Stealing Spree

Chapter 2842: Kidnap me

As the girls filled the bus, I sat down in the first row of seats, right behind the driver’s seat. Like most buses, it was elevated enough that I had a clear view of the road ahead through the windshield, the late afternoon sun painting everything in warm oranges and golds.

Of course, I also had a clear view of Orimura-sensei. When she started the engine, she adjusted the rearview mirror with a quick, almost guilty glance my way before pretending to focus on the controls.

Ryouko-san appeared a minute later. The moment our eyes met, a pleasant smile immediately appeared on her lips. But she didn’t sit down next to me right away.

As the advisor and coach of the Girls Basketball Club, she responsibly checked on everyone first before rounding back to sit beside me as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Of course, this seating arrangement wasn’t arbitrarily decided by her. She gave everyone a plausible reason why she wanted me to sit next to her. Something like discussing the game and how we’re going to cooperate in future games.

Only Satsuki and Ria knew that there was a different reason.

Regardless, Ryouko-san’s approach was different from Orimura-sensei’s. She didn’t immediately lean on being intimate with me. She just sat down silently beside me while waiting for Orimura-sensei to start driving.

When the bus started rolling out of the Hirari High grounds, I saw Nagisa from my side of the window. Clearly, she was searching for me.

Luckily for her, Orimura-sensei was very careful at maneuvering the bus out of the parking space. It got her sufficient time to message me, asking where I was seated.

The girl visibly flinched as she probably never expected me to reply right away, after all. I never told her I was still using the same number. And most of her past messages were buried under the app.

But well, I was watching her so I replied instantly. Soon enough, she found me.

With her smile still laced with her longing for me, she waved and mouthed something. However, it was at that point that Orimura-sensei turned towards the school gates.

I saw her about to chase after the bus but she stopped when Sakuraba and Takamine appeared behind her before she disappeared from my view.

Instead, she sent another message saying, “Don’t forget about me.”

“I’ll call you. Let’s meet properly next time.”

Her reply was a simple heart emoji. It then showed that she was typing something, but even after the bus reached the main road, she never sent anything.

Most likely, she couldn’t decide exactly what she wanted to say to me. As I was about to put the phone away, a voice message arrived instead and even then, it was only a few seconds long.

She said, “You have to pick me up for that, Ruki. You know my place. I hope you still have the key you asked me to duplicate for you. I’ll be waiting.”

Mhm. I guess that’s fair. Back then, I also used to pick her up or stay the night at her place. After all, she’s living by herself.

Her parents were separated. They jointly funded the apartment unit and gave it to her. They’re sending her allowance monthly to support her living expenses and perhaps tuition until she graduates from college. After that, she’ll be on her own.

That’s why she would even take a part-time job like that of a cake seller last Christmas to earn extra cash.

As for whether they’re still visiting her or not, I had no idea. I could remember how lonely she was when talking about her parents. And given the way I was before, I swept it to the back of my hide and just didn’t bother asking.

Anyways, the duplicate key... I probably put it somewhere in the storage room. Along with the gift she left behind last Christmas.

She didn’t just want me to pick her up. She wanted me to visit her house again, just like the old times.

Let’s see... Will I have the time for it this coming week? Ugh... We’ll see.

A few minutes later, the bus became extremely quiet. Most girls had already fallen asleep, especially those who played in the court.

Next to me, Ryouko-san was still silent, but I could tell she was watching me from the corner of her eye, waiting for me to finish fiddling with my phone.

I slipped it back into my pocket and turned toward her, keeping my voice low enough that the sleeping girls behind us wouldn’t stir. “Sensei... I kept you waiting.”

“You sure did, Ruki-kun.” She replied in the same volume while silently chuckling. “But I don’t mind. Having you here next to me is enough.”

Upon saying that, she shifted slightly to my side, enough that our shoulders touched. She slipped her hand from under the armrest to place it on top of mine.

All of it was naturally not hidden in Orimura-sensei’s eyes, who would occasionally glance at us through the rearview mirror.

I flipped my hand over to properly hold hers, threading our fingers together under the armrest where no one else could see.

Ryouko-san’s palm was warm, a little clammy from the long day, but the way her thumb gently caressed the back of my hand told me everything she wasn’t saying out loud.

She kept her eyes forward, pretending to watch the road, but the faint blush creeping up her neck gave her away.

“You did great. You saved us again. I should be the one giving you your reward but... those girls and Sanae beat me to it.”

“Well, I can take another reward. Especially from you.”

“Pfft. Don’t be silly. We’ll be caught instantly here. And Sanae is watching us. This is... more than enough.”

The way she trailed her voice there told me that this was hardly enough. She’s just acting as the responsible teacher. Totally different from Orimura-sensei, who was more impulsive.

In any case, it’s not like she couldn’t be as bold. She was simply being considerate of me. After all, she knew how many places I’ve been to since this morning.

“Mhm. Got it but we can at least sneak one or two of this...”

Upon saying that, I quickly and carefully moved, leaning to her side and kissing her lips.

Ryouko-san stiffened for a moment before softening up, accepting it fully. Her fingers tightened their grip, squeezing hard enough that I felt the faint tremble running through her.

I then slowly settled back in my seat while tugging her head along with me.

I kept the kiss light at first, just a gentle press, but when she let out the tiniest, needy sigh and parted her lips, I slipped my tongue inside, tasting her properly.

She melted almost instantly. Her free hand came up to hold my head as our kiss deepened. Our tongues entangle together, both hungry for affection.

I could feel the heat rising in her cheeks with the way her breathing quickened against my face.

Through the rearview mirror, Orimura-sensei’s eyes shifted back to us again. She didn’t say a word, but her grip on the steering wheel tightened visibly. She was watching every second of it, pretending to focus on the road.

She’s probably taking note of how gentle I am towards Ryouko-san. And when the next lesson arrives, she’ll scold me for it.

Eventually, Ryouko-san broke the kiss as she ran out of breath. Still, her lips curved up in a satisfied smile before saying, “Ruki-kun... Any more and I will lose control.”

“I know. It’s the same for me.”

“Geez... Sanae will murder you with her gaze soon. What about this? I’ll pretend to sleep... lend me your shoulder.”

Ryouko-san didn’t wait for an answer. She shifted closer and tilted her head until it rested against my shoulder.

She then closed her eyes, truly pretending that she was asleep. The weight of her was warm and familiar, the kind of closeness that made the rumbling bus feel smaller and more intimate.

I was tempted to slip my arm behind her but it would be risky if someone close to us woke up. Besides, she’s just pretending anyway. It’s enough to keep our hands together. At least, for now.

Soon, Ryouko-san let out a soft, contented sigh. Her warm breath almost tickled me.

“Ruki-kun...” She softly whispered my name with barely disguised affection. “I said we’re going to talk about the game but... I don’t think I can focus on it like this.”

I smilingly shook my head and replied, “No problem. We’ll have plenty of time to discuss it another day. Just make yourself comfortable, Ryouko-san.”

“Un. I’ll do that. But Ruki-kun, when can I take you home? You’re going to be very busy this week...”

“Let’s see. You can kidnap me after school. That way, no one can complain if I suddenly disappear.” I teasingly answered. It was a joke but as though she had just heard a brilliant idea, she tilted her head up and opened her eyes. And from there, I could see them sparkling brightly.