Stealing Spree

Chapter 2193: Satisfactory Dinner

With Hana content to watch, I set to work preparing the meal. I kept it simple: a chicken stir- fry with fresh vegetables and a corn soup to go along with it.

While I was doing that, Hana, who had nothing to do but watch the pot boil, occasionally chimed in with playful comments or questions. But mostly, she just observed with a satisfied smile as I worked through the steps.

She never tried to disturb me, like sneaking up for a hug from behind. She knew better than to distract the chef. Instead, she always made sure to stay in my line of sight, where our eyes would meet, and weʼd exchange silent smiles.

In her case, itʼs like watching me, her husband, prepare a special meal for her. Meanwhile, sheʼs the source of my motivation. Each of her smiles added a new flavor to the food I was preparing.

Before long, the food was ready.

The aroma of the cooked chicken and vegetables filled the kitchen. I plated the meal and moved to the dining table that Hana had already fixed.𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

”Dinner is served,” I said with a grin as I pulled out a chair for her. ”Let me know if Iʼve lived up to my reputation.”

She sat down and then I moved across, sitting on the chair in front of her before filling our glasses with juice.

”Itadakimasu!” Hana said, bringing her hands together before taking her first bite. Her eyes lit up instantly, as I expected. ”Mmm! Delicious! If I could, Iʼd eat your cooking every day.”

”Glad to hear it,” I replied as I also took a bite of the chicken. ”But wonʼt you be like Akane and the others once you finish your ʼtrainingʼ? Youʼll ban me from the kitchen so you can cook for me.”

Hana tilted her head, thinking for a second before shaking it. ”No way. Iʼd still prefer your cooking. I love it, especially when youʼre wearing that apron.” She giggled, recalling me moving around in the frilly pink garment.

I already took it off but since sheʼd taken a lot of photos with me in it, the girl dreamily looked up, recalling those shots as well.

Wasnʼt she being a bit mischievous?

I shook my head and smiled. ”If it makes my Hana happy, Iʼll keep cooking. But on one condition.”

Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she raised a brow. ”Oh? And what condition is that?” ”I get to see you wear a ʼnaked apronʼ sometimes,” I teased, leaning in with a mischievous grin.

”Pervert!” Hana gasped, laughing but blushing all the same.

She didnʼt reject it though. Instead, she fell into contemplation as though she was already imagining that scenario. The two of us wearing nothing but that apron...

Alright. Thatʼs my influence on her, no? My Hana wasnʼt originally a pervert.

Anyway, despite the atmosphere getting heated by that banter, the meal passed in a comfortable conversation. Every now and then, our eyes would meet, and the unspoken connection between us filled the gaps in our words. It became a quiet but meaningful exchange as we finished our meal.

Just as I was about to ask if she wanted more, there was a knock at the door.

Hana glanced at the clock and sighed.

”Thatʼs Aunt Tomori,” she said, standing up. ”I told her I was having dinner with you and she didnʼt need to bring me dinner anymore. She still insists on checking in though.”

I smiled knowingly. ”She said it back then. She wanted to keep an eye on you or us. I mean, she caught us in an intimate moment back then, after all.”

”Un. Thatʼs one way to look at it. Sheʼs still buying our story and sheʼs supporting me for it. Sheʼs probably here to check on you. Making sure youʼre taking care of me,” Hana

meaningfully smiled as she prepared to stand and answer the door.

I nodded at her, letting her go. Meanwhile, I started cleaning up the table.

When Hana returned, Aunt Tomori stood there, dressed as casually as ever as if she just finished her work again.

Her eyes scanned the room before settling on me. A familiar, half-smile tugged at her lips. ”Onoda-kun, I see, you really cooked dinner for Hana.” She greeted me before she gestured with her chin, pointing at the table that I had yet to finish cleaning.

”Good evening, Aunt Tomori,” I replied, offering her a nod in return as well as my usual smile, ”Youʼre just in time. Weʼve still got some food left if youʼre hungry.”

With that offer, the woman visibly leaked her lips as she inhaled the remaining aroma of the chicken stir-fry.

However, she shook her head, acting very demure.

Hana who was standing behind her couldnʼt help but restrain her laughter again at how her Aunt was acting. She winked at me as though saying, sheʼd give Aunt our leftovers later. ”Iʼm not here for food. Iʼm just making sure you two are not acting up on impulse again.” On impulse, huh? Was she actually hoping to see Hana straddling me again with our lips locked in an intimate kiss?

Hana rolled her eyes at that before smilingly saying, ”You donʼt need to check on me every time Ruki is here, Aunt. Didnʼt we follow your rules of informing you when heʼs coming to

visit?”

”Iʼm just doing my job as your guardian,” Aunt Tomori responded with a smirk, before giving me a thumbs-up. ”And Onoda-kun, Iʼll give you five stars. Great job.”

”Just trying to make a good impression, Aunt Tomori. Also, I live for Hanaʼs satisfaction.”

”Well, youʼve already made one, so you can relax a little,” she said as she walked into the living room, taking a seat in the middle of the sofa just like back then. Following that, she turned on the TV and relaxed on it, ”Iʼll stay for a bit. Donʼt mind me.”

...So sheʼs planning to monitor us, huh? This woman... It became a good thing that we failed to hold back at each other on the bus. Otherwise, Iʼd be going home without savoring my time with Hana again.

I exchanged a glance with Hana, who shrugged and sat next to her Aunt, giving up on the situation.

In any case, the tension that might have come with meeting her for the first time wasnʼt present anymore. She wouldnʼt ask me to cut my hand off like before.; This time, it was more like Aunt Tomori was just dropping in to check on us, a natural part of her routine as Hanaʼs guardian in place of her parents.

Once I finished cleaning the table, I joined them in the living room, Hana cuddling with me

right away.

Aunt Tomori raised an eyebrow upon noticing that but didnʼt say anything else.

She made light conversation as we watched a variety program, her questions more casual than probing. She had already gotten to know me enough on my previous visit, after all. Instead, she seemed more focused on teasing Hana, making her niece blush on more than one

occasion.

After a while, perhaps thinking that she was interrupting our moment, Aunt Tomori stood up and stretched, her fitted shirt getting pulled up that show a patch of her similarly flawless

skin underneath.

I didnʼt stare, of course. I just caught sight of it.

”Alright, Iʼll leave you two to it... Also, Iʼll take your leftovers. I want to try Onoda-kunʼs

cooking. You donʼt mind, do you?”

”Of course, please give me feedback later.”

”Sure. Next time, Hana will be the one cooking for you.”

”Iʼm looking forward to that.

After that exchange, Hana and I packed up the remaining chicken stir-fry and corn soup

before walking Aunt Tomori to the door.

Before stepping out into the cool night, she reminded us to behave again... Unfortunately, we had already gone past what sheʼd witnessed before.

Once the door clicked shut, Hana turned back to me with a soft smile. Then, as if we had been waiting for this moment, our lips were drawn to each other as we moved back to the living

room, savoring the rest of our time together that night.

Aunt Tomoriʼs visit didnʼt lead to much, but it was a good sign that she seemed more accepting of our relationship now. There were no teary-eyed sobs when we told her our story. Instead, her silent admiration whenever she looked at us seemed to tell us everything we needed to know - her approval.