Stealing Spree

Chapter 2803: Who do you think she is?

Tiny frame, big assets. That’s how most people have probably described Anzu-nee. And she’s aware of it. Despite that, she still developed a complex over it.

I only managed to win her over when I never stopped treating her as someone older.

Anyway, Ria understood what I was hinting at and she nodded repeatedly. Then, with her eyes sparkling with a mix of envy and curiosity, she pressed to my side, her small hand squeezing mine like she was reminding herself she had her own charms.

“Dumb-senpai, do you like Sister Anzu’s size more?” She asked. Looking at her, she clearly didn’t mean anything by it. She already knew my preference was wide enough to include all of them. She just wanted to hear me say it.

“I like every size, Ria. Especially yours. They fit perfectly in my hand. And one day, when you grow into them more... I’ll still love them just the same.”

Her cheeks went crimson but the satisfied little hum she let out told me my answer hit exactly where she wanted.

She buried her face in my arm again, mumbling something that sounded suspiciously like ‘pervert’ but it was her own way to express a hint of embarrassment.

By then, we were close enough that Anzu-nee noticed us. Her sharp eyes shifted over, widening slightly when she spotted Ria clinging to my arm like a possessive kitten. Then they narrowed again as they landed on the guy still trying to grovel at her feet.

He was on one knee now, holding out a bouquet of roses like it was some grand romantic gesture. His face was flushed, hair slicked back in a way that screamed desperate effort. The kind of guy who thought flashy apologies could erase months of being a complete asshole.

Anzu-nee’s expression was extremely cold. Her arms were crossed tight under her chest. Yep. Pushing those curves up in a way that probably wasn’t helping the guy focus. Her foot was tapping impatiently against the pavement.

“I told you the other day, and the week before this, and every time you’ve shown up like a bad rash,” She said with a voice sharp enough to cut through him. “We’re done. Over. Finished. Go crawl back to that bitch you dumped me for and leave me alone.”

The guy opened his mouth, probably to launch into another pathetic plea, but that’s when Ria tugged my sleeve harder.

“Dumb-senpai,” She whispered, her eyes shimmering with a calculating look she got when she was about to do something mischievous. “Should we help Sister Anzu?”

I raised an eyebrow at her. “Help how? You want me to punch him?”

I am honestly considering doing that. How dare he come here to pester Anzu-nee-san again? Unfortunately, I’ll have to hand it to her for now. She got it in her to stomp the bastard on her own, after all. Then, I’ll drive a nail into his coffin right after.

However, Ria has another plan.

“Dumb-senpai,” She whispered while smiling mischievously. Something she rarely showed. Even to me. “I want to do something different today. It’s my birthday. Let me handle the opening move, okay? Watch.”

Before I could ask what she meant, Ria let go of my hand and skipped forward like an innocent kid who’d just spotted her favorite big sister.

Anzu-nee noticed her first, eyes widening in surprise before shifting to me with a quick, questioning glance.

Naturally, this should be her first time meeting Ria and she had no idea what the girl was planning.

The ex was still blabbering, something about ‘giving him another chance’ and ‘realizing his mistake’ as if he didn’t hear Anzu-nee’s words earlier. At the same time, he was completely oblivious until Ria’s bright voice cut through his pathetic monologue.

“Big Sis Anzu!” Ria called out cheerfully, waving both hands like she’d known Anzu-nee her whole life. “We’re here! Dumb-senpai said we’re going on a supermarket date today, right? I’ve been waiting all morning! Where’s Sister Eimi?”

She hopped and skipped, stopping right up to Anzu-nee, completely ignoring the kneeling guy, and latched onto her arm with that perfect innocent smile.

Anzu-nee blinked, caught off guard, but recovered fast.

A soft, surprised laugh escaped her as she patted Ria’s head. “Oh... You’re... with Ruki today?”

“Mhm! It’s my birthday, so he brought me with him.” Ria declared proudly, then turned those big, sparkling eyes on the ex like she’d only just noticed him. “Oh. Who’s this weird uncle kneeling on the ground? Is he begging for money or something?”

The guy’s face went from desperate to stunned to outright offended in the span of two seconds. He opened his mouth, probably to snap at a ‘kid,’ but Ria wasn’t done.

She tilted her head with an expression of pure confusion. “Big Sis, did he do something bad? He looks like he’s about to cry. Should we call the police?”

Anzu-nee’s lips twitched, fighting a smile as she glanced down at her ex, who was now scrambling to his feet. His face was slowly becoming red with humiliation.

Ria didn’t give him a chance to recover. She tugged Anzu-nee’s sleeve, pulling her attention fully away. “Come on, Big Sis! Dumb-senpai said he’s going to cook for you after it. Let’s go and pick ingredients for it!”

... That girl. Is she pitting me to cook for them? I mean, Anzu-nee and Eimi have more extensive skills than me in that area but knowing my girls, they’ll definitely not miss seeing me working alone in the kitchen while they watch behind me.

As Anzu-nee also battled with her confusion, the ex finally found his voice, spluttering as he clutched the sad bouquet like a shield. “Hey, kid, this is a private conversation–”

Ria turned to him with that wide-eyed innocent look that could turn terrifying when she wanted it to. “Private? You’re doing it on the street. And you’re bothering Big Sis Anzu. She already said no, like, a lot. Didn’t your mom teach you to listen when someone says no?”

I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. Ria, being in full protective mode, was lethal. And I never thought she’d be this great at acting like a cute and innocent girl. I always pictured her as this mature junior who could even pick most of my flaws. Now, she’s acting cute, tiny, and absolutely ruthless.

Anzu-nee wasn’t even trying to hide her smile anymore. She reached down to ruffle Ria’s hair even though she still didn’t know her name. Her eyes turned softer as they delivered a quiet thanks to me, most likely thinking I set the girl loose to save her from this predicament.

The dude looked like he was about to explode. He stood up as his face gradually turned purple. Then, he took a step forward and his hand was about to raise. “Listen here, you little–”

And that’s when I stepped in.

I moved fast, sliding between him and the girls with a calm that probably looked more threatening than any glare. My hand settled lightly on his shoulder, grip firm enough to make him acknowledge my existence.

“Easy,” I said while donning a small yet cold smile on my lips, “What are you trying to do here? Are you planning to raise a hand against a little girl like her? Not good, dude. Tsk tsk.”

As I clicked my tongue, my grip on his shoulder tightened, enough for his face to contort with pain.

The bouquet trembled in his other hand as the roses drooped like they’d given up on life too.

His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water as his eyes darted between my grip on his shoulder and the two girls behind me.

Ria peeked out from behind Anzu-nee’s side. Her innocent, wide-eyed act was still perfectly in place, but the tiny smirk tugging at her lips was all for me.

Anzu-nee just crossed her arms tighter, chin lifted in an unyielding way that said she was done entertaining this clown.

The guy finally found his voice, but it came out squeaky and strained under my grip.

“L-let go, man. This is between me and Anzu. You don’t even know–”

“What did you say? I know enough,” I cut him off calmly, loosening my hold just enough that he could breathe but not enough to shake me off. “You dumped her for another girl. And you thought you had her as your backup when you grew tired of that one. And now you’re here, on your knees in the street, thinking flowers and tears fix everything. Newsflash: they don’t.”

His face went from purple to red, feeling his ego bruised worse than his shoulder. “Who the hell do you think you are? Her new boyfriend or something?”

I let the silence stretch just long enough for it to sink in. Then I smiled. The kind that didn’t reach my eyes.

“Ding ding ding. Correct. Should I give you a point for that?” I playfully answered, which made his face contort further.

“I-it’s you... That guy on the phone.”

At least he remembered that time. Regardless, even if our relationship didn’t become defined, I’d still act like this to help her out. After all, she’s Eimi’s older cousin, and she’s treating me like a little brother.

“Oh? Now that’s 2 points. So, do you think she cannot find someone else? Who do you think she is?”