Stealing Spree

“Yoko-san, I apologize for this... It’s my fault that it took me this late to bring her home.”

Along with a sincere bow, that’s the first thing I said as soon as the tall, iron gate of the Fujii Mansion opened up to allow our entry.

As expected, Yoko-san was standing there, the same way that she did in the previous times. However, while her current expression couldn’t be any different from before, there was no denying the menacing aura around her. It felt like she was already beating me up inside her head for taking my precious time in sending Rae home.

On my side, the glasses girl was covering her mouth as she tried to hold back her laughter. I mean, the way we predicted this outcome was what Rae finds amusing. And after much deliberation while we were on the bus about what to do, apologizing right off the bat remained at the top.

Actually, when we sent a message to Yoko-san this morning, we included an exact time on when it would be. 8 o’clock.

So, why does she look mad?

Of course, it’s because it’s already half past 10 o’clock...

I arrived home from my part-time job a quarter before eight. Our dinner and everything that happened before it took more than half an hour. So just by that, we’re already late from the appointed time.

Then, there was also another hour wherein I spoiled all of them, without skipping anyone – not even Hana.

Afterward, I also walked the other girls who were with us on the bus right in front of their houses. It’s actually unfortunate that Rae’s house was the furthest among them. But at the same, it’s also a plus for the girl since she got me all to herself even if it’s just a few minutes.

And so... summing all that up, we were two and a half hours late from what we told her.

That’s why it’s not that strange for Yoko-san to feel like that.

All in all, starting from last night, in Yoko-san’s head, Rae was with me for more than 24 hours.

That’s why... after a few seconds of giving me the illusion of being doused in biting cold water, Yoko-san’s gaze landed on Rae. Her expression warmed as a hint of concern immediately occupied her previously cold expression.

Without responding to my apology, the Fujii Family’s maid and Rae’s older sister swiftly approached her while also swiping the bag containing Rae’s clothes from my hands.

“Hon-chan, you’re not hurt at all. Are you?” Holding Rae by her shoulder as she thoroughly inspected the girl, Yoko-san slipped out of her role of being the simple maid living with Rae. At the moment, she’s showing the emotion of the older sister expressing concern about the well-being of her little sister.

Having known the reason why Rae went to stay the night with me, it’s no surprise that it’s the first thing she’s going to ask. I had no idea if she already experienced it, however, it’s not really foreign knowledge that the first time will often be painful for women.

Although that made Rae blush because it made her remember our intimate moments last night, this morning, and before our trip home tonight, her response was a swift shake of her head followed by a reassuring smile, “Not at all. Ruki took care of me properly. If you saw his face last night, he’s the same as you, Yoko-nee. Very concerned that I would be hurting down here.”

At the end of it, Rae even giggled as she took a jab at me. Nonetheless, looking at how she’s smiling, she’s also remembering my possibly idiotic expression as I concernedly look after her.

In any case, despite Rae’s assurance, Yoko-san took a moment to acknowledge it. She had to make sure, after all.

She sighed in relief before throwing me a side glance. Perhaps just her way to implicitly warn me that she won’t forgive me if ever I hurt Rae. I guess that’s the product of her terrible first impression of me.

“I see... So, you really did it.”

“Un... I don’t regret any of it. I love him a lot and as you can see... He’s the same. Yoko-nee doesn’t have to worry at all. If anything, I believe he’s the last person who’ll try to hurt me. No. I think hurting me will be the last thing to come to his mind. He’ll hurt himself first before doing that.”

With Rae showing her full trust as well as her overflowing affection for me, Yoko-san eventually bit her lips as she finally accepted my girl’s words.

She knew that no matter what happened, Rae would take my side. Besides, doubting Rae’s words was akin to not trusting her and surely, that’s something she won’t ever do. For her who probably lost almost everything, protecting Rae must’ve been her sole purpose for a few years by now.

After a while, Yoko-san soon turned around and started leading us inside the mansion. With Rae not letting go of my arm, I opted to come in and make sure to tuck my girl in her bed before going home.

On my way out, since she might think that I was just putting on an act in front of Rae, I apologized to Yoko-san one more time.

She accepted it but she also left a reminder for me, “I hope you can continue making Hon-chan happy, Onoda-sama...”

Yep. Even without ties of blood, she’s no doubt Rae’s older sister.

“I will. I also hope that I can turn that bad impression you have for me around.”

“Don’t bother. All that matters is Hon-chan’s happiness and well-being.”

Ending our conversation with that, the woman saw out of their gate. When I looked behind, she was bowing like a servant again until the gate closed shut.

After sending another message to Rae, I walked back to the bus stop to take my ride home.

Upon taking a seat inside the bus and checking on the messages sent by my girls who already arrived home safely, the accumulated fatigue from everything that happened today washed over me.

Before long, I found myself drifting into sleep along with the soft, beautiful voice of Yue and her song coming out from the earphones.

Thankfully, the bus driver woke me up when it reached my destination. I was his last passenger, after all.

Taking the last stretch back to our house while still sleepy, the girls who remained in the house; Haruko, Miyako, and Edel waited for me by the door.

Perhaps noticing my almost depleted energy, the three of them helped me climb the stairs and brought me into our room.

When Akane showed up with Ishida-senpai’s miraculous tea, I chugged it down in one gulp before laying down in our bed.

Mhm... There’s no doubt that my gas truly ran out. Because even if I tried to summon the last bit of my drifting consciousness to try and stay awake with my girls, the last thing I remembered doing was pulling all four of them close to me.

Before I fully blanked out, I heard their voices.

“Geez. Look at him exhausting himself like this.” That’s Haruko. I could imagine her shaking her head.

“We all know how husband is... All of us before himself. That’s how he operated ever since his change.” Obviously, that’s my silly wife. She’s not wrong on that. That’s now the case after my change. No matter what happened, I’ll always prioritize them before myself. Though that could earn me a scolding from them...

“His greed brought this upon him. What can I say though? He’s really doing his best for all of us... I’m loving him more like this. Ugh.” That’s Miyako, like Haruko, she’s probably shaking her head but that last line... I could imagine her beautiful smile. The one devoid of the burden she was carrying before.

“Uhm. Let us protect Ruki. The same way he’s protecting us...” And that’s my lovely koala, Edel. The same as before, she’s the one who occupied my top as she clings to me tightly as though she’s ready to shield me from any danger. Looks like she's also improving. Now, she not only sought comfort and security in my arms, but she also started reciprocating the protection she was receiving from me.

“Yes. We’re all aboard that boat, Edel-senpai. If his principle is putting all of us before himself... We’ll do it the other way around, it’s him before ourselves.”

Akane declared that before my consciousness started drifting away. Before long, I felt their soft lips landing on different parts of my face as they whispered their sweet goodnight.