Stealing Spree

Chapter 2530 Nice Pit Stop

As I expected, Hanaʼs Aunt, Tomori, waited for us when we arrived at her house. Sheʼs still in her oversized shirt, as if she doesnʼt care about being mistaken for a NEET. This time, though, she had thick-rimmed glasses that somehow amplified that image of a woman whoʼs staying in her room all day.

Of course, sheʼs not exactly a NEET but to think sheʼs comfortable to wear this kind of outfit outside, while waiting at the door of her nieceʼs house no less, was kind of baffling.

”Good evening, Tomori-san.” I politely greeted her. Instead of calling her Aunt and feeling older than she truly was, she requested for me to address her by her name the last time I met her.

She subtly nodded, her gaze alternating between Hana and me.

”Good job escorting her, Onoda-kun. Do you want to stay for dinner? I figured youʼd be coming tonight when that girl told me sheʼd be late.” She said as she pointed at the girl still tightly clinging on my arm.

I maintained my polite smile as I responded while bowing slightly. ”Thanks for the offer, Tomori-san. Iʼd love to stay but I should probably head home tonight. Itʼs been a long day, and I donʼt want to impose.”

Hanaʼs grip on my arm tightened subtly, her fingers pressing into my sleeve as she shot me a quick, sidelong glance.

She didnʼt say anything, but the faint pout tugging at her lips told me she wasnʼt thrilled about me leaving so soon. Sheʼs still not satisfied with our time together and wanted another extension. I know this is her trying her best to continue competing against my girls to steal me from them. Stealing a minute or even a second is already considered a win for her.

Tomori-san adjusted her thick-rimmed glasses, peering at me over the top of them with a look that was equal parts scrutiny and amusement. ”Impose? Hardly, Onoda-kun. Iʼm grateful Hana has you now. Youʼre a great influence on her. But donʼt worry. If itʼs truly impossible, I wonʼt force you. I just thought you needed a short break, Look at her...”

Her tone was dry, but there was a flicker of warmth in it. Itʼs like sheʼd already accepted my presence in Hanaʼs life as a given.

Pausing for a moment, she stepped aside, gesturing toward the open door with a lazy wave of her hand. ”Come on. At least come in for a minute. Iʼve got some tea brewing, and you can grab a pastry to go. Hanaʼs not the only one who gets to spoil you.”

She wants to spoil me, huh? Well, sheʼs kind that way. Sheʼs truly grateful to me for taking care of Hana.

I chuckled and glanced at Hana, who rolled her eyes but didnʼt protest. ”Alright, just for a minute then. Hard to say no to tea, pastries, and an invitation to be spoiled.”

Tomori-san laughed at my answer while Hana pinched my side, probably taking that. as me trying to flirt with her aunt.

We stepped inside, the familiar scent of Hanaʼs house washing over me. The previous had already disappeared and even the light in the hallway had been changed to something brighter.

The cozy warmth of the living room welcomed me as we stepped in. At this point, we already have a lot of memories here. And weʼre going to make more in the future. Tomori-sanʼs oversized shirt hung loosely on her frame as she shuffled toward the kitchen while muttering something about ”kids these days” under her breath. Even though sheʼs the one who invited me in, she still couldnʼt help but grumble over our closeness.

Hana tugged me toward the couch as she plopped down and pulled me with her. She didnʼt let go even as she settled in, her head tilting to rest lightly against my shoulder.

”You didnʼt have to say yes to her, you know.”

”You say that when youʼre pouting as if youʼre about to lose your favorite purse.” I teased, brushing my fingers against her hand. ”Besides, I get tea, pastries, and you. This sounds like a win to me.”

The girl rolled her eyes but her flustered expression betrayed her attempt to lie, ”Foolish Ruki...”

”Well, you love this foolish guy anyway.” I shrugged as I leaned in to nudge her forehead with mine. ”Youʼre getting soft, Hana. Or is it because youʼre becoming more comfortable? Will I one day see you keeping up your angelic smile?”

Her cheeks tinted pink and she shoved me lightly before instantly pulling me back again. ”Maybe one day. When itʼs not troublesome to become the envy of all anymore.” Right. Thatʼs the reason why she put on that angelic mask. However, I could tell she already knew that it wouldnʼt matter anymore if she took it off. After all, the way she was competing with the other girls had already unmasked her. However, sheʼs still choosing not to because itʼs quite a hard habit to break, and thereʼs a certain fear in her that things might change if she truly went mask off.

Sheʼs afraid to disappoint those admiring her.

”Alright. For the record, though, I love you, with or without that mask. So donʼt worry too much. My Hana is a wonderful person.”

”Tuck your glib tongue, or Iʼll pull that out with mine,” Hana warned, yet she did it anyway, locking us in a passionate kiss until we heard footsteps returning from the kitchen.

Tomori-san returned carrying a small tray with a steaming teapot, a couple of mismatched mugs, and a plate of pastries. She set it down on the table with a thud, eyeing us with a not-so-subtle smirk.

”Flirting in my living room now? You really are shameless, Onoda-kun!” While shaking her head with a smile, she poured the tea, the faint aroma of jasmine filling the air and pushed a mug toward me.

”Thanks, Tomori-san,” I said, taking the mug and a pastry. It was a flaky, buttery treat with a hint of jam peeking out. Clearly handmade, and it seems to be something she plans to teach Hana to make.

I took a sip of the tea, chasing away the lingering chill from the night air. ”This is great. Youʼre spoiling me now.”

She waved it off, settling into an armchair across from us with her own mug.

”Someoneʼs got to. Hanaʼs too busy clinging to you to remember basic hospitality.”

”Auntie!” Hana snapped, sitting up straighter. ”I didnʼt forget it. You just went and did it first. And I can take care of him just fine.”𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

”Sure you can,” Tomori-san said with a wide smirk widening as she took a sip of her tea. ”Thatʼs why heʼs the one walking you home and not the other way around. Youʼre hopeless, Hana.”

Hana groaned, burying her face in her hands, but I could feel the faint tremble of laughter in her frame. I grinned, taking a bite of the pastry, sweet and rich, just the right kind of pick-me-up after the night weʼd had.

To think Iʼd see Tomori-san teasing Hana like this... accepting their invitation is more than worth it.

”Sheʼs not wrong” I said, nudging Hana with my elbow. ”Youʼve got me wrapped around your finger and Iʼm still the one doing the heavy lifting.”

Hana peeked out from behind her hands, glaring at me through her fingers. ”Youʼre not helping, Ruki. Whose side are you on?”

”Of course, yours,” I said, leaning over to press a quick kiss on her forehead. ”But Tomori-sanʼs got a point. Youʼre lucky I like taking care of you?”

Tomori-san snorted, setting her mug down with a clink. ”See? Hopeless. By the way, Hana. Your parents called me. They wanted to check on you. Are you going to tell them about Onoda-kun?”

”I will. Maybe next time.”

Tomori-san facepalmed, but she didnʼt push it anymore. Instead, she switched the topic to our school as we finished the pastry and tea. Sheʼs curious about how Hana is settling in our class.

Eventually, I set the empty mug down and stood, offering Hana a hand to pull her up. ”Alright, I should get going. Thanks again, Tomori-san. This was a nice pit stop.”

She waved me off, already reaching for a book from the pile on the table. ”Yeah, yeah. Donʼt make a habit of it. And take care of my niece, or Iʼll hunt you down.” ”Of course. You know me already, Tomori-san. The last thing I will do is hurt her,” I said, giving her a mock salute as Hana escorted me to the door.