Chapter 136 - Unexpected
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I had springs in my steps after what happened earlier.
However, no matter how much I tried, I couldn't find Celesta anywhere.
She's probably taking some time away for herself... due to a multitude of reasons. It must have been an over-stimulative and shocking day for her after all.
For me though, it was just happily eventful. And the day has only begun yet! Who knows what good things might happen next?
It must be my lucky day after all. Should I try buying a lottery ticket?
Ah! Nihara... well, at least I found her. But, she looks really lonely wandering the fest all alone...
Let's keep her company for today! I'm sure it would be fun for me too.
"Nihara~! Hey!"
"Ah, Miss Carene. Good morning."
As I approached Nihara, I found the three ladies from before... the Nihara fan club or something members, eyeing us from a distance.
Why they were not approaching us or not accompanying Nihara is something I couldn't understand. But, they don't look like they mean harm, so it's better to let them be.
Nihara smiled sweetly at me as she welcomed me. She was carrying some snacks bought from the stalls too, as she picked one out and brought it to me as she said,
"Here~! I was buying these to eat them with you. Have a bite please."
"Ah, sure. Thanks."
Hmmm... spicy and tangy... not so bad, but... what is this..?
Since I had been around the place once earlier, it was easier for me to find the fun spots and the two of us had a good time enjoying ourselves until noon.
After having lunch together, Nihara informed me that there were no lectures for the rest of the day and we were all free to go back home.
"Miss Carene... um, shall we go together? Mother must be waiting for you..."
Since I was already anticipating that, I readily agreed to her suggestion and while being escorted by her intimidating guards, the two of us entered the car, as it left the College premises.
Since her home was near the College, it didn't take us long before we arrived at the mansion.
Yup, a full-blown mansion! Since I'm not great at measurements, I don't know its dimensions, but it was huge, to say the least.
I couldn't help but become somewhat nervous to meet the owner of such extreme wealth, since I rarely ever interacted with such big-shot people.
Having Nihara next to me helped though, as she was totally calm and relaxed.
After going around the floors for a while, we stopped in front of a room with a big door.
"This is our Guest room. Mother told me to bring you straight here. Let's go inside."
Without knocking on the door, Nihara simply pushed the door open and walked in as she called out,
"Mother? My friend, Miss Carene is here. Miss Carene, this is my Mother. Come, have a seat."
The one who stood in front of me didn't look one bit like someone's mother. Instead, a hot MILF was smiling broadly at Nihara and me as she welcomed us in.
"Come in, come in~. I have been long since wanting to meet the mysterious friend of my dearest daughter. Thank you for always taking care of my daughter. It's a pleasure to be of your acquaintance. I am called Mencia, but you can call me Auntie if you would like."
"Ah, sure... A-Auntie."
Her kind disposition put my strained nerves to rest. I had expected someone dominating or oppressive, but Nihara's Mom seems easy to get along with.
She quickly called for some refreshments and began to have small talk with both of us.
"So? How was the fest today? I tell you, Nihara had been so excited to go there with you. She talked about it a lot last night."
"M-Mother! I-I mean, I was only... somewhat interested. That's all..."
"Yes, yes. If that's what you say it to be~> Huhuhuhu~."
Nihara's shy and blushing face was in stark contrast to the cheerfully laughing lady's face.
Since Nihara could be counted as a beauty as well, I was in the company of two beauties. I couldn't possibly have a bad time right?
After a slew of gossip, Nihara became visibly too embarrassed to stay, as she asked for a brief break to go to the washroom.
With only me and Nihara's Mom left in the room, the frequent chatter paused, as she took a sip of tea and spoke,
"Well, well... we are alone at last, hmm~?"
ALthough she looked the same as earlier, her tone had shifted noticeably while Nihara's Mom gazed at me with a weirdly meaningful gaze. She was still smiling, but...
I simply waited to hear what she wanted to say, as she continued,
"I will be honest here, Carene. I have been very negligent in my duties as a mother. You and I, both know what and how much Nihara suffered over the past few years. I... have terribly failed as a Mother..."
She looked very despondednt for a while, before she faced me with eyes full of resolution.
"As such, I no longer wish to continue with the mistakes of the past. With me now focusing my attention on her, those kinds of things won't happen ever again. But... I am not so sure about 'you'."
What?? Is she... doubting me? But, why? I haven't done anyhting strange to Nihara! We are simply friends. Normal friends at that!
Maybe she saw the displeasure on my face, she simply smiled again as she sipped the tea and spoke afterwards,
"Don't get me wrong. I am aware of the positive influence you have had on my daughter. I will fully compensate you for that. But, I am worried that you have some 'impure' intention by befreinding my daughter."
"I mean, if it were anyone else that came across such a troublesome and dangerous situation, they would have chosen to avoid it altogether. Only if someone's interest lied on what's beyond the situation... is when they would want to get involved. That point is... fiarly suspiscious, right~?"
W-What did I ever do to be interrogated by her like this?! I am so pissed off right now!
But... she is Nihara's Mother... i can't possibly argue against her. However...
I too, decided to fake it, as I drank the tea in one go and looked directly into her suspecting eyes as I replied,
"That's fairly natural. It's okay to doubt me as much as you want. Heck, try to restrain our friendship as well. But the fact is... I wouldn't have had to do what I did if you did your job properly. Instead of sitting here doubting me, why don't you focus on cherishing your daughter instead? I think she needs a lot of love right now, and the only remaining direct family member is you, right?"
Nihara's Mom looked shocked at my calm rebuttle, since I didn't explode, but pinched where it hurt the most.
Her lips trembled as she prepared herself to say something. but before that...
"I'm back~. Mother, Miss Carene, what have you been talking about??"
Nihara's Mom looked like someone who swallowed a bug, as she pushed down her various comebacks and simply smiled at her daughter while shaking her head. She did secretly glare at me though.
Not wanting to be a part of this farce any longer, I stood up and spoke to Nihara,
"Well, I have something urgent to attend to, so I'm afraid I can't keep you company. Nihara, I will take my leave now. See you tomorrow at College."
Nihara looked taken aback at my sudden declaration. She looked alternatingly between her Mom and me, before she nodded in understanding and replied,
"T-Then, let me show you till the door. Would you like to take our car till home??"
"No, it's okay. I'm going somewhere else. It's easy to catch a bus from here, so I will take that."
After saying goodbye to the pleasantly smiling Nihara, I turned away and exited the Mansion gates.
It's a shame that I couldn't smile just like her though.
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