Stealing Spree

Nina followed me with her eyes as I was leaving. Looks like instead of resolving the situation, I ended up giving her confirmation that it was real. Luckily, it’s not that severe yet wherein she’d tattle about it to everyone. She’d be mistaken for a crazy girl if she did that.

Anyway, that girl asked me more questions before she let me go. Supplementary ones like ‘can your eyes turn red?’ or ‘why are you not sleeping during the day?’.

The girl was totally convinced that I’m a vampire and no one could change her mind about that.

With only a few minutes left before the start of the match, I made another round to check on my girls, making sure that they were comfortable in their seats before leaving to go back to the basketball club’s waiting room.

And since I promised to pamper her before returning to Satsuki, I invited Nami out, leaving Hanabi in the care of Saki and Hina.

After finding a place where we could sit as close as possible with no one to disturb us, Nami didn’t hesitate to snuggle on my chest. I naturally played along, holding her close as I started caressing her head and back.

Liking the sensation, Nami tightened her arms wrapped around me.

“I don’t know, Ruu. Hasn’t it been a while since we’ve been alone like this? Though it will be much better if there’s complete privacy, I’m still satisfied with this.”

“Mhm. It has been a while. Sorry for being so popular with girls.” I replied in a playful tone.

Even if that was true to an extent, Nami and the other girls were already aware of how I was barely managing my time. That’s why there’s no reason for us to fully delve into it unless we can find a permanent solution.

“Pfft. So, you can say that now, huh? Being shameless might be your default but you’ve never been boastful like this.” Nami giggled. “I like it though. Watching the others drool over you also feeds my pride in being your girl. Is it weird?”

“Nope. Not weird at all. But Nami, you’re also not one to think about your pride. Otherwise, you won’t approach me to ask for my help with Ogawa. You’re someone who will protect what you consider precious to you rather than allow your pride to gnaw at the forefront.”

Hearing that, Nami went silent for a moment. I wouldn’t claim I already know everything about her but at the very least, that’s how she appeared to me. Nonetheless, I did manage to bypass that by stealing her affection for Ogawa. That’s the only instance that it happened.

Obviously, she’s also aware of it. That’s why when she finished contemplating it, her lips twitched a little. In any case, she swept that off right away as she resumed our conversation.

“You’re right. It means we’re growing. I just don’t know if it’s in a positive or negative way.”

“I think it doesn’t matter if it’s positive or negative. We can judge ourselves one way or the other but people can still judge us differently than what we perceive of ourselves. We just have to live by the choices we made, no? And you’re right. We’ve grown and we’re still growing. Can you imagine us in five years?”

“If it’s only between you and me then I still see myself next to you. I don’t think I can imagine myself without you, Ruu.”

“Mhm. Me too. Our plans are all for us to be with each other until the end. That’s why... Keep scolding me if I made a mistake. If you feel that our situation is getting out of hand because I keep falling for other girls, you also have the right to voice your opinion on it. I will hear you out and I will reflect on my actions.”

Yep. It’s not like I haven’t thought about it. My bottomless desire can still spiral out of my control. Just today, I even found myself drawn to that goofball. If I cannot put a lid on it then I can only rely on my girls to do it for me. I know that if it’s them, I will seriously hear them out.

At the moment, my desire is not separated from my affection for my girls. I mean, I’m still deriving pleasure from it. But in the future, there will come a day when I have to make a distinction between the two.

“Hmm... Honestly, I never cared about other girls before, Ruu. Only those in our circle.” Nami started. This time, since she sensed the seriousness in my voice, she also put on a serious face. She looked me in the eye to properly convey her thoughts, “Now, being acquainted with Akane and the others related to you in our complex relationship... I feel like my world expanded. Or not just me, everyone feels the same way.”

Nami lifted her hand to cup my cheeks. The warmth of her palm gives me the comfort I always seek from them.

“We all have different interests and even if we disagree on some topics, I believe we’re aiding each other’s growth and pulling each other up. Then, our link with you motivates us further. We’re not standing at the same place where you found us anymore. Look at Hina and Saki. Before meeting you, those two were pretty silent about what was going on in their heads but now, not anymore. I can honestly say that they’re even better than me in some areas.”

“That’s why Ruu. If that’s what you think we should do then fear not since we’ve already considered that. Besides, you always consult us – even indirectly—whenever you’re updating us about the girls you met or you spend time with. I won’t speak for everyone but for me, I don’t see any problem yet. Do you want to hear about what I think of Hanabi?”

I nodded at that question and Nami put on a meaningful smile.

“She’s alright. Even if she’s not fully aware of it, you already have her in the bag. The only thing stopping her from recognizing her interest in you is the fact that her twin sister is still existing in your heart. And so... my advice is... if you meet Matsuri in the future, do not forget about Hanabi.”

This girl... I never asked for advice but she went and added it. In any case, I feel like a burden has been lifted in my chest after hearing her thoughts about our situation. I probably didn’t notice that I was incessantly worried about the impact of every choice I made recently.

I couldn’t help but put on an embarrassed smile. And seeing that, Nami chuckled in satisfaction. And once that was done, she crawled up to reach my lips.

“I know I haven’t made a wrong choice in loving you, Ruu. We’re imperfect but even if people call me blind, you’re always perfect in my eyes.” Nami whispered those words before initiating our first kiss for the day.

With her passion and affection for me thoroughly conveyed, I reciprocated all of it and more.

And in between those kisses, I replied, “Nami, it became the other way around. I feel like I’m the one that gets pampered by you today.”

“Is that so? Then good. You deserved a good pampering as well.”

Upon saying that, Nami climbed up on my lap. Seeing that we were starting to get the attention of passersby, I tightened my arms around her and carried her away from the scene.

A while later, we arrived at the bus that the basketball club used. As there was no better place to get more privacy nearby, I had no other choice but to pick this one.

I carried her up and moved to the backseats where I could lay her down.

“Ruu...” With my head cupped in between her palms, Nami sweetly muttered my name. Understanding what was about to happen, she put on her most beautiful smile to welcome it.