After escorting Miyako close to their school gates, I got picked up by Hitomi's car on my way to the station.
Otoha wasn't with her anymore. I mean, they're already among my girls who I spent some quality time with before I went to pick up Miyako.
I even watched the woman drive off in the opposite direction after asking for her smile which she seldom shows.
That's why I was a little surprised when her car suddenly appeared from out of nowhere with her windows rolled down and her icy-looking eyes conveying the words 'Get in' to me.
Although I could sense a hint of amusement on her face, I couldn't help but feel that there was another reason for this.
No. There's certainly a reason why she even returned and perhaps waited for me to show up.
The woman seldom sends me a message but whenever she does, it will either be because she found free time in her almost 24 hours per day job of being Otoha's chauffeur and bodyguard or when it concerns Otoha's well-being.
Thinking about it, she hadn't really changed a lot even after getting involved with me. But that's not really a problem. Because whenever we're alone together, Hitomi would always be in what I could call as 'girlfriend mode'.
Unfortunately, upon hopping inside her car, she didn't change into that mode. Instead, she simply helped me with the seatbelt before driving away from that busy street.
I kept my silence while watching the road in front of us while my mind started working towards different possibilities that could explain this.
It's definitely not the 'job' I'm supposed to do for the old man. So, it's either directly related to Hitomi or something else entirely
When I sensed that the slight tension in the air lulled a bit, I turned my eyes to the rearview mirror, meeting her gaze.
I smiled before opening my mouth, "Hitomi, you're not just going to drive me to school, are you?"
"Yes."
It's a swift answer yet she provided no explanation. At least she didn't appear grim or I would start thinking of worse possibilities.
"I see... Then I guess our time earlier isn't enough for you... Are we going to that safe house?" I said that jokingly because her silence was kinda suffocating.
"No." And another swift answer.
I get that she's not a woman of many words but at least, can she not let her boyfriend hanging?
Obviously, she's also not the type to build up suspense. It's out of her character to do so.
She's the woman whose whole life somehow revolved around Otoha. Furthermore, she's more likely to bring up the 'giving back three times she received' rather than give me this silent treatment.
Of course, forcing an answer out of her is still an option but I find no reason to resort to it.
"Hmm. So, is it a guessing game? Hitomi, I can understand if you're ordered not to tell me the person behind this but... won't you at least talk to me? It's not like our conversation is being recorded."
There's no reason to record our conversation and if there's really someone hearing our conversation from somewhere because of a bug hidden somewhere, Hitomi can definitely hint it at me. She also won't let me address her affectionately if that's the case. Our relationship is still a secret to the Kaneko Family, after all. Only Otoha knows about it.
Perhaps moved by my almost pleading words, Hitomi soon slowed down before pulling over to the side of the road. We're still out in the open but by doing this, the woman found the avenue to turn her body to face me and reached her hand out to me.
I clasped her hand without hesitation and waited for her to talk.
After much deliberation, she lowered her head before letting it fall on my shoulder. A second later, along with a very unusually weak voice, she murmured, "I apologize, Ruki. I got ahead of myself. I told my grandfather about my association with you."
Her grandfather... The old butler that's always with the old man Hirokage. That stern old butler who's strict with his job. He even scolded Hitomi back then for not opening the door for Otoha.
Of all people to tell about our relationship, it just has to be him, huh? Well, there must be some circumstances that lead to it. And since Hitomi was just acting normal earlier, it probably happened when she returned to the Kaneko Mansion.
"You don't have to apologize. Also, this isn't like you, Hitomi. I'm used to how you're always unperturbed at almost everything. Well, forget it. I also remembered that instance where you cannot refute your grandfather's words. He's the one person you cannot easily defy, right?"
I already observed that before but we have yet to really move into talking about him. And with this, I was just confirming it.
Sure enough, Hitomi soon nodded in confirmation. Following that, she raised her head, her eyes turning a little watery.
Whatever her grandfather told her, it's probably along the lines of 'Do not partake in your mistress affairs. Do your duty as Otoha-ojou-sama's loyal companion!'
Damn it. I could even hear that old butler's voice ringing in my ears. I mean, I heard him just recently when I called in the favor for Juri. And I could remember that he's still the same stern old folk whose purpose was to serve the eccentric old man.
"Alright. I think I get the gist of why you returned to pick me up... Are you going to sever our connection after making some kind of memory with me?"
That's the only plausible reason for doing this. She's not going to bring me to her grandfather. She's probably going to drive me somewhere we could be alone. Somewhere outside the influence of her grandfather. Perhaps, her room or her own house given to her by the Kaneko Family.
But then again, I could still be wrong with my assumption...
That's what I hope.
However, Hitomi replied with another nod. This time, her expression looked defeated. Her eyes were that of someone who already lost before even fighting for what she wanted to accomplish.
Upon understanding that, I lifted her chin, not letting her lower her head again. Following that, I let my hand slide to cup her cheek and caressed it.
It's a shame. But her beautiful face, which seldom showed any emotion, looked really sad at this moment. And I admit. I'm also a little helpless in this situation.
If I failed to change her mind, will she just throw away the connection we built? Indeed, it has still yet to mature to the point of Hitomi being able to tell me that she loves me. However, we're just starting. We're even taking every chance we can get to solidify it and understand each other better.
But now... because of her grandfather, someone Hitomi couldn't defy, we're in this rather rocky situation.
"Alright. I'm still guessing what exactly happened here. Can you first tell me about it, Hitomi? I want to know what went on that led you to decide like that."
After saying that, I let my other hand land on her back and also started caressing her. Even through her thick butler suit, I could sense the shakiness of her core.
Nonetheless, even if the warmth of my hand failed to seep through it to calm her down, her heightened senses alone could surely understand my intention.
Because of that, even if it's just a little, Hitomi's rumbling emotions settled down as she nodded for the third time before telling me what exactly happened.
I'm not confident that I can resolve it with my ability alone but I'll definitely do my best. It's Hitomi. Even if our connection was severed, we're still going to meet each other because of Otoha. And I'm sure as hell that I will still try to get her back in case she decides to push through with this decision.
Here's to hoping that I can prevent that.
Besides, it's Hina's birthday today. Of all days, that old butler's timing is ruining the great mood that I started building up since last night.
And with Hitomi also being my girl, I won't hesitate to fight that old butler and take the woman out of his influence.
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