Stealing Spree

Leaving that scene for the authorities to handle, I walked away from that scene with Hanabi in tow. The other spectators who saw everything that happened ogled at us but I ignored them as they’re irrelevant. Nothing would change if they ran up to our side and asked if the girl was fine anyway.

Thankfully, I explored this place earlier. Finding a less crowded place was easily done. It’s somewhere similar to where I met up with Fuyu yesterday; close to an indoor venue, roofed, and a vending machine present nearby.

And with little to no people around, the silence became our refuge.

Guiding Hanabi to the bench, I sat her down and let her organize her thoughts while I walked to the vending machine to buy her favorite drink.

Based on her current state, that surely shook her to her core. Possibly, it’s the first time someone blocked her like that which broods a sense of helplessness in her head. For sure, she recognized that she was more or less trapped there. If I didn't arrive at the last second, the horse dude would find no trouble dragging her with them no matter how brave she presented herself to be.

Of course, with the authorities already alerted, they would be stopped right away. Just that, the impact of that incident had already hit her.

“I thought I was imagining things when I caught sight of you earlier. Did you get bored skipping class and spending your time in your school so you chose to come here?” As I pressed the button, picking the root beer from the myriad of choices, I opened the conversation that way.

From the corner of my eyes, I noticed her flinching a little. My voice as well as the sound of the canned drink falling to the hatch served to be the flint that sparked her mind back to life.

It was successful but the goofball wasn’t that great at acting. She lifted her head and forced a chuckle.

“Y-yeah. It’s a rare occasion, why not? My butt is hurting from sitting near that tree and slipping inside the infirmary.”

Upon saying that, she turned her head away. The ribbon that Matsuri gifted to her was still decorating her hair. Thanks to that, her exposed ear gave me more detail of how embarrassed she was at the moment. Maybe she’s ashamed that I’ve seen her in that state or she still couldn’t get past the way I called her ‘babe’. But let’s not bring that up yet.

Anyway, I know that given time, she’ll return to being the same silly goofball. Talking to her like this is already showing its effect in tearing down the incident from her mind.

I picked up the drink and walked back to where she was seated. Taking the open space beside her, I pressed the cold can of root beer against her cheek.

Almost instantly, the girl shuddered and flung herself to the other side of the bench. Then with pursed lips, she complained, “Guh. What’s wrong with you, Ruki? If you’re going to give me that, hand it normally.”

Rubbing her cheek with her palm, she tried to stave off the cold that stuck with it. Then she sheepishly rolled her eyes.

I couldn’t help but shake my head inwardly. This girl is really amusing. This should be our second time meeting but the sense of familiarity I could feel from her was already on the level of how I acted around Sumire and Umi.

“I am handing it to you. Guess who’s not paying attention?” I smirked and stretched my arm holding the can to her.

Watching her deliberate whether to take it or not was a joy in itself. At least, she’s returning to her goofball mindset. Right?

Hanabi snarled at me as she put down her bag. Then with a stinging gaze directed at my mug, she grabbed the can with both hands.

Unfortunately for her, she couldn’t pull it out of my grasp with my grip holding it tight.

“Psh. I’ll bite your hand if you don’t let go.”

“Oh, really? Alright then. Bite me.” Without missing a beat, I swiftly replied, edging closer to her.

Not liking the sudden closeness, she once again turned her head away. But at the same time as that, she gave the can another tug using all her might. At this instance, I loosened my hold which instantly resulted in the girl almost tumbling off the edge of the bench.

Even before her sharp ‘Kyaa’ escaped her mouth, my reflexes already kicked in as I gave chase after her.

Although not the same as earlier, my arm hooked around her waist, grabbing her tightly so as to prevent her from falling. However, with this, the distance between us became virtually nonexistent.

I didn’t think much of it at first but when she started turning red from her neck upwards, I quickly let go of her and restored our distance.

Scratching my cheek, I bowed my head slightly, “Sorry. I don’t know what came over me but I can’t help but tease you.”

She’s not Matsuri. Why am I acting like this with her? Well, I could say that I’m interested in her but I guess… I was also being influenced by my desire.

However, this shouldn’t be the time for it.

“You’re pardoned if you open this for me,” Hanabi replied as she stretched her arm holding the can to my side.

Moreover, she did not stop there. Before I knew it, I could already feel the same cold feeling on my cheek.

Yep. She took her chance to enact her revenge. As I turned to face her, a more genuine chuckling was produced by her as she dropped the can on my hand.

“Serves you right, no? Geez. You’ve been impolite to your senior, Ruki.”

“I believe we already removed that distinction between us, senpai. But it’s fine. It’s my fault for teasing a scaredy cat. Are you fine now?”

I opened the can and took a sip from it before handing it back to her.

“Hey! Who said you can take a sip?! This boy. Still disrespectful. Hmph.” Although she said that, she still grabbed the can and gulped down a mouthful of it.

When she’s done, Hanabi’s face crumpled into a frown. She overdid it. If that’s ice cream, she’d probably get a brain freeze from it. Lucky her.

I placed my hand on her back, rubbing it gently, “Slow down. The root beer won’t escape from your grasp. Anyway, you didn’t answer me, babe.”

As though I stepped on a landmine, Hanabi almost blew what was in her mouth when I finished that sentence.

Of course, that’s intentional on my part to see this kind of reaction to her… Ugh. I apologized for teasing her but here I am again, matching her goofiness. Well, what’s done is done. Let’s just wing it from here.

After a few seconds of forcing herself to empty her mouth by gulping that mouthful of root beer down, Hanabi gasped for her breath as she glared at me.

Then, dropping the can on her side, she grabbed me by my collar as she hissed, “Who are you calling, babe? And yes, I’m fine now! Thanks to you, babe!”

As spiteful as that sounded, I couldn’t help but chuckle at that reaction. Moving my hand from her back to her head, I started patting her simultaneously as I replied, “Great. That’s all I need to hear. I’ll leave you to your devices now that you’re good. Be aware of your surroundings, okay?”

Upon saying that, I slowly inched away, extracting myself from her.

Not expecting that response, Hanabi blinked her eyes in confusion as she watched my movements.

A moment later, her forehead creased as she chased after me, “What the?! Where are you going? Are you leaving me here? Wait… I haven’t asked yet but why are you here?!”

Barraging me with questions out of haste, the girl failed to notice that she was already about to pin me down.

Thankfully, I still outclassed her when it comes to strength so it didn’t come to that. However, we still got into a pretty daring position.

With her whole body leaning against me, the desperation in her voice was clearly conveyed.

“Which one should I answer first?” I asked as I attempted to stabilize our position.

At this point, the girl realized what she had done. Hanabi slowly deflated like a balloon. As her face gradually reddened, she headbutted my shoulder and stuck herself on me.

“I… I don’t know. You choose but don’t go yet. Those guys… they’re still around, right?”