Several months have pa.s.sed since the day Tsubaki decided to take the role of a villain. By continuously taking an att.i.tude that says "I am above you" toward the other students, Tsubaki had smoothly gained their animosity toward her.
And then, after the closing ceremony for their second-grade promotion of first school term, Tsubaki happened to pa.s.s by Toudou and her followers when they had a lively conversation about the place they are going for a vacation.
"Chizuru-sama, where are you going for summer vacation?" (Follower A)
"I plan to go to Greece together with my family … Ara, Asahinsan. Do you have any plans for a summer vacation with your family?" (Chizuru)
"My little sister just born this year so my family doesn"t have any plans to go for a vacation." (Tsubaki)
"Ara, is that so? This would be a lonely summer break for you, isn"t it?" (Chizuru)
She then put her hand around her mouth and let out a laugh "Hohohoho". Toward that Toudou, Tsubaki tells her plans for summer break with a smile.
"Instead, I have a plan to go to Monaco and France for a summer vacation together with Kyousuke-san and my uncle." (Tsubaki)
"Bragging!? Is that a bragging I heard!?" (Chizuru)
No, it"s not, I"m just messing around with you, said Tsubaki as she immediately pa.s.ses through Toudou while ignoring her.
For summer this year, it has been decided that Tsubaki will spend her time together with her cousin and uncle at Monaco and France for a vacation.
And for the reason that happened, Haruki wanted to spend more time together and having conversations with Kyousuke, but since he didn"t know what he should talk about with Kyousuke, he decided to drag Tsubaki along with him.
I wish he stop with his "ask Tsubaki when you"re in trouble" mindset, seriously, Thought Tsubaki.
The next day after the day of the closing ceremony. Tsubaki, Kyousuke, and Haruki departed to Monaco.
As it was her first time experience going abroad, be it in her previous life or present life, along their journey to Monaco, Tsubaki kept her eyes nailed on the vehicle"s window to watch the changing landscape of a foreign land, moved by the difference of the sunlight, and amazed with the grandiose of a high-cla.s.s hotel"s suite room, it was surprise after surprise for Tsubaki.
The next day as Tsubaki had woken up early because of the jetlag and headed for the living room, she saw her uncle was taking a little breakfast, prepared in a hurry and leave the hotel room.
Right after he left, Miyamura, Haruki"s second secretary, entered the room and Tsubaki asked her what happened, Miyamura answered,
"The managing director leaves to an a.s.sociated company of Mizushima in France for an inspection. And for his return, is scheduled to be by this evening." (Miyamura)
Oi! Somebody drag that workaholic back here! Just what he thinks a vacation is for!
"The managing director has asked me to take care of the rest in his absence. Do you want to go out somewhere?" (Miyamura)
"I"m sorry for troubling you, even though you are on a day off right now.” (Tsubaki)
"You don"t need to apologize, Tsubaki-sama. Besides, I"m planning to take a day off in September so it"s okay." (Miyamura)
"It"s good then. … Ah, that"s right. I want to go to visit the morning market." (Tsubaki)
Tsubaki was interested and wanted to take a look at the food in a foreign country. Seeing that this was her chance while her uncle was gone, she dragged the unwilling Kyousuke out and goes to the morning market accompanied by Miyamura and a guard.
Arrived at the morning market, Tsubaki was captivated by different kinds of colors of fruits and vegetables that lined up on the stalls. And also her nostrils were greeted by a sweet and appetizing smell that was wafted out from somewhere.
Perhaps because France and Italy were neighboring countries, catching sight of the difference in the food ingredients between the two countries around the morning market were quite enjoyable for Tsubaki. Time flies as Tsubaki and co were walking around the morning market.
However, since they can"t stay too long on the morning market, Tsubaki then decided to buy something to eat and they began looking for a shop that sells food.
After buying pieces of hard bread and sandwiches that sold at a bakery, that letting out a sweetly fragrant, and some fruits and bulk of different kinds of nuts, Tsubaki and co then returned to the hotel.
Tsubaki wanted to eat outside, but since Kyousuke said he wanted to return to the hotel, she gave up on that idea.
Done with her breakfast, Tsubaki then thinking to go sightseeing with Kyousuke, however, the person in question had already seated on a sofa and started reading a book.
"You are not going to sightseeing?" (Tsubaki)
"There are a lot of people wherever we go, it"s starting to tiring me out… Also, I prefer to stay indoors than going outside." (Kyousuke)
Stop sounded like a Hikikomori.
Tsubaki almost wanted to Tsukkomi his remarks, but then she remembered that at school or whenever he goes outside, Kyousuke would always become the center of attention. Perhaps because he can"t find a place to be at ease in j.a.pan, he might have wanted to use this chance to spend his time in leisure.
From now on I will have plenty of chances to go abroad, let"s respect Kyousuke"s decision this time, thought Tsubaki as she started to take out the homework that she brought with her and solve the problems quietly.
In the end, the time Tsubaki spends in Monaco mostly at the hotel"s pool or the hotel room.
Tsubaki could see how Kyousuke would start sulking if she going out alone, also thinking about the efforts she needs to do to calm him down if he starts sulking were troublesome, Tsubaki decided to give up on the idea of sightseeing.
Several days later, Tsubaki was currently in a hurry looking for a dress at a boutique, this happened because one day before the day they depart to France, her uncle suddenly told her they will be going to watch an opera.
Tell me about this beforehand! I didn"t bring any dresses with me, okay! Wasn"t it you who told me that I didn"t need to bring any dresses!? What….. Just what is wrong with that uncle!— Thought Tsubaki as she continues to leashed her uncle with abusive words in her mind while putting on the dress they purchased. But the one who has a hard time was the boutique attendant who was dressing her up.
Still, this person is so skillful, thought Tsubaki as she was deeply impressed with the boutique attendant"s skill.
After done with her dress up, Tsubaki then seated in front of a mirror and surprised how beautifully polished her hair was and thought she was under some kind of magical spell.
Also, the result of the boutique attendant"s work was so beautiful, in which Tsubaki believe she won"t be able to achieve no matter how hard she tries, that made her want to keep checking on her appearance in front of the mirror.
After that Tsubaki was dragged away by Kyousuke from the mirror after he said: "We don"t have much time left, leave checking on yourself in the mirror for later."
Ahh, I want to enjoy it a little bit more, thought Tsubaki in regret.
Arrived at the theater, Tsubaki and Miyamura were waiting in the lobby for Haruki, together with Kyousuke, to finish their greeting on some acquaintances they met.
Bored by waiting around, Tsubaki picked up a pamphlet and looking at it. Suddenly, she heard someone was talking to her on her back.
The person she heard was speaking in German, and there is only one person who speaks in German she"s acquainted with. Why are you here in Monaco? Thought Tsubaki in wonder, but since she was in a public place, she can"t just go press him for an answer.
Making sure she had a natural smile, Tsubaki then turns around.
And there Tsubaki saw a person that she had in mind, Leon, who was arrogantly standing in front of her.
"Long time no see, Leon-sama" (Tsubaki)
[Indeed, Tsubaki. So you"re having a vacation in Monaco too. What a coincidence.] (Leon)
Tsubaki, who was speaking j.a.panese, and Leon, who was speaking German. If there"s someone who sees this spectacle, surely they would find it to be quite humorous.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do, Tsubaki wanted to say this to Leon but after remembered that she"s in Monaco then she would have to speak French, sadly Tsubaki could only speak English and j.a.panese.
Feeling like she would lose at something if she started speaking English for him, Tsubaki continues to talk to Leon in j.a.panese.
"Ara, you are alone? Where are your families?" (Tsubaki)
[They are still greeting people around. What about you, Tsubaki? I heard your little sister is still six months old but, did your family coming with her?] (Leon)
"It seems like for today opera, there would be a famous singer who would take a stage. This is my first time coming to an opera so I don"t know who they are." (Tsubaki)
[You don"t know? She is a famous singer who would play the Princess" role tonight. She"s so famous in Europe that everyone finds it curious by the time she agreed to take a stage in Monaco, you know?] (Leon)
"It"s hard to read the pamphlet when everything is written in English. I know I am asking a lot but, I wish they write it in j.a.panese as well, or at least an interpreter would be nice." (Tsubaki)
"Do you guys even trying to have a conversation?" (Kyousuke)
Couldn"t hold his patience anymore at the conversation that was so disconnected, Kyousuke called out to both Tsubaki and Leon.
While she was a little surprised when she saw Kyousuke, who should be together with her uncle, was looking at her with an exhausted expression, Tsubaki answered his question while kept it from showing on her face.
"I can"t speak German" (Tsubaki)
"Learn it." (Kyousuke)
[Who is he?] (Leon)
Leon was looking at Kyousuke, who suddenly showed up and intimately talking to Tsubaki, with an inquisitive gaze.
Remembered that this was Kyousuke and Leon"s first meeting, Tsubaki then introduces Kyousuke to Leon.
"He is my cousin, from the family of my mother"s side" (Tsubaki)
[My name is Mizushima Kyousuke]
[…. Leon Groth Kreuz]
Kyousuke and Leon then started to look at each other with an evaluating glare.
While on the other hand, Tsubaki was feeling uneasy where she believed they might bore hostility toward each other because of the natural rejection that happened when people of the same kind met each other.
Still, toward Kyousuke who was still having a staring contest with Leon, Tsubaki was amazed by how he fluently speak German and was looking at him in a new light.
You really can do anything, huh. How"s that brain of yours working anyway?– That was what she wanted to say, however knowing this wasn"t the right time for her to say that, she stays quiet.
At the meaningless glaring at each other, the one who broke their line of sight first was Kyousuke.
He then looks towards his wrist.w.a.tch to check the time.
"It"s about time to start. It seems like Otou-sama going to take more time for the greeting, let"s go take our seats first." (Kyousuke)
"That seems so. Okay then." (Tsubaki)
While saying that, Kyousuke happened to look at the pamphlet Tsubaki hold, he then took it from her hand and start reading it.
"Still, they pick a wrong singer for the Prince"s role. Even though there are better singers out there for the role, what a letdown." (Kyousuke)
[Agree. He would be out of place when he stands beside the singer of the Princess" role.] (Leon)
Heard what Leon said, Kyousuke raised his face and stare at Leon. Same with Kyousuke, Leon was also staring at Kyousuke.
In that instant, as if they had come to some understanding, the two gave a big nod to each other at the same time and share their PC"s email address that they wrote at a piece of paper.
What? What just happened at that moment you two were looking at each other? Tsubaki could only stare in wonder toward Kyousuke and Leon.
Incidentally, Tsubaki didn"t have a PC so she was stuck with receiving Leon"s handwritten letters.
While Kyousuke and Leon were having a heated conversation about the opera, Tsubaki told the two of them that it was almost time for the performance to start. However, after seeing that Kyousuke and Leon still wanted to talk more, Tsubaki pulls Kyousuke away from Leon and get to their seats.
"Kyousuke-san, that was quite unusual of you to talk a lot like that toward a person you meet for the first time." (Tsubaki)
"Well, he"s Yak.u.mo"s cousin and you also talked to him casually so I think he"s not a bad person. What"s more, we have similar tastes in the arts. I guess that"s why." (Kyousuke)
"Glad to know you can get along with him." (Tsubaki)
Tsubaki believes it might be because Kyousuke had that basis that says he could trust Leon, that"s why he could talk to Leon so openly like that.
After that, Haruki got to his seat at the last minute where the curtain was almost raised.
Heard Tsubaki"s complaints, Haruki could only let out a bitter laugh and gave an excuse to Tsubaki that he got caught by a person who likes to talk too much. While Kyousuke, who was seated beside Haruki, have mixed feelings about his father"s late arrival.
And several minutes after the opera started, Tsubaki started to regret coming here.
Since she"s in a foreign country, naturally the song was in a foreign language as well. There was an electronic notice board that translates the song into English, however since it took time for Tsubaki to translate what was written in there into j.a.panese, she didn"t have time to enjoy the song at all.
Tsubaki gave up in translating what was written on the electronic notice board and decided to just listen to the song, however it was too late as the song was almost ended and she regretted in wasting her time in trying to understand the song"s lyrics.
The next day, they bid farewell to Monaco and headed for their next destination, France.
The place they arrived not an urban city, but a peaceful rural town with detached houses on the s.p.a.cious ground.
Even though it was a rural town, it was not far from Paris as it only took travel time less than an hour so there wasn"t any inconvenience.
It seems like at the time her grandparents were married, they move to France to start a business of j.a.panese supermarkets, j.a.panese food restaurants, and also making j.a.panese vegetable cuisine and selling it at various places and each of these businesses was growing in scale each year.
Even if he had promised to double the scale of the company, he did a dishonorable act while he still had the company in j.a.pan, and because of that, no company wants to do any business dealings with him. Thus her grandparents move to France.
Then, when his successor, Haruki, had reached four years old, and around that same time the company had reached double of its scale, just like what he had promised, he decided it"s time to return to their home country, j.a.pan.
The fate of a single woman had been distorted by her grandparents" selfishness, there"s no excuse or place for any justification on that. And what"s more, the consequence has come biting back at their children and grandchildren.
One week since arrived in France, Kyousuke has enjoyed his peaceful Hikikomori life even here.
But because there were not many people around town, Tsubaki succeeded in convinced Kyousuke to go outside to have a stroll every after breakfast.
And also, the time Tsubaki and Kyousuke getting called by the local uncles and aunties, who were doing farm work, every time they go for a stroll every morning keeps getting increased.
Even if I can"t speak French, we can still convey our message through the change of our mood and body language, thought Tsubaki as she kept receiving a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables from the farmers until her arms full.
"How come when they have a conversation with you it was always so lively than me where I can speak French?" (Kyousuke)
Tsubaki was looking at Kyousuke, who had a face that said he didn"t get it at all, with a sidelong glance while taking a bite of fresh tomato.
As mentioned above, Mizushima has an a.s.sociated company in France so her uncle was busy with socializing with people here and there.
Tsubaki also started getting bored of always stay at home.
She had tried to invite Kyousuke to go out somewhere but he turned her down so she decided to go to Paris for shopping/meet up with Anna while accompanied by Miyamura.
She made this decision after hearing that Anna was spending her summer vacation in Paris.
After she finished bought souvenirs for her parents and little sister, Tsubaki headed toward the hotel that Anna had stayed and met up with her.
Entering a cafe near the hotel, the two then started order sweets and started their girls talk.
There Tsubaki told Anna about how Kyousuke and Leon were hit off each other so well at the opera house in Monaco.
"Hmmm… that Leo and Mizushimsama, huh." (Anna)
"At first I thought it won"t go out well, seeing how similar those are. It was still surprising to me" (Tsubaki)
"Mizushimsama already used in handling your weird behaviors after all. In a sense, he"s somewhat more mature if compared with Leo." (Anna)
Heard Anna"s rude remark, Tsubaki started pouting.
Tsubaki wished Anna to at least overlook the frolicking of a member of society who is freed from social ties.
"By the way Tsubaki, have you finished summer homework?" (Anna)
"Yes. What left is Art and Craft." (Tsubaki)
"Have you decided what you want to make yet? My father"s a potter so I plan to make a teacup." (Anna)
"Wow, zero cost material, how envious. I plan to make a saving box using milk bottle, cover the body with clay and then stick some seash.e.l.ls around it." (Tsubaki)
"Ahh~ we make those huh~ we do make those before~" (Anna)
"Incidentally, the materials would be seash.e.l.ls that I gather on a beach in Monaco and beads that I bought in Paris." (Tsubaki)
"Somehow, it suddenly sounds like a waste of money." (Anna)
Since her father had a workshop at home for pottery, there wouldn"t be any trouble for Anna in making a teacup.
About the seash.e.l.ls Tsubaki gathers on a beach in Monaco, actually, some of her seash.e.l.ls were also gathered by Kyousuke.
Knowing that Tsubaki will use the seash.e.l.ls for Art and Craft, he secretly gathered the seash.e.l.ls on the beach– of course, he was followed by a guard.
Tsubaki knows about this when she was counting her seash.e.l.ls in the hotel.
"I just happen to discover these seash.e.l.ls when I was strolling around the beach. Here, for you." (Kyousuke)
After saying that, Kyousuke then grabbed her arms and put a lot of seash.e.l.ls on top of her hands.
Knowing well his character, Tsubaki can tell Kyousuke was gathering the seash.e.l.ls for her. She then accepts the seash.e.l.ls and said her grat.i.tude to him
Because there was a considerable amount of seash.e.l.ls when included with the seash.e.l.ls Kyousuke gathered, Tsubaki decided to make a picture frame with the leftover and present it to Kyousuke later.
"Have you bought some souvenirs already?" (Anna)
Asked Anna as she was looking at the paper bag and a box Tsubaki hold.
While Tsubaki was thinking about the design for the picture frame, she went back to her senses when Anna talked to her.
"More or less. From the souvenirs I bought, most of it for Suu-san after all." (Tsubaki)
"…. Kigurumi, you want to put it on her right?" (Anna)
"Of course. It would suit Suu-san really well." (Tsubaki)
"Nee, could you stop with that pet name? It somehow reminds me of a certain fish lover so, please? (Anna)
You could at least let me call her whatever I want, thought Tsubaki angrily but, after she noticed Anna was looking at her with cold eyes she immediately change the way she calls her little sister back to normal.
After that, they have a long conversation, and then Tsubaki realized it was time for her to go home when Miyamura informed her.
The tea she drinks was so delicious that she bought a bunch of the tea leaf at the shop next to the cafe, and after satisfied with it they return home.
And in the home, Kyousuke who was having enough of boredom was sitting on top of the sofa grasping his knees, the very position he took when he was sulking.
There"s nothing better than sweets to put a sulking kid back to a good mood, thought Tsubaki as she took out the Macaroons and the Éclairs that she bought from a famous shop in Paris. When Kyousuke sees what Tsubaki was presented to him, the color on his eyes changes.
Even while he complaints about this and that to Tsubaki, his hands didn"t stop moving the sweets to his mouth at all.
What"s more, seems pleased with the sweets, Kyousuke immediately asked Tsubaki about the place she bought the sweet, of course, she tells him the location of the shop, and then he ordered her to go to that shop together with him to buy more.
The rest of the time for her vacation in Paris was spent on go buying sweets together with Kyousuke, touring around Paris together with Anna. And around the middle of August, Tsubaki"s first vacation overseas come to an end.
When she arrived home, her parents" first reaction when seeing her was "There"s so sunburn!?"
Even when she was in Monaco and Paris, she spends most of her time in the hotel and inside their house in Paris, so she never gets a sunburn.
Or perhaps, it might be because Miyamura always put sunscreen lotion on her. Tsubaki once heard Miyamura said, "I didn"t wait to see a young lady get a sunburn". Seems like Miyamura had an ideal image of a young lady in her.
However, Tsubaki was also in shock because the image her parents have of her was some kind of wild girl.