Stealing Spree

“Have you no shame?!” Miss Manager’s unrestrained scream instantly occupied our living room. Furthermore, she briskly lunged at me, not caring that she could trip herself just to take Yue out of my grasp.

Although provoking her was a success, she exceeded my expectation for reacting this strongly.

Luckily, our space was limited, I sidestepped to dodge her and held my hand out, effectively preventing her from tumbling down.

My mom covered her mouth to hide her amusement from that scene. On the other hand, my father disappointedly shook his head. Well, the disappointment was directed at me.

It was a thoughtless decision and certainly unsatisfactory, I admit. Good thing that Miwa-nee brought Minoru away or else, he’d probably be frightened from Miss Manager’s scream.

When Miss Manager stabilized herself, I pulled my outstretched arm back, released Yue, and placed her behind me.

As the woman slowly turned to face me, I could feel her embarrassment as well as her fury from what had just transpired.

Nonetheless, before she could scream once again, Yue peeked her head out from behind me to address her. “Manager, will you c-calm down? We talked about this earlier.”

Yue stuttered a bit on that as a late emergence of her surprise. Observing both of their reactions, she probably hadn’t seen her manager be that enraged yet.

And likewise, this was probably Miss Manager’s first time being enraged by someone she had just met for the first time.

Raising my hand in surrender, I also addressed her as soon as her rage-fueled eyes focused on me. “I saw you hesitating, Miss Manager. That’s why I thought to kickstart the vexation you had over my reappearance in Yue’s life.”

Before continuing, I endearingly patted Yue’s head before giving her a reassuring smile.

“Once again, I apologize for bringing her here. I have no reason to break my promise to bring her back later but since you’re already here… I guess we can settle our differences now. For this whimsical girl’s sake.”

Calling her whimsical earned me a pinch on my side but Yue laughed nonetheless. I mean, everything she did before our reunion could be said as whimsical on her part. Honestly answering the talk show host’s question landed her in a precarious situation where her origin and the man thought to have inspired her became a hot topic. Following that, after going back to this city, she foolishly put on a ridiculous disguise and went to the mall just to ‘catch some air’.

If not for the coincidence of meeting me there, she’d probably be in a more erring situation had someone become curious enough about why she’s badly disguised.

Again, that’s another whimsical decision of her.

What more? She sat close and called out to me, leading to my recognition of her. It was like she was bereft of any caution about her new identity as the rising star Mabushisa Asahi.

And the following scenes after that were even more whimsical. Bringing me into her unit, confessing how she still loves me and even told me that she could throw it all away.

Right. Everything she did these past two weeks was like she was dancing atop a rope and beneath it, spikes sprawled endlessly. Had she fallen from it, her career would be all over before she could truly take her place among those shining stars that made their names a legend.

Upon hearing my suggestion, although Miss Manager’s glare didn’t ease up, she closed her eyes and went back to her seat.

She then lowered her head in front of my mother and said, “I apologize for that unbecoming display, Miss Sayuri.”

She used a very respectful tone towards my mother. It looks like she truly got subdued by her.

“It’s my silly son’s fault. You don’t have to lower your head like that, Kaoru-chan.” My mother answered, still covering her mouth. Most likely she’s still grinning widely. If not for her lazy-looking eyes, she’d be caught easily.

But what’s that? Kaoru-chan? My mom is seriously too overpowered. I would be doomed if she became an enemy.

Well, let’s stop exaggerating.

“My mom’s right, Miss Manager. You don’t have to. Also, mom, dad, can you… leave us for a while? I think it will be better for Miss Manager to vent her grievance towards me.”

“Ruki, I won’t stop you on that but do remember, not every problem can be solved by falling headfirst into it. Talk it out properly. This concerns the young lady’s future.”

Probably finding out that it’s his best chance to talk, my father aired out an advice while looking very proud of himself. He even nudged his glasses for added dramatic effect.

Unluckily for him, my mother shot him down so easily. “What are you grandstanding for, dear? Let’s go and give them the space. Kaoru-chan, you have my blessing to knock some sense into this boy if he went overboard once again. But here’s to hoping that you’ll find a common ground.”

My mom addressed Miss Manager again and picked up her unfinished cup of tea. She drank that so gracefully before coolly leaving the living room along with my father.

Moments later, I could faintly hear her excited giggling as she went up the stairs to look for Minoru…

Really, my mom’s too overpowered.

Anyway, with the living room cleared, I grabbed Yue’s hand and guided her to take the vacant seats my parents left behind. In this way, we became face to face with Miss Manager.

As soon as we faced each other, Miss Manager’s seemingly enchanted expression froze before reverting to an indifferent and superior one. She raised the teacup and sipped on it before comfortably resting her back.

Like an employer to an employee, she looked down at me. I guess this was how she usually was… Now that my parents were out of the picture, the pressure weighing on her shoulders disappeared.

“Hmm... Asahi, are you sure about this…. boy? His parents, especially Miss Sayuri, are outstanding. However, I doubt he inherited their outstanding genes. For brazenly taking Asahi in this house to spend the night, I expect you have your own explanation on that.”

Heh… Look at this woman. For her to become like this right away, it’s like what she showed earlier was an illusion.

In any case, I expected as much from her. Moreover, thanks to my parents’ I got the idea that this wouldn’t be as bad as I thought.

She could fold so easily, after all.

Anyway, I needed her to become our ally, so to speak. So as much as possible, I’ll cater to what she desires in this talk before doing what I ought to do.

However, before I could construct my response in my mind, Yue jumped out, defending me.

“Manager, he’s not at fault for that! I… I’m the one who told him to take me away! I told you already… I asked him to come. Why don’t you believe me?”

“Asahi, it’s not that I’m not believing you… This is the case of confirming this boy’s intention. You’re a star… He might be handsome and has good parents but don’t you forget how he abandoned you once. I don’t trust him at all!” Although she’s responding to Yue, Miss Manager’s hostile eyes were fixated on me.

Without a doubt, that’s her genuine view of me.

Now then… how should I flip it?

True. There’s the easy way of relying on my mother’s influence on her but what’s the point in doing that?

I have to be the one to convince her that Yue isn’t blinded by her love for me.