Stealing Spree

After dinner, because my senses were tickled to watch Asahi’s appearance on TV, I tuned in on that said program.

Currently, only Akane and Nami were the only ones I talked about Asahi or that I remembered about her. That’s why before it aired, Nao and Miwa-nee heard about Asahi for the first time.

That girl was from the same year as us. Most likely, most of my girls from middle school had at least met her once or twice. However, apart from Akane, no one found out about her connection with me. Not even Yae.

Nao was with me during the entirety of my first year while Yae was with me in the latter half of my second year.

It was during my third year, the time when I had no one by my side who acted like a partner in crime or specifically when Yae, Haruko, Aika, Mizuki and Otoha already graduated, that I met and stole Asahi.

The same as Asahi, Miyako, Sena, Aoi, Ririka, and Ria were all stolen during that time.

The rest was the year before.

For the record, it was Elizabeth and Yukari who was the longest to be with me. I stole them even before I met Yae or Haruko.

As for Yua and Hiyori, I stole them when Yae started sticking close to me.

Miho, on the other hand, should be the longest had I not cut her off early on. I stole her before Elizabeth.

Nonetheless, only some of them knew about each other at that time. I was discreet about that after all. Most of them only knew about each other when Akane approached them.

Anyway, back to the present. Nao’s reaction upon hearing about my connection to Asahi was at first a dumbfounded look before screaming to give her more details.

She’s also a fan.

As for Miwa-nee. She just had a look of understanding before flashing a hint of gloom. Most likely, she’s still guilty about my desire and those that got affected by it.

After I recounted my experiences with Asahi, Nao glared at me and with a lecturing tone, she said, “Heartbreaker… I sympathized with Asahi, Ruki. You also coldly forgot about contacting me, after all. If I hadn’t met you… I don’t know where I will be right now…”

Nao’s voice trailed right there. Most likely stopping herself to think about that Nobuo.

It’s really fate or perhaps just luck that I met her at that time. If not, then I would neither have any idea that she’s right there nor even remember about her.

“Mhm… I’m that kind of a heartless bastard in the past, right? But she’s in a better place now. It’s a lot better for her not to be reminded of her past.”

“You say that, husband. But don’t you miss her? You’ve changed a lot during the past month.” Akane chimed in, her words clearly probing whether I was still inclined to meet and reconnect with Asahi.

“Perhaps, I do miss her. However, like you said, I changed a lot. I don’t see associating with me will do her any good.”

“Even if you want to meet her, you won’t even know where to find her. She’s a celebrity now. It won’t be easy to casually meet someone like her.” Nao added.

Miwa-nee remained silent but looking at her expression, she was thinking the same. Akane, on the other hand, contemplated for a bit before flashing a rather relieved smile.

If I had to guess, Akane didn’t want me to meet Asahi again. As for the reason, it’s either because she rejected her invitation and walked away or it’s for my sake. Knowing her, it’s probably the latter.

A while later, when Minoru was already dozing off on his seat, the program aired.

It’s a talk show. As the most important guest for the night, she’d probably be placed towards the end.

At the moment, a preview of some of the clips from her recent concert played while the voice of the narrator talked about her accomplishments.

“Her voice is heavenly…” Mesmerized by it, Akane couldn’t help but mutter. “I’m no match to that.”

“Hmm? Why compare? Yours is just as heavenly as hers. I always love to hear it.”

“Stop it. Don’t flatter me, husband. I know my own ability to sing.”

“This girl. I seldom engage in flattery. I’m being honest here.”

“Yeah right. You’re biased toward us. You will always find everything we do as the best.”

Uh. She’s right. But still, I wouldn’t engage in empty flattery. That’s truly what I think. Well, compared to a professional like Asahi, I guess I can admit that there’s a lack of polish in her voice. Nonetheless, her soothing lovely voice was something I will not get tired of listening to.

“I have to agree with Ruki, Akane. I don’t think you should compare yourself to Asahi. She’s a professional now. You two have different song genres. While you’re only singing for our man, a lot of people have high expectations for her.” Miwa-nee said. I guess she also noticed the slight gloom in Akane’s words.

Nao, who looked like she gulped down her words, nodded her head and looked at Akane with fervor. Most likely Miwa-nee already said what needed to be said.

“… T-thank you… Did I just look insecure?”

“Not really… You silly girl. Come here and just watch, alright?” I flicked her forehead lightly and pulled her closer. It’s better to divert the topic. She did look a bit insecure but that just shows that even with her devotion to me, she’s still a normal girl who could feel that kind of emotion.

Perhaps understanding what I wanted to convey, Akane didn’t resist and inched closer to me to the point that she only had to lift her butt to take the spot on my lap.

Akane, feeling the warmth of my body, relaxed her expression, flashed a smile before rubbing her cheeks on my chest while I patted and combed her hair with my fingers.

Seeing the fluffy atmosphere building between us, Nao, who was sitting to my right, puffed her cheeks and copied her.

In this way, our TV viewing session gradually evolved to me pampering the two. Miwa-nee threw envious glances from where she was sitting. She couldn’t do the same since Minoru was nestled in her embrace, sleeping comfortably.

Anyway, it was around thirty minutes later when Asahi appeared on TV.

Clutching her glamorous skirt, the girl walked into the middle of the set and sang one of her newer songs first.

As we all watched it together, be it Nao, Akane or Miwa-nee, all of us were clearly taken in by her performance.

Asahi. She’s really dazzling like the sun now. Totally different from the Yue in my memory.

“… Mhm. She’s in a better place. I’m happy for her.” I silently muttered after that performance.

Once she’s done singing, she sat down face to face with the host of the show and her interview began. The host talked about her successful concert to which she elatedly responded with gratitude.

Like any celebrities, the topic quickly diverged towards more personal questions. But as she’s a young, budding singer, the host didn’t tackle her love life. But she got asked about what inspired her.

As for her answer…

“My inspiration? I’m aware many of my fans are curious and many speculations are going around about it. Let me clear this up here, I’m inspired by someone. Someone I wanted to look my way again. Unfortunately, that someone cannot do so. Not because he’s blind or anything, he’s most likely unable to feel that certain kind of emotion towards anyone.”

That answer… No doubt, it’s about me.