Stealing Spree

“That doesn’t sound natural. They’ll figure out you’re just acting right away.” I shook my head as I criticized the way she said my name.

Still, that’s not the most important part. Rather than being embarrassed to call me by my given name, Otsuka-senpai probably found it unnatural – most likely, it’s a testament that she’s not used to being this close to a guy.

“Eh? I need practice to say it without stuttering, Onoda—erm, Ruki...”

Otsuka-senpai frowned as she once again blundered there. But when she noticed my smile directed at her, the girl hit my arm in protest.

“Is it this fun to you?”

“Not really, I’m smiling because it’s not every day that I can see you struggling like this.” I swiftly replied, making her more exasperated.

Most of the time, she’d just pop up in front of me all bubbly and playful. Whenever I get the chance to tease her, it’s more often that it results in her laughing in contentment than getting annoyed or embarrassed. That’s why seeing her act like this was truly a rare occasion.

“What a bad junior...” Otsuka-senpai unhappily pouted. Her feeble hits stopped and were replaced by her unnatural grip on my sleeve as though she was trying to pull on it. Her voice contained a hint of helplessness, most likely because she knew that her protest wouldn’t amount to anything.

Contrary to her expectations, my response was different. I fit myself into the shoes of her ‘boyfriend’ and began acting in line with it.

I inched closer to her, letting our shoulders touch. Following that, my thumb which was still caressing her bouncy cheek moved towards her pouty lips, tracing it gently and carefully.

Otsuka-senpai almost became frozen stiff from that but it didn’t take long for that ice to thaw. Her gaze followed the movement of my thumb and her lips soon relaxed.

I could sense how she was slowly becoming drawn to me. Not just because of her curiosity but also because of how I’m being gentle with her. No matter how excited she appeared to me, this girl probably steeled herself to anything that could happen between us.

“That’s right. I’m a bad junior. However, Karen. I’m not your junior at this moment, right? We’re a couple.”

Her purple eyes trembled as they slowly focused on my face. When she finally stabilized herself, her head moved slightly, affirming what I said.

Maybe if someone was watching us from a distance, they might think I was harassing her and she couldn’t move because of fright. However, if they look at us closely, they’d find out that she’s the one clinging to me.

“Alright. You can slowly get used to addressing me that way. You’re not as shameless as me so... it’s only natural that you cannot do it perfectly right away.”

While it could be fun to watch her continue struggling, I decided to give her some brief respite.

“Okay, R-ruki. I’ll get used to this...”

The girl nodded continuously before a smile peeked from her face. Her hand holding onto my sleeve loosened up before placing it on my face.

I didn’t stop her from doing that, letting her do what she wanted to.

With that, it didn’t take long for her to copy what I was doing. She cupped my cheek and let her thumb trace my lips.

Slowly, she became engrossed by it and she unconsciously pulled my head closer to her.

At this point, I wrapped an arm around her back, removing what little distance was left between our bodies.

If earlier we were sitting on two boulders, now, we’re sharing one.

She’s not bothered by it though. In fact, Otsuka-senpai’s heart started beating loudly. As for whether she’s aware of that or not, I had no idea.

Nevertheless, we’re just starting here.

“Karen, let’s move on to the next part, shall we?” I said after her fascination with caressing my lips reached its maximum.

Almost immediately, her shoulders jumped in surprise as her eyes refocused on mine.

“N-next part?”

“Mhm. You’re not thinking we’ll be able to fool your friends with only that, right? We have to make it believable.”

“Oh. You’re right... We have to play the part perfectly.” Otsuka-senpai’s purple eyes seemingly lost some of their light as her hand cupping my cheek slid down and dropped on my shoulder. From the looks of it, she’s not confident in doing it right.

“Don’t worry. Just like with my name, I won’t force you to get used to this right away. You can tell me if it’s making you uncomfortable. I’ll make adjustments for you.” I assured the girl which removed the dimness of her usually brilliant eyes.

Her bubbly expression returned and a beautiful smile popped up from her lips.

“Ruki, thank you.”

“Save that for later, Karen. I’m fulfilling my promise and responsibility to you, no?”

“Is that all there is to it? Are you not interested in me?”

Well, I was also questioning myself if that’s the only reason. Maybe I was just turning a blind eye to my interest in her since she was also not looking at me in the same way. Because in my head, I’m nothing more than a huge bundle of curiosity that she wanted to unfold.

“Are you curious?”

“Yes...”

Of course she is.

“Mhm... I cannot give a straight answer but let’s just say... I don’t mind splitting my time with my girls to meet you like this.”

“I see. You’re sacrificing the time you should be spending with them for me.”

This girl... while that’s not wrong, it’s also not completely right. Because I wouldn’t be here without telling them beforehand. That’s why it’s not a sacrifice.

I flicked her forehead before shaking my head.

“Don’t overthink it, Karen. For now, let’s focus on the next part, alright?”

With puffed-up cheeks, she cutely pouted at me, “Okay... Tell me what’s next.”

That put a small smile on my face but as always, it’s not enough reason for me to stop.

And so, a moment later, I began moving again.

“This...” As I trailed my voice there, I guided her head down to my shoulder. My hand on her waist tightened its grip, letting my fingers feel up more of her soft skin underneath her shirt.

There’s not much resistance from her but when she realized what happened, Otsuka-senpai’s body began heating up.

But I wasn’t done yet. I turned my head in her direction and pressed my lips on her forehead.

It’s hard for me to check on her face properly but I could already imagine her becoming frozen stiff again as she slowly gradually came to terms with this.

But before she could move or say anything, I continued, “From this point onwards, I’ll act more intimate towards you, Karen. You can try and match me or slowly familiarize yourself with this. Of course, if it’s too much for you, tell me right away.”

It took her a minute but she managed to get a hold of herself soon enough. She lifted her head to search for my eyes and gave me a nod.

“I understand... I’ll get used to this too.”

Upon saying that, her stiffness relaxed and she seemingly became more comfortable. She placed the hand holding mine earlier on top of the same hand that was now on her waist.

There’s still uncertainty in her movements but because of this, her curiosity had yet to flare up again. Before long, she lifted her free hand close to my face.

Understanding what she wanted me to do, I grabbed it and let our fingers intertwine.

“Ruki, this must be like any other day to you. You’re always this intimate with the girls around you.” Otsuka-senpai said as she carefully watched our hands covering each other. Her palm was becoming sweaty again but I guess that’s not so much of a problem anymore.

She tried moving her fingers to feel this connection clearly. In the end, her thumb got subdued by mine.

“Yes, it is.” I replied, “Just like this time, I’m elated just being able to hold them in my arms.

“What do you mean just like this time?”

“I mean it as is, Karen. I’m also elated at this moment. Aren’t we a couple?”

“Oh... So, that’s what you meant...”

She sounded a little disappointed there. But that’s to be expected, she forgot that we’re in the middle of an act. Nonetheless, it’s not like I was lying to her.

“Don’t look so glum there. You should also immerse yourself in this, Karen. Although I won’t say you have to act like you’re in love with me, at least treat me like your boyfriend.”

“Eh? That’s confusing, R-ruki. Shouldn’t you love the one you’re dating?”

“That’s true but that’s not always necessarily the case. Sometimes, there are couples who will start to go out with each other without being in love. Sometimes it’s one-sided but oftentimes, they’re doing it to figure out if they can fall in love with their partner.”

“I see... I’ve learned something new.”

“Did I satisfy a bit of your curiosity there?”

“Un. You did...” Otsuka-senpai's purple eyes dazzled me as her lips stretched into a satisfied smile.

It took a while but at this moment, she started to act more natural.

“That’s great. Let’s continue like this then... Please take care of me, Karen.”

“Yes... I may be lacking but please take care of me too, Ruki.”

“Then, let’s move to the next part.”

After doing a small bow, Otsuka-senpai lifted her head again and started giggling. Likewise, I chuckled at how silly we both sounded.

A second later, as if she was following a natural sequence, Otsuka-senpai closed her eyes. Following the same sequence, I pushed my head down, capturing her lips with mine.