On my way to the train station, I never ran into Ichihara Jun or the other man in suit that was supposed to accompany him to look for Marika. That guard was probably still leading the idiot on his futile search to buy a lot of time for her.
Those two guards were aware of the rolling food cart where the photo originated and he possibly didn’t lead the guy there.
I guess I could say that I owe them one. Or two... since on my way out, the other guard diligently left to check back on the Ichihara Compound for something that Marika supposedly lost, giving me the window of opportunity to make my exit. Next time, I might be benevolent enough to not make their jobs difficult. I’ll let them know that Marika is safe and sound when I next abducted her out of their sight.
Anyway, with no one else around, Marika even walked me to her front door. Obviously, she didn’t let me just leave like that. She jumped in my arms and we shared one last intimate moment for the night.
We even knocked over something from how intense it became... Perhaps if not for being made aware that I still have an appointment tonight, it wouldn’t be strange for her to suggest that I stay the night. That’s how deep she had fallen already. Well, maybe I was the same.
Because even after leaving, we kept in contact. And now, with nothing else on my plate, I quickly sent a message to the ringlet girl, informing her that I safely arrived at the train.
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Upon returning home, I was welcomed by Akane who was still donning an apron and the fragrance of what she had finished cooking. Not only that, two more girls emerged from inside, similarly wearing an apron; Shio and Eimi.
Apparently, after that cooking lesson in Eimi’s house ended, Akane and Eimi went to Shio’s apartment to pick her up or rather, to get a free ride as they went to the supermarket together before coming home here.
Shio had a wry smile on her lips, looking like she was forced by them but ultimately, she gently patted the two girls’ heads, saying she was also learning from them despite being the older one.
Akane, as always, acted silly. She laughed in delight as she recounted everything that happened while I was away.
As for Eimi, she’s also surprisingly energetic this time as she joined Akane in recounting their experience.
Just watching their blissful expression as they did that was enough for me to imagine watching them live and in the end, I got taken in by the jovial mood as I led them in. Of course, that’s after I doted on them one by one.
Since they had just finished cooking our dinner, we immediately started with that. Even if I would be going to dinner with Mizuki, I doubt we’d be able to feast on food considering we’d be meeting a business client.
That’s why for the entirety of that dinner, it became another blissful moment for us where the three women took turns in trying to serve me in their own ways.
Akane just did her normal thing. As dinner and eating were already a regular occasion for us, her movements were as natural as a housewife living with her husband for more than a few years already. Of course, that’s in the context of the couple still being so in love with each other.
Shio, on the other hand, was trying new things. For sure, even with her experience as a housewife for that bastard, she didn’t want to repeat that with me. Most likely, she’s doing it so that it would remind her of that past when she was head-over-heels for him.
But truthfully, I don’t really mind if she just acts normally without taking that in consideration. The past was something we all wouldn’t be able to erase, after all. Moving past it was one thing but it would still linger in the corner of our minds. If she would be affected by it every time then... it’s better for her to face it and on her own terms, replace it with something better.
I know. I already told her before that we’re going to do just that. However, it’s not a quick process. We’ll be treading on it one step at a time. And slowly but surely, the binds of that past would break and stop dragging her down.
And lastly, Eimi. Although she started by doing her own thing as well, I somehow flipped the table on her and turned it the other way around. Instead of being served, I became the one serving her.
It even made Shio and Akane a little envious watching us. But even so, I stuck to that role even after we finished our dinner.
While I’m in the mood to dote on all of them, I couldn’t help myself but indulge the girl.
Maybe it’s because it will be a few days again before we could be together like tonight.
Thinking about it, I might also be trying to make up for the days that we aren’t together. I could reach Akane and Shio rather easily and dote on them anytime but for Eimi, even if we had a few chances on weekdays, we could only really be together for longer during weekends.
Anyways, that’s that. Until it was time for her to go home, I remained by her side, showering her with my affection.
I didn’t neglect Shio and Akane, of course. I wouldn’t be Ruki if I did that.
Shortly after all that, I walked the three of them outside or they all hopped inside Shio’s car. The two would be sending her home. And Akane would also stay with Shio until I returned later after the dinner with Mizuki.
As much as I wanted to come with them to extend our time for just a few minutes longer, Mizuki and Suzuki-san’s arrival was already imminent.
Just a short two minutes after Shio’s car left our driveway, Suzuki’s car pulled over.
“Geez, what are you standing there for, Ruki? Don’t you feel cold?”
Despite showing a very pleasant smile on her lips, the first words that Mizuki uttered were nothing short of a scolding. But then again, she was unaware that I hadn’t been outside for too long.
“No. I haven’t been standing here for too long, after all. Akane and the others have just left and since you informed me of your imminent arrival, I decided to wait here.” I answered as soon as the girl hopped into my embrace, her face instantly buried into my chest.
Yep. Forget about scolding me, missing my scent prevailed over that thought inside her mind.
Looking behind her, Suzuki-san also left the car and opened the back door. A moment later, I saw her pulling out something from the car. It’s a pair of black, formal suit and pants that was perfect for my size as well as an ocean-blue dress adorned with small crystals that glittered beneath the moonlight.
No doubt. Not only is she going to change here, but she also prepared something that would match her dress for me.
“Anyway, you really prepared for this, huh? You didn’t even tell me about that. The few minutes that I spent trying on everything in my wardrobe was wasted.”
“Few minutes. This guy. I’ve seen everything you have inside your wardrobe. Even if you have a suit in there, it’s something you haven’t worn for years now. That’s why... it’s better this way. I had someone finish that just for today.” Lifting her head off my chest, Mizuki pouted before looking back and pointing at the suit that Suzuki was holding up on her right arm.
And she’s right about that. I found a suit. But even if it still fits me, it’s nowhere close to what she prepared. I guess I should spend some of what I earned to populate my wardrobe. I could also put in a different fashion genre – for disguises or just another look that would make me less recognizable than how I usually look.
“Uh. Then I’ll gratefully accept that... Are we going to knock your client out with our appearance?”
“Yes. I took that into account. But appearance alone won’t be enough for us to succeed tonight. And Ruki, I’ll be relying on you a lot. You’re the main character tonight.”
Upon saying that, a meaningful smile bloomed on Mizuki’s lips. Apart from that, I also sensed that she was not in any way joking from that declaration.
Is she going to pit me against that client all on my own? Possibly.
In a way, this might be what she could call an exam for me. With our ambition to build something together while starting from scratch, she wouldn’t be lenient in teaching me slowly. Instead, Mizuki chose the highest difficulty right off the bat.
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om