Stealing Spree

For the first ten or so minutes, Mom sat down with Haruko in the living room, conversing with her about me or things they already talked about through messages.

While part of my attention split to monitor Minoru who started playing with his colorful building blocks, I listened to them at the side.

Well, they’re not being secretive about their topic and it’s not really that serious. It’s what you would expect from a mother-in-law to her daughter-in-law.

At least, my mother isn’t acting like those terrible mothers-in-law often portrayed in live-action drama series or movies. She’s even too excited that you could see it from the way she talked and moved whereas Haruko took a while before getting a firm grip of the situation.

In any case, after the first five minutes, Haruko became relaxed as though she’s already been my mother's friend for years.

When my father returned from the kitchen, carrying a tea set for us. My mom’s cheerful mood soured again. And that made him put on an agonizing smile before turning to me as though he was waiting for my promise to help him smoothen things out with my mother.

However, before I could say something, it was Minoru who took the vanguard as he charged innocently into the unknown pressure being emitted by my mother.

“Mama Sayuri? Did you eat a sour grape? You look glum.”

Given the way he called my mother, I could imagine her coercing the boy to do that. As much as she accepted being a grandmother to the boy, being called ‘Grandma’ must’ve been too early in her head. On the other hand, my father didn’t mind at all. He’s too focused on how to appease my mother’s anger, after all

Anyway, faced with that innocent question, my mom got visibly taken aback. Her eyes appeared sharp as she glanced at me. Perhaps thinking that I have done something for the boy to say it.

Of course. The answer is no.

Even if I asked him earlier on our way in, no way would I have used him as an instrument. It’s truly just the boy’s curiosity kicking in.

With my mother taking a while to answer, Minoru tilted his head and slowly approached her.

My father then followed suit, squatting down in front of my mother and behind Minoru. Either he’s using the boy as a shield or a spear that could pierce through my mother’s defenses.

While I also prepared myself to come in between them at any moment, Haruko amusedly watched from the side, anticipating what was going to happen next.

My mother glared at my father before forcing a gentle smile on her face as she received Minoru, putting him on his lap.

“No, Minoru dear. I just saw someone distasteful.”

“Oh. Is it Grandpa?”

Saying that with the same innocent tone made my mother almost choke on her words while my father rejoiced.

At this point, he’s now almost kneeling in front of her, staring up and most likely, looking for a way to get her forgiveness.

Unfortunately for him, she still ignored him.

“Yes. He made me angry. That’s why I looked like I ate a sour grape.”

“You’re more beautiful with a smile, Mama Sayuri. If Grandpa did something, he looks sorry enough.”

Lifting his hands to my mother’s cheeks, Minoru put on the same innocent smile as he spoke for my father. Or at least, on how he saw it.

At the moment, my father, who heard her answer like that, had his head lowered in defeat. Nonetheless, as soon as Minoru spoke for him, hope returned to his body.

Since he asked for my help, I also used this chance to dip my toe in it.

“Mom, I heard from father. Hayashi-sensei is only telling him what I did and perhaps asking about me. Don’t be too hard on him.”

“Not you too, baby boy. Are you three really ganging up on me?” While shaking her head, her eyes alternated between the three of us.

Perhaps sensing that there’s really no tension in the air despite the situation, Haruko also joined in as she pulled me close to her, “Mother, is it just me or are you easily jealous? I apologize for butting in but... I believe you’re being too hard on Father.”

I thought she was still going to remain adamant but with Haruko’s addition, she became like a mouse backed into a corner.

After releasing a sigh, she kissed Minoru’s forehead before hugging the boy.

“Okay. I admit. I hated it. But you should’ve told me about that earlier.”

“I tried to. But you don’t wanna listen, remember?”

“Ugh. Stop talking, Hiroki.”

As expected, she’s just being unreasonable. She didn’t want to hear him out. Even though she knew it could solve their situation easily, she simply refused to do so.

“Mom, I know you love Dad so much that you won’t even leave him alone for a second and he’s the same to you, hmm? Otherwise, he’ll be like me.”

“For the love of... Haa... Baby boy. You are you. And your father is your father. You’re two different people. You can’t say that.”

“I’m not comparing. Really... Okay, please tell me what he did wrong. Like Haruko said, you’re unusually acting too jealous over a message. It’s not like Hayashi-sensei can steal Father from you. Look at him.”

I pointed at my father who looked like he would lick my mother’s foot if she so wished as long as it would make her anger be appeased.

Yeah. He’s too much of a simp to her to even try cheating. True, he could fantasize about it. However, he would never act on it. He’s too devoted to her.

Besides, he’s not like me who’s capable of loving multiple women at the same time.

It’s funny if we compare ourselves to each other, I know. But there’s no one else to compare him with but me.

“I won’t be able to win against you four, will I?” Helplessly shaking her head, my mother eventually dropped her stance and she released another sigh.

A second later, while still holding Minoru close to her, she reached for my father’s cheek and pulled him to sit next to her while pinching it.

He readily endured it. And upon understanding that he was now allowed to get close to her again, my father rejoiced by hugging my mother. Copying Minoru to snuggle close to her.

Haruko and I, who were watching all this from the side, could only smile at each other. Then, taken in by the same mood, the girl slowly lifted my arm to do the same.

Just like this, my father’s dilemma of getting my mother upset soon ended.

A few minutes later, Minoru climbed back down to resume playing with his blocks. Furthermore, he also moved to get his coloring book and crayons from somewhere.

As we watched him with gentle looks in our eyes, Haruko took up the role of pouring tea for all of us.

Then, understanding that it was about time for me to talk to my father about the reason I came to visit, she stood up and went to join Minoru.

“You have a lot of wonderful girls, son. And Haruko there is not an exception.”

“Not just a lot, Dad. They’re all wonderful. I mean, isn’t mom the same?”

“Alright, stop that, you two. I know where that conversation is going.” My mother butt in and pushed my father’s face away from her before taking the tea. Her gentle eyes keenly watched Minoru and Haruko.

“Heh. But it’s really surprising, Mom. You’re jealous of Hayashi-sensei. It’s a lot different back when you two met her outside the Ministry.

“You know I wouldn't be jealous if he told me right away. But no. He exchanged a few messages first. If not for me catching him, who knows where their conversation will go?’

“Oh. So that’s why, huh? Dad, you’re at fault too.”

Although her unreasonable jealousy wasn’t really justified with only that, I guess that’s just how my mother is.

“... Alright. It’s my fault but I don’t see anything wrong with her questions. Besides, it’s all about you, son.”

“Hmm? Did you make a move to Makiko too?”

“No? Maybe I cheered her up a little? Didn’t she say she’s going to move on?”

“Oh. Yes, she did. But baby boy. You cheered her up, huh? No wonder she’s that interested...”

Seeing her shake her head while grinning, I could already imagine what was in her head.

That’s why before she could blurt it out, I decided to change the topic and move on to what I am here for.

“By the way, mom. I’m here for another reason.”

“Sure. It’s about that Kujou girl you've been getting close to recently, right? Let me tell you, baby boy. You’re biting off more than you can chew in this case.”

“Why?”

“The Kujou lineage is more prestigious than the Kaneko lineage with that old man. Add in the Ichihara, you’ll be clashing against giants there. Are you sure you’re still going to proceed?”

Clashing against giants... Alright. Is she hyping them up or... I really stepped into a minefield this time. Nonetheless, if it’s for Marika... I doubt that’s enough to discourage me.