinned wickedly as they talked.

Listening to them, I glanced at the girl handcuffed beside me.

It wouldn’t be surprising if she was kidnapped for more than just ransom. She was that pretty. Her eyes were big and innocent, but you could see intelligence behind them; she looked both cute and clever. Her straight nose gave a sense of dignity, and her slightly moist red lips were adorable. Her bright amber hair was as silky as it looked, her skin white as first snow and incredibly smooth. Her arms and legs were slender and long.

“…Hey.”

The girl spoke up.

Somehow… her attitude was different from when I saw her in town. Back then she gave off a typical Ojou-sama aura, but now she seemed tired and gloomy.

Well, of course—she was kidnapped, after all. There’s no way she could act normal. This Ojou-sama from an elite school had her future set, unlike me. So she must be way more scared than I am.

Even if I had no future, maybe I could at least comfort the girl in front of me. I tried my best to find the right words and cheer her up.

“D-Don’t worry. Kidnappings for ransom hardly ever succeed anyway—”

“Toilet.”

“And Japan’s police are top-notch, so if we just wait—…Huh?”

Did I mishear her? I feel like I just heard something really out-of-place right now.

“Toilet. I’m about to leak.”

The girl stated her urge with absolute clarity.

Even an Ojou-sama needs to go to the bathroom. That’s only human. But did she really have to say it now? And so calmly.

“What should I do?”

“Uh, well, even if you ask me…”

“I’m about to leak.”

Her tone was so matter-of-fact it was hard to tell, but she was probably in trouble.

Feeling a bit awkward, I called out to the smaller man.

“Uh, excuse me! The Ojou-sama here, she’s saying something!”

“…Huh?”

The kidnapper tilted his head. The girl, unfazed, spoke to the two men.

“Toilet.”

“…What?”

“I’m about to leak.”

Even the kidnappers were taken aback by this unexpected reaction, staring at her in disbelief.

This girl wasn’t afraid at all.

“If you’re gonna wet yourself, go ahead. It’d be a pain if you moved around.”

One of the kidnappers said irritably.

But the girl responded to that without any sign of panic.

“Is that okay?”

Such pure eyes. She didn’t seem to mind at all about wetting herself. Even a stray cat would look more apologetic doing that.

“I—I don’t think that’s a good idea. If you can hold it, please do. …For my sake too.”

Stepping in for the frozen kidnappers, I pointed out. Since I was chained to the Ojou-sama, I couldn’t get very far away. If she wet herself, I’d be a victim too.

“…Take her.”

The taller of the two kidnappers said.

“But, boss—”

“We don’t know how long we’ll be holed up. Don’t want things getting gross.”

At the boss’s words, the other reluctantly scratched his head and approached the girl.

“Tch… but I’m not taking off the chain.”

The kidnapper unlocked our ankle restraints.

Since I was chained to her, I went to the bathroom with her. The girl went into a stall right in front of us, not looking embarrassed at all.

After a bit, she came out, awkwardly washed her hands, then looked at me and the kidnappers.

“All done.”

“You didn’t need to report that,” we both blurted out in unison.

That strange fatigue hit me as we were led back and chained up again.

“Hey.”

The girl called out to the kidnappers again.

“What is it now?”

“Tea.”

Are you invincible or what? Even the kidnappers were dumbfounded.

“B-Boss… is she really the Konohana family’s daughter? She doesn’t seem like it…”

“Y-Yeah… Or maybe it’s a different person? No, that can’t be…”

Looking troubled, the boss stepped closer to the girl.

“Hey. You really are the Konohana family’s only daughter, right?”

“Yes. But, what about tea?”

She’s way too chill. Even the kidnappers are at a loss for words.

“Well, whatever. I’ll get you a drink. Can’t have you dying on us… but you’d better cooperate.”

With that, the kidnapper set a plastic bottle by the girl.

But it was mineral water.

“I said I wanted tea.”

“What!? D-Don’t get picky! Water’s good enough!”

“I want tea. And snacks, too.”

When she said that, a vein bulged on the man’s forehead.

“Hey! You, boy! You take care of her!”

“Why me!?”

“We’re busy over here!”

The kidnapper shouted.

There wasn’t much I could do tied up, but I nodded reluctantly.

“Hey. What about snacks?”

“…Doesn’t look like they have any.”

“…I see.”

The girl took the bottle, looking dissatisfied.

After a moment, I heard a dripping sound from her direction.

I looked back to see the girl soaking wet.

“Whoa!? H-How’d you get so wet…?”

“…No idea.”

She tilted her head and tried to drink from the bottle again, but since her lips were too far from the mouth, the water poured over her face and onto her clothes.

“No, it’s spilling!”

“I’m not used to bottles.”

This isn’t about being used to bottles or not… Are all Ojou-samas like this? She’s way too laid back… She’s supposed to be kidnapped, but she doesn’t look scared at all.

“…Give me the bottle, I’ll help you drink.”

“…You won’t take it?”

“I’m not taking it! Geez!”

I raised my voice, and the kidnappers glanced over.

Crap, did I just make them mad…? But instead, they just looked at me with pity. Don’t give me that look. You’re the ones who dragged me into this.

“…The floor’s wet now, let’s move a bit.”

“Okay.”

The girl stood up and moved with me.

But then, she tripped over nothing and fell.

“…Ouch.”

She looked up at me with teary eyes. Her forehead was red from hitting the floor. She was hopelessly clumsy.

“B-Boss… wasn’t the Konohana family’s Ojou-sama supposed to be a perfect Ojou-sama? I don’t think she’d be this clumsy…”

“No, but she looks just like her. I’ve never heard about her having a sister…”

The kidnappers whispered to each other.

The girl, meanwhile, was rubbing her forehead, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.

“Ouch…”

“…Let me see.”

She looked so sad I couldn’t help but check her injury.

“It’s more scraped than bumped. If you touch it, you might get germs in it, so try not to.”

“…Okay.”

She lowered her hand and nodded.

“By the way… why are you here?”

The girl asked so nonchalantly.

“…I was just trying to return the student ID you dropped. And then the kidnappers showed up and took me too.”

“I see.”

The girl nodded in understanding.

“What about my student ID?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, I’ve got it right here.”

I took the student ID out of my pocket and handed it to her. She took it and fiddled with it awkwardly. Looking closely, I noticed a strange bump on the bottom right corner, almost like a tiny button was embedded there.

She pressed the bump with her fingernail.

“That should bring help right away.”

With that, she sighed, “Phew.”

“I’m going to sleep.”

She lay down beside me on the floor. But even as she lay there, she just kept staring at me.

“I’m going to sleep.”

“…Then just sleep?”

“Pillow.”

I was about to say, “There’s no way there’s a pillow here,” when she silently patted my knee. …Did she want to use my lap as a pillow?

Having such a beautiful girl ask this, I felt my heart skip a beat, but remembering how clumsy she was earlier helped me keep it together. The kidnappers had even told me to look after her, so I sighed and offered my lap.

“Mmm… just the right height,” she murmured contentedly.

“A lullaby.”

“…Sorry, I don’t have any in my repertoire.”

“Then tell me something funny.”

Talk about unreasonable demands. But her boldness was enough to blow away the gloomy mood. Normally, anyone would be scared and crying, but thanks to this girl, I could keep calm.

“So, the other day when I was on the train with a friend—”

It wasn’t that funny a story, but she listened quietly. After a few minutes, I heard gentle breathing from my lap.

She fell asleep so easily.

“…You’re drooling way too much.”

I wiped the drool from her mouth with the hem of my shirt.

“…Mm.”

“Ah, sorry. Did I wake you?”

“It’s fine.”

She answered as she shifted.

“My hair’s getting greasy.”

“If you tie it up high, it’ll help. Turn around a sec.”

“Okay.”

I tied her hair up in a high ponytail.

“You’re pretty good at this, huh?”

“Well… I used to do my mom’s hair a lot.”

“Hmm.”

My mom used to work at a hostess club for a while, and I’d help her get ready for work. Not exactly a fond memory.

Then, one of the kidnappers kicked a piece of wood nearby. A sudden loud noise made me jump.

“—Enough already! If you keep dragging this out, I’ll smack your daughter!!”

The kidnapper was shouting into his smartphone, furious.

“…Don’t say stuff to provoke the kidnappers anymore, okay?” I looked at the girl as I said this.

“Don’t worry. If it comes down to it, I can at least be a shield for you.”

Even with nothing to look forward to, I could at least help someone else. Even if it was just self-satisfaction, I felt a bit of relief as I told her.

“…Why would you do that for me?”

“Who knows.”

I wasn’t about to start telling her my life story. She gave me a curious look, and I did my best to smile gently.

“…You’re a good person,” she said.

“I feel comfortable around you. You smell like a futon that’s just been aired out.”

Doesn’t that mean I smell like dead dust mites…? Not exactly a compliment I wanted to hear…

“I’ve had a lot of caretakers, but they’re all so stiff.”

“…I see.”

“But you treat me so casually, so I can relax too. I’m happy.”

She smiled shyly, and I was momentarily captivated.

“What’s your name?”

“…Tomonari Izuki.”

“I see. I’m Konohana Hinako.”

She stated it simply.

“From now on, you’ll be my—”

Just as she started to say something, a small can came flying through a broken window of the abandoned factory. With a clatter, the can hit the floor and the next moment, it spewed white smoke.

“GO, GO, GO!!”

A loud shout echoed from the first floor of the factory. At the same time, countless footsteps could be heard from all directions.

“Shit!? I can’t see a thing!!”

“When did they get so close—gah!?”

Men who looked like police officers appeared out of nowhere and took the two kidnappers down in a flash. They quickly approached me and the girl—

“Don’t move!!”

“…Huh?”

But they were clearly treating me as a threat.

“W-Wait! I’m a victim—”

“Shut up! Stay still!”

“Ugh!?”

They forced my head down and slammed me to the floor.

“Shizune-sama! We’ve neutralized the third one!”

“There were only supposed to be two perpetrators… Did the scout team get it wrong?”

As the smoke cleared, a woman appeared with perfectly measured steps. She had long black hair that reached her waist, worn loose, and was dressed in a frilly black-and-white outfit—basically, a maid uniform.

“Ojou-sama, are you unharmed?”

“Yeah.”

The maid approached the girl lying on the floor and removed her cuffs and shackles. Despite all the commotion, the girl wasn’t fazed at all. She yawned, as if just waking up from a nap.

“Sorry we were late rescuing you. But… I’ve told you over and over, you have to notify us before you go out.”

“It was too much trouble.”

“That’s exactly why things like this happen… Good grief.”

The maid sighed.

“Shizune. He’s not a kidnapper.”

“…Is that so?”

The girl pointed at me as she spoke, and the maid looked surprised. She slowly removed my restraints.

“Ow…”

“My apologies. I thought you were one of the criminals.”

“I was handcuffed! How could I be a kidnapper…?”

“There are times when criminal groups fall out with each other. In long-term crimes like kidnappings, it happens more often than you’d think.”

…Well, she had a point. Unable to argue, I shut my mouth.

“We’ll leave the clean-up to them. Let’s go home. You, come with us.”

Looks like they’d show me out. I nodded silently. But the girl didn’t stand up, just looked at me with those blank eyes.

“Hey, Shizune.”

She pointed at me and said, “I want this person.”

“Understood. I’ll make the arrangements right away.”

The maid bowed deeply.

“…Huh?”

Arrangements for what?

“Wake me up when we get there.”

“Understood.”

After being led to the black car, the girl fell asleep almost immediately. The girl took the very back seat, then I got in next, and finally the maid sat beside us and closed the door.

I buckled the seatbelt for the girl, who had already dozed off, then fastened my own. Suddenly, I felt someone’s gaze and turned to see the maid watching me. She murmured quietly, “I see, so this is what she likes,” as she buckled her own seatbelt.

“Um… where exactly are you taking me?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

Just as she replied, a small vibration sounded. The maid took out her smartphone from her pocket and held it to her ear. After talking for about a minute, she quietly put the phone away.

“Your background check is complete.”

“…Huh?”

“Tomonari Izuki, sixteen years old. Male student at Ryūgū High School. No siblings, both parents are alive. …You should be commended for working to pay your own tuition out of consideration for your poor household. But five days ago, your parents ran off in the night and took all the family’s money, leaving you in a critical situation.”

“H-How do you know all that?”

“Don’t underestimate the Konohana family’s network. This much is simple for us.”

The maid said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Incidentally, you were supposed to start your second year of high school tomorrow, but… you won’t be attending that school anymore.”

“…Huh?”

“Your tuition hasn’t been paid. It seems your parents planned to run off at this exact time from the start. The tuition you worked so hard to earn has probably already been taken.”

“N-No way…”

“It looks like the rent and utilities have been overdue for quite a while, too. You’ll be losing that place soon as well.”

So my home was in that bad of shape…

“Therefore, we have a proposal for you.”

The maid said this to me as I slumped in despair.

“How would you like to work for Ojou-sama?”

“…Excuse me?”

The suggestion was so far out of left field that I tilted my head in confusion.

“Uh, I’m not really sure what you mean…”

“Let me explain step by step, then.”

The maid, looking as if she were carefully choosing her words, began to speak.

“You’ve heard of the Konohana Group, haven’t you?”

“…Yes.”

“I thought so. You have an account with Konohana Bank, after all.”

Oh, that’s right. My part-time wages went into an account I opened at Konohana Bank. They probably checked my personal info through that account for the background check.

“The Konohana Group is a major conglomerate that owns not only a city bank, but also big trading companies, heavy industries, real estate developers, insurance companies, and more. Their total assets are around 300 trillion yen, and their influence extends overseas as well.”

The maid explained, not missing a beat.

“And the one sleeping beside you is the Konohana Group’s heiress, Konohana Hinako-sama. I am one of the maids who serves Ojou-sama.”

So the girl sleeping next to me was an unimaginably high-class Ojou-sama. I knew she wasn’t an ordinary person, but she might actually be the richest ojou-sama in the entire country, not just the town.

“What we’re offering you is a job like mine.”

“So… you want me to be a maid…?”

“Not a maid. A butler, of course.”

Ah, yeah, that makes sense. I’d gotten so swept up in this huge story, I was totally confused.

“Strictly speaking, not exactly a butler, but something similar. What we want is for you to be Ojou-sama’s caretaker from now on. Do you accept?”

“Accept or not… Are you sure you want someone like me? I’m just a regular student…”

“Normally, you’d need proper training for this job… but Ojou-sama requested you herself, so we’re making an exception. She seems to have taken quite a liking to you.”

Saying this, the maid glanced at the girl sleeping next to me. She looked completely at ease, drooling in her sleep.

“Mmm…mm.”

“H-Hey… Don’t cling to me like that…”

The girl turned over in her sleep and hugged me. Her long, soft hair carried a strange, sweet scent.

“By the way, if you try anything indecent with Ojou-sama—I’ll chop it off.”

“…Chop what off?”

“The part you just imagined.”

That would be bad. I’d become a maid.

“We’ll discuss the finer details with my employer later.”

The maid said as she looked out the window. Just as our conversation wrapped up, the car stopped.

“Ojou-sama, we’ve arrived.”

“…Mm.”

The girl, who’d been clinging to my right side, lazily opened her eyes. The car door opened automatically, and we stepped outside.

Before me stood a mansion so massive I’d never seen its like.

“This is…”

“This is the Konohana family’s secondary residence. You will be meeting Ojou-sama’s father now.”

More than meeting her father, I was stunned that a place like this was only a secondary residence. This is a secondary residence…? My house must be more like a doghouse or an outhouse.

“Welcome home, Ojou-sama.”

As we approached the front entrance, maids and butlers lined up on both sides bowed their heads in unison. There were at least ten servants or attendants, but Ojou-sama only gave a little yawn and,

“Yeah.”

—that was all she said.

As usual, she was going at her own pace. The servants or attendants must have been used to it, because they kept bowing with no particular reaction.

The grand doors opened, and we entered the mansion. The décor inside put even the finest hotels to shame. A long red carpet stretched out, flanked by luxurious furnishings. Unlike a hotel, it still felt like a home, so the atmosphere was calm rather than gaudy, but even so, there was a lot of gold decoration you’d never find in an ordinary house.

“Whoa…”

“What’s with that reaction?”

“N-No, it’s just… The world you live in is so different, I got goosebumps…”

“You’ll need to get used to it. If you’re going to work for Ojou-sama, you’ll be seeing this every day, you know?”

I haven’t even agreed to the job yet, but I’m already losing confidence.

“Ojou-sama, as for your schedule after this…”

“Sleep.”

“Understood. Then, since I have to guide Tomonari-sama, I’ll have someone else take care of you.”

The maid exchanged glances with another caretaker waiting by the wall. But at those words, the girl frowned and said,

“…Actually, I won’t sleep.”

“…You’re not going to sleep?”

“No. …I want to be with Izuki.”

She said as she pinched my sleeve. It kind of felt like I’d gotten a little sister. As I thought this, the maid beside me looked wide-eyed.

“No way… Ojou-sama is putting off her nap…”

Is it really that surprising? She’d been sleeping during the kidnapping and the car ride, so I just figured she’d woken up naturally…

Snapping out of it, the maid resumed leading us. After climbing a grand staircase, the maid knocked on the door at the end of a hallway.

“Excuse us.”

The maid opened the door. Inside was a spacious room, with a man standing in the center.

“You must be Tomonari Izuki. I’m Konohana Kagen. Hinako’s father, and the chairman of the Konohana Group.”

The man—Kagen-san—introduced himself. He had a youthful face but wore an expensive suit and radiated an aura of dignity.

“Although I’m called chairman, I’m just in charge of one company within the group. It’s not really that impressive a position.”

“Don’t be modest. Someone who’s going to be the next head shouldn’t put himself down so carelessly.”

“Haha, don’t get so mad, Shizune. I was just joking. If things get too stiff, Izuki-kun will get nervous.”

Kagen-san laughed as he spoke. But then his eyes sharpened suddenly.

“…I see. She really has gotten attached to you.”

Kagen-san looked at the girl—Hinako—standing just behind me. At some point, Hinako had dropped her head, still holding my sleeve, and was nodding off on her feet—

“She’s sleeping while standing…!?”

Is she some salaryman commuting by train? And once again, she was drooling. I had no choice but to pull out a handkerchief from my pocket and wipe her mouth.

“Mmm…”

As I wiped her mouth, Hinako leaned her body against me.

“I heard you just got caught up in my daughter’s kidnapping, but did anything happen during that time? It’s the first time my daughter’s ever gotten this attached to someone she just met…”

“N-No, nothing in particular.”

“I see. Well, Hinako lives by her own feelings, so I guess your wavelengths just matched.”

“Wavelengths, huh…”

I feel like that’s too simple an explanation… Even I don’t know why she’s so attached to me.

“Actually, Hinako’s always wanted a caretaker she could be comfortable around. But due to our position, I couldn’t just hire anyone myself. That’s why, having met you by chance, she doesn’t want to let you go.”

Yeah, that makes sense. She said so herself. She’s always had stiff caretakers and wants someone more easygoing.

“Well then. Before I explain the job of a caretaker, you need to know about Hinako first… Shizune.”

“Yes.”

The maid, who had been standing behind us, bowed and operated the projector set up to the left. The lights dimmed, and a video appeared on the white wall.

“This is Ojou-sama at the academy.”

In the center of the video was the girl—Hinako—sleeping behind me. The location seemed to be… a hallway at the academy?

‘Good day, Konohana-san.’

‘Good day.’

Hinako responded to her classmates’ greetings with a graceful smile.

Huh…? Something feels off.

The scene changed; this time it was Hinako in the classroom during a lesson.

‘Now, for this question… Konohana-san, can you answer?’

‘Yes.’

When called on, Hinako quietly stood. With perfect posture, she walked straight to the board and wrote the answer without hesitation. She gave off an incredibly refined air. The other students looked at her with admiration.

The scene changed again, but it was still the classroom. Judging by the sunlight, it must have been after school.

A female student spoke to Hinako, who was sitting by the window.

‘K-Konohana-san! We’re having a tea party in the garden soon… W-Would you, um, please join us?’

‘If I’m not a bother, I’d love to.’

‘Ah, thank you! I even made some delicious scones just for you, Konohana-san!’

‘Fufu, you don’t need to go to all that trouble.’

As Hinako smiled, the girl blushed deeply in awe.

The video ended and the room lights came back on.

I spoke my honest impression.

“…Who is that?”

“That’s Hinako-sama.”

“…No way.”

The girl in the video was so neat, lovely, and elegant—a true ojou-sama. She looked nothing like the girl behind me, nodding off and drooling—no, wait, they look exactly the same.

“Hinako can act as the perfect ojou-sama in public.”

“…In public?”

“That’s right. But on the other hand, if she’s not in public…”

Kagen-san exchanged a glance with the maid. The maid nodded silently and switched the video.

The next scene was a classroom, but there was no one else around. Only Hinako and another girl in the same uniform appeared on screen.

‘O-Ojou-sama, the next class is about to start…’

‘Tired. I’m going to sleep.’

Hinako said listlessly and slumped over her desk.

The scene changed again—this time, the hallway.

‘O-Ojou-sama! P.E. is next, so you need to get changed…’

‘Dress me.’

The scene changed again—now it was the schoolyard.

‘Ojou-sama!? Headquarters just called to say your credit card’s been misused—!’

‘Probably lost it.’

‘Wh-Why didn’t you say something sooner—’

The video cut off right as the girl started shouting.

Yeah, that last one isn’t funny…

“This is the real Hinako.”

Kagen-san said with a difficult look. It seems Konohana Hinako is a girl with an extreme difference between her public and private personas.

Well, for me, the “real” Hinako is the one from the kidnapping—so I’m more used to this side of her. Even if it’s only been three hours.

“Um, was the girl in those videos a maid or something?”

“She was the previous caretaker. She ended up hospitalized with a stomach ulcer from the stress, and after that, submitted her resignation.”

“…Wow.”

That’s pretty harsh.

“Basically, Hinako can act as the perfect ojou-sama in public, but otherwise she becomes as slovenly as you’ve just seen. The on-off gap is pretty extreme. So she needs an aide who can handle both.”

“And that’s the caretaker job…”

“Exactly.”

Kagen-san nodded.

“The caretaker’s role is to protect Hinako’s image as a perfect ojou-sama. In other words, to discreetly support her so her true nature doesn’t get out. …So, will you take the job? It’s Hinako’s own request, and I’d appreciate your help too.”

After considering his question, I replied.

“I know it may be shameless to say this after being rescued, but… Will I get paid?”

“Of course. You’ll live here, get three meals a day, and on top of that, we’ll pay you.”

That’s… unbelievably generous. This really is luck falling into my lap. I’m about to lose my home, so this is an offer I can’t refuse. …Maybe they took my situation into account and made this proposal.

“As for your pay… How about twenty thousand yen a day?”

“T-Twenty thousand!?”

“Oh, not enough? But giving you the same salary as a professional butler or maid might not be appropriate… How about fifty thousand yen?”

“That’s the wrong way! That’s way too much!”

I never expected the amount to go up.

“Then name your price. How much do you want?”

‘Name your price’—I’ve only ever heard that in fiction.

“If it’s daily, eight thousand yen would be more than enough.”

Even with temp jobs, eight thousand yen a day is on the high side. I thought I gave a pretty normal answer, but for some reason Kagen-san frowned.

“Izuki-kun. The caretaker’s responsibilities are much heavier than you think.”

Kagen-san said, looking very serious.

“To tell you the truth, the Konohana Group has been struggling lately. The economy’s a big factor, but there are also internal power struggles and competition from rivals—it hasn’t been easy. We’re not going bankrupt, but we can’t ignore it either. …That’s why my daughter’s marriage prospects are so important.”

“Marriage prospects?”

Kagen-san nodded, glancing at Hinako sleeping behind me.

“Hinako acts the perfect ojou-sama in public to find a good match. At the academy, at parties, everywhere she’s involved as the Konohana heiress, she acts the part. …The caretaker’s job is to help with that—to protect the Konohana family’s reputation.”

Hearing that, I thought again. We really do live in different worlds. Marriage prospects, family reputation… Those are things I’ve never once thought about.

“So, how much do you want for your pay?”

Kagen-san’s sharp gaze pierced me, and I swallowed hard. Now that he’d been so firm, I could tell what he was really asking.

—He was testing my resolve.

How much do you think your work is worth? That’s what Kagen-san was really asking. If I sold myself short, he’d look at me with disappointment like before. But if I asked for something unrealistic, he’d just laugh it off as being out of my league.

In the end, my answer was—

“…Twenty thousand yen, please.”

“Hmm… So the original amount. Very well. I’ll expect you to work accordingly.”

With that, Kagen-san took some papers out of his desk drawer. As he filled out the paperwork, he continued,

“You’ll start work tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow!?”

“You saw the video, right? Hinako gets lost even inside the house without a caretaker. She needs support as soon as possible.”

Well, with a house this big, getting lost is pretty understandable…

“First, let’s get you some clothes. There’s a tailor waiting in the next room to measure you.”

“Okay. …So you’ll provide me with work clothes?”

“It’s more like a uniform. You’ll be attending Kiou Academy from now on, after all.”

“…What!?”

I’d imagined something like a butler uniform, but the answer caught me off guard.

“Hinako goes to the academy. Her caretaker has to go with her, of course.”

“But, isn’t Kiou Academy a super-elite school? I don’t think I’d fit in…”

“Do your best to adapt. That’s part of your job too. Your grades were good at your last school, right? So it’s not like you’re bad at studying.”

I’d worked hard to get into college, but an elite school like this is on another level. Will I be okay…? Classes, athletics, manners, communication… My worries are endless.

“Servants aren’t allowed on campus at Kiou Academy, so you’ll be enrolled as a regular student. Your official status will be a distant relative of the Konohana Group—an heir to a subsidiary company, aiming to be a future executive, but also familiar with commoner life. Just a normal boy, so to speak.”

“Calling me an heir isn’t really normal…”

“That’s normal at Kiou Academy.”

Kagen-san said this flatly. For me, nothing about this academy seems normal.

“Let’s say your father’s company is part of the Konohana Group. That’ll make it easier for you to be deferential to Hinako. …If we set it up that way, people will be less suspicious.”

Yeah, that does make sense. That cover story will help me keep my real role hidden.

I glanced at the sleeping girl behind me. Drool was trailing again, so I lifted her chin and closed her mouth. I might be working with her for a long time.

“By the way, if you ever lay a hand on my daughter—”

Noticing Kagen-san glaring at me, I straightened my posture.

“Y-You’ll chop it off, right?”

“Chop it off? Haha! No, I wouldn’t do that!”

Kagen-san laughed heartily.

“I’d just kill you.”

“Eek!”

Somehow, that’s even scarier for being so straightforward.

“Well then, I’ll be counting on you starting tomorrow.”

As Kagen-san said this, the maid who’d been waiting quietly opened the door. Just as I was about to leave the room with sleepy Hinako,

“Oh, and—one more thing. I had someone look into your family.”

Kagen-san called out to me, his face suddenly serious.

“There’s a daughter of the Miyakojima family enrolled at Kiou Academy. I don’t think there’s any bad blood between you and them, but… just in case, try to avoid unnecessary contact.”

“…Understood.”

So… that means she’s at the academy too. Well, she probably doesn’t even remember me. No way we’ll cross paths.

“I haven’t introduced myself yet, have I? I’m Tsumuri Shizune, Ojou-sama’s maid. I’ll be giving you various instructions as you learn to be her caretaker, so please remember me.”

As we walked down the mansion’s hallway, the maid said.

“Your official status will be heir to a mid-sized company, but within this mansion, you’re the caretaker. So please address Ojou-sama appropriately here.”

“…Understood. ‘Hinako-sama’ is fine, right?”

Shizune nodded.

“On the other hand, outside the mansion, you’ll be seen as Ojou-sama’s school friend, so you should call her ‘Hinako-san’ instead.”

While at the academy, I’ll have to call her with a -san honorific. I’ll need to carefully manage the distance in our relationship. I nodded.

“This will be your room, Izuki-san.”

Shizune opened the door. It was about seven tatami mats in size, furnished with just a bed and a desk—simple and easy to use. It was probably meant for staff. After being overwhelmed by the size of the mansion, this room felt comforting. I could get used to this.

“If you need any other furniture, just let us know later. For now, please use this room.”

“Thank you.”

I could ask for more, but it’d be presumptuous for a newbie to demand things right away. I’ll think about it once I can actually do my job properly.

“Mmm.”

Just then, with a strange sound, Hinako dove onto my bed.

“Um… Hinako-sama, that’s my bed, actually.”

“The caretaker’s bed is… my bed…”

With a look of bliss, she buried her face in the comforter.

“Well, it can’t be helped. Let’s just let Ojou-sama sleep here for now.”

Shizune sighed as she said this.

“Izuki-san, you’ll be transferring into Kiou Academy as a new student starting tomorrow… but there are a few things you need to learn first.”

“About the caretaker’s job, right?”

“That’s part of it, but there’s more.”

Shizune explained.

“Kiou Academy is a prestigious school where the sons and daughters of the wealthy gather. The classes are all very high level, so someone with a normal background won’t be able to keep up right away. So until dinner, you’ll be doing nothing but reviewing the class material.”

“…It’s really that advanced?”

“Yes. And since you’ll be acting alongside Ojou-sama so often, your grades will need to match hers as well.”

“…I’m starting to lose confidence.”

“It’s not just academics. You’ll also be drilled in manners, behavior, and self-defense.”

“Self-defense?”

“Just in case.”

Shizune replied flatly, even as I was left speechless.

“What, are you scared?”

“No… I’ve done all sorts of manual labor, so I’m confident in my stamina.”

“I see. Then once you’re done with your studies, let’s see what you’ve got.”

I smiled fearlessly at Shizune, who spoke so calmly. With her personality, I figured it’d be best to take the initiative from the start. Of course, she’d still be my superior as the caretaker’s supervisor… but if I let her get too dominant, she’d probably subject me to eternal Spartan training.

I’m going to show these people living their elegant lives in a luxurious mansion that a struggling student can put up a fight, too.

Don’t underestimate a poor student——.

“I’m at my limit. Please, have mercy. I’m going to die.”

That night, I was kneeling on the floor, bowing my head to Shizune-san in the mansion’s dojo.

“Very well. Then that’s all for today’s lessons.”

I’d finished all the lessons on studying, manners, and more, and I was so exhausted my consciousness was starting to fade. The self-defense lesson especially pushed me to my limits, both physically and mentally. To think she could handle me as easily as twisting a baby’s arm… Shizune-san was truly a formidable battle-maid.

“For your caretaker duties, please refer to this manual.”

“…That’s pretty thick.”

“I went over everything verbally before dinner, but if you’re ever unsure about something, just check the manual or ask me.”

Shizune-san handed me the thick manual as she said this.

“Um… Hinako-sama is still sleeping in my room, though.”

“Ojou-sama usually spends most of her time sleeping while in the mansion. Just let her be.”

“Well, I kind of want to sleep soon too…”

“Then sleep in the hallway. I’ll set out a futon for you.”

“…”

“I’m kidding. Just wait until Ojou-sama goes back to her own room.”

“…Alright.”

“Well then, I’ll excuse myself for now. If you need anything, just call me.”

With that, Shizune-san left the dojo. After agreeing to be the caretaker, I received a smartphone provided to Konohana household staff. Shizune-san’s number was already in the contacts… but I’d rather not call her if I can help it.

“I had a feeling, but… being a caretaker really is a job for someone super high-spec, isn’t it?”

I muttered this as I left the dojo and headed for my room. Apparently, Shizune-san’s lessons happen every day. If I keep this up, in a few months I’ll either be the perfect all-rounder or I’ll break.

When I got back to my room, the girl was still there.

“Mmm… heh, hehehe…”

Looks like Hinako-sama really loves sleeping. She slept a lot even during the kidnapping, but at this rate, she might just sleep straight through until morning.

I sighed and sat down on the chair at the desk. I was exhausted and wanted to sleep early, but since Hinako-sama was in my bed, I wasn’t sure what to do…

“That’s right. This is what the manual is for.”

I flipped through the pages of the manual.

“Let’s see… Here it is. ‘Things to be careful of when Ojou-sama is sleeping—mansion edition.’ …‘Ojou-sama spends most of her time sleeping while at the mansion. Waking her while she’s in a deep sleep will make her cranky, so always guide her to her room before letting her sleep.’ …It’s already too late.”

I did know where Hinako-sama’s room was, but was it really okay to just carry her there? As I was about to look that up in the manual too… suddenly, my phone vibrated.

I’d gotten a message.

Yuri: Want to go to school together tomorrow?

Seeing the message on my screen, I couldn’t help but let out an “ah.”

“…Shoot, I forgot to explain.”

My old phone had been under my parents’ name, so I synced the data to the phone provided by the Konohana family. That’s why messages from people I knew before were coming to this phone.

I wondered how I should explain, and as I hesitated, messages started coming one after another.

Yuri: If you don’t want to, it’s fine! I’ll just go with other friends!

Yuri: Hey?

Yuri: …Don’t leave me on read.

I wasn’t ignoring her. I couldn’t come up with an answer no matter how I thought about it, so I decided to just tell the truth.

Izuki: For certain reasons, I can’t go to that school anymore.

Yuri: Huh?

The reply came immediately.

Yuri: Can you call?

Izuki: Sorry, I’m too tired. Maybe next time.

Honestly, my brain wasn’t working anymore. If I tried to think about anything extra, all the stuff Shizune-san drilled into my head would just fall right out.

Bzzzz, my phone vibrated again.

Even though I said maybe next time… I just can’t bring myself to answer. If I left it alone for a while, more messages came in.

Yuri: Why aren’t you answering?

Yuri: Hey.

Yuri: Hey??

“—Hey.”

“Whoa!?”

Suddenly, someone called out from behind me and I jumped in surprise. Turning around, I found Hinako-sama standing there, eyes narrowed sleepily.

“You… you were awake?”

“Who’s that?”

“Huh? …Oh, um, just a childhood friend who went to the same high school as me…”

“…Hmm.”

With a loaded response, Hinako-sama reached out for my phone. Maybe she wanted to look something up online. Thinking that, I handed her the phone—

“…Confiscated.”

“Huh?”

Holding my phone, Hinako-sama dove under the covers.

“With this, my peace is restored…”

“Peace…? Hey, give it back.”

“No.”

With her back turned to me, Hinako-sama spoke.

“I don’t like that way of speaking.”

“Huh?”

That way of speaking… Oh, she means the polite tone?

“Go back to how you used to talk.”

“But…”

“If you don’t, you’re fired.”

That’s way too unreasonable…

“…Like this?”

“Yeah. …That’s better.”

“But Shizune-san told me to be more polite…”

“I’ll tell Shizune myself tomorrow.”

If she says so… I guess it’s fine. I’ll just ask Shizune-san directly tomorrow.

“Izuki.”

“…What?”

“Starting tomorrow… I’m counting on you.”

With a gentle smile, Hinako-sama said. For a moment, I was so taken in by her expression that it took me a second to reply.

“…Yeah.”

Apparently satisfied with my answer, Hinako-sama slipped back under the covers—

“Ah, hey! Wait! If you’re going to sleep, at least go back to your own room!”

Ojou-sama was already fast asleep.

Is she Nobita or something…?