"Would you like to come over to my house?"
That invitation came from Rudolf-senpai on Thursday night, exactly one week after that infamous brain–piercing incident.
Through my slightly old Uma-phone—already three years past its model year, but still my favorite, since it was the first one my mother bought for me—we were making casual small talk over a call mixed with recent updates, when Rudolf-senpai suddenly said that.
Of course, I agreed instantly.
When I asked whether it was just a day trip, it turned out she was inviting me for a weekend stay. I remember letting out a faintly delighted scream while thinking I had to get permission to stay overnight and pack a bit before tomorrow evening.
Apparently, they would handle both picking me up and sending me home, so all I needed to do was wait at the school gate with my luggage.
(Free transportation—lucky me.)
I want to go back and punch that version of myself square in the stomach for thinking like the penny–pinching commoner I was. And not just once—I'd hit her with a body–blow straight into an uppercut.
Five minutes before the appointed time, I arrived at the school gate. A long, slender black luxury car rolled to a stop in front of me, its windows completely covered in pale–gray tinted smoke glass. Yep. A limousine. A textbook limousine.
So there are students who get chauffeured to school in cars like this, huh?—I thought, stepping slightly back toward the gate wall, pretending it was none of my business and waiting for the limo to leave.
But it didn't leave.
No one got out, no one got in, and the car stayed still even past the meeting time. There was no sign of Rudolf-senpai arriving either.
Just when I was wondering what I should do, the door to the back seat suddenly opened. A horse girl stepped out—a simple pure–white dress fluttering around her figure—and began walking straight toward me.
"…Why are you spacing out, Nature?"
The horse girl stopped right in front of me, slightly puzzled, and spoke in a voice I recognized instantly.
Wait… is that Rudolf-senpai?
Honestly, I don't think I'm wrong for being mentally stunned. The one wearing that pure–white dress was—unbelievably—Rudolf-senpai. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail (though calling it a "pony" tail when she's literally a horse girl feels redundant), and her vibe was somehow different from usual.
I mean, seriously—who would expect the person stepping out of a limousine to be the person I was waiting for? I only glanced at her initially, so of course I didn't recognize her immediately.
"Um… you look… different from usual."
"This? Personally, I prefer calmer clothes, but my mother is the sort who likes things like this. She keeps nagging me—'At least try dressing up more often'—it's a nuisance."
"I… I see…"
She replied with a weary expression. And honestly—yeah. I suddenly remembered that she really is an actual princess–level rich girl.
"It looks great on you. It's refreshing seeing a different version of you, senpai."
"…Really?"
She pretended to react calmly, but from where I was standing, her tail was clearly wagging just a little. Cute.
"Um… are we actually riding that limo?"
I asked, pointing.
At some point, an elderly man in a butler uniform was standing near the passenger side, smiling warmly at us.
"What, you've never ridden one before? It's no different from a normal car."
"That's a lie…"
I muttered involuntarily. How could a limousine be considered the same as a normal vehicle… The Symboli family is truly extraordinary.
"Right—Nature, I'll introduce you. Hey, jii! Come here."
Senpai called out to the butler. He walked toward us slowly, and I quickly bowed.
"This is jii—our head butler. If you ever need anything, ask him."
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Nice Nature. My name is Sebastian, head butler serving the Symboli household. We humbly ask that you continue to look after Lady Rudolf."
The moment he said that while bowing elegantly, I said my second "That has to be a lie" out loud.
Sure, from his outfit he was clearly a butler, and sure, the Symboli house probably would have one… but the head butler?! That's basically the top of the servant hierarchy!
And his name. Sebastian. Why Sebastian?! That has GOT to be fake, right?!
I wanted so badly to say it—but I held it in. Because he was smiling faintly. Absolutely intentional. No way that wasn't theatrical.
"Lady Rudolf, didn't you have something you forgot? You must retrieve it quickly."
"Oh, right! Nature, wait in the car! I'll be right back!"
And she dashed off.
…What am I supposed to do now?
"Well then, Miss Nice Nature. Please wait inside until the young lady returns."
He opened the limo door for me as he walked back.
Feeling awkward, but not wanting to leave him holding the door, I quickly got inside.
I immediately fastened my seatbelt. Luckily my luggage was just a single Boston bag, so I could keep it on my lap without taking up space—not that space was an issue in a limo. But still, commoner instincts made me shrink a little.
Once he confirmed I was inside, he closed the door and moved to the driver's seat.
So he was the driver this whole time.
"Is the temperature satisfactory?"
"Yes, it's fine."
Outside was midsummer heat, humid and sticky—yet inside the limo the cool air felt divine.
"Good. If you need anything, please tell me."
Despite being maybe in his late sixties or seventies, his demeanor felt strikingly youthful.
I bowed slightly, then shifted my gaze outside through the tinted glass.
Sunset–colored scenery, cheerful voices of horse girls from the academy… all muted through the barrier of the limousine.
Maybe I was running away mentally. Maybe staring outside was easier than sitting with the awkwardness.
"Miss Nice Nature, I must express my gratitude."
He suddenly spoke.
"…Regarding Lady Rudolf."
He clarified when he saw I didn't understand.
"From a young age, the young lady was burdened by expectations from both her father and mother. By the upper grades of elementary school, she stopped expressing selfish desires altogether. It seemed as if she was suppressing her emotions."
He said this with a quiet heaviness.
"She rarely laughed anymore. She nearly stopped attending school. Every day she would run on the training turf until late evening, then study tirelessly. She was far too stoic for a child."
I couldn't interrupt.
Regret—remorse—something like that seeped from his tone.
"The truth is, I changed my name to Sebastian because of her. When she was little, she adored a storybook where a butler named Sebastian appeared. I begged her father to pull strings so I could legally change my name."
"…It's not fake!?"
I screamed inside.
"That child would laugh and say, 'Sebas! Sebas! I worked hard again today!'—and that was the greatest joy in my life."
The reason was absurdly heavy.
"The moment she returned home this time, she began smiling again. She acted her age. She spoke actively. When Madam asked, she spoke your name with delight."
A genuine softness filled his voice.
"It moved me to tears… truly."
Yeah, and now I wanted to crawl out of the window in embarrassment.
"Without your presence, Lady Rudolf would not have regained her brightness. We—everyone serving at the Symboli estate—owe you our gratitude."
"I… didn't do anything special…"
"Call it the ramblings of an old man then. Even so—thank you."
Gah. So uncomfortable.
"And the Master and Madam are grateful as well. That is why I, instead of the usual driver, was ordered to ensure there is no discourtesy toward you today. That is how deeply you are valued."
In the rear mirror, his expression was nothing but sincere.
What am I supposed to do with those expectations?! My heart can't handle this!
While I struggled inwardly, he got out of the car.
I looked outside—Rudolf-senpai was returning.
He opened the door smoothly and senpai slipped inside, sitting beside me without hesitation.
Why beside me? The limo has like twenty seats, you know?!
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Nature."
"No, it's really fine."
"Then—let's head home."
"Departing now, my lady."
"Please, jii."
As the limo began moving, I quietly sighed.
If even the staff are this intense, how terrifying will her parents be…?
(I hope the Symboli household turns out to be normal…)
I prayed desperately as the limo rolled forward, watching the scenery slide away in the distance.