Chapter 6

"It's already past five, isn't it? I'll take you home in my car."

Against the backdrop of the sunset, Mr. Sōju looked beautiful. If Miss Sara was a lovely, cat-like beauty, Mr. Sōju was a gender-neutral handsome young man. Unlike Miss Sara, Mr. Sōju had chestnut, silky hair. But as a handsome young man, I think he would also suit a vertical perm.

"Thank you for your concern, but it takes two hours by train and bus to get to my home, so your offer is enough. Please be careful on your way back, both of you."

"We're fine. We're more worried about you, Ray."

Is it really that impossible for a country girl to commute by train in this big city? How can I navigate the crowds and reach my destination without getting lost...

"Oh, you're misunderstanding again. Since Ray doesn't seem to realize it, I'll tell you: you're really beautiful. You have fair skin, long eyelashes, big eyes, and a well-proportioned face. Plus, you have a great figure. Is your home security good?"

I couldn't answer.

Security. I try to do it. I lock the door with a hairpin on the sliding door that doesn't fit well.

"Ray, I haven't experienced it myself since I've never commuted by train, but I've heard that there are perverts on trains."

"What, that sounds like an urban legend. They really exist, you know, Ray?"

That's what it is!

"I hadn't thought about it. I thought you were more concerned about home security. I've never been a victim because I can sit on the first train in the morning. On the way back, well, I can't get a seat. I'll be careful not to become a victim."

Just as I was about to leave, Mr. Sōju grabbed my arm.

"It's dangerous not to take precautions against perverts. Two hours by train and bus? Where do you live?"

It's kind of scary, Mr. Sōju.

"A town called Hanadai, famous for peanuts. There aren't any peanut fields near my house, though."

When I answered, Mr. Sōju took out his smartphone and started tapping on it.

"It's 42 minutes by car if we take the highway. I'll take you home after I drop Sara off. Get in the car."

"Wh-What? There's no need. I won't be a victim of a pervert! I'm fine!"

I was surprised and refused, but Mr. Sōju wouldn't back down. Even when I asked Miss Sara for help, she sided with Mr. Sōju and helped get me into the car. It was a very impressive car. The seats were extremely comfortable, it was very quiet, and it didn't shake. What is this smooth, mysterious vehicle? It's different from the cars I know.

"But I'm really fine..."

"Then at least carry some anti-crime gadgets. Takagō, take her home first. Drop Sara off and then go to Hanadai."

There's a dedicated driver! His name is Mr. Takagō. It's like a world from a novel or manga. By the way, at the Hanadai Town Library, you can borrow manga donated by residents. It's a bit disappointing that there are mostly older manga. I've read "Kamui Den," "Gan," and "The Rose of Versailles" many times. I still reread them occasionally.

"I'm sorry for causing you trouble today."

I apologized to Miss Sara and Mr. Sōju. After all, it was my fault that we ended up in the infirmary listening to Mr. Ichijō's story. Yes, today was the entrance ceremony!

"Since it's the entrance ceremony, don't you have a celebration with your family?"

People like these upper-class individuals must have a celebration. There must be a feast prepared. Or maybe they'll celebrate at a hotel or a high-class restaurant.

"Yeah, sort of."

I knew it! Then I should get out of the car. I can't cause any more trouble. I have to get out!

"Please don't worry. It's just a formality since it's internal advancement. Besides, we still have time."

"Are you sure we'll make it in time?"

"Yes, really."

That's good. I don't have a family, so I don't think about these things. But if Fuki were here, I would hurry home. She would probably have steamed red bean rice for the entrance celebration. Ah, thinking about Fuki makes me sad. Fuki should be living a leisurely, rich life right now.

"Ray, is something wrong?"

"It's just that something got in my eye. I'm fine now."

The car drove through a quiet residential area. It seemed to be a high-end neighborhood. The wrought-iron gate of a particularly large mansion opened automatically. Our car passed through the gate and stopped in front of the mansion. Mr. Takagō got out of the car and opened the rear door.

"Thank you for your hard work."

Miss Sara said to Mr. Takagō and led me out of the car. For some reason, I was also made to get out. In front of me was a grand mansion, one I had no connection to until yesterday.

"Admission fee..."

I muttered, and Mr. Sōju chuckled.

"There's no admission fee. I called my grandfather about Ray in the car, and he wants to meet you. Can you meet him? I'm sorry, but can you?"

"Wh-What? I'm just a person with the name Kujō. I'm not someone who can meet the chairman of HONGO Pharmaceutical."

"Well, are you calling my friend an idiot, Ray! Ray is my friend, right? If so, there's no problem meeting my grandfather."

Miss Sara, with her very confusing way of speaking, was considerate of me. I really think she's a tsundere lady. I followed her into the mansion. The entrance hall was wide, with a double staircase. It looked like a historic Western-style mansion. When was it built? I was worried if it was really free to enter.

"Don't worry, I don't live here. I only came to this building today because Ray was coming. I usually live in a modern house."

It seemed there were other buildings on the property. I was so nervous that I only noticed the mansion. This Western-style mansion is a national cultural property and is used for special guests.

Special guests?

"Could I be a special guest?"

I asked timidly, and the twins looked pleased.

"Grandfather is waiting for you in this room."

This must be the parlor. The furniture is all antique. That's a Hepplewhite chair. The table in the center looks like mahogany, but I wonder where it's from. It must be a prestigious piece.

My inner monologue exploded in my head like a radio commentary.

"Ray, your thoughts are leaking out."

Mr. Sōju pointed out with a laugh. Embarrassing! I'm so stupid!

An elderly man walked towards us.

He must be Miss Sara and Mr. Sōju's grandfather, Mr. HONGO Takeru, the chairman of HONGO Pharmaceutical.

"I'm very sorry. Nice to meet you. I'm Kujō Reiko."

"Hello, I'm HONGO Takeru, the grandfather of Sara and Sōju. In my youth, I was one of the people helped by Kujō Shōichirō. Without his support, this company wouldn't exist today. He passed away without being able to repay his kindness. It was in 1962."

My grandfather was a good person. It's a relief to think that he had not only the blood of Lady Mari and my father but also the blood of ordinary people.

"Even though it's our first meeting today, I've been helped by Sara and Sōju."

"They are very good children, aren't they?"

"Yes!"

We smiled. However, I couldn't stay for long. They had an entrance celebration dinner.

"Excuse me, but I'll take my leave now. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to visit such a beautiful Western-style mansion."

"You're honest. You look like Lady Mari, but your personality is like Shōichirō. Oh, and that table was made by a Japanese craftsman."

So he heard my inner monologue. Embarrassing!

As Mr. Sōju said, Mr. Takagō would take me home.

"I'm really sorry, but I'll take you up on your offer today. Goodbye, everyone."

As I said this and tried to leave the parlor, Miss Sara and Mr. Sōju followed me. I wondered if they would see me off to the entrance hall. It was embarrassing.

I said thank you again at the entrance hall and left the mansion.

However, the two of them continued to follow me. I wondered if they would see me off to the car, but to my surprise, they got into the car as well.

"What about the dinner party?"

"Grandfather said not to worry and to take you home."

"Even Sara? Is it okay?"

"It's fine."

Even though it would take a long time from here, they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

However, as we entered Hanadai and approached my house, their faces showed disbelief.

"It's so dark! It's too dark!"

"There really is nothing here."

Of course it's dark at night. And there are rice fields. It's not like there's nothing.

When we arrived at my house, they froze like wax figures.

My house is a rental. I pay 9,700 yen per month to the landlord. There is tap water, but no sewage system, so it's connected to the landlord's septic tank. The gas is propane. The electricity is contracted for 10 amperes. The distribution board uses fuses instead of circuit breakers. The fuses have only blown twice in the past. I have spare fuses just in case.

"Would you like some tea if you have time?"

"Yeah, I'd love to. But living alone in a place like this is really dangerous!"

Oh, that's why city people are like this. In the countryside, it's a mutual surveillance society. That's why it's safe. I'm a target of surveillance, especially since I'm not fully accepted yet.

When I explained this, Miss Sara looked like she was about to cry.

"It becomes interesting if you think about it. If you think of the landlord as MI6, the cynical Mr. Yoshida who makes charcoal in the mountains as KGB, Mr. Tanaka who lives across the rice field as Mossad, and the family living next to him as CIA, it's quite interesting!"

The KGB doesn't exist anymore, but it's cool, so I use it in my mental spy game. By the way, I'm a new recruit in the KGB. When I meet Mr. Yoshida in the mountains, he teaches me many things. His code name is Yoshi. I call him Comrade Yoshi in my mind. My biggest rival is Mr. Tanaka of Mossad.

I really like it!

Hanadai is a fictional town, you know (＾ω＾)