Stealing Spree

Chapter 2076: A standoff in front of her place

Entering the subdivision where the Ichihara Compound was located wasnʼt really that hard.

I just had to give a call to Ichihara-san, asking her for the favor and I was good to go. Besides, it wasnʼt my first time coming into their area.

As soon as I passed that hurdle, I sent a message to Marika, confirming that she was still at the place she was currently staying.

Because I promised to pick her up, she told her two loyal guards about it and they

immediately voiced their opinions of thinking about it again.

With Marika already having decided to be with me regardless of her family and the Ichiharaʼs reaction, she stood her ground.

According to her, Ichihara Jun once again showed up to take her to school but since sheʼs not leaving her house, he could only wait outside.

And thatʼs what I came to upon arriving at the vicinity.

A car, perhaps closer to a limousine, was parked in front of the house.

I wonder if thatʼs his usual service since I never encountered him arriving at school. Nevertheless, itʼs blocking the way with Ichihara Jun standing right before the steps leading to the front door.

Heʼs not in his uniform, of course. Given that his ʼguardianʼ paid a visit to impose a voluntary one week of rest instead of taking the suspension that Hayashi-sensei was about to place on his head, heʼs only here to try and regain Marikaʼs favor.

What I said to him the last time only went in one ear and left from the other. He still believed that he possessed a chance to turn it all around as long as he put in the effort.

It wasnʼt that long yet since Marika was the one always chasing after him and preventing him from flirting with other girls in school. But now, their situation has been reversed.

Heʼs now here to prevent Marika from meeting me and regain his status as her fiance in the golden ringlet girlʼs mind.

Isnʼt he a clown?

Anyway, I totally ignored his presence or any other goons around him and walked confidently. Ichihara Jun noticed my approach and sneered. However, to his dismay, I didnʼt even give him a single glance and continued to the front door of Marikaʼs place.

There stood one of the two guards whose expression was taut as though he never expected me to have this thick face to send an invisible slap to that heir of the Ichihara Family and bravely stand before him.

Heʼs still a head taller than me so I raised my head before saying, ”I apologize but can you inform Kujou-senpai of my arrival?”

To deflect any blame from the girl, I decided to defer in calling intimately. This way, all the hostility will fall on my head rather than the pitiful girl who was sent here as a chip.

”Kid. Iʼm not doing that. Go away and stop meddling with the young ladyʼs business. Have we not warned you enough?”

The man gritted his teeth. Among the two of her guards, this guy was probably the one who truly believed that I could only make matters worse for Marika. Thatʼs why he wouldnʼt give me a pass.

The other guy was probably inside, convincing Marika to either accept Junʼs offer or let them send her to school like they always do.

Too bad though. Marika already made her decision.

But letʼs see... Iʼm aware of their loyalty and their intention to protect Marika.

Thatʼs why, in order to convince, forcing my way in isnʼt the right answer.

”Oi. Onoda. What the hell are you doing here? Didnʼt I tell you not to show up here again?”

And sure enough, the clown of an heir stepped forward to ridicule me. Unbeknownst to him, heʼs now giving me the opportunity to break through this situation.

Iʼve already sent a message to Marika about my arrival but I told her not to take a step outside yet.

This way, I could make a convincing setup wherein it would be deemed better for her to come with me rather than Ichihara Jun.

”Oh? I thought there was a lamp post suddenly sprouting in front of her house, it turns out to be you, senpai. You look like a different person outside of your uniform.”

”Huh?!” With shit for brains, he immediately took that as an insult. But well, heʼs not wrong anyway. Iʼm dissing him by emphasizing that heʼs unrecognizable outside of his uniform. Of course, I already expected a comeback from him. And that is...

”... Canʼt recognize me? Heh. That just shows how poor your insight is. Youʼve never seen someone high in standing like me, have you?”

”High in standing? Oh please. In a year, youʼll be shorter than me. Who do you think will be higher standing between us then?”

As I said that, I even put on a mocking expression causing those suit-wearing thugs to clench their fists as though they were ready to jump at me for insulting their master.

But I know. All of that is just for show.

I can even see the shadow of someone watching from the nearby Ichihara Compound gate. Heʼs observing things unfold.

If thatʼs not Ichihara Junʼs father then... It must be Ichihara-sanʼs husband and this guyʼs supposed guardian.

”You ignorant buffoon! Just admit it. You didnʼt understand what I said.”

”Ah. I do understand it. That you think youʼre high and mighty just because of your Ichiharaʼs name. What are you without that?”

Once again, the ʼhandsomeʼ face of this notorious playboy seemingly experienced an

upheaval.

He looked like he had just taken a bite of an insect and he couldnʼt spit it out.

The mocking smile on my face arced further before I shook my head.

”Oh right. You donʼt have to answer that. Itʼs obvious, after all. Youʼre nothing without it.”

”Thatʼs my privilege to be born into this family!” He furiously roared, his voice even leaving

an echo.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw that observing shadow facepalmed.

I was waiting for him to make a move but I guess this display of Ichihara Jun was simply too disappointing for him to intervene.

”You donʼt know what a privilege is, do you? This is why a commoner like you wonʼt be able to reach out to someone like Marika. You two are far apart in standing in this society!”

He continued as though he was trying to preach that heʼs a high-class citizen while I am not. But he had no idea that all around him, even those who were supposed to be on his side were shaking their heads in disappointment.

Maybe this could still be acceptable in the older era. Maybe before the current Reiwa Period. But now? Itʼs just too demeaning that itʼll be like a stain in their name to mock someone of a lower standing when heʼs supposed to act magnanimous to show the difference in class.

Granted, I offended him for approaching Marika. But whoʼs to blame for that? Not me, of course. Itʼs his serious neglect that lets the woman find out that her true worth isnʼt just a damsel who chased after someone who doesnʼt care about her.

”Pfft. Youʼre funny, senpai. You can be a stand-up comedian. Want me to refer you to a

comedy bar?”

”Y-you!”

As though he couldnʼt take my remarks anymore, Ichihara Jun took two wide strides, closing

in the distance between us.

And possibly forgetting his previous attempt to swing his against me, his fist flew widely.

I didnʼt even blink at it and just caught his fist and crushed it with my grip.

In almost an instant, his stupefied face stared at me in fright. ”U-unhand me.”

This guy. Didnʼt he also say something like this back then?𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

”Or what?”

”Or youʼll regret it!”

”Ah... Sorry. Iʼm not the type to regret things Iʼve already set my mind to do. So senpai, go

back to where you came from. I still have a lovely girl to escort.”

As soon as I finished saying that, I exerted a bit of my strength, pushing him back through his

fist.

He almost tumbled down because of the high steps and he was only caught by the driver of the

car.

Following that, I turned around to see the golden figure of the girl I hadnʼt seen for two days.

”Junior-kun. Have you come to pick me up?” Innocently as though what had just transpired eluded her, the whites of her teeth flashed blindingly as a gorgeous smile peeked from her face. A second later, with her school bag elegantly held in front of her, she took careful strides to arrive in front of me.

She only gave the others watching this unfold a cursory glance before taking one of my arms and embracing it to stand closely by my side,

”You looked dashing right there, Ruki-kun. Iʼm about to blush.” She whispered exclusively for my ears to hear.