Chapter 378: Leo Karumi [12]

Leo was stunned to see his mother standing there, his little sister’s hand in hers, staring back at him with the same shocked expression.

Immediately, he stood. Lea rose with him—just as stunned—and went a little flustered under Jeanne’s gaze. She caught herself fast and dipped her head.

"It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Karumi. My name is Lea Roseberry. I’m a friend of Leo’s..."

Instantly, Leo looked at her and narrowed his eyes.

’Friend...? What an audacious girl...’

Jeanne’s eyes kept flicking between the two of them.

"Leo’s... friend, huh. Well, then, it’s nice to meet you too. As you already know, I’m Leo’s mother. And this little one is his baby sister."

Then she looked at Leo and smiled—so suddenly it threw him off.

’What is that smile? ...I’ve never seen it on her face. I can’t tell if she’s happy or not.’

He didn’t understand it, but it made him uneasy. There was something in her eyes—amusement?

Either way, it was a dangerous smile, and it put him on guard.

"It seems we’ve intruded on your precious time with your ’friend,’ Leo."

The way she emphasized the word made him uncomfortable.

"I’m sorry for that. Enjoy yourselves—just don’t forget to be home before the sun sets."

Why did it feel like she was misunderstanding something? And why did his mother stress

friend

like that? Both Leo and Lea noticed it, and both of them were confused.

Then Lea suddenly suggested something outrageous.

"Ah—are you two planning to eat or drink something here as well? I don’t mind if you sit with us!"

Jeanne raised her eyebrows, still holding Lia close, and studied Lea as if deciding whether she was serious.

"Are you sure? I don’t want to ruin you kids’ time."

"You won’t be ruining anything at all! In fact, I’d be really happy to get to know you—and the Karumi family—better!"

"Oh my..."

Leo could only stare at Lea, dry and flat.

’...She’s caused a serious misunderstanding out of pure curiosity, hasn’t she...’

"Leo? Do you mind?"

Jeanne looked at him as if waiting for his approval. He’d come this far already. Acting like the bad guy in front of his mom would only make things worse, so he relented.

"I don’t mind."

He was about to offer his mother the seat beside him, but Lea stood and offered instead. Jeanne thanked her, then guided Lia to sit next to Leo.

Lia slid onto the couch without meeting his eyes. Leo shifted to give her space and settled the umbrella and the shopping bag—Lia’s birthday gift inside—across his lap.

Jeanne took the seat opposite Lia, and Lea sat opposite Leo. Jeanne’s eyes drifted to the bag for a second... then her expression tightened, and she looked back at Leo.

"When I went to your room today, I noticed your schoolbag was still there."

Leo averted his gaze.

"...I forgot."

Jeanne sighed and pressed the back of her hand to her forehead.

"Seriously... how can you always be so forgetful about things like this?"

’Math equations? Languages? I can remember those perfectly.

A simple schoolbag—or my little sister’s age, when her birthday is tomorrow... I don’t know anything.’

"It’s not like I needed it anyway," Leo muttered.

"That’s not the point, Leo. It’s about proper conduct—showing respect to your teachers."

"...Fine. I won’t forget next time."

"You say that, but this isn’t the first time we’ve had this talk."

"Then what do you want me to say this time?"

"Don’t forget your schoolbag."

"...Fine."

"You aren’t saying ’fine’ just to make the same mistake next time, are you?"

She narrowed her eyes. Leo kept looking away.

"I promise I won’t forget..."

"Really?"

"...Really."

"Pfft—!"

Leo and Jeanne both snapped their heads toward Lea. Even Lia looked up from where she’d been absently worrying the corner of the tablecloth.

Lea froze, then panicked under all their eyes.

"I—I’m sorry! It’s just..."

She scratched her cheek and glanced at Leo with an awkward, wry look.

"It’s... refreshing to see you get scolded, and for once actually listen. For some reason, I had it in my head that you didn’t listen to anybody."

Leo scowled.

"She’s my mother. Of course I listen to her."

Lea chuckled under her breath.

"Yeah. My bad. I can see that now."

Jeanne watched them, curiosity flickering across her face.

"It seems you’ve left quite the image at school, haven’t you, Leo?"

Leo shrugged.

"I’m just spending my time peacefully at school."

Jeanne turned to Lea.

"Is he telling the truth? My son doesn’t really share much about his social life with me."

She rested her cheek in her palm, looking a little disappointed.

Lea giggled.

"He’s telling the truth. If anything, it’s the rest of us who keep interrupting his peace."

Relief softened Jeanne’s face into a small smile.

"That’s good to hear. I imagine that, since you’re so close to my son, you’ve noticed his... difficult personality."

Lea looked away, awkward.

"Ah... yeah. It’s certainly... original."

"It’s been a problem since he was little," Jeanne continued with a sigh. "We even tried a therapist for his attitude once. That therapist ended up crying—and getting herself a therapist."

"Mom," Leo said through his teeth, "can you not embarrass me in front of her and ruin what’s left of my social life?"

"Sorry, sorry." Jeanne waved a hand, unbothered. "I’m just excited to hear what you’ve been up to at school these days. Other than your academics, you don’t talk about it much, you know?"

That was certainly true, but Leo had never seen the point of talking about his social life. He hadn’t thought his mother cared, either.

But looking at her now, he wondered if he’d been wrong.

"It’s because there isn’t much to talk about..."

"That doesn’t mean I don’t care," Jeanne said, sounding exasperated.

Then she turned back to Lea.

"So, Lea—how did you meet my son?"

"Leo? Oh, I think it was when he came to the student council room looking for Nathan..."

"The student council room?" Jeanne repeated, frowning in confusion.

Leo glanced at Lia—who looked bored out of her mind—then answered before Lea could.

"Lea’s the student council president. And she’s friends with Nathan."

"I see." Jeanne tapped her chin.

"So a friend of a friend... and the student council president. That must be a difficult role to fulfill, no?"

Again, Leo spoke before Lea.

"Not really. Besides, she ranked second on our last exams—and she’s been ranked ’second’ since our first year."

He glanced at Lea, mockery slipping into his eyes for a brief moment. Lea’s lips twitched.

Leo leaned into it anyway, emphasizing the one word he knew would annoy her.

"Second."

Jeanne didn’t catch the pettiness. She simply nodded, impressed.

"So, the student council president

and

ranked second? That’s certainly something to be proud of."

"T-thank you..." Lea looked away, bashful.

She was weak to compliments—Leo knew that much. The few times he’d seen Nathan and Lea together, Nathan would toss her compliments just to tease her, and she fell for it every time.

"Leo, did you see my message from earlier?"

Leo nodded at his mother’s question and tapped the shopping bag on his lap.

"I’ve got it right here."

Jeanne stared at the bag, unimpressed—almost doubtful.

"Did you actually put effort into it?"

Leo bristled, crossing his arms.

"Of course I did."

This entire day had been a headache. It had taken more mental effort than it had any right to.

Even so, his mother didn’t look convinced—until Lea stepped in to rescue him.

"He really did, Mrs. Karumi," Lea said quickly. "We spent almost an entire hour choosing the perfect one!"

Jeanne’s eyes widened as she looked between Lea and Leo.

"Did you say

we

?"

"She helped me pick out Lia’s gift," Leo said.

"Oh my..." Jeanne murmured.

It felt like she’d already said those exact words today.

"Gift?" Lia perked up immediately, her boredom vanishing like it had never existed.

Jeanne turned to Lea.

"Then I should thank you for helping my son," she said warmly. "If it weren’t for you, I imagine he would’ve asked a worker to grab him something random for his little sister." She paused, then added, generous as ever, "Do you want anything? I’ll pay for you kids. Don’t hold back—get whatever you want, however much you want."

Lea flushed again at the praise and waved both hands.

"No, no, it’s fine! I’m just... happily paying my debts to Leo."

"Debts?" Jeanne echoed, confused.

Lea panicked slightly at the attention. She glanced at Leo for help, but he looked completely unbothered.

"Well, uh... I asked Leo for help with the end-of-year festival," Lea admitted. "He agreed, and in return I had to help him pick a good gift for Lia... and buy him some food."

Jeanne blinked, surprised. Then she nodded as if it made sense—before her gaze snapped back to Leo, disapproval returning instantly.

"Why are you making someone pay for your food?" she scolded. "You have more than enough money."

"Because free food tastes better," Leo replied, like it was an obvious law of nature.

"That’s not the point, Leo," Jeanne said, exasperated.

"How many times do I have to repeat myself?"

"It’s fine—really," Lea said quickly, clearly not wanting them to argue.

"I was happy to pay."

She was grateful Leo had agreed to help with the festival. If the price was helping him buy a gift and feeding him apple pie, she didn’t mind paying it at all. She didn’t want anything to ruin what she’d finally managed to achieve today.

Jeanne’s expression softened.

"Well, if you say so... My son is lucky to have such a kind person as a friend."

"U-um... th-thank you..." Lea mumbled, face heating up again as she looked away.

"Is the bag mine?"

"Hm?"

Everyone turned toward Lia, who was staring at the bag on Leo’s lap with bright, impatient eyes.

"Oh—yeah," Leo said, lifting it.

"Sure. Here."

"Not so fast, Leo. Lia."

Just as he was about to hand it over, Jeanne stopped them.

"Lia, we came here to get you the cake you wanted, remember?" she said. "Not to start opening your presents."

"But..." Lia’s gaze stayed locked on the bag, longing practically radiating off her.

All the talk—and the fact that Leo and Lea had apparently taken their time choosing—had only made her more desperate to see what was inside.

"You promised you’d open all your gifts at your birthday party tomorrow," Jeanne reminded her gently.

"...Yes," Lia mumbled.

Remembering her promise, Lia’s shoulders drooped. She started sulking, lightly kicking her feet under the table.

"Well," Jeanne added, as if trying to soothe her, "I’m sure you’ll love it. It’s from your big brother—just like last year, when he gave you Mister Whiskers, and you’ve cherished it ever since."

"Mom," Leo muttered, "you’re not helping."

Lia looked up, blinking rapidly, confusion spreading across her face.

"Mister Whiskers... is big brother’s?"

"You don’t remember Leo gave you Mister Whiskers?"

Lia slowly turned to Leo as if she’d just discovered something life-changing.

Leo, elbow on the table and cheek resting in his hand, looked equally uninterested.

"Big brother gave me Mister Whiskers...?"

"Yeah," Leo said.

"Why? You don’t like it anymore?"

"No!" Lia blurted, panicked, shaking her head so hard her hair bounced.

"I-I didn’t know it was big brother’s gift!"

"Well, now you do," Leo said.

"And lower your voice. We’re in public."

"S-sorry..."

"Leo," Jeanne sighed, "stop being so harsh on your little sister."

Leo exhaled, then noticed Lea was completely lost.

"Mister Whiskers?" Lea asked.

"Mister Whiskers is her tiger," Leo said.

Lea froze.

"Eh? A tiger?"

Then she realized and giggled, covering her mouth.

"Ah... that’s actually really cute."

Jeanne suddenly clapped her hands together, bright with an idea.

Leo’s face went pale—then darkened immediately, like he already knew what was coming.

"Lea," Jeanne said brightly, "since you’re so close with my son... why don’t you join us tomorrow for the birthday party?"