Stealing Spree

As I was in the middle of preparing for lunch, I received a call from Eimi, updating me that they arrived at their destination. They’re also in time for lunch.

The call was cut short because of her parents’ interference, scolding her for pulling her phone right away without getting inside their grandparents’ house first.

Well, they’re not exactly in the wrong for doing so but in Eimi’s defense, she promised to call me when they arrived. She only fulfilled that promise to me.

That’s why I tried bailing her out by asking my girl to let me greet her parents.

Obviously, it didn’t go well. But I still considered it a success since I managed to take a part of the blame from Eimi. Instead of just her, I also got scolded for making that promise.

Still, I wouldn’t really call it a scolding, it’s more like being reminded that we have to develop patience.

Auntie then thoughtfully gave us some helpful advice while Uncle amusedly watched from the driver’s seat at our wondrous display of youthful ardor. When Auntie finished, he also talked to us as he slipped into reminiscing about their past experiences when they were in high school like us.

In the end, Uncle was the one who got thoroughly scolded for not being able to stop mentioning Auntie’s embarrassing moments.

Eimi and I couldn’t help but laugh watching them. For her, it's like a rare sight since they're always busy tending to their restaurant.

Following that, Eimi went in with them to greet the grandparents and the relatives. She still had no idea why they were called suddenly but something important must've happened and they wanted to tell the news directly rather than over the phone.

A few minutes later, Eimi called me again. Having gotten permission to go out and walk around the neighborhood, Eimi showed me the scenery and listened to the girl talk about the times she spent her summer vacation there.

And while we were at it, my girl gladly helped guide me with my cooking.

She’s more skilled than me in that department so her advice was more substantial than following a cookbook or recipes I found online. Through her guidance, I felt like I experienced a breakthrough in the monotonous way I prepared meals.

Seeing the final product, Eimi was thrilled and praised me for it, saying she wanted to try my cooking next time.

For sure, the other girls who would eventually hear it from her would be the same.

I better prepare for that challenging task of showing them my growth in cooking skills.

Now that I think about it, can being a chef become another path for me? Sounds like a plausible path as well. I can learn from Eimi and maybe her parents, in their restaurant.

On second thought, I’ll be shelving that idea.

I would rather cook for my girls than serve other people. I'm not so much a people-pleaser so it's enough for me to only serve my girls.

Anyway, Eimi soon had to return to the house and eat lunch with the family. Likewise, I finished preparing our lunch and Akane informed me that they were on their way back.

With that, I spent the next few minutes setting up the table while constantly checking for messages coming from my girls.

“Wow! You made all of these, Onoda-kun? How? Do you always have this talent? We should’ve chosen you for our cafe during our 2nd year Cultural Fest. Un. You’re the perfect house-husband.”

“Heh. What did I tell you? You’ll be more amazed by husband’s capabilities. He has a lot. No one can beat him when it comes to these things.”

Without even taking a bite and just seeing the number of dishes I prepared for them, Machida’s eyes were already glittering in awe of what was presented to her.

On the other hand, Akane proudly brushed her nose as though she was the one being praised while continuously boasting about me to the girl.

These girls…

If not for my shamelessness I would've turned red already.

But looking at their reaction, my effort in making these was worth it.

In any case, Akane must've never stopped bragging about me to Machida. She's now gradually becoming indoctrinated at my superiority.

It wouldn't surprise if the next rumor to circulate in their school was about how capable I was as a husband.

… That wouldn't be too bad, no? But I'd surely be teased by my girls who would hear it all.

“Don’t listen to her, Machida. I’m still lacking in a lot of departments. I only got some help so… I managed to make these.” I humbly replied while I started to serve their rice bowls.

Unfortunately, no amount of downplaying would matter anymore. Machida was already sold.

The look of admiration on her face was quite close to how those fans of celebrities look up to them…

Rather than make her stop her curiosity about me, Akane turned the girl into a fan…

I wonder how her friends will react when they hear it from her.

“I don’t think so… I’ve never met anyone as dedicated as you, Onoda-kun. Shimizu drew a jackpot.”

“Just accept our praise, husband. And let’s eat! We’ll tell you what happened. Hehe.”

“... Alright.”

Knowing I couldn’t win against them anymore, I shrugged and gave up resisting.

Fortunately, this made our lunch more delightful than I was expecting. I listened to the two girls talk about anything while joining in their conversation whenever they seek my opinion.

In a way, Akane found a new friend in the form of Machida and vice versa.

Shortly after that, we finished eating. Since I already put myself to the task of serving both of them, I sent them to the living room to eat the dessert they brought with them.

I stayed to clean up the table and wash the dishes.

However, given that we're still technically in the same room, I could hear their conversation even with my back turned to them.

At first, they're just discussing the variety show on the TV but as most girls talk, their topic continues to move at unimaginable pace. Before I knew it, Akane had started talking about me again while Machida could only bring up the boys close to her as a reference.

“If Takito or Shinki will confess to me, I don't think I will be able to give them a straight answer. We've been friends for a few years now and I've never seen them as more than that… You know what I mean?”

“Sorry, I have no idea. I only have husband in my head since we're children.”

Ah… Machida is talking to someone obsessed with only one guy since childhood. It's a foreign concept to Akane since she never had any other male friend apart from me.

But well, to think Machida has that kind of outlook… I guess those guys’ chances are doomed from the start.

“Geez. Just think about it theoretically. If you've been friends for that long, they're more like brothers to me than a potential boyfriend.”

“Eh… Isn't it normal to fall in love with those close to you?”

Akane wasn't wrong though but I also understood Machida’s point of view. She’s not the type to cultivate feelings with someone she already deemed as a ‘friend’.

“Didn't you say Onoda-kun evaded you like a plague for the entirety of our middle school? Your situation is different.”

Akane told her that much, huh? Looks like the silly girl truly sees her as someone she can get along with.

“Boo! Even if it's different, I'm saying it's not impossible. Ugh. Okay, I get your point.”

“Pfft. Akane, I wonder. How did you manage to tame Onoda-

kun?”

“I don't know. Persistence? I never gave up on him.”

“I see… That's admirable and enviable.”

At this point, I tried to sneak a glance at them and found Akane with her chin raised. She was looking proud again while Machida started clapping, clearly amused at Akane's antics.

They continued with their conversation and eventually, Machida brought up something controversial.

“So, I'm curious… Are you sleeping in the same room? Like, every night?”

This… How did they get there?

“What do you think?” Akane swiftly answered with a question. Her tone is as mischievous as ever.

“... You do, right?”

“Yes. Wanna see it? Our bedroom?”

“What?! I… I'm curious but will it be fine? Isn’t it going to be an invasion of privacy for Onoda-kun?”

“Oh. You're right. Then let's ask him… Husband, it's fine, right?” Upon saying that, Akane raised her voice a bit and called out to me, startling Machida who never thought she'd go at it nonchalantly like this.

I turned around and looked at them with a wry smile. Machida had an apologetic expression while Akane was obviously having fun in this situation.

I don't know what she's planning but I doubt it will be harmful to us. It's just showing our bedroom to Machida who's curious about it.

But Akane… Wasn't she someone who was once worried about sharing the bed with the other girls?

This was different but still…

Akane. This shows her growth from before. Then again, Machida is nothing like the other girls. She's not in any way connected to me. And within this week, Fuyu, Eri and Futaba will come for a sleepover.

I guess she's preparing herself for it.