Stealing Spree

In one of our talks, Yue told me about men like this guy in front of us at the moment. She described them as annoying slugs not because they’re slow but because they’re too slimy and slippery. Exercising the power of their money or position in the industry, they would always try to get their way on budding talents in exchange for a favor.

Obviously, not everyone would instantly reject the idea of going on a date in exchange for benefits or to boost their chances of climbing the ladder in the industry. There were those desperate enough to latch onto men or people like him.

Due to that, this type of person would never be erased. No matter the place, country, or any other location, the annoying slugs exist.

“What boyfriend? Isn’t she someone who never had a boyfriend? That’s how they’re selling your image!” Once again ignoring me, the slug who was decently dressed moved to the side just to take a peek at the girl behind me.

I prevented that by blocking his view once again though.

I have no idea about never having a boyfriend but isn’t it pretty the standard these days for someone in the industry of modeling and entertainment? While it’s entirely possible that the image built is a lie, agencies will sell their talents with a holistic aura surrounding them. Unless it’s in their character, most will take on that image.

Although I couldn’t say the same for Yua and Yue who both wanted to flaunt our relationship in public, there’s probably a high chance that it’s the truth for Juri.

“You’re too gullible, aren’t you? Just because they said she doesn’t have a boyfriend doesn’t mean it’s always the truth. Have you heard it from the person herself? No, right? So, let’s not waste each other’s time here. If you obediently go back to your car and drive off here, I swear I won’t throw my fist at you.”

To prevent him from ignoring me once again, I stepped forward, putting him within my arm’s reach. If he so much takes another step, I won’t hesitate to fling it to him. It doesn’t matter if he blocks it or not. My purpose here is to prevent him from insisting on taking Juri with him.

Truthfully, this wasn’t the plan we came up with earlier. Juri was supposed to be the one to open up the conversation, not the other way around.

But at this point, it’s already too late to return to that script. Instead, we just had to act according to our role.

“Do you think I’m afraid of you? What’s your worth then? A few hundred thousand yen? Here, take this and scram!” The man wasn’t the least bit intimidated. He even pulled out his wallet and threw several 10,000-yen bills at me. Counting it in my mind, there are at least ten of them. What a gallant guy.

From the way he acted so naturally with that, this was probably not the first time that someone confronted him. And possibly, they got bought with his money.

Well, as one of the seven deadly sins, greed exists in every person. But that doesn’t mean, everyone will succumb to it.

And I’m sure as hell not going to be moved by it. I disdainfully stared at the scattered bills and spat. “What a dumbass. Even if you have a bundle of that, I won’t let you get a glimpse of her.”

“Why you…! Do you know who I am?!”

Ah. The classic flaunting of connections.

“Nope, no idea. I heard you are kind of a big shot in that magazine publisher. But dude, no means no. You can pick any other model from their agency but not my girl. Understand?”

I shrugged and toned down my aggressiveness a little. Obviously, it’s not because I got tamed. Juri would now take the stage.

This wouldn’t be resolved with just me strong-arming this man, after all. Oh, but I didn’t mind giving him a swing or two depending on what his reaction would be. His kind deserved a thorough beating.

Of course, I could say the same to myself. I was never a saint. If the time comes that someone could beat me up then that would be my retribution. In the meantime, I would be a menace to other people.

“Wait, Ruki. Let me talk…” Juri started. She rose from the bench and went to my side, hooking her arms on mine. She did it as soon as the man focused on her.

As expected, his first reaction upon finally seeing her was a delight. However, when he saw Juri affectionately hugging my arm, totally in the act as my girlfriend, his expression darkened.

“… Mister. I’m sorry. I won’t be coming with you. The agency only told me about your offer to take me home today. As you can see, I’m not out here to wait for you. I got called in for the shoot at the last minute. And as a worrywart, this guy here accompanied me. Our date got interrupted, you see… We are out here to take a walk and enjoy the night.”

With a story flawlessly weaved by her, the man’s expression only crumpled further until he started frowning.

His eyes alternated between us. But before he could even say something, Juri retreated behind me. A second later, her slender arms slid from my sides and joined up in front of me, putting me in her embrace.

To supplement this act of hers, I put my hand over hers and gripped it tightly before I turned my head to the side, peering over my shoulder as we exchanged warm smiles.

Well, I could go in for a kiss but she might be so surprised that it would result in her slipping out of her act. That’s why I better not do that.

A few moments later, the man in front of us started trembling from anger, “Un-unbelievable! I freed up my schedule today for this?!”

He then glared at me before turning around without even picking up the money he threw. He’s probably too rich or too angry to even bother picking it up. Besides, it would be humiliating, right?

In any case, he didn’t return to his car right away. He pulled out his phone and dialed someone.

“Oi. You guys fooled me. The woman is already dating someone! Don’t blame me for what’s about to happen!” Upon furiously shouting those to whoever was on the other line, the man ended the call right away, tucked his phone away, and looked over his shoulder.

His threatening glare landed on Juri whose head peeked from my shoulder, resulting in the girl quickly retreating behind me. When that happened, the man smirked and switched his focus to me.

“What?” I asked, out of obligation. He looked like he was about to say something but he was waiting for that cue, after all.

And sure enough, his smirk turned to a disdainful smile as he declared, “Good. You just destroyed your woman’s career. Would you believe me if I said she won’t get any work from now on?”

“If you’re that powerful, you won’t be out here calling in a favor from the agency. You’re just like a spoiled brat using whatever authority you have.”

“Heh… You can be confident tonight. But don’t come crying to me in the future.”

From those words, he probably believed that he was too powerful to put an axe on someone else's career. Perhaps, that’s the case normally.

However, I’d say he’s not the only one with the connection or power to exercise, right?

Without replying to him, I waited until he returned to his care and drove away before checking on the girl behind me.

She was trembling slightly but the conviction in her eyes remained. I cupped her cheeks and had her look up at me. “We drove him off. Will you be fine?”

“Y-yes.”

Yeah. She’s not as fine as she wanted to portray herself to be.

Understanding that, I started caressing her cheeks, an attempt to at least lighten up the load in her mind.

When her expression somewhat relaxed, I brought up a question.

“I see. You got shaken by what he said, huh? Do you think he’s all that powerful?”

“Maybe.” Her answer was swift and looking into her eyes, there was no trace of regret in it, “I asked you for this. If anyone’s to blame for my career, it’s only me.”

Did she predict that this would happen? Perhaps, perhaps not.

In any case, since I was already involved, even though this wasn’t in the scope of the favor she asked me, I decided to do something about this.

“Alright, Juri. Look at me. Your career. I won’t let it end like that just because of that scumbag.”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

“Do you trust me?”

“You didn’t answer my ques— Un. I do…” Perhaps seeing my determined expression, Juri readily nodded.

“Then leave it to me. For now, you can return to your manager.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll just do something real quick,” I said without elaborating on what it was I would do.

Naturally, that made her frown. But because of my earlier words regarding her trust in me, she eventually nodded and followed my words.

As I watched her walk back to the building, I pulled out my phone and dialed a number that I normally wouldn’t contact.

A second later, I placed the phone close to my ear before speaking, “Hello, old man. I know this is presumptuous of me to contact you directly. But circumstances called for it. Can I ask for an advance for the thing I’m supposed to do? You see, I have a little favor to ask.”

Who’s the old man? Well, out of the two old men that I am in speaking terms with, who’s the most powerful?

Certainly, it’s not Hisa-jii. It’s the other one.

Otoha’s grandfather. The Patriarch of the Kaneko House. Kaneko Hirokage.