Stealing Spree

Really, Miura-senpai sending me a message as well was something I failed to predict. Nonetheless, it didn’t really matter whether she did or not.

Truthfully, I first planned to visit the Miura Household today. However, I scrapped that as soon as I decided to walk Rae home. Getting Komoe back to school is urgent, yes. However, nothing could top my girls in terms of priority.

Besides, Komoe sending me a message was another progress in her rehabilitation. It only meant that she was already leaning on going back. Just that, it also meant that she was only doing it for the sake of gaining me as a friend.

As long as she returned, I guess? Eguchi-sensei would also help me in handling her once that happened anyway.

“I’m sorry, senpai. I will come tomorrow. If nothing else comes up.”

Starting with an apology, I kept my reply to Miura-senpai short.

As for Komoe...

“Girl, have you forgotten what I told you? As much as I wanted to visit you, I also have other duties. Sit tight there, alright? Or you can tell me if you’re ready to return. I’ll pick you up in the morning.”

Not telling her that I might come tomorrow was for the girl to build up anticipation. She’d surely pace around her room, thinking about her choices.

I also sent another message to Miura-senpai, informing her not to tell her sister about what I told her.

With that, I put my phone back in my pocket, deciding to check their replies later.

A few minutes after that, Rae returned to the room without Yoko-san. Judging from the smile that couldn’t contain her excitement, it looks like she’s successful.

And as soon as she caught sight of me, the girl ran and jumped in my embrace...

“How is it? Have you talked to her?” I asked. Although the answer was already clear, I still opened up our conversation like that.

While snuggling in my embrace, the girl replied, “Yes! She finally called me with the nickname she gave me; Hon-chan.”

“Hon-chan? So, she took your love for books and used that as your nickname.”

“What of it? It’s cute” Rae pouted and bloated her cheeks which made her look even cuter than that nickname.

I poked her cheeks and laughed, “Yes, yes. My Hon-chan is cute.”

“I’m your Rae, dummy. That aside, I only passed the first hurdle. Yoko-san really got scared of you. She even advised me to stay away because you’re dangerous. Her concern for me was ruling in her mind. I only slipped away, saying I will send you home.”

Well, that’s to be expected. Since she believed our acting, that’s inevitable. And revealing to her that it’s all an act would be detrimental, she might even feel betrayed or made fun of. So it’s better to keep it that way for now.

“I see. For what it’s worth, becoming the villain in her eyes was well worth it. At the moment, that’s more than enough. After I leave, try to talk to her again. If she returns to her previous behavior, I’ll play the villain again.”

“Will that still work? Didn’t we show her that I asked you for help?”

“True. However, next time, I’ll do it while you’re out of her sight.”

“Oh. That way, she’ll think that you’re acting on your own.”

“Mhm. She might come to hate me though. But no worries, we’re going to focus on one goal for now. We could still have a chance to fix that in the future anyway. By then, introduce me to her properly. I also kind of want to ask her about how my Rae is during those times.”

“Geez, you thought it out already... What can I do without you?”

“Read books and increase your knowledge?”

“Yeah, right. But I won’t send you home yet. Let’s go and eat. Yoko-san is in her room, I want you to taste what she can make.”

Without letting me say no, the girl already dragged me down to their dining hall.

It still felt empty but looking at the feast prepared on it, I might’ve been wrong with the assumption that she never considered my existence. She prepared a lot that the two of them would probably not be able to finish even if they filled their bellies to the brim.

Understanding what’s on my mind, Rae teasingly said, “Isn’t she thoughtful, Ruki? I never had a guest before. But look, the first time I brought you here, she prepared her best dishes for you. Uhm, it might be because she wanted you to be impressed by me. Still, she considered a man’s appetite.”

“Right. I should thank her when all of this is over.”

Rae and I took our seats, eating our dinner together. It was a delectable experience. And seeing the girl happily munching on meat and vegetables along with her jovial mood, it’s more than enough to also give me satisfaction.

Throughout that dinner, the maid never showed up in front of us. However, with my honed senses, I felt like someone was watching us from somewhere.

Most likely, the woman was looking out for Rae. If I did something untoward to Rae, she would come running to protect the girl.

Well, nothing of the sort happened and soon enough, Rae sent me back to their tall, metal gate.

Before stepping out of it, I pulled the girl close to me, kissing her for the last time today. And once our lips separated, I brought up something she would look forward to. “Next week, I’ll take you home with me.”

-

-

One hour later, I arrived home and like the past two days, Fuyu stayed with Akane while I was still outside.

Compared to the previous times, there’s a noticeable change in her behavior. She didn’t nag at me anymore.

Well, I made sure to announce my arrival and greeted her. I also brought home her favorite soda – which Akane advised me to get – from the convenience store that I passed by.

Though Fuyu didn’t show it on her face, the girl’s mood instantly improved upon catching sight of it. I acted oblivious to that though and continued to check on Akane, waking the girl up so that we could eat together again.

Mizuki would be coming tonight so it would be best to not stall time tonight.

Moreover, Akane’s quirk was also about to fade off. Her period was about to end. That’s why she's not as playful as yesterday.

Nonetheless, she still managed to make her best friend flustered by bringing up what happened yesterday. Or rather, the time I escorted Fuyu home.

Eating two dinners three days in a row was definitely taking its toll on me. No wonder I had to go to the bathroom earlier...

But it’s fine. That would end today, I hope?

Anyway, since it’s not as late as yesterday, when it’s time for her to go home, Fuyu rejected our offer to walk her home again.

I okayed it, however, with Akane’s insistence, we settled on having me walk her to the station.

And that’s our current situation.

With the silence that’s kinda normal in our neighborhood, the immediate noises we could hear were only the sound of our footsteps and the occasional distant roars of engines.

To say that the mood was awkward was partly false because this was also what happened last night.

It wouldn’t improve that easily. But at least, she’s not as averse to me anymore.

Anyway, with all the help that I got from her for taking care of Akane, there’s this part of me that really wanted to repay her.

And so, before we entered the station, I stopped in my steps, grabbed her hand and pulled her to the waiting area of the station.

Although surprised at my sudden actions, Fuyu didn’t resist it and let herself be dragged by me.

As soon as I stopped and faced her, the girl’s eyes became fixed on me, waiting for what I was about to say.

“Yuuki-san. How should I say this? I won’t be able to feel at ease if I don’t do something... So, is there something I can do for you?”

I expected her to answer with ‘you don’t have to do anything’ so I was ready to make a follow-up.

However, to my surprise, what came out of her mouth was different than what I was expecting, “You’re truly a hopelessly considerate guy, Onoda-kun. I’m certain you won’t take no for an answer. Therefore, I’ll think of something. Can you wait for it?”