Stealing Spree

Hit by that realization, Hanabi hurriedly turned to me. A pitiful look occupied her face as she tried to plead using her cuteness.

In my eyes, however, that only highlighted her goofiness. Within an instant, I pinched her puffed-up cheeks, turning that pitiful look to a frown as though I'd wronged her.

Nonetheless, her expression brought about a natural smile on my lips. She already distinguished herself enough from Matsuri despite their likeness and I’m sure, if not for my thinking that I shouldn’t be overly intimate with her yet, I would’ve sealed her lips to appease her.

In any case, it’s not like I couldn’t understand her woe. Maybe for her, she could only tolerate me calling her in a casual manner or through our silly endearment. Not others. That was where she was trying to draw the line.

Moreover, upon remembering that even Satsuki and Sena treated her as someone of the same age, her eyebrows which were always curved and slanted.

"It's unfair. I'm not being treated like a senior." She protested once more.

Watching that, Nami and the other two narrowed their eyes as their lips also curved into a smirk. They found the frantic girl amusing but at the same time, they're probably thinking about how I would answer the girl or how important the girl is to me at the moment. They’re aware of how I keep the tight line of loving them equally but it was also noticeable that when it comes to new girls, it’s always a certainty that I would be taking their side in case someone stepped out of line – for example, Azusa.

Even when I showed my interest in the girl and how much I favored her, I never stopped them from trying to keep the girl in line.

And with that, they knew that it would be the same for Hanabi.

Amidst Hanabi’s protest, Nami stepped forward, taking her place next to me. And then while looking at Hanabi, she said, “Ruu. Are we being rude to her?”

I dropped a hand on her head before sliding my arm to her back. With Hina and Saki following us closely, we walked back to their seats. We were gathering attention so I had to minimize that before continuing.

Once we settled down, I answered Nami, “It’s fine. She’s not Hana who was openly hostile when she showed up, right? And I know what you’re thinking.”

After that, I turned my head to the goofball that was still demanding justice. “As for you babe… You’re not acting like it. Why don't you try to establish your seniority right now?"

Nami gave me a nod and a pleasant smile while Hanabi widened her eyes.

As though she became a mechanical doll, the goofball’s head cranked slowly as she cautiously faced the three girl’s gazes.

“H-how do I do that?”

“It’s up to you, babe. Get to know them. Don’t be afraid, they won’t bite or gang up on you. Besides… there are others who are curious about you. I will have to return down there earlier so… I’m planning to leave you in their care.”

I gestured towards the other girls sitting not far away from us. Akane, in particular, looked like she was already itching to tease the girl. The same as Aoi and Elizabeth.

Kanzaki was still a little cautious but she’s probably here to genuinely cheer for our basketball team – she’s not hoping that I would come to her side on my own. Well, that’s a wrong notion. I’ll surprise her later.

Apart from that, using the few seconds that Hanabi was contemplating for an answer, I checked on everyone who already settled in their seats.

Most of my girls from the other school were here except Mizuki and Otoha.

Mizuki already informed me that she was called by the main family. They probably linked Hassen’s movements to her given that they were informed of that guy’s sudden decision to repurpose his ‘little baby’ business. That girl told me to let her handle it and we could talk about it later – as partners.

Otoha went along with her grandfather. Hitomi informed me that the old butler drove the eccentric old man near their school to pick up the girl. And at the moment, she could only follow their car as they drove out of the city. As for the destination, she wasn’t informed.

Nonetheless, I had a hunch what that was about. Back when Hitomi specifically went to me and handed me the satellite phone connected to the Patriarch of the Kaneko Family, he told me to prepare for a task. It’s not a test or anything but he told me that it would be beneficial for the girl.

I agreed to it and even at this moment, I was still waiting for when he’d give me the signal.

If I’m not wrong, taking Otoha with him must have a lot of significance to the current situation of their family. He doesn’t have any plan to retire yet but he already changed his mind about not giving Otoha the power that she could grasp herself. Freedom was his initial promise but with this, he’s possibly bringing her to the meeting table to learn the ins and outs of their empire.

Hopefully, I could also hear from them later. If not, I might just knock on their estate and ask the old man myself before going on that camping trip.

“Okay! I can do this! I will show them my seniority!” Bringing my senses back to the present, the goofball puffed out her chest as she declared that with both of her arms resting on her hips.

With a raised chin, she grinned like a playful cat about to jump at a yarn ball.

“Let me introduce myself. I’m Higashina Hanabi, a second year at Third High. I have known this guy for years but only through my twin sister’s photos. However, I think I have grown closer to him today… He even told me I wouldn’t be able to escape his grasp anymore. I accepted that fate. You see… I find it most fun next to him.”

Alright. That’s a better introduction than ‘babe’s babe’ that made Sena and Ayu dumbfounded. In any case, it still carried her playful air that made Nami, Saki and Hina giggle in amusement.

“Hello, Hanabi-senpai. Or do you want me to call you Sister Hanabi? I’m Saki. I cannot fully describe what I like about him but you see… I feel the same. It’s always fun to be next to him. Watch out for me because I can always jump at every opportunity presented to me. Look…”

Saki was the first to respond. And perhaps as a demonstration, the girl bypassed Hina and Nami to arrive before me. She pressed her hands on my thighs as she leaned down to steal my lips in front of their eyes.

It was swift and she immediately returned to her seat but for those who’ve seen what she did, they were all left speechless.

Nami shook her head while Hina’s eyes burned from the fires of competition.

“That’s bold of you, Saki-chan. Is kissing him a requirement now?” With her eyes fixated on the trace left behind on my lips, the goofball replied to the girl with a question.

“Not really but that’s how we communicate our affection for each other. You’ll find that out soon, Hanabi-senpai.” Saki made a ‘v’ sign to me before winking. She’s conveying to me that she’s finished with her part.

Not long after that, Hina also did her introduction. But despite wanting to do the same as Saki, Nami prevented her from bypassing her, saying “Hold off for now, Hina. There’s a lot of eyes on us.”

“… That’s unfair.” Hina unhappily pouted but she was aware that Nami was right.

To appease her, I sneakily stretched my arm towards her, squeezing her hand in mine.

Watching that from my side, Hanabi who’s becoming more interested in my relationship to these girls couldn’t help but blurt out innocently, “… Babe, have you also done it this way with Matsuri before?”

In my stead, Nami answered, “No, Hanabi-senpai. Ruu was more careful back then. Presently, not anymore. You can visit our school next time. We’ll show you around.”

When she finished with that, Nami also took her turn to introduce herself to the girl. Unlike Satsuki who acted a little jealous at first at her appearance or Sena who immediately played along with her, Nami was taking another approach. She’s trying to emulate how Akane does things; amiably welcoming the goofball into their fold.

And once that’s done, the girl whispered to me in a voice filled with affection, “Ruu, I missed you. Don’t go back down without pampering me.”