Oh no! They all seem a bit off!

Chapter 16 Stockholm Syndrome
"Ah."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Shiina sneered, "Send lecture notes? Don't think I don't know you just want to take my daughter away from me."

From the very first moment she saw Akizuki Makoto, she felt a strong aversion to him.

The reason is that his face, temperament, and expression all give off a feeling of being out of place with them.

It's as if they live in two extreme worlds.

She had met people like Akizuki Makoto before, so she understood what Akizuki Makoto's appearance meant.

Shiina Maki would definitely like someone like that, and Akizuki Makoto would definitely take Shiina Maki away from her.

"What do you mean, 'take away'? I don't understand what you're talking about at all."

Makoto Akizuki frowned. He had never intended to take Shiina Maki away, so how could he possibly take her away?
"Get out of here, you're not welcome!"

Mrs. Shiina snorted coldly, and after telling Akizuki Makoto to get lost once again, she looked past his shoulder and at Shiina Maki, who was cowering behind him like a quail, trembling with coldness in her eyes.

"How long are you going to hide? Come here!"

Mrs. Shiina's tone carried an unquestionable air, and Shiina Maki immediately reacted by stepping out from behind Akizuki Makoto and walking towards her.

"I'm so sorry! I'll be right back! Don't be angry, it's my fault, I'm so sorry..."

As Shiina Maki walked, she kept apologizing in a low voice, her body and voice trembling uncontrollably, clearly terrified.

"and many more!"

Makoto Akizuki grabbed Shiina Maki's arm and felt the trembling in her hand. He was now certain that she had been suffering from domestic violence for a long time, which was why she was so obedient to Mrs. Shiina.

Even though Shiina Maki had anticipated that if she entered the house like this, she would definitely be met with a beating from Mrs. Shiina.

"Let me go!"

Seeing that Akizuki Makoto had grabbed Shiina Maki's hand, Mrs. Shiina could no longer hold back. She took a few steps forward and forcefully pulled Akizuki Makoto's hand away.

Like an enraged lion, she glared at Akizuki Makoto and roared hoarsely, "Don't touch my daughter! Get out of here right now! Get as far away as you can and never show your face in front of me again!"

"Mom, please don't be angry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

Maki Shiina was immediately terrified by Mrs. Shiina's angry outburst. She quickly grabbed Mrs. Shiina's hand, apologizing repeatedly, tears welling up in her eyes, ready to spill at any moment.

Upon seeing this, Akizuki Makoto's expression suddenly turned cold.

“Mrs. Shiina, I have reason to suspect that you have been abusing me for a long time. If you insist on making me leave without giving me a chance to negotiate, then I will choose to call the police.”

"Fine, then call the police! In the end, we'll just have to send her back anyway, and who would want to adopt her?"

Surprisingly, Mrs. Shiina was not afraid to call the police; instead, she urged Akizuki Makoto to call the police immediately.

That way, she could turn the tables and accuse Qiuyue Cheng of trespassing.

“...scoundrel.”

After a few seconds of silence, Akizuki Makoto could only say this.

Then, he picked up his phone and called the police without hesitation. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to help Shiina Maki; instead, he would have harmed her!

He couldn't even imagine how violently Shiina Maki would be treated if he left like this.

"no, do not want!"

Just as Akizuki Makoto took out his phone, Shiina Maki immediately grabbed his hand and pleaded with tears in her eyes, "Akizuki-kun, don't call the police, I'm fine, you don't need to worry about me."

Perhaps seeing how sensible Shiina Maki was, Mrs. Shiina's expression softened a bit, and she snorted, "See? Mind your own business."

Ignoring Mrs. Shiina's sarcasm, Akizuki Makoto looked at Shiina Maki, who was crying her eyes out, sighed, and said earnestly:

"Shiina, you can't go on like this. Because of the long-term domestic violence, you've developed a mental illness similar to Stockholm syndrome. If you continue like this, you'll never be able to escape it!"

Although he had known for a long time that Shiina Maki was not a normal woman, he really couldn't understand why she would protect Mrs. Shiina even after being beaten like this.

Even if one has a naturally gifted body, one shouldn't be so attached to pain, right?
The shocking bruises on Shiina Maki's body are enough to make anyone frown just by looking at them.

At this moment, Makoto Akizuki finally understood why Maki Shiina was wearing a winter uniform in the summer.

"But...but...I don't want to leave my mother. She's my only family. Please, don't call the police. I don't want to be taken to their shelter." Shiina Maki still refused to let Akizuki Makoto call the police, even though she knew it was wrong.

Normally, if you encounter domestic violence or abuse, you should call the police for help immediately.

But her heart had already become abnormal, and she had gotten used to it.

She even felt no resentment, believing it was proof of her mother's love, because her mother always had a "just cause" when she hit her, as it was to educate her.

"Kid, did you understand? My daughter doesn't want to, so mind your own business!"

Despite hearing the triumphant shouts all around him, Akizuki Makoto chose to ignore them.

He reached out and brushed aside the thick, gloomy bangs on Shiina Maki's forehead, looking directly into her beautiful, tear-filled eyes, and softly asked:
"Shiina-kun, are you really alright? Did I meddle?"

If Shiina Maki answers him again that she's fine and he doesn't need to worry about her, he will choose to respect her decision.

Everyone has their own destiny. Since Shiina Maki doesn't need his help, he won't rush to help her.

"I……"

Upon hearing this, Shiina Maki hesitated, unsure how to respond.

To be honest, she was overjoyed that Akizuki Makoto wanted to help her; she couldn't have asked for more.

But she knew it was in vain.

Even if the police are called, her mother will not be punished by law. Only she will be sent to a shelter, and after a while, if no one is willing to adopt her, she will be sent back.

"Okay, I see."

Just as Shiina Maki was caught in a dilemma, Mrs. Shiina, who was behind her, suddenly spoke up.

She changed her tune, smiling as she said, "Kind-hearted class monitor, since you want my daughter so much, then I'll give her to you."

"Eh?"

Upon hearing her mother's words, Shiina Maki paused for a moment, then her face lit up with joy.

But before she could be happy for long, Mrs. Shiina's next words made her joy vanish without a trace.

Mrs. Shiina held up one finger and said, "100,000 yen, and you can take her away for a day."

"what?"

Akizuki Makoto could hardly believe what he was hearing.

Mrs. Shiina actually said that for 1100,000 yen, she could take Shiina Maki away for a day?
"This price is absolutely worth it. I'm not bragging, but with just a little bit of dressing up, she looks amazing."

Before Mrs. Shiina could finish speaking, Akizuki Makoto couldn't listen anymore and interrupted, "Are you even fit to be a mother? You sold your daughter for 100,000 yen?"

Mrs. Shiina's smile faded, her face turning cold again. She said in a chilling tone, "What, is 100,000 yen a lot? I raised her, provided her with food, lodging, and schooling. Didn't that cost money?"

"So this is your reason for selling your daughter? Don't you think she'll support you when she grows up and earns money?"

Makoto Akizuki sneered. He was too lazy to waste words with Mrs. Shiina, so after he finished speaking, he immediately added a sentence.

"Okay, I'll give you 100,000 yen. Shiina-kun, please let me borrow it for one day."

There's no point in arguing with Mrs. Shiina any longer. It's better to give her the money and take Shiina Maki away to avoid making things more complicated.

Anyway, 100,000 yen isn't much, so let's just consider it as him being kind by feeding the dogs.

"The class monitor is really reasonable,"

Mrs. Shiina immediately changed her expression, smiling as she held out her hand to Akizuki Makoto, indicating that he should give her the money.

"I don't have any cash on me. Give me your bank card number and I'll transfer the money to you later."

"Okay, I trust your character... But let me make this clear: if you don't transfer the money by tomorrow, don't blame me for going to the school and talking to the teacher about how you paid me to buy her for one night."

"Humph."

Akizuki Makoto merely snorted coldly, looked at Shiina Maki, and said, "Shiina-kun, go change your clothes first, then come with me."

(End of this chapter)