Stealing Spree

1988 Long Game

Having decided to face whatever Ichihara Jun will be bringing later, I opted not to answer Ichihara-san regarding the cancellation of Koharu-chan’s lesson today.

It confused her, of course. Her troubled eyes stared at me, inquiring about what was in my head.

As a response, I simply smiled at her and walked over to Koharu-chan after taking my shoes off.

The girl was also looking pitiful. On the one hand, she probably liked to continue with the lesson but on the other hand, she didn't want to trouble me and her mother.

I patted the girl’s head, giving her a sense of assurance.

“Koharu-chan. I understand where your mother is coming from. However, I believe you need my teaching more than ever. You're hoping to knock that guy out someday, right?”

Well, it sounds like I’m instigating her to start some shit against Ichihara Jun but well, we can cover it up as a countermeasure for when he attempts to bully her again. Maybe if she’s a few years older, she can also stir up the succession rights of their family by showing her competence. Unfortunately, that’s still too early and I also haven’t seen that quality from her yet.

Koharu looked up at me and decisively nodded. Her bleak eyes regained their light.

Behind me, I could imagine Ichihara-san looking on worriedly. For sure, she didn't want to escalate the situation further so she's trying to diffuse it by telling her to go back for today. However, knowing that spoiled brat, he's definitely going to direct his anger at them if he didn't find me here.

That's why it'll be better that I stay. At the very least, it'll save this mother and daughter duo the trouble of dealing with him. And in time, Ichihara-san will be able to call for her husband.

No matter how cold he's being to them, they're still his family. Or so, I hope that's the case.

“Great. Go change into your training outfit. I'll talk to your mother first and join you in the training room.”

My lips stretched into a warm and ruffled the girl’s hair.

Koharu loved it. She grinned energetically and leaped to hug me before running back to her room.

Looking at her, I feel like I gained a little sister more than a student. She might be the same age as Mei-chan but they're essentially different from each other.

Tadano’s little sister is pretty outgoing while Koharu is pretty reserved. Is that the difference in upbringing? Maybe. But since I haven't spent that much time observing Mei-chan other than the few instances I've seen her as well as our exchange of messages, It's probably just the difference in the environment.

Furthermore, Mei-chan has an older brother that she looks up to while Koharu has none. The guy who's supposed to act like his older brother is outright bullying her.

That difference turned Koharu away from growing up normally, enjoying her school life, and being with her friends.

After Koharu left, I turned around to face Ichihara-san again.

Since I said I was going to talk to her, the woman composed herself and invited me to their dining room, to the same dining table as last week.

Before she could go and make tea for us, I told her to hold it. Ichihara Jun could return at any moment so we better talk it out now than wait for later.

Maybe noticing the seriousness radiating from me, Ichihara-

san put a hand on her chest and exhaled. Most likely to calm herself down and expel her pessimism.

Upon sitting down opposite me, she opened her eyes and stared straight at me.

“Onoda-sensei… What do you have in mind?”

“What, huh? To be honest, you can say I’m just being stubborn. I can’t just run away after he leaves after leaving threatening remarks, right?”

“Eh?”

That surprised her. She never expected that kind of answer from me, after all. When she spilled her grievances to me before, I made it a point that she couldn’t ask me for help. And yet, here I was, putting myself out in the open to oppose her vile nephew.

In any case, instead of clarifying what I meant by it, I placed my hands on the table and slightly leaned forward.

“Let me ask you something Ichihara-san…”

Sensing the tension in my voice, Ichihara-san nodded.

“I get that Jun is supposed to be the heir of the family. Is he also allowed to just mess with you and Koharu-chan? His uncle’s family? You see, it baffles me. The reason I got him to leave was because I mentioned your husband. Did it make sense to you?”

As I dumped all of my observations earlier, I kept an eye out on Ichihara-san. I wouldn’t miss even the tiniest movement of her face. In this way, I could at least recognize whether she was going to answer me truthfully or not.

A moment later, Ichihara-san’s beautiful face twisted slightly. She looked conflicted. She probably knew something but not enough for it to be a certainty.

“Onoda-sensei, you may not be satisfied with this answer.”

“It’s fine. Let me hear it.”

“Then… Short answer, he’s afraid of my husband but not us. To him, we’re not part of the family.”

“I see. And your husband never corrected him about that, is that it?”

“Yes. Jun-kun has always been like that. My husband told me to ignore and not get into conflict with him because he’s a child and will grow up someday…”

“Huh. He’s not a child anymore. That guy. He’s capable of ruining someone’s life. It just so happens that he targeted me so he’s still unsuccessful. However, he’s someone that shouldn’t be given that much authority.”

If I have to guess, her husband is either the one cleaning up his mess or the one that somehow led him to this kind of obnoxious behavior.

Being spoiled is one thing but even Otoha’s eccentric old man won’t just let his favorite son do something that can harm the prestige of their family.

Granted, there’s someone out there who can outright turn a blind eye to their children’s wrongdoings but as a rising company, I doubt Ichihara Jun’s father wants him to be the person who will bring it ruin.

He’s likely getting influenced by someone. And that someone is probably close to them.

I know it’s just my suspicion and I might be wrong but after seeing that reaction from the guy earlier, there’s a high chance it’s Ichihara-san’s husband.

“I’m sorry, sensei. It’s not my place to meddle with the affairs of the family.”

“So you’re saying… you’re an outsider despite being given the title of a housewife to one of the Ichiharas?”

”Yes… It’s been like this ever since father-in-law passed away.”

Ah. So that’s the case, huh? When he was still alive and held the highest authority, everyone was equal. But once the oldest brother succeeded him, the wind changed. Now, even her husband has to tread his line carefully.

Maybe that can be a motive to lead Ichihara Jun to ruin. That way, when the time comes, he or even Koharu-chan can have a shot at succession.

If my guess is correct, he’s playing the long game.

But then again, he’s a cruel bastard for putting up his family in this shit.

“I understand now. I have no more questions.”

“Then…’

“Don’t worry. Even if he returns, I’ll ensure your and Koharu-

chan’s safety. Knowing that guy, he’s going to keep up appearances. He won’t just try and kick me out of here.”

“Why are you so certain?”

“Because he’s been running within my palm for a while now. Please tell this to your husband. Ichihara Jun spent fifty thousand hiring delinquents to beat up someone and failed. If he asks you where you heard it, you can tell him about me. That I’m from the same school as Ichihara Jun.”

Ichihara-san stared at me with a blank expression. She’s speechless. She had no idea why I was telling her about that.

But if he’s really who I think he is… he’s probably going to ask her to bring me to him.