Stealing Spree

Chapter 2264: Only you

”Here she is,” I said as I flipped the phone down to show Akane lying comfortably on my lap, ”Why are you pouting there Akane? Are you unhappy about something? You canʼt be jealous of me, right? After all, youʼre part of the reason why I fell in love with him.”

Fuyuʼs voice was such a tease. She wasnʼt being malicious, of course. Just poking fun at Akaneʼs antics.

And sure enough, my silly wifeʼs face grew redder as her pout turned into a frown, ”N-no. Itʼs just... I donʼt know.”

I poked her cheek but the girl just bit my finger again.

Hearing Akaneʼs unclear answer, Fuyu just giggled on the phone.

”So, what are you planning to do today, Fuyu? Are you going to take Fubuki-chan outside?” I lifted the phone back and asked.

Fuyuʼs eyes lit up at the mention of her little sister. ”Yes, Ruki-kun. Iʼm going to take the little runt to the park later this afternoon. You can join us if you want. I mean, just donʼt let Fubuki know that weʼre already... you know?”

”No!” Akane suddenly interjected, ”F-fuyu. Donʼt go to the park. Come here. Come here with Fubuki-chan. Husband will be busy today. I want to bully both of you.”

If at first she sounded like a lost child who was asking for attention, that last part was her mischievous side making its comeback. Looking at her comfortable smile, I could tell she was already feeling better.

Fuyuʼs eyes narrowed playfully. She could also tell that Akane was feeling better by the way she spoke and acted, ”Oh? Bullying us, huh? Alright. Weʼll go there and pamper you instead. Fubuki is also asking me about you. But really, Akane. Youʼre always a handful when youʼre on your period.”

I couldnʼt help but laugh at Fuyuʼs remark, ”Be good to her, okay? She needs to rest. Also, donʼt spoil her too much. Iʼll be the one to do that.”

”Of course, Ruki-kun. Donʼt forget. I was the one handling her before. Iʼm already an expert at tying her down. Also, you have to spoil me too! Not just Akane.” Fuyu giggled more while Akane sat up on my lap, trying to make Fuyu jealous of our closeness by her clinginess.

Just like this, we spent thirty minutes playing along and laughing at each other, trying to get a reaction to the quirky silly girl.

When the call ended, Akane settled back down on our couch. I was at her side as I bent down to kiss her forehead.

”Alright, Iʼll be back later. Do you want something from the supermarket? Iʼll buy it for you.”

”No... Just come home soon, husband. I want to spend more time with you before you go to your part-time job.”

”Understood. Now, get some rest.” I grabbed the blanket from the side of the couch and gently covered her. ”Iʼll be quick. Donʼt you go causing trouble while Iʼm gone.”

Akane stuck out her tongue, ”As if I would. Go and have fun with Eimi. Sheʼs been waiting for you too.”

”So, you wonʼt get jealous of Eimi?” I playfully poked her nose, making Akane frown. My finger naturally took the blame as she bit on it.

”I wonʼt... Iʼm not jealous of anyone. I just thought... itʼs fun to act that way sometimes.” Akaneʼs eyes twinkled mischievously, her cheeks still flushed from our little game.

”Youʼre lying. I can tell when youʼre genuinely jealous. But thatʼs also an adorable side of you... So, donʼt hesitate to tell me if you do feel jealous. Iʼll make it up to you.” I kissed her again, this time more intimate than the last as if leaving her with a taste of me lingering on her lips.

”Hmph! Bad husband. Just go before I keep you locked in here with me.” Akane pretended to pout, but I knew she enjoyed it.

I laughed and then pinched her cheek before turning to the kitchen to check on what we might need to restock before going out of the house.

The fridge was mostly empty because of how we kept having the girls over. But itʼs not a problem. Itʼs also satisfying for me to be able to serve everyone.

As I was leaving the house, I checked on Akane one last time and found her already snoring on our couch. Of course, it was also exhausting for her.

A few minutes later, I arrived at Eimiʼs house. Even without ringing their doorbell, I already saw two figures waiting outside.

My Eimi and Anzu-nee.

They were both dressed casually, with Eimi in a simple white blouse and Anzu-nee in a cute pink dress that emphasized her youthfulness - yeah, sheʼs not going to beat the allegations that she looked like a middle schooler despite already being a college student.

I waved and smiled at them.

”Mhm. You looked great today. And you too, Anzu-nee-san.” I greeted them with quite a cheeky smile that immediately made Eimi giggle while Anzu-nee bloated her cheeks. ”Cheeky little brother. Take care of Eimi again, alright?” As always, Anzu-nee put on the shoes of an older sister not just to Eimi but to me too. Regardless of what happened between us last week, this would remain a constant.

”Donʼt worry, Anzu-nee. Iʼll make sure she wonʼt get lost in the supermarket aisles.” I playfully said as Eimi instantly reacted to it.

”Hey, Ruki! Iʼm not that much of a child,” Eimi said with a playful pout, pushing against my arm lightly.

Anzu-nee rolled her eyes, unamused, ”Eimi-chan. Donʼt let him tease you like that. You have to tease him back.”

”I know Anzu-nee!” Eimi exclaimed before turning to me and sticking her tongue out, ”Here, hold my hand Ruki, itʼll be bad if you get lost in the market. I have to protect you from jumping to another girl.”

I played along by saying, ”You know what, Eimi? How will I get lost when I only have my eyes

on you?”

Eimiʼs cheeks flushed a beautiful shade of red as she took my hand. As for Anzu-nee, she made a face as though she was cringing at my flowery words. She then murmured, ”What an idiotic little brother.”

Despite those words, I could see her smiling silly underneath it.

”Alright. Thatʼs enough for your glib tongue, Ruki. We have a supermarket to catch. Anzu- nee, weʼre going. Please look after the house.” Eimi had our hands intertwined as she pulled

me with her.

Anzu nodded and just gestured as though shooing us away.𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

As we walked towards the supermarket, Eimi and I chatted casually about our week. She talked about her classes and her friends. And as for me, apart from things Iʼve already told her through our messages and calls, I also filled her in with some of the happenings that were

best told in person.

”Oh right, Ruki. Anzu-nee also told me about last week. She sounded so guilty as if she had stolen you from me.”

Ah. Of course, she wouldnʼt be able to hide it from Eimi. Nonetheless, I already told her about that instance to this girl and while conflicted about how our dynamics changed, she commended me for standing up for her older cousin.

I mean, I also filled her in on my speculation about that guy. That he might just be putting Anzu-nee on the back burner and planning to two-time with her.

While I wasnʼt any better than that guy... I naturally wouldnʼt just sit back when I saw how affected she was by their breakup before.

”Well, I guess thatʼs the normal reaction. But I think Anzu-nee can soon get over it. Her low self-esteem comes from her appearance but if I keep treating her like an older sister, sheʼll soon build up the confidence to stand on her own without looking for a guy who will just date her just because.” I said to Eimi as we approached the supermarket. Listening attentively, Eimi nodded her head with a pleased expression, ”There you go with your consideration, Ruki. I wonʼt say anything since you know what youʼre doing. But thank you for looking after Anzu-nee. None of us could truly cheer her up, only you.”