Stealing Spree

Chapter 2789: Crowded House

On the trip home, I ended up riding Ichihara-san’s car. How did that happen?

It’s because Kagura-san insisted that I not ride in the same car as Marika.

Well, I could’ve also ridden in the same car as her and annoyed her to the fullest, but I got talked into riding in their car instead by Koharu-chan’s pleading. Ichihara-san also chimed in, saying it would be better to have me guide her on the road than simply following Ayu’s car in case we run into some kind of traffic.

I sat on the passenger’s seat with Ichihara-san on the wheel, just like that time when she asked me for that favor back then.

There was a hint of awkwardness at first, but it quickly faded away by the girl sitting at the back.

Koharu-chan was such a bundle of joy as she bounced on her seat with barely contained excitement. She was even humming one of Yue’s popular songs while pumping her fists in the air every time she spotted something interesting outside the window.

“Sensei! Look, that dog looks like the one I showed you before! The one that kept chasing its tail!”

I glanced out and chuckled. “Mhm. Energetic little guy. Just like you when you nail a perfect jab-cross combo.”

Koharu beamed, kicking her legs happily. Ichihara-san caught my eye in the rearview mirror, her lips curving in that refined, amused smile.

“You’re good with children, Onoda-sensei,” She said softly, voice carrying that velvet warmth. “Koharu hasn’t stopped talking about her ‘cool sensei’ since the first lesson.”

“Mom! Don’t embarrass me!” Koharu squeaked from the back, “And sensei isn’t that much older than me! Wait a few years, I’ll ask him to date me too!”

... How should I react to that? I mean, she’s not wrong. She’s in the same year as Mei-chan. But before becoming adults, a year or two difference is like a chasm. Wide enough to make any advance feel wrong. Especially when the girl in question was still this bundle of innocent energy, punching the air and humming off-key like the world was her personal ring.

But who am I to say that when I already have Ria, Sumire, and Umi?

I turned in my seat to look back at her, keeping my tone light and teasing. “Koharu-chan, you’re gonna have to get in line. There’s already a long one forming.”

Koharu puffed out her cheeks in that adorable pout she probably inherited from her mom. “Hmph! I’ll train harder then! I’ll be the strongest in line! Sensei will pick me first!”

Ichihara-san let out a soft, elegant laugh, “Koharu, darling, Onoda-sensei is... quite popular already. You might have competition you’re not ready for.”

Koharu tilted her head, blinking those big, curious eyes. “Competition? Like other girls who want to date Sensei? That’s fine! I’ll just punch them out of the way! Even if it’s Marika-nee or Sena-nee.”

This girl. She was too pure for her own good.

“No punching anyone, Koharu-chan, except your cousin, remember?”

“Oh! I know, sensei! I’ll knock him out cold when I finish our training!”

She giggled in satisfaction as she looked like she was already imagining that scenario.

Thanks to that, the topic diverted from the dangerous territory of Koharu-chan’s innocent crush declarations. Ichihara-san steered the conversation smoothly toward safer waters, asking about my part-time schedule, how the new batch of students looked, and whether I planned to expand to other courses in the future and not just teach the basics.

Well, it depends on whether I’ll get that license to become a real instructor, right? I still have that modeling gig hanging on my neck, both from Yua’s agency and the bet I had with Juri.

One thing I want to cover soon is probably learning how to drive and getting a license. Be it a car or just a scooter.

Anyway, Koharu kept chiming in with enthusiastic commentary about her own progress, flexing her tiny biceps in the backseat like she was already a pro boxer.

By the time we pulled into our driveway, the night sky was already by countless stars.

I already saw Shio and Ryouko-san’s car parked inside our yard. As to how they managed to fit that in, I had no idea but they’re quick to come, huh?

And here I thought I could wait for them outside.

I had Ichihara-san park just outside. Our street was pretty desolate anyway. Ayu had already parked her car a bit forward, just before blocking Aunt Akemi’s driveway. Akane probably told her that it’s fine to park there.

As for the black car driven by Marika’s guard, they stopped outside our street. They’re just there to wait, after all.

"Thank you for the ride guidance, Onoda-sensei. Your home is lovely." Ichihara-san said as she turned the engine off.

"Sensei! Is this where you live? It’s big! Do you have a punching bag in the yard?" Koharu excitedly asked as she hastily unbuckled her seatbelt to jump out of the car.

I stepped out of the car and opened the door for her.

"No punching bag in the yard, but there’s one in the mini-gym. You’ll see it soon enough."

Koharu-chan’s eyes went wide in delight. She grabbed my hand the second her feet hit the ground and tugged me toward the front door as though this wasn’t her first time coming here.

Ichihara-san followed at a more graceful pace as she waited for the others.

Marika and Sena immediately caught up behind us while Kagura-san couldn’t help but glance around the neighborhood before focusing on our humble house as if trying to assess our wealth.

Well, I didn’t mind that. Let her assess everything with her eyes. The most important thing here is that we finally arrived.

Upon approaching the front door, it flew open before I could even reach for the handle.

Akane stood there in her apron, golden hair tied back in a loose ponytail with a radiant smile lighting up her whole face.

Behind her, Nao was also in her apron with traces of cream on it. She’s probably making desserts. Then, there was the goofball Hanabi waving enthusiastically.

Azusa was nowhere to be found but she’s probably still in the living room, playing with Minoru.

As for Shio, Ryouko-san, Orimura-sensei and Miwa-nee, I could already hear the clinking of glasses and the prickly smell of alcohol.

They had started drinking, huh? Was that wine? Or something stronger? Honestly, I had no idea.

Akane greeted us and welcomed Koharu and Ichihara-san enthusiastically.

Koharu-chan froze for a moment, staring up at Akane with wide eyes like she’d remember seeing her during that 1st week in the boxing gym. Ichihara-san’s lips curved in quiet amusement. She also remembered Akane as the one who wasn’t embarrassed at all in trying to cling to me back then.

Anyway, Akane seemed to hold back from kissing me and just settled for grabbing my arm before Nao could take her place.

But then, Sena and Marika stepped through the front door and raced over, squeezing between us.

With how chaotic this was becoming, I had to step up and guide everyone into the living room while answering to the whims of my girls.

Luckily, Koharu was more focused on finding out where the mini-gym was while Ichihara-san just silently followed.

The only problem was Kagura-san, who was already frowning at the number of girls that appeared but well, she could only swallow her words and continue inside.

The moment we all stepped into the living room, the chatter from the dining area spilled over like warm light. Miwa-nee’s laughter rang out first. She already sounded tipsy. I could tell. Her voice was becoming louder. She’s quite chatty like this whenever she drinks.

Then there’s Shio, who’s grumbling in a different language as if she’s still teaching in the classroom. Ryouko-san was just silent as always, while Orimura-sensei sounded more like she was about to complain about me again.

And somehow, Aunt Akemi was with them.

I guess she would be. Their house was just next door. Either Akane or Miwa-nee called her.

When they saw us, silence immediately ensued. Miwa-nee stood up and put on her amiable smile, welcoming Ichihara-san and Kagura-san.

Miwa-nee’s voice carried a warm, slightly tipsy tone as she stood up from the dining table, smoothing down her casual blouse with one hand while placing down a half-empty glass of red wine on the table.

“Welcome,” Miwa-nee said with a bright and genuine smile as she gestured toward the two new guests. “Ichihara-san, Kagura-san, is it? Please come in. Make yourselves at home. We’ve got plenty of food and drinks. Though I warn you, the wine’s strong tonight.”

Ichihara-san returned the smile and bowed slightly as she stepped further in. “Thank you for having us. Your home is lovely... warm and lively. It feels... welcoming. However, I may have to turn you down in drinking.”

Kagura-san, on the other hand, stood stiffly, her sharp eyes scanning the room like she was cataloguing every detail.

Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she nodded curtly. “Thank you for the hospitality. Though I wasn’t exactly planning on staying for dinner.”

Miwa-nee just laughed, waving off the tension like it was smoke. “Nonsense. You’re here now, and we’ve got more than enough. Ruki doesn’t bring just anyone home, you know? Consider it an honor.”

Is it really an honor? I don’t know. In any case, I’ll leave her to them. Handling her should be easy with their current lineup.