After I Saved Kirigiri San, a Cool, Sharp-tongued Gyaru, From a Pick-up, She Started Coming Into My House the Next Day
Worried that she was headed to her part-time job, I headed to the crepe shop once to check if Misuzu had arrived.
“Ain’t ya Kirigiri chan’s boyfriend ! What’s up? Yer sweating like crazy, want some…..water?”
But there was only a strong-looking owner in the kitchen car.
He popped his head out of the food truck and looked at me worriedly.
“U-um…..have you seen Kirigiri Misuzu?”
I asked, managing to calm my rough breathing.
I don’t have time to clear up any misunderstandings about me being Misuzu’s boyfriend right now.
“If it’s Kirigiri chan, she’s off today.”
“O-off?”
“Yeah. She called me earlier and said she was feeling unwell and would be taking the day off. Her voice sounded weak, so I wonder if something happened…”
If what the old man said was true, Misuzu was surely at home right now.
“Minamizawa chan has an urgent matter to attend to and is also taking the day off. I’m afraid today’s sales will be terrible…what should I do?”
The strong-looking old man’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. But although I’m concerned about the whereabouts of Chinatsu, Misuzu is my top priority right now.
“Thank you very much ! T-that’s it for me then !”
“Oh ! Say hello to Kirigiri chan for me !”
I ran away from the old man. My mouth is dehydrated, and even though it’s early spring, my whole body is burning hot with sweat. My legs are already heavy like lead, and every step I take causes me extreme pain.
I have never run like this before in my life. At times like this, I regret that I should have exercised more.
But now, every second counts. I’m the only one who can save Misuzu—-.
◆ ◆ ◆
The house Mika san told me about was a 15-minute walk from my house. It was not so close but not so far, which was a bit disconcerting, but it seemed to show the distance between my heart and Misuzu’s. The house was an ordinary one.
The windows were covered with curtains so that I could not see inside at all.
I saw that the name “Kirigiri” was written on the nameplate, and I rang the chime with all my might.
My heart beats fast, whether from nerves or because I have run a lot. I don’t even have time to catch my breath now. I couldn’t calm down thinking that Misuzu was feeling lonely even at this moment, at this time.
However, I was suspicious that no one appeared to greet the visitor, so I fearfully put my hand on the front door.
“Whata useless woman. Didn’t I tell you to bring me a bottle of booze?”
Husky voice. It was a very unpleasant tone that sent chills down my spine when I heard it.
I had a bad premonition, and when I opened the door, I found Misuzu hanging down and spilling tears.
“Misuzu !”
I ran to Misuzu.
I supported her shoulder and confirmed that she was safe. It seemed that she was not injured.
“Misuzu, are you all right?”
“Why are you here?”
Her body was shaking badly, and her usual cool face was crumpled with tears.
“I came to pick you up.”
Misuzu clutched at me with tears streaming down her face.
In front of me, Fumio sighed loudly and glared at me sharply when he saw me.
“You again, didn’t you learn that clingy men are hated?”
“I did learn that. But I don’t need you to tell me that.”
I replied sharply.
“You cocky little brat.”
Fumio spat at me, as if he didn’t like me because I was younger than him.
He was a different person from the one I had met in front of the hospital. Perhaps, as Mika san and Misuzu had said, he had a personality that cared about appearances.
“What did you do to Misuzu?”
“What did I do to her? I just gave her a warning as a parent.
She cooks late, tastes bad, and at the end of the day, she’s a useless girl who can’t even buy alcohol ! I wonder who she is like～”
That remark was so cold that it was hard to believe that it came from her father’s mouth. Fumio did not think of Misuzu as if she were his daughter.
He seemed to treat her like a slave. I couldn’t forgive him for that.
“And also a punishment for being disrespectful to her new mother.”
“You are an irredeemable scum.”
I said in exasperation.
“Whatever you say. This is the path Misuzu has chosen. You have no right to interfere with it, do you? I can call the police right now. Besides, you’re trespassing.”
“What you did was just threatening ! To hell with her choice ! Besides, threats don’t work on me.
You’re the one being backed into a corner !”
I was angry from the bottom of my heart. I couldn’t forgive him for not only driving Mika san to that point, but also for trying to take away even Misuzu’s smile.
I wanted to beat him up once, but that would not solve the problem.
“Did you hurt Mika san like that?”
“Hurt her? That’s a terrible way of saying it. I was just trying to educate her. Just a little too much.”
Fumio said with a wry smile on his face.
This guy is someone who shouldn’t be in this world anymore. I took out my smartphone.
“Are you gonna call the police or something?”
“Of course not.”
“?”
“I recorded everything you just said !”
“What?”
Before entering this house, I had turned on the recording on my phone in advance.
In order to free Misuzu and Mika san from this guy, we need to find out the evidence of his domestic violence.
Fumio has a false mask of being a serious and sociable father in the neighborhood. So even if I tried to gather evidence from the people around, no one would believe me.
That is why I have been waiting for him to confess himself. If he turns this evidence over to the police, they will not remain silent.
“You little bastard…..such a pain in the ass…..”
Apparently, he had gotten the upper hand with a kid and slipped up. It’s a nice feeling.
“Misuzu…..take his phone away from him right now !”
Fumio spoke in a gentle tone, but his voice hinted at a dark emotion.
“Kinoshita…….”
“Don’t worry. I’m here for you. So you can say everything you’re thinking.”
I smiled gently so as not to make Misuzu feel uneasy.
Perhaps reassured by her voice, Misuzu nodded her head and smiled tearfully.
“Can’t you listen to your father? Take that guy’s phone away from him ! Now ! Otherwise…..”
Fumio’s eyes change to a look of indignation. He slowly approaches us.
Misuzu slowly looked me in the eye and nodded, then opened her mouth strongly with her usual sharp eyes.
“You’re not my father ! You hurt my mother, and now you’re gonna hurt my precious Kinoshita !
That’s why I won’t follow your orders ! You piece of shit ! Go die !”
Hearing this, Fumio relaxed his body and let out a loud sigh.
“Misuzu…..you’re just like that woman, you defy me. And don’t say such dirty words to your father…..I guess I’ll have to hurt you once here……”
He comes at me with a fearless smile on his face.
“Misuzu, come here.”
I instantly realized when I saw Fumio’s creepy smile. I have a bad feeling.
I must not give in here. I swore to protect Misuzu.
“Misuzu ! Let’s go !”
“Eh ! Wait !”
I grabbed Misuzu’s hand tightly and ran outside.
I didn’t think a high school student could defeat a grown-up. So this is a strategic retreat.
First of all, protect this evidence and Misuzu.
“Damn it ! Wait !”
Just as I ran out of the house, a car stopped in front of me.
At times like this—-.
“Yuu kun ! And Misuzu chan ! Hurry up and get in !”
“Chinatsu !? How did you get here !?”
Chinatsu, who was sitting in the passenger seat of the cab, opened the window and came out.
She had a bright smile on her face in spite of this big event.
“I heard from Ren chan ! Yuu kun was acting strange today, so I thought something might’ve happened with Misuzu chan !”
She winked at me as she said this.
“Sorry ! Thanks !”
“Buy me a crepe later !”
“Yeah, ! I’ll buy you the whole kitchen car !”
“Yay ! Driver ! Straight ahead, please !”
After making sure that Misuzu and I got into the back seat of the car, Chinatsu gave instructions to the driver.
The driver looked bewildered by the sudden turn of events, but at Chinatsu’s words, he stepped on the gas pedal as hard as he could.
After getting into the car, I noticed that Misuzu and I were not wearing shoes. I guess it was proof that we were in a great hurry. My heart was still beating fast.
Misuzu, who was sitting next to me, was bursting into tears, probably because she had lost her nerve.
Without saying a word, I took Misuzu’s almost untied hand in mine and squeezed it again.
Maigetsu