Stealing Spree

Chapter 2882: Package

Shortly after dinner, Akane dragged me to the living room as she couldn’t wait for me to open the package anymore. Miwa-nee sighed at her antics but followed along with a tray of tea.

As for Minoru, the boy was already asleep.

”Just open it already, husband. Onee-chan put a lot of thought into that.” Akane giddily bounced, practically revealing that she had already seen what was inside.

Should I flick her forehead? Well, it’s not like Chisato-nee-san sealed it. It’s a regular box, after all. She knew Akane would still know what’s inside.

”A lot of thought, huh? What is this? A birthday gift?”

”Hehe, maybe? She must’ve heard how you celebrated your birthday yesterday. She’s quick to send her gift.”

So, that’s it, huh? No. It’s probably not just that. After all, why deliver it like this, right? Furthermore, she probably had already prepared this days ago. Most likely, she just added a gift inside.

If I think about it, other than sending me some stuff from her work or perhaps other gifts now that we reconnected, this could only be related to that side of our family.

Chisato-nee-san wouldn’t necessarily tell them that she met up with me but considering they’re already aware of my existence and there was that pending visit from my ’cousins’, who I still had no idea when they would arrive, they probably contacted her.

”Alright, let’s open it.”

Approaching the package sitting innocently on the coffee table, a nondescript cardboard box that didn’t hint at its contents, I put my hands on the lid before looking to my left and right.

Akane’s eyes were sparkling while Miwa-nee was clearly curious. Although Miwa-nee hadn’t met Chisato-nee-san yet, she had long heard about our encounter with her when we went to Tokyo.

”Your older cousin is so good to you, Ruki.” Miwa-nee teasingly said.

”Mhm. She is. I’ll introduce you to her when the time comes, Miwa-nee.” I replied as I lifted the lid, revealing neatly folded fabric atop several smaller packages protected by layers of bubble wrap to prevent them from being disfigured.

The topmost item was unmistakably a gift box. It wasn’t big, just big enough to hold a necklace, ring, or something similar. There was a small note attached to it that said:

’For the birthday boy. Happy Birthday, Ruki. - Chisato-nee’

There was even a heart doodled next to her signature, uncharacteristically playful but I could imagine her expression as she wrote that.

Obviously, she’s aware that my birthday had long passed but since Ria decided to celebrate it yesterday, Chisato-nee-san must have decided to humor her and send this gift as well.

”Geez, husband. Now I’m jealous. I should’ve bought something for you too.” Despite her words, Akane looked genuinely happy for me.

After all, even though I decided not to celebrate during my actual birthday, she still made an effort to give me a gift back then. She slipped into the house and placed it on the table. Although I didn’t open it and just stored it somewhere because of how much of a bastard I was, I had long appreciated the thought she put into it.

”Why bother, silly wife? Having you here by my side is already the best gift.” I flipped the lid open with one hand while tugging Akane into my lap with the other.

Inside nestled an elegant silver wristwatch, its face engraved with intricate kanji that meant ’perseverance’.

I don’t know if that’s intentional or not but I truly have to persevere a lot. My chosen path was something no one had truly walked on before. I mean, ancient kings were more promiscuous even if they still favored a few wives and concubines, they would still bed maidens whenever they wanted. Meanwhile, I chose to love all of them equally and sincerely. That alone required perseverance and sacrifices, not just from me but also from them.

But I didn’t voice those thoughts. Instead, I slipped the watch onto my wrist, admiring how the moonlight caught its edges. Akane traced the kanji with her fingertip, her expression softening.

”Perfect fit, husband. Onee-chan must’ve got it made for you.”

”Mhm. Let’s take a photo and send it to her.” I said while raising my wrist to let Akane snap a picture, ignoring Miwa-nee’s quiet laughter behind us. The moment the flash went off, Akane immediately attached it to a message before flopping against my chest with a sigh. ”Done! Now let’s see what else she sent.”

The girl rubbed her hands together as if she was about to dig into a treasure chest, which, to her, probably wasn’t far from the truth.

I nudged Akane’s hip with my elbow. ”Patience, wife. You already peeked anyway.”

”Husband! You’re slandering me. I only peeked at that gift box. I behaved for the rest!” Akane huffed, crossing her arms with an exaggerated pout that lasted exactly three seconds before her fingers crept toward the folded fabric.

Miwa-nee snorted, ”Yeah, she behaved. After all, I caught her trying to peek earlier.”

”Miwa-nee, you traitor. Hmph! Anyways, hurry, husband!” As though she hadn’t just been caught red-handed, Akane pulled the fabric free, revealing a deep indigo yukata patterned with silver cranes.

Looking at the size, it was once again a perfect fit for me.

”Wow, what’s this? Husband, did you promise a date with her at a summer festival?” Akane slyly asked as she unfolded the yukata, letting the fabric cascade dramatically. The silver threads caught the lamplight, making the cranes seem almost alive as they shimmered against the indigo background.

I would remember that if I did promise her. But thinking about it, Chisato-nee-san probably wanted me to wear this if I ever went to a festival with my girls. She’s that thoughtful. But if she could truly visit this coming summer and there was an ongoing festival, I wouldn’t mind accompanying her.

Soon, Akane pulled out more yukata. This time, they were for women. There’s not much, of course, only three. Clearly, she picked one for Akane, Miho and Yua. The girls who went with me to Tokyo. As for whether Yue also got one, the girl would probably tell me about it.

Akane immediately set her sights on the red one patterned with gold koi fish, pressing it against herself with a delighted gasp. ”Onee-chan remembered my favorite color!”

She twirled, letting the fabric swirl around her legs. This girl... she’s acting like a little girl opening a present on Christmas.

Miwa-nee and I couldn’t help but smile at her unbridled joy. The way Akane’s eyes sparkled brighter than the gold embroidery when she held the yukata up to the light.

”Careful, silly wife. What if you tear it off before you can use it?” I pulled her back to my lap, stabilizing her twirl before she could trip over the coffee table.

”Hehe. Sorry, husband. I just can’t help it. Chisato-onee-chan is so thoughtful. And these... these two are for Miho and Yua. I’ll deliver them to them tomorrow! Or do you prefer them to come and visit, husband?”

”The latter,” I answered right away. Since most of my girls wanted to have a valid reason for visiting me, this could be a good excuse. Of course, if they truly couldn’t help it, they would show up even without reason. Just missing me is enough for them. I was just too diligent in trying to meet with all of them whenever possible.

Akane giggled as she folded the yukata carefully. ”Got it, husband. I’ll make sure they know you’re missing them.”

After this, we continued pulling out the rest of the contents. Sure enough, she was tasked with sending these to me. They were mostly snacks and specialty products from that prefecture.

As soon as we finished, my phone rang with Chisato-nee-san’s name registered on the caller ID.

I looked at Akane and Miwa-nee, who thoughtfully gestured for me to pick it up while they sorted out the remaining items from the package. Akane even slid down from my lap, freeing me.

Sliding my thumb across the screen, I pressed the phone against my ear. ”Ruki, have you received it?”

“Mhm. I’m sorry for troubling you, Chisato-nee-san.”

“Boo. Who said I was troubled? Anyway, looks like I didn’t need to tell you who asked me to send them. But I made sure to put in my gifts for you, do you like them?”

“I love them, nee-san. Thank you.” I sincerely replied while absentmindedly running my fingers along the watch’s engraved kanji. ”Next time, don’t let them trouble you again, nee-san. But if you miss me, you’re always free to visit. We can go to the summer festival together if you like.”

”Geez. You’re sweet-talking me again. That won’t work, you brat!” Chisato-nee-san impishly replied but she couldn’t hide the sweet-sounding giggle escaping.

Now I can imagine her smiling face as she tried to prevent it from turning into a grin.

I guess I miss her too.

Like this, our call lasted at least ten minutes before she reluctantly ended it, saying I shouldn’t be neglecting my girls. Little did she know, Akane herself didn’t mind it at all. As for Miwa-nee, she already went upstairs to look after Minoru.