Stealing Spree

With Shio acting this adorable early in the morning, my self-restraint became nonexistent. And perhaps seeing me entranced by Shio, Nao knowingly smiled before grabbing the bag of bread from me. She then went in ahead, leaving the two of us right at the front door.

When Nao passed by Shio, the two whispered at each other which resulted in Shio laughing awkwardly. Whatever they exchanged, my great sense of hearing failed to pick it up.

Nonetheless, as soon as Nao disappeared into the living room, Shio’s eyes focused back on me. In it, her overflowing affection for me was clearly conveyed.

“Ruru…” Shio impatiently flailed her arms, urging me to make a move. I thought of teasing her for a bit but I surrendered to that cutesy act that’s kinda disconnected from what she’s wearing.

I stepped forward and entered her range, wrapping my arms around and pushing her closer to me. Enlivened, Shio copied what I did before pushing my face down to her comfortably soft and fragrant bosom. A second later, Shio’s hand began patting my head gently.

Hmm? What’s this? This lovely woman was especially affectionate today that I couldn’t help but find it a little unnatural.

Did something happen? Or is it because of that request Nao presented?

Uh… or maybe I just got used to Shio always melting in my arms, whether it’s the result of me teasing her or just a natural reaction whenever we find a chance to spend time together.

Anyway, I paid it little heed. I enjoyed her sweet embrace a little too much that I continued snuggling with her even when we moved to the living room and to the table.

Due to that, I got scolded by both Akane and Miwa-nee. Nao was giggling at the side while giving Shio a thumbs-up and obviously, Shio loved how I got too comfortable in her embrace to the point that I got scolded by the two.

If our classmates would see her showing a lovable smile like this, the number of students who would fantasize about her would double.

Well, as if I’ll let them see her different sides. They should settle with her cold and strict, commanding side.

After we finished eating, I returned the favor and pampered Shio next, reversing our situation from earlier.

Although she’s already wearing her work clothes, Shio’s like an affectionate kitten in my embrace.

Then while we’re at it, Nao and I told her the progress on the case Nao brought up against her ex-husband.

Even though she already divorced him, there’s no doubt that she’s still related to him and she deserves to know what’s going on.

Truthfully, after I opened her eyes that their wedding was no more than a forced one by her parents, Shio had started doing more work when I’m not with her just to forget that she once became too lovestruck over that guy…

I mean she couldn’t blame anyone for her plight, she naively thought that everything was perfect and hoped to have a happy married life with him.

However, as soon as she entered college and got married to him, she got exposed to his true colors.

Shio admittedly turned a blind eye to it and helplessly hoped that he would return to the same guy he fell in love with. However, it only withered from bad to worse when he began showing Nao to her.

In one of our talks while spending time together, Shio revealed to me that the reason she applied as a teacher in our school, and not where that guy was transferred to, was simply because she didn’t want to see him going after another naïve high school girl like her. Being an alumnus of the school was just her secondary reason.

Trying to be involved with a student – which fortunately ended up to be me – might be born from her resentment towards him as well as her growing loneliness. She’s just unaware and attributed it to her fantasy.

I’m aware that her past with him won’t be easily forgotten. I mean, I’m the same, I’m still haunted by my past. That’s why the best thing I could do for her was to help her forget and not mention it as much as possible.

Well, since this case was regarding his eventual future, it’s only right for her to know.

“I see… So, he really had another one when I was busy studying.” Shio muttered after we finished relaying every information we had at the moment. It’s full of gloom.

But to prevent her from being too down because of it. I keenly caressed her face, ran my thumb on her lips and raised her gaze to meet my natural smile. All of that was to pull her attention back to me.

Thankfully, I was successful. Shio’s frowning expression relaxed as a gentle smile replaced it.

To keep it that way, I lowered my head to kiss her while I kept caressing her face, head and back.

“… Looking at the bright side, I got lucky to have found you, Ruru.”

“No. I’m the lucky one because you accepted my abnormality. I won’t say any more depressing things so… let’s move on from that topic. I’m also a bastard like him but I can promise that, as long as you believe in me, I will never directly move to hurt you… Uh. The wording might be wrong but you get the idea… I don’t want to say any empty promises that I might not be able to keep so—”

Putting a finger on my lips, Shio cut me off. She shook her head and said, “I understand you so that’s enough. Really, your honesty can be both infuriating and assuring at the same time. But I will like it better if you stop self-deprecating at any given turn. We’re here because we believe in you, Ruru.”

“I see…” I closed my eyes and exhaled a long breath. When I opened it again, my eyes focused on Shio’s pretty face. I smiled at her to which she returned with a kiss.

After savoring that second bout of kisses between us, my lips curved up into a rather playful smile.

“So, where will we go this coming Sunday?” I started.

By saying that, it’s obviously my confirmation that I agreed on Nao’s proposed date with the two of them. I have nothing lined up that day except the part-time job in the afternoon. If we can return by then, we can easily spend half of the day together.

Upon hearing that, Shio gasped in surprise. Her eyes closed and opened a few times as if she’s in a state of disbelief.

However, after coming to terms that she heard my words right, Shio grasped onto my collar, excitement filling her beautiful eyes.

“Ruru… You agreed? Really?”

“Of course, Nao will return home soon and I kept stalling my promise to sleep in our apartment. Besides, it's close to a month since you moved there. See it as me atoning for that.”

Seemingly annoyed at my choice of words, Shio angrily rebuked. “Huh? Look at this unbelievable guy… Who said I want you to atone for it? There you go again trying to put yourself down… Just say you will go on a date with us, idiot Ruru!”

Nao, Akane and Miwa-nee who were watching at the side all shook their heads at me…

Yep. They confirmed it. I was once again acting like an idiot right there.