Showered by the Stars

25. Their Arrangement

With my bags unpacked, I placed my unused clothes back in my closet and washed my laundry. I was glad they let me have a full day’s rest yesterday. My laundry when piled-up really looks just like a mountain. Ah! Well, better get to it fast. I still have to process my enrollment with mom.

“You’re done, Mi-chan?” mom asked.

“Yeah. I’m coming down.” I said from my room.

We locked up the house and set the security code. I already have everything I need in the envelope I’m carrying.

“Good day Mrs. Minami, and Ms. Minami. I’m Shioya Choukichi. I’m here to pick you up.” The driver of the black limousine said. Ugh! What’s with this? It’s ostentatious.

“Who told you to do this?” I asked.

“Your grandfather, young miss.” The driver said.

Urk! It has been a while since he did this. The last time was on his birthday. I don’t like this kind of treatment from him. My aunts and uncles of the Minimi family kept on bugging me after that. They said that receive special treatment from grandfather and it’s unfair to their sons. Since I’m the only granddaughter and the rest of his grandchildren are all boys. And well, there’s also the fact that my dad is the youngest and only son.

“Shioya-san, why did he send you? We can always ride the bus since the distance to school isn’t that far.” I said, matter-of-factly. I just don’t want to get attention.

“Ah! No. Please call me Choukichi. Young miss, your grandfather specifically asked me to render my service to you and your mother. Please get in.” Shioya-san said.

“But—Shioya-san, there’s—“ I started.

“Please—Just Choukichi or Chou.”

Urk! Choukichi is too long. “Chou-san. There’s—“ mom chuckled.

“Just Chou.” He said. Oh brother!

“Chou. There’s really no need to  do this.” I said.

“Please, young miss. I might get fired.” He said.

“Ah? Did he say that?” I asked.

“No. But I will hand in my resignation if I will not be able to fulfill your grandfather’s orders. Ah! But there’s no need to worry about that. My 60 years of service to the Minami family will just end and that I won’t be able to support my wife and eight sons and two daughters. So if you wish to decline the transportation then, I’ll be going now.” He said, with a sad smile.

Oh man! The guilt is kicking in.

“Ugh! Alright. Alright. We’ll get in.” I said, frowning.

“Eh? Really? Thank you, young miss.” He said, gleefully opening the car’s door for us.

On the way to school, I felt nervous. I don’t like being seen in this car. But anyway, we arrived with Chou opening the door for us again.

The teachers, staff, enrollees and parents stared in awe. I recognized some of my classmates, they were really surprised.

“Must be nice being rich. You get to have everything done for you without breaking a sweat.” An enrollee said.

“Hey! Don’t even dare open your mouth if you’ll just going to say such absurd things.” My classmate said. I looked at who it was. It was Minamoto Ken.

“What’s so absurd about that? Isn’t that how rich people live?”

“Oh please! You don’t even know anything about their lifestyle.” I was glad he said those things. The only people who knows my family background are Ran, Kana, Ken, and Rena. The rest of my old classmates just thought that I’m just a half-blood.

The teachers were puzzled. But what struck me most was the conversations the parents were having as we entered the school campus.

“Eh? Isn’t that Mrs. Minami? I heard that her husband is that Mr. Minami, the heir of Minami Electronics Corp.”

“Really? I didn’t know that. I just thought she’s just the director of the Walker hospital.”

“Is she? Maybe the director financed her. She’s his daughter-in-law after all.”

The conversation died out when we entered the school’s hall.

“Mom.” I looked at her, worried.

“Don’t worry. I’m used to these kinds of comments.” She said, smiling.

“But shouldn’t we tell them?” I asked. But I knew the answer. Mom patted my head.

“Mi-chan, we can’t go around telling every single soul about our circumstances now, can we?” she said.

“Mmm—‘ Yeah, I knew she was right.

“Argh! They just say whatever they want. I don’t want to understand those people who just blurt out those comments about others. They don’t even benefit from it. Geez—“ I pouted. Mom chuckled.

“Yes. You’re right. But it’s fun with a little drama, aye?” she said.

I laughed. “Well if you put it that way, I guess.”

“Come on. We’d better finish early today. The earlier we leave the better. We don’t want to have us as the new subject of the curriculum now.” We laughed.

We just finished the enrollment when Ran and Kana entered the hall.

“Ah! Mizuki-chan! Oh! Good day to you aunty!” Kana-chan said.

“Good day to you Aunty, how is uncle?” Ran-chan said.

“Ah. Good day to you both. Kazu is fine as ever. Are you here to enroll?” Mom asked.

“Yes. Our moms are outside. Kana and I just met in the entrance.” Ran-chan said.

“Really? Well, I better greet them. Mi-chan, follow me when you’re done, okay?” mom said.

“Yeah.” I said. Then she left us three.

“So what’s with the limousine outside?” Ran-chan asked.

“How did you know?” I wondered.

“Oh please! Who wouldn’t? With that obvious logo of Minami Electronics Corp. at the front.” She said.

“Eh? Really? I didn’t notice that.”

“Is there a party or something?” Kana-chan asked. They knew about my granfather’s party last time.

“No. I think. Ah! Well, I’ll find out later anyway. I’ll just call you, okay? I’d better go.” I said, in haste.

“Okay. Bye.” They said.

Mom and I left with Chou driving for us, somewhere.