Stealing Spree

“I’m glad you picked up this time. You just made my day.” As soon as I picked up the call, Hana’s clear, cheerful and seemingly reinvigorated voice graced my ear.

Even though it’s impossible to see her face yet, my mind still perfectly pictured the girl’s usual, angelic smile. The one she only used while we were together. The smile she shows in public could be called perfect but that’s devoid of any of her

Now that I think about it, apart from her smiles, I seldom see her with different expressions… She could blush and be flustered whenever we’re kissing each other and also… I could only recall a few times when she became upset, annoyed, or sad. And those were all because of me.

“I made your day, huh? Girl, haven’t you learned your lesson yet?”

“What lesson are you talking about?”

“I cut you off without regard. If it’s you, there’s no reason to be this fixated on me.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Mhm… I’ve never been good to you. If you’re doing this to get back at me… Hana, I can apologize. Before associating with me again… think about what kind of situation you’re getting into.”

It sounded like the same script that I told my girls before taking them in. Regardless, I feel like it’s something I ought to say as a reminder of sorts even if… no one really heeded it.

Upon hearing that, Hana hummed quietly before saying in an unconvinced tone. “Uh-huh. Ruki. Didn’t I mention that I’m going to steal you? You’re going to be mine alone. Regardless of your situation, you’ll be mine in the end.”

Another miss. She easily brushed away that reminder. The girl surely made up her mind even before contacting me…

Not waiting for me to respond, Hana continued, “And you’re definitely forgetting something. Though you beat me through your letter, I’m the one who noticed you first. Not the other way around. You, mister, caught my eye and I haven’t forgotten about you since… Besides, do I need a reason to love somebody? Don’t underestimate a maiden’s heart.”

She noticed me first, huh? Regrettably, I’m not sure if that’s true or not… In my mind, the connection started when I slipped the paper into her bag.

Anyway, even though Hana sounded a little humorous at the end, there’s no doubt that she’s resolute about this.

No matter what I say next, she’s not going to change her mind. She’s going to make an attempt to steal me…

“Alright. You’re correct. If you already decided on doing this, dissuading you is out of the question…”

“Finally, you get it. You have doubts about my reason, I’ll give you that but like you, I can only convey that when we meet again. Presently, I can only be this vague to stimulate your mind, to make you remember everything about me.”

I see. So, this is why she’s being this persistent, huh? It’s totally effective.

A while later, Akane and Miho, who were listening in on our conversation, stepped forward.

Akane was intrigued by our conversation. Or specifically to what Hana has to say. Nonetheless, it’s easily noticeable that the silly girl was gnashing her teeth, seemingly provoked.

If I had to guess, the girl couldn’t stand Hana’s confident disposition. It’s understandable, really. She’s probably comparing herself to the girl… Perhaps, in her mind, she found herself weaker than Hana because, in the end, she never cured me of my desire. She only became one of the many girls important to me.

On the other hand, Miho crossed her arms and stared down in contemplation.

Right as soon as she noticed that our conversation reached a standstill, she asked me for the phone.

To talk to the girl and give Hana her piece of mind.

We conversed wordlessly through our eyes and looking at her determined expression, I handed it to her.

She’s my girlfriend while Hana isn’t. No matter how one looks at it, it's normal behavior on her part. And likewise, Akane who put away the fire in her eyes stood next to Miho.

The two decided to converse about the looming ‘threat’ in our relationship.

“Hi, Shinohara. I’ll be taking over my boyfriend’s phone.” Miho's lips curved up, declaring that boldly. “From now on, if you want to talk to him, say it in one sentence. She’s not the same Ruki that you remembered. Also, do refrain from sending packages. You’re not going to succeed in what you’re trying to accomplish. And mark my words… Ruki isn’t someone you can steal. Either join us or scram, do you understand?”

After declaring all that, Miho puffed her chest out, hooked her arms on mine, and smiled proudly.

“Great!” Akane exclaimed at the side, also showing pride at how her sister acted in front of their adversary. And copying the girl, she pressed herself on me.

Even if Hana couldn’t see them, they established their positions and flaunted them to her.

For sure, even if Miho isn’t here with us, she’s probably the one who’s going to talk to Hana. To establish their presence.

It’s not good that I’m only the one talking to Hana after that declaration, after all. They wouldn’t be sitting ducks when some other girl was trying to steal their man.

Anyway, I didn’t find any problem with what Miho did… In fact, I’m kind of proud that they did this instead of waiting for me to solve it. I’m looking forward to what they’re going to do next.

And seeing that they pressed themselves to me like some kind of statement, I naturally answered in kind. Feeling their soft, squishy body firmly pressed to me, I hooked my arms to their waist and lowered my head to kiss both of them.

A gesture to show that I’m proud of them.

Mhm… Indeed, Hana has occupied my mind ever since yesterday. However, weighing her over my girlfriends, there’s no contest to it. She’d lose spectacularly.

Besides, I still stood by my words that if ever Hana harmed any of them, I’m not going to make it easy for her.

A while later, Hana finally responded to Miho. However, it’s not what we expected.

The girl’s voice was… dismissive, uninterested even.

“Is that all? If so, can you give the phone back to Ruki?”

“Haven’t you heard—”

With a vein popping on her forehead, Miho snapped. But before she could finish it, Hana’s dismissive tone continued.

Unlike when she’s talking with Chii yesterday, the girl seemed really uninterested in the other girls.

“I heard you. Even so, I don’t really care about what you think. All of you accepted the situation. I get it. All of you are scared to lose him so you settled into that pitiable situation of sharing him. But that’s not the case for me. I’ll show you. I’m going to win him over.”

Pumped by that extremely confident remark by Hana, both Miho and Akane rolled their eyes before smirking.

Being this close to them, I picked up on their fighting spirit soaring through the skies.

“Looks like I’m worried for nothing. If you’re like this. You’re just an ignorant girl. Husband will never be stolen by you.” That’s Akane. She even clicked her tongue in disappointment. “I admire your confidence. That’s extraordinary. Someone also declared that she wants Ruki for herself. Guess what happened? She’s now one of us… She’s just stubbornly holding onto her belief that one day… All of us will leave Ruki. Unfortunately, that’s never gonna happen.”

“Yes. If you think we settled into a pitiable situation, you’re clearly ignorant about what’s going on. You’ll fail.” Supplementing Akane’s words, Miho ended that with the same remark.

To give their statement more impact, the two girls led me upstairs where we ended up in our bedroom.

Yep… Their plan is clear as day. Letting Hana hear us while we’re in our most intimate moment.

The gift or package could wait for later, I guess? Not that I’m curious about its content. Only a little.