Stealing Spree

“Uh. I got some school work to finish. It got a little dragged out so...”

After thinking for an explanation, that’s all I could come up with. I couldn’t find the energy to elaborate it to her. I mean, there’s clearly no reason for me to explain myself to her. Although I’m thankful for what she did, I would rather repay her in some other ways than have her act like this with me.

Fuyu stared at me for a long while. It’s like she’s trying to verify whether my answer was truthful or not.

But since I decided not to get into whatever she was trying to do, I acted normally and started talking off my shoes to enter. Following that, I walked toward her and stopped just a step before crashing into her.

While our house’s corridor was enough to fit three people, we were still technically in a conversation so… it was rude to just leave her alone here.

And so, I met her gaze and waited for her to finish silently staring at me.

I wonder where her courage came from when she’s still trying to run away from me earlier?

A few seconds later, the girl finally opened her mouth. However, her next words weren’t a reply to my answer.

“… You’re too close, Onoda-kun.”

“It’s because you suddenly became silent, Yuuki-san. I can’t just wait until you answer me, right?”

“I… I suppose.”

“Alright. Shall we enter then? I kind of like to rest my feet.”

“Un. We shall.”

I thought she would still pursue what she brought up earlier but what is this? She easily let me steer the conversation away from it.

Moreover, the last few exchanges sounded like a conversation between an awkward couple; the girl being too soft while the guy was too rough.

Adding to that, Fuyu’s apron on top of her uniform and the fact that she waited for me here, she fitted the young housewife role.

Well, if I pointed that out to her, I should expect her anger again. With a lot that happened today, I just wanted to rest and relax. I still have to tell my girls what I couldn’t tell them earlier so… I better behave here and just hope that Fuyu will go home without going ballistic with her suspicion again.

Upon entering the living room, Fuyu started speaking again before I could raise a question.

“Akane is in your bedroom. She fell asleep sniffing your blanket that still has your scent.”

So that’s how she put her to sleep, huh? No doubt, Akane would be satisfied with that.

“I see. Thank you for always taking care of Akane, Yuuki-san. Can you tell me how I can repay you for the trouble?” I put on an embarrassed smile which the girl once again scrutinized.

A second later, she dropped it and replied, “I don’t need anything. Just don’t hurt that girl. She already suffered enough seeing you with different girls for years. Don’t make that mistake. You won’t see someone as persevering and loyal as her.”

Yeah. It’s really hard to hate this girl when she’s like this. It’s all about Akane’s happiness for her. Although her meddling with us was annoying, I couldn’t really blame her because I gave her the reason to doubt. For sure, she’s convinced that I was the one she saw that day.

From what I could deduce, this girl would only rest her doubt if either I confessed to her about that incident or I let her in with our secret. However, both will result in her anger at me growing and the total collapse of her trust.

And if that happened, she’d probably convince Akane to leave me. But Akane being Akane, that girl would choose me over her friend; their friendship would be broken.

“Mhm… I’ll remember that,” I answered without making any promises.

Fuyu, looking disappointed, averted her gaze and walked away to the kitchen where one of the stoves still had a fire on without replying.

She’s still in the middle of cooking.

Thinking about my plans to befriend her, I started deliberating whether to start with that now. Helping her in the kitchen was definitely a chance to do so… However, it still depends on whether she would accept my help or not.

That’s why I first went up to change and check on Akane before drawing out how I could approach Fuyu and close our distance.

Five minutes later, I went down and silently walked to the kitchen.

The girl noticed me but she didn’t bother telling me off. I mean, this was still our house. She still had her manners with her.

While she was stirring the pot of soup, I started conversing with the girl, “Yuuki-san. How can I help?”

The girl glanced at me for a while before pointing at the dishes. “You can prepare the table. Is Akane still asleep?”

I nodded and started doing that before answering her question “Mhm, she’s peacefully sleeping. I can’t bear to wake her up. I’ll get her later for dinner.”

“Alright.”

And with that, apart from the clanking sound of the plates and cutlery as well as the faint sound of the soup she’s stirring, silence reigned between us.

I committed to finishing the preparation first before bringing up another point of conversation. This time, I will be enacting my plan to befriend her.

“Yuuki-san, I know it’s late and it’s probably hard for you. But I think I also want to become your friend.”

“You think?”

Fortunately, she answered quickly. However, it’s filled with doubt.

“Yes. I’ll be honest with you. It’s pretty hard to know how I should behave in front of you if every time you’ll look at me either with suspicion or fear. That’s why… I think it’s best if we get to know each other better rather than continue with that.”

“Onoda-kun, I already know you. And you’re the same, you know me. With those eyes of yours, I doubt you still failed to get a read on my personality. Uh. Except for secrets, obviously.”

So, she meant to say that she also managed to read my personality? That’s also probably why she became this stuck up on trying to find dirt on me

“You might be right. However, Yuuki-san, we both care for Akane. And honestly, I admire your friendship with her. A lot. That’s why I don’t want to become the rift between you two.”

“What are you saying? Do you believe our friendship will break because of you?”

“Yes.”

“…”

From where I was standing, I saw Fuyu freezing up. She stopped stirring the pot and her grip on the ladle tightened. Even if I couldn’t see her expression, she was definitely affected by what I said.

And given that she couldn’t say anything back, she also came to the same conclusion.

At this point, I walked close to her and held the hand she was using to stir the pot. And before she could react to it, I already pressed closer to her ear and whispered, “I don’t want to see that happening, Yuuki-san. I don’t want Akane to lose a friend because of me. That’s why… Can you give me a chance?”