Stealing Spree

Around twenty minutes later, we’re now riding the bus to school. Because of an unexpected variable in the form of Tadano’s hyperactive sister who somehow decided to stick close to me, our planned moment alone was, more or less, scrapped.

Sitting at the back of the bus, I was currently sandwiched between Nami and Tadano’s little sister.

As for Tadano, he settled down at his sister’s left. He had no other choice anyway.

Honestly, despite how he glared at me right away when his sister noticed me, the guy was hopelessly powerless when it came to her. Or rather, he never had any control over her. His title as the older brother was easily ignored by the headstrong girl.

Even if he voiced his opposition to the girl associating with me, his little sister refused to listen to him.

What a poor guy. I can't help but pity him.

Consequently, Nami was also hopeless. When she showed up and saw Tadano's little sister fawning over me, the girl simply asserted her position instead of telling her off.

I asked her about it and her answer was simply baffling, “Let it be, Ruu. She’s an adorable fellow, anyway. “

And upon hearing that, Tadano's little sister cheerfully exclaimed, "You're the best Nanami-onee-chan!"

From that, I understood. Nami has an extremely soft spot for Tadano's little sister.

She wasn’t the least bit threatened. And although she invoked her ‘girlfriend’ rights at first which reduced the girl into a pouting mess, it only took a minute before she recovered and stuck close to me again, her enthusiasm reaching its peak.

In a way, our situation before getting on the bus turned almost similar to some rom-com scenes where a little sister character was trying to compete with the main heroine.

The two girls both pulled on my arm until we reached the bus stop.

Tadano pitifully trailed behind us, powerless to do anything.

Naturally, with how eye-catching that scene was, we got ogled at by the other students and passengers riding the same bus. And for the nth time, I became a target of envy for the poor souls.

I was unbothered. I’m already past the point of caring too much about it.

From my point of view, Nami was probably just too happy that I picked her up today so… she didn't want to sour her mood over something trivial as a little girl's peskiness.

On the other hand, Tadano's little sister was obviously taken in by my improved appearance.

Uh. Indeed, I could've acted cold to push her away but thinking about the time and place, that would be a hassle.

Furthermore, even if I did that, that wouldn't diminish Tadano's hateful disposition towards me. In fact, if I treated his sister poorly, he might be more enraged.

That's why I thought I would leave that to Nami. Alas, my girl was as unreliable as Tadano in this case.

And so… we’re back to the present.

“Mei-chan, your stop is near. Don’t you need to prepare?” I asked the girl at my left who’s still taking photos of us while posing as cute as possible in front of her camera.

Right. The girl already introduced herself to me.

Tadano Yumei but she preferred being called Mei-chan so I used that.

She's actually two years our junior, placing her as a 2nd-year middle schooler.

Well, my initial estimation was she's only a year younger than us. And that's because of her figure being a little mature – especially in places that mattered. if you know what I mean…

Honestly, my Ria won’t be able to hold a candle to her development even if she’s a year senior. No wonder I mistook her for being older.

"Oh. Then, senpai. Can you give me your Insta? I'll tag you with our pictures. You're sure to garner thousands of new followers if I do that!" Looking rather excited with that prospect, the girl exclaimed.

But thousands of new followers?' What kind of existence is this girl on the internet? Is she part of that generation who cannot stop wanting to be validated on the internet?

Wait, we’re also part of it, aren’t we? But we’re not actually active on it. Some of my girls were posting sometimes but not to the point that they cared enough for clout.

"I don't have one. Besides It's fine not to do so. Keep it to you."

Anyway, although it's quite fine for her to post photos of us since it's easy to create an excuse for those, I had no interest whatsoever in thousands of new followers.

The use of my social media is to only contact my girls easily. I was never fond of posting on it.

This girl, however, looks like someone really active on it considering she even mentioned thousands of followers.

"Eh? Why not?"

"Because I don't need one?"

"Senpai, you're behind the times." Unsatisfied with my answer, the girl pouted before turning to Nami "Onee-chan, what about you?"

Lost in her own world as she fiddled with our clasped hands, Nami took a moment to reply. "Sorry, Mei-chan, we're not fond of it. Just keep it to yourself, hmm?"

And because she received almost the same answer, the little girl was now looking exasperated. "Unbelievable. Onii-chan is one thing but the two of you as well? Are you actually from a different generation?"

She lamented before sulking back on her seat as she prepared to get off the bus.

"Yumei, stop that. Hurry up and prepare. The bus is about to stop." Tadano, acting like a big brother again, finally gathered his wits and reminded her.

Ah. Well, I guess knowing that her little sister was now separating from me completely eased his mind.

But in the first place, I never had any interest in his sister. Though as a pervert, I somewhat enjoyed the girl pressing herself on me.

Obviously, I’ll keep that to myself.

"Onii-chan, shut up.” Glaring at her brother, Mei-chan shut him down instantly.

Again. Poor guy.

Following that, the girl turned to me and smiled beautifully while waving her cute little hand. “Uhm, well then, senpai. See you again."

With that difference in treatment being too glaring, I saw Tadano turning purple in his seat. Somehow, that guy got battered by his little sister in this currently less than ten-minute ride.

He watched her fawn over someone he hated after all… And he had no choice but to accept that reality.

Anyway, I couldn’t care less about his feelings. I smiled at his sister and bade her farewell, "Sure. Take care, Mai-chan."

With that, we watched the girl leave the bus leaving the three of us alone.

But Tadano’s torment isn’t ending yet. Because this time, Nami was staring at him. Even without words, it’s easily understandable what she wanted to say. “Why don’t you scram and leave us alone already?”

Most likely, she’s just being tactful to not be too rude to her childhood friend.

Understanding what Nami was getting at, the poor guy indignantly stood up and changed seats up ahead, leaving the back seats for the two of us.

“Finally, we’re alone…” Now finally left alone, Nami’s relaxed disposition was replaced by an energetic one as she fervently pressed herself closer to me.

And while she was at it, the girl turned my head to hear as she parted her lips, waiting for me to take it.

“This girl… I was wondering when you will be this affectionate.” I said as I lowered my head, planting my lips on hers, not minding that the bus was half-full or that we could be caught by someone.

“Mei-chan is too innocent for this, don’t you think so?” Nami answered after savoring our first kiss for the day.

That girl? Innocent? I don’t think so…

From the brief encounter I had with her, she’s anything but innocent… Is Nami not aware of it? Or is it because she’s blinded by her cuteness? Anyway, I doubt this will be the end of my encounter with that girl…

And because of it, Tadano had another reason to hate me. Not that I care but it’s a little troublesome. Here I thought, I could even try to befriend him just for the sake of their club’s harmony.

“How innocent? She seems too outgoing for me… Anyway, enough about them… We’re finally alone so… let me spoil my Nami” Putting everything to the back of my mind, I inched closer to the girl, making use of these few minutes that we’d be alone.

Influenced by me, Nami adorably nodded her head and accepted my lips for the second time before wrapping her arms to my back.