Stealing Spree

Chapter 310: Minaʼs Slip Up

I had some guesses why sheʼs waiting for me but I didnʼt expect it to be Mina asking for my help.

What kind of help though?

And why does it sound like she picked me specifically for it when thereʼs Haruko and the other girls in their club.

Itʼs not that Iʼll reject it, in fact, Iʼm more than happy to be of help to her. This will be my chance to show off to her, right?

Still, Iʼm just kind of surprised. After how she seemed to be a tough nut to crack, she will then come to me like this.

Observing her face and noticing some trace of worry in it, I deduced that itʼs probably a personal problem.

”What is it about? If I can help then I will do it. Besides, itʼs for you.”

”Donʼt hit on me like this. Iʼm being serious here, only you can help me.”

”Why donʼt you start by telling me what kind of help youʼre seeking?”

”… Uhm, will you hear my story?”

”This girl… Is that even a question? You know my intentions towards you. Letʼs go and sit and Iʼll be your ears.” Not waiting for her to do it, I pulled her to the same table where we sat around before, ”Ah, wait. Iʼll just inform those at the neighboring clubroom first.”

After taking out my phone to send a simple message to the three at the Book Club telling them that Iʼm in this room, my focus then turned to the girl whoʼs probably trying to think how she would start.

”Although I want to say we have all day, there are others waiting for me, donʼt worry about anything and tell it to me as it is. Iʼll try to understand it myself.”

Compared to before, being this close to her, Mina was already not trying to steer clear away from me. If I want, I can reach my hand to her waist to pull her even closer but of course, at this point, I still have to control myself. That kiss she initiated before was her surrendering at my stubbornness in my desire to steal her.

Well, of course, itʼs a lot different than how a normal girl would do it. Being in a relationship with Haruko made not just her but all of them becoming bold like that. Back then, Himeko also responded to my kiss after easing up her mind on the thought of me courting her. Letʼs call it ʼcourtingʼ now since I got the blessing of Haruko to make them fall in love with me.

Weʼre all far from normal so even our version of courting was a lot different than how those at the same age as us do it.

”No. Itʼs not like that… You see, do you remember? I told you about my mother teaching me how to brew tea.” Mina started.

Although I almost burst my bladder from drinking her tea back then. I couldnʼt deny that her tea was definitely delicious. If I were to choose, I wanted her to prepare that for me everyday. Of course, one or two cups are enough. Not a whole teapot.

In any case, is the help she needed about her tea? Or her mother?

”Un. What about it?”

Like earlier, it took her a few seconds to gather her thoughts and when she did, Mina lowered her eyes and she seemingly sunk down in her seat. ”… I accidentally bragged about it to her. That my tea-making skill was recognized and praised by someone.”

”That someone, is it me?”

”Who else? Aside from Haru and everyone in this club, only you got the chance to take a sip of the tea I personally brewed.”

”I see. Itʼs a surprise, you can brag. I thought youʼll also be somewhat reserved in your home.”

Well, I could imagine her closeness with her mother. She took the time to impart her skills to Mina after all. But for this girl to brag, itʼs not in her nature. More like, I will expect her to keep what happened between us a secret and even our conversation.

”Uhh… Yes, Iʼm reserved. But my mother... Sheʼs always trying to come up with new ways to prepare tea and Iʼm the one testing it for her.”

”I see. Then something happened that you ended up bragging about your own skills to her?”

Perhaps my guess was spot on, Mina slightly flinched.

Upon seeing that, I sneakily inched closer to her.

I want to see her reaction closely. At this distance, I put my hand behind her and slowly crawl it to her other side. Sheʼs occupied with her story so… she hadnʼt noticed that the distance of at least half a meter when we sat down was already reduced to less than a fourth of it. Itʼs not wrong to call this as us huddled closely together.

”... Un. She told me to come up with my own way and she will come up with her own. Then… she told me to bring that someone to be the judge.”

What is this mother-daughter rivalry? If my guess is correct then her mother got hurt by her recent feedback or if not hurt, she wanted to test her daughterʼs skills and Mina bragging about it resulted in her mother involving me in it…

”I think I now understand the situation. But you can tell her that itʼs Haruko, right? Or any of the four girls with you. Why does it have to be me?”

”…I slipped and told her that itʼs a boy.”

With me already this close to her, the minute details that were happening on her were clearly captured by my eyes, the reddened ears and neck of hers. Sheʼs totally embarrassed by what sheʼs telling me.

”Mina… Tell me, are you naturally clumsy?”

”Iʼm not! I just got carried away…” Raising her voice and matching my gaze to deny it, Mina almost tumbled.

Luckily, Iʼm already so close to her that I immediately got a hold of her. My arm behind her took the chance to grab onto her waist and my other arm holding onto her shoulder.

”Seeing you flustered and embarrassed like this… Itʼs making me want to come with you and introduce myself as your boyfriend.”

”No. Idiot! I never told her youʼre my boyfriend.” Breaking my gaze with me again, Mina swiped away my hold on her shoulder before shrinking down again.

Thereʼs already an imaginary steam coming off her head. The headstrong and cool Mina from back then has now reduced to this state with just one embarrassing story.

And well, sheʼs telling it to me because Iʼm the only one who can help her. If not for that, Iʼm sure I will only hear this event from Harukoʼs mouth.

”But Iʼm sure thatʼs whatʼs in her mind if you bragged about being praised by a boy. Wonʼt it be better to introduce me like that?”

”... Ugh stop your nonsense. Will you help me or not?” Mina grumbled. And her tone was already almost close to pleading. If I continue teasing her, she would either storm off the room or cry on the spot.

”Donʼt you think asking like that is useless? If it will allow me to spend time with you then my answer is always yes… Besides, I canʼt let you bring in any other guy to substitute me.”

”As if I know any other guy…”

”Right. Iʼm flattered. Can I kiss you, Mina?”

”Stop being shameless. Iʼll kiss you when itʼs over. It will be out of gratitude.”

”Canʼt I ask for an advanced payment?”

”No. If you canʼt wait then Iʼll look for another guy.” Clicking her tongue Mina pushed away my face that was inching closer to her.

”As if you know any other guy.”

Throwing her words back at her, Minaʼs face turned black as she bit her lips.

”Ugh… Go. Leave me alone now.”

”But Iʼm still feeling comfortable like this with you.” I tightened my arm around her waist, pulling her closer to me. Weʼre now in the same state as last week. Feeling her body this close to me, I could push her down now and she would be powerless to resist.

However, I wouldnʼt ever do that.

At this point, Iʼm just trying to tease her. Besides Mina saying to leave her alone was also without any compelling force. Itʼs like how one tries to deny something when what one meant was clearly the opposite.

”Well, Iʼm not. Iʼll go back to Haruʼs side.”

Now, sheʼs trying to escape because if she continues, she will really succumb to my teasing.

Well then, letʼs leave it at this. Thanks to her bragging I now have a chance to truly spend some quality time with her. What else can I ask for? Moreover, it will be in front of her mother. Ah. Letʼs see, Iʼll introduce myself as a close friend first when that time comes.

”Haa… Alright, Iʼll remember what you said, kiss me when itʼs over. By the way, can you at least tell me when it will happen?”

I released my hold onto her and went back to the same distance. Due to that, Mina released a sigh of relief as if she got out of a dangerous situation.

”Soon. I still need to come up with a new recipe. You will keep visiting me, right? Iʼll have you drink my tea whenever youʼre here and give me feedback. Iʼll make sure that it will be your favorite flavor.”

”I see. I was just thinking that it must be nice to always drink your tea. Iʼll come by everyday.”

”Un. Now go.” Mina stood up and pulled me by the arm before pushing me towards the door.

”Alright, you donʼt need to push me away, I will go. See you tomorrow, Mina.” I pulled the door open and stepped out of it but before I closed it, I turned back to her. ”Ah. By the way, you looked really lovely. I wish I could see more of that.”

”Will you continue your teasing and be kicked or will you obediently close that door?”

”I will tease you before closing this door.” Reaching my hand, I slowly circled it to the back of her head before pulling her into a kiss.

Although she could actually resist given that I intentionally moved slowly, Mina didnʼt resist it and our lips once again met for the second time.

A minute later, Mina pulled her head away and took a step back taking my hand off the doorknob. ”… See you tomorrow shameless guy. Donʼt forget.” After reminding me like that, the last I saw from her was her tongue sticking out before she pushed the door closed.

That girl… Iʼm becoming more fond of her. Well then, time to go home with Nami and Aya.