Saijo no Osewa ~ Takane no Hana [LN] - V2 Chp 4 part 2
[Itsuki-san, thank you for working hard with Tennouji-sama today]
When I returned, Shizune-san greeted me.
I was obligated to report to Shizune-san about what had happened today. I clenched my fists in nervousness, took a deep breath and opened my mouth. I clenched my fists, took a deep breath
[Uhm… Shizune-san. I’d like to talk to you about something]
[What a coincidence. I do too]
[Eh?]
It looked like Shizune-san also had something to talk about.
I had no idea what it was. …But I was sure mine was more important this time.
[Then, I would like to ask what Itsuki-sama wants to talk about]
[…Yes]
I honestly told her about everything that happened today.
That Tennouji-san discovered who I really was, and―how I was the one who willingly revealed it. I was nervous, but I explained in detail as if I was trying to atone for my sin.
[I didn’t tell her about Hinako’s true self, but other than that, I’ve… already explained it all]
[…Is that so]
Shizune-san noded with a solemn expression.
[I’m glad you’re being honest]
[…What?]
I was afraid of what kind of punishment I’d get, but Shizune-san acted as if she was impressed. My eyes widened, not understanding what she meant.
[Just now, I received a call from Tennouji Mirei-sama. She asked for you to not be expelled from the academy]
I was astonished by those words.
[I have heard about the general situation. …Mirei-sama seems to have regretted that she suspected Itsuki-san more than necessary because she couldn’t keep her cool. Mirei-sama claimed full responsibility]
[But that’s not…]
Perhaps, Tennouji-san… she contacted Shizune-san right after we parted ways.
Tennouji-san is that kind of person. While I was surprised, I was also convinced that this is how she does things.
[As expected of the daughter of the Tennouji family. She knew about Itsuki-san’s status and went through the trouble of contacting me by name. She must’ve sensed that if she suddenly reported the matter to Keigon-sama, Itsuki-san’s position would be jeopardized. …I will inform Keigon-sama from my side. The first thing to do is to make sure you have the right information and right tools. Since it’s come to this, firing you is likely to create a feud with the Tennouji family]
If Tennouji-san had not called, I might’ve been fired as punishment. However, thanks to Tennouji-san’s desperate attempt to protect me, the Konohana family came to the conclusion that if they fired me, they might have a falling out with the Tennouji family.
[You were saved]
[…Yes]
[I also feel responsible for this matter. …If it’s the Tennouji family, there’s a limit to how much we can manipulate information. We may need to take more measures]
Shizune-san said with a serious look.
Then I realized she was looking at Hinako from beyond the corridor.
[Hinako?]
When I called out to her, Hinako walked over with a small stride.
[The two of you… What’s wrong?]
[Actually, it seems that Itsuki-san’s true identity has been discovered by Tennouji-sama]
[…Eh?]
Hinako’s sleepy eyes slowly widened.
[Itsuki, how…? Don’t tell me… you’re going to get fired..?]
[I don’t think you have to worry about that]
Shizune-san told her bluntly.
Then, Hinako walked next to me.
[Ouch]
She kicked me lightly in the shin.
[…Don’t make me worry like that]
[…Sorry]
I apologize to Hinako, who was pouting.
[But… how did she find out…?]
[…I didn’t want to lie to Tennouji-san more than I already had. Tennouji-san isn’t the kind of person who would do detrimental things to others… and I decided I could trust her]
[….Muu]
Suddenly, Hinako lets out a grumbling voice.
[Itsuki… trusts her quite a bit]
[Yeah. I trust her a lot, but you also know that Tennouji-san is that kind of person, right?]
[….That’s true, but…]
Hinako let out more grumbling noises.
Eventually, she spoke.
[…Itsuki’s an idiot]
[Ehh!?]
Hinako then turned away and left.
I look at her back, feeling stunned.
[S-Shizune-san. Did… did I just make Hinako hate me…?]
[No, that’s not what she intended to do…]
Shizune-san put her hand to her forehead and let out a sigh.
[….What am I supposed to do about this?]
At night, I finished my studies as usual and straightened my back lightly.
When I checked the answers to the questions I solved, I noticed a lower percentage of correct answers.
I couldn’t concentrate today.
[….I made them worried, huh]
Shizune-san and Hinako, I feel responsible for making them anxious.
This was by no means Tennouji-san’s fault. The fact that I lied, and the fact that Tennouji-san caught on, was all because of me.
I opened the textbook and decided I would study a little more.
Let’s do one more, as I thought that… A knock came from the door of my room.
[…? Come in]
It was unusual for someone to visit at this hour.
When the door opened, I saw Shizune-san and Hinako standing there.
[Hinako?]
[…Nn]
Hinako, who was apparently being led to my room by Shizune-san, entered with small footsteps.
Shizune-san, who was behind the door, looked at me silently, nodded, and left. Shizune-san was just accompanying Hinako to show her the way and had no business with me.
The door closed, leaving me alone with Hinako.
Hinako often visited my room and slept in my bed instead of her own, so I wasn’t that nervous anymore.
[Errr, why did you come here?]
[….No reason]
Looks like she doesn’t have any errands.
From the looks of it, she wasn’t in a bad mood…. but, when we made eye contact, I bowed my head as an apology for what happened today.
[I’m sorry that I worried you today]
[…Nn]
Hinako layed down on my bed, slowly sinking into it.
[If Itsuki gets fired… I’d be in trouble]
Hinako said as she hugged the pillow.
If I get fired, it’s a given that I’d be in trouble. However, by extension, Hinako would also be in trouble.
I have to be more careful.
What more should I do to be more aware of that?
[…Speaking of which, how does Hinako always act?]
I asked Hinako as she hugged her pillow.
[…Why?]
[I think, from now on I’ll have to behave better than ever before. …I’m sure Hinako acts naturally now, but when you’re at the academy, you act like a lady, right? I’d like to know how you switch between the two]
When I explained the intent of my question, Hinako nodded as if she got the point.
Hinako thought for a while.
[Nnn… I didn’t do anything strange. …I just learned it before I knew it]
I see.
I thought it’d be something kind of like a Konohana-style hypnosis.
I’m not sure if I can honestly be impressed by her saying she somehow learned how to do it out of the blue. Did she adapt on her own volition? …Or was she brought into an environment where she had no choice but to do so?
Fortunately, Hinako didn’t really care.
[Then, can Hinako, for example, still act like you do when you’re at the academy if you wanted to?]
[Nn… I can]
Hinako stood up slowly, shaking her sleepiness off.
Hinako approached me as I sat on my chair.
When the distance between us was the same as it was in the classroom, Hinako straightened her back quickly.
[Good morning, Tomonari-san]
[Woow]
The tone of her voice, her gestures, everything changed in an instant.
My lips twitched in surprise at the sudden appearance of Hinako Ojou-sama.
[Woow… what?]
[N-No, sorry. I was just surprised…]
I hurriedly apologized to the disgruntled Hinako.
The switch was smooth… or rather, more slippery than I imagined.
[It’s so easy for you to switch in between…]
[Nn. …When I’m at the academy, I feel cramped, but I can take it easy here]
Apparently, she doesn’t feel uncomfortable acting here.
I’m glad that’s the case.
[…Ah, but, this isn’t the academy… so you can call me by my name]
Hinako seemed to have noticed something, and let out a complicated expression.
Then, Hinako, who switched back to her Ojou-sama mode, looked me in the face and said,
[Good morning, Itsuki-kun]
[…!]
I felt my heart skip a beat.
She just called my name, but I was shocked.
[What’s wrong, Itsuki-kun? You look a little pale…]
[N-No…]
I couldn’t think.
Hinako at the academy is under a lot of stress and yet she acts under that pressure.
That’s why, I never thought that….
(This… the destructive power she has is amazing) (EDN: What kind of play is this…)
It’s the first time I got called by my name by this Hinako. So I felt as if an unobtainable flower, which I could never reach, had snuggled up to me just for my own sake.
The girl in front of me was called the perfect Ojou-sama for a reason.
I now clearly understood why she was the “most prestigious” student at the academy.
[Itsuki-kun?]
Hinako looked at my face.
I remembered that Hinako was so good-looking that 10 out of 10 people would turn their heads to look at her.
[…Hinako]
[Yes, what is it?]
Hinako tilted her head slightly while still in Ojou-sama mode.
I was too nervous to talk to her like this, so―
[There’s potato chips]
[Ehhh]
Hinako instantly returned to her natural state.
Hinako’s eyes lit up as I pulled a bag of chips from the drawer.
Shizune-san gave it to me as a last resort if Hinako wouldn’t listen to me when I was working as her caretaker, but recently Hinako has been cooperating so much that I had spares.
[So good~]
Hinako, who received the potato chips, acted like she normally did.
I’m more comfortable with this Hinako.
However… When I think about it calmly, it might have been a bad idea to give snacks this late at night.
[…Don’t tell Shizune-san]
[Nn!]
Hinako nodded with a full smile on her face.
Donations are very much appreciated.
TL: Ezu
ED: Animu
PR: Mateo