Stealing Spree

Iwasaki. That’s the name that the man in suit brought up. According to him, that Iwasaki is their employer. They’ve been given their address to bring Auntie Yayoi to him.

He refused to further elaborate after that and Auntie Yayoi already had a reaction so the answer as to why she’s being targeted by that Iwasaki lies on her.

Actually, it’s not that complicated. And it was even tied to the topic of our conversation earlier.

That Iwasaki was a regular at her shop.

He apparently started coming to her shop six months ago.

Twice a month he would come to get his haircut.

More than ten times a month, he would ‘accidentally’ pass by her shop just to see her.

The man had already invited her to dinner on numerous occasions.

More often, Auntie Yayoi would decline his invitation but there were some occasions where she did accept.

She described him as a rich gentleman. He would drive her back home. Hence, he knew where she lives.

Just from that, it’s clear that he’s one of her suitors. It’s impossible for a single gorgeous lady like her to not have at least one suitor. That’s especially if she’s working in the service industry as a hairstylist where she’s working closely with her customers and they had every chance to get to know her.

Anyway, although I tried to leave the room so that Auntie Yayoi could freely talk to her daughter about the issues she’s facing, both mother and daughter stopped me. Mina even pulled me down to sit next to her and said, “You don’t have to leave. You helped my mom. If not for you, who knows where they’re going to take her.”

“I won’t mince words. Thank you, Onoda-kun. You stepped in because of Mii-chan. You were reckless and I could nag at you all day about that. But there’s no denying that you saved me from being taken away...”

And faced with their faces filled with gratitude to me, it would just be rude if I insisted on leaving the room.

With Auntie Yayoi’s story about that Iwasaki continuing, the motive for sending those men slowly came to light.

Or at least, that’s what Auntie Yayoi suspected to be the reason.

After six months of trying to court her. He proposed to Auntie Yayoi on their recent dinner date.

However, she rejected him without giving any reason. He accepted that with a smile. Or so she thought.

From how shocked she was upon hearing that man’s name from the man in suit, she probably had a good impression of that guy and she couldn’t believe that he’s capable of ordering someone else to take her to him by force.

But when asked if she had other suitors that were as close to her as that Iwasaki, Auntie Yayoi couldn’t think of anyone.

Among those who’d shown interest in her, only that Iwasaki was aware of their address. There’s a possibility that someone else stalked her, but because he was named, he’s still the most likely suspect.

“Mom, you said he proposed to you. Am I the reason for your rejection?”

After hearing all that, Mina raised a question.

That’s also what I wanted to ask but... it’s not my place to do so. Good thing Mina also picked up on that. From our talk earlier, although she praised me for my straightforwardness and wished for her suitors to be like me, bringing that up into the conversation might be a probe to what her daughter’s reaction would be if she said she’s going to remarry.

It’s truly out of topic after all.

Perhaps she rejected it because she wanted to see through that Mina become an adult first...

Her ex-husband or Mina’s father brought the darkness into their lives. She’s possibly concerned that if she suddenly brought a new man or a new father-like figure in their house, Mina wouldn’t be able to adjust.

But Mina was definitely sincere with her answer. She’s not against it and she believed that her mom also needed to find her own happiness.

“It’s distasteful to lie now, isn’t it? Well then. You’re part of the reason, Mii-chan. We survived with just the two of us all these years. I want to raise you myself without any need for another man that may also turn out to be the same as that... vile man.”

Auntie Yayoi’s eyes and expression turned remorseful, remembering the filth that was her ex-husband.

Upon seeing that, Mina hurriedly grabbed her mother’s hand, “Stop remembering him, mom. He’s long gone from our life. Also, I meant it. I don’t mind you falling in love with someone and marrying again. I want to see you happy.”

“Mm... I know, Mii-chan. You’re a great child that I can proudly brag to everyone.” Her expression relaxed and a smile peeked from her lips as she patted Mina’s head. “He proposed to me weeks ago. And I still stood with that reasoning until you mentioned Onoda-kun. Listening to you talking about a boy near your age as if you were a girl in love, reminded me that you’re not the same child anymore.”

“That’s why I coerced you to bring him here, to let me look at the boy that managed to bring back my Mii-chan’s innate brightness. And he didn’t fail my assessment at least. Even if you don’t show it, I can read my daughter like a book. You’re happy. Happy about your relationship with him.”

“Also, I thought of telling you about the proposal I received, later this day. To hear your honest thoughts directly. Unfortunately, that happened...”

Auntie Yayoi laid down everything that’s on her mind but in the end, her shoulders drooped disappointedly. Those thugs invading their house, their attempt to take her and the mention of that Iwasaki’s name ruined this day.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, Auntie. Also I’m sorry for butting in. You’re considering accepting his proposal if this day went as you expected.”

“Mm... you’re not wrong but you’re not right either... I’m considering giving him the reason for my rejection. I appreciated his efforts to get into my good books. The dates and everything. If you ask me if I like him, I’ll say yes. But marrying him is out of the question for me... you see...”

Auntie Yayoi shook her head and proceeded to tell me about their past which Mina already told me. But still, it’s in her perspective and she tried to make it not as dark as Mina told me. Perhaps in consideration for her daughter. But she used that to nail the point that she’s not going to enter another relationship anytime soon.

If the man asked her to be his girlfriend, the possibility of her accepting was high. She could stop him from what he’s doing if he didn’t have any inkling of love or affection for that guy. Marriage, however, was impossible. Perhaps she wanted to make sure first that Mina can safely enter the adult world and fly off her nest as well as to make sure that it wouldn’t turn out the same as her previous marriage.

By the time she finished, Mina and I looked at each other. The girl understood it and so did I. Still, I’m an outsider so... I went silent soon after and let the mother and daughter continue it.

In the end, Mina urged Auntie Yayoi to contact that Iwasaki. But using Mina’s phone.

It’s to confirm if he truly had a hand with the appearance of the three thugs in their house.

Although there’s a possibility that those three already contacted the mastermind, it wouldn’t hurt to give the man the benefit of the doubt.