Stealing Spree

How should I answer that question? Should I just tell her that I beat her that cuck up? Well, I waited for a while, or just until we arrived at the station before telling her that.

As expected, Ohori-senpai was astonished. She even cautiously took a step back from me. And that’s a normal reaction. Not gonna fault her for that.

Besides, that’s just her reflex. Soon enough, she returned to my side and she started thinking of what to say next.

I honestly believed that she sorted her thoughts when I left her in that room to take a shower so… it didn’t take long for the girl to tell me what she decided as well as her opinion on what I did to that guy.

“… Uhm. I think I’ll talk to him one last time, Onoda-kun. Hear his honest thoughts about it. And I won’t say that I fully approve of what you did… Not only is it a hasty decision, but you can also get in trouble for it.”

Although Ohori-senpai's voice sounded calm, I could hear a little shakiness in it. Whether it was brought about by her decision to still talk to the guy or her opinion of what I did, I had no idea.

But still, her words failed to carry the concern over that guy. She even sounded worried about me.

“Don’t worry about it. I only slapped his cheek and stomped him on his stomach a few times. If there will be a mark, it will be a handprint.” I shrugged as I narrated everything that I did, compared to the summarized answer earlier. “On another note, I understand your decision. I already said everything that can be said earlier. It’s now up to you on how you will live your life from now on.”

Ohori-senpai almost chuckled at the first part but as though remembering that it shouldn’t be something to laugh at, she gulped it down. Following that, the girl moved her hand to hold mine before squeezing it.

As for its meaning, I could interpret that as her way of saying ‘thank you for understanding’.

Soon enough, the bus arrived and I let her get in first before following her. The same as before, we settled on the two-seater and I gave the window seat to her.

In the few minutes that the bus stopped at that station, Ohori-senpai’s phone vibrated from an incoming phone call. She showed that to me and no surprise, it’s the name of the cuck.

Well, I couldn’t bother remembering his name.

Anyway, by showing that to me, she’s kind of asking me for my opinion on whether to answer that or not. When I failed to give her an answer, she also let it ring until it stopped automatically before putting it in ‘Silent Mode’ and tucking it back in her bag.

For the duration of that bus ride, the two of us spent the time in silence. I tried checking up on her current state. And thankfully, she remained the same until we reached the station near her house.

Spending a few more minutes walking her right to their front door, I completed the task I put on myself to look after her for today.

When I was about to leave, Ohori-senpai called out to me.

I turned around to see what she was going to say. However, she probably decided not to say whatever she was going to say. She simply bit her lips and waved her hand goodbye.

From this point onward, my job to help her ended. Whatever she decides when she talks to him again, I will not care about it anymore. It’s her choice. If she chooses to remain with him, I’ll just tell Aoi that she’s a hopeless case and if possible, get her away from the girl.

Love can be blind, after all. But here’s to hoping that she will open her eyes and get herself someone that can really treasure her.

-

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Meeting Koizumi-san was the next one on my schedule. However, upon looking at the time, there’s still more than two hours before that appointed time.

So, to fill up that free time, I messaged someone before I started making my way there.

A while later, I left the train station and saw the car that was picking me up.

Looking at the opened window from the driver’s seat, Auntie Yayoi is waving at me with a rather delightful smile on her lips.

“Onoda-kun! It’s been a while isn’t it?” She said as soon as I took the passenger seat. Looking at how giddy she appeared, I wouldn’t be surprised if she suddenly hugged me again like last time.

However, the woman, who was surprisingly wearing a rather glamorous attire than normal, only put her hand on my head and dotingly ruffled my hair.

“Did the cat get your tongue? And here I am, excited to pick you up. I bet you’re disappointed that Mii-chan isn’t with me.” Auntie Yayoi pouted in the end which somehow made her look adorable. It’s like she regressed back a few years in age.

While my mom could also act like that at times, she’s still rather restrained on it. On the other hand, Auntie Yayoi was already exuding some youthful vibes.

… Is it because of me? Well, duh? If I still failed to notice her fondness from before then I wouldn’t be a notorious woman stealer.

“Uhm, although I can’t deny that, I’m also surprised at how beautiful you are today, Auntie. I had to take my time to digest it.”

“Oh, you! Stop saying that to an old lady like me.” So, she said but her face clearly showed how satisfied she was from hearing it. I could even spy her smile widening by the second.

Moreover, her hand on my hair already slid down to my cheek, pinching it as hard as she could.

Ignoring all that, I continued with the same lines, teasing her in the process.

“Hmm? Who says you’re old? Auntie, in my opinion, you’re still in the prime of your life.”

And it’s truly effective. Despite trying her hardest not to show it, the color of Auntie Yayoi’s face had started to turn pink. And without any artificial makeup to enhance her facial features, she appeared very lovely with it.

“This boy. Stop sweet-talking me. I’m not against you for Mii-chan. You did save me as well, so you’re definitely someone I won’t mind being my in-law in the future.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Auntie. But I’m only telling the truth, you know?”

… I know I should stop soon but with this opportunity to tease this lovely lady, I couldn’t find the brake pedal and words just continued to flow from my mouth.

Fortunately, she put a stop to it herself.

Auntie let go of my cheek and turned on the key to start the car. “Geez. Alright, put on your seatbelt, we’re going home. You don’t mind eating lunch with us, do you?”

“Yes… And in fact, I’ll shamelessly admit that it’s within my plan. To eat lunch with you.”

I said that’s an admission, but somehow it got delivered in a way that it would be taken in a different context again.

And guess what? It’s really picked up like that by Auntie Yayoi.

While making eye contact with me through the rearview mirror, she asked, “With me?”

I thought for a moment about whether to continue teasing her but knowing how dangerous it would become if she kept on playing right into my hand, I pedaled back and answered normally.

“Mhm… With you and Mina.”

“Oh, I see. What’s wrong with me today? Forget my weird questions, alright?”

Although faint, I couldn’t help but notice the subtle hint of disappointment in her words there. Surely, a part of her was expecting me to follow up with it by emphasizing how I wanted to eat together with her.

But well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves and assume. Unless I hear it from her, better play it cool and focus on her daughter.

As I put on the seatbelt, I once again turned to Auntie Yayoi. This time, I put on a sincere expression, “I don’t see anything weird with it. Anyway, this might be late but… Thank you for picking me up, Auntie.”

Upon hearing that, her mood, which dropped a bit earlier, swelled up once more. With her excitement at its max, her car zoomed through their neighborhood’s streets, surprising the few people walking on the side.

… Is she the type to overdo things when excited? No, that’s certainly what she is.

In less than five minutes, we reached their house and upon being invited in, I got welcomed by my tea girl, smelling like the specially-brewed tea she always makes for me.