About a week had passed since my dismissal as caretaker was suddenly revoked.
I was now attending a social gathering hosted by the Konohana family.
"How is the fit?"
"It’s fine."
Ms. Shizune meticulously checked my attire.
As expected of an event hosted by the world-renowned Konohana Group, the gathering promised to be a glittering affair. A large number of guests had already arrived, and the venue was prepared to begin the festivities at any moment.
"For today's purposes, Itsuki-san, you are being invited in the guise of an heir to a mid-market company. If you lack confidence in your manners, please at least strive to act inconspicuously."
"Understood."
As Ms. Shizune went about her duties with her usual clinical efficiency, I found myself speaking up.
"Ms. Shizune. Thank you, once again."
She turned toward me, and I continued.
"It was you, wasn't it? You were the one who suggested to Kagon-san that he overlook the incident at the dinner and rehire me as the caretaker?"
"...Indeed, I was the one who made the suggestion, but it was your own achievements that made such a thing possible."
Ms. Shizune said as she gave my necktie a firm, final tug.
"That said, my blood ran cold for a moment that day. I had judged that words alone would be insufficient to persuade Kagon-sama, and I intended to attempt it only after showing him the invitations I had retrieved from the Main Residence... but I never imagined you would take such bold action before I could."
"......I'm sorry."
I still remembered the words Ms. Shizune had spoken that day.
I am employed by Kagon-sama, but I am the Young Lady's ally. That was what she had told me. I was certain Ms. Shizune had been working tirelessly for Hinako’s sake in ways I hadn't even seen.
"Now then, I shall return to my work," Ms. Shizune said, having finished checking my clothes.
"During the event, you must not let your guard down, of course, but if you have the composure, it would be wise to observe the behavior of those around you. It should prove educational."
"I understand....For me, this social gathering is basically just another form of training."
"Naturally," Ms. Shizune said.
"We expect you to continue your growth from here on out, Itsuki-san."
With that, Ms. Shizune turned on her heel and left.
From here on out. Those words brought a sense of relief to my chest. At the very least, Ms. Shizune assumed my days as a caretaker would continue.
A few minutes later, the social gathering began.
Political heavyweights, presidents and executives of major corporations, and their associates all gathered in one place. Stepping into that brilliant venue, I immediately felt a crushing sense of being out of place.
"...I'm really in over my head here."
Ms. Shizune had told me not to stand out, so I decided to keep a low profile.
Avoiding people's gazes, I slunk toward the wall.
"Hey there, Tomonari-kun!"
Suddenly, a voice called out from behind me, making my shoulders jump.
I turned around to find two familiar faces.
"Asahi-san and Taisho..."
"Yo."
Beside the ever-energetic Asahi-san, Taisho gave a casual greeting.
Unlike me, the two of them seemed perfectly accustomed to the atmosphere of a high-society gathering, walking through the hall with total confidence.
"Oh, Tomonari, that's a nice suit. Italian brand, right?"
"Yeah. It was prepared specifically for today. To be honest, I'm not used to wearing something like this..."
"Ah... I feel the same way. But since the Konohana family is the host, we can't afford to embarrass ourselves by looking sloppy. It pays to put in the effort."
Taisho was right.
I nodded and turned my attention to Asahi-san's outfit.
"Asahi-san, that's a brilliant dress too."
"Isn't it!? Well? Are you captivated!?"
"Y-Yeah, totally captivated..."
I answered with a wry smile as Asahi-san puffed out her chest and spun around.
She looked like she was trying a bit too hard to act grown-up, but I kept that thought to myself.
"Tomonari, you can be honest. Like they say, even a packhorse looks the part in fine clothes."
"Ahaha! Taisho-kun, you say the funniest things. Why don't you come over here for a second?"
Taisho was promptly dragged away by his ear.
As I watched them go, a blonde girl approached as if passing them by.
"As noisy as ever, I see."
The one who muttered that with a sigh was Tennoji-san.
"However, perhaps it is a talent of sorts to be able to spend one's time so freely regardless of the environment."
"......I suppose so."
For someone like me, who was currently trying to merge with the wallpaper, those words hit home.
"I-Itsuki..."
A familiar voice came from behind me.
"......Narika?"
"Ugh... help me. What is this place? It’s bright... it’s way too bright..."
Narika whimpered, her face deathly pale.
At that sight, Tennoji-san let out a weary sigh.
"Miyakojima-san... at this rate, you will never survive the path ahead of you."
"I-I know that, but this is just my nature..."
"Good grief....This is a fine opportunity. Why don't you try some shock therapy?"
"S-Shock therapy?"
"You shall accompany me on my rounds. Fortunately, there are luminaries from every industry in this venue. You should find your courage once you've been forced to speak with them."
"N-No! I'll die! I'll actually die!"
Ignoring her protests, Tennoji-san forcibly led the half-sobbing Narika away.
They were every bit as loud as Asahi-san and Taisho.
"Everyone's having a good time, at least..."
I muttered as I watched the girls disappear into the crowd.
Feeling a bit thirsty, I went to get a drink.
On the way, I spotted a man who wore his suit with impeccable grace.
Steeling myself, I approached him.
"Kagon-san."
As Kagon-san turned toward me, I bowed my head.
"Thank you for your consideration regarding my position."
"......Oh?"
Kagon-san looked slightly surprised.
"I fully expected to hear a grievance or two."
"There's no point in complaining... and since this turned out well for me, I'm not going to do something as stupid as shooting myself in the foot now."
There was no merit in upsetting Kagon-san in this situation.
Kagon-san fixed me with a calm, measuring gaze.
"I thought you were a more impulsive person, but it seems you are capable of using your head when necessary....And yet, on that day, you still tried to rush to my side."
Kagon-san muttered that and turned on his heel.
Starting to walk with a wine glass in one hand, he beckoned me. It seemed he wanted to speak somewhere else.
Our destination was a balcony connected to the hall. After walking a short distance and turning a corner, we reached a quiet spot away from the eyes and ears of the other guests. Kagon-san stopped, rested his elbows on the railing, and took a breath. I stood silently beside him.
"Hinako is a genius."
Suddenly, Kagon-san spoke.
"She does have the top grades at Kikou Academy, after all."
"I am not talking about that level of achievement."
Tilting the glass to his lips, Kagon-san continued.
"Hinako may have personality issues, but she possesses a natural gift for practical business....Despite how she appears, that child has inherited a talent worthy of the Konohana bloodline."
Staring into the night, Kagon-san said, "That is precisely why I want Hinako to inherit the house. Of course, on the surface, an adopted son-in-law will succeed... but there is no reason not to utilize her talent. Once she graduates from the academy, she will be freed from the constraints of school, and if I provide her with a private office for work, the burden will be significantly reduced. If she can get through the present, a path will open."
I felt like I understood, if only a little, the kind of future Kagon-san was envisioning.
However, even if I understood it, I couldn't empathize with it, nor did I want to accept it.
"......Does it really have to be Hinako?"
"Haha, if there were a substitute, I would jump at the chance myself."
A faint smile played on Kagon-san's lips.
"However, the Konohana family is a heavy burden."
The smile vanished instantly, replaced by a solemn expression.
"The total number of employees in the group is approximately eight hundred thousand. To carry the lives of all those people, mediocre talent is not enough. A single failure can sacrifice the livelihoods of many... and sometimes, one can be crushed by the pressure and lose those most precious to them."
Saying that, Kagon-san stroked the ring on his finger.
According to what I had heard from Ms. Shizune, in the Konohana family, the head of the house's wife is also expected to be involved in the business. However... I knew that Kagon-san's wife had already passed away.
I was sure something had happened to Kagon-san in the past.
But even so, that was no excuse to treat Hinako as nothing more than a tool.
"Kagon-san, what do you actually think of Hinako?"
It was the question I had wanted to ask for a long time.
Kagon-san lowered his gaze.
"I prioritized the house over my daughter. At that point, to me, both daughter and son are merely gears in the Konohana family machine."
Lifting his elbows from the railing, Kagon-san turned back toward the hall.
"Of course... I am no different."
Muttering that softly, Kagon-san left the balcony.
The chilly night wind brushed against my cheeks. The heat of the hall didn't reach this far.
I decided to stay on the balcony for a while to let my jumbled thoughts settle.
"Itsuki."
Someone called my name.
"......Hinako."
A lovely girl with amber hair was standing there.
Dressed in a beautiful white dress, Hinako approached with small steps.
"Why are you here?"
"Papa said... that Itsuki was here..."
"......I see."
There was no one else around. Away from the crowd, Hinako had returned to her true self.
"Thank you... for staying as my caretaker."
Hinako said, resting her hands on the balcony railing.
"The things Itsuki said back then... they made me really happy."
She was likely referring to the time I had lost my cool in front of Ms. Shizune. Since I had let my emotions get the better of me and blurted out all sorts of things, it was an embarrassing memory for me... but if Hinako was happy about it, then I guess it didn't matter.
"I'll... keep believing in Itsuki from now on."
She looked at me with pure, innocent eyes.
Her gaze and her words powerfully stirred my emotions.
"......Yeah."
I replied, trying to suppress the sudden flutter in my chest.
Sometimes—I almost forgot.
Hinako didn't see me as a member of the opposite sex. In order to live up to her expectations, I couldn't afford to see her that way either.
"Phew............"
Hinako rested her chin on the railing and let out a relaxed, silly sound.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm tired from all the greetings....Pat my head."
"......Yes, yes."
I chuckled as Hinako offered her head to me.
As expected, what she sought from me was the warmth of a surrogate family. To meet that expectation, I patted Hinako's head as gently as I could.
"......Mu?"
When I patted her as I always did, Hinako let out a curious sound.
"......Mu?......Mu?"
As I continued to pat her head, her face began to flush a deep crimson—
"......Mu!?"
Hinako, her face turning bright red all the way to the tips of her ears, suddenly scrambled backward.
Her eyes were wide with bewilderment.
"Th-That's weird...?"
"What's wrong? Your face is suddenly all red..."
"......It's, nothing."
Hinako seemed completely lost, as if she didn't understand what was happening to her own body.
Maybe she was coming down with something. Concerned, I stepped toward her.
"If you're feeling unwell, you shouldn't push yourself—"
"I-It's nothing, really...!"
Hinako jumped back again, looking strangely panicked.
—Wait.
Am I... being avoided?
As far as I knew, this was the first time Hinako had ever been so visibly shaken. Did she want to get away from me so badly that she'd react that strongly?
Was I being too familiar?
No, but I’d patted her head plenty of times before.
"......Strange."
Hinako touched her cheeks with both hands as if trying to hide the heat, whispering to herself in wonder.
"I feel... sort of strange..."