Stealing Spree

Having dropped that for Ichihara Jun and whoever was watching this unfold to hear, I waited for a while to see how they would react.

Sure enough, they didn’t disappoint me.

Ichihara Jun immediately raised his voice, calling me out for bluffing.

I ignored his ramblings. It wasn’t much different than what he was yapping about yesterday, after all. He’s flaunting his superiority over me even though all he did was to front his surname.

Although I couldn’t see Ichihara-san’s husband, someone was probably reporting to him about what was happening here.

Furthermore, unlike yesterday, where there were at least a few tough-looking men in suits accompanying Ichihara Jun to intimidate me, there’s only one of them and he’s probably a driver.

After taking a sidelong glance at our surroundings, I put my attention back to my front where Marika’s bodyguard also appeared unconvinced with my answer.

He glanced behind him where the other guard was peeking from the door. Most likely to check on his partner’s reaction too.

And given that he’s the one who’s always against Marika’s association with me, he returned an unimpressed scowl.

Yeah. That’s to be expected. But then again, it’s not like he’s going to stop Marika from coming with me today. Just like yesterday, he’d still be helping us out.

"You should count your days of doing this. The family is sending someone next week."

The man in front of me eventually responded his tone close to that of someone already giving up on reminding a stubborn guy like me.

I smiled and nodded, "From the Kujou Family? I see. I guess they’re the ones I have to convince next."

"It won’t be that easy."

"Mhm. I’m aware. I mean, it shouldn’t be easy anyway. Marika is still considered a piece for them." ƒ

I don’t know if he’s trying to dissuade or remind me to brace myself against whoever it will be. Nevertheless, this guy and the other bodyguard who was still scowling inside were genuinely concerned over Marika.

I knew their orders were to protect her and ensure that she would successfully enter the Ichihara Family. That’s why they were not pleased with my presence when Marika first approached.

But because they saw how Ichihara Jun was treating their young lady, their priorities changed. And seeing Marika grow closer to me, even denouncing her intention to be married to the pompous bastard, a part of them must’ve been relieved.

Well, that might just be my assumption but that’s the only logical explanation why Marika and I could always meet and spend time with each other despite their apparent strong stance against my involvement with the girl.

Anyway, the man didn’t respond to me after that, he only silently exhaled as though sighing in both relief and helplessness before allowing me to pass.

Likewise, the guy holding the door also opened it for me regardless of his sharp glare as though he was already cutting me up in his imagination.

Upon entering the house, I bowed to their directions and continued upstairs. To Marika’s

Room.

Outside, I heard Ichihara Jun questioning them why they let me pass again but their answer was simple.

"Marika-sama has instructed us to let him in. I apologize but we’re sent here as the young lady’s servants. Our duty is to serve her."

If I were as rich as Ichihara Jun, I’d commend them and raise their salaries. They’re doing a great job. Their loyalty was also admirable.

Since I was already exposed to Hitomi and her whole family serving the Kaneko, I kind of expected the servants of another former noble family to be this loyal.

As for the ones employed by the Ichihara... I had no idea. Maybe they could still be bribed. But given that I was only looking at the surface through Ichihara Jun’s surroundings, it’s really hard to determine.

It’s no joke that they’re rich and influential but to what extent? Maybe only my parents or the other influential families will know.

If I asked, I’d also find out the whole picture but I wasn’t fighting their family here. Only Ichihara Jun so I didn’t really see any need to do so.

At least, not at this moment.

If the time comes when things escalate and that Guardian steps out to wipe his ass and set things in order again, I doubt my parents will keep quiet as well.

That’s why I wasn’t that worried about his intervention. Lame as it might look but at this point, I had no choice but to rely on them. I’ll pay them back in the future.

Of course, I still have to be mindful of my decisions as well. The last thing I want to happen is to become like Ichihara Jun who can just shout for his family whenever he’s inconvenienced.

A minute later, I reached Marika’s room. Having visited this place once before, navigating was already easy.

Still, I acted a little cautious in case there was a surprise coming. For example, another person in the house other than Marika.

"Ah! It’s really Onoda-sensei!"

"Eh? Koharu-chan? What are you doing here? And since when are you calling her like that?"

This. What’s happening here?

I was expecting Marika in her room but the first thing to greet me after knocking on it was this girl’s little head.

Upon recognizing me, Koharu’s eyes widened and became sparkly as she pointed her finger at me as though discovering something amazing.

Then, as the door opened further, I found my golden ringlet girl sitting on her bed with her legs crossed, merrily giggling at the scene in front of her.

A moment later, as though she couldn’t hold back anymore, the ringlet girl uncrossed her legs and approached me in a stride with Koharu watching this unfold.

"My. Ruki. Must you be surprised? Koharu-chan became my little sister yesterday. You see, she asked me to accept her after we finished the set exercise you taught us."

While still in the middle of explaining, Marika pulled me close to her in an intimate embrace, her face buried in my chest.

Ichihara-san’s daughter put on a silly smile as she covered her mouth and eyes but peeked

Through the gap between her fingers.

Yeah. She’s not pretending to be innocent at all. Furthermore, she appeared so enthused watching Marika get this close to me...

I guess she also disapproved of her bastard cousin for the girl, huh?

And from what Marika revealed, looks like even if she’s drifting away from the main branch of the Ichihara, she’s starting to get closer to this neglected side of that family.

If I had to guess, either Marika brought Koharu here or Ichihara-san sent her to check on the

Girl.

"While I’m happy to hear that you two have gotten closer... won’t you explain to me what’s happening here?" I said as I lifted my girl’s chin and held it between my fingers.

Marika’s lips stretched into her usual smile before gesturing for me to look behind.

And there, I found her boxing gloves placed atop the drawer.

"I forgot my gloves in their house yesterday, Ruki. Koharu-chan came here to deliver it."

"That’s it?"

"Un. That’s it... Regrettably. Before she could return, that guy showed up."

Ah. So it’s that simple, huh? Did she get trapped here? No... Something doesn’t add up.

There’s a backdoor that leads into the Ichihara Compound and close to Ichihara-san’s house...

Why does she need to stay here if she can use that?

"Marika-nee-sama, let’s not lie to sensei." With a wry smile, Koharu-chan scratched her head guiltily. Then, she looked up at me and confessed, "I stayed behind because she said

You’re coming to pick her up.."

"I see. You’re curious why I’m coming to pick her up, right?"

"y-yes..."

"Well, there’s no need to hide it from you. I’m stealing your Marika-nee-sama from your

Bastard cousin."

She’s going to figure it out sooner or later anyway. Might as well just tell her about this. And now that they’ve grown closer, it’s more reason not to hide this from her.

This coming Sunday, if I’m still not fired as her boxing instructor, I’m sure I’ll find Ichihara- san’s husband at home by then.

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