But, Sakurako-oneesama’s coming home with us
Oh yeah, Sakurako’s father, the head of the Kanou house, got imprisoned.
Kanou house is currently in a troublesome situation.
So she’s going to live in this mansion.
Oh, just in time. They’re here
Looking at the direction Ruriko pointed, Sakurako was standing at the entrance of the bathroom.
Sakurako’s wearing only a single undershirt made of transparent fabric.
The shape of her body, her cherry nipples, and the slit are all visible through the fabric.
I’ve been waiting, I thought of helping out in washing your back
Sakurako bows to me.
Me too!
I’m also here!
Eri and Rie jump from the inside of the bathroom.
Also, Haiji-chan, Arisu-chan, Kinuka-chan, and Mao-chan are inside
The rest of the young group is in there.
The water temperature is warm enough so come in
We go through the bathroom entrance.
Agnes-chan. Wow!
Mao-chan! Wow!
The two girls laugh.
Oh, everyone’s here.
Welcome back, I’ll be going ahead
Arisu talks to me as the representative of the group.
Everyone in the bathroom looks at me and accepts me with a smile.
Excuse me
Ruriko took off her undershirt in the changing room and came to me completely naked, pouring warm water on my back.
How’s school?
Arisu asks Luna and the girls.
Arisu was a student in that school so she’s curious about the situation.
I think that it’s a lovely school
Koyomi-chan replies to Arisu.
Arisu’s thirteen. Luna and the girls are 12.
Even if it’s just a year difference, elementary and middle school are different.
It must be emotionally painful to hear from Yomi about the current state of the middle school she dropped out of.
To Arisu, she graduated from elementary school there.
I think that she won’t mind talking to Luna and the girls when it’s a place that’s accepted her in the past.
Speaking of which, where are the other girls. Like Misuzu?
I asked Sakurako.
If Sakurako’s here then that means that the convoy that brought Agnes and the girls back home had already brought the other girls to the mansion too.
Although, that doesn’t mean that all of them should be here.
They might have some reason to remain.
Yes, everyone’s returned
Sakurako replied with a smile.
I’m riding a different car from Misuzu-sama but.
Oh, since they can’t fit all girls in one car in the morning, they had to split up into several cars.
Even if Erica and Marika returned to their homes.
In middle school, Haiji, Yomi, Ruriko, and Michi are there.
Then, Sakurako and Shie-san, Misuzu, and Yoshiko-san from high school.
They still can’t fit in two cars.
And so, where’s Misuzu and the girls?
Why aren’t they showing up?
If it’s Misuzu-chan, then she’s helping with the preparation for dinner
Ruriko replies.
Oh, that’s rare
Usually, it’s Katsuko-nee, Mana, Ruriko, and Megu doing the housework in the mansion.
The other girls do help out sometimes, but.
Misuzu’s not that active when it comes to cooking.
Misuzu-chan’s trying to change herself
Ruriko said.
Yeah, she was trying her best in cleaning the toilets this morning too.
She’s reminding herself that just because she’s the daughter of the Kouzuki house, she can’t act bossy.
But, she’s not cut for it. Misuzu-sama is better suited standing above and giving directions
Sakurako said.
Even so, but having such experience isn’t bad
I said.
Especially when it comes to cooking
I don’t think Misuzu’s future includes housework, but still.
Misuzu’s going to Tokyo University, and she aims to become an elite bureaucrat.
However, that doesn’t mean that she can’t know anything about cooking.
Maybe I should learn cooking too?
Sakurako asks me.
That’s for you to decide. If you think that it’s good, then learn from Katsuko-nee. But if you want to learn something else, then focus on that
I looked at Ruriko.
Ruriko started learning to housekeep as soon as she came to the mansion, and Misuzu started today. Everyone finds the right time and do it, nobody orders them to do so Yes, I do it because I want to
Ruriko smiled at Sakurako.
In this house, you need to think of what you should do, and act on your own, for Onii-sama, for the family, and for yourself
Yeah, decide for yourselves. And if the family makes a serious decision, we don’t spare effort to cooperate. If Misuzu isn’t just cleaning up the toilets but also trying to do her best in learning cooking, then I’m cheering for her It would be a shame if her studies stagnate and she became absorbed in other things but Misuzu-chan isn’t like that
Ruriko speaks about her beloved cousin.
Sakurako, you should think of what you want to do in the future too. It doesn’t have to be with the Kanou house. I’ll do something about it if possible
For Kanou house, Sakurako-oneesama’s child with Onii-sama can inherit the house. Sakurako-oneesama will never get in trouble with the house
Ruriko said.
I will never allow the branch families of the Kanou house nor any noble house to force Sakurako into a political marriage.
I’ll adamantly prevent that.
We’ll keep Sakurako safe. So, you need to keep the other members of the family who are weaker than you safe too
Yes, I understand
Sakurako nods.
Shie’s first
Sakurako’s bodyguard. Shiranui Shie-san.
Where’s Shie-san right now?
Oh. I invited Shie to take a bath with us but she’s embarrassed, and so she’s helping out in the kitchen right now
Sakurako replies.
Yeah, I think that’s good. Shie-san can get along with the girls by cooking together
I.
Shie-san’s been a bodyguard all this time, but.
I speak my worry.
To be honest, I don’t think she’s going to get along with Michi, Edie, Mitama, Kinuka, or Haiji. I mean, she’s different from the other bodyguards
What’s the difference between them?
Sakurako asks me
Let’s see
I try to speak out the thoughts that are in my heart.
Shie-san has no uniqueness for someone who lived in martial arts. You don’t feel that from her
Yeah.
For example, if an enemy appears in front of Michi and the group, they’ll take action to eliminate them as soon as they’re recognized as hostile. She won’t hesitate at all She’ll take down the enemy without hesitation.
A moment of hesitation can lead to her and her master’s death.
But if you put Shie-san in that situation, she’d stop and think
Yeah, Shie-san always hesitates, worries.
That’s why she’ll never take the initiative.
There’s nothing wrong with being able to pause and think instead of acting on reflexes when something happens. That’s also a useful skill on its own. But, for a bodyguard, I think that personality is a big problem I said.
Shie-san comes from a family that’s been serving the Kanou house as their bodyguard for generations, and she’s been Sakurako’s bodyguard since she was a child so I don’t think anyone checked her personality traits Furthermore, Kanou house had already lost its momentum when Sakurako was born.
They probably had nobody but Shie-san to take on the role of Sakurako’s attendant and bodyguard.
Furthermore, the range of her security is only within the world of the nobility and the school for the young ladies.
Shie-san had been trained by her father as a bodyguard.
I don’t think anyone thought of her nature.
However.
Shie-san’s personality doesn’t suit security at all
I tell Sakurako clearly.
That’s why I can’t take in Shie-san as a bodyguard.
Currently, Shie-san is here as a seamstress.
What should I do with Shie?
Sakurako asks me with a dire face.