Stealing Spree

Chapter 2567: Photoshoot (1)

After settling it on my head, Ririkaʼs fingers deftly combed through the sleek black strands of the wig to give it that effortlessly tousled look.

She then stepped back, tilting her head like an artist sizing up a canvas, her magnum opus, before clapping her hands with a triumphant squeal. ”Yes! Itʼs perfect! Fuyu-san, the contact lenses, quick!”

I did say I could put it on, but looking at Fuyu still clutching the small case as eagerly stepped forward, I surrendered myself to fate.

I watched her cheeks turn faintly pink while her hands steadily opened the case, revealing the crimson lenses that glinted under the living room lights.

”Okay, Ruki… Uhm, tilt your head back a little. And try not to blink too much.”

I sat down and leaned back against the couch, giving her a teasing grin. ”Youʼre not gonna let me blind myself, right? Iʼm trusting you here, Fuyu.”

Her lips twitched into an impish smile as she was challenged by me. She leaned in close enough that I could catch the faint scent of her cologne, an intoxicating fragrance that almost tempted me to wrap my arms around her and put her on my lap.

”I wonʼt. Just… stay still, okay?”

She reminded me again. I couldnʼt help but admire how she pushed past her usual bashfulness to focus on the task.

With that, I tilted my head for her as her fingers brushed lightly against my cheek. She then held my eyelid open, guiding the first lens into place.

The sensation was weird, to say the least. But itʼs not the first time Iʼve worn one of these. Besides, her careful touch made it bearable. I blinked a few times, adjusting to the lens, and caught her watching me with a mix of concentration and curiosity.

”Howʼs it look?” I asked, tilting my head to give her a better view.

Fuyuʼs eyes widened, and she let out a soft gasp. ”Itʼs… really striking. Like youʼre not entirely human anymore.” She caught herself, blushing furiously, and quickly moved to the other eye. ”I-I mean, it suits the costume! You look… um, really good. So dashing.”

Ririka giggled nearby, ”Oh, Fuyu-san, youʼre too cute! Heʼs supposed to look otherworldly, so weʼre on the right track. Hurry up, I need to see the full demon butler vibe!”

Fuyu finished with the second lens, stepping back to admire her work. I blinked a few more times, getting used to the slight tint the lenses gave and caught my reflection in the nearby mirror that Yae held up.

Even at this moment, their video call was ongoing and the girls were watching my transformation intently.

The red eyes, combined with the wig and the sharp lines of the tailcoat, did make me look like Iʼd stepped out of an anime. Ririkaʼs skills were no joke.

Akane, whoʼd been chattering away on the group call, suddenly spun around, her phone held up like a spotlight. ”Girls, girls, look at this! Husbandʼs practically a demon already! Say something cool again, quick!”

I smirked, slipping back into character with ease. Standing up, I adjusted the tie and gave a slow, deliberate bow and my voice dropped to that smooth, velvety tone. ”My ladies, your humble butler is at your service. Whatever your desires, I shall make them reality… for I am simply one hell of a butler.”

The room instantly erupted. Akane squealed, nearly dropping her phone, while Yae let out a low whistle, fanning herself dramatically. Ririka was bouncing on her toes, clapping like a kid at a festival, and Fuyu, despite her usual composure, was biting her lip to hide a grin, her cheeks still flushed.

From the phone, I could hear a chorus of reactions. Namiʼs teasing laughter, Satsukiʼs grumbling about how I was ”showing off again,” and Hinaʼs excited rambling about how we needed to do a full photoshoot. Even Ayaʼs soft voice chimed in, murmuring something about how I looked like a character from one of her light novels.

”Alright, alright, enough swooning or I might fail to hold myself back and serve all of you… intimately.” I said as I straightened up and flashed a grin. ”Ririka, youʼve got your demon butler. Now itʼs your turn to get everyone else ready. Iʼm not the only one stealing the spotlight tonight.”

Ririkaʼs eyes gleamed with that creative fire. ”Oh, donʼt you worry, Ruki. Iʼve got plans for everyone, but while weʼre changing, itʼs time for your photoshoot. Remember. Weʼre only posting solo photos of you on that account. Youʼre this mysterious cosplayer, R. If we appear with you there, everyone will know exactly who you are.”

Upon saying that, she turned to Fuyu, ”Fuyu-san, youʼre up first! Noble lady, elegant and mysterious. Come on, letʼs get you into something gorgeous. Yae and Akane… go get those photos!”

Ririka excitedly dragged Fuyu toward the bag of costumes, her hands already rifling through layers of fabric like a kid in a candy store.

”Fuyu-san, Iʼve got this deep sapphire dress for you. Long sleeves, high collar, all delicate lace and velvet. Itʼs straight out of a fantasy court, perfect for your vibe. Youʼre gonna look like youʼre hiding a royal secret! Uhm. It might be a little tight on the chest though. Do you mind?”

Fuyuʼs eyes widened before blushing as her fingers hovered nervously over the dress Ririka thrust into her arms. She glanced down at her chest. Except for Miwa-nee, sheʼs bigger than the other three girls here. But then, looking like she remembered that night I indulged in that part of her, her confidence returned as she gave me this teasing smile.

”Itʼs… beautiful, but isnʼt it a bit much? I donʼt usually wear things this fancy. Also, I donʼt mind if itʼs tight. Ruki will like it more.”

”Pfft. Now youʼre making me envious, Fuyu-san!” Ririka laughed again before giving me a sidelong glance.

How is that my fault? Anyway… Iʼll just have to remind her that Iʼm not particular about their sizes, right?

Fuyu glanced at me, her cheeks still tinged pink from earlier, and I gave her an encouraging nod. ”Go for it, Fuyu. Youʼll look amazing. Besides, I need someone to match my demon butler energy.”

Her lips curved into her beautiful smile. She clutched the dress a little tighter before heading off to change, her steps determined to possibly knock me out with her transformation.

Meanwhile, Yae and Akane were already in motion, setting up for the photoshoot.

Yae grabbed her phone, tweaking the lighting in the living room by dragging a floor lamp closer to the couch, while Akane rummaged through a drawer for a dark tablecloth to use as a makeshift backdrop.

”We need this to look dramatic,” Akane declared, pinning the cloth to the wall with thumbtacks. ”Husband, youʼre gonna look like youʼre about to make a deal with a devil.”

I snorted, adjusting the gloves on my hands, the red contact lenses giving my reflection in the mirror an eerie edge. ”Pretty sure Iʼm the devil in this scenario, wife. Are you sure youʼre ready for me to charm the camera?”

She smirked, tossing her hair back. ”Oh, Iʼm ready. But donʼt get too full of yourself, demon butler. Iʼm still the star of this house.”

Yae chuckled, nudging Akane with her elbow. ”Keep telling yourself that, princess. Rukiʼs about to break the internet with this look. Ririka, youʼre a genius.”

Ririka, who was now digging through her bag for accessories, grinned without looking up. ”I know, I know. But wait till you see Fuyu-san. And you… maid outfit is next. No backing out.”

Yae groaned playfully, but the glint in her eyes said she was already on board. ”I donʼt mind. Iʼd like to serve alongside sweetie. And then sneak him away from all of you.”

As the girls bantered, I settled onto the couch, striking a few test poses for Yaeʼs camera.

The tailcoat felt surprisingly natural, the weight of it was a little heavy but manageable. I leaned back, one arm draped over the couchʼs edge and my gloved hand resting lightly on my knee.

The red lenses made my gaze sharper, almost like I was about to assault someone. And I leaned into it, channeling the smug confidence of a certain anime butler.

Yae snapped a few shots, her lips pursed in concentration. ”Oh, sweetie, this is gold. Tilt your head a bit. Yes, like that. Perfect. Youʼve got that ʼI know all your secretsʼ vibe down.”

Akane peeked over Yaeʼs shoulder, her eyes gleaming. ”Husband, youʼre too hot. Iʼm gonna need you to tone it down before I lose my reason and jump onto your lap.”

Knowing my silly wife, sheʼs already at that point. And so were the other two. And maybe Fuyu too?

Anyway… looks like this photoshoot is far from ending.