Summer vacation had arrived at Kikou Academy.
To an ordinary high school student, I wonder... what is summer vacation? For someone like me, who lived a life that couldn't be called "ordinary" even with the most generous flattery, the phrase only brought back memories of part-time jobs. This time of year was always packed with event-related work, and I’d spend day after day under the scorching sun, guiding rows of customers.
I suppose for a normal student, summer vacation is a long, exciting holiday they look forward to with bated breath. A precious once-a-year chance to focus on club activities, nurture a bond with a lover, or dedicate time to something truly special.
Yuri, the childhood friend I’d been inseparable from since elementary school until our first year of high school... I’m sure she’s spending her summer like that again this year.
Unlike her, I didn't expect to have a normal summer vacation this year either.
Though at least this time, it wasn't because I was struggling to make ends meet.
"Itsuki-san, are you ready?"
"Sorry! Just a moment longer!"
I hurriedly replied to Ms. Shizune, who was waiting outside the door.
I did a final check of my suitcase. A change of clothes—check. Study materials—check. Potato chips to keep Hinako in a good mood—check.
The bags of chips were so bulky that the lid wouldn't shut properly. Maybe I should just buy these once we get there? I thought, deciding to take one bag out.
"All set!"
"Then let us depart. The car is waiting outside."
I dragged my suitcase along as I followed Ms. Shizune out of the manor.
The sunlight beating down on us had moved past the point of "warm" and straight into "hot." Yet, the dazzling glare seemed to make the garden of the Konohana villa—a place I’d grown quite accustomed to—appear even more vibrant than usual.
It was a typical summer day: uncomfortable, yet somehow hard to hate.
"Sooo sloooow..."
Standing before the entrance was a girl with amber hair, dressed in a simple, elegant white one-piece.
Hinako Konohana—the girl I looked after as her caretaker.
With total assets of roughly three hundred trillion yen, the Konohana Group was a conglomerate known to everyone in this country. As the daughter of that family, Hinako currently looked like she was about to melt from sheer exhaustion.
"Sorry, Hinako. You could have waited in the car."
"Can't... I can't walk anymore. Pick me up..."
"It's too hot for that."
"Then give me a piggyback ride."
"If that's all you want," I conceded, hoisting her onto my back.
Still, having our bodies pressed together in this heat was sweltering no matter how you sliced it.
"...It's hooot."
"Want to get down?"
"............I'll endure it."
Apparently, she preferred this to walking.
Hinako was light. While I could easily carry her to the car, my hands were full, meaning I couldn't pull my suitcase. As I stood there wondering what to do, Ms. Shizune silently took over the luggage for me.
I gave her a small nod of thanks and carried Hinako toward the car.
As the door opened automatically, a wave of cool air greeted me. The climate control was working perfectly.
I settled the completely drained Hinako into the back seat.
"Phew... I'm back from the dead..."
"Are you really that bad with the heat, Hinako?"
"...The cold, too."
It seemed she couldn't handle anything outside of room temperature.
"Shall we depart, then?"
As Ms. Shizune spoke, the car began to move.
Having become Hinako's caretaker—and a student at the prestigious, traditional Kikou Academy—it looked like I was in for another unusual summer.
The students of Kikou Academy used their summer vacations in many ways. For those destined to inherit massive corporations or enter the political world, there was no time for actual rest. Some used the long break to assist with the family business, while others traveled the globe to build connections that would serve them later in life.
As for us, we were heading to a Summer Seminar to engage in higher-level studies with our futures in mind.
"Itsuki... you look like you're having fun."
Sitting beside me, Hinako tilted her head.
"Well, maybe a little."