Stealing Spree

Either way, failed or not, I sincerely presented myself to her in hopes to accept me for her daughter. I became too shameless for her taste. I went overboard.

“It’s not over yet, idiot Ruu!” Nami suddenly raised her voice, pulling me out of my thoughts. When I looked up, I saw that her eyes were still filled with the same determination when she invited me earlier.

She still hadn’t given up. Or rather, she’s not convinced yet.

Wait, perhaps I misinterpreted her mother’s words?

I smiled at Nami and turned my gaze back to her mother.

Her narrowed eyes disappointingly stared at me.

After a while, she dropped it as she picked up the pitcher on the table and poured herself a glass of water.

After drinking it to moisten her dried throat because of speaking for too long, she crossed her arms again and directed her words to me.

“So, you have it in you. Humility, I mean.” She stated.

“Uh... Honestly, I don’t know if I truly have it. However, I could remember how many times I was berated because apparently, ‘I’m being humble about something I did.’”

The girls always wanted to thank me for the push that I gave them. And because of that, they’re pointing out that I was only being humble.

“Did I judge you too early? You clearly don’t come off as humble in my eyes.”

“Perhaps it’s because of how I carried myself. Auntie, what do you think of me when I showed up with Nami at the front door?”

Well, there’s the real first impression. What a person thinks upon seeing someone for the first time.

“Oh... Now that you mention it, you looked plain and I wondered how my beautiful daughter got roped in by you.”

Wait. That’s not what I was expecting as an answer, aren’t we at the humility topic?

“Mom, that’s harsh! Ruu isn’t plain. Look.”

And pulling the discussion away further from it, Nami rebutted as she hurriedly put her hands on my hair, her fingers dug until it reached my scalp.

Without allowing me to react nor steer the conversation back to our topic, Nami fixed my hair the way she wanted it to be. Instead of how I usually let my hair down, Nami combed my fringes upwards, exposing my forehead.

And magically, she pulled out a real comb from out of nowhere as she became a hairstylist just for this moment.

I took a quick glance at her and saw how she’s excitedly fixing my hair. And likewise, her mother was watching in thorough interest.

Right. There’s no going back to that topic now.

After a while, the feeling of her fingers and the comb on my head disappeared as she proudly presented me to her mother.

Although I couldn’t see what she did to it, her mother’s reaction says it all. She had an amazed expression along with one of her brows raised in clear interest.

“Do you see this? How can you say he’s plain? My Ruu is handsome, mom.” Nami huffed and puffed her chest out as she exhaled loudly through her nose. She’s very proud of her work.

And in response to that, her mother giggled for the first time. “Ara... That’s a surprising transformation, I’m convinced. So, the truth is he’s just too lazy to fix himself up. Okay then...”

Her mother then sighed defeatedly before waving her hand.

Following that, she stood up and returned to the kitchen.

When she returned, she’s carrying a plate filled with cupcakes. It was chilled and seemingly handmade.

“Go on, take one. That’s the dessert I prepared.” She urged.

With this sudden change in attitude, Nami and I looked at each other, mystified.

However, when I saw the delighted expression on her face when she took a bite on a cupcake she picked, I came to an understanding.

She finally agreed. And to not make it seem like she’s handing me her daughter, Nami’s mother simply made it seem like we moved past that topic during dinner.

A few seconds later, Nami exclaimed as she stared at me wide-eyed. She also understood it.

Perhaps noticing that we finally got it. Her mother stood up from her seat, placed a cupcake in our hands before moving towards the living room. She brought the plate of cupcakes with her.

“Ruu...” As she couldn’t contain her happiness, Nami immediately threw herself in my arms after her mother settled down on the sofa with her back turned to us.

“This girl, calm down for now. Eat that and let’s do the dishes first.”

Nami hurriedly nodded and followed my words. Likewise, I did the same.

After we’re done with the dishes, Nami and I approached the living room.

Even though her attention was focused on the drama airing on TV, I bowed towards her once more. “Auntie, thank you for accepting me.”

And on my side, Nami ran towards her mother, hugged her and whispered in her ears that earned her a smack on her head. However, that only made Nami hug her more tightly as she acted like a spoiled brat.

Looking at the pair of mother and child, it somehow tugged at my heartstrings or whatever it was called.

I don’t know. The scene looked very heartwarming. Even though her mother appeared annoyed at her antics, she’s clearly smiling.

After a while, her mother finally couldn’t hold it in as she returned Nami’s hug, her care for her daughter overflowing. She then said something to Nami that made the girl further bury herself in her mother’s arms.

“Onoda-kun? Come here and take this girl away.”

Perhaps not knowing what to do with her daughter anymore, she called out to me.

I heeded her voice and approached them.

Before I could open my mouth, her finger was already pressed on my lips.

“Don’t say anything else and pluck her away from me.”

She definitely noticed that I was about to thank her again. Due to that, I stopped what I was planning and just grabbed onto Nami’s shoulder as I gently pulled her away from her mother.

“Mom...”

“Stop calling me and just go. You two still have school tomorrow. If he’s going to sleep here, I’ll prepare another room.”

“Ah. No, auntie. I won’t impose for too long. I’ll take that offer next time.”

“Huh? That’s not an offer!” Nami’s mother instantly rebutted as expected.

Oh right, I also told Nami about taking up the offer of inviting me in before. Tonight, I’m here and I passed her mom’s test.

She didn’t want us to point out what we’re going to do inside Nami’s room.

That’s understandable... Because she’s afraid not to repeat what happened with her second son, even though she’s aware of why I am here or why Nami invited me, she didn’t impose anything on us.

However, thinking about the next instance when I will meet the parents of my girls... It will surely not go this smoothly. At best, they’ll send me home and after I’m introduced.

When I successfully plucked away Nami, her eyes were watery.

Whatever they talked about that I didn’t hear, it’s enough to stir emotions for the both of them.

That’s right. Both of them. Her mother was also trying her hardest not to show it on her face but... she’s not that good at putting on a poker face.

In any case, it’s not my place to comment about it. I just did as I was told. Bring Nami with me.

But first, to calm the girl down, I clasped her hand on mine before slowly leading her away from the living room.

By the time we reached the stairs, Nami had successfully recovered. After kissing me once, she took the lead and pulled me up with her.

We stopped in front of the door with a hanging colorful decoration which read ‘Nanami’s Room’.

Naturally, this is her room. My Nami’s room.

Before she opened it, Nami stared at me as if she’s hesitating whether to open it or not.

“This girl... if you’re embarrassed to show me your room... I’ll bring you to mine in the future.”

“Pfft. Your room? You’re sharing it with Akane, I’d rather get us a room with the same importance and restriction. A room for the two of us.”

“I see. If that’s what my Nami wants...”

“I’m joking, idiot Ruu. But if you can really do it.”

“Of course, I can... It won’t be immediate though.”

“That’s fine. It’s something to look forward to... Come in, Ruu.” Nami pushed open the door and devoid of any hesitation, she pulled me in with her.

As soon as we stepped in, the first thing I noticed wasn’t her bed but the window next to it.

With her curtains open, the view outside the window could be clearly seen. And at this moment, there’s Tadano inside his room, gazing out from his window, probably looking at the moon.