Stealing Spree

Chapter 2618: Kushii’s Honesty

”Mmm, I did, Onoda-shi,” Kushii answered in a soft voice, very careful not to wake up the girl on my other side. She nestled closer as her damp hair landed on my shoulder, ”But, like, I figured Iʼd let my body dry like this. Towels are comfy, yʼknow? Plus… Maybe I wanted to see how youʼd react.”

She tilted her head before fully settling it on my shoulder. Her boldness had taken over again, making her do this.

Or maybe it was the fact that she found another opportunity to get this close to me.

I raised an eyebrow and shrugged before helping her get comfortable by my side, ”I see. So, what do you think? Is my reaction to your liking?”

”Itʼs passable, Onoda-shi. Like Chizuru said, you do know how to handle any situation.”

”Any? Oh, sheʼs exaggerating. Iʼm also full of flaws. It just so happened that, I tend to be too soft when it comes to beautiful friendships.”

”Pfft. Beautiful? Yeah. Right. Thatʼs, like, the lamest thing youʼve ever said, Onoda-shi. But… Iʼll let it slide. I think I get what youʼre trying to convey. Plus. Youʼre kinda cute when youʼre trying to play it cool.”

”Trying? Iʼm the coolest guy in this room, Kushii. Donʼt make me prove it.” I replied with a smirk before my arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer.

The girl giggled again as she gradually became more comfortable resting on my side. I could tell she didnʼt really want to do something sneaky with Chii here. And the reason she went back here with just a towel was to get back at teasing me.

Unfortunately for her, I wasnʼt so easily flustered. After all, Iʼm already too used to seeing my girls in their nakedness. Why I could get turned on in her alluring figure, my lower body would react more before my face could even reflect it.

For the next ten or so minutes, the teasing mode between us gradually subsided. The girl simply enjoyed the comfort my shoulder provided as we talked about each other.

The girl would ask me questions. Things she was curious about, especially her piled up question this past few days since joining us in the preparation for our festival booth. She had seen a lot of girls around me. And only someone blind or innocent would not be able to pick up the signs about our closeness.

In exchange, I also asked her to tell me more about herself. Things I didnʼt know yet because of how I tend to focus more on whatʼs happening with my girls than anything else.

She talked about An-rin. Then Chii. And eventually, me. Or rather, why she got so conscious of me after that day I repeated my declaration back at the snack shop of wanting to ʼfall in love with all of themʼ.

According to her, with how I shamelessly turned the situation around on her, she couldnʼt find the words to refute it. And so, she spend the next few days just thinking about whether I was serious or not.

Thatʼs why she kept getting flustered upon seeing me after that day. But then, the camping trip happened and she ended up confessing her interest in me. While sheʼs not hoping for me to reciprocate it, she felt lighter upon doing so.

”I see. Does it not feel like youʼve just been forced into the situation?” I asked.

Kushii gently shook her head, ”No. Not at all. Itʼs all my decision. I decided to accept Chizuruʼs invitation and take that opportunity… to… taste you.”

Those last few words were said in a breathy whisper as if she might erupt from extreme embarrassment.

I chuckled and patted her head gently, my fingers brushing through her damp hair.

”Taste me, huh? Youʼre making it sound like Iʼm some kind of dessert, Kushii.”

Her cheeks flared red, but she didnʼt pull away. Instead, she leaned further into my touch while donning a shy smile. ”W-well, maybe you are! Like… a super annoying, flirty dessert thatʼs, like, way too tempting!”

Ending that with a giggle, the girl squirmed slightly before eventually wrapping her around me as she pressed even closer.

I glanced down at her where the towel was still clinging to her frame. The way she looked at me, eyes sparkling with a mix of mischief and sincerity, made it clear she was testing the waters, seeing how far she could push this newfound boldness. But there was also a warmth there, a quiet trust that hadnʼt been so obvious before tonight.

”Kushii,” I started with my voice carrying my earnest concern. ”You donʼt have to force yourself to keep up with Chii or An-rin, yʼknow. Youʼre you, and thatʼs more than enough. What you did earlier… that was bold, but I donʼt want you feeling like you have to jump into anything to prove something.”

Her eyes widened slightly and blinked a few times. She looked like she was about to protest but then her expression softened, and she nodded, ”I know, Onoda-shi. Itʼs just… I wanted to. I mean, Iʼve been thinking about you a lot, and tonight… it felt like the right moment to, like, try something new. With you. And Chizuru. And even An-rin, I guess.”

She laughed nervously as she continued. ”Itʼs kinda crazy, right? But it felt… good. Especially when you let me lie on your chest after…”

I gave her a reassuring smile, my hand resting lightly on her shoulder now, as I was careful not to push too far with Chii still snoring softly against my other side.

”Crazyʼs one way to put it. But Iʼm glad you felt good about it. Just… let me know if it ever feels like too much, okay? I donʼt want you or An-rin getting swept up in something youʼre not ready for.”

Kushiiʼs lips curved into a small, genuine smile, and she nodded again, her eyes flickering with something like gratitude. ”Thanks, Onoda-shi. Youʼre, like, way sweeter than you let on. No wonder Chizuruʼs so hooked on you.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. ”Sweet, huh? Donʼt let An-rin hear that. Sheʼll accuse me of scheming again.”

”Oh, sheʼll accuse you with or without hearing that.” The girlʼs laughter was now clearer. And when she stopped, she raised her head, looking up at me, her eyes conveying her growing affection.

I matched the intensity of her gaze and slowly, I lowered my head.

Understanding what was about to happen, Kushii closed her eyes as her lips parted slightly, her breath slowing down in anticipation.

The air around us suddenly warmed up, like a quiet moment where the playful teasing gave way to something softer, more intimate.

I leaned in, my lips capturing hers in a gentle, unhurried kiss. It wasnʼt rushed or heated like the earlier chaos. Instead, it was tender, a silent acknowledgment of the trust she was placing in me.

Kushiiʼs lips were soft and warm, carrying that faint vanilla scent that clung to her skin. She let out a small, surprised squeak at first, but then she melted into it, her hand resting lightly on my chest, fingers curling into my shirt.𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

The kiss lingered for a moment before I pulled back, giving her space to breathe and process it.

When her eyes fluttered open, it was wide and sparkling with a mix of nervousness and delight.

Her cheeks became flushed again, but this time, she made no attempt to hide it, ”O-Onoda-shi… That was… like, wow.”

I grinned, keeping my tone light to not make her nervous. ”Wow, huh? High praise from you, Kushii. Guess Iʼm not such a bad dessert after all.”

She swatted my arm playfully, ”Youʼre, like, totally unfair. How am I supposed to stay cool when you do stuff like that?”

”Cool? Youʼre already cooler than me, Kushii. Donʼt sell yourself short.” I winked as my arm moved from her waist to her arm, rubbing her exposed skin.

She bit her lip then put on a shy but genuine smile as she nestled back against my shoulder. Her towel shifted slightly but still holding in place. Looking at her was still making me a little excited about the prospect.

In any case, the quiet settled over us again, only broken by Chiiʼs soft snores and the distant hum of the shower from the bathroom where An-rin was now.

I glanced down at Chii, her face peaceful in sleep, her lips slightly parted. The way she trusted me enough to drift off like this, even after everything, warmed something in my chest. And now, with Kushii tucked against my other side with her warmth seeping into me, I felt that same sense of responsibility again. Not just to keep things from getting messy, but to make sure they all felt safe, and cared for.