Stealing Spree

As we approached her car, the eyes of Yua’s mother, Sakuraba Misora, got fixated on the girl. Even from afar, I could sense her undying affection for Yua. No matter what happens, even if the girl marries me in the future, there’s no changing their relationship.

If I ever hurt the girl, I’m sure as hell that she’ll come for my head just to avenge her daughter. Well, that’s how it was for any parent.

Little by little, her eyes narrowed as though she was observing her daughter carefully. I had no idea if it was because she missed Yua for the night or if she noticed how blooming she appeared right next to me– courtesy of what happened last night and earlier this morning. That second guess was quite noticeable due to her flushed cheeks and her coquettish actions. Furthermore, the big takeaway was how she clung to me even in public. It’s as if she’s afraid that no one else would know about our relationship.

Due to that, I expected Auntie to direct a question to me. My mind even mentally prepared for an answer.

However, that wasn’t realized. Instead, she smilingly received us before unlocking the backseat door for us.

"Good morning, Auntie. Did we make you wait?" Recollecting myself, I politely greeted her as I entered the car after Yua.

"Don't worry about it. It's great that you two took your lunch before going. The location for the photoshoot changed. We'll be on the road for two hours."

She answered with a small nod and a slight smile before explaining that sudden change. From the tone of her voice, she’s undoubtedly upset by it.

Yua even squeezed my hand, sensing the foul mood of her mother. But like a storm that just passed, Auntie calmed down by herself upon finishing swearing those responsible for it.

Initially, the studio responsible for the photoshoot decided to hold it in the northern part of the city. They had property there specially used for this kind of thing.

However, according to the new information sent to Auntie, they moved the venue outside our city and further north, close to the next prefecture.

Apparently, the magazine company that’s going to use the photos was bringing other models from a different agency.

To save time and perhaps the cost for it, they moved the location to minimize the travel time for both sides.

Yeah. Even though my grasp of how things work in that industry was surface level, I could easily understand why she would be upset with that.

In any other industry, the last-minute change was the one that would bug the hell out of anyone. They should’ve sent a notice three or even a day prior to it, not on the actual day.

Looking at her from our position, I could see her shaking furiously before she took deep breaths.

“Alright. Put on your seatbelts.” Auntie Misora said as she turned the engine on. She already told us about the changes so… all that was left was for us to arrive at the location.

Yua and I did as she instructed. Even though the changes could be considered a mishap, there’s no backing down now.

And to make sure that Yua would be at her best when she stood in front of the camera later, I continued with what I started earlier on the train, channeling courage to her, assuring her that the incident back then wouldn’t happen again.

-

-

An hour later, the car passed by the border of the city and started moving onto a wide highway. Yua, on my side, fell asleep half an hour after the car started moving. She’s comfortably using my chest as her pillow while my arms wrapped around her, to make sure that she wouldn’t feel strained when she woke up.

Well, even though she fell asleep again earlier, that’s not enough to recharge her in full. And as the one responsible for her exhaustion, it’s only natural that I make sure that she’ll get it before we arrive.

“She looks so beautiful when sleeping, isn’t she?”

Suddenly making small talk, I noticed Auntie’s gaze directed at us from the mirror. Like yesterday, she seemed rather amiable to me.

Maybe my memory of her was wrong and she was like this originally. Or if not that, she really changed after that incident.

Either way, I responded to her using a soft voice, to make sure that I wouldn’t disturb the sleeping beauty.

“Yes, Auntie. She looks so behaved too.”

“I get you. She must’ve been a headache even for you, huh?”

“Uhm. I won’t say she’s a headache. How should I say it? She’s always doing things excessively whenever she finds the chance?”

Right. She’s always very excited about anything. And back then, apart from her love for modeling, she used to sing and dance which always wowed the crowd.

“She got that from her father. He used to be a very enthusiastic businessman. When he was still with us, I always worried that he might collapse one day because of it… Alas.” Auntie Misora lamented. For her to bring up Yua’s father again, I guess this was another way for her to tell me to look after Yua in her stead since she’s now more dependent on me.

“I’m sorry for asking but… did he…?” With a solemn voice, I asked.

Auntie slowed the car down for a bit as she released a mournful sigh before responding, “Yes. He overworked himself. It was too late for me to notice that his health had been deteriorating. He wanted to give Yua a bright future. However, because of it, he left us so soon… Tell me, Onoda-kun. Should I be mad at him or myself?”

Ah… It’s a question that shouldn’t be answered, of course. There’s no point blaming each other. While overworking seemed to be the cause, there must be another underlying reason why he suddenly fell ill. Like a hidden illness that went undetected for years.

“It was an unfortunate circumstance. I don’t think blaming each other will make things better. But I get what Auntie is trying to say… I promise to not let the same thing happen to Yua. I won’t let her be burnt out from her overenthusiasm.”

Hearing my answer, Auntie Misora approvingly nodded and showed a gratified smile, “Un. Thank you, Onoda-kun.”

Our conversation continued but we switched topics to non-depressing ones.

And during this moment, I used the chance to observe her. Or at least, to understand her fully.

She’s like any other parent yet, she’s carrying that deep wound concerning her late husband. She’s partly blaming herself for it and that hasn't changed after so many years. She’s just great at hiding it.

I wonder if Yua was aware?

Anyway, apart from her inner self, I also couldn’t help but check out her outer appearance. She was dressed rather nicely for this occasion. Wearing a seemingly exquisite suit that gave her an air of elegance, she somehow couldn’t be compared to last night when she was as graceful as any housewife.

Although she’s acting as Yua's manager nowadays, there's no doubt that she had a similar natural appeal.

And while Yua didn’t inherit most of her facial features, their body build was so similar that I couldn't help but wonder why she didn’t take up modeling herself.

She’s not that old, after all. She’s around the age of my mother, Miwa-nee and Auntie Yayoi.

Ah. Right.

I remember Yua telling me about her mother’s past. She was a former model in her younger years.

If that’s the case then I guess she just retired from it. But that alone explained why seemed to possess an extensive network working in the modeling industry. She’s a part of it once.

Soon enough, another hour passed by quickly and with the scenery outside already showing signs that we were in another city, the car slowed down when it started approaching a five-story building.

On the outside, it looked like your typical office space but considering there was a throng of different types of cars parked outside as well as people that looked like the several studio staff coming out and going inside the building, it’s no doubt the venue for the photoshoot.

“We’re here?” Right on time, the girl wrapped in my arms murmured as she lifted her head and directed her sleepy gaze outside.