Stealing Spree

Chapter 2278: Calm before the storm?

The lesson for today passed by smoothly, as usual. No one made trouble, and everyone listened to me. Of course, I did a few demonstrations here and there with the help of Ayu just to get the others enthusiastic about following me. I mean, they're already itching to hit something with their gloves. Those kids were impatient, as the rigorous exercise that I had them do was enough to make them invincible.

At least the mothers or those adults who enrolled in my program weren't complaining but they're the ones who needed a more hands-on approach, especially when correcting their stances. Although I could tell that some of them just wanted to get my attention because they all thought I was already a college student, I let it pass and diligently did my job as their instructor.

I got some bonuses the first time, I'd probably get more again as they were all satisfied with my work, right?

Anyway, that's that. Once the lessons were done, we once again took refuge inside Ayu's office, spending private time together.

While we talked about various topics - but mostly about boxing - Sena and Marika took their turns cuddling on my lap. As for Ayu, she tried her best to maintain level-headedness, staying still in her seat despite the two girls' blatant provocation of her to copy them.

In the end, I ended up moving behind her chair and embraced her from behind because why would I not want to pamper my girl? It's a subtle tease that I knew she enjoyed despite her feigned professionalism.

When the clock ticked to six in the evening, Marika and I left the gym. Ayu and Sena stayed there for extended training for the latter. Really, she's so hardworking for her career. That's why I would always support her and only give her reminders not to push herself. After all, moderation was also part of the routine to avoid overexertion that would cause more harm than good for her body.

Luckily, Ayu was there for her. She's more knowledgeable to me when it comes to training a boxer and she was more cautious because she suffered an injury. I'm confident that nothing bad will happen.

"Ruki-kun, can I join Koharu-chan again?" Marika asked in a whisper as we walked down the sidewalk leading to the car that would take her home.

Since she declared yesterday to give me a ride to the Ichihara Compound, her two guards didn't look as hostile to me as yesterday.

"This girl. Was the lesson I gave not enough?" I answered in a lighthearted tone.

Marika giggled and looked at me with those sparkling eyes of hers, "It's not about the lesson. It's about spending more time with you. I want to know more about you and what you do outside of school and the gym."

"If you say it like that, will I still have the heart to refuse you? In any case, I feel the same. It's an opportunity to spend more time with you. I'll take it anytime."

"Hehe. I'll also protect you from Jun-kun. I'll show him how good I punch now!"

"Girl, you're learning boxing not to hit someone. It's to protect yourself. But well, since you're going to hit Ichihara Jun, I'll give it a pass."

"Pfft. See, you're more devious than me Ruki-kun." Marika laughed as we climbed into the backseat of the car. Her guards took their places up front but I could instantly see their eyes locked on me as though reminding me not to do something funny with them around.

I ignored it though and focused on the girl snuggled to my side, enjoying all the comfort she could get from me.

Upon arriving in front of her house, we were greeted by the familiar sight of her front door where Ichihara Jun waited every day only to be stopped by her guards. His sincerity nowadays was just him trying to make amends after ignoring her for a long time.

Now, she couldn't care less about him anymore.

As the car pulled to a stop, Marika was reluctant to get off as she wanted to extend her time being cuddled by me.

Alas, with the sky already turned dark, we had to move quickly. She reluctantly went inside the house she was staying in while I walked over confidently to the gates of Ichihara Compound.

Of course, I could've used the backdoor from Marika's house to enter safely but what's the good in that, right? Especially when I already felt the eyes focusing on me.

They're probably the people of Ichihara-san's husband, taking tabs on my arrival today. As I walked closer, the gates swung open, revealing the well-lit path leading to the main house. The guard manning the gate nodded curtly at me, recognizing my face from the previous visits while remaining unbothered to the blatant sign that I was being monitored.

His job was only to stay in that guardhouse to open and close the gates after all.

I continued pretending not to notice the surveillance but they're not really being subtle about

it. I could already hear their whispers, relaying updates to their colleagues or maybe directly to Ichihara-san's husband himself.

There was no shadow of Ichihara Jun around so that meant he was told to stay put. He was pretty useless these past few days, after all.

Soon, I arrived at Ichihara-san's house, the unassuming residence split from the main residence was located further into this compound.

The light was turned on inside and the shadow of Koharu-chan peeking from the window could be seen.

I hadn't even stepped foot inside their yard and the door immediately swung open, revealing the girl already outfitted in her training attire, ready to start with our boxing lesson for today.

"Sensei! You're here!" As energetically as ever, the girl greeted me with a wide smile and sparkling eyes. The innocence beneath it was quite refreshing considering the tense atmosphere in the air.

I could tell that her father wasn't inside, and her mother was probably preparing dinner and maybe snacks for us when we took a break later.

"Yeah. Looks like I'm still not fired, huh?"

"Heh. I told you it'll be fine. My father listens to me."

I doubt it's because of her. But then again, he might really be a doting father, right? If my suspicion was proven correct and he was truly leading Ichihara Jun to his own doom, this girl would be the next heir of the Ichihara Family.

"I see. Then I owe you one with this."

"Yes, you do! Come on, sensei. It's cold out here. I'm itching to hit the bags."

"Girl. You're sounding more and more brusque. That's not good. You have to maintain your lady-like charm." I teased her gently as I followed her inside.

With an impish laugh, the girl declared, "Lady-like? I'd rather be aggressive than get bullied by that bastard of a cousin."

Ah. Right. She was also holding a grudge.

"Welcome, Onoda-sensei. Thank you for taking the time again today." Ichihara-san emerged from the kitchen and greeted me with a soft smile. Looking at her clear eyes, she's probably clueless about my continuously growing conflict with the Ichihara Family. She was either detached from the news outside or she simply didn't want to worry herself with it.

I returned her greeting and nodded, "The pleasure is all mine, Ichihara-san. I should be the

one thanking you for this opportunity."

"You're always so modest, Onoda-sensei."

Somehow, this exchange sounded a little stiff. In any case, it's not like I was expecting her to also fawn on me. For her, even her request back then was to protect Koharu from getting dragged into the Ichihara Family's feud.

After a few more exchanges that successfully relaxed the slightly strained atmosphere around us, I continued to the gym room alongside Koharu-chan.

The sense of being observed had already disappeared but I had this gut feeling that this was simply the calm before the storm.

I wonder... Are they really planning to deal with me after this session? Or will they just let me go without doing anything at all?

I wouldn't know the answer to that. For now, I should just do my job and focus on the girl's

lesson.

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