Stealing Spree

“Auntie, did I make you wait?”

Upon entering the police station, I instantly caught the eye-catching figure of Auntie Yayoi sitting on one of the waiting benches. Although she’s not dressed sexily, what she’s wearing could still draw curious glances from the police officers or even civilians going in and out of the establishment.

Her legs and arms were crossed which gave the vibe of an unapproachable lady. Nonetheless, as I’ve seen her in her home wear and the dress that she put on last week, what she's wearing today could possibly be how she dressed during her work. If I had to guess, she went straight here from her salon.

“What are you saying? I have also just arrived. Anyway, shall we?” Her expression and posture relaxed upon seeing me approaching her. She quickly stood up and put on a rather gratified smile on her lips as she tried to guide me further inside where we were going to meet the officer in charge.

Truthfully, she could’ve gone inside and recorded her statement as well as gotten updated with the case. But she somehow insisted on waiting for me. Mina wasn’t around because she told her to stay at Haruko or precisely at Edel’s apartment again for today. On the other hand, I only needed to be here for cross-checking my testament as well as be informed of what I had to do when that Iwasaki’s indictment rolled out to the court.

“Are you fine now, Auntie? The group those thugs belong to didn’t pay you a visit?” While we were on our way to meet the officer, I couldn’t help but ask her. Mina was my source of information but it’s possible that her mother wasn’t telling her everything. To not worry her daughter.

That’s why this was the only chance I could check if everything was alright. I wouldn’t be here all the time but if something happened to that girl’s mother, she’d surely be affected.

Usually, I tried not to be too involved with my girl’s mother, be it in the past or the present. However, this time, it’s a special case. Besides, I was already involved, better to see this through to the end.

“The police officers are diligent at their work. No one troubled me.”

Auntie Yayoi reservedly answered but as an observer, I clearly noticed the slight pause from her words and the way she almost halted her steps.

Normally, that shouldn’t be noticeable but I’m just too used to observing people. Moreover, she’s walking beside me. It would be hard not to pick up.

“I see. That’s great. Auntie, I might not be that capable but… if there’s something bothering you, don’t hesitate to contact me.”

I didn’t point out what I noticed to keep her from being troubled but it turned out that sounded funny for her as Auntie Yayoi chuckled, the slightly serious atmosphere dissolving in a flash.

“Look at you acting like an adult. You don’t have to worry, leave it to the adults to settle an adult problem like this.”

Haa… Hearing that kind of reasoning again, I couldn’t help but feel a little bitter but I kept it to myself to not ruin the clear air.

In the end, I fell into my mind palace instead… There’s no reason to call out what Auntie Yayoi said but… I’m not a naïve guy who is filled with ignorance. Well, admittedly, I’m not that knowledgeable about a lot of things but at least, I’m aware of how people’s minds work.

Although that guy was bound to be guilty of his crime of trying to have her abducted and the three thugs got disowned by their group, that’s not the end of it.

Iwasaki could request for bail before he was formally sentenced for his crime and be sent to a correctional facility. Furthermore, those thugs’ wannabe-Yakuza group might not retaliate today because they’re still hot in the eyes of the authorities but that wouldn’t end with just that… Even if they’re not real Yakuza, they would certainly be vengeful when it came to the sullying of their ‘family’ name.

I’m more worried about what will happen in the aftermath rather than at the present.

But I guess, today’s not the day to talk to her about something serious like that. I just had to hope that I wouldn’t be too late by then.

“I understand, Auntie. But don’t close the open door, alright? You know what I can do.”

“Alright. That’s enough. Thank you, Onoda-kun. You’ve been a great help already. In a way, you’re my savior. No. That’s what actually happened. Without you, who knows what will happen? The plan he cooked would’ve been successful and… I could very well marry a guy who could do something like that. Maybe saying thank you isn’t enough… That’s why let me treat you to something in the future. That kind of call… you can expect it.”

Auntie Yayoi looked at me warmly, her gratified smile from earlier resurfaced and eventually grew wider. Perhaps if we’re not walking, she would probably put a hand on my head and pat my head even though we’re almost the same height.

Around half an hour later, Auntie Yayoi and I left the police station together. When I was about to walk towards the train station, Auntie Yayoi told me to wait and a minute later, her car stopped in front of me.

She then rolled the window down and said, “Onoda-kun, let me thank you for today. Hop on. Where are you heading?”

“No., Auntie. It’s fine. You still have to return to your shop, right?”

“I can call my assistant and ask her to close it for me. What now?”

“Looks like you’re not going to accept my refusal.”

I wryly smiled which was answered by her clear laughter.

“Oh… See? You get it. Come and hop on. While we’re at it, I can ask you about my Mii-chan.” Auntie Yayoi then leaned to the side to open the lock of her passenger’s seat.

Rather than continue arguing with her, I surrendered and hopped in her car.

It’s my second time being alone like this with her. If last week she was filled with gloom, Auntie Yayoi was certainly lively today. She laughed, chuckled and was smiling all the time. The joy and energy I first spied on her when we were talking about that past of hers had already returned.

In this way, I got another free ride.

After telling her my destination, Auntie Yayoi almost clapped her hand. Perhaps she’s thinking that my going to the Boxing Gym was the reason why I was that capable.

Should I tell her that I’m having my part-time job there? Uh… Better not. For now.

I could already imagine how many questions she would throw at me if she finds out about me being a Boxing Instructor with a full house on my program.

After brushing that topic off, Auntie Yayoi’s talkativeness somehow emerged as the car became filled with chattering between us with the topic of our conversation centered around her adorable daughter, Mina.

Of course, with the drive towards my destination slowed down by the traffic during the weekend, it didn’t take long for us to run out of topics.

However, after a two-minute pause and when we got stuck at an intersection where it would take two minutes before the traffic light turned green for us, Auntie Yayoi dropped an unexpected question.

“Onoda-kun. Tell me honestly, you haven’t done it yet with my daughter, have you?”