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17. Explanations should be calm and composed
「Nee-chan, what did you come here to do?」
The man asked amusedly.
I really wish he’d stop. Making an interested face is meaningless.
Troublesome guys also hated it when you betray their expectations.
Thinking「this guy is pretty interesting」and getting betrayed of their expectations get me riled up.
If it was me, I’d think「selfishly expecting something, how unreasonable!」But according to them, it seemed to be「I’m pissed at myself for thinking they were interesting for a moment.」
Too selfish! But that was just them, the fearful bunch who couldn’t permit that.
While looking at the man in front of me, I grumbled in my heart, I’m not interesting at all so don’t expect anything from meăƒŒ.
「IyaăƒŒ, it seems like someone came to my house just now, so I wondered if they had any business with me.」
「How courageous of you.」
I felt a little annoyed at the man who was grinning widely.
I’ve told you before, but I don’t have a shred of courage!
I’m a chicken who ran away instantly just before!!
If this guy didn’t beat up Kawata-san and the others, no matter what happened, I probably wouldn’t have come out.
「Did you have any business with me?」
Though thinking so, on the surface I enquired calmly.
The man took out a cigarette case from his breast pocket, and after putting one in his mouth he motioned with his chin.
Without delay Sengawa-san lit it with a lighter.
Uwa, it’s a perfect hierarchy.
「That’s my line. You, what are you here for?」
「UăƒŒn

 Saying I mistook the rooms

」
「As if that’ll pass, that lie」
「Right

」
I was deliberating on how I should answer.
I think it’s best to answer honestly, but if Kawata-san and the others get blamed for me hanging out here frequently, I won’t like it.
I’ll become the bad guy and carry everything

 I have no intention of doing that whatsoever, but for the time being it’ll be nice if I can lessen the anger directed at everyone.
「Nee-chan, did you know? This place is like a branch of a crime syndicate. It’s not a good place for a normal missy like you to visit. If Nee-chan is entering and leaving of your own accord, it won’t be strange if it’s taken as some other group’s movements.」1
Kawata-san and the others’ face colors got worse in an instant.
They must be thinking because of them, my position got worse.
It was likely this man was playing around while knowing that.
Although saying so, while it might be “playing” to this man, to me it was a matter of life and death.
Troublesome people can easily ruin people by “playing.”
UăƒŒn, what should I do here.
「If Nee-chan is these guys――」
The man jerked his chin towards the four men with ill complexions.
「If you’re the woman of these idiots, it’ll be a different story though.」
EehhăƒŒâ€Šâ€Š?
Well sure, Kawata-san is a good man.
Hosoi-san from just before, I thought “how wonderfulăƒŒ!” as well.
But if asked whether I wanted them as lovers, that would be no.
Plus, yakuza is an unstable occupation, I wouldn’t know when they’d get killed either.
I apologize, but out of pragmaticism, if I’m going to date anyone then I want stability foremost.
The moment I thought that.
「Boss! I’m sorry! That woman, she’s mine!」[^2]
EehhăƒŒăŁâ€Šâ€Š!?
Kawata and them actually refer to their boss as “Kaichou 䌚長” which translates to “president; chairman.” But as we already have a “President” and I felt like them yelling out “Chairman” all the time would be awkward, I changed it to “Boss.” They’re not actually saying “Boss ボă‚č.” By the way, Nanao refers to President as “Shachou 瀟長” so it’s properly distinct in the raws. TuT