Stealing Spree

Even though my parents already told me what their job really was, it was not to the extent that I was aware of what they were doing exactly. They had that wide influence that even cornered that Nobuo easily so it was definitely not just a simple governmental job.

Well, I should’ve expected this but it flew off my mind because of his eccentricities and perhaps, the pressure I felt in meeting him.

Hearing my mother’s name mentioned by the Patriarch of the Kaneko House himself, it surely got me taken aback. My mind whirled on how I should answer.

Should I ask him how he knew my mother? What’s his connection to her? Or should I just give him a straight and honest answer?

Moreover, there’s also Otoha who paused after hearing her grandfather’s question. Although she hadn’t met her directly yet, she already got to talk to my mother that day her grandfather collapsed and got hospitalized.

And from the look of it, this was also her first time hearing her grandfather talk about it, or bring it up.

In any case, he specifically named my mother and not my father who should’ve been always with her. That sparked an interest in me to know the bottom of it.

He didn’t give us that much time to think though.

Perhaps noticing how I paused and contemplated as though I was stumped by his question, the old man laughed. He then stared outside once more, not to stare at the animals though. His eyes were out of focus as though he was reminiscing a painful memory as his face twisted into a sorrowful frown. Once he was done, he stared back at us with his lips stretched into a gratified smile.

“Let’s just say, I got the luck to employ her in my service once. It’s conditional and short employment. During that time, Miss Sayuri saved my life.�

Saved his life? Now that’s added to the list of my mother’s mysterious achievements.

Did my dad know about this?

“Grandpa, what is this? This is the first time I’m hearing about this...�

Because he didn’t even let me answer that question, it was Otoha who raised one, curious about the event that led to that.

“Hmm? Of course, you won’t hear it anywhere. It’s something I ought to keep as a secret and should be brought down to my grave. I won’t give you the details even if you ask me and I’ll be imploring you to not talk about this to anyone. That’s for the both of you.� The old man shifted his eyes from Otoha to me. “However, you can ask her yourself and if you can also add this; tell her that this old man sends his regards.�

After saying that, he gently shook his head and laughed again.

“For you to be involved with my granddaughter, it’s like fate has been playing with us.�

Alright. Let’s not start there... This old man dropped a revelation and he didn’t even let me talk about it, much less answer the initial question. He just went on and on.

And now, he looked like he was lamenting about fate...

What should I even say at this point? Yeah, I’ll relay your message. Don’t worry...?

“You know what? I yield...� I raised my arms on my side and this time, I switched my sitting form. From doing seiza, I copied him and settled down comfortably while cross-legged. I could feel my legs which were about to go numb shake as blood began circulating in them again.

The girl beside me looked confused but upon seeing me surrendering and relaxing my posture, she didn’t think twice of copying me before snuggling closely to my side.

Upon seeing that, the old man laughed once more. He looked like he was having the time of his life.

Minutes later, his face relaxed as he exhaled a considerable sigh as though he was purging out a great burden on his chest. Seeing an old man do that, I could only shake my head.

Right. This meeting had already twisted and turned in different directions in the span of a few minutes... I should just wait and see where this would get us.

The mention of my mother might just be his way to transition to this... relaxed atmosphere. But that didn’t discount the fact that he told us. My mother saved his life once...

By making it a point that he’s not going to talk about its details, that topic was brought up and shelved by him. That’s weird, alright. Or that’s just his boasted eccentricity.

“Hmm... That’s more like it. You two have been so stiff ever since entering this room. It’s so nice to be young. If your grandmother is still living to this day, she’ll be delighted to see you finding your own happiness rather than stick to a traditional noble belief that has been upheld since our establishment.�

“Grandpa, you...� Otoha reacted to that. “... miss grandma?�

“I sure do. She’s the only one who can handle this behavior of mine since young. There’s no one like her. And when I say she’ll be delighted for you, I mean it. She always despised the tradition of a political marriage. She even once asked me to run away and not take the position given to me. She failed. I cannot turn my back on this family. Especially when we’re stripped of the noble status during my generation. Everything is crumbling apart...�

With this, he began talking about their past. Why and what exactly happened to lead to the current state of the Kaneko House.

His late wife is also someone from nobility, or their family used to. Even after years of the abolishment of that hereditary peerage, they hold onto that status and kept with the old system.

Because it was too strict and their fates were still being decided by the Patriarch of their families, the two, who already promised themselves to each other, thought of running away.

And like what he mentioned, they failed because he decided to return and succeed his late father; Otoha’s great grandfather. Fortunately for them, the two were joined in marriage.

However, even years after becoming the head of a former noble house, he thrived to keep it afloat. They couldn’t break the shackles imposed on them and that extended to their children...

Then today, or rather, in this generation, there’s Otoha who now has the same aspiration. To be with someone not decided by her family.

Obviously, the circumstances are not the same but the old man fully supported her. At least for her, he hoped to accomplish his late partner’s lifelong dream.

“I’ll be blunt, young man. I’ve only known about you when this girl decided to get out of her arranged engagement. Naturally, I’ve also got the gist of what’s happening around you. I should be opposed to this as what you’re trying to accomplish is something preposterous even during my generation. However, knowing that you’re Miss Sayuri’s son, I will turn a blind eye just this once.� He paused for a while as he released another sigh. “But remember, I will be watching your growth closely. I’m not yet blinded by age. Otoha’s determination to be with you is genuine, I can see that much and you’ve proven yours today...�

The old man ended his words at that. When Otoha and I tried to say something in line with what he just said, he stopped us.

From that, I understood. Although he’s turning a blind eye and he said he’s not going to oppose us, the only thing we’ve proven is our resolve... In the end, it still boils down to the same thing, ‘We have nothing to show for yet.’