My name is Hajime Matsubara.
My story begins, like every human's, at birth. From there, memories get clearer starting with my first birthday.
You could say I'm bragging, but I was a very obedient and helpful kid growing up. Unlike other teens my age who waste time goofing off, I dedicated myself to building a future.
My parents were simple fishermen, so I didn't have the luxury of messing around like others. I had to fight to change our situation.
Sadly, I learned the hard way that willpower alone isn't enough to achieve your goals.
My parents died just as I finished my second year of high school.
As a result, I had to drop out to support myself.
Social services were nonexistent since I lived in a remote village far from the city.
But despite my dire situation, I received kind help from my village's residents, whom I still consider family.
After a year, I resumed my studies, but the old drive was gone. I'd dreamed of becoming a doctor, but I stopped at high school and ended up as a courier for an agri-food agency.
The pay wasn't bad, but it was clear I'd failed.
One day, an old friend reached out. A high school acquaintance.
[Yo, Matsubara. It's Asashi from high school. What's up?]
"Asashi?"
[What? Don't tell me you forgot me.]
"I…"
[Fine… I never liked this nickname, but I bet it'll jog your goldfish memory… Gummy Ball. Ring a bell?]
"No way! It's you, Chubby? So your name's Asashi, huh…"
[I'll take that as teasing.]
I laugh my head off.
I wasn't expecting a call from a blast from the past like this.
"So, what's good? What're you up to?"
[I asked first… Whatever, forget it. I'm a chef now. Working as an assistant chef for a super influential family in our country.]
"Whoa! You're living the dream."
[Pay's good, no complaints there, but the stress could kill me. One screw-up, and I'm out.]
"That's the price of success."
[Yeah, yeah… What about you? You were set on becoming a doctor.]
Doctor.
"Well, I didn't go to university…"
[Got it. You working at least?]
"Yeah, I'm a courier."
"You good?"
"If I said yes, I'd be lying. At least the pay covers my needs, so there's that."
An awkward silence follows.
"Tell me, romance-wise, has Chubby finally scored?"
I toss out a joke to break the tension.
[What the… What do you think? I've got a girlfriend!]
"Oh! Let me guess, a waifu, right?"
[You little…]
We banter.
We keep reminiscing about the good old days when he suddenly remembers something.
[Hey! Just thought of something.]
"What?"
[The family I work for is looking for a driver. You're a courier, so you've gotta have a license. Why not apply?]
"You really think I've got a shot?"
[You'll never know unless you try. And don't worry about pay—this family's loaded.]
'What do I have to lose?'
"If you say so, I'll give it a shot."
[Cool. I bet you'll get it.]
We talk about other stuff before finally ending the call.
The next day, I apply at the address Asashi gave me.
Three days later, it's interview day.
The room's packed.
'Is the demand *that* high?'
At 10:00 a.m. sharp, the interviews start. Though the setting's a bit intimidating, I think I did well.
I head home with an optimistic heart.
Four days later, a letter arrives informing me I got the job. I'm to start tomorrow.
The day comes.
I arrive at my new workplace—a massive estate that could rival ancient shogun castles.
Upon arrival, I'm led to the living room to meet my new employers.
Before me sits a young boy, barely 12. To his left stands an older man in a butler's uniform.
"Please, take a seat, Mr. Hajime."
The old butler invites me to sit.
It feels like a polite gesture, but I sense immense pressure.
Don't get me wrong—I'm not intimidated by the butler, but by the kid next to him.
His eyes seem to pierce through me, peering into the depths of my existence.
'I'm overthinking. He's just a kid…'
I follow the butler's invitation and sit across from them.
The boy keeps staring at me for a few more seconds before pulling out what looks like a pocket mirror. No, it *is* a pocket mirror.
'What the…'
He's calmly checking himself out, occasionally fixing his hair.
'So vain at such a young age?'
Minutes pass, and he's still glued to his mirror.
'What's the deal? If you're done with me, wouldn't it be better to let me go before indulging in your vanity? No, calm down, Hajime. Think of the salary this job'll bring. Chill.'
The butler, meanwhile, hasn't moved an inch—impressive.
Finally, after who-knows-how-long, the boy puts away his mirror and looks at me again, this time speaking.
"You'll do."
He says these few words before turning to the butler.
"Yanagi, please instruct him on his duties."
With that, he rises gracefully and leaves the room.
'So that's what it's like to be the son of an aristocratic family.'
"Hajime-san."
I jump at the voice.
The butler's now standing right in front of me. Creepy, since I didn't sense him move.
If someone told me he was an assassin in his youth, I'd believe it.
"Y-yes!"
I reply, trying to compose myself.
"I'm Yanagi Jin, head butler of this estate. As the young master just said, I'll brief you on your duties."
And so, I'm filled in on my role and how the estate operates.
My job is to be the personal driver for the young master, that weird kid.
The family's name is Kōenji, known as one of Japan's biggest conglomerates.
And contrary to what I thought, this castle isn't home to the whole family—just one person: the young master and heir, Kōenji Rokusuke.
Two and a half years pass.
Bottom line: I'm living the good life doing next to nothing.
Though I have a job, I barely work.
You'd think the heir to such a massive family would only travel by private jet or limo, but not my young master. In two years, I can count on one hand the times I've driven him.
It's not that he doesn't go out. Quite the opposite—since I've been here, I've seen how much of a free spirit he is, impossible to pin down. That's also why he has no bodyguards. And honestly, why would he need them?
I'm in my room, chilling with my buddy Asashi.
After a year, he became the head chef, passing the stress to the new assistant chef.
"You hear the news?"
Asashi asks out of nowhere.
"What?"
"The young master's going to high school next year."
"What?!"
I forget I'm holding a cigarette, and it falls onto my lap.
"Damn it!"
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