CH 8

Chapter 08: Rumor of a Transfer Student

Translated by Hikaru

Edited by VampireKnight

Hinako-sama, who fell asleep in my room, was eventually carried away by Shizune-san. I casually collected the confiscated phone and put it in my pocket.

The next day. I put on the black school uniform of the Imperial Academy and walked out of the mansion. A black car was parked in front of the gate. In front of it is Hinako-sama.

“I want to go home.”

“If you say the same thing in eight hours, I’ll agree.”

“Mu~u…”

Shizune-san quieted down Hinako-sama, who is being spoiled being spoiled as usual.

“Itsuki-sama, please come with me.” Shizune-san looked at me and said.

Well, from now on, I am the heir apparent of a medium-sized company. Shizune-san referred to me using -sama, and I realized that my official identity has been switched.

“Now, Itsuki-sama. Which seat would you like to sit in?”

As I am about to get in the car, Shizune-san asked me.

Maybe this is a review of… the etiquette class I took the other day.

“…back seat, in front.”

“Correct answer. If there is a driver, the person in the higher position sits in the back seat, the center of the back seat, the front of the back seat, and the front passenger seat, in that order.”

“If the driver is a companion, the passenger seat would be the highest seat in the car.”

“That’s right. You’ve been studying well.”

Well, I was given an unimaginable Spartan education so…

“Normally, it would be the job of the caretaker to escort the young lady to the car like this, but I think I’ll leave the job to Itsuki-sama one by one. Now…, please get in the car.”

Hinako-sama entered the car, then I entered the back seat. Shizune-san sat in the passenger seat.

“Sーleeーpy…”

You have had a lot of sleep. I managed to restrain myself from going into a rant that reached my throat. The car started to move slowly.

“Since the two of you are supposed to be living in separate houses, we will drop you off just before the academy.”

“So it’s just the two of us walking down the street to school? But if we do that, we might get kidnapped like yesterday―”

“Do not worry. I will always be on the perimeter to protect you. The other day’s incident happened because the young lady went out without notifying us… You, as the caretaker, are responsible for preventing such situations from happening.”

“I understand…”

Today is my first day of work. As the caretaker, I will be paying close attention.

“By the way, I’m in the same class as Hinako-sama…, am I not?”

“Of course. As a caretaker, you’ll be working with the young lady at all times.”

It seems that Hinako-sama and I will be classmates.

“Itsuki… what’s your tone?”

“Ugh.”

You heard me…, but I do not feel comfortable calling out Hinako-sama in front of Shizune-san. As I am making a bitter face, Hinako-sama said to Shizune-san.

“Shizune. Itsuki’s tone of voice changed it back.”

“But, young lady. That would not set a good example for the rest of us.”

“Then… only when it’s just the two of us and Shizune’s around.”

“… Understood.” Reluctantly, Shizune-san complied.

“It is good. Itsuki… you can talk to me.”

“I’m not really happy about it…”

Shizune-san’s gaze is painful.

Or rather, I didn’t mind using honorifics. I have spent my whole life working part-time, so I am used to having a hierarchical relationship.

“To avoid revealing yourself, Itsuki-sama, please use honorific language in the academy. Being the heir to a medium-sized business is a rather low-status in the Imperial Academy, it would be better to avoid any unnecessary conflicts.”

“I understand.”

I am the son of the heir of a medium-sized company and still have a low status. Surely, I will be able to speak respectfully without being told. Probably, all the students attending the academy are of a nobler background than me.

“Ahhhーthe… academy is approachingー…” Hinako said, looking completely lazy.

“Itsuki…”

“……what is it.”

“Cuddles.”

The car shook violently.

What are you talking about all of a sudden, young lady?

The driver was also shocked.

“My lady. That’s, well, that’s an inappropriate act of a lady.”

“Itsuki smells good…, you know?”

“Oh…is that so?” Shizune-san rolled her eyes.

“Excuse me, Itsuki-sama. May I have a sniff for future reference?”

“No, …I don’t think it smells good at all. Please forgive me.”

“…going to do it.” As she said that, Hinako put her nose close to my sleeve.

Just in case, I am going to try sniffing it myself. No, I don’t smell anything. If I have to guess, I’d say it smelled like the detergent used in the Konohana household.

“Um, Hinako-san. I’m a man myself, so you can’t be too close to me.”

“Tone.”

“… Hinako.”

“Plーeaーseー…”

It seemed that no matter what I say, it will be in vain.

I let out a sigh, and next to me, Shizune-san let out an even deeper sigh.

“Young lady. It’s about time…”

“…Hmm.”

About thirty minutes later, the car arrived at our destination.

In a quiet, unpopulated alley, Hinako and I are dropped off. There are no people around, but…it seemed that many of the Konohana family’s guards were actually lurking around.

“Itsuki-sama. I’ll give you this.” With that said, Shizune-san handed me a black bag of which the contents could not be seen.

“This is…?”

“If the young lady’s hearing is too bad, please use this.”

I gave a vague, “Hah” in response to the instructions that I didn’t quite understand the intention.

The bag is light, and as I try to stuff it into my bag, I hear a rustling sound of something crunching together.

“Well, have a good day.”

Shizune thanked me reverently, and I thanked her lightly as well, then started walking towards the school.

“…I want to go home.”

“Don’t you have to act?”

“I haven’t even met anyone but I… I already lost my motivation.”

Apparently, Hinako is equipped with the ability to sense people’s gazes. That’s what she said, but as her caretaker, I have to protect her appearance as a young lady. I headed for the school, looking around carefully.

“… huge.”

I couldn’t help but mutter to myself as I stood in front of the majestic, mansion-like school building. One of Japan’s most prestigious schools, the Imperial Academy. The name might sound foolish, but it is actually a very good educational institution.

一I am hesitant to take a step forward. Next to me一

“Konohana-san, good morning.”

“Good morning.”

A girl with amber hair fluttering in the wind was dutifully responding to the greetings of students on the street.

“Konohana-san…, look beautiful today.”

“Yes. Very noble…”

I can hear such voices coming from everywhere.

I sneak a peek at Hinako’s face, which has started acting before I knew it. She looked so different from before. I couldn’t believe that the girl with the intelligent and decent behavior is the same person as the girl who was drooling in my room last night.

“What’s wrong, Nishinari-kun?”

“Whoa.”

Hinako stared at my face with concern. I am taken aback. I hurriedly hold my mouth and tell her it is nothing.

When we entered the school building, we headed for the staff room.

Fortunately, Hinako and I are the same age. So we could be in the same grade without having to lie about my age. Shizune-san further helped us to become students in the same class.

“I’ve been waiting for you. You must be Itsuki Nishinari.”

As I enter the staff room, I am approached by a female teacher.

“My name is Misono Fukushima. I will be the homeroom teacher of Class 2A, to which Itsuki-kun belongs. Thank you for your cooperation. “

“It’s my pleasure.”

I bowed my head lightly.

Fukushima-sensei looked at Hinako, who was standing next to me.

“Are you acquainted with Konohana-san?”

“Oh, that…”

I couldn’t come up with a lie right away, so I stammered. Then Hinako, who was standing next to me, opened her mouth.

“My family and Nishinari-kun’s family are very close, so we have been in touch for a long time. Because of this, I decided to show him around the school.”

“Well, I see.” The teacher was convinced by Hinako who explained in a polite tone.

“Nishinari-kun, having Konohana-san as your guide is quite a luxury.”

“Haha… I guess so.”

Teacher, did you know?

This girl is likely to get lost within the academy when she is alone.