Stealing Spree

Yue’s manager, Kaoru, coming to the house to check on her was something I expected. There’s no way she would easily believe the words of someone like me.

Someone younger. Someone she hadn’t met before. And more importantly, someone who, in her eyes, was tricking the talent she’s managing.

Just that, I didn’t expect her to wait until this time. If I’m reading her right, Miss Manager must’ve also understood that Yue needed this time to relax after being imprisoned inside that condominium unit for more than one week. And since this was her last day in this short break, she let Yue enjoy a day without being restricted regardless of whether I was involved or not.

She knew her location through her phone, after all.

Perhaps, even if I didn’t bring her home last night, there’s a possibility that she also planned to give her this day. Maybe she’ll let them accompany her parents and siblings. But that was if she’s really kind and understanding.

Anyway, after that message, I quickly called Yue to check on the situation. I felt bad for cutting my interaction with Ishida-senpai short again but that was urgent. I made a mental note to make up for it tomorrow and the next day.

It’s already been an hour since that call. Knowing that her manager might change her mind and take her home without waiting for me, I got up and excused myself to Ishida-senpai before informing my girls.

At the moment, I was now in the vicinity of our house.

From afar, I could spy the blue car parked in front of our house. Further in, I also saw my father’s car.

Right. Yue told me earlier that her manager knocked on our door fully aware that there was a troublesome couple inside. In fact, she admitted that she chose to show up after guessing that they were my parents.

Miwa-nee never left the house so she probably had no idea that there was another adult inside there.

Miss Manager was obviously going to rat me out to my parents, hoping for them to discipline me. Too bad for her, my mother was a contender when it comes to spoiling me.

And so, the talk about my supposed ‘kidnapping’ of Yue was immediately shelved, never to be brought up again. According to the girl, her manager was easily subdued by my mother’s charisma. Even before she could complain, my mother already had an answer to it.

From how lively her tone was earlier during the call, the girl was definitely exhilarated at what she witnessed.

As for what happened with her meeting with my parents, she played it down by saying ‘Mother is amazing!’.

Yep. It’s still my mother who took the spotlight. Poor dad, he was probably suppressed by mom and Miwa-nee.

Hurrying in my footsteps, I soon reached the vicinity of our house.

Before coming in, I first went next door to check on Akane. Knowing what was happening in our house, she informed us that she was going straight to her parents’ house.

She’s also waiting along with her parents. Ah, no, Uncle wasn’t home. It’s just the mother and daughter spending time together.

Uh. I only wanted to check on the girl but as soon as she spotted me, Aunt Akemi used that chance to interrogate me.

Calling it an interrogation was wrong, I think? Nonetheless, her questions were all aimed at what was happening around me. Although it almost always revolved around highlighting her daughter’s well-being and reminding me not to neglect Akane, Aunt Akemi carefully probed my thought process concerning my goal.

She often did the same thing during weekends so it’s not a new occurrence.

However, this time the line of questioning concerned Yue and her career.

“Auntie, I’m rather relieved that you’re concerned over this… But you don’t have to worry. Yue and I already talked about what will happen upon returning to her activity as Asahi.”

After listening for a while, that’s how I answered.

However, her brows remained furrowed, seemingly unsatisfied with my explanations.

In the end, Akane had to get in between us and let me escape from her mother’s interrogation.

But before he left, Aunt Akemi said one final piece.

“Look, I’m telling you this using an adult’s perspective. If you asked Sayuri, she’ll also tell you the same thing. Everything you just said is not viable. You’re just going to make it hard for the girl to travel to and from Tokyo just to meet you for a day or vice versa if you decided to be the one to take that burden. Think about both your health and well-being. You just keep piling up responsibilities on your head.”

Digesting her words, I had no rebuttal on that… But like I said, Yue and I already went over everything that could be said as obstacles to our relationship.

Then again, everything that’s happening around us was normally impossible. This was just an additional pile of impossibility that we would aim to overcome. As for the responsibility that’s piling up… that’s all on me.

As the core of this relationship, I couldn’t let myself be weighed down by it. That's why instead of overthinking about all of it, I would tackle it one by one or as they came blocking our path.

A few dozen steps later, the anxious Yue received me from the front door.

Well, I got somewhat delayed because of Aunt Akemi but upon seeing my face, the normally cool girl that could sing really well even in front of the crowd, brightly smiled as she let out a relieved sigh.

Using a kiss to calm the girl down, I then let her drag me to the living room where her manager and my parents are having a tea session.

“It’s nice meeting you, Miss Manager. I apologize for my brash way of talking earlier.” With my usual normal smile, I first greeted the woman in a typical business suit, who immediately reacted upon seeing me being escorted by Yue from the front door, before bowing my head down.

Showing humility after what I did earlier was definitely something I ought to do.

At the side, my parents looked at me with meaningful gazes. My father especially furrowed his brows at my display.

If I could translate that, it would be this… “Look at this boy strutting about again.”

Anyway, I swept that away for now and focused on the woman.

Contrary to what I expected, Miss Manager is young.

I thought she’d be at least in her late twenties but judging from her posture and choice of fashion, it’s safe to say that she’s just in her early twenties or even younger than that.

A senior in college maybe? I don’t know.

Looks can be deceiving anyway. I would just treat her cordially. The last thing I needed was her being so opposed to our relationship.

Surprisingly, her reaction to my appearance was just normal. Perhaps she’s already used to seeing handsome guys. Well, there’s also the possibility that she’s just different. Not everyone was the same, after all.

In any case, this is better for me.

When I raised my head again, Miss Manager looked like she was at a loss for words. Judging from how she’s glancing at my mother, she’s afraid to offend her if she suddenly went ballistic on me.

Yep. She’s definitely still mad at me for taking Yue. My mother might’ve tamed her because of her overwhelming presence but what I did wouldn’t just get erased.

So, what to do here?

Tame her myself and let her vent out the frustration I dropped on her, obviously.

“Miss Manager need not worry. My mother will understand your anger. And so do I. Please don’t hold back.”

Without missing a beat, I said all of that while I held Yue as close to me as possible… to provoke a reaction out of her.