Stealing Spree

Chapter 1401 Higashina Family

Although a little miffed about not being able to get back at me even when she threw herself at me and used force, Hanabi easily slipped into a tranquil state when she began her story.

Ah no. One sip of the root beer she picked from the vending machine miraculously calmed her down. She seemed to like it so much that she even offered me to take a sip and join her in appreciating its minty and sweet taste. But even though I never took her up on that offer, Hanabi retracted her arms holding the drink and stuck her tongue out at me before laughing triumphantly.

What a sassy goofball.

In any case, before I could even react to that, the girl pulled all stops and as if nothing happened, slipped into that tranquil state as she started narrating their story, or their familyʼs story; what happened and why theyʼre living separately.

”You see, Ruki. As far as I remember in our childhood, our parents have been living separately ever since. Theyʼre not divorced or anything. Both of their jobs have always been the obstruction to why they cannot live together.”

The girl then took another sip of her drink before leaning back a bit as she flapped her legs, relaxing the tension and trying to enjoy this kind of moment. Although thereʼs no trace of the loneliness that I caught earlier, the girl was undoubtedly lamenting about their situation.

Matsuri never told me anything and even if she did, I doubt Iʼd give it much thought considering weʼd only meet each other at school or my house.

As I waited for the next part of her story, I found myself edging closer to her and my hand dropping atop her head.

When my hand firmly settled and started petting it, the girl furtively glanced at me. Perhaps finding a little comfort from it, her expression relaxed a little before continuing with her story.

”Maybe itʼs fortunate that they managed to give birth to twins. They decided to take one of us to live with each of them. Right before we entered first grade, Matsuri and I stayed with either Mom or Dad. Initially, weʼre swapping every other week because even if we looked alike, our parents love us equally as well as our unique traits was something they didnʼt want to miss as we grow older.”

”Unfortunately, the weekly swapping had to stop when we started attending school. They had no choice but to pick one who will stay with them resulting in us attending different schools. We gathered every weekend though or whenever they got some time off from their jobs.”

Upon reaching this part, Hanabi laughed but even without trying to notice it, it sounded a little forced. I guess this was the source of her lamentations. She probably wanted their situation to improve but even until now, it didnʼt happen.

I thought of saying comforting words but decided against it in the end. Hanabi didnʼt need it. And perhaps, the reason sheʼs telling me their story must be out of her yearning for her sister.

But thinking about it, she mustʼve heard about it from Matsuri. Otherwise, she wonʼt be this forward to me. I mean, who will approach their sisterʼs ʼexʼ for no reason at all? Although I wouldnʼt be able to ascertain what Matsuri told her, itʼs probably all positive and without any trace of the negative things that I did to her.

As minutes passed, Hanabiʼs story went deeper and I listened attentively not to miss out on any details.

Apparently, a few years after that, her mother became pregnant again and gave birth to another set of twins. Twin brothers this time.

Hanabi thought that it might be the chance to complete their family again and to live in the same house. However, the same thing happened. The twins were separated from each other and they could only see each other during their family get-togethers on weekends.

Although I couldnʼt relate since I am an only child, Hanabi must be the type to value their family time a lot.

And not that surprisingly, the reason she became a slacker was the girlʼs way to rebel. Itʼs not really working though since even with it, sheʼs still getting good grades, allowing her to advance smoothly.

A while later, the girl took the final sip of her drink and raised her head to look at me.

”Uhm. Thatʼs it. Thatʼs the reason why Matsuri and I are not together. Sheʼs living with Dad and Mizuto. As for me, Iʼm with Mom and Kazuki.”

”I see. Thank you for telling me, Hanabi.” A grateful smile showed up on my lips as I switched to ruffling her hair.

Since itʼs not the gentle petting anymore, Hanabi swiped my hand away before pouting cutely again, ”Psh. Why thank me when I decided to tell you even without your consent.”

”I told you I wonʼt say no, right? Besides, I want to hear about Matsuri.”

”Do you still love her?”

”Love, huh? Did she not tell you that weʼre not really in that kind of relationship?”

I couldnʼt really say I loved her back then when my only reason to steal her was to satisfy my desire. But for the girl… she must be the same as the others. I made her fall in love with me for some reason…

”Impossible! Youʼre always the one she talks about. She even stopped dressing like a yankee to change her image. She also joined a club in high school. Itʼs a basketball club. She told me she saw you in their last practice game against another school.”

Wait. Basketball club? Last practice game? Donʼt tell me… Sheʼs the one who called out my name but never showed herself?

I quickly whipped out my phone. I asked those five idiots from my boxing class to check on that school but because of how busy I am, I probably missed some messages from those idiots.

Hanabi, who noticed my sudden haste, tilted her head in puzzlement. Nonetheless, she didnʼt stop me and waited silently.

After a minute of scrolling down, I only found one message from them. Furthermore, itʼs a disappointing message which says, ʼIʼm sorry, Onoda-sensei, weʼre banned from approaching anywhere near that school. Someone reported us as creeps.ʼ

… Yeah, what do I expect from them? Itʼs not like I pined all my hopes on them.

Putting my phone back in my pocket, I shook my head and sighed.

”Whatʼs wrong, Ruki?” With a hint of worry in her tone, Hanabi asked.

”Itʼs nothing. Letʼs go back to our topic. Is Matsuri studying at the Seven Stars Girls Academy?”

”Yeah. Youʼre from Fourth High, right? Thatʼs the last team they went to for a practice game.”

And there we have it. Itʼs confirmed. However, sheʼs in an all-girls school not in a co-ed one? No wonder sheʼs not among the girls that Akane gathered.

She moved away. Or did she? Itʼs just in a neighboring city.

But man… I didnʼt expect to find that out like this. Now, the question is… is she the one that supplied Hana with information about me?

”Hanabi.” Instead of replying, I turned to the girl and grabbed both of her shoulders.

Because of how sudden it was, the goofball stuttered in response as her eyes widened a bit. ”Y-yeah?”

Well, that was a little impulsive but thereʼs no reason for backtracking now. Looking at her eyes intently, I expressed what sprang up in my mind, ”Can you bring me to your twin sister.”

”Eh? What has gotten into you? Earlier, you appeared uninterested. But now, youʼre like a man possessed. Are you that head over heels for my twin sister?”

”I have another reason but maybe thatʼs also correct. So, can you?”

”I… I can. But not today.” The girl thought for a while before gently nodding her head. ”Iʼll tell her about meeting you today.”

”Thank you. Youʼre the best, Hanabi.” Releasing her shoulders, I started patting her head again. Naturally, sheʼs not as pleased as earlier with it.

”Geez. Praising me wonʼt make me happy. And here I thought youʼre an indifferent guy.”

Swiping my hand from her head, the girl expressed her displeasure. But with my emotion swelling up a little bit, I didnʼt stop at that. My hands found their way to her cheeks, doting on them even if Hanabi kept her frown.

”I am indifferent. Yeah. But only to those that donʼt concern me. You and Matsuri obviously are not among those.”

”Why me too?”

”I donʼt know. Maybe because I like your goofiness?”

”Hey, how dare you call your senior goofy?!”

”Zip it and let me enjoy doting on you like this. Iʼll be leaving soon so… Give me your number.”

”What a demanding guy… If Matsuri hears about this, sheʼll be disappointed.”

And with that, even with the way she acted, Hanabi exchanged contacts with me.

A few minutes later, she ran away when we spotted Eguchi-sensei and Kanno-sensei approaching the parking lot from a distance. Yep, the goofball and smartass still planned to continue slacking off instead of returning to her class.