Stealing Spree

Chapter 2121: Another Visitor

”Huh... Would you look at that? Are you also here to ask me for advice? Or to give me a piece of your mind?”

Not long after Eri returned upstairs, I welcomed another visitor. I did expect this somewhat considering Eri took so long to return. On top of that, she was left behind with Akane and Fuyu there.

No matter what kind of topic they discussed, my name would be brought up one way or another, right?

Anyway, itʼs really going to be a long night...

Hearing my slightly sarcastic tone, Futabaʼs eyebrows slanted.

Iʼd already seen her in the room earlier but somehow, seeing her whole figure in her pajamas was giving me a few silly ideas. Something like she looks better in her natural form and... sheʼs already approaching the same size as Fuyu.

Even if I didnʼt want to focus on it, itʼs quite emphasized this time.

Her top was quite tight on her chest, highlighting it unintentionally. Was she wearing pajamas one size smaller? I donʼt know. Maybe, that part of her had just grown recently and she had yet to buy a new one.

Futaba didnʼt answer my question, instead, she suddenly covered up that part of her. Most likely, she noticed that my eyes got stuck there.

”Shameless Onoda-kun, I can see where your eyes are wandering.”

”Yeah. My bad. Am I in trouble?”

Since she caught me red-handed, making an excuse would just make me sound pathetic even if it sounded valid. I mean, I was sitting on the sofa while she approached from the side. Her chest was in line with my vision.

True, I couldʼve raised my head to face her. However, that tightness got me stuck for a few seconds which led to this moment.

”Un. You are. Move over. Let me sit down first.”

I heard stifled laughter from the girl before she took a step forward and said that in a cold yet playful tone.

I obediently did as she asked and the girl took the space where Eri was just sitting earlier. With this, our eyesight intersected.

I left the room earlier after teasing her with the sweets that I brought. But at the moment, it appeared as though she had long recovered from it and her usual countenance returned.

Still, I had no idea what she was here for. If sheʼs here to ask me a question, sheʼd be like Eri. She would hesitate first before bringing it up. However, from what I could see at the moment, there wasnʼt any indication of her being troubled about something.

Which means... Futaba came down here of her own volition. Akane wasnʼt responsible for sending her here.

So, by the process of elimination, itʼs about the sweets and Fuyu, right?

”Onoda-kun.” She started, ”I still donʼt know how I will feel about you and Fuyu.”

”Mhm. Thatʼs fair.” I swiftly replied. ”You donʼt have to accept it right away.”

”Right? I wasnʼt even that serious in suspecting you. But you went and revealed it in the most shocking way. Imagine being in my shoes. I thought you were just playing with us before saying ʼgotchaʼ at the end. Oh, how wrong I was...”

Ah. So sheʼs going for this route, huh? Letting me know how it affected her. Sheʼs here to reconcile with the reality that Iʼm truly dating Fuyu now. Itʼs normal as a concerned individual. It just showed that she truly valued their friendship.

”Yeah... Thatʼs indeed me jumping the gun. I tend to overthink things. When I heard how you noticed Fuyu has changed around me, I thought it would be difficult to continue hiding it from you two. Youʼre always together. Youʼll be able to notice the changes in her.”

”Now that you mention it, sheʼs blooming during the day. It felt like Fuyu had just broken out of the ice she encased herself with. Sheʼs also shining as bright as Akane.”

If Futaba noticed it during the day, thereʼs no doubt that there were more people who saw the changes in her. I mean, she was suppressing her feelings for me before last night. And now that she didnʼt have to do that anymore, Fuyu was able to be more honest with herself. Her cold smiles became warmer and her icy disposition began to melt.

”Mhm. Youʼre right. There was a glow about her that seemed even more beautiful than usual this morning. She radiates happiness in her every move. I guess sheʼs also finding it difficult to hide, huh?” As I said that, I couldnʼt help but recall Fuyu from this morning. The way she smiles around me was too heart-warming.

Noticing that I got lost in my own thoughts again, Futaba smirked.

”Look at your smugness. Now you successfully bagged both Akane and Fuyu. Have you no shame?”

”None. Arenʼt you already calling me shameless?”

”Yeah. Shameless Onoda-kun...” Futaba said. Her eyes hinge on acceptance more than her previous show of annoyance.

I thought this would be over here. But Futaba remained sitting there, seemingly deep in contemplation.

I couldnʼt just ask her to leave so I waited until she gathered her thoughts.

And that happened around a minute later.

She lifted her head and looked at me again. This time, her countenance felt like someone who was finding an answer to something. Itʼs like realizing that there must be a reason why these

things happened.

”Hey, Onoda-kun. All of us had this experience of following Akane at one point or another when she was still chasing after you during middle school. I find it hard to believe that you only suddenly remembered your love for her. And now, you also fell for Fuyu... Have you experienced something life-changing? You turned from a snobbish guy who couldnʼt face Akane properly but kept meeting other girls into this shameless guy whoʼs now dating Akane and her best friend.”𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Upon saying that, the girlʼs eyes narrowed a little. The slits of her eyes were already small to begin with but with this, she looked a little intimidating. But not enough to make me sweat.

In any case, it does feel like she wants to clear this up to better understand me as a person she can trust for her close friends.

Yep. This just proves that in their group, sheʼs the most sensible.

”Yes. I experienced something that opened my eyes about things that Iʼd been turning a blind eye to.”

”I hope itʼs not in the line of ʼwhy look for someone else when you can have Akane and her best friend?”.”

”Nope. Itʼs nothing like that. Akane and Fuyu know the truth. But I donʼt think itʼs right for me to tell you about it. Itʼs kinda heavy and youʼll surely hate me more. However, you can ask them. I wonʼt forbid them from letting you understand why they accepted me.”

”Okay. I will do that.” Futaba stared at me for a while before nodding, seemingly content with my answer. ”Iʼm aware I may be like a meddlesome friend to you. But I care for them. I hope you understand me, Onoda-kun.”

”No worries. Your actions are justified. And Iʼm glad you cared for them like this. Not that Iʼm saying Eri isnʼt but that girl seems to have built a trust for me.”

”Oh. Youʼre right. She was beaming with joy when she returned. Akane sent her to you for advice. She was always troubled about her relationship. Thanks for that as well.”

”You wonʼt ask me what kind of advice I gave her?”

”What for? Itʼs quite easy to notice that you dispelled the doubts in her head and sheʼs happy with the result. She cannot stop praising you. Thatʼs why I went down here to check on you.” Ah... So thatʼs the reason why sheʼs here. I guess sheʼs really not here for advice.

”Well, sheʼs praising me for nothing. I only answered a few questions from her. But Iʼm glad. I

hope it works out for her.”

”Yeah. But Onoda-kun, setting everything aside... Shouldnʼt you apologize to me about

something else?”

Just when I thought this was over, the air around her suddenly turned hostile.

I didnʼt need to guess. Itʼs about that one. But letʼs see. I heard from Eri that she loves eating anyway. I should tease her first before giving her what she wants.

”Hmm? Is the biscuit good? I made sure to pick the one covered in sugar. It should go well

with the tea.”

Halfway through my words, Futaba was already triggered enough to glare at me as though I

successfully ruined her diet.

”Onoda-kun... I really hate you!”