Stealing Spree

“Misaki, can you give us a moment?” I said to the girl that’s trying her hardest to cling to me while also enjoying my caresses on her head.

She nodded and stepped away, albeit reluctantly. As my hand slipped off of her head, I grabbed her cheek and squeezed in lightly, making the girl produce another pleased smile.

Yep. The girl’s adorable innocence had already grown on me. The way I treat her is already close to how I dote on my girls…

It’s quite certain that I would lose the challenge I placed on myself to only see Misaki as my first friend… I’d be an idiot to not notice that.

Well, for now, I would try my best not to take advantage of her innocence.

Misaki returned to the chair at the other end of this room, leaving Itou and me standing before each other.

I gestured for the girl to follow me to the corner where another set of chairs was conveniently placed.

Upon sitting down, the two of us stared at each other, waiting for who would open up the conversation.

In the end, I took it upon myself to start it. I mean, despite this situation being something she devised, I could instantly see her conflicted emotions through her eyes.

Whatever was in her head, it most likely concerned her sister, Himeko, or perhaps, even Misaki.

Despite her smile-less face, the girl was still as beautiful. She wouldn’t be popular if not for that, after all. And although her graceful aura was somehow nonexistent whenever she was with me, that didn’t diminish her attractiveness. At least, that’s how it was to me.

If other students, especially those who were crushing on her or just her admirers, they’d be shocked to see their ‘ojou-sama’ acting out of that character. That’s her established image.

“Alright… Before we start with what we’re going to do with educating Misaki, why don’t we start with what’s bothering you?”

“What are you talking about? Nothing’s bothering me.”

“Yes. There is… Though I don’t mind if you continue bottling it up, I don’t want Himeko to be affected by it in the long run. You’re her precious little sister, after all.”

As though I triggered a bomb from what I said, Itou’s facial expression instantly twisted into a frown. However, instead of throwing a fit, Itou only did what she always did. Glare at me.

Oh. Right. She also clenched her fists tightly, enough for them to shake and turn a little red. Itou was clearly seething in anger yet she couldn’t express it verbally and it’s not in her nature to get physical. That’s why this was all she could do to show me how angry she is towards me.

That’s pretty cute. But as always, it’s not something I will be moved about. It’s another thing if she cried though…

“Itou. We both know that our conversation won’t progress if you don’t start taking out your issues on me. You can be angry, that’s fine. Although I can guess the reason for that, I won’t get ahead of myself and assume that is truly the case.” Since she was not talking, I had no choice but to continue. I pushed my chair a little closer to her and leaned forward before saying that in a lower volume.

Misaki was looking at us curiously. She’d probably be confused if she heard the topic of our conversation. She never thought that something was going on between us, after all. For her, we’re both her friends who cared enough to help her understand things she’s unaware about.

“Take it out on you? As if that’s going to help. I’m just your girl’s little sister, right? You can’t see me beyond that identity.” Itou scoffed but her words were filled with bitterness.

Yep. This girl is truly mad because I keep sticking Himeko’s name whenever we would interact with each other. She hates that I only treat her as nothing more than Himeko’s little sister.

Anyway, despite what she said, she’s finally letting her real feelings out.

She’s unaware of it though.

“Itou… As someone aware of most of my secrets, shouldn’t you be already aware of how I am as a person? I’m someone who can say I’m interested in you in front of your face even after showing you my relationship with your beloved sister. Oh. For the record, that hasn’t changed.”

It's not that long so I still remember telling her that. And what I got from her was just her usual glare and angry reaction. However, following that day, our interactions became less and less. Nonetheless, I was still updated about her thanks to Himeko’s doting elder sister act who always bragged about her amazing little sister.

I guess that particular part was one of the factors why I keep bringing up her Himeko whenever I would interact with this girl.

Itou took a while to digest what I said. And when she finally reacted, her frown disappeared and what replaced it was a flabbergasted expression as though she heard something she didn’t expect.

She then replied stutteringly, “W-what did you just say?”

“I’m still interested in you. But Itou, you hated it, right? You hated me for your sister. And you hated how shameless I am. Has that part of you already changed?”

Although I already know the answer to that, I wanted to hear it directly from her. She’s already too obvious. She just couldn’t be honest in front of me.

“O-of course, it hasn’t! I still hate you… for taking Nee-sama’s purity. And I still hate you for being the person to solve our situation… That should be me…” She started strong but with each word, her voice grew weaker to the point that the last word was almost a whisper. She averted her gaze and refused to look at me. However, she didn’t do anything else.

But even though I could only see one side of her face, I could easily read what was written on it… She’s preventing herself from exploding in front of me.

She’s being difficult to herself.

Anyway, what she said was clearly not something she made up. That’s also part of what she’s feeling for me… She’s working hard to take her sister’s place in their company and her end goal was most possibly being allowed to get close to her again.

And when I solved that for them, this girl was naturally grateful at first but as days passed, she probably started piling up possible actions that she should’ve done before I became involved with them…

This was just a guess but… that negativity from the phrase ‘I should’ve done that before him’ was conflicting with her growing interest in me.

“Have you forgotten, Itou? I never wanted to take credit for it. The reason why you’re together again is because of your desire to be reunited… I only made the initial push. If that’s enough then you’re free to throw all your hate at me… If that is what’s going to make you comfortable. You’re her sister, I will always try to accommodate you.”

This time, calling her Himeko's sister again was intentional… She’s already pretty agitated and her real feelings started leaking out, after all. This way, I could hear what she’s still holding back…

And I wasn’t disappointed…

“You… I don’t want to be just Nee-sama’s little sister to you! Look at me without seeing the shadow of her!” For the first time, she finally made a move. The girl grabbed me by my collar and blurted that out to my face.