Stealing Spree

When I asked who among them was not in school yet, these three were the ones who answered in a heartbeat. Aika and Hiyori were together. With what happened last week wherein the latter almost used her allowance for an impulsive buying of idol merchandise, the former started taking care of her, not just with lunch food but also coming in to pick the girl up.

As for Ririka, the girl was always busy making costumes as a hobby and even though I didn’t ask her to do so, the girl was preparing clothes or costumes for me to use as a disguise. She had just finished another one last night so… she also went to school a little later than normal.

There’s also Elizabeth who wanted to rush out despite already arriving inside their campus. Fortunately, Yukari was there to prevent her or else, whoever’s manning the school gate would scold the girl. Well, like I planned, I could soon find time to go and meet them after school.

At the moment, I was once again disguised with another hairstyle and round-rimmed glasses. I also removed the coat of my school uniform just to give me a different look than earlier.

Somehow, they wanted to get the image of a nerdy bookworm. However, upon seeing my confident posture in front of them after that little makeover, the three girls’ eyes turned heart-shaped as they squealed in concert, making those geezers by the river give us weird looks.

According to them, I somehow took the image of an intellectual that wasn’t afraid to debate anyone. And by holding my coat by whipping it to my back, that added more cool points for them.

In the end, I just had to get along with the three by maintaining that posture as we decided to go and walk them to their school.

Hiyori took my left side and clung to my arm. Ririka was on my right, mesmerized at how I look as she kept mumbling, ‘Cool~’ and ‘Ruki is so cool~’.

Aika settled next to Hiyori, her arms raised to the back of her head as she walked alongside us.

Ah. Right. There’s also a costume in a large paper bag held by Ririka. However, it’s not for my disguise. It’s for cosplaying. Something she picked for me to wear for the convention I promised to accompany her.

She finished the garment a little early, but there are still a lot of things needed, like a wig and accessories to go along with it. In any case, she wanted me to wear it later and send her the photo. That way, she could still adjust it if there’s something wrong.

Anyway, as much as we wanted to spend time with each other more, that’s fairly impossible this morning unless we decide to skip a class or two.

For now, they said that this was enough for them… The fact that I went to see them was already a reason for them to be happy and content.

Although that sounded a little sad considering they’re also my girlfriends, I didn’t voice it out. Instead, I took out the presents I prepared for them. Since I kept the information about it a secret, they were genuinely surprised upon seeing it. And before I knew it, not only it put another beautiful smile on their lips, but also tears of joy flowed down their pretty faces.

Even at this moment, there’s a little red lining below their eyes that would be noticeable if someone focused on them.

“Uh… Hear this, Ruki. Hiyori was eyeing idol merchandise again!” As we walked along the road to their school, Aika, as the first to recover from crying earlier, started off the conversation, a huge grin plastered on her lips. Clearly, she’s trying to tease the girl sticking close to me.

And she’s successful to gain a reaction. Hiyori flinched and she appeared panicky.

“E-eh. I’m only looking, sister Aika. Don’t tell Ruki, I’m going to be scolded again.”

“Too bad, I already said it. Also, are you forgetting that you’re clinging to him?”

“Uhh… Ruki, don’t scold me. I will not be impulsive again.” The girl looked up at me, and she’s about to cry again.

Should I scold Aika instead? Wait. I have a better idea.

“I know, don’t worry. Aika is just teasing you. Get back at her by teasing her back. Let’s see, say it like this…” I patted her head before leaning down to whisper in her ears.

While whispering a secret word that would surely garner a reaction from Aika, I intentionally grinned and stared at her.

And seeing that, Aika’s eyes widened. She was about to stop me, but it was all too late as Hiyori already absorbed the piece of knowledge that I passed onto her.

While poking her cheek as though she’s contemplating whether it would be effective or not, Hiyori turned her head to Aika.

“… Sister Nyaika?”

Upon hearing that, Aika reacted the same way as Hiyori when she mentioned the idol merchandise.

She flinched and widened her eyes. She then appeared panicky as she ran in front of me, stopping our steps and hitting my chest lightly.

“Y-you! Take that back. Ruki, you told me not to tell anyone about it.”

I intentionally issued a whistle before shrugging my shoulders. “Well, Hiyori isn’t just anyone… Besides, you’re cute that way, my Nyaika.”

“Nyaa! I hate you, Ruki!”

“See that, it came out naturally. Aika and her cat-like behavior.”

Hiyori and Ririka who were watching at my side burst into laughter as they watched Aika seethe in cat-like rage.

With her face quickly turning red, Aika puffed her cheeks and tried to run off.

However, it’s not even 100-meter when stopped her feet, turned around and ran back to us. She didn’t put a break this time, so I quickly moved to catch her in my arms.

“Idiot Ruki.”

“Mhm. But Aika, you started it.”

“I really hate you.”

“Really? I’m going to be sad if you do.”

“Of course, that’s a joke! I love you, idiot.”

And with that, we resumed our walk to their school. The ‘nyaa’ incident remained in both Hiyori and Ririka’s mind though. And they kept giggling as they watched the girl rub her cheek on my chest like a cat.

Anyway, although there were one or two students walking by the road, they were in a hurry to reach the school, not bothering to look at us. They possibly wanted to socialize with their classmates.

That’s why our walk before reaching the main street to their school became rather relaxing for all of us.

“Oh right. Before I forget. Ririka, stop staying up too late at night. You also have your midterms coming up, right?”

“… But.”

“No buts. Last night if I didn’t call you, were you planning to stay up all night?”

“… N-no.”

“That stuttering says you’re lying.”

“Uh… Only when I failed to finish. But I did finish it right after you called.” Ririka confessed and hung her head low.

“I see. Then I won’t scold you anymore. You know how much of a worrywart I am… I always worry about every little thing when it comes to all of you.”

“Uhm… I understand, Ruki. I’ll put on an alarm. You know I tend to not notice the time when I’m working.” Ririka answered as she quickly pulled out her phone and configured the alarm in it.

Once she’s done, she showed it to me with a pleased expression.

“That’s great. Now, I’m relieved.” I met that with a pleasant smile and patted her head.

A few minutes later, we reached their school and… although reluctant, the three girls walked inside their campus.