Saijo no Osewa ~ Takane no Hana [LN] - V2 Chp 1 part 3
In the bathroom in Hinako’s room.
I watched over Hinako as she soaked in the bathtub and ate an ice cream stick.
[Delish~~]
I laughed bitterly as Hinako showed her real personality, unlike at the academy.
[Will you forgive me with this?]
[…No, it’s still lacking]
[I don’t think I can do more. It’s hard enough to bring ice cream without Shizune-san finding out]
With a sigh, Hinako dropped her gaze and opened her mouth.
[I still don’t really like it… but I’ll forgive this one time]
Once again, I asked permission to spend time with Tennouji-san.
Hinako had been opposing the idea ever since we talked about it at the dojo until now, but it was the ice cream bribe that was the decisive factor in convincing her. Perhaps, she’s happy to have a break after a long time, as she’s been busy with the dismissal of her caretaker, social events, and other messes.
However, Hinako still seemed dissatisfied.
I called out to Hinako, who stared sulkily at the water surface.
[I can turn this down if Hinako doesn’t want me to go…]
[…I don’t want to get in the way of Itsuki]
[…I see]
I wonder if she’s concerned about me.
Normally, that’s my role as a caretaker, but… I’m a little happy.
[Honestly, I’m a bit relieved]
[Relieved…?]
[I thought Hinako has been avoiding me lately]
[…Why did you think that?]
[No, I mean, you didn’t want me to wake you up in the morning anymore, and besides, you’ve been distant from me sometimes, haven’t you?]
When I said this, Hinako pouted.
[It’s not like I want to keep my distance]
[Then what’s your reason?]
[…Muuu]
With a complicated expression, Hinako muttered quietly.
[…I don’t want to say it]
I was curious, but if she wasn’t going to tell me, I wasn’t going to pry either.
[Speaking of which, Hinako]
[…What?]
[Isn’t it hot, dressed like that?]
Hinako, in front of me, was wearing the school swimsuit designed by the academy.
It’s an elegant design, typical of Kiou Academy. However, it was a little too thick to use in the bathroom.
[…Not really]
[You’ve been wearing a bikini type swimsuit until now. Why did you suddenly change to a school swimsuit?]
[…I just felt like it]
Hinako replied with a very difficult answer.
I thought inwardly about Hinako, who looked away and had her back turned to me.
―I wonder if she was still avoiding me?
Usually, she would ask to bathe together like this and talk about wanting to spend time together after school as much as possible… but right now, I don’t know what Hinako’s thinking.
I’ve been spending time with Hinako for more than a month now as her caretaker. I thought I was getting to know her thoughts little by little, but recently, I can’t read her intentions anymore. What does this mean?
[Cmon, just wash my hair]
[…Yeah]
Let’s think about it later. I put my hand on Hinako’s head.
Hinako’s ears were stained red, as if she was flustered.
[Mmmm…]
Hinako let out a satisfied sound.
Well, at least she wouldn’t let someone she didn’t like touch her hair.
[…Itsuki]
[Nn?]
As I was washing Hinako’s hair with shampoo, she told me in a small voice.
[This kind of thing… don’t do it with Tennouji-san]
What did she say?
I responded with some relief as I sighed.
[I wouldn’t do that] (EDN: so something is gonna happen) (TN: Who would’ve thought)
Do you know how hard I had to work to get used to this?
Now I don’t think of it much, but when I first became a caretaker, it was difficult.
[Nn?]
Suddenly, I noticed that Hinako’s hair was caught in the shoulder straps of her swimsuit.
[I’m going to move your shoulder strap just a little]
[…Eh?]
As I shifted and lowered her left shoulder strap, I thought I heard a strange voice.
[If you have long hair, this kind of thing is difficult]
[I-Itsuki…?]
[I’ll be done in a minute. It’ll be quick]
[….!!]
Suddenly, Hinako jumped up and down and then hurriedly got into the bathtub.
Bubbles floated on the surface of the water. At the center of it, Hinako was staring at me with a bright red face.
[Muuu…!]
[Mu?]
[Hmph, insensitive..!!]
Hinako looked embarrassed and put her hands on both shoulders.
[Insensitive…]
It was an odd line from someone who had voluntarily taken off her swimsuit.
A bit of a short part, maybe more after school later? Also ED started school again and he wanted me to say that he’s being metaphorically f*cked so that’s that/
Donations are very much appreciated.
TL: Ezu
ED: Animu
PR: Mateo