Stealing Spree

Chapter 2763: A Delightful Lunch

“Idiot Ruki,” Mina muttered with a pout as my arms tightened further around her, “You’re not playing fair.”

“I never do when it comes to you. Besides, it’s not every day that I see you in a kitchen, cooking for me. Mhm. I should really come more often.” With that, my lips captured hers. Her eyes fluttered closed as she started savoring that connection.

It wasn’t just a quick kiss but one that conveyed our longing and affection for each other – even though we saw each other yesterday and I pampered her before I went to the Student Council.

Meanwhile, Yayoi-san also stepped closer. I could tell from the corner of my eye. She looked like she was also asking to be pampered. Really, this mother and daughter are cut from the same cloth.

As our lips separated, Mina blinked a few times as she attempted to cover the smile that peeked from it. Then, she glanced up and nodded.

“You’re right. You should come more often. Mom doesn’t have that many chances to see you.”

“Oh? Only your mom?” I replied with a teasing smile.

“Of course! You always come to drink my tea at school. But mom... she’s just waiting here for you, you know?”

Well, she’s not wrong. I also feel bad for not having the time to even visit her during weekends. At least for my girls at the other school, they could see in the morning. Still, none of them asked me to pick them up after school. Most likely because they knew how busy I was that the only time I left early was when I went to Tokyo with Akane, Yua and Miho.

Ah. Right. There was also that time I sneaked into their school to reconnect with them.

Before I could answer, Yayoi-san, who clearly overheard our conversation, interjected.

“What are you saying, Mii-chan? It’s not a big deal. Ruki-dear can focus on his studies. If he wants to relax, he always has a place to go to... Here. With me.”

“Yayoi-san, you’re making me sound like a kept man,” I teased, leaning over to press a quick kiss to her cheek. “But I like the idea. I’ll try to drop by more. Both of you deserve more than stolen moments. Especially this coming summer.”

“Un. We’ll hold you to that, idiot Ruki.” Mina’s pout softened as her voice became filled with promise.

Yayoi-san put on a knowing smile and turned back to the stove.

“Enough sweet talk. Ruki-dear, you can wait on the couch. We’ll call you when we’re done here.”

Mina stuck her tongue out at me when I reluctantly let go of her waist. And Yayoi-san? She pulled me on Mina’s blind spot to get another kiss, one that wasn’t just touching her cheek.

I guess this visit wouldn’t really end with just lunch. Like last time.

Anyway, I followed their words and obediently sat down in the living room, watching them work side by side in the kitchen like a perfectly synchronized duo.

Mina kept sneaking glances at me every few seconds, her cheeks still flushed from the kiss, while Yayoi-san moved with that effortless grace she always had, chopping vegetables with precise, elegant strokes.

The aroma filling the house was mouthwatering. Garlic, ginger, simmering broth, and something sweet baking in the oven.

Mina’s doing, probably. Yayoi-san told me about that in the car earlier. Something like a slight distraction from her tea-making.

Somehow, the dessert I bought would probably be forgotten. But that’s fine. I’d rather have what my girl made.

Every time Yayoi-san leaned over to taste the broth or adjust the heat, they’d share this knowing smile like they were in on the same secret. Which, technically, they were. Me.

I leaned back on the couch, arms stretched along the backrest, just soaking it in. This quiet domesticity.

The way Mina’s ponytail bounced when she reached for a spice jar. The way Yayoi-san corrected her daughter and guided her through it all.

It hit me every time how surreal this all was.

Just a few months ago, I was still the cold bastard stealing girls without a second thought. Now I had a house full of women who loved me enough to share me, and moments like this, watching a mother and daughter cook for me while trading playful jabs, felt like the most natural thing in the world.

That’s why I have to strive to build that future for us.

Soon, Mina caught me staring again and stuck her tongue out. “Stop ogling, idiot Ruki. You’re distracting me.”

“You’re the one who keeps glancing, and now it’s my fault?” I teasingly replied. I was holding myself back from checking my phone. After all, I want to devote my time here with them.

And if there was something urgent, Akane and the others knew that calling me directly would alert me. As for emergencies... well, let’s not jinx something like that. The thing with Tsubame had just been cleared up. If that bruise on her was done by someone raising their hand against her, I’d probably not be here sitting on this couch.

Anyway, Yayoi-san giggled and also chimed in without even looking up from the cutting board. “He’s allowed to ogle. It’s his reward for being patient, Mina. Look at you, if you keep acting like that, I’ll get Ruki-dear all to myself.”

“Mom!” Mina cried out and looked at me as if she was wronged. Well, that’s what she gets for trying to act tsundere again, even though she’s already head over heels towards me.

I smirked and let them bicker, content to watch the show.

About twenty minutes later, Yayoi-san wiped her hands on a towel and turned to me with that soft, inviting smile that always made my chest tighten.

“Lunch is ready, Ruki-dear. Come help us set the table.”

I stood, stretching lazily, and walked over. Mina was already carrying bowls to the dining table, hips swaying just a little extra because she knew I was watching. Something she’d probably not do when in the club. She’s quite stiff even when she’s around Haruko, after all.

I guess she’s learning to use her charm on me now.

Yayoi-san handed me plates with a brush of her fingers against mine that lingered longer than necessary.

We settled around the table. Mina is on my left, and Yayoi-san is on the other side.

The spread of dishes was simple but perfect. There’s miso-glazed salmon, stir-fried vegetables with ginger and garlic, steamed rice, and Mina’s experimental matcha tiramisu for dessert. Everything smelled like home. Their home. Which, somehow, had started feeling like mine too, even though I had only been in this house less than ten times.

Mina scooped rice into my bowl first, a portion bigger than her own, then passed the salmon with a proud little flourish. “Try this. I did the glaze this time. Mom only supervised.”

Yayoi-san hummed, pouring me tea that she prepared with that elegant wrist flick. “She did more than the glaze. Don’t let her fool you.”

I took a bite of the salmon and let out an involuntary sound that made both of them freeze.

“Good?” Mina asked, voice small and hopeful.

“Heh. This is better than good,” I said honestly. “You two are dangerous. If you keep feeding me like this, I’ll never leave.”

Yayoi-san’s smile turned soft, almost shy. “Sounds great. You get to pick, Ruki-dear. Mina or my room.”

I knew it. She’s this ready to keep me here with them. Well, not that I’m against it.

Mina beamed, cheeks pink, and shoved more food onto my plate like that would seal the deal.

Like this, we ate in comfortable silence for a while, just the clink of chopsticks and the occasional hum of appreciation.

Every so often, Yayoi-san’s foot would touch mine under the table. Mina’s hand would rest on my thigh when she thought her mom wasn’t looking. Little touches. Quiet claims.

When we finished the main course, Mina bounced up to get the tiramisu, returning with three small glasses and a triumphant grin.

“Ta-da! Matcha tiramisu, version one point five. It’s my first try but I added something special.”

Something special, huh?

She set one in front of me first, then her mom, then herself. The layers were perfect. Vibrant green matcha soaking into fluffy ladyfingers, dusted with cocoa.

I took a bite and nearly groaned. The bitterness of the matcha cut through the sweetness just right, creamy and light and addictive.

“Mina,” I said, “how does this taste like your tea?”

She tried to play it cool, but her ears went bright red. “Obviously. I based it all on your tastes. What do you think?”

“Perfect.”

Yayoi-san took a delicate bite, eyes closing in appreciation. “Oh. Ruki-dear is right. This is something else. You’ll have to make this for the salon’s next tea party.”

“Tea party?” I tilted my head on that. I knew her salon had some loyal patrons but were they actually doing some tea parties?

“Oh! Wanna come too, Ruki-dear? It’s nothing special but... I think the ladies will be delighted to meet the young man who stole both our hearts.” Yayoi-san’s eyes sparkled with that teasing glint.

What did she mean by that? She can’t be serious, right?