Stealing Spree

How much do I remember about my time with Hana? Honestly, I can’t truly be sure.

She’s the second one that I stole. Or rather, claimed for myself.

Uh... Having revealed that those three girls didn’t actually start a relationship with some other guy before I stole them, it’s somewhat inappropriate now to call it ‘stealing’, right?

Our relationship started with that letter, asking her to meet me somewhere.

Ah. Right. That letter. From what I remembered, there’s nothing special in it. But for the girl to treasure the letter ‘til this day, I started wondering what kind of embarrassing lines I wrote there. Perhaps, I would cringe at myself if Hana let me read it.

As for how it went after that... It's actually a little simple.

I expressed how I wanted to steal her and the next day after that, we began meeting each other in secret. Until one day, I braved it and kissed her which the girl received with a genuine smile on her lips... The smile she only ever showed to me.

Uh... Thinking about it, my methods during that time were probably as simple and elementary as our class lessons.

If I had to list the other two...

With Chii, if I relied on my memory, I somehow threatened her with telling everybody that she confessed to that ‘class hunk’.

With Hifumi, I assumed that she was with that other guy, blocked her way somewhere and started carrying her books for her.

Now that I revisited those memories, there’s nothing spectacular to it, right? If I used that today, it would certainly end up in failure.

Now... Why am I talking about this?

Because Hana’s gift is... something that reminds me of our past.

It’s not a yearbook but it might as well be called that.

A photo album.

An album with photos during our field trip in the sixth grade. Although it was taken from that time, it’s actually only filled with our photos together.

Furthermore, the Hana in those photos was a lot different than how she always acted in public.

If she’s the school’s most popular girl because of how friendly, elegant, angelic, and demure she portrayed herself to be, the Hana in those photos was nothing like that.

There’s one where she’s giving me a piggyback ride. I was scowling while the girl had a wide grin on her lips, something she wouldn’t do in front of anyone else.

I couldn’t remember who took those photos but... what’s depicted in them truly happened.

“I watched you two interact with each other but I never thought that she could show these faces,� Akane muttered after a while.

Although she’s as baffled as me to only find a photo album as the ‘gift’, she easily got intrigued after seeing the first pages of it.

That’s why even before I could finish looking at it, the girl grabbed it from my hand, sat down on the sofa and browsed it. On her side, Minoru was also looking at it with interest... However, the boy was focused more on me rather than Hana...

I mean, at that point in time, I looked strikingly alike to him. Being a little skinny and all that.

“Surely, you only saw us whenever we’re aware that we could be seen by others. When there’s only the two of us... she’s different. She’s more outgoing and wanted to try out new things rather than stick to her role as the most popular and approachable girl.� I answered as I continued digging through the box.

There’s more inside it but apart from the album and three others like it, the other contents were filled with miscellaneous items.

“She’s so beautiful... Ugh, not as beautiful as us, anyway.� Miho also got something to say after going through another photo album. Her first sentence was said as though she was mesmerized and the other, she snapped out of it.

The girl closed the album, creased her brows and acted annoyed as she picked up another one.

“If she’s still this pretty, Akane and this girl can stand together and become the main attraction anywhere they go. Ruki, how did you manage to make this girl be head over heels for you?�

And lastly, Miwa-nee was also browsing another album.

“Honestly, I also don’t know, Miwa-nee. I’m too much of an idiot to remember every detail about our past.� I answered as I finished rummaging through the box. I then folded it and put it away before returning to them.

I mean, I also want to see. That’s Hana’s gift for me, right? That girl probably wanted to show me what happened to her these past few years.

If the first one was filled with the photos of when we sneaked away during a field trip, the other three were like records of Hana’s life for the past three years of her middle school.

Judging from the structure of the school in the background of some of her photos as well as the students wearing the same uniform as her, the girl really left the country.

And most likely, it happened after she separated from Chii and Hifumi.

Now that she’s saying she’s going to return... then does that mean she’s transferring in?

Ugh... Anyway, after arranging the other things included in that package, I sat down with them and spent the next few hours browsing it and talking about Hana with all of them.

Minoru fell asleep halfway but the boy never let go of that one photo album... It’s like he became too fixated on seeing my younger self there. He’s unaware that it’s me though.

-

-

Returning to our room to rest for the night, I noticed the two girls, Akane and Miho heaving continuous sighs as though something was bothering them.

“What’s wrong?� Acting oblivious even if I already know the reason, I approached the two and asked.

Sure enough, they didn’t answer me instantly. Akane and Miho stared at me for a long while. From their eyes, I could see my reflection and the affection they had for me. However, beneath those emotions, I also notice the two girls’ dejection.

And because they didn’t want me to worry for them, Akane and Miho forced a smile before dragging me back to the bed wherein they once again used my arm as a pillow as they snuggled as close as possible. They also held onto my clothes tightly as though they were afraid that I would suddenly disappear.

Although it should be the same situation as last night or earlier, their mood was really heavy. Heavy enough that it’s kinda suffocating. And if I didn’t do anything, they’d probably have a hard time sleeping.

Obviously, this is the result of browsing through Hana’s gifts. Even if it’s just photo albums, it somehow affected them a lot more than we all thought.

And if I had to guess, they’re lamenting not only what happened earlier but also what’s going to happen when that girl shows up in front of us in the future.

Furthermore, no words could ease them up. What they’re feeling right now is more like a temporary debuff that no potion will be able to cure. However, there’s a limit to its effect.

Tomorrow, it will be completely dispelled as we face the new day.

That’s why the best I can do tonight is to assure them and convey my undying affection for them through gestures. Like caressing their backs, patting their heads and brushing their hair with my fingers.

Fortunately, that’s effective.

“Good night, Ruki. Uhm... I love you...�

“Husband, sleep well. I love you.�

Soon after lovingly whispering their goodnights, I kissed their lips and foreheads and waited for the sleep to take us to dreamland.

Or so I hoped. However, while the two girls fell asleep after being made comfortable by my caresses, I found myself unable to sleep.

Furthermore, my eyes were drawn to those photo albums that we placed on the table...

It’s hopeless...

I’m hopeless. I want to see Hana.

Spending at least half an hour just mulling over what I should do, I soon reached for my phone and spent another half an hour reading my girls’ messages while also catching those who were still awake.

And aside from the habitual late sleepers like Mizuki and Ririka, I found someone that’s normally already asleep at this time.

Without missing a beat, I sent her a message.

“Nami, can’t sleep?�

“Yes. I’m thinking about you, actually.�

“Is it because of what we told you?�

“What else? You do remember how I can completely read your mind without needing you to say something, right? I think that’s what’s happening to me. I’m awake this time to accompany you. Ruu, you can talk to me. About Hana or Shinohara-san.�

Upon reading what she wrote, a feeling of relief washed over me. That’s because she might be right. I’m truly in need of a company. Someone who will listen to me and someone who can easily understand what I meant.

“Shall I pick you up at your house?�

“Stop being an idiot, Ruu! Here is fine. I’m guessing Akane and Miho are already asleep. It’s fine through this chat.�

“Nope. I’m calling you. I want to see you and hear your voice, Nami. Besides, there’s a lot more I want to talk to you about, I’ll wake you up tomorrow if you ever oversleep.�

“Ruu, I don’t know if I will laugh or not but that’s a great assurance, I’m amazed,� Nami replied sarcastically. For sure, the girl was awkwardly smiling at her bed.

“Why, thank you. Leave it to me.�

After returning a sarcastic remark, I then tapped the video call icon. Moments later, Nami’s lovely face was fully captured on my screen.

And for the next hour or so, Nami listened to me spill everything running in my mind while offering her insight.