Stealing Spree

Chapter 2283: I shouldʼve locked you in with me

With the family starting their dinner, Marika and I also ended up getting invited to the table.

Of course, Kengo frowned at it but with Koharu-chanʼs pleading eyes, he couldnʼt refuse. Plus, it wasnʼt like he hated me. He just didnʼt like the situation.

Nevertheless, no matter how stiff the situation became, Koharu-chanʼs cheerfulness was infectious and kept the dinner in a lighthearted atmosphere. And while doing so, she kept praising me to her dad as though trying to nail in the fact that she didnʼt want any other instructor apart from me.

She got scolded when she tried to throw a punch though. It was considered rude, especially on the dining table.

Marika and I didnʼt say anything much and let the girl run the floor. As for Ichihara-san, it was clear that she was not only relieved but also glad to see this kind of development. When our gazes momentarily intersected, her gratitude was reflected on the surface of her eyes.

Dinner passed without any significant tension. It was surprisingly normal, aside from the occasional glance from Kengo. I was expecting him to throw something at me at any moment but he remained silent, only nodding to his wifeʼs questions and occasionally looking at Marika and me with scrutinizing eyes.

After that, he made an excuse that he had a meeting just to escape from the house. At that, Ichihara-san and Koharu-chan didnʼt attempt to stop him. They asked when heʼd be back though and it was surely going to be when I already left with Marika.

We then rested for a while before returning to the training room, finishing todayʼs lesson with light exercises. I couldnʼt let them move so much anymore after eating dinner. In any case, this night was still a satisfying moment for Koharu-chan who not only secured to continue having me as her instructor but also affirmed her fatherʼs care for her.

As we were wrapping up, Ichihara-san entered the room with a slightly tired smile, ”Thank you for the lesson tonight, Onoda-sensei. Also, I apologize I cannot... attend to you that much.”

”What are you saying, Ichihara-san? That dinner is sumptuous. Too bad, itʼll probably be my first and last time eating what you made.” I replied, keeping the mood light despite the undercurrents of tension still lingering. ”By the way, Ichihara-san can ask Ayu about the arrangement for Koharu-chan or you can contact me again and Iʼll send you the address of our house if you pick the second option. Iʼll do my best to accommodate both of you.”

Her smile grew a little more genuine at that. ”Thank you. I will consider it.”

With this, Marika and I prepared to leave. Koharu-chan walked us to the door, she even wanted to come and visit the house she was staying in again but Ichihara-san held her back, whispering something to her ear. The girl nodded and gave us a thumbs-up.

I had no idea what she whispered but I guess it was close to ʼDonʼt interrupt their momentʼ. Marika giggled and waved at Koharu-chan before thanking Ichihara-san for dinner too.

Then together, even with eyes still watching our every move, I walked Marika to her place and left by her front door.

Of course, I stayed for another half an hour with her with the two of us just rolling around in the bed as we savored our night.

Marika also showed her summer uniform that sheʼd use tomorrow. It was so stimulating for my eyes that I ended up pressing her down on her bed while she was in that outfit.

With one problem gone in our heads, we could now just focus on her aunts or whoever was going to show up here.

As for Ichihara Jun, he could keep clowning himself.

Whatever Kengo was planning, heʼs definitely not going to stop that guy from annoying us. But at the same time, heʼs also not going to put as much effort into helping him. Heʼs playing the long game so heʼd probably just do enough to keep pulling down his reputation while also appearing to be his guardian and sole ally.

A while later, I successfully reached the bus stop and boarded it without being pestered by the pompous bastard. He wasnʼt around when I left Marikaʼs house or he probably got bored when I didnʼt show up right away after entering.

Marikaʼs guards didnʼt say anything about my presence but they definitely did their job not to let anyone in.

At that, I gave them a thumbs up.

Theyʼre still skeptical about me but at this point, thereʼs really no weight to their objection anymore. Maybe things would change when Marikaʼs aunt arrived but for now, the situation was already under control.

Still, itʼs making me wonder what my parents did to intervene with Kengo. He said someone from the government contacted him. Did they threaten him?

Well, I should just ask. Theyʼre also at home with Miwa-nee and Minoru by now.

Anyway, since I had to sit on the bus and wait for it to arrive at my stop, I started checking my messages.

I got Rumiʼs message, just checking in on me after I left earlier.

Thereʼs also a message from Eimi who woke up at around five oʼclock, pretty much during my part-time job. She expressed her embarrassment for falling asleep and she also blamed the chocolate for making her drunk. She said she remembered what I did for her but because she fell asleep right after it, sheʼs regretting her missed chance.

From her messages, Anzu-nee probably hasnʼt told her yet. Either that girl was still asleep or she couldnʼt bring herself to do so yet. But I know... that girl wouldnʼt be able to keep everything a secret to her little cousin.

I replied to Eimi, telling her that I was also affected by the chocolates. I had no idea if it was just her intuition, but she immediately replied, asking me if something happened between me and Anzu-nee.

As always, my honesty got the best of me. Still, I didnʼt directly relay everything that happened in full detail. I summarized it with a simple sentence that spoke a lot, and probably an explanation that was enough to tell her that indeed, something happened between us.

My heart kinda stopped for a moment there as I waited for Eimiʼs reply.

And when she did, I immediately opened it.

”Was it the result of the alcohol in the chocolates?”

Given that it was only in text form, the question appeared daunting. Any guy would falter at this point.

Unfortunately, Iʼm not just any guy. I typed my response honestly and without making up

excuses.

”The alcoholʼs effect on me was lowering the inhibition I put up to keep my desire at bay... So, whatever happened was my conscious decision when I was stripped of my own defenses of putting a cap on my desire.”

Her reply didnʼt take long just like the first ones. I was expecting her to be mad or at least, express her disappointment. However, when I opened it, I couldnʼt but stare at it for a while before digesting it.

”I wonʼt lie. Itʼs a little hard to accept. But Ruki, you donʼt have to worry, Iʼve seen how Anzu- nee acted for the past week. Sheʼs so bad at hiding her affection for you. If you told me that it was just because of alcohol, Iʼd be mad. Thankfully, thatʼs not the case. But Iʼm still jealous. I shouldʼve locked you in the bed with me. That way you wouldnʼt run into her outside my

room.”

Reading that part, I couldnʼt help but wryly smile. That meant she was still conscious when I stepped out of the room and she heard me getting confronted by Anzu-nee...