Thinking about it, Marika couldve been the one watching us ever since I noticed it. She only showed herself when Koharu asked for a break.

If thats the case then shes more than just reckless... The girl was becoming a deviant who would stop at nothing if there was a chance to see me.

But then again, the girl could also be telling the truth. Because shes worried about me, she braved the risk to check on my state.

Since I came here by car, I had yet to confirm the exact place where she was currently staying. But considering how quickly she appeared here when she was supposed to be under Senas care, she mustve returned not long after we arrived here.

I hadnt checked my messages, after all.

That aside, with this situation at hand, I decided to come outside to check on that girl as well and send her back before Ichihara-san noticed. Also, I could use the chance to ascertain whether someone was monitoring this house from somewhere.

After signaling to the girl to go back into hiding in the shade of the night, I stood up and left the room.

I instantly found the mother and daughter at the far side of this wide house where their kitchen was located. The two of them were sitting across from each other by the dining table, seemingly locked into a conversation. There was a pitcher of orange juice in the middle of the table and Koharu was sipping on her glass filled with it from time to time.

Compared to how strange their exit was earlier, I couldnt sense any tension between the two. In fact, Ichihara-sans countenance was the same as when I first saw her. Her motherly gaze focused solely on her daughter. If Im not mistaken, compared to the riches brought about by the Ichihara Family, her daughter is her most important treasure. No amount of money can make her abandon her.

Hence, she probably wouldnt ever show her weak side to her daughter. Even if things were already rough, shed always smile for the girl.

Koharu, on the other hand, was definitely not that ignorant of her mothers woes. Yet, shes most likely not confident enough to lift her worry.

At least, thats the conclusion I arrived at. I could still be wrong. I hadnt even spent a day with them. I only surmised that by factoring in the conversation I had with Ichihara-san and observing them ever since we arrived here.

I still have no intention to get involved though. I could only listen and offer my thoughts based on the flow of our conversation.

With Ichihara-san opting to just step away earlier, it showed that shes also holding off on truly relying on someone she had just met at the gym.

It could be that among all those she knows, I was the only one she became comfortable enough to share her troubles with.

Anyway, since they could return to the room at any moment, I approached their location to inform them that Id be going out to get some fresh air while we were on break.

Although they both appeared a little startled when they noticed me approaching, they both nodded.

Yeah. They did that in sync. With their similar reaction, no one would mistake them for being a mother and daughter.

Koharu was even about to stand up to join me but realizing that we were on break, she switched to just sending me off with a candid smile.

As soon as I stepped outside, I first walked outside their yard to check the surrounding area. I could see the tranquil lamp posts shining the driveway from the entrance towards the main mansion of the Ichihara Family. However, apart from that one guy in charge of manning the guard house, no one was around.

It could be that whoevers monitoring us hid completely or theres really none at all and the feeling of being monitored earlier came from Marika herself.

Nonetheless, its always better to be cautious like this.

Turning around, I walked back inside and changed direction to the garden.

Theres only a small path there and since the flowers that Ichihara-san have been growing are still blooming, I had to carefully navigate there so that I wouldnt trample it on my feet.

Senpai, here.

With her hair and body build unique enough to be recognizable on any occasion, spotting the silhouette of Marika in the dark wasnt that hard.

Having only the faint moonlight illuminating her figure, her golden ringlet was literally shining there.

The same as me, she carefully tiptoed on the garden to reach my position. I stretched my arms towards her just in case she tripped. However, the girl interpreted that differently. With a pleasant grin on her lips, she didnt stop her steps even after arriving within my arms length. The ringlet girl grabbed my wrists and spread them wider for her body to slip in between. Then once she zeroed our distance, she wrapped her arms around me while her face unhesitatingly nestled on my chest.

Junior-kun...

Somehow, having been embraced by her, I could feel her body gradually warming up along with the coldness that seeped in through her clothes. No doubt, shes probably outside here longer than I thought.

With that thought rising in my mind, my arms naturally wrapped around her just the same, caressing her hair and back.

I then glanced down to meet her gaze. While smilingly shaking my head, I scolded her, Senpai, youre being reckless, you know? What are you doing here instead of knocking at their door? I doubt Ichihara-san will refuse to let you in.

Uh... She knows Im Jun-kuns... Itll be bad if I showed more interest in you in front of her.

Well, shes not wrong. Ichihara-san was even surprised to see her at the gym earlier. Good thing Sena was also there or else, shed probably start having more ideas than the ones she already has.

Havent you done that already?

Have I?

Yeah. I remember. Arent I the reason you showed up at the gym?

Oh... But at that time... were still not...

Although shes answering in fragmented sentences, its already understandable. At that time, Im nothing more than a junior she found interesting after our encounter at the convenience store. She was still fully devoted to Ichihara Jun back then.

Hmm. Alright. Thats a valid answer. But senpai, youre still being reckless. Did you intend to just watch us from outside? If Koharu-chan didnt leave the room, would you show yourself to me?

Uhm... I suppose I wouldnt. I had no intention to trouble you.

Yet here we are...

Ugh... My apologies, Junior-kun. With the way she lowered her head, shes sincerely reflecting on that mistake.

Well, dont be. I also decided to come out here and meet with you. Im just surprised that no ones around to follow you. Noticing how the air around her started becoming gloomy, I moved my hand to her cheek and caressed it. At the same time, I put on a guilty smile, owning up to my decision to also come out to meet her here despite the risk.

I used the backdoor to come here, Marika answered with a proud grin and a giggle. Perhaps if shes not hugging me, shed also innocently try to do a peace sign or cover her mouth with her backhand like the ojou-sama she is.

In any case, her gloom sure got instantly dispersed by that.

If theres a backdoor that would lead to the place where she was staying, its safe to say that its nearby.

I see... Still, thats too reckless, senpai. What if someone sees you here?

Hide me?

This girl... As if that was easy.

I dont know if shes just acting dumb or shes really an airhead but Marika tilted her head innocently. Due to that, I couldnt fight the urge to pinch her cheek, resulting in her grimacing slightly. Nonetheless, she still smiled at the end. And that means she knows what shes doing.

After thinking for a moment, I continued, Anyway, now that youre here... I cant just send you off. Lets go in.

Eh? Wait. I told you why...

Itll be fine. Trust me.

Although I said that, I would be banking on the fact that Koharu was on pretty good terms with her. As for Ichihara-san... Well, knowing how shes trying to maintain her image, she also wouldnt turn her away.

But is this a better choice? Maybe not. I am fully aware that this is just the extension of my whim to accommodate this girl...

O-okay... But Junior-kun, can I...? Marika tugged at my sleeve and looked up with her wide, round eyes glittering through the moonlight. Just seeing the expression written on her face, I could already understand what she was asking for...

I pressed my thumb on her lips and said, Senpai, dont tell me youre getting addicted to my kiss?

Sure enough, that made her flustered right away before muttering in a low voice. Thats not it! I just... You promised.

My promise yesterday, huh? She cant wait for tomorrow.

Somehow, you keep on changing my opinion of you, senpai. Youre kept on switching between innocent, nave, cunning, and bold. Tell me, which is the real you?

Uhm. All of it. Im also certain of one thing... Junior-kun, youre very special to me. Upon saying that, the girl moved her arms to my nape and tiptoed to reach my lips. This time, instead of waiting for me to initiate it, Marika made the first move.

Alright. This proved that shes really a mix of all those traits.