Stealing Spree

“Finally out of that cramped space.” Itou energetically stretched her arms and commented as soon as we got down the bus.

Inhaling the fresh urban air at this part of the city, there was no trace of her earlier flustered expression anymore.

Asking me to hold her hand, she basically tried to cheat her way while her beloved sister was asleep. And although she told me not to ask, I might still tell what happened to Himeko.

It’s not tattling on her, it’s just what I promised my girls. Honestly telling them what happened.

However, with this one, if Himeko took it differently, the rift that I was preventing to happen between the two might appear.

With Itou acting as if nothing happened, should I just keep quiet? It’s just her asking me to hold her hand…

But if I keep it from Himeko, that would be equal to breaking my promise.

Haa… What should I do?

I was in this line of thinking when Itou’s voice rang out again. And the words that left her mouth surprised even me.

“By the way, Nee-sama. I have to confess something.” She’s now standing in front of us with her gaze alternating between us. Following that, she sighed and guiltily lowered her head. “Earlier, when you were asleep, I asked Onoda to hold my hand.”

This girl… She beat me to it…

Upon hearing that, Himeko smiled at me as she silently nodded before stepping forward, lifting her sister’s chin to have her look at her, “Thank you for telling me about this, Ya-chan. I think I might’ve heard your conversation.”

With that last sentence of hers, Itou widened her eyes, surprise filling her face as she almost stuttered a response. “T-that… Nee-sama…”

Now that’s something I also didn’t expect, there’s no indication that she was awake at that time. However, thinking about it, the possibility of that happening was too high. Even if we’re conversing in low voice, the sound could travel fast.

“Himeko…”

“Uhm… You’re fulfilling a favor for Ya-chan. And actually, I’m not blaming anyone. You two are always against each other so when I heard that… more than being jealous because my Ya-chan made that kind of bold move, I felt more relieved that she probably wasn’t that against you.” After saying that, Himeko then brought her gaze back to her little sister. “I mean. Weren’t you two getting along well when Ruki brought you to the Book Club to meet me? Ya-chan, I won’t ask if you also like Ruki, you’re already aware of how he is… Think carefully.”

She’s more relieved than jealous, huh? But her last sentence… if Itou really thinks like that, she wanted her sister to not hastily make a decision.

Himeko knew what it meant to become one of my girls. Perhaps, there’s a little voice in her head that was against Itou becoming the same as her. That’s why she said it like that. She also probably toned it down since I was here with them. Either way, she’s telling the truth.

Even though it was hinted to me by Akane the possibility of Itou being interested in me, I wasn’t that sure about my interest in her as I had with Arisa-senpai.

Nonetheless, there’s Eimi and Saki as an example that even though I wasn’t interested at first, given time, I would reach that point eventually.

At this point, Itou needed to clear her mind about this, if that's really on her mind. She’s Himeko’s little sister so I wouldn’t truly be mad at her for all her constant glares and meddling. Annoyed could be the word instead of mad.

“I… I don’t like him, Nee-sama. I’m just… curious. That’s all.” Itou continued stuttering and her act this time wasn’t that convincing anymore. It’s like she’s trying to cover up the hole that was already dug up by her sister. However, she’s being watched by Himeko.

“Hey, help me here.” Itou then turned towards me with an expression of wanting me to back up her words.

“Hmm? How can I help you? You forbid me to ask why. I also have no idea about what’s inside your head… Ah, in any case, I still need to apologize for not even trying to dissuade you.” I tried bowing my head towards the two sisters.

However, Himeko, who was probably fully charged from her nap swiftly moved in front of me to block my head from lowering. “I’ll be mad if you apologize, Ruki. Let’s go see the movie… Our time is running out.”

Himeko then grabbed my hand and pulled me with her towards the direction of the old theater as if she’s the one bringing me there. Moreover, when she passed by her sister, Himeko also grabbed her arm.

At this point, she probably looked like a mother bringing in her children to an old movie theater.

Fortunately, this place was as desolate as I had thought. No one was around to hear this conversation between us. The old theater was a hundred steps from the bus stop.

Along the way, I noticed her gleeful smile as she began hopping on her steps.

Confused as to why she’s in that good mood, Itou and I stared blankly at each other, wordlessly asking each other what happened.

It’s somewhat baffling but Himeko didn’t take what Itou confessed seriously, or she brushed it off under the table to prevent the atmosphere around us from turning depressing.

In her own way, Himeko was trying to keep this date as cheerful as possible.

And as we both understood what Himeko wanted to happen, Itou and I moved our hands to clasp her hand tightly. Although it’s somewhat awkward if someone saw us walking like this, it’s irrelevant now.

“Nee-sama, I love you…” Itou whispered to her sister.

That girl did something and then confessed right after because of her guilt. And that’s what Himeko focused on.

She heard our conversation and she could stop that. Instead, she didn’t do anything and let it happen. Perhaps if we didn’t tell her about it, Himeko would be thinking about that instance whenever she’s alone.

Not knowing whether her sister likes me or not as well as why I kept what happened a secret to her when I told her that I would always be honest with them.

By then, excuses of preventing a rift to happen or overthinking about her possible reactions were useless. It would be damaging her trust in me. The trust that I built up by being always true to my words.

“Un. I love you too, Ya-chan. You’re also at the age to fall in love and as you can see, I am in a not-so-normal relationship. If you also began feeling attraction to someone, you can consult me or decide for it after thinking it over. No matter what happened, you’re my precious little sister.”

Himeko intentionally didn’t mention me. And I agree with her words. What Itou answered earlier was probably ridden with truths. She’s curious how that felt. If it’s not that, then it’s also in her best interest to think it over or talk to her sister.

Either way, if she’s truly interested in me, I might also tell her the same thing. That she had to confirm it first.

Just like with Aya, Rae, Eimi and other girls who found me different from most of the guys our age, she’s most likely feeling the same.

After the hundredth step, we arrived at the open doors of the old theater. The two sisters were once again being chummy with each other while I watched their interaction with a smile.

Nonetheless, as soon as we stepped foot and felt the atmosphere inside this theater house, the two girls put their eyes at the front.

In front of us were three banners that showed what was currently showing in the three theater halls. And below those banners were the run time and the schedule for their showing.

On the side, the counter was manned by an old man. And although there’s a popcorn machine, it’s not working anymore. Instead of that, there’s a standing rack filled with snacks and a vending machine on the right side of the counter.

“Welcome! It’s rare to see young ones like you visiting this place.” The old man at the counter greeted us with a smile.

If I’m not wrong, he’s the owner of this theater house. The business was already about to go bankrupt and he probably couldn’t afford to pay wages for an employee anymore. Due to that, the owner himself was operating the old theater. Perhaps he’s an old movie enthusiast and this was now a hobby for him.