Stealing Spree

Since I saw my parents’ car parked there, it was not surprising to run into them. I was even thinking that this might be the chance to introduce them to Shizu.

She refused back then since she didn’t want to be lumped with the other girls. At the present, she’s more or less accepted that she’s already the same as them. But she still believed that this was just a phase for me and us and there would come a day that she’d remain as my only one. That’s how optimistic she was and it also proved how much she loved to be with me.

Now, I failed to anticipate that Hayashi-sensei and my mother would be acquainted. Perhaps, not just acquainted because Hayashi-sensei stopped in her tracks before focusing her eyes on the beautiful woman on top of the stairs.

Naturally, by doing so, my mother also saw me but instead of greeting me, she waited for Hayashi-sensei’s reaction.

“Sayuri? What the hell are you doing here? Aren’t you abroad with your--� Her words were cut off when another figure appeared behind my mother.

Obviously, it’s my father. He also saw me but his eyes focused on Hayashi-sensei, a thin smile stretching from his lips.

“Hmm? Hayashi, huh? Long time, no see. I suppose you’ll be here. That school is yours, after all.�

“Huh?! Don’t give me that ‘long time, no see’ crap, Hiroki!� As though enraged by my father’s remark, Hayashi-sensei trudged the remaining steps and arrived in front of them.

She grabbed my father’s tie and was seemingly about to butt heads with him. On the other hand, my father wryly smiled and raised his hands to the side as a sign of surrender. My mother only stood to the side, giggling at what was happening while passing glances at Shizu and me.

“Ruki, what’s happening?� A little dumbfounded at the scene happening in front of her, Shizu tugged at me and asked.

How should I answer this?

‘I have no idea but you see, those two are my parents’? No. She also had no idea that they were connected to me, she was more focused on Hayashi-sensei’s bizarre actions.

“Uh. Let’s just come up and see for ourselves.�

Having decided that, I tightened my hold on her hand and went up, only stopping next to my mother.

“What has gone in your head? Isn’t that a standard greeting?�

“Yeah, right. It’s a standard greeting. But is that how you’re going to be after running away from me.�

Am I hearing this right? Is there a deeper connection between my father and... Hayashi-sensei?

I looked at my mother and she was still quietly giggling while watching what was unfolding in front of us...

“What? I didn’t run away. You know I’m a married man.�

“That doesn’t excuse you for running away. I only asked for a date and the next thing I knew you flew away to some foreign land!�

I don’t know if I will be amazed at my father who successfully escaped from committing infidelity to my mom or at Hayashi-sensei who openly declared how she asked a married man for a date. No less, in front of the man’s wife and son.

Furthermore, I could understand now why Hayashi-sensei seemed to look at me favorably, she’s probably aware that I am their son.

“Dear, help me here.� Not knowing what to do against Hayashi-sensei whose eyes glared at him viciously, he looked to my mother for help.

“Whatever you’re saying? You made that mess. Aren’t you envious of...?� My mother’s voice trailed as she took a side glance at me. “Why don’t you try it now? We can see how deep I can bury you on the ground.�

Alright, although she didn’t finish it, she’s clearly talking about me. Back then my father blurted out a question to my mom and that ended up with my father being ignored and treated coldly right after.

Now, my mother’s smile looked terrifying. Daring my father to do something instead of helping him...

They’re really a hopeless and idiotic couple, huh?

“Sayuri, you said you don’t mind if I also gun for him.�

Loosening her hold on my father’s tie, Hayashi-sensei then turned to my mother.

“Yup, I did say that. But that didn’t mean I won’t put him down under for cheating on me. Makiko, shouldn’t you have found a man by now? We’re not getting younger.�

She was still smiling but my father was already shaking on his feet. He also tried looking at me, perhaps asking for my assistance but I just avoided his gaze, leaving him to his fate.

But hearing that from my mother... Is my possessiveness inherited from her? I don’t know.

“Ugh. You’re always like this. You do know I only chased after one man in my life.�

To think that Hayashi-sensei could be this devoted and my father being a chick magnet, I guess there’s always something new to discover.

“Unfortunately, he’s mine. So, change your target already and get yourself a man... Anyway, dear, come here and let’s greet our daughter-in-law.�

Finally moving on from that topic, my mother turned to us. And after hearing that, my father dragged his feet and stood next to her.

Shizu, who’s clearly confused at everything she witnessed, also turned to me. She’s silently asking me to tell her what the hell was going on.

“Uhm... You haven’t met them yet but these two... They’re my parents.� I tried to be as sensible as possible as I presented them to her but upon hearing that, Shizu’s brain seemingly overloaded as she weakly fell on towards me.

I caught her and supported her body before.

Seeing that, my mom muttered, “Oh, dear. What did we do to the poor girl?�

“Isn’t this your fault, Hiroki?�

“Why me?!�

“Obviously, if you hadn’t shown your face to Makiko, this wouldn't have happened.�

Having been blamed for what happened, my father almost cracked down at Hayashi-sensei. But with my mother nailing it in his head, my father’s shoulder dropped as he surrendered to his wife.

... Well, I wouldn’t add fuel to the fire by blaming him as well. In fact, it’s their fault. From what happened, I didn’t know whether I would still call them adults or not. That’s an eye-opener.

In any case, I turned to them while I held Shizu tightly.

“Mom, dad, I don’t know what you’re here for but... I guess I shouldn’t ask, right? And sensei, I thought there’s something urgent you need to do. I’ll bring Shizu to that side and let her rest.�

It was close to dark but since this place was already almost deserted, I found a spot at the side where we could sit down.

Leaving the three adults behind, I guided Shizu there. Well, she’s still conscious and processing what happened. But the biggest shock she received was that she hadn’t thought that they were my parents.

“Ruki, what I heard... was that true?� Having recovered from her shock and arranged her thoughts, Shizu looked up to me and asked.

“Yes... I mean, look.� I pointed in front of us. My mother and father were also waiting for her.

“Shizu-chan, right? Even though this isn’t the best situation, I’m glad I finally get the chance to meet you... I’m Onoda Sayuri.� My mother extended her hand to Shizu. But instead of shaking hands with her, she placed it on top of her head and dotingly caressed it.

“I... It’s a pleasure to meet you, m-mother.� Shizu tried her best to act normally but she still cutely stuttered, something seldom seen from her.