Stealing Spree

Chapter 2377: Meeting Marikaʼs Aunt (2)

I met Kaguraʼs sharp gaze without flinching. Her question wasnʼt clearly a challenge or a test of confirmation that I was what she had read about.

Sheʼs confident this would be my stumbling block and I would fumble at defending my relationship with Marika.

Too bad. Sheʼs not the first who confronted me with this. Isnʼt there the eccentric old man whoʼs way scarier than her?

I took a deep breath then assured Marika again with a smile before articulating my answer.

”Youʼre right, Kagura-san. There are other girls I care deeply about as much as I care for Marika. I wonʼt deny it, nor will I try to justify it as something conventional. It never will be not. But am I feeding them lies? I donʼt think so. If you ask Marika or any of those girls, there is one trait that I put more importance on. Honesty.”

”Before any of them commit to me, I let them know what theyʼre signing up for. And thatʼs the same for Marika.”

Kaguraʼs eyes narrowed slightly. I saw a flicker of something passing through her expression. Surprise? Curiosity? Could be both.

”Bold of you to admit it so plainly. Most men would have tried to spin some noble lie. But honesty, really? Honesty is such a luxury these days and youʼre saying you value it?”

”Indeed. It is so easy to pass up a lie as the truth. But Kagura-san, if youʼre in my shoes, youʼll know that lies only complicate things further. Marika deserves better than that, and so do the others. Thatʼs how much I care about them. You can laugh and despise me but thatʼs just the truth.”

Marika, sitting beside me, tightened her grip on my hand. Her gaze remained steady and though her cheeks were faintly flushed, there was a spark of determination in her eyes. Sheʼs once again channeling her courage from me. And with the way I never back down to the pressure of her aunt, she had every reason to.

”Aunt Kagura,” She began with her voice carrying a slight tremor. ”I have chosen Ruki-kun with full knowledge of his circumstances. He has not coerced me into anything, nor has he concealed his past from me. He respects my choices and supports my dreams. Is that not what you have always desired for me? To find someone who cherishes and values me for who I am?”

Kagura leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed as she studied Marika. ”Isnʼt your problem with that Ichihara boy also about women? He flirts with every girl he sees. Onoda here is not any different. Why canʼt you choose someone else? Someone not as problematic?”

”No! Ruki-kun and Jun-kun will never be the same. Theyʼre fundamentally different. Jun-kun treats women as possessions, Ruki-kun treats us as his world.” Marika paused for a moment to look at me, her affection filling my chest.

”Ruki-kun has also expressed that I might find someone more suitable, as his circumstances could be more challenging than what I have experienced with Jun-kun. However, Aunt Kagura, I have never seen it that way. With Ruki-kun... I am filled with a happiness that I could never attain with Jun-kun, no matter how much I tried to cultivate a healthy relationship with him.”

For a moment, the room was silent except for the faint ticking of a nearby clock. Then she exhaled softly, shaking her head.

”Marika, youʼre certainly your fatherʼs daughter. Stubborn, idealistic, and unrelenting.” A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips before she turned her attention back to me. ”Onoda, your candor is... refreshing, but it doesnʼt change the reality weʼre dealing with here. The Kujou familyʼs agreement with the Ichihara is more than just an engagement. Itʼs a foundation for restoring the influence our family once held. Do you honestly believe you can offer something greater than what theyʼve put on the table?”

I donʼt know if her words meant she already approved our resolve but the last part was not just for her individual opinion, it was for the interest of their family.

The deal of restoring the ancestral estate of the Kujou was something I could never hope to achieve on my own. True, I also have the backing of big players, but in the traditional aristocratic sense? Nah. Iʼm still a nobody.

What can I offer then?

Well, I guess this is where I have to pull those connections and make use of them again. Especially the one that I will surely owe the eccentric old man again.

But first, considering her character, I could still appeal to her through her personal values. ”I canʼt compete with the Ichihara in terms of wealth or status, Kagura-san. But what I can offer is my unwavering dedication to Marikaʼs happiness and growth. I wonʼt treat her as a bargaining chip or a means to an end. Sheʼll always be her own person and Iʼll stand by her as she pursues the life she wants. Isnʼt that the kind of partner who truly elevates someone?”

Kagura tilted her head, her gaze softening just enough to show she was genuinely considering my words. But thatʼs all.

The hurdle hadnʼt been passed yet.

”You speak well, Onoda. But words are easy. Proving them is another matter entirely.”

Marika straightened in her seat and spoke up with firm determination, ”Aunt Kagura, is it not evidence enough that I am here, standing by his side? I have always adhered to the familyʼs expectations, but this is the first time I have chosen for myself. Please, if you truly have my best interests at heart, allow me to live my life as I see fit.”

For the first time since we entered the room, Kaguraʼs expression faltered.

She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees as she regarded Marika closely, ”Do you truly believe in this, Marika? Enough to face the consequences that will come from defying the family?”

Marika nodded without hesitation, ”Yes. Iʼm prepared for whatever comes. And Iʼm not alone -I have Ruki and the people who care about me.”𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Kagura closed her eyes for a moment, as though weighing her options. When she opened them again, there was a glimmer of something akin to pride, ”How foolish but, youʼve grown, Marika. I can see a part of my youth in you. But itʼs still not enough. You cannot change the fact that youʼre from our lineage. Youʼll just end up becoming like me...”

She sighed before shifting her gaze to me, her tone softer but still firm. ”Onoda, Iʼll be honest with you. I donʼt entirely approve of this arrangement. All these marriage alliances for the benefit of the family... However, you cannot overturn the world with only love. And thatʼs the truth.”

”I understand where youʼre coming from, Kagura-san. And I agree. Thatʼs why Iʼm not just collecting girls. My goal is to live with them in the future and create a place where no one can judge us. Anyway, youʼll probably receive a call at any moment. Youʼll understand why your family can forget this deal with the Ichihara and let Marika stay with me.”

”Huh? What are you--” Even before confusion set in her eyes, a clear ringtone echoed through the room. Kagura took out her phone from her purse, and her brows furrowed as she read the caller ID.

She picked it up and answered curtly, ”Who is this? Huh? Wait... Uncle is this you...? Why are you calling at this moment...?”

At every line, Kaguraʼs expression grew more perplexed until her eyes widened before putting the call in a loudspeaker.

And there, Marika and I also heard the voice from the other line, ”Kagura-chan, go home and connect me to that old codger. Is he so embarrassed to ask us for help so heʼs turning to

upstarts by selling off his granddaughter? That fool!”

Yep. Itʼs him alright. Otoha Hirokage. The Patriarch of the Otoha Family.

From the intel he sent back to me back then, he added a line about Kujou Kagura.

Sheʼs someone he considers as an adopted niece who sometimes accompanies him in his travels around the world.