CH 32

Morning comes early in the Konohana household.

I woke up at 6 a.m., washed my face, changed into the uniform of the Academy, and went out of the room. Normally, servants are supposed to change into the uniform of the attendants, but since I had to go to the academy with Hinako as her caretaker, I had to wear the school uniform.

Once outside the room, I did a quick cleaning. I carefully wiped the dirt in front of the door, in the corridor, and near the stairs, and finally placed the cleaning supplies I had used in the center of the first floor. It is not often that guests visit the living space of the servants, but if this space is dirty, the dust may stick to the uniforms of the servants. It was extremely impolite to stand in front of guests in dirty clothes, so we were told to be thorough in cleaning.

The cleaning duty is done in shifts, and today I’m on duty. On my off-duty days, I can sleep a little longer.

7:00 a.m. The servants gather in the cafeteria to eat and begin their meeting.

Basically, the schedule of the servants is decided the day before. The morning meeting is to deal with any changes in schedule or sudden additions to the workload.

The servants in charge of the night shift and those on holidays do not participate in these meetings.

There were about thirty servants gathered in the dining room.

“There will be no changes to the schedule today. Let’s go about our business as scheduled.”

The servants replied “Yes” to Shizune-san’s words.

I’ve learned this since I started working at the Konohana house, but it seems that Shizune is the head maid, the most important position among the maids of the Konohana house. The servants of the Konohana family are led by two heads, the head maid and the head butler.

It was 7:30 in the morning.

The servants have finished their meals and are moving to their posts.

I also went to Hinako’s room.

“Good morning, Itsuki-san.”

On the way to Hinako’s room, one of the maids called out to me.

“Good morning.”

“I know it’s hard work being a caretaker, but please do your best.”

“Yes.”

The woman who had cheered me on turned on her heel in a relaxed motion.

“…… Little by little, I’ m being accepted, aren’t I?”

I’ve been working as a caretaker for a week now, and my face is well known to the servants who work in this house.

When I arrived in front of Hinako’s room, I stopped in front of it.

Before I knock on the door, I think.

…… I should just wake her up normally , right?

I don’t know if there’s a normal or special way to wake someone up, but if I think about it calmly, I’ve never had to help a girl wake up before.

Shizune is a person who doesn’t give reckless orders.

I’ll believe that she gave me this job because she judged that I could do it.

“Excuse me.”

I knock on the door and enter Hinako’s room. Hinako was sleeping comfortably on the bed.

“Hinako, it’s morning.”

“Hmm, ………… Three more hours.”

The amount is different.  If it was three minutes, I would have given it some thought, but I can’t wait three hours.

“If you don’t wake up, you’ll be late for school.”

(TLN: Wakey wakey, it’s time for school.)

“I want to be late for school.”

“No.”

If you do that, all the acting you’ve done so far will be for nothing.

If Hinako’s public image is ruined because of me, she might dismiss me as her caretaker. I couldn’t stay by Hinako’s side then.

“Come on, get up.”

I pulled the blackout curtains out to the left and right, and dazzling sunlight shone into the room.

“Muu …”

She rubbed her eyelids with the back of her hand and sat up.

“Ah,  … Itsuki …?”

“Good morning.”

After greeting her, Hinako stared blankly for a while and then collapsed back into …… bed.　 Why are you sleeping again?

“…………wake me up”

Hinako says, holding her hands upward.

You want me to wake you up? I chuckled at the sweetness of Hinako’s voice.

“Yes, yes.”

I pulled on Hinako’s hands and lifted her body.

As it was, I lightly held her upper body in my arms and Hinako smiled softly.

“Itsuki … Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

After exchanging another greeting I picked up the girls’ uniform on the hanger.

“I’ll leave your change of clothes here. I’ll be waiting outside the door.”

“……Help me”

“Huh?”

“Change clothes … help me”

Hinako said as she held out her hands as if to say, “Take them off.”

” Fine, I’ll help you …….”

“Quickly ……”

My job is to wake Hinako up and take her to the dining hall. I wonder if that included helping …… her get dressed.

I slowly began to unbutton Hinako’s shirt. I could see Hinako’s skin through the gaps in her shirt.

“……!”

I was shaken by the exciting scene I witnessed.

Hinako closed her eyelids defenselessly and gave herself to me.

“Calm down … calm down, me”

I told myself as I helped Hinako get dressed.

I opened all the buttons on her shirt to reveal her peach-colored underwear. I put the uniform on her, squinting my eyes to the limit.

…… Hinako doesn’t look at me like that.

I’m sure she’s looking for the warmth of a family member in whom she can place her trust.

In order to meet her expectations, I have to get rid of my unnecessary thoughts.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door of the room.

“Itsuki-san, are you there?”

“Yes !?”

What I heard was Shizune-san’s voice.

I was so startled that I replied in a strange voice.

“I forgot to mention that the Miss is often very sleepy and asks for various things.”

Said Shizune-san from the other side of the door.

“For example, sometimes she says she needs help getting dressed. …… You, as a man, don’t take those words seriously.”

I did!

What should I do now?!

Do I apologize?　I’d rather have a helper come to my rescue now …… No.　 It’s already too late. If Shizune-san sees me like this, my life as a man will be over.

“Of course! I have that much common sense!”

“That’s right. I’m sorry. It’s not like you’re a monkey in heat. …… I’ve come to understand over the past few days that Itsuki-san has an honest personality. Like the Miss, I will trust  Itsuki-san.”

Ouch, ouch, ouch …… trust hurts.

Shizune-san, why do you praise me only at times like this?

“…… Hinako.”

“What …?”

“The …… fact that I helped you change your clothes today, can you please not tell Shizune-san about it? ……”

When I asked, dripping with cold sweat, Hinako grinned.

“…… If you can make this part of our routine, that’d be great.”

“Huh….”

“‘I’ll see you every morning from now on. ……”

Give me a break. I screamed in my mind.