Getting to the locker room seemed like a scene from some massacre. There were bodies strewn all over the floor. I had to dodge and jump over them. Some were moving, others weren't. The latter scared me. An overdose? I didn't want to get involved in any trouble. So I avoided touching anyone as much as possible.
As I was hopping and weaving, someone grabbed my leg.
It was the rude girl with the collar.
Even though she was Mana's sister, I didn't want to get involved, or even interact with her. If she tried to ruin my mood again, I would respond as I saw fit. After all, I was no longer on the clock. And therefore, she was no longer a client.
I tried to pull my leg away to make her let go, but she held on tighter.
"Wait. Stop struggling."
She seemed to be trying to tell me something. I didn't want to hear it; it would probably be something problematic or more insults. It would just be a waste of time, Mana was waiting.
"I told you to wait. Damn it. Listen to me, leave Mana alone. Don't touch her, you hear!"
Fuuuu.
I sighed.
I knew it would be problematic.
What should I do? Try to listen to her? Or ignore her?
Even though they didn't seem to get along, it was a fact that this chick was Mana's sister. Should I try to explain what Mana and I have? Or would I just be wasting my breath?
---
Reluctantly, I agreed to try to reason with this annoying woman. Of course, I made it clear that if she insulted me, she might earn herself a slap. I wasn't a violent person, but her attitude had been pissing me off for a while now.
She got up from the floor. Apart from the collar, she wasn't wearing anything else. We moved away from the other bodies. To save time, I decided to take the conversation to the lockers. That way, I could grab Mana's things when we were done. The chick tried to cling to me. I pushed her away, annoyed.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, as she started to speak.
"Leave Mana alone. If you want sex, do it with me. I don't want Mana to end up like me."
I was surprised that what came out of her mouth was something more than just insults. And that there seemed to be genuine concern for Mana.
Seeing that the conversation seemed serious and not a fight as I had assumed, I also decided to be serious. But I hesitated to answer, as it was hard to do so without sounding offensive. Should I say "she won't end up like you"? Or "I'll take care of her"?
"Uhmm, don't worry, what we have is relatively formal. I don't think what you... think will happen, I guess."
She didn't seem to believe me. Her voice once again took on that tone of resentment and fury.
"Stop lying, you're all the same. You just want to play with her. I don't want you to use her and share her with your friends. Like a trophy or a toy. Leave her out of it, if you want a pet, take me. After all, I'm already used to it."
The last part sounded quite resigned. She seemed to despise herself. It was unexpected. There was probably a pretty tragic story behind it.
But personally... I didn't care.
It wasn't because I despised or hated her. I simply wasn't interested. Maybe it was a flaw of mine, but I tended to show little or no interest in things that didn't involve me.
I could see a building burning and not worry or show concern. Or see a mugging and do nothing.
It wasn't fear, it was more apathy. Maybe deep down I thought it would be problematic to get involved. Of course, if something or someone I was involved with was at stake, it would be different. I wouldn't hesitate to jump into the flames or take a bullet.
Those weren't empty words. When the restaurant I worked at caught fire, I managed to pull out a couple of coworkers. But I didn't go back in, even though there were still diners inside.
Maybe, I was selfish. I don't deny it. After all, I'm not a hero or a saint.
---
She didn't seem to have anything more to say. Or maybe she was waiting for my answer. Should I tell her I wasn't interested? How to do it without sounding rude?
"Uhmm, no thanks. Mana and I are fine, don't worry. I'm very sure that no one but me will touch her if she doesn't want them to. I'll make sure of that."
Yeah... I would make sure of it, if anyone tried to harm Mana or Saki, they would pay dearly. Even though I wasn't violent, I knew how to use a knife very well.
I shook my head, trying to get rid of those dangerous thoughts.
I sighed.
That's why I didn't like getting attached to anyone.
---
Mana's sister didn't seem very convinced, she was still trying to persuade me. She even tried to pull down my pants to suck me off, arguing that her technique was good. I didn't find it exciting.
I had already taken too long. Mana might be worried. And Saki too, if I remembered correctly, the note her parents left said they wouldn't be back for a week. Saki must be alone right now. I didn't know why, but I wanted to be with her.
I'd leave the problem of the collar girl to Mana. If she decided to help her, I would do my best to act. If Mana didn't get involved, I would stop worrying.
---
I grabbed the things and headed back to the room. Mana's sister followed me, like a lost puppy. I found it annoying. But I couldn't tell her to get lost or shove her away. It would be very rude.
In the same way, Mana had to decide. If this girl was present, we could decide whether to help, postpone, or ignore.
---
When I got to the room, I found Mana and Saya sitting on the bed talking in a rather friendly way. I was surprised to see them so close. Especially Moño, I never thought she was friendly with anyone. She gave off a diva vibe, with a superior attitude.
Both turned to look when they heard me enter. Their gazes on me felt strange. As if they were trying to analyze me, open my head and see what was inside.
It scared me a little.
Luckily, they soon noticed the chick following me. She didn't enter the room, she seemed to have frozen in the doorway upon seeing Mana and Saya.
The laughter of both of them also stopped. The atmosphere started to feel heavy.
"What are you doing here, nee-san? Did they give you permission to go out for a stroll?"
Mana attacked as soon as she saw her. I found it a bit awkward, especially after the conversation with her sister. I didn't know what to say. "Your sister does worry about you"? Or "she wants to be my pet"?
Dealing with this kind of topic was new to me, and... quite annoying.
But I had to do something. I wasn't going to meddle in family problems. But at least I had to communicate the information I knew, and thus allow them to communicate better. Then it would be up to them whether they would make friends or keep fighting.