Stealing Spree

We moved from the hallway to their office on the top floor of the hotel to avoid the eyes of the employees and guests. Although it still had the scent of us from earlier, it was more private here. Their mother could interrogate us without causing a scene.

Ah. No. It's to save my girls' reputation. No matter what. Even if they wouldn't mind announcing to their whole staff about our relationship, it's not yet the time to let it hit their reputation. The world still follows the societal norm, after all. For now, it's enough to be vague about it and only give the confirmation to their close relatives.

For example, their parents.

Their mother sat down behind Maaya's office desk, taking her seat of authority as she eyed with a mix of skepticism and concern.

The Itou Sisters and I sat across from her, our hands joined again in a silent show of unity that their mother found an eyesore.

"Maaya, you, of all people, should know better," Their mother began, her tone obviously laced with disapproval. "And Hime... I never thought I'd see you act so... impulsively. You kept to yourself all these years and the next thing I know you're involved with a boy who's playing you both."

Maaya's grip on my hand tightened, her knuckles turning white, but she didn't let go. Himeko's eyes met mine, filled with a silent plea for support.

As I was the one who put them in this position, I naturally had to stand up for them.

"Auntie, I understand your concern. But, let me clarify, I'm not playing with them. We all have mutual feelings for each other," I said firmly, keeping my voice steady and calm.

"I'm not talking to you. You didn't answer earlier and now you're interjecting like it's nothing!" Maaya's mother snapped at me, dismissing my attempt to defend our relationship.

Will that set me back? Obviously not. I've had worse glares than hers and I passed through them unscathed.

"Then let me apologize for that. However... I believe you should hear this from me first. Maaya is a hardworking and diligent woman. All this time she had this hotel in her heart. Did you know how stressed she was in keeping up with your expectations?"

I paused for a moment and looked at Maaya whose hand on mine tightened its grip as she put on a relieved smile.

After that, I continued while looking at Himeko.

"And Himeko... Just because she's not socially adept doesn't mean you can just toss her away. Have you heard about her thoughts before? She knew the responsibility of being the oldest but your husband, their father, shoved it to her little sister first before she could even breathe. And then you tossed her away, separating the sisters as if they didn't grow up together."

I made sure to keep my voice to a respectful level while listing their misdeeds toward their children. "And now, when she's finally found a way to contribute, when she's found something that makes her happy, you're going to take it away from her again?"

Maaya's mother took a sharp breath, visibly uncomfortable with the truth being laid out so bluntly.

"Mother, we're happy," Himeko spoke up, her voice now sharper and clearer, "We both are. And Ruki gave me the push on my back to be of help to Ya-chan. She had shouldered so much for me, it's my turn to help her lift the burden. I won't try to take away the title of heiress from her but Ruki and I will continue supporting her."

"Nee-sama..." Maaya was more than moved by her older sister's words.

She had always felt conflicted about everything that happened in the past. Even if I helped them reconnect and now they started working together, there's still a part of her who's probably feeling bad for taking what's supposed to be for her older sister. However, she didn't know that for Himeko, she firmly believed that the position wasn't for her. It's Maaya who has the ability and all she wants is to support the little sister who sacrificed herself for her.

Maaya's mother was silent for a moment, processing the words. Then she sighed, we're not talking about what you feel, it's about your decisions to be involved with the same boy. This is not normal. You will be the talk of the town, the laughing stock! Believe me, I care for you both but this...this is not how a proper lady should behave."

"If that's mother's concern then you need not worry. Ruki and us... we'll change the way the world thinks about love. We're not doing this to be rebels or to cause a scandal. We're doing this because we truly care for each other and we want to be happy." Maaya's voice was filled with a determination that seemed to resonate through the room. Even I could feel my chest throbbing from her passion.

Himeko nodded her head in agreement, her eyes never leaving mine. "Ruki has been nothing but supportive and understanding. He's helped us realize that love doesn't have to fit into a neat little box." ʀἈɴ∅ΒÊṢ

"Ugh..." Their mother put a hand on her forehead as she groaned. Obviously, it's a tough pill to swallow. "You boy... What's your name again?"

"Onoda Ruki," I replied calmly, not missing a beat. "If Auntie is going to ask me again what I fed them... I'm also not sure. You see, they made me fall for them more so than I did to them."

Maaya's mother glared at me, not amused by my quip. But before she could retort, I added, "What I did was just help them realize their feelings and give them the strength to accept it. They're both in a ditch. One was afraid to take a step out and face the music while the other was enduring the storm all by herself. And maybe... my presence gave a light to their path. That's all there is to it."

Her expression softened, and she took a moment to look at her daughters, really look at them. The love in their eyes, the hope in their voices. It was clear she hadn't seen this side of them in a long time. They weren't the perfect little girls she had molded them into anymore, they were grown women with their own desires and ambitions. And they were standing up to her.

"Are you sure you're not with them to leech off from their status? Or maybe to manipulate them for some benefit?" The question was cold and calculated, but I knew it came from a place of concern.

"I'm not after their fortune or status, Auntie," I replied with a genuine smile, squeezing their hands for reassurance. "I'm with them because they make me happy, and I want to support their growth, both personally and for the hotel that they will eventually manage on their own."

I know. She'll still think of being a leech whether or not I help them with the hotel. If I helped them, she would see it as me leveraging our relationship to get a good position without needing to work hard for it. If I didn't help them, she'd say I'm a moocher who doesn't do anything productive.

What a dilemma.

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