Stealing Spree

Chapter 2188: Where the blame lies

Mei-chan didnʼt resist it and just grinned as if she was that comfortable with Chii. But with that question thrown at me, her eyes sparkled with anticipation, waiting for my response.

Well, this is Mei-chan weʼre talking about. She loves being complimented. Sheʼs one of those girls who thrive on validation. But truth be told, I havenʼt interacted with her enough to fully figure her out yet.

Still, sheʼs an adorable little sister type, despite her hyperactive nature. Can anyone really resist that?

”Yeah, sheʼs adorable,” I replied as I let out my usual smile and shifted my gaze at her.

She blushed before energetically replying, her eyes widening in excitement, ”Ehe... Thank you, senpai! By the way, you looked so cool and handsome in those photos you posted! I never thought you were into cosplaying!”

”... What do you mean?” I asked, acting confused.

”Oh, come on, senpai! How could I not recognize you? Even with all that makeup, your gaze gave you away. In my eyes, those indifferent yet warm-looking eyes are unmistakable,” She said confidently, her finger pointing at my face as if sheʼd cracked some big secret. ”But donʼt worry, I didnʼt spill your identity. I just followed that account. I even messaged you, but you didnʼt reply. Lucky for me, Onii-chan told me you were here!”

To my surprise, all three of them nodded in understanding. Chii giggled in amusement while Nami and Hana exchanged glances again before shaking their heads.

Somehow, through these little interactions, those two had started to set aside their differences. I can now imagine Hana becoming friendlier with the other girls, setting aside her already failed plan of stealing me from them.

That aside. Did Tadano tell her about me? Or is it because he slipped during their dinner, saying he saw someone unpleasant? And Yumei being the smark brat dressed up and peeked out only to be caught by the girls.

Whatever it was, a little different to Ogawa who sent me straight to Kazuha-neeʼs arms, Tadano just indirectly sent this girl here.

Am I worried about her? Not really.

Sheʼs aware of my relationship with Nami and despite that, she kept trying to get close to me. Even if I tell her that Iʼm here to escort Hana and Chii without revealing that theyʼre all my girlfriends, sheʼll probably not find anything wrong with it since Nami is here with us.

Right... Thereʼs no need to explain.

”I guess I underestimated how observant you are.” I smilingly muttered as I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to play her discovery off casually,

Mei-chan beamed, her chest puffing up with pride at my acknowledgment before winking playfully, ”Of course, handsome-senpai! Iʼve got a sharp eye for these things! But donʼt worry, I wonʼt blow your cover. Itʼll be our little secret.”

”Thanks, Mei-chan. Youʼre the best.” I said before ruffling her hair.

Without dodging my hand, Mei-chan giggled in satisfaction, savoring that sensation. Perhaps if not for Chii holding her close, she would also jump and cling to me.

Hearing this exchange between us, the three girls were both amused and curious at how I easily dealt with the girl or her hyperactiveness.

After spending a little more than five minutes just conversing cheerfully there, we soon decided to cut it off.

Of course, to ensure that she wouldnʼt pry too much about us, we walked Mei-chan back inside their property.

I knocked and Tadano answered the door. Upon seeing me, his brows twitched at a complicated angle.

Sure enough, heʼs not amused by my presence. Especially near his sister.

Slowly, with his eyes narrowing by the second, I could sense how he was trying to decide whether to be vocally annoyed or hold it in.

Mei-chan, completely oblivious to the tension, bounced up to him cheerfully.

”Onii-chan! See. Ruki-senpai walked me home,” she declared while beaming with her lively smile, ”Isnʼt he the best?”

Tadanoʼs eyebrows twitched again upon hearing that and his gaze turned into a glare.

I shrugged at him. Iʼm not that keen on explaining to him.

I mean, Walk her home? Weʼre just next door. It was twenty steps, more or less. If that counted as walking her home then, Iʼd applaud Mei-chan for that amazing classification.

Furthermore, I wasnʼt alone. Even Nami was still with us making sure that Mei-chan wouldnʼt run out in the middle of the night again.

After a while, he settled for a curt nod, clearly not thrilled but unwilling to make a scene in front of Mei-chan.

”Yeah, thanks man,” he muttered, stepping aside to let her in. ”Get inside, Yumei.”

Although his tone didnʼt come off as amused, Mei-chan didnʼt need to be told twice. With one last grin thrown in my direction, she skipped into the house, her bubbly energy leaving a noticeable absence behind.

Once she was out of sight, Tadano turned his full attention to me, his eyes narrowing slightly. ”I donʼt know what youʼre doing here, but stay away from my sister. Sheʼs too naive for your games.”

His gaze then shifted to Nami and although his expression mellowed out, the tone of his voice remained the same, ”And Nanami, please. Leave Yumei out of this... She doesnʼt need to be exposed to what youʼre all doing.”

”Thatʼs not whatʼs happening here, Daiki,” Namiʼs expression faltered, a trace of hurt crossing her face. I could feel the sting in Tadanoʼs words, even if he didnʼt intend to accuse

her.

True. She just tolerated Mei-chanʼs presence around me but that didnʼt mean she was also just going to sit by and watch the girl get ensnared in our complicated relationship.

Before Nami could respond, I squeezed her hand reassuringly and spoke up.

”Dude, I get it. Iʼm not the kind of person you want your sister hanging around with. But donʼt blame Nami for this. If you want someone to point fingers at, Iʼm right here.”

Perhaps he also didnʼt know that his words and gaze would come across as accusatory, Tadanoʼs expression twisted into a frown.

He bit his lips and said, “I-I didnʼt mean it like that... Iʼm not accusing you, Nanami. Itʼs

just...”

”Alright. Thatʼs enough. We sent Mei-chan home. You can close this door now. If you have

any problem with me, talk to me about it. Iʼll be honest with you and tell you that I have never interacted with Mei-chan on my own initiative. If anything, sheʼs the one who keeps approaching me. If you want to control who she interacts with, thatʼs on you, but Tadano, you know itʼll be a tough hill to climb to do that.”

Tadanoʼs face twisted as he wrestled with his emotions. ”...I get it. But can you blame me for

being wary of you?”

”Not at all. Youʼre more than justified to feel that way. But donʼt just get to your own conclusion without finding out the real situation.”

With that, I turned around, signaling the end of the conversation, and brought the three girls

with me.

Hana and Chii remained quiet since they knew I could handle it already.

As we walked away, I noticed the troubled look on Namiʼs face. I gently squeezed her hand

again, trying to ease her mind.

”Nami, donʼt worry about it. Heʼs just being a protective older brother. For sure, heʼs going to apologize to you tomorrow. You didnʼt do anything wrong at all. If... in the future, Mei-chan really does get involved with me, it will never be your fault.”

Nami sighed softly, her voice barely audible. ”...Idiot Ruu. Thatʼs not what Iʼm worried about. I just hate seeing you take the blame for everything.”

I gave her a gentle smile. ”Come on. Isnʼt this old news? Iʼve been public enemy number one for guys ever since. Because Iʼm doing something out of the norm, they wonʼt be able to accept the idea that Iʼm making you all fall in love with me. No matter who, what they will first think is that Iʼm fooling all of you. Itʼs fine. I can handle it, so donʼt stress about it. And that goes for you two as well.”

I also glanced at Hana and Chii, both of whom nodded silently. Although that sounded like I was just being a martyr, that was actually the true state of our situation. And my girls are well aware of it, they just canʼt accept it so... from time to time,

they will feel like they have to do something about it.

”I know that, Kii. Weʼll protect you in some other way.” ”Youʼre acting tough again, Ruki. I hate that you keep on shouldering this.”

Chii had a determined expression as she said that while Hana pouted slightly, clear on her face was her irritation for not being able to do something to deflect the hate directed at me.

Like Nami, I pulled the two closer, wrapping them in a warm embrace in the middle of the

street.

”Iʼm the core of our relationship. I can handle this. If I crumble, then I wonʼt be able to protect any of you when it matters. Thatʼs my role. But your support means everything to

me.”

With that, we continued walking until we reached Namiʼs house, where I made sure she was calm before saying goodbye.

Afterward, Hana, Chii, and I made our way to the bus stop, the night air cool and quiet as we moved forward together.