Chapter 6

Today, I will update one more chapter.

"Welcome back, Miss."

As she approached the entrance of the mansion, the maids and butlers standing on either side bowed in unison.

Facing at least a dozen servants, the young lady yawned lightly and then simply replied,

"Uh-huh."

She was still as laid-back as ever. However, the servants, who seemed to know this, did not react particularly and continued to bow.

The grand gates opened, and she stepped into the mansion. The interior, rivaling that of a luxury hotel, spread before her eyes. A red carpet stretched straight ahead, and lavish furnishings adorned the space. Unlike a hotel, the mansion had a more subdued atmosphere despite the abundance of gold decorations, which were rare in ordinary homes.

"Wow..."

"What is that reaction for?"

"W-well, it's just... the difference in the world we live in is so vast, it gives me goosebumps..."

"Get used to it. If you start working for Miss, you'll see this view every day."

She hadn't decided whether to work there yet, but she was already losing confidence. Staying in such a place for too long might drive her senses haywire.

"Miss, your schedule for the rest of the day..."

"Sleep."

The girl answered immediately.

"Understood. I need to guide Mr. Nishina, so I'll assign someone else to you."

The maid signaled to the other servants waiting by the wall. However, the girl frowned at the maid's words and said,

"...I won't sleep."

"Will you not sleep?"

"Uh-huh. ...I'll stay with Iku."

The girl clung to my sleeve as she spoke. I felt like I had a younger sister, but the maid beside me was wide-eyed.

"Could it be... Miss is putting off her sleep...!?"

Is it that surprising?

During the kidnapping and the car ride, she had been sleeping all the time, so I thought she had just woken up normally...

The maid, having regained her composure, resumed the tour. After climbing a large staircase, she knocked on the door at the end of the corridor.

"Excuse me."

The maid opened the door. Inside was a large room where a man stood in the center.

"You must be Iku Nishina."

The man said, looking at me.

"I am Hanazono Kagen. Hina's father and the chairman of the Hanazono Group."

The man—Kagen—stood up and greeted me. He had a youthful appearance but exuded a commanding presence in his high-quality suit.

"Although I'm called the chairman, I'm only in charge of one company within the group. I'm not in such a high position."

"Don't be modest. It's not fitting for the next head of the family to belittle himself."

"Hehe, don't be angry, Shizukanae. That was a light joke. A formal atmosphere might make Iku uncomfortable."

Kagen laughed, but his eyes suddenly became sharp.

"Ah, I see. Indeed, Hina has taken a liking to you."

Kagen looked at the girl—Hina—standing diagonally behind me. She had been clinging to my sleeve and was now nodding off with her head bobbing up and down.

"Standing and sleeping...!?"

Like a salaryman on a train commute. Ah... drool is dripping again.

"I've heard that you were only involved in Hina's kidnapping... Did anything happen during that time? It's the first time she's taken a liking to someone she just met..."

"N-no, nothing special happened."

"I see. Well, Hina lives by her feelings, so perhaps you two just clicked."

"Clicked...?"

It doesn't seem like something that can be explained by just 'clicking'... I myself don't understand why she has taken such a liking to me.

"Also, Hina has long desired a caretaker she can be at ease with. However, due to her position, it's difficult for me to provide such a person. That's why she doesn't want to let you go, someone she met by chance."

I see, that makes sense. She herself said that all her caretakers are too formal, and she wants someone more relaxed.

"Anyway, before explaining the caretaker's duties, I need to introduce you to Hina. ...Shizukanae."

"Yes."

The maid, who had been waiting in the back, bowed and operated the projector on the left side of the room. The lights dimmed, and an image appeared on the white wall.

"This is Miss during her time at the academy."

In the center of the image, the girl—Hina—was sleeping behind me. The location appeared to be a corridor in the academy, with elaborate decorations on the classroom doors and windows, befitting a prestigious school.

"Good afternoon, Hanazono-san."

"Good afternoon."

Hina responded with a demure smile to the greetings of her classmates. Hmm...? What's this feeling of unease?

The scene changed, and now a classroom with a lesson in progress was shown.

"Let's solve this problem... Hanazono-san, can you answer?"

"Yes."

When called upon, Hina stood up quietly. She walked to the blackboard and wrote the answer without hesitation, maintaining a straight posture.

She exuded a considerable amount of grace and was admired by the other students.

The scene changed again. It was the same classroom, but the sunlight suggested it was after school.

A female student approached Hina, who was sitting by the window.

"H-Hanazono-san! We're having a tea party in the garden... W-would you like to join us?"

"If you want me to, I'll come."

"Thank you! I've prepared delicious scones for you!"

"Hehe, there's no need to go to so much trouble."

The female student blushed and sighed dreamily at Hina's smile.

The video ended, and the lights in the room brightened. I honestly expressed my thoughts.

"Who is she?"

"It's Miss Hina."

"Are you kidding me?"

The girl in the video was demure, delicate, noble, and very high-born. She seemed nothing like the girl who had been nodding off behind me—wait, no, they look exactly the same.

"Hina can act as the perfect lady in public."

"In public...?"

"Yes. Conversely, when she's not in public..."

Kagen signaled to the maid, who nodded silently and changed the video. The scene was a classroom, but there was no one else around. The video showed only Hina and another female student in the same uniform.

"Miss, the next class is about to start..."

"I'm tired. I'm going to sleep."

Hina said lazily and laid her head on the desk.

The scene changed to a corridor.

"Miss! The next class is physical education, so you need to change quickly..."

"Help me change."

The scene changed to the schoolyard.

"Miss!? I just received a call from the main house saying your credit card has been misused—!?"

"I probably dropped it."

The video cut off just as the female student was about to shout. The last part was no joke...

"This is the real Hina."

Kagen said with a troubled expression.