Stealing Spree

Chapter 2288: No to Self-deprecation

”Thereʼs always a first in everything, Ruki. Just like how I am your first... Iʼll keep making up for it as it was a sin that I will carry through eternity.” Miwa-nee replied with her expression turning a little serious at the end, remembering that my desire started with her.

”If you say it like that then Iʼll repeat it. In my eyes, you didnʼt do anything wrong, Miwa-nee. Without you, none of this will be possible. We can keep arguing about the morality of it but letʼs leave that to the past and look forward for the future.” I said with a gentle smile, trying to lighten the mood.

Although she pretty much killed it, it was still salvageable. I pinched her nose before kissing her again, marking her with my affection.

Miwa-nee savored it and slowly, she melted from my affection. When she opened her eyes again, Miwa-nee bit her lips as she turned around.

As timing would have it, the teapot had finished boiling.

I took a step back, giving her the space to move.

I watched Miwa-nee put the teapot and the teacups on a tray as she walked over to me. ”Un. Iʼll listen to you, Ruki. Can you forgive me for bringing it up again?”

Mhm. I like this kind of development from her. Sheʼs now ready to throw away the baggage limiting her.

”Thereʼs nothing to forgive, Miwa-nee... Alright. Letʼs stop being gloomy and drink this tea. Like I said, we have a lot to catch up on, not just the past...” I pinched her cheek which made her pout right away. But little by little, the tension on her face softened up.

After that, we moved from the kitchen to the living room and we sat down on the same sofa that Akane had been using earlier.

The room was dimly lit, the only source of light coming from the light from the kitchen. I turned on the TV for ambiance. Even though there wasnʼt any meaningful show to watch, it would keep the silence from becoming too heavy.

Miwa-nee poured a cup for both of us before handing it to me, her hand lingering for a moment on mine which sent a small electric shock through my body.

As she sidled up on my side, our legs and shoulders couldnʼt help but start rubbing, reminding us of our intimate embrace just a few minutes ago.

I quickly took a sip of the tea. The warm liquid slid down my throat, soothing the exhaustion of my long day. Miwa-nee did the same but she unconsciously took a big gulp, making her face reddened from the heat.

I thought sheʼd cry out in pain but she surprisingly endured it.

”Miwa-nee, donʼt scald your tongue. I might have to suck on that later.” I grabbed the tea from her hand and placed it down before checking on her. Although my words were playful, my concern for her wasnʼt waning at all.

”You really donʼt change, do you? Now, youʼre even more mature than me. Or maybe it was just me remaining stagnant from years before.” She replied with a light smack on my arm, her eyes still watery from the teaʼs heat. Following that, she tried biting my lip but when she failed, she pouted again, ”Ugh... I shouldʼve had a drink with your parents while waiting for you... now I had to face you like this. Sober.”

I chuckled as I took another sip of my tea before answering, ”Well, isnʼt this better? Youʼll be able to control the words coming out of your mouth better, Miwa-nee.”

She was losing composure but little by little, I could tell that she was also gradually relaxing. Whatever tension that built earlier was being released.

Only a few weeks of separation and it already felt like we were meeting again after a few years. How mystical.

Not learning her lesson, Miwa-nee took another sip of her tea before leaning on my side, her hand resting on my thigh as she sighed.

She didnʼt say anything but I could sense the heaviness in it. A mix of relief and exhaustion.

I cupped her cheek again before whispering, ”Youʼre back home, Miwa-nee. Itʼs fine to be relaxed. Whatever your experience might be during these past few weeks, you can unload it here. Your Ruki is willing to listen.”

”Geez... You always know what to say in this situation.” While pressing her cheek further into my palm, Miwa-nee replied with a chuckle. Her hand slid up my thigh, her fingers lightly tracing a line on it, tickling a little. ”But Iʼm happy, Ruki. Being back here with you. Thatʼs all I wanted.”

I slid my arm to her back, pulling her close as I gently fixed the fringes of her hair, tucking them behind her ear. ”Is that so? Well then, if you leave again. Iʼll follow after you and bring you back with me.”

Her face turned crimson before lightly hitting our foreheads together, ”Idiot. Donʼt do that. Besides, I wonʼt leave anymore. Everything is over.”

She paused for a moment as though trying to arrange her words. You wanna hear what happened right? I may not be clear during our messages but honestly, they didnʼt make it too difficult for me... Itʼs just... you know, the process of being tied to that kind of family, I needed to pass through a lot of hoops to get out.”

I guess theyʼre too traditional that even divorce had to be done in a lot of steps. From what I heard from Miwa-nee herself, she had to go back and forth to their house. While she met her ex-husband there, they didnʼt interact much other than asking her if she was sure about the divorce.

Apparently, he was still so focused on his career that he didnʼt want to pay too much attention to the issue. He had long accepted Minoru not being his so... all in all, their relationship didnʼt really bloom even after years of marriage. Not to mention, Miwa-nee was constantly thinking about me.

As she said that Miwa-nee embraced my waist as she put her head on my chest, resting in its comfort.

I stroked her hair gently, feeling the softness under my fingertips, ”Mhm. It mustʼve been difficult. Now you can relax here. Everyone misses you, even Akane.”

Miwa-nee nodded, her eyes misting up a bit. ”I know she does. That girl is happy where youʼre happy. Sheʼs like your shadow. Meanwhile... Iʼm like a leech, no? Okay, before you scold

me for that. Iʼm just stating a fact.”

Well, I wonʼt scold her for that but... My hand moved to her forehead, giving it a flick. Then without saying anything else, I lifted her chin, pushing my lips down on hers.

I know a lot is going on in her mind but the same as how they didnʼt want me to self- deprecate, I would also prevent them from doing the same.