Stealing Spree

Chapter 2780: Sample Print

After calming down the berserk cat that lunged at me, I decided to stay for a few more minutes in their dorm.

Setsuna-nee hissed and curled back to her bed. But instead of facing the wall, she lay down sideways, facing our direction.

Juri, on the other hand, dropped her bag and continued to her bed, sitting down beside me at her bed.

Proud and seemingly pleased, Juri handed me the sample print of the magazine.

“Here, Ruki. You deserve to get a first look at this magazine too. It’s only appropriate. You’ve helped me a lot that day. And even now, my agency won’t dare force me to meet someone like that guy from before.”

Ah. Right. That happened.

As I already expected, they put her on the cover. I guess her charm was just that overwhelming. Sayo-san couldn’t beat her when it came to presenting the different outfits to perfection.

Furthermore, considering they truly picked the swimsuit shot on the cover, Juri truly outshone everyone.

The photo captured her in that sleek aquamarine blue one-piece with water glistening on her skin, hair slicked back, and that cool, untouchable gaze staring straight at the camera like she was daring the world to look away.

It was the kind of shot that made you forget how to breathe. Cool, elegant, sexy and powerful.

I flipped through the pages slowly, taking in every spread. The high-fashion gowns, the casual streetwear, the editorial shots where she posed like a queen on a throne made of shadows. Each one was flawless, but the swimsuit ones hit different. The way the fabric hugged her curves, the subtle arch of her back, the confident tilt of her hips... yeah. Dangerous.

Juri watched me with that satisfied little smirk, chin propped on her hand as she leaned against my shoulder.

“Like what you see, Ruki?” She murmured, voice low and teasing, close enough that her breath tickled my ear. “Or is it too much for you?”

“That’s not very appropriate of you, Juri.” I playfully said, taking her own line when she was still all about ‘propriety’ on me. Although she’s probably still the same when it comes to others, she had long dropped the attempt to keep everything proper when interacting with me.

“Pfft. Silly guy. Just tell me what you think.”

“Alright. Everything is perfect. I believe I can stare at this and get lost in it every time.”

“You flatterer.” She lightly hit my arm but the delight in her eyes was unmistakable.

Anyway, I checked each page and counted. Juri could be seen in more than twenty pages in the clothes she modeled.

Obviously, I also found the pages that Yua had gotten from the magazine. And it was significantly more than the other model from Juri’s agency who competed with her.

With the magazine’s theme being ‘summer’, I couldn’t help but stop and stare for quite a while at the pages that contained either Juri or Yua in various apparel.

For sure, that girl also received this sample print. I could already imagine her coming to me to show it off. Even if she failed to get the cover page, she’d still be satisfied with her work. After all, it was the first gig she did after returning to modeling.

A few minutes later, I closed the sample print and handed it back to Juri.

It’s about time I leave. I still have to go home to pick up my gym bag. Also, I gotta check on Hanabi and Azusa. I kinda left them behind there even though they took the time to visit and stay over. Especially Hanabi... after what happened earlier this morning... that goofball needs more attention.

The soreness from losing her virginity this morning. She’d probably be walking funny all day, blushing every time she remembered everything we did on our bed.

Juri grabbed the sample print and then placed it down on her other side before shifting closer, her arms wrapping around mine. “Is it time, Ruki?”

Upon hearing that, Setsuna-nee, who was grinding her teeth at her bed, perked up. She stared at me, waiting for my answer.

I checked the time on my phone. I still had about an hour before I needed to be at the gym for my part-time shift. Plenty of time to get home, change, and maybe steal a few more minutes with the girls there.

“Mhm. I should head out soon before you two lock me up here.” I finally answered, sounding a little dispirited. After all, I would love to stay here and spend more time with them.

Alas, it was impossible.

“Shameless bastard, no one’s gonna lock you up here. You’re gonna get us in trouble too!” Setsuna-nee reacted as she stood up from her bed and traversed the short distance and plopped down on my other side.

Juri giggled at that. Seeing Setsuna-nee acting like this must be new to her. But at the same time, there’s also a hint of admiration directed at me as if, in her eyes, I’d done an impossible feat. Classic Juri and her never-ending praises for me.

“It can’t be helped then. Come visit us again, okay? You’ll be my cousin again.”

“Are we still going to act? You know... I liked it more when you asked me to act as your boyfriend before.”

“... You silly. You’re already my boyfriend, are you not? There’s no need to act for it.”

On my side, Setsuna-nee snorted from our exchanges. “Ugh. So cheesy. Should I just give you two the room?”

“Heh. Are you jealous, Setsuna-nee-san?” I finished, turning my head slightly to catch her reaction.

Setsuna-nee’s eyes narrowed instantly, that familiar spark of irritation flaring up like I’d just poked a sleeping tiger.

She crossed her arms over her chest as she leaned away just enough to put a few inches of space between us.

“Jealous? Of what? Your cheesy lines that make Juri giggle like a schoolgirl? Please. I’m just wondering how you haven’t been slapped into next week yet.” She scoffed, but the way her gaze flicked to Juri’s arms still wrapped around mine betrayed her. It’s like she’s deliberating whether to copy her or not.

Juri laughed as she peeked at Setsuna-nee with that cool, knowing smile. “He’s been slapped plenty. He just likes it.”

“Juri!” Setsuna-nee’s face went crimson again, and she grabbed another pillow. In the end, she put it down again and shifted closer until our shoulders touched.

“If you want to, I can also use my silver tongue to make you feel giddy.” I teased

Setsuna-nee pinched my arm and grumbled. “No thanks. I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear any of that. Shameless brat.”

There we go. Of course, she won’t be as bold as earlier now that Juri is with us. In our current relationship, she can only show that side of her when there are only the two of us.

After a few more back and forths, which always ended with Setsuna-nee fuming, I stood up.

Juri reluctantly let go of my arm. However, as soon as I saw her expression, I bent down, kissing her forehead before whispering, “Next time for sure, I’ll be taking you out for our date.”

“Un. I look forward to it. But no rush. You’re busy enough as is.” Juri answered as she pulled my head down, claiming my lips properly.

Once we separated, I turned to the other girl who was already pretending not to be affected by it.

I stepped to the side and then squatted in front of her, “Setsuna-nee-san. See you tomorrow? You’ll also be there to cheer for Satsuki, right?”

“Psh. I wish we could but Juri and I are unavailable tomorrow. College deadline. Cheer for Satsu-chan for me.”

Ah... And here I thought I would be seeing them tomorrow as well. I guess we can’t always have everything.

“Then, I’ll record it for you. Let’s watch it together next time I visit.”

“Don’t bother, idiot. Just attach it to your message. As if you can always come and visit.”

Look at her, is this Setsuna-nee being considerate? Probably. But then again. It goes to show how much she’s paying attention to me.

As she said, there’s no guarantee that I can visit again soon. Although I can probably find a window of opportunity and visit them, no matter how brief, it’s much better to time it properly. That way, it won’t be unsatisfying for all of us.

In any case, I also leaned in, kissing Setsuna-nee’s cheek.

Before she could react, I had already run to the door, watching her face turn crimson.

Juri soon followed after and we stepped out of their room. She’s going to walk me out of the building, after all.

—

Several minutes later, my phone buzzed as I reached the train platform.

A new message from the group chat Sakuragi had added me to earlier.

[Swimsuit Approval Committee]

Sakuragi: First contender! What do we think, Onoda-kun? Be honest.

Attached was a mirror selfie of her in a bright red bikini, posing with one hip cocked and that mischievous grin I was starting to recognize.

Hayakawa-san: Sakuragi-chan!! We said we’d wait until we were all together!

Watanabe: Damn it. That’s bold of you, Sakuragi. Don’t tempt Onoda-kun.

Kaede: ...It looks good. The color suits you.

I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face as the train pulled in. Right. I was tasked to judge their swimsuit. And at the moment, only Sakuragi was bold enough to send hers.