Saijo no Osewa ~ Takane no Hana [LN] - V1 Chp 4 part 8

The midterm exams at Kiou Academy were structured a little differently than my old school. The exam time for one subject was ninety minutes. It was simply longer because there were more questions. In addition, subjects not found in other schools, such as economics, were added.

 

The midterm exams took place over three days.

 

Finally, on the last day, with the last exam done… I could finally let out some steam.

 

[…Somehow, it’s done]

 

As soon as the chime of the exam rang out, I breathed a sigh of relief.

 

The students left the school looking exhausted because there were no classes today.

 

I took a glance at Hinako’s direction. Hinako was surrounded by her classmates, chatting about how well she had done on the exam. It looked like it would take a while, so I headed to the restroom.

 

As I was returning to the classroom after using the restroom, I encountered a familiar face.

 

[Narika?]

 

[…Itsuki huh]

 

Narika, who was walking down the hallway with unsteady steps, turned around.

 

Her eyes were devoid of light.

 

[Haha, it’s done. …the test and me]

 

[…I’m guessing it was useless]

 

Although I suspected this from the study sessions, it seems that Narika is quite poor in studying. Except for the subjects of PE and history, she seems to be below average.

 

[How did Itsuki do?]

 

[…At least I think I escaped red marks]

 

[Pffft, I’m sure you did. I thought that’d be the case. …Because you’re a traitor]

 

[What do you mean, a traitor…]

 

[You work at Konohana-san’s house, away from me, and have better grades than mine…. After all, Itsuki is my benefactor. It reminds me of how I’m a bad person in a way. …Does Itsuki hate me by any chance?]

 

[No, I don’t hate you….]

 

[……..No fair]

 

She whispered.

 

Not wanting to get caught up in the overflowing negative aura any further, I quickly turned around. 

 

[T-then, I’ll just go and… see you tomorrow]

 

[Tomorrow… I wish I could take a break…]

 

You sound like Hinako. 

 

I parted with Narika, who gazed out the window with distant eyes, and returned to the classroom.

 

Just then, Hinako also seemed to have finished chatting with her classmates and was getting ready to leave the school.

 

As usual, after Hinako gets in the car, I get in at the rendezvous point further away.

 

[Thank you for your hard work on the exam]

 

When I got inside the car, I was approached by Shizune-san.

 

[How was it?]

 

[Thanks to your help, I was able to solve them reasonably well]

 

[I’m not sure how much “reasonably well” means, but considering the results of the mock exam on the day before… It wasn’t too bad. It’s worth studying hard, isn’t it?]

 

[…Thank you very much]

 

Shizune-san’s praise made me feel like the test was finally over.　

 

―I guess I managed to overcome it.

 

―I passed one. But I can’t let my guard down. I’ll continue to study. 

 

The car heads to the Konohana family mansion. There’s not much conversation today because I was tired too.

 

[Speaking of which, Ojou-sama. The day after tomorrow, on Saturday, I’ve been asked to tell you to attend a meal along with Keigon-sama] 

 

Shizune-san said from the passenger seat.

 

[The guests are the CEO of Chikamoto shipbuilding corporation, as well as the director of several other members of Sea Japan United. Chikamoto shipbuilding’s plan is to partner with the companies under Konohana group. Sea Japan United partnered with Chikamoto shipbuilding for economic purposes, and that kind of relationship is appearing]

 

While looking over the documents, Shizune-san continued to explain.

 

[When she was 7 years old, Ojou-sama greeted the CEO of Chikamoto Shipbuilding at a social gathering. When arranging the meal recently, the other party wanted to see the grown up Ojou-sama at a glance, and I’ve been informed that Ojou-sama has been decided to attend. Please do not misbehave]

 

[Nnnー…so annoying]

 

 

[Please]

 

Perhaps accustomed to this kind of exchange, Shizune-san continued without hesitation.

 

Hinako was sitting to my right, pouting.

 

[And, Itsuki-san]

 

[Yes]

 

[I will ask Itsuki-san to come closer to the venue on the day of the event]

 

[Yes?]

 

I tilted my head at the unexpected words.

 

[I’m sure you’ll have opportunities to attend social circles in the future, so there’s no harm in getting used to the atmosphere now. The meal will be held outdoors, so please observe from afar as a servant of the Konohana family on the day of the meal]

 

[…I understand]

 

♢♢♢

 

Saturday. On the day that Hinako was to attend a meal with Keigon-san, I had changed into clothes that Shizune-san gave me to accompany her as a servant.

 

[A suit, is it?]

 

I mutter to myself as I ask Shizune-san to check my outfit. 

 

[Do you not like it?]

 

[No, that’s not what I meant… I’m just not used to wearing it]

 

Unlike my part-time and school uniform, the clothes are a bit tight and uncomfortable. However, my outfit in the mirror looks good compared to my usual school uniform. It may be because I had my hair set up, but I think it’s because of the high quality of the suit.

 

[By the way, that suit is the highest Italian brand, costing 700,000 yen]

 

[Eh!?]

 

[Please treat it with the utmost care]

 

It was even more than I imagined.

 

Don’t leave a single stain on the suit. With that mission in mind, I left the mansion with Shizune-san.

 

♢♢♢

 

[This is the venue]

 

It took about an hour to drive there but we finally arrived at our destination, a pension house.

 

[Shizune-san. Is this another Konohana family residence?]

 

[It’s more like an event venue than a villa. This one is mainly used for events like this]

 

A large, well-maintained Western-style house sat before us. The front desk was decorated in the same luxurious style as a first-class hotel, and there was a spacious golf course next to the building.

 

[Then, please go to the front desk, Ojou-sama. We will be waiting outside]

 

[…Nn]

 

Hinako, dressed in neat and tidy attire for the meal, nodded her head. 

 

From here on, we will be separated from Hinako.

 

[…Itsuki]

 

[What is it?]

 

[I’m… going to go meet an uncle I don’t know]

 

[Stop making it sound like a crime]

 

It was a sudden sentence that was hard to respond to from my position. 

 

I thought that was the end of that but… Hinako was still here.

 

[…Itsuki]

 

[What is it now?]

 

[…I’m off to do my best]

 

Hinako looked at me with a somewhat expectant look in her eyes.

 

You should have said so, preferably from the start…

　

 

[Yeah, I’m rooting for you. When this is over, we can relax at the mansion together]

 

Hinako smiled as I said that.

 

[…Nn. Ice cream, I want more]

 

With that said, Hinako went to Keigon-san.

 

After she was about 5 meters away.

 

[…Ice cream?]

 

Shizune-san mumbled. 

 

[Itsuki-san, what does she mean by ice cream?]

 

[…]

 

I turned my face away from the cold gaze that was thrown at me.

 

Hinako, you…!!!

Hinako, you…!!!

♢♢♢

---

New part tomorrow? Editor on the grind~

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TL: Ezu
ED: Animu
PR: Mateo