Stealing Spree

With our act completely bought by Miss Manager, she found no reason to turn down my suggestion. In fact, with the way I worded it, everything seemed to turn in her favor. She will have the means to throw me out as soon as she deems it necessary.

Well, if it comes to that I won’t just let myself be thrown out.

Even though she still acted like the strict adult that she wanted to portray herself to be, Yue and I already had a thorough read of her character.

That’s why to make it easy for all of us, we keenly catered to her pleased mood until we reached the unit.

Moreover, on the way there, I let Yue showcase to Miss Manager the disguise using the wig and other accessories that I borrowed from Ririka. That way, it gave her some peace of mind that Yue hadn’t been spotted by anyone else which could lead to another scandal to her name.

At first, Miss Manager appeared uninterested in Yue's transformation.

But when Yue leaned forward from the backseat of the car, her amazed expression betrayed her.

Right at that moment, she let out honest praise that made Yue thoroughly pleased.

Following, the remaining time before we arrived at the condominium was spent by Yue breaking her cold façade further.

By the time we entered the unit, Miss Manager’s fighting spirit was already exhausted to the point that she instantly ran towards the long couch and exhaustedly laid down there, pushing the reason why we were there or that I was with them to the back of her head.

I looked at Yue for some kind of explanation because it’s not something I expected. However, like me, the girl stood there confused and speechless.

“L-let me check.” Yue eventually said as she approached the woman in a business suit sprawled on the couch in an unladylike fashion.

She looked so defenseless by doing that.

I thought I already grasped how her mind works but this was so random.

Did Yue pick up her whimsical trait from this woman? I don’t know.

Even though this could be better in a normal situation, this wasn’t what we needed at the moment. We wouldn’t be able to finish our objective of getting her help and turning her into an ally.

As I watched Yue approach the woman, I also followed albeit maintaining a distance to properly observe her.

“Sister Kaoru, are you going to sleep?” She cautiously asked.

The woman responded with an unenergetic hum before covering her eyes with her arm. “Hmm… We’re not done yet. I’m just gonna… rest for a while.”

“Eh? Are you feeling unwell? Do you need something? Water or anything.”

“No. Can’t you see? I’m exhausted from your antics, let me just… take a moment to breathe.” Miss Manager snappily answered before turning to the side, showing us her back.

From that, it’s safe to say that she’s not acting at all. But like I said, only her fighting spirit whittled away when Yue did her best to break her composure and return to how she was… in accordance with her real behavior or how Yue described her.

Finding it hopeless to continue conversing with her, Yue returned to me while helplessly shaking her head,

“Did we overdo it, Ruki?” The girl asked, concern filling her face.

We definitely did not. I mean, we technically didn’t do anything but put on an act.

“Not really. But since she said she needed to take a breath, let’s give her the space. We still have time. Also, it's good timing… We also appreciate this breather. Let’s see, why don’t I cook dinner for you?”

We couldn’t do anything about Miss Manager acting like that and also… I couldn’t just leave without accomplishing anything.

Although I genuinely suggested that for Yue’s satisfaction, I also watched if Miss Manager would react to it.

Alas, she looked like she was keen on resting. She’s possibly already close to sleeping.

Can she be more careless and random?

“You’re going to cook for me?!” Casting away the helplessness from her manager’s act, Yue’s mood instantly flipped to excitement. Her eyes brilliantly shone as she almost jumped from happiness at the prospect of eating something I prepared.

“Mhm… You’ll be returning tomorrow and I feel like I haven’t done anything boyfriend-like except spoiling you…”

Well, she didn’t need me to act like a perfect boyfriend but this time, I wanted to do something for her. If not here, I also prepared to cook for her at home.

Since Miss Manager looked like she’d be out of commission for at most an hour, I had Yue lead me to her kitchen to check if there were ingredients we could use.

Unfortunately, apart from those easy-to-cook ones… There’s nothing that could be used for a proper dinner.

Thinking about it, Yue only ordered take-out for the dinner she prepared for me last Sunday.

And with this, we got another great chance to do something a couple would do.

Going to the supermarket together.

To make sure that her manager wouldn’t just breathe fire in rage when she woke up and didn’t find us in the unit, we left a note that we were only going out to buy something for dinner.

Well, we mentioned on the note that it would only take us half an hour to return. However, not counting the time we spent walking to and from the supermarket and park, it took us more than two hours.

And that’s because the excited Yue wanted to explore the whole supermarket; it was her first time coming to one. Moreover, she’s not just exhilarated because of it, there’s also the fact that her first trip to the supermarket was with me.

Furthermore, after the supermarket, we also stopped at a park and sat down, extending the ‘do something that couples do’ mindset.

It was already night so the risk was lower than normal. Besides, I wasn’t going to say no if it’s for the girl’s enjoyment.

I even wished to extend the night further just to make more memories with her before our inevitable temporary separation tomorrow.

Alas, we had no choice but to cut it short to two hours today.

Returning to the unit, the first thing we noticed was Miss Manager standing by the front door, seemingly welcoming us back.

Through her eyes, there’s a noticeable rage in it directed at me. But at the same time, a relieved sigh was exhaled by her.

Perhaps, even with the note, she’s worrying that Yue wouldn’t return.

“Sister Kaoru, you’re awake! You see, Ruki will cook dinner for us!” Still in her jolly mood, Yue happily strode to Miss Manager.

“Mhm… Do you mind if I use the kitchen? We can have that talk after we’re done eating.” I added as I followed behind Yue. Furthermore, I intentionally used a friendly and familiar tone as though we’re also as close as she is to Yue.

Miss Manager despondently stared at me before sighing again, “… Suit yourself. But let’s do that talk right now…”

“Eh, Sister Kaoru?”

“Sure. Looks like Miss Manager has already come to a decision…”

While Yue was confused at this sudden shift by the woman, I felt like this was a decisive moment.

If I give meaning to what I thought was her random act of resting as soon as we arrived here, it’s possible that she used that time to properly assess the situation.

On whether she should continue to oppose us or give way once and for all.

“You’re right. I did come to a decision. For the record, I don’t like you at all, Onoda. I’m aware of how you rejected her. And your rejection gave birth to that song… The song that became this girl’s entry to this industry… No matter what angle I look, it’s easy to understand that you returned to her life because of how she answered.”

“Mhm… That’s a fair judgement, Miss Manager. I’ll probably reach the same answer if I were in your shoes. I won’t defend my sudden reappearance in her life.”

When Yue heard me agreeing to Miss Manager’s word, the jolly mood she had instantly disappeared as she held onto my arm, worry filling her face.

I smiled gently at the girl and patted her head, wordlessly conveying to her that she shouldn’t worry at all.

Following that, I faced Miss Manager again whose eyes also focused on Yue. Her gaze was warm and thoughtful…

I see… I could now guess the decision she made.

“I don’t trust you. I only trust Yue and her judgement. I indeed dismissed all of her words earlier but I took the time to analyze them properly while you’re away… She’s an honest and lovely girl that doesn’t have to experience another abandonment. If she’s so sure about you, I’ll trust her just this one time.”

As her words dropped one by one, the concerned Yue understood where that was going. And when she finished, the girl’s face lit up as she instantly jumped at Miss Manager, hugging her in the process, “Sister Kaoru! Thank you!”

We prepared a plan to deal with her opposition but out of nowhere, she’s now accepting it. Really, did we worry for nothing?

But that’s also understandable…

It’s not like we’re the only ones with a working brain here. She might’ve agreed today but she explicitly stated that she doesn’t like nor trust me. She’s decided this in consideration of Yue.

“I understand, Miss Manager. I’m thankful for the consideration. Truly, I am… But… can we move on now? You’re both hungry, are you not? Let me cook something and let’s end this day without a grumbling stomach. I also have something to say to Miss Manager but that can wait for later.” After saying that, I bowed slightly to her before making my way to the kitchen.

Yue quickly followed me, her jolly mood returning, making the surrounding air lighter and livelier.