Stealing Spree

“Hey, are you free? Can we meet?”

Anzu-nee took up my suggestion of answering the phone call. Although I didn’t say exactly how I would help her, she trusted me enough to not question me about it at all.

She turned down the volume of the TV and put the call on loudspeaker mode.

So, there’s that. He’s asking her to meet, huh?

That's the first thing he said. There’s no explanation or anything. He just sprang up with that question right away like a dog who couldn't wait for its treats. He didn't even bother with pleasantries. Most likely, he immediately assumed that if Anzu-nee picked it up, it was more than likely that she’d agree to a meet-up.

What a fool.

If that’s the case, he might not be so weak-willed that he got stolen. The story that I've heard was incomplete as it was only Anzu-nee’s perspective. Not to mention, she also possibly bottled up a lot more than she told Eimi or me.

From that line alone, I could clearly tell that Anzu-nee was simply abandoned after he got seduced and jumped ship with that other woman.

Maybe there's not even a proper breakup, otherwise, Anzu-nee would be able to accept the turn of events better. She wouldn't be this hurt.

If my assumption is true, he's reaching out to Anzu-nee again because he grew out of the honeymoon phase with that other woman.

He’s already transitioned to explore his other options. One of those options is, not a surprise, getting Anzu-nee back who genuinely loved him.

That or he’s aiming to maybe juggle between them. I also won't be surprised if he has some other backups like another girl or two.

Guys, especially those like him who somehow got approached by another woman while still in a relationship, can often develop inflated egos. He must've been thinking that he's popular with women and he can score with anyone when in fact, he's nothing more than a turd pretending to be some hot shit. In short, he still stinks.

Although it’s not my place to criticize him like this since I am undoubtedly worse than him, it has to be mentioned. Or at least, brought up.

Nevertheless, I’m going to spare Anzu-nee from hearing that. She'll be able to figure it out herself, after all.

Shortly after, Anzu-nee glanced at me. Rather than reply to him, she decided to get my opinion first.

I told her to pick it up, after all. For sure, if I didn't tell her to do that, she wouldn't take the call.

Let's see. I said I'm going to help her. I better deliver and not disappoint her.

I contemplated for a moment before stretching my arm to her phone. Anzu-nee, understanding my intention, handed it to me with an intrigued look.

I put on a reassuring smile before whispering to her.

“Nee-san, how do you think he would act if he heard a guy answering?”

“Shocked.”

“Exactly. You see, I don't necessarily have to act like your new boyfriend. The shock value of hearing someone else when he's expecting you to answer him will be enough to send his mind into a spiral.”

“Un. What's next?”

“It depends. Do you want me to enact justice for you or just scare him away?”

“What's the difference?”

“Nothing much. They will just bring about differing results. Either way, both can bring you closure. Enough that you'll stop being gloomy because of him.”

I can steal that woman from him. Or I can ensure that he won't ever approach Anzu-nee again.

Of course, both won't be easily accomplished but if I put my mind to it… I believe I can do it.

Anzu-nee stared at me in disbelief. She's probably wondering why I sounded so confident right there.

But her thoughts were interrupted when the guy spoke again.

“Hello? Are you there?”

Look at how impatient he is. It's not even a full minute yet and he's already following up.

But I guess that's fair. He couldn't hear anything, after all.

Anzu-nee let out a sigh, “I can't let you carry that burden for me, Onoda-kun. You can scare him. Then let me do the rest when I meet him on campus one of these days.”

With brimming resolve, Anzu-nee declared as she squeezed my hand, conveying more of her thoughts through it.

“Alright. Leave it to me.”

In the end, it's probably her older sister's trait again not wanting to completely rely on me. On second thought, that's probably the most ideal choice here.

Rather than let her ‘little brother’ stand up for her. She's going to stand up for herself to make me proud of her.

Alright. I'm going to spoil her a lot when she succeeds.

But for now… I'll have to handle this in a way that will give her that chance.

Putting our attention back on the phone, I took one last look at Anzu-nee who was silently cheering for me. Seeing that, my arm that was still wrapped around her tightened, bringing her close to me.

Anzu-nee didn't resist it and simply let herself rest her back on me as she waited for what I was going to do next.

“Who is this? Where did you get this number?”

“W-wha… No, who are you?! I dialed the correct number. This should be Anzu’s…”

And there we go. That's a great start.

From the way he gasped, he never expected to hear a guy's voice.

He probably even paused and checked if he dialed correctly.

Anzu-nee giggled at his reaction. She's probably reveling at how dumbfounded that guy reacted.

“Yeah it's hers, what of it? Oh… I think I know you. But just in case you're not that prick who tossed her aside, tell me your name.

“Huh?! What prick?! Just… Give the phone to her, man. I don't know how you are related to her but let me talk to her.”

Ah. This guy. How is he so dumb? He admitted to being that prick himself.

I shook my head inwardly and changed my tone, “I see. You’re really that prick. She's asleep. Call her some other time.”

“...Asleep? Are you… together?”

“Man, I have no idea you're this dumb. No wonder. You're a ball-less piece of shit. ”

As I said that, Anzu-nee pinched my arm and put me under her reprimanding gaze. She didn't like my language.

But that has to be said. Although I rarely cursed openly, that guy had to be called out.

And sure enough, he didn’t take it that well.

“What the fuck?! Who are you to curse at me?”

“Oh. I'm nobody. Anyway, I’m hanging up. Never call again. If you do… you better prepare to lose something.”

Will that be enough to scare him? I doubt it. But this should be the ideal moment to hang up on him. He’d be left with questions and apprehensions. Moreover, it’d be a great setup for Anzu-nee to finish the job when she met him on their campus.

Anyway, my threat isn’t empty. If something else happens, I’ll go out of my way to make his life miserable.

Soon after, I ended the call and handed the phone back to Anzu-nee.

“It’s up to you to block his number, Nee-san.”

“Un. I’ll do that. I can’t waste my little brother’s effort, right?”

“I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

I smiled and Anzu-nee sweetly giggled before trying to dote on me again by caressing my head.

“Geez…I got myself a capable little brother. Will Eimi forgive me if I steal you from her?”

“Sorry, Nee-san, it’s impossible to steal me. And I know you, you’re not the kind of person who’ll do the same thing others have done to you. This closeness we have here is just for today, no?”

Right. I have a feeling that this won’t happen again on another occasion. This is Anzu-nee we’re talking about. Even that privilege she talked about earlier will be pulled back by her at the last second even if the call from that guy didn’t interrupt her.

Nonetheless, there’s no doubt that we both were influenced by our situation. We wouldn’t have this close physical contact if we didn’t have some mutual understanding.

“This brat… You’re more attentive than I thought… Now I feel bad for Eimi-chan. She should be the one here with you.”

“Don’t feel bad, Nee-san. She’ll hear about this from me anyway.”

“Huh? What are you…”

“Whatever you’re thinking, I assure you, it won’t lead Eimi to hate or be mad at you. Or both of us.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“There’s a complicated explanation about it. However, Anzu-

nee, if you hear it, you’ll start seeing me in a different light.”

Naturally, that’s just my assumption. But if we go by the normal standards, that’s the most likely scenario. And honestly, there’s no way we can keep being this close while keeping her in the dark. It will be tormenting for her and it will be akin to betrayal to my girls.