Chapter 554: Urgent Matter

After our time inside the old music room, Miho accompanied me in sneaking out of their school.

Ah. No... We didn’t really sneak out. The two of us walked confidently out of the school gate while holding each other’s hand.

It became the time for Miho to show that she’s already taken. I was wearing their uniform and had a little disguise with Miho’s slight preference. She also wrapped me up with a scarf she prepared just for today, hiding almost half of my face.

Amidst the stares and whispers of the students we would pass by, Miho was just happily hugging my arm until we reached the point where we had to separate. It’s a deserted alley so that no one would suspect my identity. Although some might find it weird that she’s going back alone, none of them would be meddlesome enough to ask her about where the guy, who was just with her, went.

“See you this Saturday, Miho.” I kissed her once as I returned the scarf to her, covering her neck with it.

“Mhm... Take care, Ruki.”

Flashing her most beautiful smile, Miho then sniffed the scarf on her neck. Surely, that’s also one of her reasons, to get my scent there. Seeing how adorable she was, I pulled her in another passionate kiss before seeing her off.

Since she’s one of my students at the gym, we’ll see each other again this Saturday for the next lesson. By then, we could spend more time with each other again.

After changing back to my uniform and combing my hair back to how Akane did it, I resumed my steps towards the station.

However, before I reached it, I received a message and a certain direction to follow.

Upon seeing who sent it and the content of the message, I immediately dropped my plan to go to school early. Messaging Aya, Satsuki, Nami, Hina, Saki and Shio that it’s possible that I might arrive to school late because of an urgent matter.

As I followed the direction included in the message, part walking, part running and with a sense of urgency, it led me to the same place where I met Mizuki last week.

However, instead of going to the same bakery where I met her or seeing the girl waiting for me there, I saw the familiar car parked on the other side of the road and the familiar figure of Mihara-san, Otoha’s chauffeur, standing outside it as if waiting for my arrival.

Even from afar, it was apparent how Mihara-san was slightly shaking, the same sense of urgency filling her eyes.

“Onoda-sama, please.”

Without waiting for me to say something, as soon as she saw me from a distance, Mihara-san already pulled open the door to the back seat of the car, gesturing me to enter.

Being aware of the reason, I also didn’t waste the time. I hurriedly entered it and waited for Mihara-san to return inside.

And as I expected, I was the only passenger. Otoha wasn't in the car.

The message that I received was from Otoha herself, asking me if I could be there with her...

“Mihara-san, how bad is it?”

“... Kaneko Hirokage-sama is currently in the ICU. Before I left the hospital, he was still being examined by the doctors. We might be overreacting but Ojou-sama sent me to pick you up. I believe she already told you what exactly happened.”

That’s right. According to Otoha’s message, her grandfather who had just returned from an overseas trip collapsed earlier this dawn. With the Kaneko family’s personal doctor suggesting to bring him to the hospital, the whole Kaneko House had been busy all this time.

And that included Otoha who instantly rushed to the hospital to see her grandfather.

Although it’s not as urgent as it sounded... Otoha’s freedom of movement depended on her grandfather. With both of her parents against that freedom... her life would surely be thoroughly restricted if the Kaneko House fell under their control.

“I see. Otoha, how is she...? And her parents...”

“Ojou-sama is fine. However, with Hirokage-sama in that condition... Ojou-sama’s father, Hiroyuki-sama will assume the position of the Head. I’m afraid they will push that matter to the forefront again.”

That matter. It’s naturally her engagement to that ex of hers. The idiot. For the sake of building connections, they would sacrifice their daughter...

Haa... Just thinking about it was already boiling my blood over her parents. But as I am now... I had no power to change their decision if things reached that point.

“I understand. Thank you for informing me.” I sat back down and tried to relax myself at the back as Mihara-san started the car, driving towards the most prominent hospital in the city.

“Onoda-sama. I will not ask for you to escape with Ojou-sama. But can you stay with her for a few days?”

“That’s what I planned to do. I can’t... leave her alone in that house. Let’s just hope her grandfather wakes up soon.”

“Mhm... That’s... for the best.”

Mihara-san looked through the rearview mirror, perhaps looking at the determination in my eyes.

Although it wouldn’t happen quickly, Otoha needed someone to accompany her in these trying times.

This might look like we’re trying to magnify the problem, but it’s better to be ready than move too late.

If she couldn’t go to school... I’ll bring her home and hide her there...

I had no idea if the Kaneko House knew about my existence in Otoha’s life or to scale it down, if her parents knew. Knowing their influence, it might not be wrong to assume that her grandfather was already aware of my relationship with Otoha but not her parents. Given how strict those two... Otoha was surely keeping her distance from them.

After around fifteen minutes of driving, the towering structure of the hospital could now be seen from the car windows.

And a few minutes more, I instantly noticed the many black cars lined up in the parking space in front of the hospital. Moreover, men in black suits were scattered all around the place.

Instead of parking there, Mihara-san drove her car to the back of the hospital, towards another three-story parking garage.

“We’ll go through the back door, Onoda-sama. Although most of them are men of Hirokage-sama, we cannot let you be seen by them.”

“I understand. Please lead the way.”

Like those men in black suits, Mihara-san had the same attire. Just that, what she’s wearing was more like a butler suit than anything.

As I followed behind her, I straightened my back and prepared myself to see Otoha.

That’s her grandfather, aside from wanting to see me and be there with her, the girl was definitely worried about him. That’s why... I had to be the strength for her.