Chapter 99
Hiiragi’s Mother — Part 2
As expected of a rich lady, when Natsumi-chan called for someone to pick us up, a luxurious black car arrived while seemingly gliding over the rough road .
“It would’ve been fine if we commuted using my car . ”
“Haru-chan, if you drive, then Mama will get mad, right?”
“I don’t listen to anything Mom says anyway . ”
“Aaah, Haru-chan has really turned out for the worse . ”
Looking at Hiiragi-chan sulk, Natsumi-chan laughed . Now that she mentions it, Hiiragi-chan doesn’t follow her parents’ orders at all .
An old man wearing a driver’s suit opened the door to the back seat .
“Harukojousama, it has been a while . ”
“Yoshinagsan . You seem in good health . ”
After showing a smile, Hiiragi-chan climbed into the car . Even an amateur such as myself could ascertain that the smile that Natsumi-chan and Hiiragi-chan showed were both a façade .
On the other hand, the driver, Yoshinagsan, took a glance at me, and then brought his face closer .
“So, you’re Sanada Seiji . ”
“Haaah… That’s right . ”
“I heard from the master . I’ve been a driver, transporting Harukojousama ever since she was thiiiiissss small . ”
He indicated the size with his index finger and thumb .
…How small was Hiiragi-chan? Was she some kind of midget?
“I watched over her growth more than anyone else . A kid like you suddenly dating Harukojousama, I won’t accept it . ”
Before I could say something, I was pulled from behind with Hiiragi-chan butting in .
“Seiji-san, is my lover . He’s already recognized by Natsumi . It’s not something that you, Yoshinagsan, should be sticking your head into . ”
“But . ”
“But, but what? Insulting someone that I have recognized, is the same as insulting me . What is your job? Glaring at my lover? I get it . So, back off . ”
Ooooh… Hiiragi-chan, she’s so cool . However, her tone is completely different from normal .
Natsumi-chan was looking over worriedly, but since nothing happened, she patted her chest in relief .
Yoshinagsan kept quiet as he watched us take our seats in the back, and then closed the door .
“The main house will be coming up . ”
After telling us that one thing, he stepped on the accelerator .
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Still, that was quite the reaction . Having her driver act like that toward her partner, just emphasizes the fact that Hiiragi-chan is treasured by other people .
“Haru-chan, doesn’t appreciate that our house is like that . ”
As if she didn’t hear Natsumi-chan’s voice, Hiiragi-chan continued to hold my hand while dazedly gazing out the window . Noticing that, the face of the driver, Yoshinaga, that was displayed in the mirror, turned bitter for just a moment .
“Being too treasured, Haruksan turned out for the worse I guess . ”
“I didn’t turn out for the worse . Once you become an adult, you become independent, right?”
For a normal household, it would not be unusual for someone to begin living alone after college and starting work . But for a household that doesn’t need to work like the Hiiragi family, they wouldn’t fit within that normal frame .
Wanting to know how Hiiragi-chan’s day-to-day life was, Yoshinaga asked a question, to which she gave a suitable reply with a forced smile .
After driving the car for about an hour, we arrived at our destination . It looked like a mansion that was made after cutting out a part of a mountain, and as such, it was quite big . From the main gate, there was still quite a distance to the front door .
“Well, how is it? Thief-kun . ”
“I can’t say it’s the mansion that I imagined . ”
I glanced at Hiiragi-chan, and noticed that she wasn’t looking too good . Now that I think about it, ever since she got in the car, she hasn’t said much .
“Are you okay, Haruksan?”
“Last time… the house arrest…”
Did it end up as a trauma!?
When we were let off at the entrance, a young maid greeted us with a bow, “Harukojousama, Natsumi-ojousama, welcome home” and then opened the large doors .
Of course, the maid had also taken several glances at me .
The maid stuck out her hand as Natsumi-chan naturally handed over her small bag .
“Natsumi-chan, did the people of this house know that I was coming?”
“I just told them that a friend of ours was coming . ”
If you say a friend, and bring a male, there will be various misunderstandings .
“There’s nothing in Haru-chan’s room, so let’s go to mine first . ”
While walking on a carpet that muffled our footsteps like that of a luxurious hotel, Natsumi-chan guided us to her room on the second room . It was larger than Hiiragi-chan’s room, and of course, my room as well . With a number of stuffed animals placed by the window, it really felt like a girl’s room .
“Ojou-sama, should I bring some tea?”
“No . It’s fine . ”
She had the maid go out, and it became just the three of us .
“Thief-kun, don’t look around too much, okay?”
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“I won’t do anything rude . ”
I sat down on the sofa . next to the lower energy level Hiiragi-chan .
“Mama will come back in a little while, so I’ll introduce you then . I think she wants me to introduce you to her without being told to . ”
“What type of person is your mother?
“She’s a little strict when it comes to courtesy, but other than that, she’s pretty normal . Well, for Thief-kun it’ll probably feel like a powerful upper-class lady . ”
I did catch a glimpse of her at the hotel restaurant, but since I didn’t speak to her face to face, I can’t help but feel anxious . I came in a slightly rough appearance, is that okay?
We decided on a few things after discussing plans on facing Hiiragi Mama . First, I would be introduced as Natsumi-chan’s friend and exchange formalities and greetings . About me being her friend, well, it isn’t a lie, so it should be fine . Then, we would look at how things go, and reveal the truth .
Based on what Natsumi-chan has said, Hiiragi Papa has already told Hiiragi Mama about me . I was also there that day on the marriage interview so there is a possibility they talked about me .
“Haru-chan, what will you do? Will you see Mama?”
“I…”
Hiiragi-chan has been quiet for a while now . Her energy level really is quite low .
“Haru-chan, there’s no need for you to force yourself to meet her, right?”
Hmm? When I returned to the present, Hiiragi-chan had said that she was in the middle of a fight with Hiiragi Mama .
Was that… something that continued from now?
“You’re fighting with your mother?”
“Yeah… that’s how it is . ”
“Last time, when you came back, it was really unusual . ”
“For me as well… I thought after becoming an adult and learning some more common sense, I would properly have a conversation with mother, but she forced me into that marriage interview…”
As she was about to continue on to say something a knock came from the door . Once Natsumi-chan told them that they could come in, the maid from the entrance came in .
“The madam has returned . What will you do?”
…Thinking that it was about time, I ended up getting nervous . However, Hiiragi-chan had a stronger reaction than me . I don’t have an impression of her mother as a scary person, but maybe it had something to do some trauma from the house arrest, or maybe it’s because they are in the middle of a fight .
“Thank you . Let mother know that she should wait for us in the reception room . ”
“Understood . ”
The maid steps back and closed the door .
I’ll first be introduced as Natsumi-chan’s friend, and if Hiiragi-chan’s present, then there will be various complications . That’s what Nastumi-chan decided .
Having the unenergetic Hiiragi-chan wait here for a bit, the two of us left the room .
“Are they really on such terrible terms?”
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“For Haru-chan, it’s not that it’s bad . It’s just that she was super opposed to everything Haru-chan is doing . Secretly getting a teacher’s license to become independent, teaching at a school, living alone… that’s all I know . ”
As a result of that, Hiiragi-chan ended up fulfilling her own wishes . Since there isn’t a reason for her to work, it’s not like I don’t understand the reason for opposition . But still, I don’t think it’s right to remain on bad terms like this .
If this is left unattended, Hiiragi-chan will continue to carry this burden in the future and end up marrying without her parent’s consent at the end of the day . With that, it would be the same as elopement .
Once we arrived at the reception room, I sat down next to Nastumi-chan on the sofa . It really felt like a rich reception room . The sofa felt nice, and the walls were decorated with priceless looking paintings .
A maid soon opened the door, and then Hiiragi Mama came in .
I stood up and bowed .
“Thank you for allowing me to intrude today . My name is Sanada Seiji . ”
My business persona was on full throttle . This was something that a normal high schooler would be incapable of doing .
“Thank you for being so polite . Are you the friend that Natsumi was talking about?”
“Yes . We were able to meet on chance, and today, I was invited to visit . ”
“That’s right . ”
She was a friendly-looking person, and her face had a similar atmosphere to Natsumi-chan, blended with the fluffy feeling of Hiiragi-chan .
Yeah . She really does seem like the mother of the two sisters . She seemed to be in her mid 40’s and was covered from head to toe in elegant apparel .
Hiiragi Mama, wearing Japanese clothing, sat across from us . Being urged to sit down, I also took a seat .
“It isn’t a friend from school, right?”
“Yes . A friend from outside of school . ”
“Boyfriend?”
When she was asked in such a teasing manner, Natsumi-chan shook her head .
“T-that’s not it! Sanadsan just has a friendly relationship with me, having meals together or drinking tea . ”
“Oh? Is that so?”
The conversation turned towards me, so I firmly nodded my head .
“Yes . I had the opportunity to meet Natsumi-san multiple times outside, and so it became like this . ”
Natsumi-chan nodded along with blushing cheeks as I gave my supporting remark .
“Has Nastumi-chan done anything careless around you?”
“Mother . ”
“No no . That’s not how it is . She’s quite responsible . . ”
Just like this, Hiiragi Mama asked about how Natsumi-chan was outside .
Really . If you take out the fact that she’s rich, it’s just as Natsumi-chan had said, she’s a normal mother . It’s a bit disappointing .
If that’s the case, however, I wonder if Hiiragi-chan can properly make up with her .
“Natsumi is responsible, that’s unexpected . ”
“Since Onee-sama is so airheaded, it’s natural that I would turn out like this, right?”
Even though she was calm, when Hiiragi-chan was mentioned, her gaze suddenly felt like it turned cold .
Natsumi-chan turned her line of sight towards me . She’s probably going to say it .
“Mother, Sanadsan… you misunderstood and thought of him as my boyfriend, but he actually already has a lover . ”
“Oh? Natsumi, that’s unfortunate then . ”
“as I was saying, that’s not the reason that I am accompanying him… Aaaah, the reason I am with him here is purely as friends… ummm… . ”
Hiiragi Mama started laughing after seeing Natsumi-chan hesitate . It seems that even though she knows that Hiiragi-chan has a lover, she doesn’t remember my name .
Receiving Natsumi-chan’s pass, I started speaking about our true goal .
“The girl that I am dating is… Natsumi-san’s sister, Haruksan . ”
“Ah, I see . So, it’s you…”
All she did was raise a surprised voice . There was no strong reaction like there was with Hiiragi Papa . When I looked into her eyes, the interest that she had when talking about Natsumi-chan’s boyfriend was not present anymore .
“…There is a bit of an age difference, but we are seriously dating each other . S-someday, we will consider marrying each other . ”
“Eeeeeeeeeeh!? Reaaaaalllllyyyyy!?”
Natsumi-chan turned over in surprise .
“Y-you guys are already at that—”
“Natsumi . Don’t shout like that . It’s shameful . Also, mind your words . ”
Yes, Natsumi-chan said and then sat down on the couch again .
When I looked fearfully at Hiiragi Mama, she nodded multiple times .
“Sanadsan, I have certainly heard your resolve . Please do as you will . ”
Eh?
Eeeeeeeeeeehhhh!?
We got the okay!?