Stealing Spree

Handling Anzu’s grumpiness was a fairly easy deal for us. We just had to pander to her and agree to anything she said after that initial response. And Eimi being an expert on dealing with her cousin also helped out to, more or less, neutralize her dismay.

“Tsk. Go on in then. But you, you should stay. I have some things to say to you.” Anzu eventually said as she released that heavy load resting on her arms. She told Eimi to pass her and continue inside before pointing at me.

Eimi didn’t do it right away as she was worried about what might be Anzu’s deal with me. She looked at me with that concern written on her face and I responded with a nod.

There’s nothing to worry about. If anything, it’s in Anzu’s best interest not to be alone with me considering our previous interactions. In any case, I also might have a clue what the woman wanted to discuss that she didn’t want Eimi to hear.

It’s possibly about her complex again, no? Or just her usual act of being my older sister. Either of the two wasn’t that big of a deal to me but for this woman, she probably wanted to renew her older-sister halo again.

After weighing in my choices, I decided to hear her out. It won’t take that long anyway.

“What’s wrong, Anzu-nee? Am I going to be chewed out?” I jokingly asked once Eimi already entered their front door. Though I tried to see ahead and hear if her parents would scold her, it was impossible. In any case, the girl turned around and waved at me with her beautiful smile before disappearing.

“Oh. So, you do know what’s going to happen? Come closer then.” Although she looked behind her first, a smirk instantly rose from her lips as soon as she confirmed that Eimi had already disappeared behind the door.

I could sense her smugness beneath but more than that, her excitement. Did she miss this much? I wonder.

Following her words, I took a few steps to close our distance.

The same as before, Anzu tiptoed to reach my shoulder. She grabbed onto it, pulling me down a little, just low enough for her mouth to draw close to my ear.

While I expected her to be a little bold in her attempt to recast her older sister halo spell, this came as a surprise considering she couldn’t even look at me straight back then.

“Onoda-kun, I know how much little Eimi loves you but don’t you think you should’ve walked her home earlier? Also, and this is the most important, you should pick the places where you do that. I get that shame is absent in your dictionary but can’t you get some shred of decency, at least? Think about Eimi.”

Ah. I see. So, she’s going to start by reminding me like this. But then again, it’s in line with what I asked of her, she’s now chewing me out for what we showed her.

“Mhm. I’ll keep that in mind, Anzu-nee-san. However, can I defend myself here? Or at least, explain my side?”

“Go ahead. I’ll hear you out.”

“Thank you. Uh... I made sure to escort her home before the time appointed by Uncle and Auntie. I’ll take the blame for keeping her with me until the last minute but you see, I just can’t help it when I miss her. I believe Anzu-nee can understand me on this part.”

“...”

“As for picking a proper place... Won’t it be rude if we do that in front of you? That’s why...”

I let my voice trail there without finishing my sentence, leaving her wondering. I could say that it wasn’t her place to meddle with us but as a sign of respect, there’s nothing wrong with easing her mind about it.

Anzu didn’t respond to me right away, most likely digesting my words. But without letting my shoulder go, her warm breath continued to hit my face.

I took a glance at her expression and found that she was biting her lips. She’s possibly conflicted on whether to call me out for my answer or let it go.

In the end, after deliberating for a while, she released a sigh and loosened her hold on my shoulder, “Okay. That’s fair. You two aren’t little kids anymore. But don’t forget my reminder, alright?”

“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.” I nodded and put on my usual smile.

That caught her off guard, making Anzu turn her head to the side. I got the urge to tease her right here but I restrained myself.

Rather than that, I could sense that she had yet to say what really pushed her to stop me from leaving. And so, to make her spill it out, I straightened my back and took a step backward.

Perhaps unconsciously, Anzu was like a magnet that followed my movement, she tried to keep her hold on my shoulder only to fail and had it slide down to my chest. And with how sudden it was, she kind of tripped forward. Luckily for her, I was like a pole that stopped her from falling. Just that, she ended up leaning against me, her elastic front pressed firmly against me.

“H-huh? Why did you move, Onoda-kun?” Anzu hurriedly said, her attempt to cover up her clumsiness. But since there was nowhere to grab on, she ended up gripping my shirt to regain her balance.

“I thought we were done here. I still have to walk back home. And I have school tomorrow.” I answered. Then I brought up my phone and showed her the current time.

Of course, there’s no need for that but it’s more effective that way. Haste seemingly surfaced on her face as her grip tightened. And without stabilizing her feet, she pressed on me more.

“We’re not done yet! Just... a minute. Lend me a minute of your time.”

“A minute? Alright. You can scold me for one more minute.”

Sensing the hint of desperation in her voice, I couldn’t help but shout ‘Mission Accomplished’ in my head. But at the same time, I finally failed to restrain that urge to tease.

Upon hearing that, Anzu’s eyes widened as she hurriedly explained herself.

“Who says I’m going to scold you? Ugh... Come on, aren’t you my little brother? Your older sister here is only looking out for you.”

Without waiting for me to respond, Anzu continued, “How should I say this? Don’t think this as weird, okay? When is your next morning visit to Eimi?”

This. I thought she was going to look out for me, why is she asking me about this now? Is she planning to drag me to get some sunlight again?

“I’ll be busy this weekend but if I woke up early, I might show up this Sunday. At least, I’m sure I’ll be missing Eimi by then.”

The camping trip will end on Saturday afternoon. Perhaps as soon as I arrive home, I will be leaving for my part-time job again. My Sunday morning will be free, for sure. However, whether I can wake up early or not is the question. Then, I will surely have a packed afternoon since I might go and visit Yayoi-san that day and there’s my extra job instructing Koharu-chan.

“Okay. If you can come this Sunday morning... I’ll wait for you here.”

“Hmm... Won’t you tell me the reason for it?”

“Uh... Like I told you. This older sister will look out for you, my little brother.”

Sure. Let’s bite that. As if I could agree with how vague she made it sound.

“Anzu-nee, I like the sound of that but you should be more transparent, you know? How can I look forward to it if you don’t tell me the specifics? Are we going to take in some sunlight again?”

“Un. Let’s take a walk to the park again.”

“Alright. I won’t promise but I’ll be messaging you if I can come. Let’s exchange contacts.”

“Eh? You won’t ask me to explain more?”

“That’s enough. My older sister needs her little brother. What more do I need to know? I’m sure you’ll tell me the specifics by then. And as your diligent little brother, I’ll hear my older sister out.”

“Ugh... That sounds wrong on some levels. But, thank you, Onoda-kun. You’re the best.” Although she put on a wry smile at first as though it was awkward for her to admit, it was soon replaced by a satisfied and relieved expression before taking her phone out.

After exchanging contact with her, Anzu squeezed my cheeks cheerfully before sending me off with a smile; a striking contrast from her grumpy expression earlier.

Well, there’s no need to make it any weirder. I waved goodbye to her before glancing up at Eimi’s window and did the same before walking back the way I came from.

Yep. Eimi definitely saw that small interaction between me and her older cousin.