Saijo no Osewa ~ Takane no Hana [LN] - V1 Chp 2 part 4
[…Nn?]
The smartphone in my pocket began to ring, indicating a call.
At the academy, the use of smartphones and computers are allowed during breaks. It seems that some of the children of wealthy families are involved in company work even though they’re still students, and that’s why they are taking measures. That being said, during break, I could hear them talking about “Day Trading”.
[Shizune-san..?]
Saying the name on the screen out loud, I picked up the call.
“You took too long to answer. Next time, please answer within 5 rings.”
[…That’s rather generous of you…]
“I’m sure that Itsuki-sama won’t be able to respond instantly while being in the academy. I’m willing to be a little loose.”
Shizune-san isn’t just strict. She also expects high results.
I’ve worked for a variety of bosses at my part-time jobs, and I think Shizune-san is one of the best bosses I’ve ever had. That said, she’s also very strict.
“It’s lunchtime at the academy, isn’t it? Until you get used to the work of a caretaker, I will be checking on you like this during your lunch break.”
[…Thank you very much]
“Is Ojou-sama by your side?”
[Yes. She’s sleeping right now]
I don’t have to bother telling Shizune-san that I’m giving Hinako a lap pillow.
“Did you have any problems?”
[So far, so good. If I had to say… I guess the class is the most difficult part of this job]
“Then we’ll have plenty of prep today.”
[Geh, it was a trap]
(TN: The whole trap thing is a line I made on my own, the original word is 藪やぶ蛇へびだった, which is bush and a snake, that probably means a trap because snakes attack from the bushes)
“Honesty is a good virtue.”
Though it could also mean I am a fool.
[By the way, I just heard from Hinako… That all her caretakers so far quit after a month without fail?]
“…That’s right.”
Shizune-san replied, as if she had a hard time saying it.
[I wonder, why is that?]
“Until now, all of her caretakers have been subordinates of her father, Keigon-sama. However, being a subordinate of him means a subordinate of her as well. That’s why when they acted as her caretaker, their attitude as servants came out… And this led to Ojou-sama’s bad mood.”
[…Hinako, she doesn’t like servants that much, does she?]
“Yes, that’s right. She doesn’t like servants… or rather, their polite and stiff atmosphere.”
Well, I have a slight idea of why that is.
“This is the first time we hired a commoner, who has no connection with the Konohana family as a caretaker. ….When I was having trouble finding the next caretaker, Ojou-sama recommended you, so I half-heartedly picked you as an experiment.”
[So that’s how it happened…]
From being appointed as a caretaker, to the transfer to the academy, things were progressing so smoothly that I was a little worried, but it seems like this was an experiment for the Konohana family. This probably occurred because of their policy of trying everything first.
“What is your relationship like with Ojou-sama in the academy?”
[First of all, I explained that there is a connection between our parents]
“That’s a good arrangement. Please keep that sense of distance. …Do you have a close relationship with anyone yet?”
[It’s only the first day, so I haven’t been around much… But I’ve talked to Asahi Karen and Taishou Katsuya]
“Fumu. Asahi-sama, and Taishou-sama, yes?”
I heard Shizune-san’s brief mumble.
“Asahi-sama’s parents are in the retail business… They run an electronic retail store. It’s a company called J’s Holdings.”
[…I’ve never heard of it]
Asahi-san and Taishou, they described themselves as students who were closer to commoners.
So I guess they’re not in that big of a company, just like me.
“Is that so? I think J’s Electronics is a famous store.”
[…Eh? J’s Electronics?]
“Yes.”
I’ve heard of J’s Electronics. In fact, I’ve used their product before.
I’ve seen a lot of television commercials for it, it’s a chain store that most of my former high school classmates would know.
[I-Isn’t that a very famous place…!?]
“That’s right. They’re one of the top five electronic retailers in Japan in terms of sales”
Oi Oi… what do you mean closer to commoners? Aren’t you a ridiculous ojou-sama?
“By the way, Taishou-sama’s family is a major transportation company, famous for their transporting services”
[That’s also famous…]
“That’s right”
I feel like I’ve been betrayed. Both of these companies are very well known.
“The family business of your friend is often talked about and is worth knowing about. Please keep me posted as your network grows. Incidentally, your family ostensibly runs an IT company, so you will also be studying IT from today. Let’s learn at least some programming.” (TN: Programming is complicated, I’ve tried, seriously) (EDN: I’m going into programming, it’s not fun)
[…Please be gentle with me]
“Please continue to stay with Ojou-sama. If there are any problems, please report to me immediately.”
The call with Shizune-san ended.
As I let out a deep sigh, I noticed that Hinako was staring at me.
[Itsuki… What’s wrong?]
[No, it’s just, I’ve lost a lot of confidence…]
I wondered if I could really get along with people at such a school. All around me are unattainable flowers. I had a feeling that I’m going to fall apart someday, and I’m going to make the Konohana family troubled.
[By the way…]
[What is it…?]
[Why did you appoint me to become your caretaker?]
[Ahh…]
After thinking for a moment, Hinako replied.
[Because… I didn’t think Itsuki would flirt]
[…Flirt?]
[Nn]
Hinako briefly affirmed.
[I like the way you take care of me… While thinking, “It can’t be helped”]
I feel like the context from before and now isn’t related.
Maybe she’s still half-asleep.
[Afternoon classes… I want to take a break]
[That’s no good]
[Eehhh~]
♢♢♢
Lunch break was over, and the fifth period began.
[Then the one who’s solving this question is… Taishou-kun, can you solve this?]
[Eh? …Uh, sorry. I don’t know]
(TN: imagine being able to do this irl, world problems would be nonexistent) (EDN: I wish I could do this and get away with it)
The teacher called out to Taishou, but he responded apologetically.
[Then, Konohana-san. Please take his place]
[Yes]
Standing in front of the blackboard, she picked up the chalk and wrote down her answer.
[Will this suffice?]
[As always, it’s perfect. Thank you very much]
As Hinako returned to her seat, her classmates looked at her with respect.
I don’t think that’s the same girl who slept on my lap so sloppily earlier. She said she didn’t want to go to class…
The chime rang, and the academy had a break.
As I rotated my shoulders to stretch my muscles, Taisho and Asahi-san approached me.
[Fuaa~, I’m tired… I hate the fifth period because it makes me sleepy]
[Oh, it’s Taishou-kun, who couldn’t answer in class earlier]
[Ugh… I can’t help it… I made a slight mistake in my prep work]
It seems that in order to keep up with the classes at Kiou Academy, preparation is a must.
I was impressed with Taishou, who said it as if it were natural. I then looked at Hinako’s seat.
…Hinako’s not there?
When I noticed that Hinako wasn’t in the classroom, I quickly stood up.
[I’m going to the bathroom]
After saying that to them, I went to find Hinako.
It hasn’t been more than 5 minutes after the class ended. She shouldn’t be too far.
Just to be sure, I left the classroom and scanned around the hallway — I easily found her.
[…What, so Hinako’s in the bathroom]
While chatting with several female students, Hinako entered the bathroom.
A few minutes later. Hinako returned to the classroom and sat down.
Just as I was about to return, my phone rang.
“Is now a good time?”
[Yes?]
I expected it, but sure enough, it was Shizune-san.
“Perhaps, Ojou-sama has dropped her fortune.”
[Is it her wallet?]
“Yes. There’s a distance between the location of Ojou-sama’s transmitter and her wallet/”
[… I didn’t know she had a tracker on her]
How untrustworthy is Hinako…?
[I’ll look for it right away. …By the way, can you tell me where the wallet is?]
“It’s definitely in the west side of the main building, but beyond that is hard to tell.”
West side of main building?
The call’s timing, and the location of it. This is…
[Maybe… in the bathroom]
“…Haaah, I see.”
She must’ve dropped it when she went to the bathroom earlier.
“She’s a perfect girl in public, but she’s always alone in the bathroom. She often loses things there.”
[Is that so…]
“Anyways, please collect it.”
The call with Shizune-san ended.
[…No, even if she said to collect it…]
For the time being, I went in front of the women’s bathroom, and turned around.
As a man, I can’t go inside. What should I do…
[Hey, you there?]
As I was thinking, I was approached from the side.
When I turned around, there was a female student with a ridiculously prominent appearance.
The long, golden hair was coiled in a spiral shape — known as a vertical roll of golden hair. The girl, whose hair and hairstyle I’ve only seen in the world of manga, is so stylish that you can tell even when she’s wearing her school uniform, and her skin is white. Her brown eyes had a powerful glint in them that suggested she had a strong mind.
[What can I do for you?]
[No, it’s…]
[Oh, by the way, I haven’t introduced myself]
The girl says in a unique tone to my confused and bewildered self.
[I am Tennouji Mirei! The sole daughter of the Tennouji Group!]
The girl said her name proudly and somewhat self-consciously.
[Huh…]
[“Huh…” What’s with that dumbfounded reply? It’s not like you don’t know about the Tennouji Group, right?]
[…I’m sorry]
When I apologized, Tennoji-san’s eyes widened.
[C-Could it be… You don’t know about the Tennouji group..? I-It’s the Tennouji Group, you know!?]
[I apologize for my ignorance]
[It’s more than just ignorance!!]
A high pitched, angered yell pierced my ears.
[The Tennouji Group is a massive group that originated from mining operations! It’s now Japan’s largest non-ferrous metal manufacturer as well as a major chemical manufacturer. The scale is on par with the Konohana Group, you know!?]
[…Is that so?]
I was overwhelmed by Tennoji-san’s passionate speech in a hoarse voice.
[That reaction… you, you know the Konohana Group, then?]
[Well, yeah]
[A-As expected…! I still dislike her, Konohana Hinako…! Because of that woman, my fame isn’t spreading…!]
Tennoji-san’s face turned bright red and shivered angrily. It seems like she has a grudge.
[…Well, are you in some kind of trouble?]
When Tennoji-san asked calmly, I remembered my original goal.
[Well, I think there’s a wallet that was forgotten in the ladies bathroom but, I was wondering how to retrieve it]
[I’ll get it for you, if that’s all you need. Please wait for a moment]
After saying that, Tennoji-san went into the bathroom.
A minute later, Tennoji-san appeared, holding a peach-colored wallet in her hand.
[This is it, right?]
[Yes. Thank you very much]
[Now then, why did you, a man, notice a wallet in the ladies bathroom?]
[Ah… That’s, well…]
I answer, spinning my head around.
[The owner of the wallet told me to look for it… by process of elimination, I thought it might be in the bathroom]
I almost told her the truth. It looks like Tennoji-san sees Hinako as a rival, but she doesn’t realize that the owner of the wallet is Hinako. So I thought that the answer was good enough but…
[You, you’re just an errand boy, aren’t you?]
Tennoji-san said in a frustrated tone.
[You can’t do that. If you’re attending this academy, you will be in a position of authority in the future, right? If people is making you their errand boy, I’d be worried about your future]
[Uhm, I’ll be careful]
[You’re not very confident, are you? Say it to me more clearly]
[I’ll be careful!]
[…You can do it if you try, right?]
Satisfied, Tennoji-san nodded.
[Then next, you need to straighten your posture. Confidence comes from posture, you know?] (TN: I feel personally attacked) (EDN: Seems like I’m the least confident person out there, this checks out)
I straightened my back as I was told to.
[That’s good]
When Tennoji-san saw me do as she told, she smiled.
[The class is about to start. If you have any problems in the future, look for this yellow-colored hair]
Tennoji-san pointed to her own hair and said so.
It’s a trademark feature, while at the same time, being a questionable one as well.
[Um… I have a simple question, is it okay to dye your hair in this academy?]
[Wha-!?]
As she was about to leave, Tennoji-san made a strange sound and stopped.
[My… My hair is dyed…?]
[Isn’t that the case?]
[A-Are you saying… My hair is being mistaken for something being dyed…?]
[I didn’t say that much…]
I told her it was a simple question.
I’m not accusing her of anything.
[No, I didn’t dye it…]
Tennoji-san said in a low voice, as if muttering.
[I… DIDN’T DYE IT~~!]
Shouting this, Tennoji-san ran down the hallway.
[….She definitely dyed it] (TN: This dude kinda hopeless huh]
Translator here, to apologize once again for the long updates. I just want to inform that I want to end chapter 2 by the end of the year, but at this pace is quite impossible, so I’m setting the goal up until the end of January. Thanks again for continuing on reading this, I’m very grateful. And man it’s so long, why is it 69 pages for chapter 2 only
TL: Ezu
ED: Animu
PR: Mateo
tsuowo
Geez, this is what “never seeing blonde people in real life” does to you.