Takane no Hana - Volume 2 Chapter 12

“Are you sure you want me to stay over ……?”

“Yes. It would be rude to let our guests out in this weather.”

Tennoji-san said as if it was natural.

The idea is not hard to understand. I don’t even know what to think……

“I’m sorry …… I’ll have to talk to them about it.”

I got up from my seat and called Shizune.

“Yes. How may I help you?”

Shizune answered the phone immediately.

“Actually…”

I explained to her that Tennoji-san had recommended that I stay overnight.

“I see. It’s been raining for a while now. I had expected it to some extent.”

According to the original plan, Shizune was supposed to pick me up after the study session. But Tennoji-san must have felt bad about driving in the rain.

“Fortunately, tomorrow is a holiday, so there is no problem with the schedule. But then, the young lady will be ……”

Shizune slurred her words.

“What is it with Hinako?”

“It’s not hard to imagine that ……………… she would be very sulky.”

Speaking of which, during lunch break today, Hinako asked somewhat anxiously, “Are you staying over?”. Even though it was an unavoidable measure in case of emergency, I felt guilty because I had promised her that I would be home by the end of the day and I broke my promise.

“Um, I don’t know if this will fix Hinako’s mood, but ……”

I preface it with a suggestion to Shizune-san.

“Actually, you know. Today, Tennoji-san’s father, …… Masatsugu-san, gave me his approval for my table manners. So, if you can arrange for tomorrow as planned…….”

“……I understand. I’ll make preparations.”

We finished our little meeting.

I’m grateful to Shizune for her efficiency in reporting and communicating.

“Anyway, there is no problem with the accommodation. Please make sure there are no rough edges.”

“Yes.”

After saying that, I hung up the phone with Shizune.

Then I went to the dining table where Tennoji-san and her father were waiting.

“Thank you for waiting. It seems that everything is fine, so thank you for taking care of me today.”

“Mm! Then let’s prepare the guest room right away!”

Masatsugu said happily, and the servant beside him quickly moved somewhere. He probably went to prepare my room.

“I have some business to attend to. Nishinari, please relax as you like.”

“Yes. Thank you very much.”

As Masatsugu left his seat, I thanked him as sincerely as I could.

Today was a valuable experience for me. I’m going to make good use of the advice I just received from Masatsugu-san in the future.

“Now, Nishinari-san, let me show you to your guest room.”

Tennoji-san led me to the guest room.

I guess I should describe them as the Tennoji family. Not only the front desk, but even the corridor leading to the guest rooms has a luxurious atmosphere.

“This is Nishinari-san’s room.”

Tennoji-san opened the door to the room.

Beyond the door, there was a room of about twelve tatami mats with a TV and a sofa. This room is large enough to hold a lot of things, but apparently there is also a dedicated bedroom in the back.

“It’s huge…….”

“Is that so? I think this is normal.”

Tennoji-san said curiously.

Thinking about it calmly, even though I’m staying at the Konohana house, I’m using the servants’ room. I’m sure the Konohana Residence is as spacious as this when it comes to guest rooms.

“There’s a change of clothes in the closet over there, so don’t forget to bring it when you use the big bath.”

“The bathrooms ……. Can I use them?”

“Of course you can. I mean, by all means, please use it. It’s our family’s pride and joy.”

Tennoji-san said proudly.

If you insist, I’ll use it.

“I’m going to take a bath now. If you need anything else, please contact one of the servants around here.”

“I understand.”

Tennoji-san left the room.

As soon as the door was closed, I let out a small gasp.

“…… It’s been a very unexpected day, hasn’t it?”

In a way, it is a sleepover at a house of the opposite sex, but the scale of the …… house is so large that it doesn’t really feel like one. Of course, I’m nervous in a different way.

“Well, I guess I got something out of it.”

The fact that I was able to hear something useful from Masatsugu was significant.

And considering the fact that I’ll be working as Hinako’s caretaker, I’m sure I’ll be invited to other people’s homes like this in the future. This can be a rehearsal for that.

“I’m going to take a bath, too.”

I need to calm down a little.

I’m going to spend some time relaxing in the bath that Tennoji-san was so proud of.