Stealing Spree

“Genuine? What a word to use... I do enjoy my daughter getting flustered but Onoda-kun, aren’t you being a little too shameless?�

Nami’s mother appeared confused by my word choice but she recovered almost instantly. And the genuine reaction I was looking for was fully displayed by her.

Watching me grab her daughter right in front of her eyes, her eyebrows couldn’t help but twitch and the smile on her face froze and slowly became forced.

I knew that this might come off rude at the moment but if I backed down now, she’d just regain her momentum and staying here tonight would be next to impossible.

Not that I planned to sleep here. When we’re on the bus, I called Akane and informed her that I would be late and the two girls talked to each other with Nami promising that she would send me home before the last train.

Anyway, I doubt her mom would be clueless about Nami’s purpose for bringing me here. Moreover, Nami already called ahead and said that she’d bring someone home.

So, all of these were just her mother’s way to judge my character.

Seeing that I wasn’t kicked out instantly after kissing and hugging Nami in front of her, she’s at least not overprotective.

“I am shameless, auntie. And you asked me to show it. Did I pass?�

“Ruu, stop provoking her!� Nami recovered from her stupor. Perhaps noticing that I was now facing her mother fearlessly, even showing her how intimate we could be, she worriedly pulled on my arm. “Mom... This...�

She faced her mother and by the tone of her voice, Nami would try to explain.

Before she could do that, I stopped her with my next words. “I’m not provoking her, don’t worry. I’m just introducing myself to auntie.�

“By kissing and hugging me in front of my mother?� Unconvinced by my explanation, Nami threw me an incredulous look. However, she’s not removing my arms around her. In fact, she’s candidly enjoying our closeness.

“Mhm... I believe it’s necessary.�

I only assumed that but with her mother silently watching us without responding to my earlier reply to her, I had no choice but to push through with what I started.

Nami took in my words and fell into contemplation. A few seconds later, she raised her gaze and as if her determination got boosted, she exhaled before facing her mother.

“Mom, let me introduce my boyfriend, Ruki.�

“You already did that earlier. Why are you repeating yourself?�

“Earlier was too abrupt.�

“Alright. Next.�

“Hey, greet my mom, Ruu.�

“Ah. Right. Auntie, thank you for the warm welcome.�

“You two... are you doing a comedic skit?�

“No! Mom, hear me out... I intend to bring Ruu to my room.�

“Ara? I’m aware of your intention. Isn’t that why I interrogated him?�

“Eh?�

“Don’t ‘eh?’ me. First of all, you’re my daughter. Second, you inherited most of my genes, even my habit of being a great observer. Third, I’ve read through your intentions ever since you called.�

“Then...�

“If I say no, will you accept it?�

“I will try and make an appeal.�

“Then I’ll say yes.� Her mother casually shrugged as if it’s an answer she’s ready to give from the start.

And as expected, Nami was surprised. “That easy?!�

“Yes. That easy.� Her mother nodded before she relaxed her crossed arms and straightened her back. “Listen here. I passed the stage you are in right now. I experienced it. At this moment, not only are you in love with this boyfriend of yours, but you’re also curious about the matters of a man and a woman.�

Without waiting for Nami to respond, she continued. And by the looks of it, there’s a trace of regret in her eyes.

“Being strict to one’s child can often lead to the said child rebelling. That’s what happened to your second older brother. I wished for him to be the same as my eldest; diligent at his studies and a filial son who wanted to impress us. However, because I often compared him to the eldest, he became irritated by it. He stopped studying and began going out to meet with his friends. But not knowing any better, I grounded him.�

I see. No wonder they’re that different in that family portrait. It’s kind of a foreign thing to me, siblings. I’m an only child and the one closest to me who could be my sister was Akane. However, instead of just developing a sibling relationship with her, we developed dependence and affection. That’s why, whenever I encountered this kind of topic, just like with Himeko and Itou, I was only using my observation of them to deduce what’s happening or why and how something happened.

Wait, Nami’s mother isn’t finished yet.

“With that, instead of learning his lesson, he became even worse. He learned to sneak out and he soon came into friends that influenced him to further go down the rebellious and dark path... Thankfully, he managed to open his eyes when he finally found someone he cared for. He told me everything why he did all those things and why he wanted to change for that girl; your sister-in-law.�

Someone he cared for. That’s mystifying. The way one person can change an individual’s outlook. In any case, it’s a great thing that he managed to redeem himself and return to this family.

“I was wrong when I limited his horizon when I began comparing him to your older brother and instead of listening to his pleas, I ignored it and became even stricter.�

“That’s why I vowed to myself. I will not make the same mistake as before with you. You’re free to explore your youth, make the best of it. I applaud how you slowly introduced him to me through our talks at night... And I applaud again for calling me beforehand. You’re aware of what you’re doing. And instead of just sneaking out and doing it without my knowledge, you courageously stood before me.�

This is the crux of why she easily answered yes. She’s thinking that if she prevented Nami when she honestly confided to her about our relationship, she’d go down the same path as her second older brother.

Although it’s not the same path, I could guess that Nami would eventually resort to us going to a hotel or my house.

After hearing all this, guilt suddenly crept into my chest as I thought about most of my girls. Their parents weren’t aware that they got entangled with me...

However, there’s still no regret. It already happened. I just have to make it right when the time comes.

I thought her mother had already finished but she soon turned her gaze towards me.

“And Onoda-kun. You’ve been truthful with your answers and I like that. However, I’m not fond of your unbridled confidence. You don’t barge into another family’s house and be shameless even if they tell you to do so. Reserve some dignity and respect for yourself. I bet you’ve been like this for a long time and that’s what won Nanami over. But Onoda-kun, how do I say this? Reel in that overconfidence and pick up some humility. Among adults, overconfidence could often be seen as a negative trait, it’s synonymous with being rude.�

Humility, huh? I guess she failed to see past what I showed... Because I fearlessly faced her and showed her that I wouldn’t just cower in my seat because of her overwhelming presence, she fixed a tag on me that says ‘overconfident’.

“I understand. I apologize for that auntie. I... I’m the type who will not back down to challenge and... I somehow wanted to impress you. I guess that backfired on me.� I bowed in apology and explained.

I guess I failed, huh?