Stealing Spree

Chapter 2357: Why donʼt we take the bus?

After properly bidding farewell to Akane, Fuyu, and Miwa-nee upstairs, Futaba and Eri started preparing to leave.

Well, they only needed to pick up their bags and maybe fix their uniforms that had been slightly disheveled.

I left them there while I went to the bathroom to clean up and refresh myself by washing my face. It was definitely going to be a long walk. Or maybe exhausting should be the word because I could already imagine Eriʼs never-ending energy along with her constant attempt to tease me or Futaba.

Futaba, on the other hand, would definitely not act out of line, especially with Eri around. At most, sheʼd just keep quiet while occasionally reprimanding Eri or me for our inappropriate behavior or shamelessness.

Right. I was still expecting Futaba to approach me for another conversation regarding my ʼboxersʼ that she intended to return, but that didnʼt happen. Either she didnʼt bring them with her, or she was too embarrassed to bring them up as a point of conversation. The possibility that she changed her mind about returning them also existed, but I probably wouldnʼt know the answer without bringing it up myself.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, the two girls had finished preparing and were ready to leave.

”Alright, shall we?” I asked as I gestured towards the door.

Eri energetically grinned as she nodded while Futaba apprehensively averted her gaze from me as she followed suit.

With the night breeze cool against our skin, we began our journey to the train station. The moon cast a glow that softly illuminated the quiet streets, creating a serene atmosphere.

Once again, Eri sidled up with me, her arm hooking on mine as we strolled down the moonlit street. Futaba took my other side but she wasnʼt as clingy as Eri. She elbowed me though. Most likely, she wanted me to help her reprimand Eri, not condone her behavior.

Will scolding her change anything? Maybe it will but is it necessary? I donʼt really see any point. Because in Eriʼs mind, sheʼs not really as conscious of me, in an intimate sense, as Futaba. For her, being this clingy is simply from her playful nature.

... Or maybe Fuyu was right, I was being too lenient to the girl.

”Ruki, why donʼt we take the bus instead?” Halfway through our walk, Eri suggested with a hopeful glint in her eye. I donʼt know whatʼs exactly in her mind but itʼs clearly to get more privacy, right?

In any case, itʼs not so bad as long as we donʼt cause trouble for Futaba. ”Alright, letʼs take the bus,” I conceded, noticing how Futabaʼs eyes widened at Eriʼs suggestion. It was clear she wasnʼt expecting that, probably assuming weʼd be taking the train.

From what I heard while their houses were close to each other, they were unlike Fuyuʼs house which was close to the station. Furthermore, both the bus stop and the station had a similar distance from their house so there wasnʼt really that much of a difference -- only the price of fare or the privacy between the two public transportations.

”Wait... Eri, what are you planning?” Futaba reacted immediately to Eriʼs sudden suggestion, her eyes narrowing slightly.

But the girl just innocently tilted her head, ”What could I possibly be planning, Futaba?” ”Youʼre always up to something, Eri,” She said suspiciously.

”When did I ever do that? I just thought itʼd be a nice change of pace,” Eri winked at me as though urging me to support her. She tightened her hold on my arm and then whispered, ”Itʼs fine, right? Ruki?”

”Well, itʼs fine whichever youʼre comfortable with. Iʼm just your escort.” I shrugged, playing dumb.

”You canʼt be serious, Onoda-kun.”

”Like I said, itʼs actually up to you. If one of you is not comfortable with it then... weʼll default back to take the train. By the way, is there a reason why you wanted to take the bus, Eri?”

”Nothing special,” Eri replied nonchalantly, though the twinkle in her eye told a different story. ”Itʼs just that the bus ride is a bit longer and we can talk more privately.”

”I see. You have a question to ask from me, huh?”

”More like a consultation. You know, just like last time.” Eri said with a grin. ”Itʼs good for you too, Futaba. Didnʼt you say despite Rukiʼs teasing of you, he still managed to help you out?

Upon hearing that, Futaba rolled her eyes as she pretended not to know what Eri was saying.

And here I thought sheʼd keep it all to herself. But considering Eri treated it similar to how she consulted me during the sleepover, Futaba most likely didnʼt tell them the complete story. Maybe she mentioned that I helped sort her mind or something close to that.

”Consultation? Eri, is it still about the same topic as before?” I asked just to confirm.

”Well, part of it. Youʼve been helpful, Ruki. But Iʼd like to hear more... stories from you.” ”Stories...” I echoed before staring at her meaningfully. Eri maintained her grin as she pressed a finger on her lips.

I flicked her forehead and said, ”Girl, donʼt be so mischievous.”

”What? Iʼm not. Iʼm only thinking that itʼll be a nice reference.” Eri cheekily answered.

On my other side, Futaba exasperatedly sighed, ”Eri, you have to be careful. Your... boyfriend may really be jealous if you keep getting close to Onoda-kun.”

”Toshi-kun understands, Futaba. Also, Iʼm consulting for us. Do you not trust him? Do you think heʼs going to take advantage of me?”

”T-thatʼs not what I meant. Itʼs just... unusual.”

Seeing how it was turning awkward between the two, I decided to dispel it with a fake cough, getting both of their attention to me, ”Alright. I get both of your points. Iʼm glad you trust me enough to consult me again, Eri, but Futaba is right. This can complicate your relationship. Best friend or not, you just donʼt get close to another guy when you have a boyfriend. Take me for example, I will hate it if Akane or Fuyu get close to another guy.”

”... I see. Youʼre right.” Eriʼs smile didnʼt falter, but I could tell she was slightly disappointed. Futaba also sensed that and she tried to salvage the situation, ”Eri, Iʼm not saying you shouldnʼt... itʼs just... make sure to respect both of your boundaries.”𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

I know sheʼs just being sensible here but can she apply that to herself? If not then sheʼs being hypocritical, no?

In any case, to not turn this from awkward to gloomy, I patted Eriʼs head, ”Iʼm not saying this to sow discord between you and your boyfriend but youʼre clearly making a lot of effort to make it work. Thatʼs why Iʼll continue supporting you.”

”... Uhm. Thank you, Ruki. Youʼre the best.” Eriʼs face brightened once again and her hold on

my arm tightened.

Futaba looked at us silently but she also chose not to say anything anymore. Clearly, sheʼs also taking a retrospective look at the situation. With her sensibility, sheʼd see how hypocritical she was acting when the two of us were also keeping a secret from their friends.

But then again, I know Iʼm at fault as well for enabling Eri with her ʼbest friendʼ privilege. The only way to resolve this was to put a clear boundary on what we can and cannot do. But will that work though? On the surface, it was Eri who was getting close to me but deep inside, Futaba was the first to get conscious of me.

What a complicated mess weʼve got ourselves into.

Soon we approached the bus stop.

With the silence that had taken over after that, the three of us stood there as we waited for the

bus.

Eri never actually let go of my arm but her cheerfulness had clearly taken a hit. Meanwhile, Futaba was occasionally sighing as she continued to delve into her inner thoughts.

A few minutes later, the bus pulled up. Its lights reflected off the quiet streets and the hiss of the doors opening brought the two girlsʼ thoughts back to the present.

As the man and their escort, I took the lead and guided them in. I also reached for Futabaʼs hand as the three of us boarded it.

At first, I was going to choose a two-seater and let them sit next to each other while I would be sitting on the other side.

But somehow, the two of them rejected that idea as we continued to the back. Once again, I got sandwiched between them.

Yeah. Looks like I really jinxed it. Just with our walk to the station, something different

already happened.