Saijo no Osewa ~ Takane no Hana [LN] - V1 Chp 4 part 2

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The following morning.

Morning came early in the Konohana house. I woke up at 6 a.m., changed into my school uniform, and left my room immediately. 

First, sweep and clean outside the room. After carefully wiping away the filth in front of the door, under the corridor, and near the stairs, the cleaning tools are placed in the center of the first floor. Although guests rarely visit the servants place, if it’s dirty, dust and dirt may latch on to the servants uniforms. We’re told to be thorough in our cleaning, as it was impolite to stand before a guest in dirty clothes. 

I’m on cleaning duty today. On other days, I can sleep a little more.

7 am. The servants gather in the dining room to eat and begin the meeting.

There were approximately 30 servants gathered in the dining room. Servants who had the night shift or day off didn’t attend.

[There will be no changes to the schedule today. Let’s just stick to it and get the job done]

The servants replied [Yes] to Shizune-san’s words.

As I learned when I started working here, Shizune-san is the head maid, which is the most prestigious position among the maids in the Konohana family. The servants of the Konohana family are led by 2 people, the head maid and head butler.

7.30 a.m. The servants finished eating and moved their posts.

I also headed to Hinako’s room.

[Itsuki-san, good morning]

On the way to Hinako’s room, I was called out by one of the maids.

[Good morning]

[I know it’s hard being a caretaker, but I wish you all the best]

[Yes, thank you]

The woman who encouraged me left swiftly.

[…Little by little, I’m being accepted]

I’ve been a caretaker for a week now. My face is now well known to the servants of this house.

When I reached the front of Hinako’s room, I stopped.

[….I just need to wake her up, right?]

If I think about it carefully, I’ve never woken up a woman before.

However, Shizune-san isn’t someone who gives out unreasonable instructions. I’ll think that she entrusted me with this because I could do it.

[Excuse me]

I knocked and entered.

It’s said that servants can enter without knocking. However, the Konohana family has a rule that new servants must knock first. With the recent developments of PC and other electronics, privacy has become more important, and they needed to change the rules to be more flexible.

When I entered the room, Hinako was sleeping comfortably on a bed with a fancy cover. 

[Hinako, it’s morning]

[Nuuu…. 3 more hours]

The numbers are too different. I thought it’d be 3 minutes, but I can’t wait for 3 hours.

[Wake up or you’ll be late]

[…I want to be late]

[No good!]

If you do that, all of your acting will be in vain.

If Hinako’s public image is ruined because of me, I’ll be dismissed as her caretaker. Then I wouldn’t be there for Hinako.

[Come on, get up]

When the blinds and curtains opened up, the room was bathed in dazzling sunlight.

[Muuuuu…]

Rubbing her eyes with the back of her hands, Hinako raised her body.

[…Eh, I-Itsuki…?]

[Yeah. Good morning]

After I greeted her, Hinako looked at me absentmindedly…. And went back to bed. 

Why are you going back to sleep…

[….Wake me up]

Hinako said, pointing her hands upwards.

You want me to wake you up? …I smiled wryly at the spoiled Hinako.

[Yes yes]

I pulled Hinako’s hands and lifted her up.

As I lightly held her upper body, Hinako smiled slightly.

[Itsuki… good morning]

[Good morning]

After exchanging morning greetings once more, I picked up her uniform from the hangers.

[I’ll leave your clothes here. I’ll wait outside]

[…Help me]

[…Eh?]

[Help me.. Get dressed]

Hinako said, holding out her hands, that says “take off my clothes”.

[No, helping out is a bit…]

[Huuーrryー]

My job is to wake up Hinako and get her to the dining room. …I wonder if that also includes helping her get dressed.

Slowly, I undid Hinako’s button.

I could see Hinako’s skin through a gap in her shirt.

[…!]

It was a very stimulating sight, and it made me feel uncomfortable.

Hinako closed her eyes leisurely and surrendered herself to me.

[Calm down… calm down, me] (TN: no, not the little buddy)

I helped Hinako get dressed while thinking to myself. I opened all the buttons of her shirt to reveal her peach-coloured underwear. Squinting my eyes to the very limit, I helped her into her uniform.

。

…Hinako doesn’t look at me that way. 

I’m sure Hinako is looking for someone who can give her the warmth of a family she trusts. 

In order to achieve that, I must get rid of my excessive thoughts. That’s what I thought―

[Itsuki-san, are you there?]

[Y-yes!?]

I heard Shizune-san’s voice from outside the room.

I was so surprised and startled that I made a weird noise. (TN: in the raws, it was a slurred “Hai”, probably with a high pitch)

[I forgot to mention that Ojou-sama often says things in her sleep. For example, sometimes she asked for help getting dressed… But you’re a man, so you wouldn’t take it seriously, right?]

I took it seriously!!

What do I do!!

Do I apologize? It’d be better if I had her come here to help… no, it’s too late for that. If Shizune-san sees me like this, my life as a man will be over.

[O-o-of course! Not having that much common sense isn’t my quirk!]

[That’s right. My apologies, you aren’t a thriving monkey. …I’ve come to understand over the past few days that Itsuki-san has a direct and dedicated personality. Like Ojou-sama, I too will place my trust on Itsuki-san]

It hurts,It hurts,It hurts… It really hurts.

Shizune-san, why do you give me compliments only at times like this?

[Um… Hinako]

[Whaat~?]

[…Can you not tell Shizune-san that I helped you change clothes today?]

When I asked her to do so with cold sweat dripping down my face, Hinako thought for a bit before replying.

[…If you make it part of your daily routine, sure]

[Eh…]

[I’ll see you every morning, from now on…]

GIVE ME A BREAK. Is what I said in my mind.

Back from vacation, so I can finally upload. Tomorrow’s exams, and it’s gotta be math. Ya boi’s gonna need some good luck. Anyways, here’s a new one, another one coming.

Donations are very much appreciated.

Discord/Ko-fi

TL: Ezu
ED: Animu
PR: Mateo