Chapter 23 (1/2)

On the way home from her private lessons, Tsubaki remembered that her father’s birthday was getting near.

Ever since she’s got into primary school, Tsubaki has been given pocket money from her parents. However, getting pocket money without doing anything made her feel ashamed, so she asked them to change their way of giving her allowance.

At first, she gave them a piece of paper where she had written a price list for her services, such as;

Wash the dishes 100 Yen ($1)

Clean up the entrance 200 Yen ($2)

Air the laundry 300 Yen ($3)

And of course, they disapproved of this idea.

As expected, her parents had the view that housework is the servants’ job. And the idea Tsubaki had was the same as someone who was going to steal others’ responsibility in their eyes, so they gave her a light warning about this matter.

Nevertheless, seeing that their daughter was still displeased with their decision, they gave her a job of “Look after Sumire,” although reluctantly.

I’m doing that every day. How is it different? This what Tsubaki wanted to ask them, but realizing it wouldn’t do her any good if she kept making things hard for her parents, she decided to get her pocket money by becoming Sumire’s playmate.

Since this job was an everyday thing, even with a small amount of reward, she could get more than enough money if it was saved for a year. So buying a present for her father’s birthday would not pose any problem at all.

Tsubaki calculated her pocket money in her head and then concluded a necktie would be okay with her current allowance. Thinking of having the driver stop at the shop they always use, Tsubaki addressed him.

“There’s someplace I want you to take me to.” (Tsubaki)

“Where would you like to go?”

“To Ginza, please. Otou-sama’s birthday is getting near, right? I’m planning to give him a necktie as his birthday present.” (Tsubaki)

“I see, it’s already that time. I take it that you would not mind shopping at the store that master usually uses then?”

“Yes, please.” (Tsubaki)

Changing the lane, they then entered the route headed for their next destination, Ginza.

The driver’s name was Fuwa, who was employed as the driver, and the bodyguard of the Asahina family.

Going to work and home, her father basically uses the company car, while her mother rarely goes out, so the one who frequently spends time with Fuwa is Tsubaki.

For a child like Tsubaki, a car is a vital daily necessity. Plus, she had hope for someone who would listen to her somewhat absurd requests.

Thus, by spending time together, Tsubaki and Fuwa’s interactions deepened.

Although what was happening was mostly a one-sided interaction by Tsubaki. Such as; telling what happened at school, or what she was doing at her private lessons, or informing she could finally do 100m swim, or how hard it is to prepare the sweets at her tea ceremony lesson and what song she had been taught at her piano lesson.

At first, Fuwa had kept a clear line between private and professional matters, so he would always give Tsubaki business-like replies. However, perhaps because he had gotten used to her master’s daughter talking to him casually or perhaps because he had grown attached to the girl who idolized him, Fuwa began asking Tsubaki about the topics she would bring up.

Considering that Fuwa had gradually opened up to her, Tsubaki believed he would at least listen to her request. So she requested him to bring her to a park on the way back home from her private lessons, even if only for a little while.

Fuwa hesitated at first. Still, with how Tsubaki always pestered him, he finally permitted it with the condition that she would not go too far from him.

When she went to the park accompanied by Fuwa, Tsubaki played on the swing with everything she had (Fuwa immediately stopped her), stood on top of the monkey bars (Fuwa immediately stopped her), and used her full power on the spinning jungle gym (Fuwa immediately stopped her).

On their way home, the one who was exhausted the most was Fuwa. And in the end, Tsubaki got scolded by him.

“…. Tsubaki-sama. What would you do if you got injured?” (Fuwa)

” Children are beings that grow up with injuries. Also, I won’t die from just a scratch.” (Tsubaki)

Ahaha, laughed Tsubaki as Fuwa let out a troubled sigh.

“”As the heiress of the Asahina house, I hope you would be more conscious of yourself.” Right? I’m aware of it, okay.”

Fuwa’s wrinkles deepened as Tsubaki’s words overlapped with his.

“If you are, please act with more prudence from now on.” (Fuwa)

“Okay, I promise I won’t play carelessly again.” (Tsubaki)

Feeling that she won’t be able to play at the park again, Tsubaki readily made a promise with Fuwa to use the park’s playground equipment more carefully.

To be honest, Tsubaki was planning to steadily go with this flow and get Fuwa’s permission to go to a convenience store. But she thought it was still too early for now and decided to be more patient and wait until Fuwa lowered his acceptance line.

“Tsubaki-sama, we are here.” (Fuwa)

While she was reminiscing about her barter with Fuwa, they had arrived at one of the stores in Ginza. The back seat door was opened for her, then Tsubaki got out of the car and took a step inside the store.

Within the Italian brand menswear store, lots of suits and accessories of every kind were lined up.

Since she had decided what she would get, Tsubaki immediately headed there without letting her gaze wander.

“Hey, between this blue and red neckties, which one would look better on Otou-sama?” (Tsubaki)

“I think either one would suit master well.” (Fuwa)

“What an unreliable answer. Fine then, I’ll take both. Fuwa.” (Tsubaki)

“Certainly.” (Fuwa)

Fuwa immediately called one of the store’s clerks who was near them and passed the neckties after informing them those were a gift.

And while Fuwa was passing the neckties, Tsubaki could feel a gaze filled with malice somewhere from behind her.

As a matter of fact, she had noticed this gaze by the time she entered the store, but she decided to disregard it.

She had hoped to finish her business here quickly before getting caught in troublesome matters, yet that wish wasn’t answered.

“Ah, as I had expected, you were indeed Yuriko-san’s daughter. Even your ambiance and looks are exactly like her. Is Yuriko-san doing well?”

Turning toward the person who called her, Tsubaki was met with a woman who was looking down on her.

Tsubaki had a recollection of her face. Memory, or rather, she was one of the Game’s characters that she had seen multiple times, so it wasn’t strange for Tsubaki to know her.

Nevertheless, since this would be her first time meeting this woman, Tsubaki acted like a stranger.

“Pleased to meet you. My name is Asahina Tsubaki. Are you perhaps one of my mother’s acquaintances? If so, please pardon me for not knowing you. And yes, my mother is doing really well.” (Tsubaki)

Thus answered Tsubaki toward the woman–Naoko–Mio’s mother.

Yes, it was Mio’s mother who was standing in front of her. Inside the Game, she was described as a strong-hearted and somewhat willful woman, but perhaps because her bad personality showed through, she was making a considerably willful face in reality.

I’ve actually met her in a place like this, huh. How unlucky, thought Tsubaki as she cursed her misfortune.

Not knowing what Tsubaki was thinking, Naoko then continued while looking at her with an evaluating gaze.

“Ara, is that so. Well, let’s leave that aside. I’ve heard it, you know? It seems like all the gentlemen in your school are becoming your yes-man. As expected of Yuriko-san’s daughter. That person too had a crowd of gentlemen accompanying her all the time. It is exactly like that saying, like mother like daughter, don’t you agree?” (Naoko)