Stealing Spree

When Auntie Yayoi picked me up at the station, it was only 1 pm. Having eaten with Eimi and Aoi, my stomach was still full.

Thankfully, in consideration that they had just finished their lunch as well, what Mina prepared was just a pot of tea and a small portion of sweet snack to go along with it.

As usual, the tea and snack Mina for me was thoroughly appreciated. I probably drank and ate half of it, leaving the half for the pair of mother and daughter to share.

I felt a little bad upon noticing that. Nonetheless, seeing me enjoying it, they both looked pleased and content.

Right. Even Auntie Yayoi reacted the same way.

I guess it stemmed from how proud she is of her daughter.

I was the first guy she introduced after years of not having interest or being gloomy because of what happened in their past.

More than just watching her daughter grow up, she’s delighted that she’s now walking a clear path ahead and returning to the lively Mina of days old.

Her motherly gaze was still overwhelming but already manageable since I could shamelessly cuddle with Mina in front of her.

Anyway, for the most part, we just talked about school and other topics. Her mother was clearly interested in what I could say about Mina. The girl was still a little embarrassed to fully open up with her mother. Their relationship was stronger than ever though. They bantered as though they were sisters and not a parent and child.

And watching all that, a warm and comfortable feeling filled my chest.

Yep. This is it.

Compared to my indifference when watching Ohori-senpai weep, I will be overly concerned if any of these two women suffer once again.

And I admit. My connection to Auntie Yayoi isn’t just through Mina. I also care for her.

I don’t know if it will lead to a romantic feeling but at least at the moment, she’s one of those I deemed important to me.

Anyway, although Auntie Yayoi was clearly dodging or suppressing the topic of the case for that former suitor who attempted to get her abducted, I brought it up before she could escape.

Mina was also concerned about it. That’s why with the two of us chaining her to the chair through our gazes, Auntie Yayoi told us almost everything.

It’s only two weeks since that incident so, naturally, it’s still in court and the guy was still detained because the case charged to him was non-bailable. The wannabe-yakuza gang was silent because of Auntie Yayoi’s police protection. But from the reports given to her, they were nipped and quelled which resulted in their retreat from this area.

But because they could still come back, Auntie Yayoi would still be protected for a month or two.

Apparently, she was already approached by his close relatives to drop the case, even offering a huge sum of money. However, Auntie Yayoi refused to settle.

They were angry, of course. And they returned a few more times. But according to her, since Wednesday, they stopped harassing her for it.

It’s like they suddenly became tame and had accepted that there’s no other fate for that guy but to serve in prison for who knows how long.

“… Understand? You two should rest your worry. It will be fine.” Auntie Yayoi ended it with that. She showed us a brilliant smile devoid of any negative emotion.

She could be just acting again but there’s no guarantee that she is.

Mina and I looked at each other and wordlessly, we decided to drop the matter.

“Alright, you young couple. Are you going to come with me to the salon right now or take your sweet and precious time here?”

Well, it hasn’t been 30 minutes since I arrived and… plenty of time left before my part-time job.

“Uhm... Auntie, can we stay here for a bit?” I answered for the two of us. Mina turned her head to me, looking confused yet pleased before pinching my hand.

“Hmm. Sure. Take care of my daughter, Onoda-kun.” As though she fully guessed what was on our minds, Auntie Yayoi winked at me before turning around and leaving the house.

A few seconds later, the faint sound of her car’s engine reached our ears before it disappeared completely.

Left alone in their house, Mina who was snuggled to me, snuggled even closer while burying her face in my chest. In this way, she’s completely in my arms now.

I could bring her to her room or just stay here with her… passing this precious time we had just being this intimately close.

“What to do? I’m dying to kiss someone but she’s hiding her face from me. Mina, can you help me?” I asked teasingly while patting her head which was close to steaming before running my hand on her ponytailed hair.

Her hair was clumped tightly so that I somehow felt the urge to loosen it up and see how that would change her image.

“Save the kisses for later. Just… hug me tightly” Her muffled answer arrived instantly. I felt her warm breath seeping into my clothes and her hold on me tightening even further.

Feeling her quickening heartbeat and how she’s turning red by the second, I guess her mind was already a mess.

“Alright, my tea girl.” I teased her before doing what she asked. Picking her up, I put her on my lap and held her even tighter.

Following that, I stood up, carrying her in my arms and made my way straight to her room.

She’s aware of my actions but the girl remained silent throughout.

When I arrived at the foot of her bed, I climbed up, with the girl still in my arms, before laying down together.

Feeling the softness of her bed, Mina finally raised her head to look at me. She held my head in place before reaching for my lips.

After giving me a swift kiss, Mina lowered her head again before hugging me tightly once more.

She’s being this affectionate yet the girl couldn’t say straight what she wanted to do…

“How can you be this adorable?” I blurted out my thoughts and pulled her up. This way, she couldn’t hide her face from me anymore

“Shut up. I’m embarrassed, you know? Mom was hinting at us when she asked that question and you… you shamelessly said yes.”

“What could she be hinting at?” I feigned ignorance which made the girl a little annoyed. That resulted in her snuggling on my neck instead.

Well, Auntie Yayoi already asked me about it last week. Directly, even. And today, leaving right after our conversation was clearly her way to give us the moment to be alone.

The doting mother was giving her daughter the chance to finally climb the steps of adulthood.

Mina, understanding her mother’s intention, instantly became this embarrassed.

Well, I appreciate the trust she’s giving me.

It’s now my job to make Mina comfortable. However, whether we will end up doing it depends on this girl’s feelings…

On the contrary, I found myself being satisfied watching the girl act this adorable.

“Don’t be such a tease, you shameless guy!” Mina bashfully nagged.

A few seconds later, the girl grabbed my head and kissed me once again. This time, Mina had no intention to stop.