She was extremely surprised. After inviting the three into her home, she quietly went to Ririka's side and asked her, "Anna, why are you here? And with Ayanokoji...?"
Ririka calmly stated the excuse she had already prepared: "I was out shopping today and happened to run into Ayanokoji. We ended up having a meal together. Ayanokoji said he was coming to help you move, and I also wanted to help, so I just came along."
Ririka looked at Ikishima Midari and continued to quietly ask Ririka, "And her? Was she also just 'passing by'?"
Ririka said, "She lost her phone and wallet, so she went to the police station to get a lost property report. She happened to run into Ayanokoji, who was sleeping at a hotel near the police station, and the two of them came together."
On the way there, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had instructed the two of them to let Meari believe that the kidnapped person was "Kiyotaka" and that there was no need to tell her about this matter to avoid troubling her.
Both of them agreed, and on the way, they even specifically made up a story and verified it with each other.
Ririka was "shopping," and Ikishima Midari was "losing her phone and wallet." The two of them happened to meet Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and then came here together.
Although it was a lie, for Meari, perhaps this lie was much easier to accept than the truth.
So that's how it is...
Meari had no suspicion that Ririka was lying. She never thought that such a kind and lovely young lady would deliberately conspire with Ayanokoji to deceive her.
She quickly became happy.
After what happened yesterday, Ayanokoji still remembered she was moving and came to help her today; he cared about her!
Amidst her happiness, she still worriedly pulled Ayanokoji Kiyotaka into a corner and asked him, "Ayanokoji, is your brother okay?"
"He's fine. My brother is smarter than me; the kidnappers couldn't do anything to him." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka smiled and shook his head.
If the person kidnapped yesterday had really been Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, he would have been able to fight Hagen to a draw, and it would have been impossible for him to end up in the same situation as himself, where he had to rely on gambling to turn the tables.
"That's good..." Meari breathed a sigh of relief, then cautiously looked around, even guarding against her mother, and whispered, "Then, about us meeting your brother yesterday, should we not tell anyone?"
"Yes, this is a very important matter." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka nodded, feigning seriousness: "Can you keep it a secret for me?"
"Of course! I haven't told anyone!" Meari replied proudly.
After she learned that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had been kidnapped, she realized that their meeting yesterday was very important and didn't even tell her parents.
Suddenly, a worried expression appeared on her face again. She pulled Ayanokoji's arm and seriously whispered, "Ayanokoji, you also need to be careful.
Your brother looks too much like you; others can't tell the difference. You absolutely must not run around outside. Someone might mistake you for your brother and kidnap you!"
"..."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was speechless.
If it weren't for Meari's serious expression, making him realize she definitely didn't know what happened last night, he would have truly thought Meari was playing a prank on him.
"Don't take it lightly!" Meari saw that Ayanokoji wasn't speaking and thought he was being dismissive, so she quickly said, "I'm serious, you brothers really look alike...!"
"...I know." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka rubbed Meari's head, stopping her from continuing, and said with a smile, "My father also warned me. Starting today, he said there's no need for me to leave school unless absolutely necessary. Staying inside the school will be very safe."
To prevent Meari from overthinking, Ayanokoji took her hand and walked towards her room: "Alright, hurry up and pack your things. After you're done, we'll hide in the school and only come out when it's safe..."
With Ayanokoji and Ririka's help, Meari, who didn't have many things to begin with, finished packing in no time.
After they placed Meari's luggage in the small truck her father borrowed, Ayanokoji and the others left first by subway to wait at the school gate.
As Meari said goodbye to her mother and was about to get into the car, her mother suddenly pulled Meari aside and earnestly warned her.
"Meari, don't you like Ayanokoji? I can tell he likes you very much too. Since you're living at school this time, you two should quickly confirm your relationship, or someone else might get a head start."
Ayaris mother had been observing Ikishima Midari and Ririka while everyone was packing. From her experience, she could tell that both girls liked Ayanokoji Kiyotaka very much.
Ikishima Midari's gaze towards Ayanokoji was fiery and unrestrained; Ririka's gaze towards Ayanokoji was deep and restrained.
Although neither of them had explicitly stated their feelings, their unintentional glances proved it.
She didn't want her daughter to finally grasp her own happiness, only to let it slip away.
"Meari, you're leaving, and I don't have much to give you. I hope you make good use of this..."
She said, mysteriously putting a package wrapped in a black plastic bag into Meari's hand: "I don't know his size, so I bought a bit of each kind. This is the last time I'll buy them for you; after this, you'll need to buy them yourself..."
Meari took a look, and her face immediately flushed.
This is filled with rubber condoms, and they are all different brands and models.
"Mom, why did you give me so many? How long will it take to use them all!" Meari pouted in shame and anger.
She glared at Meari, annoyed, "Who told you, my child, not to be attentive? Your mom has to help you be more mindful.
Last night, I clearly gave you one, which was for you to stay out overnight. Who knew you'd be back as soon as it got dark? Don't you know what to do after watching a movie?"
Meari felt wronged. If she could have stayed out, she would have. It wasn't her fault that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka suddenly had something to do.
She wanted to use it too, but Ayanokoji didn't give her the right opportunity...
Although she secretly blamed her mother for being nosy, Meari quietly clutched the plastic bag in her hand.
...I wonder when I'll be able to use these things?
Meari was full of anticipation for the future.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"