Stealing Spree

Encountering Chii here reminds me of how little I actually know about her. Because I never had any encounters nor did I look for her after grade school, I never thought about why she didn't enroll at our middle school.

Ever since the start of this school year, her eyes have been observing me. If she didn't reveal herself, I wouldn't know our connection or even that I was being watched.

The other two I stole along with her also went to the same middle school, just that, the same with Chii, I somehow grew bored of them.

I'm like a fish entering a new sea region at that time so I sought for new conquest and the first among those was Nao who's already a 3rd year.

As time continued to pass, neither did I remember Chii nor the other two that were also seemingly forgotten.

No, it's more of, they made sure not to encounter me and they've broken up with the guy they were with before resulting in my interest in them waning apart from growing bored.

And maybe to make sure that they wouldn't appear on my radar again, they never entered into a new relationship or they hid it well resulting in a peaceful middle school experience for them.

Ah. Enough about those two. I'm sure they're also at Akane's High School and they're most likely relieved now that I didn't enroll there. There won't be a coincidence that I will run into them now that I will go to that High School, right?

With those words, I jinxed it.

"Don't just stand there, there's enough space here."

Pulling me back from my thoughts, Chii tugged at my sleeves to sit beside her.

I looked around and the others were eyeing that seat, if I didn't take it, for sure, someone among them would.

Casting away the hesitation I somehow felt, I sat next to her. When I did, the way Chii's already curved up lips pulled further which resulted in a delighted grin didn't escape my notice.

Beneath that slightly thick makeup of hers, her bare face back then was what came to my mind. No matter how I tried to remember, she's still somewhat ordinary.

Her friend talking about how she's more beautiful without this make up made me curious at how she really looked.

"Don't stare at me like that, Onoda-chi, I might melt from your gaze."

"Ah. Sorry."

"This guy. Your change made you a little bit tame. If it was back then, you'll even draw your face closer."

"Is it a good or a bad thing?"

"It depends on the situation. If we're alone then it's a bad thing."

Chii leaned a bit closer and whispered in my ear. She even giggled at the end before pulling herself back.

From her tone, she's clearly enjoying this.

"I see. I guess I made the right decision."

Upon hearing my words, Chii giggled again which gathered the eye of the other passengers.

She was about to turn red from embarrassment but her gyaru persona stopped it. And instead, she glared at them which resulted in various reactions. Some clicked their tongues, some smirked, and some were somewhat terrified. All of them turned away though.

"I see. That's a convenient weapon."

Like her, I leaned closer and whispered in her ear. The way her ears reddened with it was clearly captured by me but just like earlier, she used her gyaru persona to change her reaction.

"I know right. I'm amazing this way."

"I guess the correct response for that is 'yes, you are', am I right?"

"Ugh. Don't spoil my fun Onoda-chi. Just play along."

Chii pinched my arm as a little show of annoyance from spoiling it for her.

"But I'm playing along. Otherwise, my answer will be different."

And upon hearing my response, she pinched my arm harder but after not getting her expected reaction, she stopped.

After that, I continued teasing her whenever there's a chance and as always, she would never break her character as a gyaru. It somehow became a battle between us whether I would be able to pull out the real Chii beneath her gyaru act.

Passing the time like that, the train continued to move and without noticing it, it already arrived at the 2nd station from the school.

"I'm getting off at the next station."

Chii said after the doors closed again. The passengers already lessened since most of their stops are at this 2nd station.

The side where we sat has now only the two of us squeezing in the corner. We could move but I guess, we have the silent agreement of staying this close together.

"I see. It's been fun."

"Yes, it is. And you lose, Onoda-chi."

Chii grinned and pinched my cheeks.

The sound of her laughter is really soothing that the thought of my upcoming meeting with the girls temporarily left my mind. At this moment, all my attention is on her

"I know. I accept my defeat."

"Great. With this, your debt increased. You still owe me those kisses you promised during the activity."

She smirked before taking my hand. She opened my palm and wrote a number on it by tracing her fingers.

When she realized what she said, Chii's ears reddened once more as she slowly turned her head away to avoid meeting my gaze.

Before she could take her hand away, I closed my opened hand, grabbing onto her finger she used to write.

"Are you waiting for it?"

"... You promised and I'm really looking forward to it."

Still without meeting my gaze, Chii answered in a low voice.

That was just something I said to counter-tease her but I guess, it's not bad to uphold that promise. I'm already clear at what I feel for her and even though she still has her reservations, I could clearly feel that she's the same. The only thing left was to resolve that knot caused by my words back then.

"I see. I should hold up to my promises, right? Then Chii..."

Using my free hand, I slowly guided her head to turn back to me.

There's little to no resistance so, within a few seconds, we're face to face again. I stared into her eyes and slowly drew my face closer.

"Wait! I'm kiddi-- Uhmp!"

Chii closed her eyes and tried to pull away but even before she finished her sentence, my lips were already upon hers.

It was just a simple damp on her lips but that's enough.

"Did you say something?"

"... Idiot."

She slowly opened her eyes and silently muttered.

I smirked and caressed her lower lip with my thumb.

"Alright. That's one. How many are left?"

"... Shameless Kii."

With a fully flushed face, Chii lowered her head.

"There. I win. You're out of your gyaru persona."

"Ugh... I hate you, idiot."

"And I like you, Chii."

I lifted her chin and planted another kiss on her lips.

"... No. Don't lie at this moment."

When I pulled back, her expression looked like she was about to cry.

"I'm not. I want to say it properly next time so I guess I'll take that back."

"Haa... You're unbelievable, Kii."

She sighed and took my hand off that was resting on her cheeks.

"I still haven't done your request so... I want to properly tell you about it after that. For now, forget I said it."

"Hmm? It's totally cool. You're still busy and there's a lot on your plate. No rush, no rush."

Chii forced a smile as she tried to put on her gyaru persona once again.

"I will be free soon. I won't forget that."

"Don't be that serious. It's really fine."

She shook her hand and stopped me from talking more by putting a finger on my lips.

"Onoda-chi. Look at me. You don't need to rush, alright? Calm down and..."

Her voice trailed as she slowly rested her head on my shoulder before continuing in a hushed voice.

"... allow me to savor this rare time with you."

With those words, I knew that it was her honest feelings right now. That's why I stopped whatever I was about to say and just let her rest on my shoulder.

And by then, no words were exchanged again until the next station arrived. The station where she will get off.

"Well then, Onoda-chi. I'm getting off."

Chii stood up as soon as the door opened.

"Take care."

"Un. You too."

She nodded before sending me a genuine smile that's not masked by her gyaru persona. After that, she turned around and walked out of the train car.

Only when the train door closed did she turn back to look at me with the same smile on her face while waving her hand.

It was a coincidence to meet her here and we surely enjoyed our time together. I don't if I truly regretted my words back then. However, I know for sure that I still really like her.

It might have looked like I'm just trying to pick up what I've thrown out before. Regardless, this is my honest feelings for her right now. My words scarred her, is it really something I can make up for? I don't know...

The train ride after that time with Chii ran smoothly and 30 minutes later, I arrived at my destination.

Once I stepped out of the train, I took my phone out and read Akane's message.

"Someone will wait for you outside the station, husband. She won the raffle so she'll be your guide"

She didn't name her, eh? So it's really a surprise. I wonder who it is...