Stealing Spree

Chapter 2583: Let me buy you something

”Youʼre still carrying a lot of books, Hifumi. Here. Give me that and hold this.” I said after approaching the girl at the waiting shed. I handed her the small bag containing the packed pancake I had set aside for her and grabbed the stack of books she was holding to her chest.

Hifumi blinked up at me, her reading glasses catching the faint morning light as she took the pancake bag like it was a precious gift.

A pout formed on her face while her cheeks became tinted in soft pink as she turned slightly to hide the smile creeping onto her lips.

As always, sheʼd brought nearly all her textbooks, most of them bristling with bookmarks for the lessons she was reviewing.

”Canʼt you make a reviewer instead, Hifumi? Maybe this is why you havenʼt gained as much height.” I teased as I fell into step beside her as we headed toward her school.

Her eyes narrowed, and she puffed out her cheeks before glaring at me. ”Ruki! Thatʼs mean! My height is perfectly fine, thank you very much! And these books are necessary. You know how I need to stay on top of everything. Thatʼs the only way I can keep up.”

Mhm. Sheʼs probably not going to change. Sheʼll keep being this hardworking student who, despite not being considered a bright one, could always rank at the top of her class.

Many were envious of her but only a few were aware of the efforts sheʼs putting into it.

Back then, I never stopped trying to change her way but even after all the years we separated, she remained the same. Of course, I wonʼt force her into changing this habit anymore. I just want to remind her to give herself a break from carrying these books every passing day.

I let out a chuckle as I shifted the stack of books under one arm. ”Sure, sure, my hardworking Hifumi. But donʼt you think youʼre gonna end up with biceps bigger than mine if you keep lugging these around? How about I carry them for you from now on? You know. Meet up with you like this to help save your energy for outsmarting everyone in class.”

Hifumiʼs pout deepened, but the pink in her cheeks spread, and she clutched the pancake bag tighter.

”Youʼre teasing me again. But… no. How can I ask you to carry it every day? Only on special occasions such as this!” Her voice then softened as she sniffed the sweet aroma coming from the bag, ”Uhm… Thanks for this, Ruki. Iʼll eat it in the classroom! But really, I get what youʼre saying, itʼs just that the reviewer wonʼt cut it.”

”In your classroom? Heh… I never thought you had it in you to flaunt my savory craft to your classmates.” I kept up with a light tone, nudging her shoulder slightly, ”Anyway, if the reviewer wonʼt cut it… Why donʼt I buy you another set of these books instead? You can leave one set at school and the other at your house.”

”Eh? No… Itʼll be expensive! Besides, these textbooks are not for sale!”

Right. Thatʼs impossible. Even if I have the money to spare from my part-time job, the problem will be procuring the school-exclusive books. They wonʼt be found in a normal bookstore, after all.

I put a hand on my chin as I thought of another solution.

”What about this? Iʼll buy you a printer with a copier. Thatʼs going to be cheaper than a copier, right? You can also use that to print references. Well, let me take it a step further. What about a personal computer? Or a laptop so you can bring it with you instead of these books.”

Hifumiʼs eyes widened, her glasses slipping slightly down her nose as she stopped in her tracks. ”A laptop? Ruki, are you serious? Thatʼs… thatʼs way too much! I canʼt just let you buy me something like that!”

I grinned as I tilted my head, acting like I wasnʼt going to back down. ”Why not? Youʼre my Hifumi. If it makes your life easier, itʼs worth it. Think of it as a gift for my girl. Besides, Iʼve got some savings from my part-time job. A printer-copier combo or a laptop isnʼt gonna break me.”

She shook her head vigorously that the fringes of her hair almost covered her eyes. ”No way! Iʼm not some charity case, Ruki. I can handle my books. And… and I donʼt want you spending your hard-earned money on me like that. These pancakes are already more than enough.” She hugged the bag closer, her voice softening. ”They smell amazing, by the way. I canʼt wait to try them.”

I chuckled, nudging her shoulder again. ”Alright, no laptop for now. But Iʼm not dropping the idea. I swear Iʼll find a solution for you to stop carrying these heavy books every day. Maybe Iʼll sneak a printer into your room when youʼre not looking. Or bribe your mom to let me set it up. Oh. I can introduce myself to her if that happens.”

”Ruki!” she squeaked, swatting my arm lightly, her cheeks now a full-on blush. ”Youʼre impossible. I already informed Mom about you. If you showed up, sheʼd probably agree just because you smiled at her.”

I flashed her a playful smirk. ”Oh? Thatʼs better then. But seriously, Hifumi, you work too hard. Let me help you out a little. Even strategists need to delegate sometimes, right? Let me do it. As your boyfriend.”

She sighed, adjusting her glasses as she glanced up at me, her expression a mix of exasperation and fondness. ”Youʼre not gonna let this go, are you?”

I shook my head. ”Nope. Iʼm going to be stubborn today. Letʼs see. Weʼll make it even better. Letʼs go out on a date and buy that printer or laptop, whichever we find first.”

Hifumi stopped at the word ʼdateʼ. She then turned to me, her eyes widening by the second. Then gradually, she leaned in, pressing her forehead on my chest, ”Y-you win, stubborn Ruki. And I… I want that date. I want to spend more time with you.”

Although I wanted to hold her, with the books in my arms, I couldnʼt. Instead, I lowered my head slightly, kissing her head.

Hifumi glanced up and pursed her lips, clearly asking me to give her a proper one.

And so I did.

Even in the middle of the street, we somehow found ourselves in this kind of situation.

”Mhm. I also like that. Letʼs find an opportunity for it.”

”Hmph. As if you have enough free time this week and the coming week. You have the Cultural Festival coming up.”

”Well, what if I want to buy you that laptop or printer as soon as possible? Tomorrow, youʼll be carrying these again.”

”Idiot. Iʼll be fine. Iʼll leave half of them in my shoe locker, okay?”

”Promise?”

”Promise!” Hifumi nodded as she acted a little miffed but the blush on her cheeks failed to hide how flustered she still was.

She stepped back, clutching the pancake bag like a lifeline, and adjusted her glasses with a quick push of her finger. ”Youʼre so stubborn, Ruki. But… thank you. For caring so much.”

I grinned, shifting the stack of books to a more comfortable position under my arm. ”I love you. How can I not care for you? Now, letʼs get you to school.”

She huffed, but her smile widened as we resumed walking.

The streets were starting to fill with other students, their chatter blending with the distant hum of traffic. At one point, we found ourselves in the same alley and… we expanded our time there, even just for a bit. I mean, we missed each other so much that as soon as we found a pretty obscure spot, the same idea popped up in our heads.

After dropping her off at their school gates, I tried to check if I could meet up with the other girls first before continuing to pick up Marika at her house and taking the bus with her to our school.