Saijo no Osewa ~ Takane no Hana [LN] - V1 Chp 2 part 10

There was an emergency in which Naruka couldn’t move, so I had to hurriedly carry her to the nurse’s office.

 

[The nurse… isn’t here]

 

Maybe they were called somewhere else.

 

I borrowed one of the beds and had Naruka sit on it.

 

There was nothing more to do, so I tried going back to the classroom…

 

[Uuu, wait… don’t leave me…]

 

[…Yes yes]

 

She begged me with tears in her eyes, so I had no choice but to skip class and accompany Naruka.

 

I put my hand on my forehead. Fortunately, it was class time, and Hinako should be in the classroom. When she’s in class, she can act like the perfect Ojou-sama, so it doesn’t matter if I’m around.

 

[…Itsuki. What happened to you after you were kicked out of my house?]

 

Naruka asked me as I sat down on the bed, and I answered her.

 

[It’s just the normal thing, parents making up and everything was okay]

 

[I’m glad to hear that… but you could at least have contacted me. I was worried about what happened to you after that, you know?]

 

[That’s… Sorry, but I didn’t know the Miyakojima family house number]

 

[…That’s true]

 

Even if I had been able to contact her, it would’ve been difficult to talk to Naruka. My mother and I were not familiar with the Miyakojima family, so it was unlikely that she would be in touch with us.

 

[I know it’s a little late now but, I’m sorry about when I was little. I was such a jerk to you when we were kids…] (TN: just to clear it up, this is MC, while the next part of dialogue is Naruka)

 

[What are you apologizing for!]

 

Naruka said, looking frustrated.

 

[Rather, I’m very grateful to Itsuki! If I hadn’t gone out with you that time, I’m sure I’d still be a coward…]

 

When she said that, I felt a little proud.

 

[Aren’t you still a coward now?]

 

[Ugh… no, I mean… I’m still figuring it out…]

 

Naruka murmured awkwardly.

 

I couldn’t help but laugh. If she had become someone strong as she said, she wouldn’t have had to be carried to the infirmary like this, slumped over.

 

]Well, Naruka’s father seems to be a strict man. He doesn’t give you a lot of freedom, does he?]

 

[…No, I beat my father]

 

[You won against him?]

 

[Yeah. Kendo, Judo, Aikido, Karate, and every martial art there is. That was the condition for me to be free from the restrictions of the family. …Thanks to that, I’m mostly free now]

 

[I-Is that so]

 

As always, she’s a very strong girl, physically.

 

[But… even if I’m allowed to go outside, it’s lonely without anyone next to me…]

 

Naruka instantly lost her energy and muttered to herself as she looked down.

 

[From the looks of it, Naruka has been misunderstood in many ways at the academy]

 

It reminded me of what Taisho and Asahi-san said before.

 

They said that she was a biker and involved with the yakuza, but that wasn’t true at all.

 

[That’s right. …Everything is a misunderstanding]

 

[…Why did that happen?]

 

I asked, and Naruka let out a deep sigh.

 

[The family motto of the Miyakojima family is “A healthy mind resides in a healthy body”. That’s why I’ve been trained in all kinds of martial arts since I was a child]

 

[…When we first met, Naruka was doing Kendo, right?]

 

[Yeah. The Miyakojima family is a family of martial artists, so to speak]

 

A family of martial artists… that sounds like a very unique family.

 

However, as I was once a resident of that house, I know that it wasn’t an exaggeration. Not only did the Miyakojima family have their own private dojo in their residence, but they also ran another dojo next to their residence. I remember during my stay, I could often hear the voices of the students calling out to each other. (TN: if you are not familiar in martial arts, there are some sequences in karate, judo, etc. where you have to scream as a sign of completing a technique or movement)

 

[Maybe it’s because of my family background, but I’m often thought of as a troublemaker. On top of that, well, you’re Itsuki, so I can say it…. I’m not very good at making friends. When I’m in front of someone, I tend to tense up and my face stiffens. As a result, I’m often being misunderstood as a scary person…]

 

Naruka has a beautiful face, however her eyes are very sharp.

 

When she gets nervous, you feel like you are being glared at.

 

[Well… Naruka’s always been like that. You have a big attitude, but when we go out together, you’re very timid and cry easily…]

 

[I-If you say it that way… that kind of stings]

 

[But it’s true]

 

[Ughh… You’re right]

 

Naruka lets out a sigh.

 

[I thought, I was going to make friends and have a good time at school. But I was so nervous that I couldn’t talk well, and when I tried to make eye contact with someone, they thought I was glaring at them… then I found myself being called a delinquent or a yakuza… Uuuuuu….]

 

That’s terrible. I have no words but “bad luck”.

 

[I don’t know what to do…. Hey, Itsuki. Please, please help me!!!]

 

Naruka pleaded to me with tears in her eyes.

 

From what I’ve heard so far, Naruka is a very pitiful figure. If I could help I would definitely do anything I could…. Then I realized my pocket was shaking.

 

[Ah, sorry. I have to take this]

 

I left the infirmary and picked up my phone.

 

The one calling was, as expected, Shizune-san.

 

“Itsuki-sama, where are you now?”

 

[…I’m sorry. A student fell and I had to take them to the infirmary]

 

“Is that so? Even though she should be in class, the GPS was out of sync so I thought something was wrong… If that’s the case, I’ll let you off”

 

[Thank you very much]

 

“Please return to class as soon as possible. It’s all well and good to help others, but don’t forget your duty as a caretaker.”

 

I was expecting to be scolded and reprimanded, so this was a bit anticlimactic for me.

 

Or maybe… She can see where I am right now.

 

Anyway, for now, let’s get back to class as soon as possible like she said.

 

But before that, I’ll check on Naruka one more time.

 

When I opened the infirmary’s door, Naruka turned to me.

 

[Hey, Itsuki]

 

[What is it?]

 

[Speaking of which, why is Itsuki at the academy?]

 

…Well then. How… should I explain this…

 

Right now, my official position is that I’m the “heir of a middle-class IT business” and my relationship with Hinako is that we’re acquainted through our parents. 

 

But this won’t work on Naruka. As she knows my true identity and family condition.

 

As a caretaker, I must at least protect Hinako’s status as the perfect “Ojou-sama” in the public eye. …I must answer modestly.

 

[….I told you long ago that my mother was a gambler right?]

 

[Yeah. I heard that it was awful]

 

Naruka felt sorry for me.

 

[She won and got a lot of money. Thanks to that, I was able to attend the Academy]

 

For a spur of the moment lie, that was pretty good. That’s what I thought but…

 

[…That’s a lie]

 

Naruka said while squinting her eyes.

 

[Kiou Academy isn’t somewhere you can enter only with money. There will be a strict background check before you’re enrolled. Assets required through gambling and such will not be accepted]

 

Well f*ck…

 

I wonder how the Konohana family got me enrolled. I’m not sure if there’s a backdoor only influential people use.

 

[Itsuki… Why did you lie? Are there some circumstances you can’t tell…?]

 

The fact that my lie was exposed made me even more suspicious.

 

While I was in panic, dripping in cold sweat, my phone rang again indicating an incoming call. It was probably Shizune-san. The fact that the call came in without a delay from earlier suggests it might be important.

 

[Ah, sorry… I got another call from…]

 

I tried refusing and was about to leave when…

 

[Ah, wait wait!!]

 

Naruka grabbed my arm.

 

[You… aren’t going to disappear again… right?]

 

Naruka asked in a timid voice.

 

Seeing the sad expression on her face, I reflected on my situation.

 

――I see

 

I made Naruka feel uneasy.

 

Six years ago, I suddenly left and disappeared from Naruka’s life. At first, I was also worried… but before I knew it, my memory of it faded and I forgot.

 

But Naruka was different. Before she met me, she’s never been around kids her age. That’s why, unlike me, Naruka will always remember that day, along with the anxiety.

 

[It’s okay, we’ll see each other again]

 

[Really…?]

 

[Really]

 

I wasn’t expecting to see Naruka here, but I’m honestly happy I did.

 

Just because I have my job as a caretaker, doesn’t mean I have to push Naruka away.

 

[Then… um, pat me… on my head…] (TN: whoa I didn’t expect that)

 

[Eh?]

 

[Like back then! You used to do that for me! Like when my father was mad at me…]

 

Come to think of it, I used to pat her a lot.

 

I’m worried about the phone call, that still didn’t stop. I’ll just do as she says.

 

[…Yes yes]

 

I stroked her head, and Naruka giggled.

 

[Ahh… as expected, it’s calming]

 

[I don’t think a high school student should be calmed by a pat on the head] (TN: Rude) (EDN: All high school students should have the right to be calmed by a head pat!)

 

[I-I know that! It’s just… this was a very important memory for me… I honestly didn’t think I’d meet Itsuki again…]

 

Like in the past, Naruka’s words were honest and straightforward.

 

Feeling fuzzy, I continued to stroke Naruka’s head.

 

[I’m sorry. Back then, I suddenly disappeared]

 

[…But we finally met again. This is good enough] 

 

Naruka smiled at me, looking relieved.

 

It was then that the infirmary door opened. 

 

[――What are you doing？

 

At the sound of her voice, I stopped stroking Naruka’s head.

 

Hinako appeared from behind the door.

 

[Hina――]

 

[K-Konohana-san!?]

 

Naruka’s voice drowns out the words that came out of my mouth.

 

[H-How come Konohana-san is here…?]

 

[I’ve been feeling a little under the weather, so I left the class]

 

Hinako, playing the “Ojou-sama” role, replies in a matter-of-fact tone.

 

At the same time, the phone that’s been ringing stopped… It’s gone. Was Shizune-san trying to tell me this?

 

[Tomonari-kun and Miyakojima-san, did something happen between you two?]

 

Hinako asks.

 

When I caught a glimpse of Naruka, she looked completely nervous and tense. …This is why other people are afraid of you. From the side, it looks as if Naruka is glaring at Hinako with a tremendous amount of pressure. However, Hinako doesn’t seem to be fazed.

 

I guess I should be the one answering.

 

[Ah… about that, I saw Naruka collapse in the hallway, and I carried her to the infirmary]

 

[Well, is that so… Did Miyakojima-san have any injuries in the head?]

 

[Head? No, nothing like that…]

 

[Is that so? I thought it was like that, since Tomonari-kun seems to be patting her head]

 

Her tone was as usual, but her eyes seemed to be a little clouded.

 

I knew I was being watched…

 

[K-Konohana-san, l-listen to me! Me and Itsuki met a long time ago!]

 

Naruka said in a nervous voice.

 

[A long time ago..?]

 

[That’s right! Around the time when we were 10 years old, Itsuki stayed at my house..]

 

[…Stayed?]

 

I felt that Hinako was slightly frowning.

 

However, Naruka didn’t seem to notice this and tried to affirm in a loud voice.

 

[Yes! At that time, I had Itsuki take care of me!]

 

[Take care?]

 

Hinako frowned at Naruka’s explanation. Though it wasn’t so much of taking care, but more of a playmate… 

 

[Itsuki was my benefactor, so to speak, who took care of me when I was a child. So I was just happy to see him again]

 

[…Is that so]

 

Hinako looked convinced. However, for a moment, I thought she had a complicated look.

 

[Oh yeah, Itsuki. Would you like to come to my house again? It’s okay if you just come to play… If it’s okay with you, I’d be happy to have a relationship like before again…]

 

Naruka said to me.

 

But that was something I couldn’t do because I was acting as Hinako’s caretaker.

 

[Naruka, that’s――]

 

[―That’s not possible, Miyakojima-san]

 

Before I can say anything, Hinako answers.

 

[Tomonari-kun is working at my house right now]

 

[…Fueh?]

 

Aside from Naruka, who made a strange voice, I was surprised and my eyes widened.

 

[Hina―Konohana-san. That’s a little…]

 

[What’s wrong, Tomonari-kun? That’s true, isn’t it?]

 

That’s true but… we promised to keep it a secret.

 

Fortunately, the mere fact that I was working for the Konohana family wasn’t enough to find out about Hinako’s true self. In the unlikely chance of Naruka spreading the word, Hinako and I would gather the attention of the entire academy. It would be a problem for me.

 

[W-wha… What does she mean, Itsuki!? You’re working at Konohana-san’s house now!?]

 

[No, that’s…]

 

I took a glance at Hinako’s face, confused and annoyed.

 

Even if I denied it here, it’d be meaningless if Hinako affirms it.

 

[…Well, yeah, I guess. I mainly… take care of the surroundings]

 

Naruka’s eyes widened as I answered.

 

[…Unfair]

 

Naruka glared at Hinako with resentment and envy.

 

[That’s not fair, you! I was..! Itsuki, he was originally my..!!]

 

[I don’t know about the past, but Tomonari-kun’s current workplace is my home]

 

Hinako says while smiling.

 

[Tomonari-kun. Miyakojima-san seems fine, shouldn’t you go back to your classroom now?]

 

[A-Ah.. you’re right]

 

I’m probably looking very flustered right now.

 

Hinako looked at Naruka one last time and bowed.

 

[I think I’m feeling better now, so if you’ll excuse me]

 

Hinako closes the door with a soft and gentle smile, the same with her facade.

 

From the other side of the door, I heard Naruka going [Uggggghhhh…!!!] 

 

　――Sorry, Naruka.

 

Now I’m Hinako’s caretaker. I basically can’t go against Hinako.

 

And… Hinako and I have a few things we need to discuss.

 

[…Did you come to the infirmary to see me?]

 

[Yeah. ….I was at loss when I’m alone, so I told the teacher I was feeling unwell, and I got guided partway]

 

Hinako, who dropped her facade, explains.

 

[I’m sorry. I’m Hinako’s caretaker but I wasn’t close to you. …But what’s with that earlier? Shizune-san said to keep our relationship a secret, didn’t she?]

 

Honestly, I can’t think of Naruka as someone who would spread rumors for fun, but there’s always a slight chance.

 

Hinako, walking next to me, answered in a small voice.

 

[…I just thought]

 

[Hm?]

 

[I just thought… It’d be better to make her back off]

 

That answer didn’t make sense to me.

 

Or could it be she’s… Jealous? (TN: HE’S NOT DENSE?!) (EDN: !?)

 

…Is that the case?

 

It reminds me of how distant I’ve been from Hinako recently. I didn’t think Hinako had developed such emotions.

 

[…Itsuki]

 

Hinako asked me as I tilted my head.

 

[Itsuki is whose caretaker?]

 

[Of course, it’s Hinako]

 

[Nn… Then it’s fine]

 

Hinako then stopped and looked at me with a satisfied smile on her face.

 

[Let’s go… get scolded by Shizune together]

 

[…Yeah]

 

I nodded and let out a deep sigh. We can’t avoid getting scolded when we’ve done this.

 

What if they fire me…

 

♢♢♢

 

[I’m not going to fire you]

 

After school, the day I met Naruka.

 

Shizune-san said to me as I explained while we were driving to the mansion.

 

[From what I’ve heard, the problems are not only with Itsuki-sama, but also with Ojou-sama. In fact, if Ojou-sama hadn’t said so much, there’s a higher chance of her dodging the question, no?]

 

[…But, it was originally because I got in touch with Naruka]

 

[Miyakojima-sama fell in the hallway, didn’t she? Then it can’t be helped]

 

Inwardly, I thanked Shizune-san. Shizune-san is strict, but also flexible and accommodating. She’s not so cold and cruel as to forbid any help to others just because I’m a caretaker.

 

[I thought I knew about the relationship between Itsuki-sama and Miyakojima-sama, but it seems I didn’t do enough research]

 

[…You knew about it?]

 

[I knew the two of you are cousins, but I didn’t know you’re already acquainted with each other. …Perhaps the Miyakojima family was deliberately keeping it a secret. Since Itsuki-sama’s family and the Miyakojima family are in a state of deadlock, it may have been to avoid any unnecessary suspicions]

 

Previously, Keigon-san made a comment about the relationship between the Tomonari and Miyakoijma family. I guess he was already aware about the relationship of the families at that point.

 

[So, for this one, I am also at fault. …Now that it’s come to this, it’s better to explain the situation to Miyakojima-sama to some extent. First, explain in detail that you work for the Konohana family, and then offer them a deal as hush money] 

 

[I understand. I’m sure that she’ll keep quiet but… I’ll let her know]

 

Because of Naruka’s personality, she wouldn’t be one to start a rumor.

 

Besides… Naruka doesn’t seem to have any friends to talk to. (TN: Now that’s just rude) (EDN: It’s just a fact tho)

 

[Since servants aren’t allowed to attend the academy, Itsuki-san will continue to be the heir of a medium-sized company. On top of that, let’s set it up so that you’re coming to the Konohana family for service. …I’m glad they didn’t find out about Ojou-sama, but honestly, I didn’t want them to know that Itsuki-san was working for the Konohana family either. It could be an obstacle in search for Ojou-sama’s partner]

 

[Obstacle, huh?]

 

[You have a classmate of the opposite sex living and working in your house? That doesn’t sound like a good impression to have]

 

[…I see]

 

The image of being a perfect Ojou-sama was ruined.

 

[Kiou Academy is also a social gathering place. Please continue building your relationships carefully]

 

I nodded to Shizune-san’s words.

 

[Um, Shizune-san. There’s another matter I want to address…]

 

[What is it?]

 

[Um… can I go out with my classmates?]

 

[Go out, is it?]

 

Shizune-san’s eyes squinted.

 

[No, I’m not trying to get carried away. It’s just that a classmate of mine asked me to go out with them the other day…. I feel bad continually refusing him, and I feel like it’s a bit too unnatural to keep refusing him…]

 

[…That is indeed true]

 

Seemingly convinced, Shizune-san pondered for a while.

 

[I understand. If you let us know the schedule in advance, we’ll support you]

 

[Thank you very much]

 

I’m not giving up my work, but I should socialize to make myself look not too bad.

 

[I don’t mean to put myself on the shelf, but please reflect on this matter, not only Itsuki-sama, but also Ojou-sama]

 

I nodded at Shizune-san’s words. But… Hinako, who was sitting next to me, didn’t give any response.

 

[Ojou-sama, are you sleeping?]

 

As Shizune-san turned to me and checked, I smiled bitterly and replied.

 

[She isn’t sleeping but… she’s clinging to me like a koala]

 

Hinako grabbed my right arm and pulled it to her chest.

 

We’ve been in this position since I entered the car.

 

[…Pat me]

 

Hinako, who buried her face in my arms, said in a quiet voice.

 

[My head, pat it…]

 

[…Yes yes]

 

I stroked Hinako’s head as told.

 

Shizune-san let out a sigh and looked forward again.

 

---

I’ve completed chp 2 as a whole, so I’ll post those right after, enjoy <3

Discord/Ko-fi

TL: Ezu
ED: Animu
PR: Mateo