Published at 23rd of September 2024 2:04 pm

Chapter 2076: A standoff in front of her place

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Entering the subdivision where the Ichihara Compound was located wasn't really that hard.

I just had to give a call to Ichihara-san, asking her for the favor and I was good to go. Besides, it wasn't my first time coming into their area.

As soon as I passed that hurdle, I sent a message to Marika, confirming that she was still at the place she was currently staying.

Because I promised to pick her up, she told her two loyal guards about it and they

immediately voiced their opinions of thinking about it again.

With Marika already having decided to be with me regardless of her family and the Ichihara's reaction, she stood her ground.

According to her, Ichihara Jun once again showed up to take her to school but since she's not leaving her house, he could only wait outside.

And that's what I came to upon arriving at the vicinity.

A car, perhaps closer to a limousine, was parked in front of the house.

I wonder if that's his usual service since I never encountered him arriving at school. Nevertheless, it's blocking the way with Ichihara Jun standing right before the steps leading to the front door.

He's not in his uniform, of course. Given that his 'guardian' paid a visit to impose a voluntary one week of rest instead of taking the suspension that Hayashi-sensei was about to place on his head, he's only here to try and regain Marika's favor.

What I said to him the last time only went in one ear and left from the other. He still believed that he possessed a chance to turn it all around as long as he put in the effort.

It wasn't that long yet since Marika was the one always chasing after him and preventing him from flirting with other girls in school. But now, their situation has been reversed.

He's now here to prevent Marika from meeting me and regain his status as her fiance in the golden ringlet girl's mind.

Isn't he a clown?

Anyway, I totally ignored his presence or any other goons around him and walked confidently. Ichihara Jun noticed my approach and sneered. However, to his dismay, I didn't even give him a single glance and continued to the front door of Marika's place.

There stood one of the two guards whose expression was taut as though he never expected me to have this thick face to send an invisible slap to that heir of the Ichihara Family and bravely stand before him.

He's still a head taller than me so I raised my head before saying, "I apologize but can you inform Kujou-senpai of my arrival?"

To deflect any blame from the girl, I decided to defer in calling intimately. This way, all the hostility will fall on my head rather than the pitiful girl who was sent here as a chip.

"Kid. I'm not doing that. Go away and stop meddling with the young lady's business. Have we not warned you enough?"

The man gritted his teeth. Among the two of her guards, this guy was probably the one who truly believed that I could only make matters worse for Marika. That's why he wouldn't give me a pass.

The other guy was probably inside, convincing Marika to either accept Jun's offer or let them send her to school like they always do.

Too bad though. Marika already made her decision.

But let's see... I'm aware of their loyalty and their intention to protect Marika.

That's why, in order to convince, forcing my way in isn't the right answer.

"Oi. Onoda. What the hell are you doing here? Didn't I tell you not to show up here again?"

And sure enough, the clown of an heir stepped forward to ridicule me. Unbeknownst to him, he's now giving me the opportunity to break through this situation.

I've already sent a message to Marika about my arrival but I told her not to take a step outside yet.

This way, I could make a convincing setup wherein it would be deemed better for her to come with me rather than Ichihara Jun.

"Oh? I thought there was a lamp post suddenly sprouting in front of her house, it turns out to be you, senpai. You look like a different person outside of your uniform."

"Huh?!" With shit for brains, he immediately took that as an insult. But well, he's not wrong anyway. I'm dissing him by emphasizing that he's unrecognizable outside of his uniform. Of course, I already expected a comeback from him. And that is...

"... Can't recognize me? Heh. That just shows how poor your insight is. You've never seen someone high in standing like me, have you?"

"High in standing? Oh please. In a year, you'll be shorter than me. Who do you think will be higher standing between us then?"

As I said that, I even put on a mocking expression causing those suit-wearing thugs to clench their fists as though they were ready to jump at me for insulting their master.

But I know. All of that is just for show.

I can even see the shadow of someone watching from the nearby Ichihara Compound gate. He's observing things unfold.

If that's not Ichihara Jun's father then... It must be Ichihara-san's husband and this guy's supposed guardian.

"You ignorant buffoon! Just admit it. You didn't understand what I said."

"Ah. I do understand it. That you think you're high and mighty just because of your Ichihara's name. What are you without that?"

Once again, the 'handsome' face of this notorious playboy seemingly experienced an

upheaval.

He looked like he had just taken a bite of an insect and he couldn't spit it out.

The mocking smile on my face arced further before I shook my head.

"Oh right. You don't have to answer that. It's obvious, after all. You're nothing without it."

"That's my privilege to be born into this family!" He furiously roared, his voice even leaving

an echo.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw that observing shadow facepalmed.

I was waiting for him to make a move but I guess this display of Ichihara Jun was simply too disappointing for him to intervene.

"You don't know what a privilege is, do you? This is why a commoner like you won't be able to reach out to someone like Marika. You two are far apart in standing in this society!"

He continued as though he was trying to preach that he's a high-class citizen while I am not. But he had no idea that all around him, even those who were supposed to be on his side were shaking their heads in disappointment.

Maybe this could still be acceptable in the older era. Maybe before the current Reiwa Period. But now? It's just too demeaning that it'll be like a stain in their name to mock someone of a lower standing when he's supposed to act magnanimous to show the difference in class.

Granted, I offended him for approaching Marika. But who's to blame for that? Not me, of course. It's his serious neglect that lets the woman find out that her true worth isn't just a damsel who chased after someone who doesn't care about her.

"Pfft. You're funny, senpai. You can be a stand-up comedian. Want me to refer you to a

comedy bar?"

"Y-you!"

As though he couldn't take my remarks anymore, Ichihara Jun took two wide strides, closing

in the distance between us.

And possibly forgetting his previous attempt to swing his against me, his fist flew widely.

I didn't even blink at it and just caught his fist and crushed it with my grip.

In almost an instant, his stupefied face stared at me in fright. "U-unhand me."

This guy. Didn't he also say something like this back then?

"Or what?"

"Or you'll regret it!"

"Ah... Sorry. I'm not the type to regret things I've already set my mind to do. So senpai, go

back to where you came from. I still have a lovely girl to escort."

As soon as I finished saying that, I exerted a bit of my strength, pushing him back through his

fist.

He almost tumbled down because of the high steps and he was only caught by the driver of the

car.

Following that, I turned around to see the golden figure of the girl I hadn't seen for two days.

"Junior-kun. Have you come to pick me up?" Innocently as though what had just transpired eluded her, the whites of her teeth flashed blindingly as a gorgeous smile peeked from her face. A second later, with her school bag elegantly held in front of her, she took careful strides to arrive in front of me.

She only gave the others watching this unfold a cursory glance before taking one of my arms and embracing it to stand closely by my side,

"You looked dashing right there, Ruki-kun. I'm about to blush." She whispered exclusively for my ears to hear.

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