Stealing Spree

“I believe it’s only natural, Ruki. I will listen to your request just once and try not to steal you on the first day of my return.

However, if you failed to convince me why I shouldn’t steal you from them and make you mine exclusively, you best be prepared for what I’m about to do.

You have no idea how much impact you made on me. Without you, I will still be stuck in an endless quagmire, trying to keep up face and please whoever’s in front of me. There wouldn't be the Hana of today if not for you.

I may not have known what else happened to you during my absence. Nevertheless, I am willing to believe that you’re not the same cold yet extremely warm boy anymore.

Anyhow, Chizuru and Hifumi likely thought I befriended them. I don’t. I only used them to get to know more about the sides of you that I can’t see whenever you’re in front of me. Please extend my apologies to them if you meet them.

PS. The song fits what I’m about to do. I don’t see why won’t I use it otherwise?”

Right before I approached the bookstore where Chii and Hifumi could be seen browsing, I received another email from Hana.

It was a direct reply to me and although she wrote something that tickled my senses as to what kind of impact I made, my mind focused on the last part before another postscript.

She wanted to apologize to Hifumi and Chii for befriending them with an ulterior motive. Remembering how concerned they were for each other, it would certainly be a heartbreaking thing to hear for them.

Looking at them through the clear glass walls of the bookstore, the two were having fun browsing different books or magazines. Chii, in particular, even returned to how she was before taking up the mask of a gyaru. And Hifumi, her face was brightly lit up with that genuine smile she currently has.

I couldn’t bear to think of showing up there only to have the two listen to Hana’s confession about using them instead of truly befriending them.

What should I do? Well, it’s obvious…

I took a step back and put a little distance from the bookstore for a moment to quickly type a reply to Hana.

I carefully chose my words and ended them with a reply to that particular line.

“… Regarding Chii and Hifumi, it’s best if you tell that to them yourself. If you’re returning here, meeting them is just a matter of whether you’re willing or not. If it is as you say, all the more reason you appear before them. I refuse to be your mouthpiece.”

I reviewed it a few times and thought hard if I would add more. Like continuing that separate conversation on her postscript.

But I guess that’s enough fooling around. I might’ve been excited to hear that she’s returning but that didn’t mean I would be willing to sacrifice the time and attention that should be for my girls… Three emails are enough.

After tucking my phone back into my pocket, I strode forward and entered the bookstore.

Since it was a surprise, even Chii didn’t know when or where I would appear. She only told me the place where they should be hanging out so I’m quite lucky to have found them easily.

As rows of shelves laid out before me and various people picking out books to read partly obstructed the path, I made my way to the two girls silently.

But at each step I took, I could feel the rising excitement in my chest. I’m really hopeless when it comes to my girls… Perhaps even a small thing would become a big deal for me as long as it involved them.

“Look here, Fumin. Doesn’t this guy look like him?” As I neared them, I heard Chii’s cheerful voice calling out to Hifumi.

That girl… She once again created a nickname for someone close to her.

“Chizuru, I think you need to see an optometrist soon. Every good-looking guy in that magazine looks like Ruki to you.” Hifumi replied while releasing a small sigh. Most likely that’s not the first time Chii presented something to her and called it a lookalike of me.

“What’s wrong with it? Don’t tell me you’re not the same as me.” Chii’s reply was filled with disbelief. It’s as though she’s surprised that the girl with her wasn’t as lovestruck as her.

“Of course not! It’s enough that I think about him. No need to see every single model in a magazine with his face. He’s handsome, I give you that… But that’s not why we…” Hifumi abruptly stopped her preaching.

Since they’re still not in my sight, I could only imagine her reaction. She realized that she was overpraising me, isn’t she?

She’s probably blushing right about now.

But thinking about our previous interaction, she’s supposed to still be unsure of what to do with her feelings yet. But the way she praised and admitted how she’s thinking about me already says where she’s standing…

Should I come at her assuming that she’s welcoming me back into her life? Maybe not yet. She’s with Chii so she’s probably comfortable telling her about that.

Or so I thought…

Chii’s clear laughter soon rang out as she started teasing the girl to be completely honest and complete her words.

However, because of how loud it was, a staff member of the bookstore ran to them and hushed the girl.

I could still hear her giggling though.

Anyway, making my way to them finally came to an end. I emerged from the aisle next to them and quickly spotted the two girls.

My eyes instantly focused on Chii who had her hair down while holding her stomach. On the other hand, Hifumi was facepalming in front of her. It’s also quite noticeable how Hifumi’s ears were bright red. I was right in thinking that she was embarrassed. But whether it’s an embarrassment from what she just uttered or because she’s embarrassed for Chii laughing loudly and getting hushed by the staff, I had no idea.

Still, seeing them together like these brought about a gush of warmth to my chest.

Taking this chance that neither of the two had noticed me yet, I sneakily closed our distance.

When I reached the point where I could just grab either of the two, I paused in my steps and let my arms stretch out, circling Hifumi’s head and covering her eyes.

Reacting instantly to that, the girl reflexively tried to duck. Unfortunately for her, I anticipated that. My hands still found their target, covering her eyesight. However, because she was wearing a pair of glasses, my hold wasn’t that firm.

In any case, since there was a chance for her to scream or even hit me with her elbow, I quickly pushed my lips close to her ear and whispered, “Guess who?”

At this point, Chii, who was just giggling, made eye contact with me. Although surprise easily conquered her previous expression, her beautiful smile instantly replaced it. She clasped her hands in front of her and nodded multiple times in clear excitement.

I winked at her which figuratively shot an arrow to her heart before putting my focus back on the girl in front of me.

Hifumi’s hand already grabbed my hand and peeled it off her glasses. And, in contrast to Chii’s excitement, Hifumi bubbled in silent rage,

“You and your surprises… Won’t you at least tell me if you’re going to show up here?” Turning around to face me, Hifumi removed her glasses, produced a small thin cloth, and cleaned my fingerprints that fogged its lenses. “Did you hear?”