Stealing Spree

For the next few minutes, I continued to converse with Chisato-nee-san. Yua just listened silently on my side while still pretending to be dazed from the song -- it's her way to feign ignorance in Kaoru-san and the other's eyes.

Although Chisato-nee-san favored me a lot, she's also still reluctant to reveal more information to me regarding that side of our family. Because until this moment, my father who was refusing to return was considered an exile.

But from that alone, it's easy to picture how strict and closed off the Onoda Clan is. They're probably very traditional in the way they handle the younger generations.

I could imagine wrinkled old men or women sitting around a long table, discussing the affairs of the family at every gathering. There, they're deciding matters concerning their territory as well as their descendant's activities.

Surely, it's not like that, right?

Anyway, aside from that, Chisato-nee-san presented herself like an open book when it comes to her personal journey.

According to her, she also thought about leaving their influence but as she grew up in an environment where she's treated like a princess -- especially during her middle school and high school days-- the thought gradually disappeared in her head.

Despite not carrying the Onoda surname, her father is well-known as a City Mayor favored by the clan. Her mother didn't want the position so her father shouldered it for her. And with his influence, she's like a little celebrity in their city. Not to mention, her natural beauty was well received.

Boys could only dream of dating her. And those who were given a chance because of their status, none of them passed her standards.

Also, even if she refuses to join some beauty pageants since the judges could be biased toward her, she's always invited as a guest.

In a way, being the mayor's daughter and a younger generation of the Onoda clan was already enough prestige for her to avoid obscurity.

She said I might've experienced the same if my father settled there after finishing his studies. A lot of opportunities could be handed out to him, after all.

He wants to be a defense attorney? Then they'll hand him his own law firm.

Unfortunately, my father decided to practice law in our city and start a family there.

And over the years, he probably got an offer to be an international lawyer and whatever comes with it from the government.

Until now, I have no idea about the true nature of their jobs.

Back to Chisato-nee-san. She also told me that she didn't go to college. Right after graduation, she told her mother about what she wanted to do - become a director.

Although she could take up a course for it, she pleaded for them to let her go here in the capital. Approach Director Iwanami and study under her.

Apparently, Director Iwanami also hailed from their city, so there's the connection.

However, instead of just saying yes, her parents and grandparents who couldn't bear to see her struggling in this metropolis formed a connection with the higher-ups of the company and established a partnership with Chisato-nee-san becoming a figurehead.

With her experience as Student Council President for all of her six years in middle school and high school, they pitched in that her ability is enough to handle being a producer directly.

With that, instead of being a simple understudy, she was tasked to first produce a short film. Something like a test since they couldn’t just bring a high school graduate in without any experience in the field.

It might not be her expertise since she's more eager to become a music director but she accomplished that magnificently.

She showed me a page of that short film on the internet. It didn't become a national sensation since it's only a 30-minute film that was aired on a television network as a special but it at least had a positive reception.

And when she scrolled down to the credits page, her name was really listed as the Producer.

Not only that, her name was linked to her own page on that website which shows more titles that she produced...

They're all small projects yet that's already considered her accomplishments.

Although her job as a producer is different from a director, it's just as vital as it.

This time, she's the one who's going to handle Yue's new song. She had already taken notice of her before because of Director Iwanami but only now did she get the chance to produce it since the previous ones hesitated when Yue told them that she wouldn't be performing alone.

As I listened to her story, I probably had my mouth open throughout because of how absurd it was.

As for the coincidence... Chisato-nee-san couldn't help but exclaim that it must be fate.

Seeing her that energetic, I was reluctant to burst her bubble and simply nod and laugh with her.

"Let's talk more later, Ruki. Let's finish up with this... You won't reject my invitation later, will you?"

Seeing as Director Iwanami finished her discussion with the girls and the three were already about to leave the booth, Chisato-nee-san cut our conversation short and acted goofily to receive the girls while revealing her identity to them.

Yeah. She didn't give me a chance to reject her...

I guess I'll just tell her my night is already fully booked.

Looking at the time, Kaoru-san's forecast that we'd be staying here until late in the night might not happen. With how perfect their initial performance was, Director Iwanami already judged that it was enough. They only needed to mix it up a bit and add more instrumental accompaniment to further bring out the charm of the song.

--

Half an hour later, we successfully exited the building without much fuss and reached Kaoru-san's car.

"Chisato-nee-san isn't coming?" Akane asked me when Kaoru-

san started the engine. Yue and the other two also looked at me for the answer.

With her identity as someone close to me, these girls were naturally curious about her. Not to mention, Akane also admitted she missed my frivolous cousin.

Given her personality, Chisato-nee-san probably left an impression on the young Akane's mind back then. I could even dare say that she probably picked up a bit of her persistence. Much like how Chisato-nee-san never gave up on approaching and getting closer to us, Akane also never gave up when I was pushing her away before.

She sees Chisato-nee-san as a kindred spirit.

"She said she'll meet up with us later. I refused to come with her though." I answered.

Right, Chisato-nee-san invited me to dinner. Maybe to catch up more with me. Somehow, her attachment to me feels like what one will have to their cousin. But thinking about it, she's also an only child so she probably takes me as her own little brother.

But I'm here with my girls... I can't just leave them behind, right?

"Eh? Why?" Yue asked.

This might be the first time she's working with her but she already heard about Chisato-nee-san. So among my girls, her interest in getting to know that talented woman after finding out that she's my cousin increased.

For sure it's the same for Miho and Yua.

"Didn't I promise you? We'll go to a festival. Good thing it ended early. There's one tonight. Also, you'll come with us, right?"

My last sentence was directed to the other girls and Kaoru-

san. Well, she's probably going to accompany us whether we like it or not.

"Festival? Onoda-kun, you didn't discuss this with me. It'll be dangerous for--"

Before Kaoru-san could finish her words I cut her off.

"Don't worry. We have these."

I pulled out the things Ririka prepared for us from my bag as well as a few masks that are common to a festival.