Stealing Spree

Hearing Yue’s voice and seeing the lovely expressions she was making, another chunk of my fatigue just magically got washed away. If not for our current physical distance, I probably would’ve run over to her right away.

Unfortunately, she’s at the heart of this country. And honestly, the girl was busier than me when it came to her appointments. I could properly manage my time but that girl had no choice but to appear in various programs, go to rehearsals, and practice her singing skills – and maybe dancing as well.

Just hearing how she could only truly relax on her off days, it’s making me lament my inability to not be there for her as a support. The least I could do for her was this; answering her call and making sure to support her through it.

I know. I’m an asshole for thinking about this. I mean, I’m the one who told her to continue even though she’s willing to drop everything just to be with me.

How laughable.

Nevertheless, I won’t ever regret that decision.

Ah. Enough about being gloomy over that. It’s not like we’ve lost any sort of contact. In fact, even with nothing to talk about, we’re always in contact through this phone.

If someone would go through our message history, they’d find how it’s filled with Yue’s voicemails. It’s now becoming a habit for her to send those whenever she can get free time. And that didn’t stop even when I told her about the camp and how I wouldn’t be able to check on it for more than a day.

When I opened it earlier, there were more than 30 voicemails from her, documenting what she did yesterday and today. She even included how she ran out of shampoo this morning.

In a way, that felt like she was trying to cope with our currently insurmountable distance. But like she said... Come Monday and we can see each other again...

Even if the purpose of that trip will be for the recording of their song... I’d tag along just to spend time with the girl and stave off her longing for me even if it’s just a little bit.

Anyway, the call with Yue continued even after the train arrived at my destination. And like before, she accompanied me as I went over to the shops to buy something for Fuyu.

I thought of getting her favorite cake again but the pastry shop had already closed and there were no other sweet alternatives other than donuts.

When I entered the shop, the girl on the other side of the phone raved over her sudden cravings for it.

That’s why once I exited the shop, I asked her if she also wanted one. Since it’s already possible to buy someone a treat even if they’re miles away from you, I could certainly do it for Yue as well.

I got my pay for my part-time job and I even have a lot of excess from what I looted from Ichihara’s thugs. Buying my girl a luxury dessert was naturally within the realm of possibility.

Understanding that, Yue didn’t hold back from listing everything she wanted to eat. It’s fairly entertaining to listen to her talk about her cravings. It goes to show how much she’s limiting herself. But in the end, she still settled on the same-flavored donuts she saw in the shop.

Honestly, even if she’s a bit sly in hiding her real intentions, I remembered why she loved those.

“Clever girl, are you testing me if I still remember the day we shared those donuts back then?”

“What’s the need to test, Ruki? You remembered, of course.” Yue answered while snickering. Even with the dimness of light in her room, her cheek visibly turned pinkish as she looked like she was remembering that day.

“Yeah. I did honestly forget about it or rather, it got buried in my memories. But hearing you point and rave at that donut made it resurface. Was it the day you came to me crying about that bastard?”

Right. There was that moment before. I’d already stolen her but at the time, she probably hadn’t fallen for me yet. She got into an argument with her ex and when we met later that day, she was complaining and crying to me about him. I couldn’t remember the reason but I remembered comforting her that day, perhaps thinking I could pull her further to my side for the sake of my desire. But that didn’t work so I brought her to a donut shop to eat away her frustration.

Following that day, she became more open to me. Maybe it’s one of the turning points that eventually made her fall in love with me.

“I’m not crying about him! I’m only complaining because he can’t take a hint! Ugh... I love the donut that day and the face you made when looking at me stuffing myself with it.”

“Yeah. You looked like a squirrel hiding a bunch of acorns in your mouth.”

“Hey! But you said I’m adorable that way.”

“Indeed... That’s why I brought you home after that, no?”

“... Yes.”

With her voice turning soft, she’s surely remembering everything we did that day.

Mhm... She’s really pretty and adorable like this.

I continued teasing her for a while longer before ending our call when I reached the street where the Fuyu household was located.

As for the donuts, instead of using an app to have it delivered right to her doorstep, I contacted her manager, Kaoru-san, for help. That’s the safest way to protect a celebrity like her, after all. We can’t have paparazzi finding out where she lives.

Although I got reprimanded for contacting her late at night, she didn’t turn down my request to buy those for Yue.

With that done, I set my sights in front of me.

-

-

“Ruki-nii-chan!”

“Huh? You’re still awake, Fubuki-chan.”

“Hehe. I heard you’re coming to pick up Akane-nee-chan. I can’t sleep yet.”

I didn’t have to push their doorbell. As soon as I arrived in front of their gate, it swung open with little Fubuki charging at me again.

But as though she remembered my reminder from last time, she stopped before she crashed into me.

Looking proud at how she did it, the mischievous little girl grinned while doing a peace sign. As always, she’s a bundle of energy. But like I said, given the time, shouldn’t she be sleeping already?

I looked up and saw Fuyu standing there with an awkward and apologetic smile. The girl looked homely with her blouse and shorts with a jacket on top to protect her shoulders. And honestly, she’d probably look great no matter what she wears.

“This... I’m sorry, Onoda-kun. That girl is the most excited when she hears you’re coming.”

I shook my head, stopping her before she could complete her bow of apology before handing what was in my hand to Fubuki.

“You don’t have to apologize, Yuuki-san. And Fubuki-chan. Here.”

“Wow! What’s this? Donuts? Thank you Nii-chan!”

Yep. She’s still a kid who’d be excited for treats like that. Although I said I bought it for Fuyu, the girl would still share it with her family anyway. And with this, it should’ve been enough to deal with the mischievous little fox.

“Share it with your parents and Nee-chan, okay?”

“Yes!”

After nodding vigorously as though she couldn’t wait to eat those, the girl ran back inside.

Watching her little sister’s receding back, Fuyu shook her head while I stepped forward to approach her.

“Once again, I apologize for the trouble, Yuuki-san. Is Akane still preparing?”

“O-oh... No. She’s inside. She said I should bring you in first.”

“That silly girl... But will it be fine? Your parents are in, right?”

“I think so? It won’t be a problem. They know you’re coming.”

This... They know, huh? Are they waiting for me like Fubuki? Am I going to be grilled for making a move on their daughter when it’s clear that I’m Akane’s boyfriend?

Hopefully not.