Saijo no Osewa ~ Takane no Hana [LN] - V2 Chp 3 part 7

[…Itsuki?]

It’s been a while since I returned to the Konohana family mansion.

Hinako curiously approached me when I stopped eating dinner.

[A-Ahhh, sorry. What were we talking about?]

[Talk about… wanting to skip school tomorrow…]

[I don’t think that’s a good idea. Also, we weren’t actually talking about that]

Hinako faked a cute [Tehe~] look on her face.

Ah, right. As I remember, we were talking about studying at the academy. We both do a lot of preparation and review, so even though our grades were different, we could still relate in many ways.

[Itsuki… next, I want to eat this…]

[…You can eat it yourself]

[…I can’t]

Since it would be dumb to point out that she was lying, I replied [Yes yes] and brought the pork saute on my plate to Hinako’s mouth.

While Hinako was munching and chewing, I took a bite myself. …Delicious. The cream sauce mixed with mustard gave it a mild yet delicious texture.

[Speaking of which, when does Hinako study while she’s at the mansion?]

[After school is over, I come home… and until dinner. Sometimes, they make me do it afterwards as well…]

The fact she’s forced to do it is very Hinako-like.

[If you’re going to be doing this at night… you’re going to be studying for quite a while]

[It’s not just about studying at the academy. …I also need to know about the achievements of the Konohana Group in order to keep up with the topic at dinners… When I show up for a meeting, I also discuss what I’m going to say in advance…] 

If I think about it, Hinako and I live in the same mansion, but we don’t always work together. Especially after school up until dinner, I was taking lessons from Shizune-san and Tennouji-san. During that time, Hinako must’ve been working hard on her studies too.

Tennouji-san isn’t the only one burdened with the obligations of their house.

Hinako too, studies for her house on a daily basis…

[…Don’t you feel bad about that sort of thing?]

I uttered the question unconsciously… and immediately realized.

I should’ve known about Hinako’s hardship, but I asked if it’s someone else’s problem.

[Sorry, I didn’t mean to be pitiful. I was… just wondering how Hinako as the daughter of the Konohana family, is facing her duties]

When I restated it, Hinako let out a distressed [Hmmmm]

[Studying, is… a hassle]

That would be, well, you know. Obvious.

[But… I don’t like it when someone is sad because of me, so… sometimes I feel like I have to do my best. …Sometimes, I feel suffocated, even at home]

I see. After all, even Hinako sometimes feels suffocated by her surroundings.

It’s only natural she could be fatigued to the point of illness. But since this is the first time I’ve heard of it from her own mouth, I once again realize the gravity of this fact.

[That’s why… when Itsuki came to save me, I was happy…]

Hinako said, smiling happily.

[My world… It isn’t just the Konohana family, I know that…]

Hinako smiled so beautifully that I’d rather look at it than a shooting star. 

But I had another girl’s face in my mind.

Tennouji-san said that arranged marriage is common for people of her status.

I wonder… if she knows the world outside of the Tennouji family.

That day, Mirei had a meeting with her matchmaker.

The place was the Tennouji family mansion where Mirei lives. Most people who visit this mansion for the first time usually wilt, but the other party showed no signs of doing so.

His upper-class behavior, his words and actions were rich in decency and culture. Mirei was convinced her parents prepared her for this match.

However… It still didn’t clear Mirei’s mind.

[Well, I think it’s time to call it a day]

Mirei’s mother, Hanami, announced the end of the dinner party.

The marriage partner and her mother politely greeted each other one last time before leaving.

[Mirei, good work today~]

[Yes… good work desuwa]

Her mother approached Mirei after instructing the maids about cleaning up after the dinner party.

[How did the meeting go~? From the looks of it, the talks seemed to be going well, right~?]

[I think so too. He’s intelligent, and I think he’s a nice person]

Mirei recalled the man sitting opposite her at the dinner party and told her.

[He was well groomed and had good manners. …He’s not exactly the son of the heir to a big company, is he? As expected of the one chosen by father and mother desuwa]

[After all, all I want is for Mirei to be happy~]

Her mother said and smiled softly.

[However… that man is very sensible, I would say, and elegant and trustworthy…]

[Ara, what’s wrong with that~?]

[I’m not saying it’s wrong… but if everything is so perfect, there’s no need for me to teach him anything, and I’m sure they wouldn’t do things I would worry about…]

[…What’s wrong with that~?]

Her mother was puzzled.

Mirei herself was bewildered.

What was I saying? She had that kind of face.

[By the way, this partner of yours~… How does he fare compared to Tomonari-san~?]

[W-Why is Tomonari-san’s name being mentioned here?]

[Ara~? I’m just curious, I don’t have any other intentions~?]

It was something that had nothing but other intentions.

She was one handful mother, Mirei sighed.

[There’s a world of difference compared to the son of the heir to a big company. Tomonari-san still lacks in many areas… There are so many things I have to teach him, and if he were present at a dinner like this, I would worry about a lot of things]

[Ara ara, it’s so idealistic~]

Her mother said something, but she didn’t understand, so she ignored it.

[Come to think of it, I’ve never thought about this before… What do Tomonari-san’s parents do?]

[I believe they’re a part of the Konohana group, as an IT company. …Though he hasn’t told me the name of the company yet]

Come to think of it, she’s never had that kind of discussion with Itsuki.

Usually, among students at the Imperial Academy, this kind of topic comes up within a week. Of course, not for rating purposes, but out of genuine interest.

(Tomonari-san’s case… is why he has so many interesting things to says)

In both good and bad ways, Itsuki is someone with whom there’s so much to talk about that there’s no time to talk about his family background. This was refreshing and somewhat comforting to Mirei.

[So it’s an IT company, hmm~. But for an heir, he seems to be a folksy guy in a good way… or rather friendly]

Her mother put her hand on her cheek and said.

Even though it’s a medium-sized company, Itsuki is still the heir. For that reason, it must be said that he is indeed a commoner.

Mirei knew why. She knew she shouldn’t say anything else, but…. Her mother seemed to like Itsuki a lot. Because she was sure it won’t be a bad thing, Mirei’s mouth opened up.

[…He’s adopted, just like me. So, it’s no wonder why he’s so friendly]

She was sure her mother would understand. After all, Mirei herself was adopted.

She thought so, but for some reason, her mother became just a little more serious than usual.

[Nee, Mirei. That means… Tomonari-san is adopted because they wanted an heir son~?]

[Yes… that’s how I think it is]

Mirei wondered and answered the question that she couldn’t grasp the intent of.

[It’s strange, isn’t it~? I’ve never heard of an IT company in the Konohana Group having trouble with an heir~…]

[…Eh?]

Discord/Ko-fi

TL: Ezu
ED: Animu
PR: Mateo