Stealing Spree

Detestable. Hearing how Akane described that idea as such, I seriously pondered the underlying meaning of it.

Unfortunately, I still failed to do so. Even though I recognized that I wouldn’t be able to execute that idea, I still think that it’s something that could help me.

I would surely follow whatever schedule I came up with. By doing so, I could divide my time with everyone and not only favor those closer to me, physically.

Was what she pertained to as detestable the possibility of me not following the scheduled plan?

No. Akane would’ve easily pointed it out without reacting strongly. It’s something that she believed all of my girls would also feel detestable.

Her back was still turned to me and just based on her cracking voice, she’s about to cry.

Why did I have to be so dumb this time? I could hatch plans and concoct schemes but understanding something that made my special girl angry was stupidly out of my reach…

I sighed defeatedly. My shaking hands pulled out my phone and followed what she said. To ask everyone the same thing and wait for their answers.

I thought of saying sorry for being insensitive. However, I had a hunch that the situation might just deteriorate completely if I did. It would be the same as guilt-tripping her.

The only solution here was to successfully realize what’s wrong with it.

A few moments later, their replies to that question were delivered.

I only needed to check on the preview of their messages to see that the result was what Akane expected.

Everyone promptly rejected and threw that idea into the bin. Some called me an idiot and a blockhead. I read each of their replies and even though they’re all in the form of texts, I could feel that they’d also be angry if ever they were next to me.

“Dumb-senpai, there’s a limit to being dumb… I’ll be angry if you do that.”

“Darling, you’re a big idiot! I’m not going to be happy if you fit me inside a schedule planner!”

Those are Ria and Aoi’s replies.

“Hubby, did you ask Akane the same question? If she got upset or angry. Expect me to feel the same. It’s a bad taste to bring up that idea.”

“I thought of replying yes as soon as possible. But, sweetie, I don’t like it. I’d rather not see you at all and just wait for when you’ll show up than for you to write your schedule on a detailed planner. But dates are another thing, I want us to plan it together.”

Those are Haruko and Yae’s replies.

Reading through those four replies, I was slowly becoming enlightened that it was truly such a detestable idea. Especially through Aoi and Yae’s reply.

Following that, Satsuki just straight-up cursed at me for being an idiot. Nami asked for confirmation if I ever thought that it’s going to be alright.

As I read more and more of their responses to that question. The headache caused by not knowing what’s wrong with it slowly eased up. The throbbing pain in my chest from seeing Akane being angry at me for the first time was somewhat relieved.

When I finished reading it all, I thanked all of them for their answers.

That’s it.

I finally understood why they hated it. Why Akane detested it and why I simply couldn’t comprehend it by myself.

Despite their desire to be with me, they didn’t want my everyday to only follow a scheduled plan. Even if I was fine following a set schedule to attend to them fairly and unbiasedly, they didn’t want to give me a life where every minute would be accounted for.

In the end, the root of it was their concern for me.

I sighed once more and turned off my phone. Silently, I approached the girl at the far end of the bed.

She felt me approaching and perhaps anticipated it.

By the time my arms slipped from her side and put her in another tight embrace, Akane exhaled as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulder. While maintaining my silence, I pressed my nose to her nape and inhaled her wonderful fragrance, calming myself down.

Through my actions and silence, Akane also understood that… I realized my foolishness. Though slightly ticklish, Akane lifted her arm to press me closer to her.

In this way, her anger and the stiffened pain I felt from that gradually melted away.

“…I’m sorry for being angry at you, husband.”

Minutes later, Akane dejectedly whispered, guilt spreading from her voice. Most likely, she thought that she reacted too over the top.

But if she didn’t do that, I would surely not realize what’s wrong with my mindset.

As an answer to that, I turned her face to my and shook my head, wordlessly telling her that she didn’t have to do that. Following that, I pressed my lips on hers.

Minutes later, we both drifted off to sleep, leaving behind that idea and never bringing it up again when morning arrived.

“I’ll be off then. See you later.”

After checking on Minoru and spending a bit of time with Miwa-nee, Akane was once again seeing me off at the front door.

It’s 8 am and I’m already dressed for my meeting with Mina.

“Un. Take care, husband. Meet us near the gym later, I’ll be bringing your change of clothes for your part-time job.” Akane flashed a refreshing smile at me as always. Her expression was as gentle and loving as before.

The matter of last night was already gone in our heads or so, I thought. But it’s just a matter of us not bringing it up once more.

“Alright. You too. Call me anytime you miss me. Also, send my regards to Yuuki-san and the other two.”

Like me, Akane also has somewhere to go later after lunch. Apparently, the same as us last week, they’re going to hold a cleanup drive on the river near their school. And after that, she promised her three best friends to hang out with them.

At first, the two with boyfriends suggested taking their boyfriends with them, and that included me as Akane’s boyfriend. But with Fuyu as the only single soul in their group, the girl opted out leading for that suggestion to be shelved.

Nonetheless, hearing Akane start to go and hang out with them again was something I really welcomed. Ever since the day I accepted her and brought her home with me, she’s always prioritizing me. Like the other girls, I also want her to have her own private life. Not just being tied with me.

My possessiveness over her might be a hindrance but thankfully, it’s not acting as strongly as before. The trust that we all built up for each other had long been established. My only worry is that I hope I can always be there to protect them from anything. Regrettably, that’s impossible.

“Anytime, you say? What about now? I miss you already.” Akane showed a teasing smile but her last sentence was surely genuine.

“Then come here and kiss me. Do you think you’re the only one? I will also miss my wife, you know?”

“Is that lip service?”

“You’re aware I seldom do that. But as you can see—”

“Hep! Stop right there, mister! Whatever you’re going to say, I don’t want to hear it.” Akane dashed forward, embraced me and put a finger on my lips to stop me from talking. “I haven’t met Mina yet and she’s not in the group chat. However, I trust my husband’s eye on girls. Let me borrow your words, we’re all special and wonderful, am I right?”

“Definitely.” I nodded and smiled before kissing her once more.