Prologue

Kiou Academy had welcomed the summer break.

What does summer break mean to an ordinary high school student? For someone like me, who’s lived a life that’s anything but ordinary, the term “summer break” brings to mind part-time jobs. This time of year is especially packed with event-related gigs, and I’d spend day after day guiding lines of customers under the scorching sun.

For most high schoolers, summer break is probably a thrilling, long-awaited vacation filled with anticipation. It’s that rare, once-a-year chance to dive into club activities, nurture bonds with a sweetheart, or pour time into something special, right?

My childhood friend, Yuri, who’s been by my side from elementary through our first year of high school, is surely spending her summer break like that again this year.

Unlike Yuri, it looks like I won’t be having an ordinary summer break this year, either.

Though, for once, it’s not because of the usual financial struggles.

“Izuki-san, are you ready?”

“Sorry, just give me a sec!”

I hurriedly called back to Shizune-san, who was waiting outside the door.

I double-checked the contents of my suitcase. Clothes, check. Study materials, check. A bag of potato chips to keep Hinako in a good mood, check.

The bulky chip bag was making it hard to close the suitcase lid. Maybe I should’ve just bought some there. With that thought, I decided to take one bag out.

“All set!”

“Then let’s go. The car’s waiting outside.”

Pulling my suitcase, I stepped out of the mansion with Shizune-san.

The blazing sunlight wasn’t just warm—it was outright hot. Still, the dazzling rays seemed to paint the familiar garden of the Konohana family’s villa in even more vibrant colors than usual.

It was the kind of sweltering, hard-to-endure heat typical of summer break, yet somehow impossible to hate.

“You’re… so… slooooow…”

At the mansion’s entrance stood a girl with amber-colored hair, dressed in an elegant white dress.

Konohana Hinako—the girl I’m tasked with looking after.

With assets totaling roughly three hundred trillion yen, she’s the heiress of the Konohana Group, a conglomerate everyone in this country knows. Right now, she looked utterly drained, as if she might melt into a puddle any second.

“Sorry, Hinako. You could’ve waited in the car, y’know.”

“No way, I can’t walk anymore… Carry meee.”

“Carrying you’s gonna be hot.”

“Then, piggyback.”

Well, that’s manageable, I thought, hoisting Hinako onto my back.

Still, in this heat, any close contact was bound to feel stifling.

“…It’s hoooot.”

“Wanna get down?”

“…I’ll tough it out.”

Guess I’m carrying her like this, then.

Hinako’s body was light as a feather. Getting her to the car was no problem, but with both hands occupied, I couldn’t pull the suitcase. As I wondered what to do, Shizune-san silently took care of it for me.

Giving Shizune-san a quick nod of thanks, I carried Hinako to the car.

When the car door slid open automatically, a refreshing breeze hit us. The air conditioning was in full swing.

I plopped the completely exhausted Hinako into the back seat.

“Phew… I’m alive again…”

“Not a fan of summer, huh, Hinako?”

“…Winter’s no good either.”

Seems like anything other than perfect weather is a no-go for her.

“Shall we get going, then?”

At Shizune-san’s words, the car started moving.

As Hinako’s caretaker—and a student at the prestigious Kiou Academy—I was, as expected, in for another extraordinary summer break.

For the students of Kiou Academy, summer break means different things. Destined to inherit major corporations or enter politics, they don’t have the luxury of lazing around. Some use the long break to help with family businesses, while others travel the world to build connections that’ll pay off later.

This time, we were headed to a summer study program to tackle advanced coursework, thinking about our futures.

“Izuki… you excited?”

Hinako, sitting next to me, tilted her head slightly.

“Well, a little.”

I hadn’t meant to let it show, but she saw right through me.

Our destination was Karuizawa, a classic summer retreat.

The goal was studying, sure… but I couldn’t help feeling a bit like I was going on a mini vacation, my heart buzzing with excitement.