Stealing Spree

Chapter 2195: Another Favor?

I leaned back in my chair, smirking at Mutsumi-senpaiʼs playfulness. ”I suppose it is. Still, I canʼt help but feel like thereʼs more to this than youʼre letting on. How much did my mother tell you about me, senpai?”

Mutsumiʼs smile faltered slightly, but only for a moment. ”Oh, we had quite the chat. She didnʼt hold back much. I know more than enough now... But donʼt worry, Ruki. It only made me want you more.”

She didnʼt hold back, huh? Did my mother tell her the extent of my complicated relationships? Or was it just the positives? Knowing my mother, sheʼd definitely lean toward that.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued but also cautious as I playfully warned her, ”That sounds dangerous, Senpai.”

She shouldnʼt get burned with me when she could easily jump away, right? But then again, I canʼt deny that Iʼm also looking forward to meeting her again.

Mutsumi should be in the same college as Juri and Setsuna-nee, just in a different department. Maybe I could ask if they know her? Thereʼs also Shiina and Sara...

”Maybe. But I like living dangerously.” She gave me a wink before stretching her arms above her head, revealing more of her toned, petite figure. ”Anyway, enough about that. Tell me, whatʼve you been up to lately? I heard youʼre going up against an influential family. Are you going to be fine?”

Heh. So, was that something my mother told her? Or did she hear it from the others?

I donʼt want her to worry about me unnecessarily so... I can just tell her that itʼs not serious.

”Mutsumi-senpai, do I not look fine? I am the most shameless guy youʼve met. No matter who, I can stand my ground. Besides... Itʼs for another girl.” I chuckled softly but that last part put my lips into a wry smile.

Mutsumi-senpai stared at me for a moment before thoughtfully nodding, ”I figured that it concerned one of your girls. You mustʼve been so busy these days. It took you a day to contact me.”

”You could say that. Itʼs been quite... eventful. Akaneʼs asleep now, though. So itʼs just you and me.” I put on my usual smile, reassuring her that it wasnʼt serious.

Mutsumi was also quite considerate as she didnʼt push the topic anymore. Instead, her tone shifted slightly, becoming more sultry.

”Just the way I like it. And here I was thinking you mightʼve forgotten about me.” The camera dangerously lowered down, a few inches below her chin. The outline of her flawless neck and the glimpse of her mound came into my view.

”Impossible. How can I forget my wonderful senior?” I replied in a low voice, matching hers. ”Youʼve been on my mind. But you already knew that, didnʼt you?”

She brought the camera back up, her face now filling most of the screen. ”I know, but itʼs still nice to hear you say it, Ruki.”

Then, her expression softened for a moment, the playful banter giving way to something more sincere. Her earlier seductiveness pushed down, ”Ruki... when we see each other again, I want more than just teasing. I want us to... take our time. Can we do that?”

I met her gaze through the screen. I understand the depth of her words. This woman... Her longing for me was the same.

”I understand, Mutsumi-senpai. Iʼll make sure we do.”

There was a moment of silence between us, a comfortable one before she spoke again. ”You always know how to say the right thing, donʼt you? If I reckon, this is your glib tongue that everyone always praises.”

I flashed a grin, not denying anything. ”Thatʼs how it is. I canʼt really turn that off, can I? In any case, Iʼll make sure our next meeting is something special. I promise.”

She nodded, her expression still soft but with that familiar spark of mischief in her eyes. ”Good. Because Iʼve been waiting for it.”

After this, we chatted a bit longer. The conversation flowed easily. Sometimes playful and sometimes serious. I learned about her college life and what sheʼs busy with.

Apparently, she also took up a part-time job, honing her skills in designing. Thatʼs her department.

Soon enough, her eyelids began to droop again, her earlier sleepiness returning.

”I should let you sleep, Senpai,” I said after noticing her stifling a yawn.

”Un... Maybe,” Mutsumi-senpai murmured, though she didnʼt seem in a rush to end the call. ”But I like to hear your voice more before I fall asleep.”

”Donʼt worry. Iʼll be here. Iʼll whisper and sing for you if you need me to. You can put your phone down next to your ear.” I assured her, watching her eyes slowly close.𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

”Alright then. Goodnight, Ruki... Iʼm happy you called me tonight,” Mutsumi-senpai whispered, her voice fading as she drifted off.

The camera, now angled toward the ceiling, showed the stillness of her quiet room. I knew she was listening to me as I began to hum a soft tune.

”Goodnight, Mutsumi-senpai,” I whispered, continuing to hum for another few minutes before finally ending the call.

As I placed my phone down, I couldnʼt help but reflect on the conversation.

There was always something magnetic about Mutsumi. Maybe itʼs her boldness? Thereʼs also her sincerity, and the way she made her intentions clear without any hesitation. It wasnʼt that much different from the other girls but thereʼs still something unique with her. Furthermore, despite our lack of actual meeting, I could clearly feel the same warmth and attachment for

her.

Iʼm hopeless.

Each of my relationships was unique, but they all somehow fit together.

With a sigh, I stood up and stretched, glancing over at Akane, who was still fast asleep in our bed. A small smile tugged at my lips as I climbed in beside her, careful not to wake her.

The night had been long, but somehow, it felt complete.

However, just before I also settled down and slept next to my silly wife, I remembered something else.

I sat back up, making another call. It didnʼt take long before a familiar old voice answered,

deep and formal.

”What might be the purpose of this late-night call, Onoda-sama?”

Who is it?

Hitomiʼs grandfather and the eccentric old manʼs butler.

As for the reason I called him... well, it has to do with my current issue.

”Iʼd like to call in a favor again. Can I talk to the old man?”

The butlerʼs tone remained flat. ”You never cease to amaze me with your audacity, Onoda-

sama. Hold on.”

His words, while respectful, were tinged with the usual disapproval. He knew all too well how

I had influenced Hitomi. Still, duty called, and he couldnʼt just ignore me.

A minute later, the familiar, jolly voice of the eccentric old man burst through the phone.

”Boy, youʼre at it again, huh? Another favor so soon?”

”You can turn me down, grandfather.” I replied casually.

”First. Donʼt call me grandfather. Itʼs too stiff! Call me grandpa like my darling girl does. And

add some warmth!” He playfully chided.

”You didnʼt seem to mind it last time.”

”I forgot, okay?” He huffed. ”Now stop dancing around. What do you want this time?”

”I see. Well then, grandpa. It wonʼt be so much of a request as you know, I also donʼt want to rely too much on someone when itʼs a problem I made. Koizumi-sanʼs case is different. But

this time...”

”Stop beating around the bush, boy. Iʼm already old. I need to regulate my sleep now.”

“Uh... Alright, straight to the point. I need some information. Does the Kaneko family have any connection to the Kujou family from Kyoto? And if possible, Iʼd like to know everything there is to know about them.”

There was a pause before the old manʼs tone shifted, growing more serious. ”The Kaneko family? Why are you asking about them? Canʼt you get this information from Miss Sayuri or

even your father?”