01x07 - Ojousama no Nayami

[bunniefuu]

I see you've returned.

I just got back.

My apologies for staying out
last night on such short notice.

You should worry about
the present, not the past.

The present?

My lady has completely lost her temper.

What?

Please cheer her up immediately.

Y-Yes.

Oh, Shizune-san.

What about the favor I
asked over the phone?

It has been prepared.

Hinako, can I come in?

Go ahead.

Welcome back, Itsuki.

I'm back.

Staying out until morning.

Until morning...

Well, I guess I did technically
stay out until morning...

But remember how it suddenly
started raining and thundering?

So I really had no choice but to
stay the night at Tennoji-san's...

D-Do you understand now?

Yeah.

Are you done with your
long-winded excuses?

It's no use. She really
has lost her temper!

Here.

Huh?

Come here.

H-Hey, Hinako?!

This scent...

It's not Itsuki's scent.
I can't calm down.

So you had dinner with Tennoji-san.

Well, yes.

You took a bath at Tennoji-san's.

Well, yes.

You took a bath with Tennoji-san.

Of course not... Ah.

Ah?

Oh, no...

Why did you just go, "Ah"?

It was, well, an accident!

There was an accident, but it's
not like we took a bath together!

It's more like she was
there, or barged in...

Actually, Tennoji-san's
mother was the one...

You had dinner with Tennoji-san...

Took a bath with Tennoji-san...

Itsuki, are you Tennoji-san's caretaker?

No, I'm your caretaker, Hinako!

In that case...

You should stay by my side, Itsuki.

Don't worry. I get that much.

You don't get it.

No, I do.

Excuse me.

Breakfast is ready, my lady.

Yeah.

[Rich Girl Caretaker:]

[I'm Secretly the Caregiver of the
Most Popular Girl in This Rich Kid School]

[Episode 7: The Lady's Worries]

Mind if I sit across from you?

Itsuki?

You will be dining with Itsuki-san today.

I made a promise not to dine with
you until I learned table manners.

That's why I had Tennoji-san focus
on teaching me table manners.

It looks like I've made progress,
so I asked Shizune-san.

This is the final test.

I will be personally assessing
Itsuki-san's etiquette.

Itsuki, you've grown so much.

I put in a lot of work.

Shizune?

You pass.

Hinako, I was hoping to dine with you
for the foreseeable future.

Is that okay?

Yeah.

Then from now on,
we can abandon all ceremony.

Oh, you mean we can ignore etiquette?

You don't have to abide by
the rules of etiquette at all times.

However, Kagen-sama shows himself
in this dining room from time to time,

so please be careful.

I-I understand.

Itsuki.

Over here.

Let's eat together.

Sure.

All my hard work was
worth it just to see her smile.

I'll need to thank Tennoji-san.

Tennoji-san?

O-Oh, I'm sorry.

I was just lost in my thoughts.

Are you all right?

You seem to be a bit out of it today.

Oh, don't mind me.

There's nothing wrong with my health.

I've finished grading your quiz.

You scored a 98.

An unfortunate error.

Oh, over here? That stings.

I see, I get it now.

Next up is our etiquette lesson,

but seeing as how my father
saw no problems with it,

why don't we make today the last of
our table manner lessons for now?

I understand.

Let's take a short break first.

Yes.

Tennoji-san really
seems pretty listless today.

Narika?

Itsuki! Fancy running into you here!

What are you doing here so late?

Oh, nothing too important.

I was seeing if the academy was interested
in the products made by my family.

Oh yeah, your family is a sports
equipment maker, right?

Helping out the family?

That's right. I'll
accept your compliments.

Wow, amazing.

You don't sound like you mean it.

And what are you doing here, Itsuki?

Oh, a study session with Tennoji-san.

Just the two of you?

You're both so studious,
even though midterms are over.

There are more exams coming up.

Won't you be in trouble unless
you start studying as well?

Yeah, that's right.

Maybe I need to study, too!

Well, sorry to interrupt you.

See you later.

W-Wait right there!

I thought for sure you were about to
invite me to your study session!

Really?

A-Am I really that hard to invite?

That's not the reason.

You don't have to be nice.

Ever since I found out about the rumors
my classmates were spreading...

That must have been painful.

Yeah, very painful.

Um, we're done studying for today.

But I'm learning etiquette,
and we're about to practice over dinner.

Wanna join us, Narika?

Y-You don't mind if someone
who's so hard to invite joins you?

I've never felt that way, and I'm sure
Tennoji-san wouldn't mind having you.

I-Itsuki!

You're my only ally, Itsuki!

What?

I-Itsuki, you stayed the night
at Tennoji's house?

Yeah, I guess...

First Konohana-san, and now Tennoji-san.

Why are you so chummy
with all of these bigwigs?

Aren't you doing the same
by having dinner with her?

I suppose that's true.

Or wait, what about your
relationship with Konohana-san?

You seem to be pretty
friendly with Tennoji-san, too.

Watching you, I'm surprised
you've got all your etiquette down.

H-Hey, are you making fun of me?

I'll have you know I'm
the daughter of the Miyakojimas!

Pardon me.

You two seem to be
awfully enjoying yourselves.

Um, did something happen, Tennoji-san?

I'm here to lend an ear if you'd like.

Truth be told, there have
been talks of marriage.

Marriage, you say?

You're not happy with the idea?

No, I wouldn't say that.

As the daughter of the Tennoji family,
I knew it would come some day.

However, it's all very sudden,
which has overwhelmed me a bit.

Well, it's practically our destiny
to worry about such matters.

Narika, have you discussed
marriage as well?

No, not yet for me.

I have been told that
it'll happen someday.

W-Wait! Don't get the wrong idea!

In fact, I would prefer to
marry someone out of love...

A-Anyway, I won't accept
any marriage offers!

S-Sure...

Besides, in my case,
my family's not very keen on the idea.

Talks of it did come up once,

but both of my parents ended it after saying,
"It's still too early for you."

Sounds like your parents
know you very well.

What does that mean?!

Well, I mean...

Tomonari-san, what do you think
about my arranged marriage?

To be perfectly honest, I don't know
much about arranged marriages.

However, if it's an arrangement
that benefits you,

I'll be there to show my support.

Thanks for hearing me out, you two.

You've dispelled a bit of my worries.

Perhaps I was trying to steel myself
more than it was necessary.

Even if you do decide to get engaged,

I'd still like to spend time
with you as always.

M-Me, too!

Yes, I feel the same way.

How obtuse he is.

If I get engaged,
things won't stay the same...

Still, he could have said a little more.

After his words from the other day...

I'm sure I would enjoy working for you.

How strange.

What are these feelings?

She booked out an entire gymnasium?

That's Tennoji-san for you.

Um, what kind of etiquette
are we practicing today?

We'll be beginning dance lessons today.

D-Dancing?!

What dances do you know, Tomonari-san?

N-Nothing at all...

It'd be wise of you to be acquainted
with ballroom dancing.

It will naturally improve
your posture as well.

I see...

Hey, what are you standing around for?

Get over here right now.

Y-Yes.

Closer.

C-Closer?

Take my right hand with your left.

Straighten your back!

Place your right hand on my back,
around my shoulder blades.

Just like that.

This is the basic
position, known as a hold.

Let's slowly begin dancing
while maintaining this position.

What? I don't know how to dance!

They say experience is the best teacher.

Follow in my steps.

Yes!

One, two, three. One, two, three.

One, two, three. One, two, three.

Well?

Dancing's not as hard as you think, is it?

I think I've gotten
the general hang of it.

It seems you have good coordination.

That reminds me that I was complimented
while learning self-defense.

The martial arts are great
for training your body and mind.

I dabble in it a bit myself.

Tennoji-san, you really can do anything.

Oh, no need to flatter me.

Okay, let us continue our practice.

Tomonari-san, hold me.

Yes!

Huh?

Hey, where are you looking?

Make sure you're looking straight at me.

Dancing's not just about moving your body.

Your line of sight and facial
expression are also important.

Yes, that may be the case, but...

Here, like this.

Look me in the eyes.

Um, Tennoji-san.

I'm terribly sorry, but, well...

I can see through your clothes
because of the sweat.

Wh-Wh-Where exactly are you looking?!

I'm sorry!

You're really getting the hang of it.

Thank you very much.

Let's stop here for today.

We got a little carried away
since it was our first time.

That's true. My body's about to give out.

Tennoji-san, do you have
to ballroom dance often?

I attend ba*ls rarely compared
to dinner engagements.

However, it's worth learning
as part of a cultured education.

That's true.

I didn't think it'd be so much fun.

Given the opportunity, I'd love to
dance in front of others someday.

There's not much time for dilly-dallying.

If my engagement is decided,

I won't be able to spend this time
with you after school anymore.

Is that right?

Of course it is.

If I vow to spend my
future with a gentleman,

I'll have to use all the time
I can being devoted to him.

That would make me sad.

Sad, you say?

Yes.

I realized it again after today.

Spending time with you is fun,
so I'd be sad to see that time gone.

I-Is that right?

Was I being overly friendly?

Um, Tennoji-san?

I-It's nothing at all.

I'll see you again tomorrow, Tomonari-san.

Yes, see you tomorrow.

Spending time with you is fun,
so I'd be sad to see that time gone.

So I wasn't the only one who would be sad.

How do I ensure that these days continue?

I've got it.

If I offer him some sort of position
as part of the Tennoji Group,

even if I get engaged,
I can spend time with him like always...

What a silly thought.

Mirei?

O-Oh, Mother. Is something wrong?

That's what I should be asking you.

I saw you laughing
and nodding to yourself all alone.

It's nothing. I was just thinking
about something.

Mirei, you seem to be
enjoying yourself lately.

You haven't realized it?

Since you started spending time
after school with Tomonari-san,

you look like you're having fun every day.

Would you mind telling me?

What you think of
Tomonari-san as a person.

I don't know what there is to say.

He's had an effect
on my precious daughter.

I'm just so curious!

Let me think...

When we first met, he came off
to me as somewhat lacking confidence,

but he has the drive to improve himself.

In his studies, etiquette,
and today's dance practice as well,

he tries his best, which I find
to be worthy of respect.

And most of all, I always
have fun when I'm with him.

Sounds like you've found
yourself a great friend.

Yes, I'd love it if I could continue
to spend time with him...

I hope my potential fiance ends up
being someone like him.

I always tell you this, Mirei, but you
don't need to pressure yourself so much.

You have a habit of taking on
burdens for yourself.

But you can live more freely...

There's no need to worry, Mother.

I'm living my life the way I want.

I see.

About the arranged marriage,

we're hoping to have you meet him
in person in the near future.

Mirei, do you think you can make the time?

Of course I can.

We'll stop here for today.

That's faster than usual.

Yes.

I'd love to keep going,
but I have business to attend to.

Business?

The arranged marriage
I mentioned the other day.

I'll be meeting him in person today.

Um, Tennoji-san.

It really seems like you're not happy
with an arranged marriage.

Why do you think that?

You don't seem like your usual self.

There's no need to worry.

I'm approaching the
idea with an open mind.

Besides, with the position I'm in,
I must accept an engagement.

Your position?

Yes.

I think now's the right time
to tell you, Tomonari-san.

I'm an adopted child.

I was adopted when I was just a baby,

so it's not like I can imagine
a different life.

Still, I'm not the real daughter
of the Tennoji family.

Mother and Father have both
raised me like their own child.

But it's an unescapable fact that
I do not have Tennoji blood in me.

So I've sworn to go above and beyond
in acting as the Tennoji daughter should.

That is my given duty.

Hold it right there.

Are you saying you're getting
engaged as part of your duty?

Yes, but it's commonplace
in households like ours.

Maybe so, but still...

My case may be a bit of a special one,

but you of all people
should understand, no?

What?

You're adopted too, aren't you?

Do you remember what I said
before about your manners?

Yes, you said they were
hastily put together...

Are you really the heir of
a medium-sized enterprise?

You mean that all this time...

Yes, I'd guessed as much back then.

That just like me, you were carrying out
your duty to protect the family name.

It's true that I'm trying
to protect a family name.

But the name is that of
the Konohana family,

and I'm not their adopted son,
just a servant.

If I tell her the truth, it'd go against
my promise with the Konohana family.

Please keep it a secret.

But of course.

It seems I wasn't mistaken after all.

I felt a pain in my chest.

It was a feeling I'd tried
my best to ignore all this time...

That of guilt.

Itsuki?

S-Sorry, what were we talking about?

About how I want to skip school tomorrow.

You didn't mention that.

Tee-hee.

I want to eat this next.

Yes, yes.

Hey, when do you study, Hinako?

From when I get home until dinner.

Sometimes I'm forced to do more after.

That's a pretty long time.

It's not just studying for school.

Oh, you mean family business?

Yeah.

In order to keep up with
conversations at business meals,

I need to know how
the Konohana Group is performing.

Don't you ever get sick of it?

Sorry I asked that.

I wondered how you felt about your duty
as the daughter of the Konohana family.

I do think studying is a pain.

Figures.

But I don't like it when people
are sad because of me.

So there are times when I feel
like I need to work hard.

Well, all the family stuff can feel
overbearing at times, too...

That's why...

I was really happy
when you came here, Itsuki.

I found out that there's a world for me
outside of the Konohana family.

I wonder if she knows.

That there's a world
outside of the Tennoji family.