Stealing Spree

With our conversation over, Otoha’s grandfather joined us as we exited through the front door. He’s still as lively and comical as before but in a certain sense, I didn’t feel as much pressure around him anymore. From what he showed us and the way he talked to me, those certainly shaved off the nervousness.

Obviously, that’s only for the current situation. He could still be a scary old man who could crush me at any moment, given sufficient reason to do so. Even if it would look petty, he’d set out to protect his granddaughter from being hurt.

That’s probably what he’s thinking of as the least he could do; not counting what he could still provide for her with their family’s power and influence.

Hitomi and her grandfather, who seemed to be in a silent argument against each other, waited on us and led us back to our respective cars.

As another form of respect, we waited until their car left before Hitomi drove us off, with the destination being just nearby my school.

It’s still a bit early so to savor our remaining time, I suggested that we go on a little date. Calling it a date might be wrong… it’s more of a celebratory treat for us. I finally met her grandfather and things didn’t go awry.

Although we got his approval partly for his debt of gratitude to my mother, I doubt that’s all he used as a basis to turn a blind eye to my complexities.

In any case, seeing Otoha jovially hop and skip before jumping back in my embrace was reason enough to celebrate it. She won’t be afraid anymore. Perhaps, visiting her house will soon be possible for me. Or better yet, take her home and finally fulfill that promise of being by each other's side throughout the night.

On the way to our celebratory date, I messaged my mother.

I only wrote ‘I met Otoha’s grandfather’ to her. Partly because I wanted to check on her reaction and partly to give her suspense.

And as always, she didn’t disappoint. Her reply came in less than two minutes.

“Oh?! Baby boy, how is it? Did the old man give you a hard time? Tell me, so I can avenge you.”

Just from that response, it easily confirmed that the old man wasn’t just throwing names to intimidate me. My mother really got employed by him once…

As for what it was that she did, I tried digging it up while we were still in the car.

Otoha was also curious so instead of just sending messages, I called her. As I expected he’s with my father. But instead of a bedroom, they’re in an office. And from their attires as well as my mother’s slightly droopy eyes that are clearly noticeable despite her natural lazy-looking appearance, they haven’t slept yet.

Due to that, Otoha somehow felt bad for disturbing them, even asking me to just message them and let them rest.

But it was my mom herself who prevented that. She waved at Otoha, complimenting and congratulating her for her release from being grounded.

Flustered and didn’t know how my mom found out about it, Otoha blushed and thanked her, easily forgetting the issue she raised.

For the first five minutes, my mom focused on Otoha, catching up on things and teasing the girl completely. For how embarrassed the girl became, that’s also how much fun my mom acquired that revitalized her slightly exhausted complexion.

In the end, I had to pull Otoha and protect her from my mom’s teasing spree and returned to the main reason I called her.

“He said you saved her once… What exactly happened?” Shooting straight to that topic, my mom clicked her tongue disappointedly, unamused at how I cut her fun short. But a moment later, after asking my father who was busy typing and working on something on the computer, she grinned beautifully.

“That old man and his loose tongue…” She shook her head before silently cursing someone of that stature. “Don’t believe him. He’s exaggerating it, baby boy. I only knocked someone out.”

“Really?”

“Really! Do I look like I’m lying?”

“No. But mom, you downplayed it a lot, right? He wouldn’t look that gratified or extend that debt of gratitude he has for you to me.”

“What’s there to downplay? Do you think your mom is a superwoman who can save just anyone? You’re lifting me too high, baby boy.”

Although she said that, the grin plastered on her face hadn’t disappeared.

After acting like she’s thinking about it, she continued, “I told you, I only knocked someone out. It just turns out that someone had him as a dispatch target as well as a huge bounty on his head. And no, he didn’t employ me, your father and I just had some business dealings with him. Work-related business. Do you get me?”

Yep. She truly downplayed it. If it’s someone trying to assassinate a big figurehead like Otoha’s grandfather, that someone who had a huge bounty wouldn’t be that careless.

At least, that’s how it was in movies.

Most likely, my mom didn’t want me to think that her work could be that dangerous. Assassination and a man with a huge bounty? What kind of world are they in?

“… Alright. I won’t pry anymore. Thank you, mom. And take care. Please tell that to dad too.”

“No worries. We still want to see my baby boy being wed to all your girlfriends. See you, Otoha-chan. And son, can I also see Hitomi-chan?”

I couldn’t turn her down so I brought the phone close to Hitomi. But given that she was driving, I didn’t let her disturb her. Hitomi’s ears reddened again as she greeted my mom. Even if her eyes were on the road, she could easily hear our conversation.

Anyway, soon after the call ended, Hitomi bit her lips and tried reminding me that in truth, we were still not in a relationship.

That’s true. All we had was a few instances where we became alone. However, with most of those instances resulting in an intimate moment between us, I should say that I’m confident in closing into her heart.

That’s easier said than done but with Otoha being too enthusiastic to also pull her in, it’s only a matter of time before Hitomi yielded completely.

Naturally, since we were going on a celebratory date, we didn’t leave Hitomi outside when we reached a restaurant that specialized in serving breakfast. Even if she was still affected by what the old butler said to her as well as that brief interaction with my mother, with the two of us convincing her, she joined us in a private room in a restaurant where the two ate their fill – I was still rather full from Edel’s breakfast dishes, after all – and created a fun and unforgettable memories.

I thought of paying for that meal on our way out but the two prevented me from doing so… Firstly, it’s an expensive restaurant that would chip away more than half of what I saved and lastly, it’s a restaurant under the Kaneko Group of Companies… we didn’t need to pay. The manager even almost groveled before Otoha upon recognizing her.

That’s the world of the rich, I guess… In this world, money and status truly are things that can make life convenient.

Soon after that, Hitomi drove the car back a few blocks before our school. After kissing the two girls goodbye, I sprinted toward the school gates before Eguchi-sensei closed them completely.

“Safe…” I couldn’t help but blurt out upon successfully stepping inside. But that was met by Eguchi-sensei’s tongue click before praising me in a sarcastic tone, “Good job, Onoda-kun.”