Stealing Spree

Several minutes later, I returned to the venue after seeing the goofball on her bus home. Well, given that we became alone for a while there, the girl told me how eventful this day became for her. Still, she emphasized how fun it was.

And by the end of it, she asked me to give her a hug. One that will become her most memorable moment today. I did it and kissed her cheek before whispering my earlier declaration to her. That she jumped into the net by herself and she cannot escape me anymore.

That made her laugh before replying in all seriousness, “What if Matsuri scooped me out of that net? Will you let her?”

As for my answer... “Then, I’ll just drag her back in as well.”

Hanabi didn’t say anything more after that but I saw her face taking on a mystified expression as if she was looking at an inconceivable being.

Before separating from her, I told her to seek out either Nao or Azusa. Well, I don’t know how she can mix in with them but somehow, it became a complete set. One girl in each year level. But then again, I doubt Azusa would be happy to find out that someone else got my attention in their school apart from her ‘queenly’ appearance.

Uh. I should contact them later and check on them. I can’t have my Nao and the egotistic girl miss me so much.

Upon returning to Akane and the others, they’re already set on going home. I didn’t walk them to the station but at least, I accompanied them just outside the venue. I told Akane about my plans with Shizu. As we don’t have a set schedule, we may or may not come home during dinner. But we’ll see.

I tried looking for the four animals from earlier but they’re already nowhere to be found. I guess they can’t stake out the place for so long, no? Or they’re sitting their asses in the police station already for being reported as creeps. Either way, they’re lucky they didn’t meet me.

-

-

“Ruki, here!”

Waving her hand at the back of the bus as I climbed up, Juri ignored the other basketball team members’ curious glances.

Thankfully, the Maemura sisters were sitting next to her, it calmed down the hidden waves of pressure.

In any case, since it’s inevitable, I glanced at the woman sitting in the driver’s seat. While she appeared like her usual self, I could sense her lingering gaze at me as though she was trying to convey something. It’s not full-on hostility anymore but more of... complexity. Understanding that she already talked to Eguchi-sensei – perhaps revealing more than what I revealed – I could somehow empathize with what she was feeling at the moment.

She didn't want to talk to me but at the same time, she couldn’t help getting affected by my presence.

As I proceeded further into the bus, I also noticed Eguchi-sensei.

She’s sitting alone close to the driver’s seat like a tour guide. She’s their Coach and Advisor, after all. She’s once again doing her job diligently.

But once our gazes met, she pouted at me – something she rarely does. Even without inquiring why, it’s easy to understand why. We might not have told her all the sensitive details but knowing that it happened... She's also feeling conflicted and jealous.

Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to comfort her this time, sitting next to her on this bus would cause them trouble.

I’d find a window after we reach the school.

Passing by each row of seats, the members of the basketball club were all throwing me their smiles. Some were even curious about where I went. I answered sparingly and only stopped a few times, like when Kawakami-senpai asked me to sit next to her for a moment.

Like earlier, she expressed her gratitude to me and once again asked me if I would continue visiting their club. I answered yes because of Satsuki but she made a rather suspicious pause after that.

It’s like she forgot that Satsuki was my reason for being with them.

I guess she’s already that fatigued, huh?

Ugh. Who am I fooling? Anyway, let’s not drop to a conclusion yet.

For me, she’s more like an older sister than anyone who claimed themselves to be one.

Right?

Kazuha-nee, Setsuna-nee, and Anzu-nee are truly far from how doting Kawakami-senpai is as an older sister. Ah... There’s Nakanishi-senpai who will also unconditionally give me a hug if I want to be comforted in her soft bosom.

But then again... I can already get that and more with my girls.

Eventually, Kawakami-senpai let me go after giving me another ‘hug of gratitude’. Orimura-sensei also started the bus so I quickly made my way to the back of the bus.

Thinking about what Nami and I did here earlier, it looks like we successfully removed any traces or smells.

Looking at their seating arrangement, Setsuna-nee was seated by that same corner we used earlier.

She had her arms crossed while looking at me in hostility. Whatever she’s upset about, I had no idea but knowing how her mind works, I simply waved it off and focused on the other two. Satsuki and Juri opened up the space between them.

Then, Juri dragged us both to the other side, leaving Setsuna-nee alone there.

Unamused, the long-haired, busty Satsuki-lookalike clicked her tongue, “Huh? Why are you the three of you doing there? Onoda, you sit here.”

The first one to react to that was Satsuki, pouting at her older sister like she didn’t want to follow her words. Then, Juri playfully answered, “Why does he have to sit next to you, Setsu? Don’t tell me you’re starting to fancy your sister’s—”

“Shut up, Juri. Who will fancy that pervert? I just... don’t want you to do any funny business here.”

“Funny business?” Satsuki raised an eyebrow. Understanding her older sister and how difficult she was, she’s also starting to wonder what’s happening to her.

As for Juri, her snickering reached my ears. Somehow, instead of helping her friend, she’s now the vanguard in teasing her – all for the sake of having an excuse for being close to me.

I squeezed her hand to tame her naughtiness.

“Don’t make me elaborate!” Setsuna-nee snapped and then turned her away. Maybe she’s becoming flustered.

Satsuki looked at me and poked my cheek before saying, “... Idiot, I’ll handle my sister. You help me later.”

“Sure. Or, can I handle her first and go back to you later?”

“Knowing you, you’re just going to make her angrier. Just get your time with Juri-nee.”

Upon saying that, Satsuki reached for my lips to give me a long, intimate kiss wherein she even pulled my tongue out to suck before giggling in satisfaction at the string of saliva stretching between us. “Don’t forget. You’re also mine.”

Leaving that reminder, she then slid towards her older sister, leaving Juri and me on this side of the bus.

Before I could turn my attention to the girl on my left, a hand stretched in front of my face, cupping my cheeks before moving the thumb to wipe the drool off the side of my lips.

“I guess I owe Satsu-chan, Ruki.” She said as she slowly turned my head to face her.

Her eyes then scanned our surroundings, making sure that no one was looking. Considering most of them were exhausted by today’s game, some couldn’t be bothered to move anymore. They all let their backs take the comfort of the bus seats.

Upon confirming that we didn’t have any witnesses, Juri boldly copied what Satsuki did. But this time, she lowered our heads so that it would be hard for anyone in front to see us if they ever took a look behind them.

At the same time as this, the bus finally entered the road.

“You girls keep saying that when you always help each other out,” I replied in between that passionate exchange.

Before long, my arms were already wrapped around her, leaning her back against the window as I continued to deepen this kiss.

It’s risky since Setsuna-nee only needed to turn her head back in this direction but with Juri being this charming, I’d risk a few seconds just to deliver my affection to her.

We have at least more than half an hour on the road, more than that if it’s traffic... We’ll be having a very comfortable ride.