Chapter 99 - Hiiragi’s Mother — Part 2 (1/2)

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.

“Haruka-ojousama, it has been a while.”

“Yoshinaga-san. 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, Yoshinaga-san, 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 Haruka-ojousama 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 Haruka-ojousama, 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, Yoshinaga-san, 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.

Yoshinaga-san 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.

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, Haruka-san 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, Haruka-san?”

“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, “Haruka-ojousama, 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?”

“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.