Stealing Spree

Chapter 2101: What am I here for? ”What are you doing? Didnʼt I ask you to sit down?”

Finding me standing still where she left me, Kazuha-nee looked at me like I was an idiot upon returning to her room.

I put on a silly smile and walked over to take the tray she was carrying. On top of it were a pitcher half-filled with apple juice and two drinking glasses. ”Nope. You didnʼt say anything when you left. Wonʼt it be rude if I just sit down wherever I want? Anyway, let me take that from you.”

Although my response and action made her roll her eyes, Kazuha-nee didnʼt reject my offer to take the tray.

She was left standing by the door as I moved over to the kotatsu placed in the middle of the room.

Yeah. Even though itʼs already close to summer, she still has a kotatsu setup in her room.

But well, considering the air conditioning that somehow set this room back to a chilling temperature similar to the climate during the 1st month of the year, sheʼs probably using the kotatsu to warm herself up once the cold eventually gets to her.

Letʼs not shame her for not turning down the AC, alright?

Anyway, while I was waiting for her, Iʼve already taken in the sight of the entirety of this room. Itʼs quite spacious, really.

On the far side opposite from the door, was her bed. It was placed next to a sliding glass door that probably leads to a balcony overlooking their backyard. Upon counting the steps and simulating the exact location of her room, it should be right in the middle of the second floor, and its area extended towards the left side, making it more like a rectangular room than the normal square but only just a bit.

Naturally, given that itʼs already night, thereʼs a curtain blocking the view of the balcony but thereʼs a small gap to see the darkness outside.

Thereʼs a large bookshelf on the wall near the foot side of her bed. Then next to it was a study table. I could only see it from a distance but thatʼs quite a relaxing corner - especially her fluffy-looking bed.

The kotatsu in the middle of the room was only three to four steps from that bedside. Her wardrobe cabinets were on the left. Then thereʼs a living room setup on the right - a long couch and a large TV.

I thought Iʼd find a game console there but no. Sheʼs probably only using it for leisure. Like watching dramas or movies.

After that, thereʼs a separate space surrounded by rolling partition panels. It was currently pushed to the corner, only providing space for her workstation inside it.

Sheʼs probably expanding that space whenever sheʼs going to do the online tutorials. The partition was to prevent her from publicly showing the entirety of her room.

All in all, this feels like a single-room apartment space. It only lacked a kitchen and a bathroom. ”Should I put this here, Kazuha-nee?” As I arrived at her kotatsu and squatted down to place the tray there, I glanced at the woman who had yet to make a move apart from securing her door.

From her face, I could see hints of bafflement but more than that, the serious expression she showed earlier was still prevailing. ”I donʼt get you. You remained standing here when I left you but now you took the initiative to take the tray from me. What are you on, Ruki-kun?” ”Hmm? Being polite?” ”Thatʼs not being polite! Ugh. Anyway, yeah. Just put that down there and sit down. Also, give me that bag of yours first. Iʼll place it here.”

Ah. Well, How could I explain that? My body moved on its own when I saw her returning. But I was really trying to be polite. Seriously.

Following her words, I handed her my bag after placing the tray down. Kazuha-nee accepted it and put it on top of a small shoe rack near the door.

After that, the two of us walked back to the kotatsu and took a seat facing each other.

I didnʼt slip my feet inside since I was still feeling hot from walking outside. On the other hand, Kazuha-nee lifted it up and comfortably stretched her feet in. With how long her limbs were, her feet almost extended out on my side. If I placed my hand down, Iʼd probably be able to catch her toes.

But well, I wasnʼt here for that, right?

Shortly after, her feet were retracted as she fixed her posture. She only did that to stretch her legs.

After that, she grabbed the pitcher and poured a glass of apple juice for me. ”Drink first.” ”Thank you.”

I accepted the glass and took a gulp. It was refreshing.

Perhaps seeing me enjoy the taste, I saw a small smile peeking out of her lips. However, when my eyes refocused on her, her expression reverted to neutral.

She also poured a glass for herself and then drank half of it in one gulp.

Once that was done, she finally faced me properly. ”Ruki-kun.” ”Yes?”

For her to start by calling my name... are we going to talk about something serious? I donʼt know. However, rather than feeling the pressure, Iʼm a little excited to hear what she has to say.

I mean, Kazuha-nee approached me even after Ogawa told her about our agreement. As for the other things that he said to her, I wasnʼt worried.

After experiencing that night with us, she couldnʼt just bring it up.

So, my best guess is... Kazuha-nee will try to build up our conversation to comfortably bring that up. ”I still hate you... For that night.” Although her sentence was fragmented into two, I could sense that it took up her courage to say that to me while staring at my silly face.

I maintained my expression and nodded, ”Mhm. I can sense that. An apology wonʼt be enough. Is this the reason you brought me here, Kazuha-nee? Should I make a proper apology to you?”

Kazuha-nee shook her head and the words she uttered next formed a vague question, ”Do you regret it?”

Sheʼs talking about what happened between us, right? I canʼt be sure. But I could only answer with that context. ”I donʼt think so. What about you?”

I threw the question back to her.

Kazuha-nee failed to answer right away. Her eyes shook a bit but itʼs probably not because she was shaken. Sheʼs just not expecting me to answer nonchalantly like that.

A moment later, she let out a sigh. ”I donʼt regret it.” Kazuha-neeʼs shoulders drooped a little before she continued, ”It was also my own decision to stay.”

This confirmed that she was talking about that night, right?

Kazuha-nee... Sheʼs really bothered about that night. Bothered enough to bring me here to her room to talk about it.

Does she not consider me a threat? Or maybe, that question didnʼt even pass her mind. ”I see. If Kazuha-nee doesnʼt regret it then... can I ask what I am here for?” ”You tell me.” Kazuha-nee bit her lips before lowering her gaze. Looks like the devious sister that I had gotten used to was shelved down. The one in front of me here was the same woman who shared the bed with us.

I watched that from my side and understood that we wouldnʼt get anywhere if I let her lead𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺 this conversation.

I took another gulp of the apple juice before placing my elbows on the table, my chin dropping on top of my joined fingers. ”Kazuha-nee, Iʼll be shameless here. But is it because you missed me?”

As shameless and bold as that sounded, thatʼs the surefire way to trigger a reaction from her.

A reaction different from what she had already shown.

And sure enough, it was super effective.

Her back immediately straightened up and both of her hands dropped on the table, causing the pitcher and glasses to shake. Following that, she leaned forward before delivering one word, ”No!”

No. She said. But I can tell from her face. Sheʼs not being honest right there.