CH 7

Chapter 07: Living in a Mansion

Translated by Hikaru

Edited by VampireKnight

“By the way, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I am the young lady’s maid, my name is Shizune Tsurumi,” the maid said as she walks down the corridor of the mansion.

“I plan to give various guidance to Itsuki-kun, who will be the caretaker from now on, so let’s be familiar with each other.”

“Yes.”

“Itsuki-kun’s status is the heir of a medium-sized company officially, but while you are in this mansion, you are a caretaker. For this reason, please change the way you address the young lady here.”

“I understand. Hinako-sama… is that correct?”

Shizune-san nods.

“On the contrary, outside the mansion, you will be the young lady’s schoolmate, so it would be better to address her by “san”.”

While I am attending the academy, I am to call Hinako-sama by san. We have to distance ourselves as well. I nod my head.

“This will be Itsuki-kun’s room,” Shizune-san said as she opens the door to the room.

The room is about seven tatami mats in size and is furnished simply with only a bed and a study desk. It’s probably a servant’s room. I was overwhelmed by the size of the mansion, so I felt relieved. I could easily get used to this.

“If there is any furniture you need, we can make an order for it later. From now on, you can stay in this room.”

“Yes.”

I was told that they would take orders, but I am afraid that a newcomer couldn’t just suddenly ask for everything. I’ll think about it when I am able to work like a normal person at least.

“Nuh-uh.”

At this time, the girl let out a strange voice and dived onto the bed in the room.

“Um, …… Hinako-sama. That’s my bed.”

“The caretaker’s bed is…ー My bed…ー”

With a cute, happy expression on her face, Hinako buried her face in the futon.

“It can’t be helped. Let’s let the young lady sleep here for a while.” Shizune-san said with a sigh.

“Itsuki-kun. You will be attending the Imperial Academy as a transfer student from tomorrow. There are a few things you need to learn before that…”

I nodded at Shizune-san’s words.

“You mean about the caretaker’s job.”

“That’s true, but there’s more.”

Shizune-san explained, “The Imperial Academy is a prestigious school that attracts the children of the rich and powerful. All of the classes are of a high level, so it’s not something that someone who has lived a normal life can suddenly keep up with. So, from now on, until dinner, I’m going to ask you to study the contents of the class.”

“…Is it really that high level?”

“Yes. Moreover, since you will be working with her many times, your grades must be on par with hers. At the very least, you need to have the academic ability to not be in trouble if you are nominated during class.”

“… I’m not confident.”

“It’s not just academics. It is also about manners, behavior, and self-defense.”

“Self-defense?”

“Just in case.“

To my astonishment, Shizune-san said calmly, “Oh, are you afraid?”

“No…, I’ve done a lot of physical work in my life. I’m confident in my physical strength.”

“I see. Let’s see what you can do after the preparation work is done.”

I smiled wryly at Shizune-san who told me so without hesitation. Considering Shizune-san’s personality, it is better to take the initiative now. Of course, she’s my boss as a caretaker, but…she would probably give me a spartan education forever if I am not good enough. I don’t want that to happen, I want her to know early on that I am good at what I do. I am going to give a shot to those who are living a life of elegance in a luxurious mansion, so don’t underestimate the struggling students―.

◆

“I’m at my wits’ end. Please forgive me. I will die.”

That night I was on my knees facing Shizune-san at the dojo in one corner of the mansion.

“That’s right. Well, let’s conclude today’s lesson.”

After completing a series of lessons on studying and etiquettes, I was exhausted to the point of fading into unconsciousness. The self-defense lesson was particularly taxing on my mind and body. I never thought I’d be treated like that, like a baby. I decided to call Shizune-san a martial arts maid in my mind.

“For more information about the caretaker’s job, please refer to this manual.”

“… It’s thick.”

“I’m going to give you a verbal rundown before dinner, but if there’s anything you don’t understand, you can either rely on the manual or ask me,” Shizune-san said to me as I receive the thick manual.

“Um, …… in my room, Hinako-sama is still sleeping.”

“The young lady is usually asleep when she is in the mansion. Please leave her be.”

“No, but I’d like to go to bed soon…”

“Please sleep in the hallway. I’ll lay out a futon for you.”

“…..”

“Just kidding. Please wait until the young lady returns to her room.”

“……Yes.”

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go. If you need anything, just call me.”

With that, Shizune-san left the dojo. After informing her of my intention to serve as the caretaker, I received the smartphone that is provided to the servants of the Konohana family. Shizune-san’s number was also in my address book, but…I don’t want to call her if I can help it.

“…Maybe being a caretaker is a job that would normally require a very high-spec person to do it,” I mutter to myself as I left the dojo and head to my room.

I heard that Shizune-san’s lessons were held every day. If I keep doing them, I might be able to become a perfect person in both literature and martial arts within a few months. It’s either that… or I am going to lose my mind.

So, I returned to my room and took a break. After putting the manual on the desk, I turn around and see the girl is still there.

“Hmmm …… ehe, ehe ……”

Apparently, Hinako-sama loved sleeping. She slept a lot while she was kidnapped, and she usually seemed to sleep well until morning. I let out a sigh and sit down in the chair provided at my desk. I am so tired today, and I want to go to bed early too. But with Hinako-sama in my bed, I do not know what to do…

“That’s right. There’s a manual for situations like this.”

I turn through the pages of the manual.

“Well, here it is. Things to watch out for when the young lady is sleeping, mansion edition. The young lady spends most of her time sleeping when she is in the mansion. If you wake up a lady who is sleeping soundly, she will become cranky, so be sure to guide her to her room before putting her to sleep. It’s too late…!”

I knew where Hinako-sama’s room was, but can I take her there without permission? When I tried to look it up in the manual, my phone suddenly vibrated… I received a message.

Yuri: Do you want to go to school together tomorrow?

When I saw the message on the screen, I couldn’t help but let out a squeak.

“Shit, I forgot to explain.”

My previous phone was in my parents’ name, so I had to sync my data to the phone that was provided to me. Therefore, messages from previous acquaintances were also received on this phone. How I should explain. As I was wondering, messages started flying in like rain in May.

Yuri: If you don’t want to, that’s fine! I’m going with my other friends!

Yuri: Hey?

Yuri: Don’t ignore…

It was not that I am ignoring it. Since I can’t find an answer to my problem, I decided to be honest with her.

Itsuki: Due to circumstances, I can no longer attend that high school.

Yuri: What?

I got a reply right away.

Yuri: Can you call me?

Itsuki: Sorry, I’m tired, I’ll call you later.

To be honest, I can not even think anymore. If I think about anything else right now, I was afraid I was going to lose all the prep work that Shizune-san packed into my head. The phone vibrated. I said another time, but…it’s no good. I can’t bring myself to answer it. After leaving it for a while, the messages are sent again.

Yuri: Why don’t you answer?

Yuri: Hey.

Yuri: Hey??

“―Hey.”

“Whoa!?”

Suddenly, someone called out to me from behind and I jumped up. I turn around to see Hinako-sama standing there, her eyes squinting sleepily.

“Oh, you’re awake…”

“Who’s that person?”

“What? Oh…, um, we’re childhood friends who went to the same high school…”

“… Hmm.”

Hinako-sama gave me a tentative smile and reached for my phone. I wonder if she wanted to look something up on the Internet. I thought this and handed her my phone.

“… confiscated.”

“Eh.”

Hinako-sama crawled into the futon with my phone in her hand.

“Now I have peace…”

“Peace… Um, can I have that back, please?”

“No,” Hinako-sama said as she turned her back to me.

“…… I hate your tone.”

“Yes?”

Tone… Oh, she meant honorifics?

“Change it.”

“No, but…”

“If you don’t change it, you’re fired.”

Such arrogance…

“…… Is this what you want?”

“Hm. That’s it.”

“Shizune-san told me to change my tone…”

“Tomorrow, I’ll tell Shizune.”

If that is the case, I wonder if it’s ok… I can ask Shizune-san directly tomorrow.

“Itsuki.”

“… what is it.”

“From tomorrow, I’ll be in your care,” Hinako said with a soft smile on her face.

For a moment, I am mesmerized by her like that, and a little later, I replied.

“… Oh.”

Perhaps she was satisfied with my reply, Hinako-sama dove back into bed.―

“Oh, hey! Wait! If you’re going to sleep, at least go back to your room!”

The young lady was already asleep. This person is thick.