Stealing Spree

Chapter 2652: Practice?

”Well then, we just have to show them that we’re real, no? What do you think?” I said with a hint of playful mischief and double meaning.

Otsuka-senpai blinked a few times before understanding it and as I expected, she immediately became flustered, ”Real? Ruki... we... we’re acting.”

”Are we? But think about it, our act will be more convincing if... we make our relationship a little more... tangible, don’t you think?” I leaned in closer as my fingers sank deeper into her soft waist, making her quiver from the sensation, “Karen, to make it more believable, we have to be more comfortable with each other. Really comfortable.”

Otsuka-senpai’s purple eyes widened, her lips parting slightly as she processed my words. The flush on her cheeks deepened, spreading down her neck, and I could feel the heat radiating from her body.

She squirmed a little as she seemed to be hesitating to be taken in by the mood. However, since she’s the one who asked for this moment, she eventually gathered her bearings.

Lifting her head, Otsuka-senpai slid closer just enough for her back to rest against my chest. And then, she bit her lip as if readying it for what was to come.

“R-Ruki, you’re doing it again. You’re making it sound like... like we’re actually...” She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence, her eyes darting to the side as if checking for eavesdroppers, even though we were alone and we could hear if someone was climbing the stairs.

I tilted my head slightly and chuckled, “Like we’re actually what, Karen? A couple? Isn’t that the point of this whole practice session? Or maybe you’re talking about how we can also make that real?”

Her pout returned, that adorable kitten-like expression that made it hard not to tease her more. “You’re so unfair, Ruki. You know I’m not good at this stuff! I’m just... this curious girl who wants to do all of those things with you. Because you’re the only one whom I can trust.”

“I know. And I’m honored to be that guy for you. But the group date is different, no? Whose fault do you think it is that we now have to act like a couple?”

Ending that with a teasing edge that made her cheeks redder, I adjusted my position and put myself behind her. With this, I got her locked in my arms and the girl’s back relaxed against my chest.

After that, I anchored my chin on her shoulder with my lips drawn closer to her neck.

Otsuka-senpai tilted her head to the side just to be able to maintain eye contact with me but the way her whole body was melting under my embrace told me she liked this.

“I just... I just want it to look natural, okay? I don’t want Reiko and Yuna thinking I made it all up. They’re already skeptical, and if I mess this up, they’ll never let me live it down.”

I nodded, pretending to consider her words seriously, though the grin tugging at my lips probably gave me away. “What are you saying, Karen? It’s all made up, right? But don’t worry, I won’t mess it up. I promise. But like I said back on the camping trip, you have to convince yourself that we’re a couple to make it look natural.”

“... I’ll try.”

“Don’t try. You’ve already done it, right? That kiss we shared back then. Wasn’t it something only a couple would do?”

I tightened my arms around her navel, pulling her body up as I embraced her tightly. Then, lifting my chin from her shoulder, I reached in for her lips.

Otsuka-senpai’s lips parted open, welcoming the sensation of my lips pressing against hers. And then once locked, her purple eyes fluttered shut, savoring it.

She held her breath for a long while, so I had to pull back slightly to let her exhale and catch her breath. Once that’s done, I deepened the kiss by sucking on her lower lip before letting my tongue slip inside her mouth.

Otsuka-senpai’s hand grabbed onto my wrist as though doing that was anchoring her to the current situation, but the more our tongues tangled with each other, the tighter her hold on it became.

“R-Ruki...” She shakily murmured my name when I got her another moment to breathe. Her purple eyes fluttered open, revealing her dreamy expression as her lips glistened from our intimate connection. “This... this is practice, right?”

I smirked as I raised one of my hands to cup her cheek and let my thumb brush along the curve of her jaw. “Practice, sure. So, what do you think? Do you want more?”

Otsuka-senpai pursed her lips for a moment before nodding. And with that, I captured her lips again. This time, I did it gently so as not to make her feel rushed. It’s like the kissing scenes in a drama or movie flick. More romantic and more intimate, letting the moment stretch out as our lips moved in sync.

Her initial hesitation gradually melted away as she slowly turned around and climbed up on my lap before locking her arms around my head.

I almost slipped from the soft cushion beneath me but thankfully, it eventually got crushed under our combined weight. My arm that was hooked around her navel was now supporting her back as she started taking the lead.

Her kisses were still as clumsy as our first one. A little too eager and a little too curious. However, that only made it more endearing.

I guided her gently, slipping my hand behind her lush hair to hold her nape and deepening our connection, letting my tongue trace the edge of her lips before slipping back in to meet hers.

A soft whimper escaped her throat, muffled by our closeness, and I could feel her pulse quickening as our bodies lost whatever distance it had left.

My hand pressed on her back, guiding her waist to make her more comfortable in my lap. But somehow, the girl reached behind her, dragging my hand down to her backside, cupping the soft flesh over her skirt.

I interpreted that as her wanting more, so I didn’t hold back, fondling her gently. My fingers kneaded the softness through the fabric of her skirt. Otsuka-senpai let out a small gasp as her lips parted from mine for a brief moment. Her body tensed up, then relaxed into my touch.

And after a while, her purple eyes flickered open, half-lidded and hazy, searching my face as if trying to gauge whether this was still just ‘practice’.

Maybe it is, maybe it’s not. But is that still relevant? This is what she wants to happen and I’m giving it to her.

“Karen, tell me honestly. Are you wishing for more than just a kiss?” I asked as my fingers clutched her soft butt tighter.

Her eyes darted from left to right at first before subtly nodding, “... Is it bad if I get curious about how far we can take this? With everyone just waiting downstairs...”

This girl. Now that’s a dangerous thought. Was she about to get off from the thought that despite having all of my girls downstairs, I was here with her doing this with her?

“Mhm... It is bad, Karen. You know how far we can take this if you just say the word. It’s still my promise to you, after all. But remember, I love them and I don’t want to do them wrong. They know about my promise with you, and that’s why they’re letting this happen.”

“I-I didn’t mean to...” Otsuka-senpai stuttered before a guilty expression flickered on her face, “... I’m sorry, Ruki. I got carried away.”

“Don’t worry. It happens.” I gently tucked her hair behind her ear as I gave her a reassuring smile. “You’re curious, Karen. That’s who you are, and I’m not gonna fault you for it. We’ll stick to the plan, make you look like the perfect girlfriend in front of Reiko and Yuna. Unless you’re ready to deal with the chaos of me actually stealing your heart.”

Her purple eyes blinked rapidly, the haze of our earlier intensity fading as she processed my words. Then a nervous giggle escaped her lips, “Steal my heart? R-Ruki, you’re too much! I’m not... I mean, I’m just curious, okay? Don’t make it sound like I’m falling for you or anything!”

I chuckled and let my hand stay on her waist, keeping her steady on my lap. “Sure, sure. Just curious. I’ll believe you for now, Karen. But you know, you’re not making it easy with those puppy eyes and that pout. Keep that up, and I might start thinking you’re the one trying to charm me.”

She puffed out her cheeks again, that adorable kitten-like expression returning full force. “Ugh, you’re impossible! Why do I even bother with you?”

Despite her words, the corners of her lips curved upward, betraying her attempt to stay serious.

“Because I’m the only guy who can keep up with your endless curiosity,” I shot back with a wink, earning another eye-roll from her. “Now, is that enough or...?”

Without waiting for me to finish my sentence, Otsuka-senpai replied, “More.”