Stealing Spree

Early Friday morning, right after I sent Akane to school and met up with Hiyori outside, I received an email. Without needing to check its sender, I already expected who it came from.

Shinohara Hana.

It’s Friday and based on the photo of the ticket she sent me a few days ago, she’s going back to this country today. Or maybe later this day because of the different time zones.

In any case, I settled myself on the train first before checking it. As soon as I opened it and checked its contents, I couldn’t help but chuckle a bit.

That girl… she’s probably always thinking of different methods on how to steal me. That’s not just admirable but also adorable of her. Too bad though, she’d fail. That’s a certainty.

The subject of the email reads like this, “Finally coming home to steal you. Get ready, Ruki.”

Hana also attached a photo of herself with the airport as her background. She’s traveling alone. Will she be fine?

Oh, wait. She’s probably experienced enough to do so.

The girl in the photo was wearing a black frilly dress, contrasting her vibrant expression and joyful smile. Perhaps, if it’s a video instead, I’d probably see her giggling excitedly while spinning. That’s something the girl did before, after all. During that field trip, when we walked along the beach close to sunset.

Continuing on the other content of her email, the girl also wrote another absurd thing.

“The plane will leave in an hour. And the trip will be at most half a day. Can I come straight to your adress?”

Half a day, huh? That’s too long of a trip. Anyway, what does she mean by that? Come straight to my address? Didn’t they have a house of their own?

Not knowing what to reply at first, the train reached the first station before I started typing. That’s close to ten minutes.

“I appreciate you updating me on this, Hana. But why? Why our house and not yours?”

Not even a minute after sending my reply, Hana responded immediately.

Well, she said that it will leave in an hour. She has less than an hour to exchange emails with me because she still has to check in and board the plane. And once she’s inside, it will be difficult or almost impossible to reply anymore.

Looking back to the past few days, the girl didn’t bother me at all. With that, I’m feeling generous to give her my time of the day until this train arrives at my destination.

At least, until our conversation still makes sense.

“Oh. Did I forget to tell you? Rather than live on my own at our old house, I’m thinking if it’s possible to start living with you right away. Can I?”

What the…

Is she being serious right now?

No. Knowing the girl who’s like me who seldom jokes, most of what came out of her mouth was serious. And based on what she wanted to do, it’s not really that unbelievable for her to do it.

However, I haven’t given her permission to do so. Besides, it’s not my house. I can’t just let her stay without informing my parents. And if she’s going to remain in this country long enough to finish high school, it will be problematic if I just let her stay.

That’s why, after thinking for a while, I replied accordingly, “You can’t. Hana, there are limits to what you can do. I’m still being lenient and don't even want to shut you down completely. Let’s say I’m still interested in you but that doesn’t mean I can give in to everything.”

“Heh, such an expected answer coming from you, Ruki. They’re that important to you.”

“That’s obvious. Are you going to stay here?”

“Yes. I can’t steal you if I have to go back so soon. A relative already processed my papers. Who knows? I’ll show up at your school on Monday.”

“Girl, don’t you think it’s pretty obvious that what you mentioned will definitely happen?”

“My… I can’t keep a secret from you, it seems.”

This girl… She’s deliberately acting like this.

“Yeah, right. Whatever your plan is, make sure not to cause too much trouble. You know me, Hana. I won’t stop at nothing.”

“I disagree. You can stop at something, Ruki. You’ll never force yourself on someone. That much I know. You still have your principles even if you’re that broken.”

She sent another email even before I could reply. It’s now no different than a chat box with the frequency of our messages.

“No matter, I’m as flawed as you anyway. I may try to be hostile to get you back but I also know my limits. What I chose to do won’t be easy, I know that. I lost a lot of time. I should’ve returned months ago and taken the headstart. Now, I’m the one lagging behind. Or more like, late to the party.”

Even through texts, her words sounded full of her lamentations. It’s kinda but that’s how it is. She’s late. Terribly so.

Nonetheless, I doubt even if she returned earlier, with my mindset remaining as someone who only moves for my desire, there’s no way she could get me back.

After I responded to it normally, our conversation continued. Naturally, we veered away from that topic.

Somehow, I found myself acting like a worried parent to his daughter who was going back from a long trip. I told her to check everything before boarding and even asked her to tell me when she arrived.

When the girl pointed that out, I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. It once again reminded me how I am still drawn to her. If only she can change her mind about going against the current flow, it will not be this troublesome.

Soon enough, we exchanged our last emails. I arrived at my destination and the girl was going to board the plane. In the end, I just told her not to come unannounced and she definitely could not live with me. Perhaps I should inform my mom about her. Whether or not she’s aware of the girl’s past with me, I might be able to hear her insight, expanding my choices on how I would deal with the girl.

With that, I cleared my mind of any lingering thoughts about Hana once I left the station and started making my way to our school.

Minutes after I arrived at our classroom, Mina peeked her head from outside our classroom, clearly looking for me. Since I already greeted my girls and there were still a few minutes before the 1st period, I went to check on the girl.

As soon as she saw me approaching, my tea girl’s expression lit up and she smiled beautifully. But then, as if remembering something, she bashfully lowered her head and pulled me out of the room.

I wonder what this is about? She has my number. She can easily send me a message. Is it because she wants to see me? Possible.

The girl dragged me outside the School Building, passing by numerous students that were still flooding in from outside. Once we arrived inside the Club Building and away from most eyes, the girl finally faced me and told me the purpose of her visit.

Mina moved her hand from my wrist to my hand, filling the gaps of my fingers with hers. And while exuding her happiness, she looked up again with a wide grin on her lips, “Shameless guy.”

Alright. That’s adorable.

“What’s up? Did you miss me?”

“Of course not!” So, she said but her body language and facial expressions were saying otherwise. She’s rubbing her legs and trying her hardest not to jump in my embrace.

That’s why to help her ease her mind, I took the initiative, pulling her in my embrace before dragging her to the nearest empty room.

Once inside, I quickly made my move, pressing her back against the wall and taking her lips after lifting her chin.

Without any more words exchanged between us, the girl’s tensed shoulder relaxed and every apprehension in her mind was released.

For the next few minutes, I spoiled the girl, satisfying her longing for me. And that’s the same for me. Mina was just too lovely today.

Anyway, while still clinging to me, Mina finally remembered the other purpose for her visit to my classroom.

“Right, pervert Ruki, Haru asked me to bring you to the clubroom. Mutsumi-senpai is here. She wants to see you.”