CH 30

–I see.

I knew what Hinako thought of me.

At the same time, the strange distance I’ve felt from her makes sense.

–We’re family.

Hinako must be desperate for a family.

I remembered everything we had done. I remembered all the times we’ ve been together, sleeping on each other’s lap, taking baths together. …… I’m sure Hinako was looking for the warmth of a family.

“…… I know that feeling.”

I muttered to myself as I stroked Hinako’s head.

As I stroked Hinako’s head, I murmured, my thoughts pouring out of my mouth.

“Family is something I yearn for ……, isn’t it?”

I thought back to my own family.

Both of my parents were horrible human beings, but because they were …… horrible human beings, the kindness they showed me at a moment’s notice was etched in my memory forever. When I was injured, they treated me. They bought me a cake for my birthday. I still resent the fact that they ran away at night. …… But the memories will never be lost. I’m sure that somewhere in my heart, I’m holding out hope that we can go back to those days.

As the daughter of the Konohana family, Hinako must have lived a life that was very distant from her family until now.　

Her mother has already passed away. Her father, Kagen-san, rarely sees her as he is always working at the main residence. In his place are a number of servants, all hired by Kagen-san. Hinako, who didn’t like the formal atmosphere, probably didn’t feel comfortable with them.

“Itsuki-san”

A voice called out to me from behind.

When I turned around, Shizune was standing there.

“How is your Miss’s condition?”

“…… She’s asleep now.”

Shizune-san shakes her head slightly when she sees the sleeping Hinako.

“Itsuki-san. I have something important to say to you, so can can we talk in another room?”

“I understand.”

Shizune-san told me with a serious expression, and I decided to obey.　

But just as I was about to stand up, Hinako grabbed my hand tightly.

I silently made eye contact with Shizune.

Shizune-san stared at the tied hands of Hinako and me and let out a sigh.

“‘…… It can’t be helped. Let’s talk about it right here.”

“……”

I nodded with a mixed expression as Shizune said in a small voice.

“It’s about the circumstances of the Konohana family.”

Shizune says.

“Do you remember what Kagen-sama told you before about the reason for Miss’s acting?”

“As I recall, ……, the Konohana group’s business is not doing well, so it’s to get someone from a good family to marry into the Konohana family, right?”

“That’s right…”

” ……?”

Shizune continues.

“The main reason why the young lady is acting is to bring a future groom into the Konohana family.”

Not a bride for her brother, but a groom.

In other words, to invite a man into the Konohana family as Hinako’s husband.

“Konohana has a legitimate trace son. He is the eldest son of Kagen-sama. “There is a legitimate heir in the Konohana family. Takuma Konohana, the eldest son of Kagen-sama, the older brother of the …… Miss.”

“Brother, huh?”

“Yes. However, the two of them are siblings who are far apart in age and hardly know each other. Takuma-sama started living in a different mansion when the Miss was five years old.”

Apparently, her brother is just as distant from Hinako as her father.

“Takuma-sama, however, ……, has long been doubted as to whether he is worthy of succeeding to the Konohana group.”

“…… Does that mean that this Takuma person might not be the person to take over the Konohana family?”

“Yes, it does.”

Shizune affirms with a bitter look on her face.

“If Takuma-sama is not chosen as the heir, the heir of the Konohana family will be the groom of the …… young lady.”

The story connects.

The reason why he wants to adopt a son is because he wants a son to be his heir. ……

“It’s not only the head of the family, but also the wife of the head of the family is involved in the business. So if a groom is chosen as the heir, his wife will be deeply involved in the work of the Konohana family in the future.”

I can kind of picture it.

If the husband is the president, then the wife, Hinako, is like a secretary.

“The reason why the young lady is acting every day is in anticipation of this future. Since she will eventually lead the Konohana Group together with the President, she has to be perfect and have a personality that others will respect. If the young lady has a bad reputation, there will be a conflict within the Konohana Group. That conflict could spread to the point where it could affect the company’s future …… and cause many losses.”

After saying that, Shizune looked at Hinako’s sleeping face.

After listening to Shizune, I realized my mistake.

–Konohana Hinako is not an ordinary girl.

The Konohana is no ordinary family with total assets worth about 300 trillion yen.

(TLN: I thought the Konohana family had a Conglomerate, not a shadow bank)

The Konohana Group is a conglomerate known to everyone who lives in this country.  She is the daughter of that group.

“Did you understand? What the responsibilities the young lady carries?”

“……Yes”

The other day, I thought that I had to help Hinako just because she was suffering.

I’m sure I was not wrong. But before that, I should have understood Hinako’s situation.

“Can I do anything to help her …?”

I asked Shizune-san.

“If …… you want to help the young lady, I have no intention of stopping you.”

I raised my eyes at her reply.

“But yesterday you told me to mind my own …… business.”

“Yes. That’s why – please support the young lady with a sense of restraint.”

Shizune-san looked straight at me and said.

“That’s the role of a caretaker.”

With that, Shizune turned on her heels and left the room.

After watching the door close quietly, I turned my attention back to Hinako.

“I’m going to support Hinako in the manner she deserves. ……”

I reflect on Shizune’s words.

There are a few conditions for Hinako to stop acting.

The first is that Hinako’s brother, Takuma, must take over the Konohana family. If this happens, Hinako will marry into another family and will not be involved in the work of the Konohana group.

Second, even if a groom takes over, Hinako should be in a position where she does not have to be involved in business. That way, even if Hinako’s true nature is revealed, it will have little impact on the group.

But I can’t do either of those things. After all, I’m just a worker. There was no way I could overturn the guidelines and traditions of the Konohana Group.

Still, I–.

“The role of the caretaker …?”

There are things I can do.

There is one thing I can do, and that is to continue to support Hinako as her caretaker.

“The role of a caretaker is to protect the public image of Hinako as a perfect young lady. In other words, to support Hinako in the shadows so that her true nature does not come to light.”

I remembered Kagen-sama’s words.

He said that the role of the caretaker is to protect Hinako’s public appearance, but I don’t think so.

I’m sure that the real role of a caretaker is to …… accompany Hinako in her daily relaxation.

The real role of a caretaker is to help Hinako relax.　

To be a person with whom Hinako can be her true self.　

Then I can do it too.

“Let’s do it.”

Hinako’s feverish figure overlaps with my own when my parents nursed me when I was a child.

Hinako, who was sleeping while holding my hand, looked so lovely.

I wanted to protect her.

I want to be kind to her.

Because Hinako, with such a small body, is carrying something enormous on her back. Someone has to be kind to her.

If Hinako collapses due to fatigue, then I can help her heal from that fatigue.　 For that reason, I will give her the warmth of a …… family.

“Hinako ………… I’ll do my best”

I’ll take care of Hinako. I vowed as I held her tiny hands.