Stealing Spree

As we were going to the train station, all of a sudden, a car stopped in front of us.

It’s a familiar car and it’s something that passed my mind earlier. It was the same black that I rode in last Tuesday.

If Mizuki was there, not seeing her car was kind of strange. As it turned out, it was outside. Perhaps making rounds in our neighborhood or parked somewhere near but I failed to notice it when I arrived with Nami and the others earlier.

Confused that a car stopped in front of us, Miyako, Chii and Eimi that were walking with me all reflexively hid behind and the same as them, my body reacted instinctively to become their shield, hiding them all behind me.

Although there’s little to no possibility that the car wasn’t being driven by Mizuki’s chauffeur, Suzuki-san, it’s better to be prepared than regret it.

While the three clutched onto my sleeves, the window from the driver’s seat rolled down.

And as expected, there’s Suzuki-san wearing something like a butler outfit with her hair tied behind her using a large white ribbon.

“Suzuki-san.” I relaxed and greeted her with a smile, just like always.

And upon noticing how I casually greeted the driver, the three behind me heaved a sigh of relief and also bowed slightly to her.

However, just like last Tuesday, I was met with Suzuki-san’s silence. This was just like her. If it’s not about Mizuki or Mizuki wasn’t our topic, it would be hard to hear her words.

After a while, the sound of the car doors’ locks rang out. Following that, Suzuki-san stared straight at me and gestured using her eyes to hop inside the car.

“Is it Mizuki’s order?” I curiously asked. But considering she’s her personal chauffeur, that should only be the case. That girl was busily talking with Haruko and Shizu when I left but she still didn’t forget to be this considerate towards me.

Suzuki responded with a nod and repeated her gesture. She’s going to drive us towards our destination, skipping the hassle of riding the train.

“Alright. Thank you, Suzuki-san.” I bowed towards her and urged the three girls to enter the backseat while I took the passenger’s seat.

As soon as we settled ourselves inside and closed the door, my nose was immediately filled with Mizuki’s familiar scent and... although it’s faint, Suzuki-san’s scent also wafted over to me when she slightly moved to fix the rearview mirror.

Perhaps, waiting for my instruction as to where we would go, Suzuki-san kept her eyes to the front with both of her hands gripping the wheel without accelerating it.

Before telling her, I pulled out my phone and contacted Mizuki via video call. As soon as her face flashed on the screen and her voice echoed inside the car, Suzuki-san who was just waiting straightened her back as if waiting for her young miss’s instruction.

“You still haven’t left? Suzuki, follow Ruki’s instructions, alright? After you’re done, go back here and join me.” Mizuki first addressed me but when she saw Suzuki-san at the side, the noble lady gracefully gave her order.

“Understood, young miss.” Suzuki immediately answered. “Where to, Onoda-sama?”

Upon hearing Suzuki-san speaking, the three girls behind had a look of surprise on their faces.

Well, they thought they wouldn’t hear her talking but just by hearing Mizuki, she immediately prepared herself.

That’s how loyal she was to her.

I talked for a bit to Mizuki first and those next to her who bid us take care before instructing Suzuki-san to drop us near the train station at that part of the city where the Boxing Gym was located.

And due to this, our trip became smooth sailing. Eimi, Chii and Miyako would sometimes reach for my hand to have me look at them or have me join their conversation while Suzuki-san remained focused on driving.

Well, since I had already proven that it would be hard to converse with her if it’s not about Mizuki, I saved her the trouble of being bothered while she’s driving.

Instead of that, I conversed with the girl as they began questioning me about whether I would focus on them during the Boxing Lessons. And to their dismay, I swiftly answered no.

Although a bit disappointed, the three found a certain point to rejoice about... and it’s the fact that they would be able to see me being serious at work as an instructor.

Eimi even said that she would pass what she would learn to that cousin of hers. Chii bragged about how she already took on self-defense class when she decided to act as a gyaru but retracted it back instantly by saying that she didn’t learn enough and wanted me to help her refresh her memory.

Lastly, Miyako reminisced about that time that I also had her join the gym... although I ultimately told her to seduce Sena’s ex when it was time to break their relationship, the girl refrained from remembering that time and mostly focused on the time when I was also at her side, helping her ease up with the exercises when Sena or that guy hadn’t arrived yet.

That’s a memory that I also somehow forgot. At that time, although I wouldn’t come to the gym with her, I would always position myself near her. Whenever some other guy would try to ‘instruct’ her, I would butt in and offer the same thing which she would smilingly agree to.

Well, those guys were just the same age as us, some wannabe boxing enthusiasts. And because of what I always did, I probably earned most of their animosity.

There was that one time wherein I was blocked by a group of them in hopes to teach me a lesson.

But when their leader fell down unconscious when I tripped him over instead of responding with the same straight jab he swung at me, the rest of them called me names before running away, leaving that one guy behind.

The next day... half of them quit the Gym or did their best to stay out of my sight.

In any case, I also spent a lot of time instructing Miyako back then... but in the end, I did that thing to her and that’s something that wouldn’t be erased just because I’ve been good to her.

“Whoa... You two go way back... I wish I also had that kind of sweet memory.” Chii exclaimed before her voice trailed as her gaze focused on me through the rearview mirror.

“... We’re in the same year but I don’t think I managed to interact with you. Moreover, even though I was his desk neighbor, you had more interactions with her than me.” Eimi also added as she looked back to our time during middle school. “I also heard the rumors. Although I didn’t know that it was directed to you.”

“It’s fine. I already moved on from that past. It’s also my fault that it escalated to that. If I told him my troubles, this hateful guy would do everything to silence them... But I didn’t...” Miyako also looked at the rearview mirror and stared at me.

After a while, her gaze relaxed before a smile formed from her lips, “I’m looking forward to today and our future... Even if he’s that hateful... I can’t deny how much I wanted to stay by his side.”

Upon hearing those words, Chii lowered her head and began contemplating. Eimi, on the other hand, agreed with her before reaching her hand towards me, to have me hold it for her.

At my side, as if she hadn’t heard anything, Suzuki-san remained focused on driving.