Stealing Spree

After a hearty meal and proper rest in the private room provided for us in that restaurant, Shizu and I left the establishment brimming with renewed energy.

We ate six servings of grilled eel. Was that a lot? Maybe. I should thank Ichihara Jun for treating us. His money is being spent well. Next time, I will bring Marika to try out more street foods.

Anyway, with the night still young, Shizu and I continued our date until eight in the evening.

We tried everything we could try that wasn’t time-consuming. And Shizu enjoyed that a lot.

Other than that, we also somehow ended up entering an accessory store where we bought matching bracelets to commemorate this day. It’s not that expensive and it’s the type that can be customized for us.

Shizu paid for them. She didn’t want to use the dirty money for something special like these bracelets.

Instead of our initials which was usually what couples pick when buying the same product, Shizu decided on using a single character or kanji that represents ‘Eternity’, stating that is how long our relationship will last.

It’s quite cheesy coming from her, no? But it’s very fitting. Besides, it’s not an oath. It’s simply our hope for the future. Like me, she believes that the future isn’t set yet but each decision we make in the present will gradually bring us to our desired outcome...

“Numbskull, we cannot wear this at school. It’s against the regulation. But I don't want to be apart from this. I’ll always keep it in my bag. Safely tucked away in its box.”

“Then, I’ll do the same. Let’s wear it whenever we’re going out together.”

“Un. Good idea.” Shizu giggled in genuine happiness as she fiddled with the bracelet on our wrists. Likewise, I couldn’t help but keep staring at it.

It has the same sentimental value as Satsuki’s lemonade keychain that I strapped on my phone.

Soon afterward, the two of us sat on another public bench to rest our legs.

Our next destination should be the hotel or going back home. But after further deliberation and consideration of our schedule tomorrow, Shizu told me that we should go home instead. That way, we won’t be in a hassle by staying too late outside.

Of course, with Akane there, Shizu also considered the fact that she’d be taking her place in our bed. And knowing that silly girl, she’ll be considerate enough to stay outside the house or in another room while Shizu and I are in the middle of doing it. It became quite a clash in their consideration for each other.

So, how do we resolve it?

Simple.

After telling Shizu what I planned for us, I called Akane.

“You’re going home? Okay. I’ll be a good girl and stay next door tonight.”

Akane opened up with that without waiting for me to finish.

Almost instantly, Shizu interjected, “No. Wait. Akane, let this numbskull finish.”

“Eh? Did I miss something?”

“You certainly did. You jumped to a conclusion.” Shizu shook her head and gave her a pitying gaze.

As though understanding what that meant, the silly girl's eyes focused on me as she started nervously laughing, “Husband...”

“Will you let me finish this time?”

“Y-yes. I’ll hear you out. I just thought...”

“There you go again. You thought wrong, okay? We’ll be sleeping there. With you.”

“Eh? What about...?”

“We’ll go home before the stations close. Wait for us, alright?”

“Oh! That’s what you meant...” With her eyes brightening up as the confusion disappeared, Akane stood up from where she was sitting and started walking. From the looks of it, she’s climbing up our stairs and into our bedroom. Possibly, to prepare our bed. A few seconds later, as though she remembered something, she continued, “Wait. Husband, you’re also off with your timing! You should’ve told me that when you’re on the way home.”

I could hear Shizu covering her mouth to prevent her giggles from leaking. She also found Akane silly.

Well, she is. But you know, she’s adorable that way.

“Indeed. I should. But Akane, I don’t want you to keep on guessing whether I’m going home tonight or not. You’ll end up not getting enough sleep that way.”

“That... Husband...” Looking like she was about to burst into tears, her silly smile bloomed.

“Hear that, Akane? I also scolded him when he brought that up but with that kind of reasoning, I kinda agree. We fell in love with this same guy. I can’t even be mad anymore...”

Shizu put a hand on her forehead before pinching my cheek, expressing her slight annoyance at me.

She’s right to feel that way, anyway. When I brought that up to her, Shizu stared at me like she was looking at a madman. But upon hearing my reasoning, a silly smile almost the same as Akane’s also bloomed on her lips.

Somehow, they agree on that same point.

“No. We have to be mad at him, Shizu. Don’t worry, I’ll help you out later.”

“Oh? You’re right. If we combined our powers... this numbskull will be at our mercy.”

“Yes!”

“Alright. What did I just create? An alliance of my fiery lovely wives?”

“Shut up, husband. End this call now and take care of Shizu. Call me again later.”

Upon saying that, Akane winked at Shizu and the latter did the same. Then without waiting for me to reply, the call was dropped on the silly girl’s side.

With her face disappearing from the screen, I turned my head to Shizu, “Stop looking at me like that. If you’re going to blame someone, blame yourself...”

“Nope. I don’t think I need to blame myself. In fact, I’m happy. Seeing you two get along like that again, it’s filling my chest with happiness.”

“This numbskull. We’re not on bad terms anyway.”

“Yes. You’re not. But your line of thinking is the same. By uniting you like that, you cast off the consideration that you kept on reserving for one another.”

Shizu’s eyes narrowed before a hint of realization flashed upon her face.

“... Okay. You made your point. Idiot.” Shizu pouted as she lifted my arm to drape it around her shoulder. Following that, using my chest, she buried her face in it as the girl wrapped her arms around my body.

I closed my mouth and didn’t say anything else. Instead, I held her close to me and gently caressed her hair and back.

Spending a few minutes like that, I watched the street gradually lose its brightness. Shops started closing up and the number of pedestrians walking along the street started to dwindle.

Eventually, Shizu lifted her head with her expression returning to normal, “Ruki...”

“Hmm? Shall we go?”

Shizu answered with a nod.

I guided her to stand up before clasping her hand on mine. Without making any other small talk, Shizu and I walked along the street. Our destination? The pink building in the distance with eye-catching neon light signage.

“Shizu, are you scared or excited?” Feeling her hand growing cold, I asked the girl meekly clinging to me.

“Can it be both?”

“It can be. That’s fine. You’re still a girl, after all. It’s normal to feel that way, believe me.”

Even if she was that proactive during our previous intimate moments, there was always a chance for her to feel this way. I’ve observed the same thing many times before. Because no matter how we look at it, this is going to be an important moment for her.

Shizu deeply inhaled before exhaling in one swift motion as though she was expelling the cause of her tension. It was effective. She soon straightened her back and her previous fearless confidence returned.

Before stepping into the pink establishment, she gulped down and lovingly whispered, “You and your endless consideration. How should I say it, numbskull? I’m all yours tonight? No. It’s not going to be just tonight...”