Stealing Spree

Chapter 2561: Walking Aya home

Unlike yesterday, Chii, Hana and our adorable juniors rode the same bus as Nami and the others.

Clearly, they did that to prevent me from juggling myself again or perhaps to stop me from overthinking. They wanted me to just focus on what I planned for today. Taking Aya home.

Her birthday should be tomorrow but considering her familyʼs plan, I moved our date tonight.

Well, itʼs not exactly a date but more like an extension of our day together.

After we sent off Satsuki, Rae, Mio, and Kana on the same bus, we walked in the direction of her home, passing by various neighborhoods and shopping districts.

We had a short bookstore date where I helped her browse those newly released light novels with absurdly long titles. We laughed at the synopsis and skimmed through those few we found interesting.

In the end, I bought both of us a copy of that interesting light novel. It wasnʼt romance or anything, just high fantasy with a female protagonist. The plot revolved around her waking up after an indeterminable time in an old castle and finding out that the world as she knew it had changed drastically, with magic now a fading myth and technology ruling the land.

Ayaʼs eyes sparkled as she clutched the book to her chest, already theorizing about the protagonistʼs journey, her soft voice weaving possibilities that made me want to read it just to keep up with her and not simply hear the summary from her.

After the bookstore, we grabbed some ice cream from a small parlor selling homemade ice cream nearby, the kind with mismatched chairs and a chalkboard menu. Good thing it was still open at night.

Aya picked mint chocolate chip while I went with cookies and cream. We sat by the window, our knees brushing under the tiny table, and traded spoonfuls while she rambled about her favorite fantasy tropes. Her shy demeanor melted away when she talked about stories. The way her hands gestured animatedly, along with a smile so bright it couldʼve lit up the whole shop, made me listen attentively.

”Ruki, do you think the protagonist will find the lost magic?” She asked, her spoon hovering mid-air, a drip of green ice cream threatening to fall from it.

I leaned forward, catching the drip with a napkin before it could hit her skirt. ”Knowing you, youʼre probably hoping she does. But I bet thereʼs a twist. Like, maybe the magic that she knew was only sealed to prevent a catastrophe. For example, it was inside her all along and she was sealed away to let it be forgotten, pushing civilization to another path.”

Her eyes widened, and she nodded eagerly. ”That would be so good! Sheʼs the Magic Progenitor. Or something like that, but she had forgotten! Then weʼd get to see tidbits of her past memories as she traveled the land. Oh, I canʼt wait to read it!”

I chuckled, resting my chin on my hand as I watched her. Ayaʼs enthusiasm was infectious, and moments like this – simple, unguarded and just the two of us – felt like a gift. ”Youʼll have to tell me all about it when you finish. No spoilers, though. Iʼm going to read it too, remember?”

She giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. ”No spoilers, I promise. But you better read fast, Ruki, or I might accidentally blurt something out! I mean… I love sharing these stories with you.”

”Mhm. Remind me about it every night. Iʼll read at least twenty pages before closing my eyes to sleep.”

”Eh? Thatʼs not good! You donʼt have to push yourself like that.”

”Believe me, I wonʼt. Itʼs just… you know. I always tend to do a lot of things. Reminding me is just so I can hear your voice before reading it.”

Aya blushed upon hearing that. She then scooped a spoonful of her ice cream and shoved it into my mouth, ”Youʼre bad, Ruki. Making me blush like this. But okay. Iʼll remind you every night. I also like to hear your voice before going to sleep.”

Mhm. This girlʼs cuteness is unmatched. Iʼm really glad I didnʼt set her aside because of my desire.

A few minutes later, we finished our ice cream, the parlorʼs bell jingling as we stepped back into the evening air.

The sky had deepened to a soft indigo, streetlights flickering on as we continued our walk. Ayaʼs hand found mine, her fingers slipping into place like they belonged there, and I gave her a gentle squeeze, feeling the warmth of her palm against mine.

”Ruki,” She said after a few quiet steps. Her voice sounded softer and almost hesitant.

”Thank you for… for today. For spending it with me. I know youʼre always so busy, with everyone, and… I just… it means a lot.”

I stopped walking and turned to face her under the glow of a streetlamp. Her eyes were big and earnest, her hair catching the light in a way that made her look almost ethereal. ”Aya, you donʼt have to thank me. Iʼm here because I want to be. Youʼre special to me, you know that. And tomorrowʼs your birthday. Iʼm not letting anyone steal this time with you. If itʼs only possible, Iʼll stay with you until midnight just so I can greet you right at the first second.”

Her cheeks flushed red as the girl threw herself into my chest, her fingers tightening around mine. ”Youʼre too good to me, Ruki. Iʼm already so happy to be… loved by you. And you keep proving how much you do. Sometimes I wonder… how you do it. Make everyone feel so… seen. Like weʼre all important to you.”

I reached out, lifting her face and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear with my fingers lingering against her cheek. ”Because you are important, Aya. Every single one of you. And you… youʼve got this quiet strength that pulls me in. The way you light up over a good story, or how youʼre always there for everyone, even when youʼre shy. I see you, and Iʼm not going anywhere.”𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

She looked up, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, but her smile was radiant. ”Ruki… youʼre gonna make me cry before my birthday even starts.”

I laughed, pulling her into a gentle hug, her head resting against my chest. ”No crying yet. Weʼve got a whole evening to go. Come on, letʼs get you home. Iʼve got a surprise waiting.”

Her head tilted up, curiosity sparking in her eyes. ”A surprise? Ruki, what is it?”

”Nope, not telling,” I said, tapping her nose lightly. ”Youʼll see when we get there. Patience, my adorable bookworm.”

She pouted but didnʼt press. Her hand continued squeezing mine as we resumed walking.

The streets grew quieter as we neared her neighborhood, the bustle of the shopping district giving way to tree-lined sidewalks and cozy houses. Ayaʼs steps became lighter. Her earlier hesitation was replaced by a quiet excitement that made my chest swell with affection.

When we reached her house, the porch light was on, casting a warm glow over the neatly trimmed hedges and the small garden her mother possibly tended.

This was supposed to be where we would separate, but before I sent her inside, I pulled out a box from my bag, small enough to fit in my palm but wrapped with care in soft blue paper and tied with a delicate silver ribbon. Ayaʼs eyes widened, her lips parting in a soft gasp as she caught sight of it.

”Ruki… is this…?” She trailed off, her fingers hovering over the box as if she wasnʼt sure she was allowed to touch it.

”Your birthday surprise,” I said, my voice warm but teasing as I placed the box in her hands. ”Go on, open it. I know itʼs not midnight yet, but it would be too late to give you tomorrow, right?”

Her cheeks flushed, and she bit her lip, her fingers trembling slightly as she carefully untied the ribbon.

The paper crinkled softly as she peeled it away, revealing a small, velvet-lined box. She glanced up at me, her eyes searching mine for a moment before she lifted the lid.

Inside was a delicate silver bookmark, shaped like a crescent moon with a tiny star dangling from its tip. The star was engraved with a single word: Dream. It was simple but elegant, something Iʼd picked out after hours of searching, knowing how much Aya loved her books and the worlds she escaped into.

”Ruki…” Her voice was barely above a whisper, her fingers brushing over the bookmark as if it were something fragile, precious. ”Itʼs beautiful. Dream… did you choose this because…?”

”Because youʼre always dreaming, Aya,” I said, stepping closer and resting a hand on her shoulder. ”In your books, in your stories, in the way you see the world. I wanted something thatʼd remind you of that, something you can carry with you every time you open a new book.”

She clutched the bookmark to her chest. Her smile wobbled slightly as she fought back tears from coming out. ”You… youʼre too much, Ruki. This is perfect. I love it. I love… I love you.”

The words spilled out filled with her affection and I couldnʼt help but feel my own heart skip at how beautiful she looked.

Ayaʼs confessions were always like this. Quiet but powerful, like a single note that resonates long after itʼs played. I reached out, cupping her face gently as my thumb brushed away a stray tear that had escaped.

”I love you too, Aya,” I said as I leaned down, planting my lips on hers. ”Happy early birthday, my favorite bookworm.”