Saijo no Osewa ~ Takane no Hana [LN] - V1 Chp 2 part 1

Chapter 2 : Kiou Academy

The next day, I put on the black school uniform of Kiou Academy and walked out of the mansion.

Last night, I ended up having Shizune-san carry Hinako-sama for me. My phone was taken and was in her pocket, so I took it back from her. 

A black lacquered car was parked in front of the gate. In front of it, Hinako-sama could be seen complaining to Shizune-san.

[I want to go home]

[If you say that in eight hours, I will allow you to]

[…Muu]

Hinako-sama was being calmed down by Shizune-san, who was very used to the situation. 

[Itsuki-sama, please come this way]

Shizune-san looked at me and said,

Well, from now on, I’m the heir apparent of a medium-sized company. When Shizune-san called me by “sama”, I realized that my ostensible identity had already been changed.

[Well, Itsuki-sama. Which seat would you like to sit in?]

As I’m about to get into the car, Shizune-san asked me.

Was this… A review of yesterday’s etiquette class I took?　

[…Backseat, behind the passenger seat]

[Correct. If there is a driver, the person with the higher position sits behind the driver’s seat, behind the the passenger seat, in the center of the back seat, and in the passenger seat, in that order] (TN: This is some sort of seating etiquette high society people have, you can try googling it. And if anyone knows if this is correct or not, pls let me know in the comments or discord)

[If the driver is your companion, the passenger seat will be the highest seat, right?]

[That’s right. You studied well]

I was given an unimaginable Spartan education… 

[Originally, it’s supposed to be the caretaker’s job to get Ojou-sama into the car, but I will demonstrate for you step by step. Now please get into the car]

Hinako-sama entered the car, followed by me entering the back seat. Shizune-san sat in the passenger seat.

[Sleepy~~]

“You’ve been sleeping a lot, haven’t you?” …I managed to prevent myself from saying that.

The car started to slow down.

[Since the two of you are set to live in a different house, we will drop you off shortly before the academy]

[So it will be just the two of us walking down the street to school? Won’t we get kidnapped like yesterday?]

[Don’t worry. We have a perimeter around Ojou-sama at all times… The incident the other day happened because Ojou-sama went out without letting us know. You, as her caretaker, should prevent such things from happening]

[…Understood]

Today is my first day of work. As a caretaker I’ll have to be paying close attention.

[By the way, I’m in the same class as Hinako…-sama, right?]

[Of course. As her caretaker, you will be with her at all times]

It seems that Hinako-sama and I will be classmates.

[Itsuki… What’s with your tone?]

[Ugh]

Did she hear that…?

However, in front of Shizune-san, it’s hard to not call her Hinako-sama.

[Shizune. Itsuki’s tone, make it go back]

[But, Ojou-sama. That would not set a good example for others]

[Then… Just when we’re alone and when Shizune is around]

[…I understand]

Reluctantly, Shizune-san complied.

[Good, Itsuki… I can talk to you normally now]

[I’m not exactly happy…]

Shizune-san’s gaze was painful. In fact, I don’t mind using honorifics. I’ve spent my whole life working part-time, so I’m used to having a hierarchical relationship.

[Itsuki-sama, please always use polite language when in the academy to avoid any faults. Being the heir to a medium-sized company is a rather low status in the Kiou Academy, so it would be better if you could change your tone to avoid unnecessary tensions]

[I understand]

On paper, I’m the son of the heir of a medium-sized company and I have a low status… It seems like I’ll be using honorifics in the end.

[Aahhhh~~ The academy is getting closer~~]

Hinako said lazily.

[Itsuki…]

[…What is it?]

[Carry me]

The car jolted violently.

What are you talking about all of a sudden, Ojou-sama? The driver seems to be surprised as well.

[Ojou-sama. That is, without a doubt, an unladylike behavior]

[Hey Itsuki, you smell good, you know…]

[…Oh, really?]

Shizune-san rolled her eyes.

[…Itsuki-sama. May I have a sniff for future reference?]

[No… I don’t think I smell good at all. Please don’t do this to me]

[…You do though]

As I said that, Hinako put her nose close to my sleeve.

Just in case, I’ll smell myself… Nope, I don’t smell anything. If I had to guess, it would smell like the flower detergent used at home.

[Um, Hinako-sama. I’m also a man, so I don’t think getting close to me is…]

[Tone]

[…Hinako]

[Good~~]

It seems whatever I say is useless against her.　

I let out a sigh, and Shizune-san let out an even bigger sigh.

[Ojou-sama. It’s time…]

[…Nn]

Approximately 30 minutes later, the car arrived at its destination.

In a quiet alley, me and Hinako were dropped off. It seemed like there was no one around… but there were a lot of the Konohana family guards lurking if you looked closely.

[Itsuki-sama. I’ll give you this]

Shizune-san handed me a black sack with no visible content.

[This is…?]

[If Ojou-sama isn’t being reasonable, use this]

I gave a vague [Huh…] in response to her instructions, not exactly understanding what she meant.

[Have a good day then]

After saying thank you to Shizune-san, who thanked me back, we started to walk to the Academy.

[…I want to go home]

[Shouldn’t you be acting?]

[No one has seen me yet… So I can relax]

It seems Hinako can sense people’s gazes.

That’s what she says but, as her caretaker, I have to protect the appearance of her in public. As we’re heading to the academy, I looked around carefully.

[…Big]

I couldn’t help but mutter to myself as I stood in front of the majestic, mansion-like study hall.

It’s a prestigious school that refers to Japan’s unyielding power, the Kiou Academy. The name might sound stupid, but it’s a very good educational institution. 

I hesitated to take a step.

Next to me was…

[Good morning, Konohana-san]

[Good morning]

A girl with amber hair was answering the greetings of students on the street in a disciplined manner.

[Konohana-san… as always, she’s so pretty]

[Yes. Very noble…]

I heard comments like that everywhere around us.

I took a peek at Hinako’s profile, who started acting before I knew it. She was different from a few moments ago. I couldn’t believe the girl with an intelligent and decent behavior was the same person who drooled on my bed last night.

[What’s wrong, friend of mine?]

[Whoa!]

Hinako looked at me concerningly. 

I was very startled. I rushed to cover my mouth and told her it’s nothing.

When we entered the school building, we went to the staff room first.

Fortunately, Hinako and I are the same age. So we naturally belonged to the same grade without having to lie about our age. And Shizune-san also made sure that we were in the same class.

[We’ve been expecting you. You must be Itsuki Tomonari]

When we entered the staff room, we were greeted by a female teacher.

[My name is Misono Fukushima. I will be the homeroom teacher for Class 2A, pleased to meet you]

[Pleased to meet you too]

I bowed my head slightly.

[Tomonari-kun, do you know Konohana-san?]

[Oh, that…]

I couldn’t come up with a lie, and stagnated for a moment.

Then, Hinako, who was next to me, spoke up.

[My family and Tomonari-kun’s family are close, so we have been in contact for a long time. Because of that, I decided to show him around the school]

[Oh, I see]

As Hinako explained politely, the teacher nodded in agreement. 

[Tomonari-kun, it’s very luxurious to be guided by Konohan-san]

[Hahaha… I guess so]

Sensei, did you know?

Hinako tends to get lost in the academy when she’s alone.

I’m really sorry, but I’m going to release this series in parts. It’s going to take way too long if I don’t. I hope you’ll understand. I don’t know when I’ll be able to post the next part, just hoping I’ll find a good place to stop it at. Thanks for reading.

TL: Ezu
ED: Animu