Prologue

Kiou Academy stood as one of Japan’s top three most prestigious schools.

This institution had produced prime ministers, CEOs of renowned companies, and other key figures shaping the nation’s core, and it still enrolled numerous children from ultra-wealthy families.

The students’ career paths were almost entirely divided between politics and business, with an inevitably advanced curriculum. Though the school resembled a grand mansion, its students weren’t pampered like delicate butterflies or flowers—top-tier teachers delivered top-tier lessons without fail.

However, even in such an extraordinary academy, a school caste system existed.

Currently reigning at the pinnacle of Kiou Academy was a single girl.

Her family’s total assets: approximately three hundred trillion yen.

The Konohana Group—a conglomerate every citizen of this country knew by name.

Its heiress, Konohana Hinako.

“Konohana-san, good day to you.”

“Good day.”

With amber hair flowing gracefully, she exchanged greetings with a refined smile.

“Ahh, she’s as lovely as ever today… Konohana-san.”

“Man, just being in the same class as her makes me feel like I could live happily for the entire year…”

Standing tall with impeccable posture, exuding elegance, the girl walked through the academy.

“K-Konohana-san! I’m planning to hold a tea party in the garden after school today… W-Would you like to join us, if you’re free?”

“That sounds delightful. I’d love to attend.”

“Konohana-san, there was something from the last class I didn’t quite understand…”

“If I can be of help, I’d be happy to listen.”

Flawless in appearance and excelling in both academics and athletics, she was often called the perfect ojou-sama by some.

Always surrounded by admirers, I watched her from a distance.

“Yo, Tomonari. Staring at Konohana-san again, huh?”

A male classmate sitting next to me called out.

“…Caught me, huh?”

“You should give it up. There’s no way you could reach someone like her—she’s totally out of your league.”

Out of my league, huh…

For me, the only commoner in this academy, every girl here was out of my league.

“Oh. Looks like it’s time to change classrooms. I need to hit the bathroom, so I’ll go on ahead.”

With that, my friend left the classroom.

During the break, after my classmates spilled into the hallway, I slowly approached her.

“Konohana-san, we need to get moving, or we’ll be late for class.”

It was just the two of us in the classroom. The girl, hailed as the perfect ojou-sama, remained slumped over her desk, not moving an inch.

“Konohana-san?”

“…Your tone.”

“…This isn’t the time to be picky. Come on, let’s go.”

“Your tone.”

Her voice sharpened just a touch.

After making sure no one else was around, I decided to humor her request.

“…Hinako. Move it already.”

At that, the girl’s face melted into a goofy grin.

“Ehe~”

Far from the perfect ojou-sama, she looked utterly relaxed, almost sloppy. Slowly, she lifted herself up and stretched both arms toward me.

“Carry meee~”

“…Give me a break. What if someone saw us?”

“I don’t mind~”

“I’d be hunted down by the Konohana family.”

At that, she puffed out her lips in a pout.

“I don’t wanna go to class~”

“Too bad.”

“I wanna go home. I wanna sleep. I wanna eat potato chips~”

“If it’s potato chips you want, I’ll have some ready at the mansion later, so get moving already.”

“Nuu~”

With the girl refusing to budge, I let out a sigh.

Fine. I’ll just have to drag her out of the classroom by force.

But the moment I thought that—the classroom door slid open with a rattle.

“Oh my, both of you are still here? The next class is in another room, you know.”

Our homeroom teacher, a woman, remarked as she noticed us lingering in the classroom.

“Uh, well, I—”

“—My apologies. I had a question about the lesson, so I was discussing it with Tomonari-kun.”

Before I could fumble an excuse, the girl stepped in with an explanation. Her expression was no longer the spoiled, clingy one from moments ago—it was the elegant, perfect ojou-sama everyone in the academy knew.

“I see. Studying even during break time? That’s commendable.”

The teacher nodded approvingly.

“Is something wrong, Tomonari-kun? Let’s head to the next classroom.”

“…Right, yeah.”

As always, when she’s in public, she puts on a perfect act.

With a feeling I couldn’t quite shake, I nodded and left the classroom with her.

I’m not a genius, nor am I particularly talented, and my family is the opposite of wealthy.

So how did an ordinary commoner like me end up attending such a prestigious academy?

To answer that, I have to explain the incident that happened a month ago.

It all began when I became Konohana Hinako’s caretaker.