Stealing Spree

Faced with that question by her older cousin, Eimi acted oblivious by simply relishing the feeling of my sturdy back, rubbing her cheeks on it.

Understanding that she wouldn’t get an answer from Eimi, Anzu’s questioning gaze focused on me.

However, her eyes darted around a second later, failing to maintain eye contact with me. I had no idea whether it was because of what happened earlier or what she saw inside Eimi’s room.

In any case, that’s advantageous for us.

Although it was easy to tell her that she had no right to question us, I opted for a peaceful resolution. Besides, she’s the one who didn’t know how to knock on the door before opening it. Sooner or later, she’d understand that point and drop it herself.

This was to prevent the two of them from getting awkward when I leave later.

With that, I quickly came up with a fairly believable excuse, “What are you talking about, onee-san? Eimi checked if I got bug bites from earlier.”

Upon hearing that, a look of disbelief filled her face.

Eimi also reacted a bit. But only enough to convey her confusion. I had yet to tell her about our walk to the park, after all. Her ears probably perked up because the excuse was too specific.

In any case, that excuse was enough to stump Anzu. Her mouth opened and closed a few times, trying to come up with a rebuttal.

After half a minute, the shorter older cousin could only indignantly step aside, letting us pass by her. I heard her clicking her tongue though. Most likely, she’s just holding it back. She’s worried that I would tell Eimi about her act earlier. Perhaps, if we found ourselves alone again, that would be the time for her to bring up the same question.

As we began putting our distance from Anzu, Eimi, who also held back asking me about the ‘bug bites’ excuse, asked me about it, to clear up her confusion.

And with that, I told the girl what happened. The summary of it, at least. That I arrived here when she was still asleep and Anzu asked me to accompany her to the park to get some sunlight. I also told her about how I addressed Anzu’s complex, giving her some encouragement.

After digesting everything that I said, the same as my other girls, Eimi meaningfully stared at me as though she was trying to figure out if there was more to it than what I told her.

Her smile then widened, enough for the whites of her teeth to show up followed by a bit on my nape.

And as we neared the kitchen and before I could put her down, she teasingly whispered, “Ruki, I will not be surprised anymore if Anzu-nee started liking you after this day. You see, what you did must have made her day. No wonder she got tongue-tied like that instead of rebutting like always.”

“You think?”

“Un. If she was the same as before she wouldn’t let us pass easily without explaining what she witnessed inside my room. Your excuse made her remember your time with her.”

Ending that with a giggle, Eimi clearly showed there that she’s also not averse to the idea. Or she just wanted to tease me and get my reaction.

Either way, I also laughed at it, humoring her.

“Is it that easy? But even if that’s the case, I won’t do anything if I’m not that interested in her or if it will make you uncomfortable. But you see, I think I’m now finding her adorable and admirable. All those efforts were because of something she lacked that she had no control over. It must have been hard.”

“Yes, I also admire Anzu-nee. But you know how she is. The two of us can’t help but clash. Also, I can’t help but feel a little jealous whenever she will approach you.”

“That’s normal to feel that but at the end of the day, you two get along well with each other. You care for her the same way as she cares for you.”

“Un. I love Anzu-nee. However, I can only show that to her sometimes. The number of times where we get along is clearly outnumbered by the number of times that we clashed. Either she’s teasing me or the other way around.”

Halfway through her words, I could sense how much she appreciated Anzu. And from my talk with the girl earlier, she’s the same. Just that, it’s already normal for the two of them to tease each other.

“Hmm… But you know, Ruki. I still can’t say for sure what I would feel about it if Anzu-nee really started liking you and you reciprocated it.” Although a little conflicted, Eimi honestly told me what was on her mind.

Upon hearing that, despite the difficulty of turning my head for more than 80 degrees to her side, I reached in to kiss her before replying, “It’s fine not to think about it. It’s still just a possibility. I told you, right? It’s my position as her little brother that got cemented earlier.”

“Un. A very sensible little brother.” Agreeing with me, Eimi then laughed once more. And this time, she was the one who reached in for another kiss which extended for a minute before we continued to our destination.

After reaching their kitchen where I dropped her on one of the chairs, I took it up myself to serve her breakfast – even though it was already prepared in the middle of the table. I also went to their coffee maker to brew her a cup.

While I was doing that, Eimi lovingly watched me with her chin resting on her palms. She even slipped into a rather fantastical setting where she’s the princess and I’m her loving prince who chose to serve her with all of my abilities.

By the time she started eating, I had sat down across from her to fully catch a front view of the girl gracefully eating her breakfast.

She got embarrassed by it, of course. But she didn’t tell me to stop watching. Instead, using a fork, she asked me to join her in finishing all of them.

With this, the girl’s breakfast became more meaningful for her.

Twenty minutes later, after changing into her clothes and getting the money for the grocery from Anzu, the two of us departed her house.

Although it’s the same routine as before, the two of us still enjoyed it, especially when we missed out on coming together last week.

After dropping her groceries at their house, Eimi returned with me to ours. Knowing that Yua was there today, the girl wanted to chat with her. Moreover, she also showed me a glimpse of their group chat.

Some of my girls would be coming as well. Not to meet me but to have a meeting.

Meeting for what, you ask?

It’s the Hana Countermeasure Meeting that Akane organized. Or rather, she sent a message to their group when I left earlier, asking them if they wanted to come over because there’s a possibility that Hana will come today.

… Yeah. They’re going to man the fortress in case their enemy launches an assault.

Now, I wonder what Hana's expression will be when she really shows up later. Fear? Delight? Or a boost in her determination to steal me from the girls.