Stealing Spree

An hour and a half later, the three of us finally reached the point where the mountain lodging was located.

It should be faster if not for our occasional rest to keep Minoru fully interested.

Well, after seeing nothing but trees and people who were also climbing up the mountain, the boy eventually got bored. Since his everyday life consisted of just pacing around our house or going out to play at the nearby park, his excitement only lasted for the first two hours. And that led Miwa-nee and me to think of a way to keep him interested.

To solve that, the first thing we did was to look for any interesting place or scenery to show the boy. Other than that, we’re stopping at every resting spot we pass by. Interact with the other hikers there – only the amicable ones – before going to the next.

This was different than when Akane and I brought the boy to the amusement park, after all. There, he could find a lot of interesting things with a turn of his head but here… aside from the experience and the cool sense of being at the heart of nature, there’s literally nothing a child like him could find interesting.

Technically, there is… if we let him do whatever he wanted to do, he’d find something that would take his interest. But considering the place, there’s no way we’d take our eyes off him or let him out of our grasp.

In any case, patience was proven enough. And now, we’re near our goal.

Stopping right in front of the arc leading to the mountain lodging, we spotted an attendant, each and every hiker passing by with a smile regardless of whether they were guests or not.

The attendant was also handing out hot drinks such as tea, coffee, or rice wine as part of their free service.

And because all of those were offered free, everyone who was about to reach the peak had delighted expressions on their faces. Their tired expressions disappear with the cool breeze.

Honestly, knowing that the lodging was reservation-based, they didn’t really need to do that to attract more customers. Perhaps, it was just their way to promote themselves and congratulate those who were about to succeed at reaching the mountain peak.

In my opinion, that’s a good stint in a business sense. Despite having the monopoly in this mountain – they really don’t have any competition -- they’re not strangling their customer services to reduce costs for more profits.

Maybe it’s the goodwill gesture of the owner, who knows?

Uh… What’s this? Looks like Mizuki’s lessons were already clicking on me somehow. To have come up with that kind of analysis right away, it seems the time she’s spending to teach me wasn't being wasted. I guess I'll update the girl about this later.

For now… I better enjoy this moment with the mother and son.

Soon enough, it’s our turn to get our free drinks. Not that I’m excited about it… but it’s the boy who’s looking forward to that.

They also had candies for kids, after all.

“There you go, eat it with your father.” The attendant said as she alternately looked at us.

“No. I’ll eat it with—” Before he could finish his words that would surely call me ‘Ru-nii’, I pulled the boy away, covering his mouth in the process.

Seeing that, Miwa-nee chuckled to get the attendant’s attention. “Thank you. We’ll be back after this. I believe we made a reservation.”

“Oh! Let me check.”

While the attendant turned around to check on their reservation list, I exchanged glances at Miwa-nee and raised my thumb.

Well, if Minoru suddenly called me Ru-nii, with some of the hikers here already acquainted with us, it would break the illusion we created that we’re a family of three.

Soon after confirming that her reservation was there, Miwa-nee rejoined us and we continued on our way.

The lodging would already prepare our cabin so… we just needed to return later and we’d all be set.

Although I said it’s already near the peak, it’s still a few hundred meters upwards. Furthermore, the land became steeper than earlier, making it harder for everyone to climb.

In which case, those who made the trail prepared something like ropes or ladders that could assist us.

Since I already rested enough, I put the boy on my back, carrying him all the way to the top.

Those seeing us were all smiles, really setting us as model father and son.

As much as I wanted to admit it, I liked that experience.

Good thing the boy’s mouth was already filled with candy, letting him no avenue to blurt out something he should not. And besides, since we’re reaching the top, the cover of the trees has started to dwindle, making it easier for us to see the sky as well as the breathtaking scenery from this high place.

The last hurdle was some kind of rock formation that we needed to climb. With only a single ladder or a rope to use to get up, I had Miwa-nee climb up first and handed Minoru to her before I used the rope to climb up.

It’s a meaningful exercise as well so I didn’t mind that.

As soon as I reached the top, I stood dazed at what lay before my eyes.

“Beautiful…” I involuntarily muttered as I stood near Miwa-nee. She then guided me forward, to see more of it.

Naturally, the peak had railings in place to prevent accidents or someone attempting to jump from there. In any case, even with those unnatural structures in place, the view was definitely something worth seeing once in your life.

Even if this was a beginner mountain, I never thought that I would one day climb here and see the world from up top.

“I know, right? This is what I want to show you… Even back then. Unfortunately, we got delayed for years because of circumstances…” Miwa-nee stood closer, her hands grasping mine. She already removed her thick gloves and she did the same on mine. In this way, we started feeling each other’s warmth as our fingers intertwined and our palms pressed against each other.

On the other hand, Minoru was also reveling in the sight, his eyes wide open as he stared at the blue sky and the clouds that were so close to us.

“Miwa-nee is already planning to…?”

That’s the first time I heard this. Although I know that this is her hobby, I never heard her planning to take me hiking with her back then.

“Yes. I was planning to take you and Akane with me back before everything went down… You two are always together, never wanting to separate from each other. That’s why… even if I only want to take you, I had no choice but to also include her in that plan.” Miwa-nee heartily laughed as she tried to recall what was on her mind years ago.

“Well, that’s just how we are since we’re toddlers…” I scratched my cheek awkwardly. “Anyway, I’m glad this still happened, Miwa-nee. With you here and Minoru, my feelings for the two of you just got reinforced… If you don’t come back soon, I will come and get you. Make us complete again.”

As I clasped her hand tighter, I conveyed what was on my mind. It’s inevitable that she’s going back to settle whatever she left behind there. But at the same time, I just couldn’t shake the thought of going there with her.

As a compromise… I would hold back that impulse for a month or so… If she hadn’t returned by then… I’ll do everything in my power to bring her back.

Even if that means I have to reveal everything about us…

Hopefully, it won't come to that...

“There you go again. I’m yours now, Ruki. I’ll always return to your side.” With a reassuring smile and the breathtaking view as a background, Miwa-nee pulled me even closer and pressed her lips on mine.

Partly ignoring the surprised Minoru, I returned it with passion, hugging them both tightly in the process.

Surely, the boy would ask questions soon but with this… Miwa-nee and I already wordlessly agreed to gradually tell him the truth…

Whether he would be able to accept that or not was still in the air but at least, it’s about time to come out in the open for his development in the future.