Chapter 587: Three times

Like I planned, I sat in the passenger’s seat when I returned to the car. Furthermore, unlike the previous times, Hitomi remained in the car instead of waiting for me outside.

Fortunately, she immediately responded to me by unlocking the door when I knocked on her window.

The ride from here to my school would take at least 30 minutes if there’s no traffic. And considering that there’s still an hour before the actual closing of the school gate and the start of the first period, I still had time to at least pry some information about her.

As for Otoha, I already talked to her through the messenger and her grandfather only woke up for half an hour before going back to sleep earlier before dawn.

That’s why the girl chose to remain near her grandfather in case he woke up again. Furthermore, she already issued a leave of absence to their school, allowing her to skip for a few days.

Besides, as someone from a noble family, Otoha didn’t really need to attend high school anymore. She only chose to do so because of her own wish or... specifically, because of me.

Before her 2nd year in middle school, the year that I met her, Otoha attended an exclusive school in Kyoto for the children of former nobility. ‘Former’ because nobility has long been abolished in this country. Although Kaneko House or Hasegawa House still acted like it, they could just be considered as influential families in this era.

Nonetheless, they’re still too respected in the field they’re known for so abolished or not, their prestige remains.

In any case, in that exclusive school, all the students had an accelerated study to prepare them for the future of their Houses. By the time they finished grade school, they already finished the high school curriculum.

That’s why Otoha could be passionate about kendo.

And the reason she attended our middle school where I met her was still her grandfather.

Yesterday wasn’t the first time her grandfather collapsed. It already happened a few years back which led to her return to this city. The girl wanted to be near her grandfather. In this city where their family was rooted.

Perhaps if that didn’t happen to her grandfather, our paths wouldn’t cross. We would remain unknown to each other.

“Onoda-sama. If I may ask, is there a reason why you’re interested in me?”

After five minutes of driving, Hitomi broke the silence and pulled me out of my thoughts with that question.

Reason, huh? Thinking back, my interest in her had started even when my desire to steal someone’s sweetheart was still running rampant.

It’s an interest to someone without a boyfriend so I never truly entertained that thought nor made a move on her.

Only this time when Otoha returned to my life did I fully acknowledge that interest.

But despite acknowledging it, I still didn’t act upon it for the sole reason of my hands being full with my current targets.

However, yesterday changed all that. I got too curious about what would be her reaction towards me which ended up with her confession. And picking up from that, I also confessed.

Now, we’re here at this point. Despite those smiles she showed yesterday, she’s sounding me out.

“Haven’t you heard about me from Otoha? I don’t have any kind of criteria on who I will end up liking or being interested in. If there’s one then it’s your beauty. It’s kinda shallow, am I right? But that’s enough for me to act.” Taking my eyes off the road, I switched to watching her side view. “However, as you can see, before fully acting on it, I’m trying to know more about you. That’s the same for all of the girls that got entangled with me whether it is from the present or the past.”

Even with Saki, I tried using that approach. Unfortunately, that thing happened before actually learning about her. So, in that case, she’s the only one who I got entangled with without truly understanding her. I was only aware that she’s a great chance-taker.

Thankfully, I got to talk to her last Sunday which straightened up our current relationship.

Upon hearing my answer, Hitomi slowed down her car and eventually came to a full stop after steering it into a supermarket’s car park.

“It is indeed shallow, Onoda-sama.” She started as she pushed a button deepening the tint of the car windows.

Ah. No. That button just gave the same tinting effect to the inner side of the glass. Both the car windows and the windshields, front and rear.

As soon as that happened, the interior of the car darkened and only the lights on the car’s head unit became our source.

With this... I could guess that Hitomi wanted the privacy it gave us and perhaps, it’s about time for her to ease up from her role as Otoha’s loyal servant and converse with me as the woman named Mihara Hitomi.

Despite the lack of a better source of light, my eyes remained staring at her side, watching every move she made.

“... I was hoping for another answer or something you made up on the spot. But as expected, Onoda-sama is too honest to tell a lie.” Hitomi continued as she slowly lifted her body from the driver’s seat.

Upon seeing that, I instantly got the idea of what she intended to do... I slightly leaned sideways to wrap my arms around her waist, supporting her.

With her hands grasping my shoulder for support, Hitomi twisted her body, one of her legs passing above my thighs as she eventually settled on my lap, straddling me.

“Hitomi... This is a bold move even for you. I honestly thought you’re just going to talk to me without the identity of being Otoha’s servant.”

With my hands still holding her sides as I helped her settle herself in this position, I told her what’s in my mind.

“We’re of the same mind, Onoda—No. Ruki-sama.” She corrected herself. “However, I changed my mind after what you did earlier.”

Earlier? The kiss?

While saying that, Hitomi’s hands slowly slide from my shoulder up to my cheeks, raising my head to face her.

It’s still dark so apart from her shiny eyes, I could only make out the shape of her face. But with this close proximity with her, I could feel her squishy front pressing on my chest as well as smell her fresh fragrant breath.

“I see. I got bolder for doing that and you’re returning it to me with the same boldness.”

I might be off with that interpretation but that’s the first thing that entered my mind as I felt the temperature rising in the car despite the air conditioner still working.

“Not the same, Ruki-sama. This is at least three times the boldness you showed. I was taught to return everything three times as much. That’s how I've dealt with things ever since I started serving Ojou-sama.”

Uh... Who taught her that? Not that I hate this situation but... in the same context, she could be ruthless when dealing with things.

In any case, this was my intent, knowing more about her so... there’s only one thing I needed to do. Play along.