Stealing Spree

Chapter 2880: Request Change (1)

After leaving their neighborhood, I also checked on Saki before heading back to the bus stop near Shizu and Nami’s houses.

Since I was already there, I made it a task to greet Auntie Kasumi, who received me kindly. She also wondered why I didn’t escort her daughter today and instead passed by alone. For that, I used the same excuse as earlier.

When she invited me in for dinner, I almost got tempted but knowing Akane and Miwa-nee were waiting for me at home, I declined and promised to come properly next time.

Auntie Kasumi sighed but smiled knowingly, probably thinking it was indeed too late. Nami, who was just silently watching from behind, used this moment to jump at me, almost startling her mother.

”Ruu, that’s a promise, alright? I’ll be helping mom with it, so you better bring your appetite!” Nami declared, clinging to my arm while her mother shook her head at her daughter’s antics.

For this girl to act sweet like this, she’s really showing off to her mother, huh?

“Of course, I’ll look forward to it. Auntie, please teach her well.” I nodded as I patted her head before mischievously adding that.

”Hey!” Nami pinched my side sharply, cheeks puffing up. ”Don’t act like I can’t cook!”

Auntie Kasumi laughed, adding oil to the fire to tease her daughter, ”You can cook, but Nanami, it won’t be enough if you plan to become a housewife in the future. I’ll train you well.”

”Mom, you traitor!” Nami’s face flushed crimson as she released my arm to stomp her foot indignantly until she rounded on me with narrowed eyes. ”And Ruu, stop teaming up with my mother to tease me.”

I held up my hands in surrender while Auntie Kasumi wiped tears of laughter from her eyes.

”Geez. I never thought my own mother would team up with my boyfriend to bully me.” Nami said with a pout before pinching my cheeks and then stepping back to stand next to her mother.

With this, the two of them sent me off with warm smiles.

As I passed by the house next door, I saw a small shadow hiding behind the wall. It wasn’t Tadano, for sure.

Perhaps waiting until Nami and her mother returned to their house, the owner of the shadow only dashed out to catch up to me when I neared the exit of their street and approached the bus stop.

Although I already sensed her approach, I didn’t turn around and waited. However, I didn’t expect her next actions.

”Handsome-senpai!, wait”

Instead of running to my side, the girl charged from behind me, her arms looping around my waist as she collided against my back with all the enthusiasm of a puppy spotting its owner. Her petite body pressed against me without any reservation. Due to that, I felt that still-budding softness against my back.

Since when did she become this bold?

I twisted slightly to look down at the grinning ball of energy currently attempting to climb me like a tree.

”Mei-chan?” I pretended to be surprised.

”Boo, how did you guess so quickly?” The girl puffed her cheeks.

”How can I not? You’re my only junior who keeps calling me that,” I chuckled, carefully prying her arms loose, but to no avail, before turning fully to face her.

Mei put on a grin as if she succeeded in something. Looking at how she bounced on her toes with her oversized sweater slipping off one shoulder as she beamed up at me, she’s like a little minx.

The streetlight caught the mischief in her eyes which somehow made me realize why she chose to chase after me.

”Oh. Right. They don’t call you that. Sumire-senpai always calls you shameless-senpai even though she can’t truly resist you. Umi-senpai affectionately calls you Ruki-senpai, she’s head-over-heels already. Nina-senpai calls you Night Prince, she’s clearly deluded.”

The girl listed each nickname with exaggerated gestures, fingers tapping against her chin as if conducting an imaginary census.

”But I’m special, right? Only I get to call you Handsome-senpai~” Mei pressed closer, her grin widening when I sighed and ruffled her damp hair. She must have sprinted here fresh from the bath too. Looking at her hands, she didn’t even bring her phone.

It’s the first time I’ve seen her not too busy trying to snap a photo of me for her social media post.

”Right, right. So, can you tell me why you chase after me? You know your brother. He’ll be mad at me again if he finds out you’ve interacted with me again.”

”Psh. Onii-chan is busy watching TV. He won’t know. Besides, I only happened to see you when I stepped out. So I thought... I should greet you?”

”Is this how you greet someone? Chasing after and tackling me?”

”Hehe... You didn’t fall though. You’re too strong, Handsome-senpai~” Mei giggled as she tried to press her cheek against my chest while peering up through her lashes.

This girl... She’s really pushing it. I wonder what kind of request she had in mind now? I told her I would introduce her to someone who can help her with her posts but since there wasn’t any chance to bring her to Ririka or Hiyori yet, I have yet to fulfill it.

”Careful, let’s move to the bus stop first. I’m not afraid of your brother but if he sees you clinging like this to me, he’ll have a heart attack,” I chuckled, steering Mei toward the empty bench under the flickering streetlight.

Switching from embracing me to just linking her arms with mine, the girl skipped alongside me while humming contentedly.

The moment we sat, Mei pivoted toward me with alarming intensity, knees bumping mine.

”So, handsome-senpai, remember your promise?” Her eyes gleamed like a cat spotting prey. ”Nanami-senpai already introduced me to them. Hiyori-senpai gave me tips on how to edit my photos and Ririka-senpai told me how to better wear my clothes. So, we should change the content of that promise.”

This... When did that happen? And why didn’t they tell me?

Ah. Right. They probably thought it wasn’t something big. After all, Nami is close to this girl and she can easily contact Ririka and Hiyori through their group. Besides, it’s my fault for thinking about bringing her to them instead.

I guess that’s the result of my current mindset of not needing to indulge in using social media. To me, it’s enough that I can contact my girls through it.

”Alright, I guess that’s fair.” I said, conceding quickly before Mei could escalate her puppy-eyed attack. ”So what’s the new request?”