Stealing Spree

Twenty minutes later, we finished eating and moved to the living room to rest for a while. Akane, still with her antics, pulled us both to sit on the long sofa where I got sandwiched by the two again.

While Akane happily clung to my right, Fuyu awkwardly maintained an almost negligible distance between us. Our shoulders weren’t even touching. Furthermore, the girl’s eyes remained in front of us or specifically at the program being shown on the TV.

Earlier, I received a message from Yue that she was going to be in another show. But it’s already pre-recorded so… all we had to do was wait for its time slot. Luckily, it’s not the program where she’s having a guest appearance yet.

At the moment, there’s the usual weekly drama series that Akane and I weren't following.

However, Fuyu seemed really focused on it. Or she had no other choice but to act like she was engrossed watching it in order to escape Akane’s mischievous schemes of pushing her to me.

I mean, the girl kept on squeezing us into one corner. Even when I scold her, the girl would just turn a deaf ear and act cutely… The latter was too effective on me.

Still, I got her to explain this current behavior. While Fuyu acted engrossed in the drama shown on TV, Akane and I whispered to one another.

“I heard your conversation earlier. Unless you decide to tell her everything, your method will not work anymore, husband. She will keep on suspecting you.”

“I get that. But do you think pushing her to get close to me will solve it?”

“Uhm… I don’t know. What I’m aiming at is for her to turn to you for help. She won’t get mad at me. At most, she’s going to ignore me for a while. I can easily turn that around by sticking to her at school. That’s why your chance is only during this time… When my period ends, she might not come here anymore.”

I see. I understand the logic in her method but… will it really work?

“You’re a bad friend. You know how I am and yet you’re pushing me to her.”

“But I’m not saying you take her for yourself? I’m not averse to the idea though. She’s been with me all this time. I’m feeling bad about keeping things from her.”

“And what you’re keeping will definitely be unacceptable for her. Look at how she reacted even with only suspicion.”

“True. But that’s the homework of the notorious Ruki; the Dark Prince of Unstoppable Greed, the skirt-chasing Demonic Tyrant, Possessor of the Irresistible Tongue and Breaker of Relationships… Uhm, are there more to it? Anyway, I know you can do it, husband. A friend or a lover. I’m fine with either.”

Alright. Let’s forget that she just recited all the titles that Elizabeth gave me, this girl was all-in in welcoming her friend into our relationship.

In any case, I didn’t reply to that. Instead, I pinched Akane’s cheeks, enough for them to turn red. But as though she didn’t feel any pain, the silly girl’s cheerful and satisfying laughter rang out.

Fuyu stared at the girl weirdly before turning to me, waiting for me to explain Akane’s behavior.

I answered with a shrug before pulling down Akane, letting her head rest on my lap. Fortunately, that calmed her down when she hugged me while facing my abdomen.

My hand naturally went down to her hair, brushing it gently and affectionately.

When Fuyu saw that, another awkward smile showed on her lips before also reaching for Akane’s hair, joining me in brushing it.

-

-

Soon enough, it’s time for Fuyu to go home. Akane and I walked her to the door. However, it was at this moment that the silly girl brought up another suggestion.

“Husband, can you send Fuyu home? It’s about time you step up your game.” Akane whispered that but at a volume loud enough for her best friend to hear.

Right. This was another extension of what she's been doing since dinner.

“Akane?!” Fuyu shouted with widened eyes. She probably thought that she was finally going to be freed from Akane’s devious plotting. She was just about to sigh in relief, after all.

Too bad for her. The silly girl was unstoppable at this point. And she’s probably going to spout some kind of plausible reason for raising that suggestion.

“You’re a girl, Fuyu. You need an escort especially when it’s already this late. Husband will protect you against anyone.” Akane even threw a punch, hinting that I could knock down anyone that would try to hurt her.

See? As expected of Akane.

In any case, she’s right. Compared to yesterday, Fuyu’s stay here lasted for about an hour and a half longer. At this time of the night, there are little to no people walking outside anymore. Some delinquents or thugs might see her as a target.

I also wanted to send her home if possible. It’s a part of showing gratitude as well. Although Akane would be alone, she could simply stay next door to her parents while I was out.

“No. I’ll be fine, don’t worry.” Fuyu answered while shaking her head. And perhaps knowing that it’s impossible to talk reason with the girl, she also turned to me with pleading eyes, asking to be saved from Akane.

Wait, isn’t this the effect that the girl wanted to see? Fuyu turned to me for help…

As if reading my mind, I felt Akane’s elbow hitting me again. She winked and meaningfully smiled. Even without words coming from her mouth, I already understood the meaning of that smile.

‘Now’s your chance, take it!’

Well, I also planned to dissuade her a bit. She’s being too pushy, after all.

And so, after deliberating for a moment, I turned to Akane and stepped my right foot forward. It’s like a show of my stance regarding this issue.

“Shouldn’t we respect her choice, Akane? Even though I agree with your reason, it’s bad to force our opinion on someone else.”

“Don’t say that, husband. I’m only worried about my friend. If I’m Fuyu, won’t you do the same?”

“Of course, I will. But you know me. I won’t force a choice on you. If you said no, then no it is.”

“Eh… Okay then. You two won.” Akane pouted and turned around. She acted disappointed that she didn’t get her way and started walking back to the living room.

However, she hadn’t taken three steps yet when the girl at the door raised her voice.

“Wait… I, I get it. If Onoda-kun is fine with it, can you walk me home?”

As soon as Fuyu said that, the silly girl who was acting her best visibly shook in joy. She put a hand on her mouth, covering the grin she was having at the moment.

Really, what a devious girl. My previous self was probably inferior to her schemes. If Hina heard about this, that girl might also think that she’s not as great a schemer as Akane.

Anyway, this is fine, I guess.

I faced Fuyu and nodded, “Yes, it’s alright. I also agree with what Akane said, after all. We don’t know what’s out there. You can use me as a shield if need be.”

Fuyu laughed at my answer. Akane also stopped holding back her laughter. But we both know what she’s laughing at.

Anyway, with this, we first sent Akane next door before I started escorting Fuyu to her house.

It’s only a station away so I doubt we’d have any moments where I could get closer to her. But who knows? What’s important is to make sure that I deliver her safely at home.