Stealing Spree

Chapter 2817: Trip for Swimsuits Again

“It’s good to see you, Umi,” I said as I pulled the shy, soft-spoken girl into my arms. She instantly melted, forgetting the fact that everyone was staring at us.

Meanwhile, Sumire, who was standing next to her, rolled her eyes at me before reaching for the hem of my shirt. She didn’t voice out anything but I read her lips, which said: “You’re being unfair, shameless senpai.”

Yep. She’s adorable like this.

That’s why after hugging Umi, I turned to the girl, giving her the same treatment despite her squirming in my embrace.

Well, that had gotten Nina even louder as she wanted to get the same treatment as my ‘minion’. I guess it’s fine as long as she stops demanding that I bite her and drink some of her blood.

Following that, I finally got to focus on Nami, Hina and Saki before turning to Shizu, Izumi, Arisa and Kazuha-nee.

Yep. They were also here. Shizu mumbled ‘numbskull’ while facepalming. Izumi clicked her tongue and pretended not to care. Arisa pulled me to her embrace, buried my face in her chest and patted my head while calling me ‘cheeky junior’.

Somehow, I failed to account for the fact that their houses were close to each other so... this kind of gathering was quite normal. In any case, I’m not complaining. I’m glad I can spend time with them like this on a weekend.

“Hey, shameless brat, enough getting coddled by the girls. You’re here to escort us, remember?” Kazuha-nee’s sharp voice cut through from behind me. Perhaps if not for the other girls crowding around me, I’d be pulled by my nape by her.

I looked up and saw Arisa’s playful smile. “So, what are you going to do, Ruki?”

“Well, Kazuha-nee’s not wrong. I’m here to escort you. I love the pampering though.”

“Pfft. No one can beat you when it comes to shamelessness.” Upon saying that, she pulled me up and planted her lips on mine. Even without words, the longing she had for me was clearly conveyed.

I responded to it with eagerness. I missed her just as much.

After Arisa let go of me, I turned to Izumi, sneaking a quick kiss on her cheek and then to Shizu, who first pinched my cheeks before claiming her right for my lips.

Only after that did I face Kazuha-nee, whose eyes were already narrowed at my antics.

She stood there with her arms crossed under her chest. I could see a mix of exasperation and reluctant affection written all over her face. She was doing her best to hide it but at this point, she’s better off acting indifferent.

Anyway, her hair was tied back in a loose ponytail today, a few stray strands framing her girl-next-door features. For sure, even though each of these girls have their own charms, many would still find themselves focusing on her.

The simple blouse and skirt she wore did nothing to hide the elegant curves that made her such a beauty.

“Oh. Shall we go, Kazuha-nee?”

“Hmph. I should’ve said no when you said you’re coming. We’re only going to hang out. Don’t flirt with everyone.”

“I’m not flirting with them. I’m just greeting them. With that said, I haven’t greeted you yet. There’s Nami, Hina and Saki too.”

Ria giggled from that and it didn’t take long for the others to do the same.

Nami even stepped forward to cling to my arm and face Kazuha-nee with me. “That’s right, Ruu. You know we’re gonna be jealous when you go to the other girls first.”

Despite saying that, I could tell that she didn’t really mind it at all, but it’s an opportunity to jump in on the fun. And the same goes for Saki, who quickly followed up by clinging to my other arm and burying her head in the crook of my neck.

Nami giggled from my right side as she stared at the complexion of my face. ”You look a little flushed, Ruu. Did they already tire you out this morning?”

”Hey, I didn’t tire Dumb-senpai out too much. We just... had a quick moment at the park. And Sister Eimi joined in. But he’s got plenty left for all of you. Right, Dumb-senpai?” Ria, who separated from me to get to know Sumire and the other girls her age, seemingly flew by to answer Nami.

That made everyone chuckle before staring at me like I was a freak.

In the end, Kazuha-nee gave up scolding me as another bus arrived at the stop.

The bus doors hissed open with a mechanical sigh and the group started filing in, a colorful wave of laughter and chatter that drew a few curious glances from other passengers already seated.

Kazuha-nee went up first, shooting me one last narrowed look over her shoulder like she was warning me not to cause a scene on public transport. Shizu, Arisa and Izumi followed close behind her before Nami and Saki dragged me with them.

Hina smilingly shook her head as she pushed on my back. There was no escape for me.

Ria, along with the junior girls, went up last. Our group then occupied the last few seats near the back of the bus.

When I thought I’d be sandwiched by Nami and Saki, they delivered me straight to the seat next to Kazuha-nee.

“Ruu, we’re going to see you tomorrow at school anyway. Accompany Kazuha-nee during the ride to the mall.” That’s all Nami said before the three of them guided Ria and the other girls to their seats.

Meanwhile, Kazuha-nee, who possibly didn’t expect it, looked up at me with her face twitching in exasperation. A faint pink flush crept up to her cheeks, which made her look less like the composed older sister figure and more like the girl who’d melted in my arms the last time we were together in her room.

I slid closer beside, making our thighs press together in the cramped space as the bus lurched forward.

“What’s wrong, Kazuha-nee? You look like you just swallowed something sour.”

She elbowed me lightly in the ribs. Her voice was low enough so the others wouldn’t overhear over the rumble of the engine and the chatter from the girls a few rows back. “You know exactly what’s wrong, shameless brat. They just... shoved you here. I wasn’t asking for your attention. And stop grinning like that. It’s annoying.”

But even as she said it, her hand slipped down between us. I turned my palm up, letting our fingers lace together.

“What’s wrong with my grin? I’m just happy to sit on public transport like this with you. And here I thought it’d be hard to run into you again outside. Anyway, I have to thank you for arranging this. The girls are excited to hang out with you.”

“Psh. You don’t have to thank me. I do this every year.”

“Every year? Oh... for the summer. So, you’re going to pick swimsuits today. I see... I look forward to that.”

“Ugh. How did you easily jump to that conclusion?”

“How? Well, I ran into another group of girls yesterday who went picking out their swimsuits.”

“Another group? You... shameless.”

“Wait. Don’t misunderstand, Kazuha-nee. That group isn’t like you. They’re just schoolmates. I swear.” I raised my free hand to claim innocence, but Kazuha-nee just clicked her tongue and squeezed my fingers tighter, like she was punishing me for even trying to defend myself.

“Schoolmates, huh? You expect me to believe that? Every girl in this city must’ve been orbiting around you like you’re the sun. You’re lucky I’m in a good mood today, shameless brat. Otherwise, I’d kick you out of your seat and let Nina take a bite out of you.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle from that, “Well, I’m always honest to you, Kazuha-nee. I won’t blame you for not believing me though. I mean... I’m such a bastard.”

“Ugh. Stop that. And stop talking. We’re gonna get all the attention here.”

“Yes, Ma’am. I’ll behave. But I have a question, Kazuha-nee.”

“What?”

“Does Ogawa know Mami is coming too? Also, Tadano, if he finds out Mei-chan interacted with me again, he’ll be furious.”

If I’m not wrong, they probably know the reason for this mall trip that Ogawa’s older sister scheduled but they’re unaware that I’m coming to escort them like this.

I glanced behind me, finding Mei-chan focused on her phone again. Most likely, posting the photos she already took on social media. As for Mami, I could tell she was having a hard time holding down Nina. And perhaps sensing that I was staring at her, our eyes met. She put on a wry smile as though saying, “This is your fault, senpai.”