Stealing Spree

Seconds passed without Ishida-senpai coming up with an answer. It’s either she didn’t really have any reason or the reason was something she found hard to tell me at this moment.

We didn’t have that much time. Even if that Kenji was only standing before the door, he’d soon lose his patience. And surely, I didn’t want her to be put in a situation where that guy would put her to question.

That’s why half a minute later, I raised her head and stared directly into her eyes to get the answer to it.

“T-that…” Ishida-senpai quickly averted her gaze, afraid to prolong eye contact with me. But because of that, I understood… This girl didn’t have any excuse to call me out here. She’s just trying her luck…

Or that’s how I interpreted it at this moment. It didn’t matter anyway. It just so happened that I read her message when I was about to go home. And seeing that I had time to spare, I went here to see her.

There’s no need to pressure her. And because there’s a nuisance, the best I could do was just to make her comfortable before I leave.

Obviously, I’m not going to let that guy stay here and bother her more. Especially when I was aware of what kind of stunt he tried to pull before.

“Hmm… Alright, why don’t we finish what you’re preparing and go back to the living room?”

Upon hearing that, Ishida-senpai instantly turned her gaze back to me, her eyes widening in confusion. Surely, she’s wondering why I didn’t press her for an answer and changed the topic instead.

I put on a smile and tilted my head a bit before releasing her in my embrace. However, even when I did that, the girl remained clutching at me.

Her mouth opened and closed a few times before eventually lowering her head.

“Senpai, you don’t need to push yourself. Whatever the reason, or even if there isn’t one, I chose to come here to see you upon reading your message. I won’t lie and tell you that I have planned to come here on my own accord. I decided to do so thanks to the timing of your message and the current favorable circumstances that allowed me to pass by here before my next appointment. As you know, I’m a busy guy… Which means, I can’t stay for long…” I lifted her head once more and let her look at me as I revealed everything to her. “If you’re wondering, I have to go to my part-time job after this.”

Digesting all that took her quicker than I expected. Although she appeared slightly bitter from knowing that my appearance here was just close to coincidence, she didn’t let it occupy her face.

Ishida-senpai bit her lips and said, “Right. You’re too busy of a guy, yet you’re wasting your time here with me. And did I hear about a part-time job?”

“Yes, I’m teaching the basics of boxing to kids or mothers who don't have much free time for themselves. It’s not really a secret but I never brought it up. Only my girls and now, you are aware of it.”

Ishida-senpai nodded a few times as a satisfied smile peeked out from her lips. As for what triggered that, I could only put out a guess. Either she’s happy to hear that I told her about my part-time job or because I didn’t try to wriggle out of her questioning. Perhaps both.

In any case, the girl soon stood on her toes, bringing her face closer to me.

I thought she was going to kiss me but instead, I noticed that she was actually focused on my face as a whole.

A while later, her eyebrows furrowed.

“You look tired. There are bags under your eyes. Have you slept properly?”

This girl… So, this is why she’s staring that hard…

I mean, the eyebags were negligible. They’re already been there for a long time. But today, I really failed to get the right amount of sleep. Furthermore, I hiked up a mountain. Even if it seemed effortless on the outside, it still took some of my stamina – not counting the workout I did with Miwa-nee in the bath.

“Oh, this? I woke up at three in the morning and just got back from hiking an easy mountain. Don’t mind it.”

“What?!”

Though I said that as if they were negligible, that came as a shock to Ishida-senpai who instantly blurted that out as genuine concern filled her pretty face.

“I appreciate the concern but it’s really fine, senpai. Now, let’s go and finish this. That guy might come over soon.”

“No… Don’t change the subject. Are you trying to kill yourself?”

“Not in the slightest, senpai. Really, this isn’t –”

“Come here, I’m going to give something to you.” Cutting me off from brushing her concern away again, the girl finally let go of me. However, she grabbed my hand and pulled me deeper into the kitchen.

Since this room was as big as our living room, there were still a lot of things I hadn't checked during my first visit.

And this girl pulled me to a row of cabinets, most of which had exquisite designs and glass windows to see what was displayed in them.

After stopping right in front of something like a tea-making cabinet where cups, pots and different jars of tea leaves were located, the girl let go of my arm as she opened the glass door to reach for something.

While she was doing that, I took the time to admire this exquisite cabinet and its contents. Shizu, Mina or Auntie Yayoi would be enlivened if they saw all of these pieces of tea paraphernalia and expensive-looking leaves.

And since Ishida-senpai wasn’t really a tea person, they’re just gathering dust or seldom being taken out. What she was preparing for us was a pitcher of fruit juice, after all.

“Here. Take this home with you.” Having gotten what she reached for, the girl instantly handed it to me.

It’s a jar of tea leaves. And it’s one of the most expensive-looking ones.

“Senpai?” I tilted my head as I clutched the jar, asking for an explanation.

“Uh… You’re always busy, right? I heard from Father. That tea is great for people who never had ‘rest’ in their vocabulary. Take a cup every night and it will let you feel refreshed in the morning. I never had to take that since I’m always getting a proper amount of rest so… it’s much better to give it to you.”

“I see… Thank you but this is too much.”

“No. That is so I don’t have to supply you with it every time you run out. Don’t say anything else and take it home. I will be angry if you don’t.”

So, she cut off the choice to reject it. Anyway, the thought she put on this was extremely admirable… She’s looking after me, huh?

“Alright. I’ll listen to my precious senior. But how can I thank you for this?”

“I don’t need you to… I give that for –”

Predicting that she was going to say that, I immediately made my move. Obviously, I put down the jar first before pulling her in my embrace once more.

While she was in the middle of speaking, I lowered my head, planting my lips on hers.

Ishida-senpai froze for a few seconds, her eyes opened wide as her questioning gaze focused on me. However, as soon as I deepened our kiss; using my tongue and licking every corner of her mouth before sucking her lips, the girl gradually closed her eyes, savoring this moment.

And through this kiss, I properly convey my gratitude for her concern. I truly appreciate it. Thinking about how the girl instantly went on finding a solution to what she noticed from me, I couldn’t help but find that too lovely of her…

Right. If this continues, before I can make her fall for me completely, I might be the one to fall harder for her.

“Thank you, senpai,” I whispered after letting go of her lips.

With her expression fully flustered, Ishida-senpai weakly nodded her head. “N-next time, tell me if you’re going to… kiss me.”

“I will. I just can’t help it this time. Are you mad?”

“N-no. I’m just surprised.” She hurriedly shook her head before covering her face with her hands.

Soon after that, she turned around and returned to the counter where the juice and the donuts were being prepared by her.

I naturally followed her and helped her finish it. All the while, Ishida-senpai’s reddened face hadn’t subsided.

Once we were done with it, I tried carrying the tray but the girl stopped me and told me to get my jar and follow her.

At this point, I had already forgotten that Kenji might still be waiting before the door or whether he peeked inside why we were in front of the cabinet.

He probably already left. The guy was nowhere in sight when I opened the door for the girl.

And sure enough, upon returning to the living room, the guy was back at his feet, looking extremely uncomfortable.

Did he see us or not?