I knew in my heart of hearts Suzuki had a very high social status, that he was a ringleader I couldn’t afford to make an enemy of, but I still looked at him in a neither servile nor cocky way and said, “Mr. Suzuki, Hebe doesn’t belong to anybody. You have no right to operate her like a marionette. I want you to leave her alone. As the saying goes, ‘Even a thief should have some professional ethics.’ Surely bully a girl is not the only thing you know how to do?”
My words were somewhat accusatory, but if I begged him grovellingly, I would lose my dignity, and they would scorn me.
Sato secretly poked my arm, implying that I was overplaying my hand. If this callous geriatric took offence, the consequences would be unimaginable.
I said no more. The pretty young woman beside Suzuki tossed me
