Stealing Spree
chapter-2282

It was a tense minute after that but as soon as Kengo opened his mouth, I knew he had made his decision. "Fine."

It was one word and his expression didn't even change at all apart from that visible

momentary softening. He leaned back on his chair, downed his cup of tea and didn't say anything else.

Marika looked at me with wide eyes. Did we just... win? Did we just win without fighting? That's the question lingering within her beautiful eyes.

Nonetheless, I kind of expected this coming from someone like him. He was a calculating man. I might not know what he was truly planning but it certainly never included bringing up Ichihara Jun as a man to inherit everything their family built.

He tolerated all his whims that many would probably think he was being spoiled but underneath it, he was being set up for failure.

Maybe even if I didn't show up for Marika, he already had a plan to pull him down years ahead.

Alas, I probably ruined that.

When Ichihara-san walked in to pour another cup for her husband, she was stopped by him, "No need for another one. Our conversation is over."

His voice remained cold and indifferent, making Ichihara-san flinch slightly. Her eyes lingered on Marika and me for a moment before silently stepping back.

Ah. Yeah. This man was also like this to his wife. Our issue and their issue were different. There wasn't any affection in his eyes anymore. He was only focused on his goal. If anything, The only cared about his daughter.

"Sir, does this mean you'll stop egging Ichihara Jun to win Marika back?" I asked, breaking the silence that had settled in the room like a heavy fog.

"Who said about stopping? Nothing will change. Everything will still look around you. Whether you can endure that or not is up to you."

So, in short, he's still going to keep up appearances. To make it look like he's still helping Ichihara Jun.

It was a given, really. This man couldn't just back down from a simple conversation. He still had to go out there and be the number two of the company while acting like he was spoiling his nephew. No matter what, Marika backing out because she fell in love with someone would remain to be a loss of face to them.

Another minute of silence passed before Kengo opened his mouth.

"After tonight, you cannot step foot in here again."

Yeah. I knew this was coming. Marika squeezed my hand tighter as she probably interpreted that as him imposing some kind of ban on me.

Ichihara-san's eyes also widened as a helpless expression formed on her otherwise deflated face. She looked at me apologetically as she knew she couldn't overturn that decision.

She hired me to be her daughter's instructor. While it was true that she probably had some ulterior motive initially, she became more comfortable with me being her daughter's guide. In any case, not long after he dropped that sentence, Koharu-chan sprinted out of her hiding spot.

"D-dad, you promised!" She exclaimed, her voice trembling with fear and anger. She was standing right in front of him, her fists balled up as if she was ready to fight for me.

"I'm not done yet." He said in the same flat tone as though he was a cold bastard. However, there was that momentary hint of amusement playing in his eyes.

Really, he's just keeping up appearances now. Either he didn't want me to see him softening up to his daughter or he wanted to maintain this kind of persona in front of everyone - even to his wife and daughter.

"Natsuha, you have to take her out for these lessons. I don't care where but not in this house." Kengo said, his eyes never leaving mine as he addressed his wife, "You understand why, am I correct?"

Ichihara-san nodded solemnly, her eyes downcast. "Yes, I understand."

"Mom?" Koharu-chan turned to her mother. She probably failed to catch on to what he said. And so, I opened my mouth and nodded, "Ichihara-san, you can bring Koharu-chan back to the gym every week. I think I can ask the owner to open a space for it. You're also a member so... I believe there won't be a problem."

Upon hearing that, not only Ichihara-san but also Marika and Koharu-chan looked at me with confusion.

On the other hand, Kengo's expression remained stoic. He didn't say anything nor react to it because that's what he truly meant.

He's not firing me. He just didn't want me to keep strutting in this compound where I was already considered Ichihara Jun's enemy.

"Or if it needs to be more subtle without alerting them that Koharu-chan was still studying under me, you can bring her to our house. We also have a dedicated gym there. It can also be a place for you to relax." I continued but this time, I checked on Kengo's reaction.

And finally, he showed some reaction. He narrowed his eyes as though he was staring at someone as incomprehensible as him.

"Is... Is that fine, Kengo-san?" Ichihara-san asked to confirm.

And then Koharu-chan also ran to her father and pressed down on him, "Wait, is that what you mean, Dad? You're not firing Onoda-sensei?"

He closed his eyes perhaps to continue keeping up appearances or to prevent his expression from breaking as he answered, "Don't make me repeat myself."

At that, Koharu-chan immediately rejoiced and Ichihara-san couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

As for Marika, she looked me in the eye as she also slowly realized. She let out a silent giggle, finding this situation a little comical.

Before long, Kengo stood up. And there's no doubt, he's going to run away before he could

break character.

He's still keeping up appearances.

Isn't he just someone who wants to keep acting cool and indifferent? What a chuuni.

But well, it was just one or the other. Either way, this meant it was over. Ichihara-san ran after him before he could step out of the house, saying it was dinner time. Then Koharu-chan followed, hugging his arm to pull him back.

Acting like he was just forced to do so, he turned around and walked over to their dining table. Marika and I watched that and together, we silently laughed at this unexpected revelation. Who would've thought, right? He's just trying to act cool even in front of his family. Hiding his soft side, even to his daughter.

But because of this, it was all revealed. And I doubt Ichihara-san would miss that.

In any case, this didn't mean he was any different outside this house. He was still that guy running things in the background for the Ichihara Family.

One thing became clear though, he was not an enemy. At least, according to how this conversation went.