Stealing Spree

Chapter 2768: To Juri and Setsuna-nee’s Dorm

Before I left, Yayoi-san told me she’s going to start preparing for that tea party. Not the ceremony as she just wanted a reason to bring me with her.

Of course, I readily agreed to it.

In the end, she seemed to have settled on the day I would be coming for another haircut. That means it might be next week or the week after. The start of the summer vacation.

Although I had a lot of plans with the other girls, there’s no way I wouldn’t be able to squeeze in a day or two for them. After all, they’re also my women. And it’s not like I’d be so busy to neglect them.

My life was already centered around my girls. If it veered off somewhat, it was either because of another girl or I was just working towards building the foundation for our future.

Anyway, there would be a lot of events bound to happen right after the Cultural Festival and during summer vacation.

Not counting how I wanted to devote all of those days to my girls, there was quite a list.

The collaboration song between Yue, Akane and Miho would be released as a single and then later on, it would be included in an album. It will still be listed as Mabushisa Asahi’s song featuring two unknown artists.

Akane and Miho still didn’t have any plan to enter the same industry.

Ah. Right. I actually received a message from Chisato-nee-san, quite different from her normal checking up on me, which said she had been working on having a music video for the song to be greenlit. Naturally, she’s going to be the one to direct it if ever she succeeds.

And because of that, Yua and I would be starring in it. Yep. Yue and Chisato-nee-san would definitely not allow any other actor and actress to star in that role other than Yua and me.

Other than that, Chisato-nee-san also hinted to me that those visitors from my father’s hometown would also be coming during the summer vacation. She just got the confirmation for it so all these days that I was waiting for someone to show up were already wasted.

Well, it’s fine though. I wasn’t truly expecting anything from that. After all, their reason for visiting was because they heard about me or us from Otoha’s older brother.

Next on the list, there’s that matter with Mitsui Kyoka and Hassen. There wasn’t any rush for it anyway. Something like conglomerate succession would probably take months or even years to resolve.

There’s no need to rush on it. I’ll just do what I can to bring Hassen to her.

Then there’s the matter with Tsubame. I’ll have to wait for her update tonight. Even if her aunt can’t help them, I’m already set on helping them grasp a chance to rebuild themselves. More importantly, Tsubame returning to school will be the best outcome.

She’s not like me who landed quite a high-paying part-time job with so little time investment. Besides, it’s not her debt to be paid. Her father will work for it.

Still, if those creditors continued having designs for her, then I might have to become ‘shadow’ again. Uh... let’s not think about that yet.

What else? My date with Juri and Setsuna-nee. Well, that’s already included in my plans with the girls.

Ah. Right, there’s the problem with Marika’s family trying to force her to return to Ichihara Jun. I should continue checking in on her aunt. Since she came here, wouldn’t it be better to bring her to our side? I just didn’t know how to do it yet.

And lastly, that task I was set to complete as my repayment for all the favors asked from Otoha’s grandfather.

It should be happening during the second week of August. The only clue I had for that matter was that it was going to be some kind of private event. Otoha wouldn’t be by my side, and I would be there as the son-in-law of the Kaneko.

That could still change, though but that’s the gist of it.

Anyway, enough about that. Let’s focus on the present.

After declining Yayoi-san’s offer to drive me to my next destination, I walked back to the train station.

Naturally, my reason for declining was that I got her so exhausted. I couldn’t just let her drive me somewhere in that state, right? Her salon would be opened by those working for her and she’d just check in on them later.

Mina was the same. She even fell asleep in the tub. The frantic movements thoroughly drained her energy. I had to carry her to her room and tuck her in.

As I climbed up the platform to wait for the train, I pulled out my phone, sending a quick message to Juri.

“I’m on my way. Should I bring something?”

Juri’s reply came almost instantly, like she’d been impatiently waiting since my message earlier, “No. Seeing your face is enough.”

Well, I guess that’s fine too but how can I show up without anything in my hand? Should I buy a flower or something?

Ah. No. They’re in their dorms. That would just be wasted. Besides, there was a better occasion to do that.

Still, the thought of showing up empty-handed felt wrong. I glanced around the station and spotted the convenience store nearby. Perfect.

I ducked in quickly and grabbed a couple of things. A box of those fancy melon pans that Juri told me she liked, a lemon cheesecake for Setsuna-nee-san, a few cans of coffee and tea for both of them, and a bag of assorted snacks just in case.

I actually didn’t know a lot about Setsuna-nee but since Satsuki liked lemon, her older sister might also like it, right? I gotta ask her next time then. Or maybe during that date?

When I stepped back out, the train was already pulling in. I boarded and found an empty seat in a corner, letting the familiar rumble settle my thoughts.

The ride wasn’t long. It only took two stops to reach the vicinity of their college and the dormitory they were staying at.

As it was a weekend, I could see a lot of college students milling about the platform, some carrying bags like they were heading home for a short break, others dressed up for dates or hangouts with friends.

It was buzzing with that carefree energy unique to college life. Something I was definitely not looking forward to experiencing myself in a couple of years. After all, I’d probably not attend one. Or maybe I could squeeze it in somewhere? Just to learn a thing or two that could help me in building that future with my girls.

I stepped off the train station and followed the directions Juri sent me earlier.

Their dorm wasn’t far, just a short walk through a tree-lined path that led to a modern building with clean lines and large windows. It looked more like a high-end apartment complex than the cramped dorms I’d imagined.

It was truly more convenient to stay here than go back home to their houses. The college was a walking distance, after all.

Since I couldn’t just barge inside, I messaged Juri again, saying I was outside.

Not a minute later, the beautiful woman, exuding her usual cool and elegant vibe of a fashion model, stepped out through the automatic glass doors.

Juri was wearing a simple off-shoulder white blouse that hugged her curves just right and a pair of high-waisted denim shorts that showed off her long, toned legs, which I was starting to appreciate. Her greyish-purple hair that fell on her shoulder and the subtle highlights caught by the afternoon sun felt like it was showing off for her.

The second she spotted me, that cool and mature mask cracked slightly. Her eyes lit up as her lips curved into that rare, genuine smile that could knock out even the photographer taking her photo.

Strapped on her neck was a small digital camera. It’s something she started bringing with her to snap photos whenever she liked. It was easier to bring than the one she’s using for professional photography, after all.

“Ruki,” She called out softly, quickening her pace until she was right in front of me.

She looked around her and upon finding no one around, her hesitation disappeared. Her arms looped around my neck and she pressed herself close, rising on her toes to steal a quick but deep kiss right there in front of the dorm entrance.

Has she grown bolder since the last time? I guess this is the result of not being able to be near each other for so long.

I mean, our last physical meeting was during the camping trip. It has been a few weeks since then. Anyone in a relationship would feel awful about it but for Juri, considering we talked almost every day through messages or video calls, that probably helped a lot.

Still, nothing beats being able to hold her like this. Juri’s lips were soft and warm.