Stealing Spree

“He missed, mostly,” Tusbame added, as if that made it better. “The bottle shattered against the wall. I just got grazed by a piece of glass. I was hit flat by it. It didn’t cut into my skin. It’ll be fine. It doesn’t even hurt anymore.”

It wasn’t fine. No matter how much she wanted to downplay it, her father almost raised a hand against her. What if he didn’t miss? Would I have heard from her a few days ago? That possibility, even if it didn’t happen back then, could still occur in the future.

“Your dad did this,” I repeated, low enough that only she could hear. Not a question.

She nodded once, barely. “Un. But it was an accident. He never once raised his voice or hand at me, even when everything came crashing down. He’s really just turning to alcohol to drown his sorrows and maybe forget all the problems.”

“That day, I wasn’t at home at the time, so he eventually had to answer the door when some of the creditors arrived to hound us for payment again. It’s just bad timing on my return. I stepped into the living room at the same time as he threw that bottle at the wall. A shard caught me here.” She touched the bump with two careful fingers. “When he saw me hurt, he cried harder than I did. Kept saying sorry, that he didn’t mean it, that he’s useless, that I should’ve never come back with him…”

“He passed out on the couch right after. I cleaned the glass, bandaged myself, and sat on the balcony until sunrise. That’s when I finally opened my old phone… and saw your name still in the contacts. I stared at it for hours. Then I called. And I was so overjoyed that you answered despite me knowing that you might’ve forgotten about me already.”

I see. I got the picture now. That’s why she said what she said. She didn’t want me to misunderstand that her father was abusing her. It was just an accident caused by his drunken stupor and the pressure from the creditors.

Still, that doesn’t excuse the fact that she’s in danger just by staying there. Even if her father didn’t mean it, what if he does it again? And worse, what if he actually hits her next time?

I tightened my hold on her, pulling her attention back to me.

“Tsubame,” I said, keeping my voice steady even though every instinct was screaming to drag her out of that apartment right this second. “Accident or not, you must not stay there anymore. Not with him drinking like that. Not with those creditors showing up whenever they feel like it.”

She opened her mouth, probably to defend him again, but I cut her off gently.

“I’m not asking you to abandon him. I’m asking you to protect yourself first. You shouldn’t be the one cleaning up glass and dodging bottles because your dad’s having a breakdown.”

Her eyes welled up again, but she didn’t pull away.

“I… I know,” She whispered. “I know it’s bad. But he’s all I have left. If I leave, he’ll have no one. And those creditors… if I’m not there to answer the door, they’ll break it down eventually. They’ve threatened it.”

The thought of her standing between her drunk father and men who saw her as collateral made my blood run cold.

“Alright. I get it. I won’t force you to leave but like I said, I’m going to introduce you to someone. Also, I think I can ask my parents if they know someone looking for a job. Uh… what is he specialized in? Your father, I mean. What field was he in before everything went south?”

Tsubame blinked, clearly not expecting the question. She rubbed the back of her neck as if trying to recall.

“He… he was a regional manager for a mid-sized logistics company. Supply chain, inventory management, that kind of thing. He’s actually really good when he’s… not drowning in sake. Organized, calm under pressure, speaks decent English from the overseas posting. That’s how he got the promotion in the first place.”

Logistics. Not the flashiest field, but Mizuki told me it should be a solid industry. It is exactly the kind of background a lot of growing businesses need.

“Got it. Although I can’t promise anything right now since I’m still powerless, I can make use of connections. And it’s not the first time I’ll be doing this.”

“T-that’s more than enough. You really shouldn’t have to…”

I cut her off by pressing my forefinger on her lips, “Tsubame, don’t you know what to say in this situation?”

Her eyes widened and then lulled as she lowered her head before muttering softly, “Thank you…”

“Good. Remember, you didn’t ask me to help you. It was my decision to do so. Still, if you’re not comfortable with it, you can tell me now. I’ll take back my words.”

Tsubame paused for a moment before shaking her head, “No, I appreciate it… A lot. Last night, I thought it would only get darker after I met up with you but now, there’s suddenly a blinding light up ahead. I feel relieved.”

I put on a smile. A genuine smile that she’s still not used to seeing from me.

“Take this as me also making it up to you.”

A while later, we stood up from the table and went back to checking out the other animals, bringing the mood between us back up.

Then, after paying and thanking the old couple, Tsubame and I left the pet shop.

Considering she changed the time of our meetup, she must’ve had something to do in the afternoon, so I offered to walk her to the station.

As for what I promised, I naturally had to consult the girls and my parents first.

About which connections I will use, I’m planning to introduce her to Mizuki. Well, if things work out with Tsubame’s father getting a new job, she might not need to look for a part-time job anymore. More importantly, resuming her studies should be the priority. It’d be difficult if she missed a year.

The late-morning sun was already high, the air warm and thick with summer humidity, but her fingers were cold and trembling slightly.

She kept her hoodie pulled low, hiding the bruise, but every time a breeze tugged the fabric, she instinctively hunched her shoulders like the whole world was staring.

We walked in silence for half a block. She kept stealing glances at me, like she still couldn’t believe I was really here, really holding her hand, really offering to fix the mess her life had become.

“You don’t have to walk me all the way,” She finally said in a small voice. “The station’s just…”

“I’m walking you,” I cut in, gentle but firm. “Non-negotiable. I mean, it’d be rude if I insisted on walking you to your place. This is the limit.”

Tsubame’s lips twitched into the ghost of a smile. “Still bossy.”

“Of course. I’m only like this when it’s truly about someone who matters to me.”

She blushed and didn’t argue any further.

My feelings for her remained the same. I don’t think it’s love yet, just the sense of responsibility that I promised to fulfill once I meet the girls I once hurt again.

Regardless, I know I won’t be able to sleep if I just ignore her current struggles. She needs someone to rely on right now. We can think about what’s next when everything has been sorted out.

Halfway to the station, Tsubame stopped suddenly, tugging my sleeve. When I turned, her gray eyes were wide and glassy again.

“Ruki… I’m scared,” she whispered. “If you really do this—if you really help my dad find work, if the creditors back off. What happens after? I don’t… I don’t know how to be around you anymore. Not after everything.”

I stepped closer and pulled her in my arms again, “Then we figure it out together. No rules this time. No stealing. No disappearing. Just… us. Whatever that ends up looking like. Of course, you already know my situation. I’m not the bastard who only thinks about his desire anymore. I love all of the girls I am with at the moment. And it’s not just one or two.”

Her eyes widened slightly but she eventually nodded as a single tear streaked down her cheek. Clearly, she already knew what to expect.

“…Okay,” She breathed deeply before looking up at me with determination. “Together. I’ll pick myself back up… and then… I’ll stay with you this time.”

This girl… If she said it like that, I might believe her.

I brushed the tear away with my thumb, then leaned down and pressed my lips to the exact spot the tear had been. Soft and lingering like a promise.

When I pulled back, Tsubame’s eyes were closed, lashes fluttering against her cheeks. She exhaled shakily, then opened them again. It was clearer now, like a storm had finally passed.