Stealing Spree

Chapter 2796: Birthday Wish

Ria’s face filled the screen, framed by the soft glow of her bedside lamp.

Her hair was loose over one shoulder with a few strands falling across her cheek when she tilted her head.

I couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at mine as I propped the phone up properly.

“Early? Nope. Just making sure I’m the first one to say it when the clock hits midnight. Can’t let anyone steal that from me.”

Ria’s grin widened, but there was that soft flush creeping up her cheeks. She shifted on her bed as she sat up and pulled her knees up. The pair of pajamas she’s wearing did nothing to hide her still-budding body.

“Greedy senpai,” She muttered before putting on a playful pout she knew worked on me every time. “Always trying to be first. What if I wanted to stay up and surprise you instead?”

“Then I’d still beat you to it,” I shot back. “Besides, you look half-asleep already. Those eyelids are dropping, Ria.”

She huffed, blowing a strand of hair out of her face. “I’m not. I’m wide awake. Waiting for my birthday wish from my favorite shameless Dumb-senpai.”

Favorite, huh? That word always hits differently coming from her. Ria wasn’t the type to throw compliments around lightly. When she said stuff like that, it was deliberate. Like she was staking her claim in her own way.

I let the silence stretch just long enough for her to squirm a little. Mhm. I can’t help but feel the desire to hold her close. To cuddle her again after such a long time.

“Hmm? What’s your birthday wish? Make it so I can grant that, alright?”

“Pfft. Of course, why would I wish for something impossible? Dumb-senpai.” She stuck her tongue out cutely, then immediately pulled it back in when she realized how childish it looked on camera. Still, the way her cheeks puffed out made me want to pinch them until she squeaked.

Well, she’s also great like this. Even though most of the time, the words coming out of her mouth were more mature and intelligent than even most of my girls, that didn’t diminish her lovable and adorable traits.

“Alright. Out with it. It’s going to be your birthday. Let’s make it special.”

Ria tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then leaned closer to the camera until her face took up most of the screen.

Her eyes were bright despite the late hour, sparkling with a quiet mischief as if she were going to request something impossible.

“My wish is simple, Dumb-senpai,” She started. “I want you to bring me with you tomorrow. Wherever you go, I follow. Even if you’re going to spend time with other girls. I know you have somewhere to be, after all. It’ll be selfish if I tell you to drop all of it for me.”

This girl... There goes the considerate trait that she picked up from me.

I couldn’t help the warmth spreading through my chest at her words.

Ria, always sharp, always reading between the lines, but still choosing to be selfless about it. Of course, she knew my schedule was packed tomorrow. I’ll escort Nao and the others to the train station, my weekend supermarket date with Eimi, maybe dropping in to escort Nami and the others to the mall before going to Satsuki’s practice match.

And yet, here she was, wishing for the simplest thing. Just to be included.

Somehow, I couldn’t help but feel like I was failing as a boyfriend. But the girls weren’t even showing me any hint of it.

Naturally, they won’t or they’ll see me overthinking again, and it will spiral down to something that none of us wants to see. I just have to continue doing what I always do. Showing them that I’m all for them.

“Selfish? My Ria is? Nope.” I said as I shook my head. “That trait is mine, Ria. I’m the most selfish guy in the world, you know?”

“Geez. Dumb-senpai, do you want to be scolded before my birthday?”

“Sure. Scold me, Ria. Your Dumb-senpai is acting very dumb right now.”

“Ugh. I hate you... Fine then, I’ll make sure to scold you a lot tomorrow. Even in front of the others. Anyhow, my wish remains the same. Bring me with you everywhere. Just bring me home before it gets dark... I told my mom I’d be going out with Aoi.”

“Alright, I promise. I’ll show up at your door in the morning to pick you up.”

“Dumb-senpai! You can’t do that! Wait for me at that park.”

“Why not? Can’t I say hi to your mom and tell them I’m Aoi?”

Ria couldn’t help but giggle at that, “You don’t look like Aoi at all. Besides, she’ll probably be coming with me to that park tomorrow.”

Ah... Of course, that unruly girl won’t miss seeing me as well. I mean, it’s been a while since she visited here too. Although we just met the other day at their school, she’s just like the others, missing me the moment we separate from each other.

“Hmm? In that case... should I prepare breakfast we can share together? You know... I can also make a cake tonight and bring it with me tomorrow.”

“Cake baked by you, Dumb-senpai? Now. That’s tempting.”

“Well, not entirely made by me. I will still need Nao’s assistance.”

“Oh... It doesn’t matter! As long as it’s made by you! But don’t bring it. I’ll eat it there at your house.”

“Alright, that’s the deal then. Your wish will be granted by your Dumb-senpai.”

Ria’s lips stretched into a bright and genuine grin, the kind that made her look her age instead of the too-mature-for-her-years girl she usually played as she nodded in delight.

“Really? You’re not just saying that to make me happy?”

“Mhm. I’ll pick you up after I escort the girls sleeping over here to the station. We’ll grab breakfast at that park or wherever you two want to go then we’ll head to Eimi. We’ll be going to the supermarket.”

“Whoa... That’s just the morning but you already had two things lined up, Dumb-senpai.”

“Yeah... But there’s more. Maybe we’ll have lunch at Eimi’s house too. You’ll get to meet Anzu-nee there too. I’m sure you’ll get along quite well.”

I mean, their height was quite similar. But I wasn’t going to rub it on that girl. After all, knowing Ria, her mature nature would be able to win her over right away.

“Oh, that’s Sister Eimi’s older cousin, right? Your new girl.” Ria teasingly smirked. “Got it. I’ll get along well with them.”

“Mhm. I knew you would.”

“What’s next?”

“Well, go home to eat your birthday cake? And then, meet up with Kazuha-nee, Nami and the others. We’ll escort them to the mall.”

Hearing that, Ria couldn’t help but shake her head, “Really, Dumb-senpai. Just listening to you list everything you’re going to do tomorrow is already making me tired.”

“Tired already, huh? Alright, I’ll carry you on my back when we’re going from place to place then.”

Ria immediately blushed from that before saying, “Dumb, Dumb-senpai! I don’t need you to carry me like that... Ugh. I’m more than happy to accompany you everywhere. That’s my wish, after all.”

“Oh? Are you sure? Then, I’ll continue. Lastly, we’ll head to Satsuki’s practice match. You can cheer louder than anyone or just sit quietly next to me.”

Ria rolled her eyes before giggling again. Her fingers twisted in the hem of her pajama shirt, that telltale sign she was flustered but thrilled.

“And... if you end up with one of the others? Like, if they ask for a private time with you?” She asked, voice dropping quieter, a hint of that possessive edge creeping in despite her earlier words.

I leaned closer to the camera, letting my smirk turn softer. “Then you’re still with me. I’ll make sure you’re not left out. You’re the birthday girl, Ria. Your day, your rules.”

She exhaled shakily, cheeks fully pink now, eyes glassy with that mix of affection and the greed she tried so hard to keep in check.

“You’re impossible, Dumb-senpai,” She whispered, but the smile curving her lips was pure happiness. “Okay. I’ll hold you to it. No backing out.”

“Of course. I would never.” I promised, holding her gaze until she looked away first, flustered.

We talked a little longer after that. About nothing and everything. Her plans for the day. The cake she wanted like strawberries with extra frosting. How she’d been making more difficult problems for me to solve and how she’s been growing on her modest parts, saying she’s already hitting her growth spurt and I’d be able to rest my head on her chest and feel comfortable from its softness.

Every time she laughed, that soft, breathy sound that was just for me, it hit me how much I’d missed this. Even if tomorrow would be a little chaotic, tonight was ours.

When the clock finally ticked over to midnight, I cut in gently.

“Happy birthday, Ria. Starting this year, I’ll make up for the things I neglected before. Like loving you more than you need me to.”

Her eyes widened slightly again, then softened as she blew a kiss through the screen.

“Thank you, Dumb-senpai,” She whispered. “It’s already the best year because you took me back. Now... you made it even better. I love you so much.