Stealing Spree

Chapter 2523 Do you want a kiss?

Ignoring the attention we drew of Ninaʼs antics, we made our way out of the train station. Sumire and Umi remained by my side while the others followed behind us.

The evening air hit us as we stepped out of the station. It was cool and crisp with the faint scent of rain lingering from earlier in the day.

The streetlights cast a warm glow over the pavement as we started the short walk to their neighborhood.

Sumire and Umi remained by my side, their steps syncing with mine. The former had my hand on hers while the latter hugged my arm.

Chii and Hana trailed just behind, chatting quietly about tomorrowʼs plans and occasionally teasing the two juniors with me.

Nina and Mami brought up the rear. My minion and vampire fanatic was still buzzing with energy but thanks to Mami who was keeping a cautious distance, she couldnʼt draw near me again. Maybe sheʼs waiting for her turn. Who knows?

I still had no idea why Mami wasnʼt even talking about Ogawa but I guess it has to do with not wanting to be teased? Either way, sheʼs probably just shy.

Sumire adjusted her bag on her shoulder, her earlier pout replaced by a determined little frown. ”Shameless senpai, you donʼt have to walk us all the way home every time, you know? We like it but... youʼre going out of your way. Itʼs enough that I can run into you on the train.”

I glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. ”Says the girl who got jealous over Nina sitting on my knees. It may be enough for you but not for me. I miss spending time with you. Besides, I like making sure youʼre all safe. Call it a senpaiʼs privilege.”

She huffed, crossing her arms but didnʼt argue further. Her cheeks puffed out slightly in that adorable way they always did whenever she was flustered.

Umi giggled beside me, rubbing her cheeks on my arm..

”Itʼs nice, senpai. Even if Sumire complains, she likes it too.”

”Umi!” Sumire glared at her but the faint blush creeping up her neck gave her away.

I squeezed her hand and pulled her closer, earning an indignant squeak from her. ”Donʼt worry, Sumire. Iʼve got enough energy to dote on all of you. No oneʼs getting left out.”

Behind us, Chii interjected, ”Kii, there you go again. If we get used to being spoiled by you, weʼll keep expecting you to do it. Arenʼt you cornering yourself again?”

”Un. Lay it on him thick, Chizuru. He loves to do that, then heʼll apologize when he canʼt come and see us. Itʼs quite annoying.” Hana added dryly. Her voice miffed as though sheʼs airing out a grievance.

But sheʼs spot-on. Even if itʼs not annoying, it might be a little disappointing to some of them if I apologize again for not meeting the expectations I set for myself.

”Ouch, you two are brutal. But I wonʼt plead my case. Iʼm guilty.” I replied, drawing more giggles from the girls.

Chii reached for my shoulder then poked my cheek, ”Weʼre not condemning you, idiot Kii. Weʼre just looking out for you. If you keep raising the bar, weʼll all start expecting you to climb mountains for us next?”

”Climb a mountain? Sure. I can do that.” I acted oblivious and grinned.

Because of that, Hana facepalmed and copied what Chii did, ”You stubborn guy. Thereʼs no talking about this to you.”

Their words hit a little closer than Iʼd like to admit, but I brushed it off with a grin, squeezing Sumireʼs hand again. ”I heard you. Donʼt worry too much. Iʼll pace myself perfectly... eventually. For now, let me enjoy walking my favorite juniors home.”

Sumire rolled her eyes but didnʼt pull her hand away, her fingers tightening slightly in mine. ”Youʼre impossible, senpai.”

”Senpai, donʼt push yourself too much,” Umi added, her voice filled with quiet concern. Nina, whoʼd been unusually quiet for the past minute, suddenly piped up from the back, her voice ringing with dramatic flair. ”Senpai, is that how your magic works? Iʼm starting to understand why everyone gravitates towards you. As expected of the Night Prince!”

Mami sighed beside her, her tone exasperated. ”Nina, youʼre gonna wear that act out one day. Give it a rest already.”

”Never!” Nina shot back, spinning on her heel to face Mami with a flourish. ”My devotion will be eternal. A flame that burns through the darkest nights! The Night Prince deserves no less!”

I glanced over my shoulder, catching Ninaʼs exaggerated pose and Mamiʼs half-hearted attempt to rein her in.

Really, what did that girl eat today? Sheʼs so extra compared to the previous occasions.

”You sure youʼre okay back there, Mami-chan?”

Mami met my gaze briefly, her expression softening just a fraction before she looked away. ”Iʼm fine, senpai. Just... keeping an eye on this one. Sheʼs a handful.”

”Understood,” I said, letting it drop.

Mamiʼs unease was still there, simmering beneath the surface, but she wasnʼt ready to confront it yet. Iʼd give her space for now.

The streets grew quieter as we left the main road behind, winding into the residential area where the girls lived.

Sumire tugged on my hand, pulling me slightly to the left. Her house was over in that direction.

I followed her lead, Umi still clinging to my arm as we turned down a narrow street lined with neatly trimmed hedges. Chii and Hana stayed close, their chatter fading into a comfortable silence, while Nina and Mami trailed a few steps behind, Nina humming some dramatic tune under her breath.

When we reached Sumireʼs street, the girl slowed to a stop right before their gates. ”Here we are,” Sumire said as she let go of my hand. She turned to face me, her hands on her hips. ”Thanks for walking me, senpai. Even if you didnʼt have to.”

I grinned, ruffling her hair before she could swat me away. Then, my hand naturally slid down her cheek, caressing it gently until her face turned as red as an apple.

”Youʼre still saying that, huh?” I leaned down, pushing my lips close to her ear before whispering, ”Get some rest, Sumire. Iʼll see you tomorrow. Or maybe... do you want a kiss? You know, like last time”

Sumire froze, her face flushing an even deeper red as my breath brushed against her ear. Her hands shot up to cover her cheeks, but the way her eyes darted to mine, wide and flustered, told me she wasnʼt entirely opposed to the idea.

”S-senpai!” She stammered, taking a half-step back as if to reclaim some semblance of control. ”You canʼt just say that out of nowhere! Shameless! Too shameless! T-thatʼs only for when weʼre alone!”

I pulled back slightly as I pinched her reddening earlobe before putting on a teasing smile, ”Alright. When weʼre alone tomorrow, then?”

Her mouth opened and then snapped shut almost instantly, her pout returning full force as she glared at me. ”Youʼre the worst! Ugh, just... go walk Umi home already! Iʼm fine here!”

Despite her protests, the faint smile tugging at her lips betrayed her. She waved me off with an exaggerated huff, turning toward her gate but pausing to glance back at me one last time.

”Good night, senpai. Donʼt overdo it tomorrow, okay?”

”Goodnight, Sumire,” I replied, giving her a small wave. ”Iʼll try not to climb any mountains without you. And Iʼll dream of you tonight.”

She rolled her eyes but didnʼt respond, slipping through the gate and disappearing into her house. The soft click of the latch echoed in the quiet street as I turned back to the others.

Umi tugged lightly on my sleeve, her shy smile pecking up at me. ”Senpai... my house is just a few streets over. You donʼt have to, but...”

”Iʼm walking you like last time,” I said firmly, cutting off any chance for her to protest.

”No arguments.”

Her smile widened, and she nodded, falling into step beside me as we continued down the road. Chii and Hana followed close behind, their footsteps light on the pavement, while Nina and Mami lingered at the rear.

However, as soon as we left Sumireʼs street, the self-proclaimed minion dragged Mami to the front as she took the now-vacated spot at my side.

She copied Umi and hugged my arm before Mami could reprimand her.

”Senpai, will you also walk me home?”