Stealing Spree

Chapter 2923: A Calm Before... (1)

I didn’t need to guess who was the mastermind behind this. If it’s only Futaba’s idea. She’d never dare wait for me at the door even if I kept her on ’seen’. Furthermore, would that silly girl relinquish her right to wait for me at the door to someone else?

And sure enough, as my gaze passed Futaba’s shoulder, I saw the adorable head of my silly wife, which immediately retreated to the living room.

“Mhm. I’m home.” I answered with a slight smile on my lips, shifting my gaze back to her. ”I apologize for that silly girl.”

The girl shook her head. ”It’s no trouble. I also... meant to see you first.”

I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at that. But then, I remembered why she might’ve been compelled to act like this.

”Right... I apologize for not replying right away.” I put on an apologetic smile, stepping closer to her. “The Cultural Festival preparation got me running around without rest.”

Upon hearing that, Futaba’s slightly inexpressive face lit up before waving her hand, “You know you don’t have to explain yourself to me, right?”

I don’t know if she’s aware of it, but I saw her lips curving up into a small smile. Most likely, she was amused or moved by my attempt to explain why I didn’t reply to her.

As sensible as she was, now that she put herself in this complicated situation with me, her words and actions couldn’t always be in sync anymore.

“I know but I think you deserved it. I should’ve at least told you that I would be busy.”

The girl stifled a laugh and shook her head. ”Bah. I’m not your girlfriend. You should save that up for Akane or Fuyu.”

”What do you mean? Informing you is only right. Aren’t we already friends?”

Futaba paused, her gaze drifting toward the living room where my wife was likely listening with bated breath. A small, wistful expression crossed her face before she regained her composure. ”Friends. Right. That’s exactly what we are.”

Somehow, the word felt heavy and almost ironic, given the previous ’lesson’ she had come to crave. Now, she’s here for another one. If anything, calling each other friends was just a convenient mask for the tension that had been building between us since the moment she decided to cross the line and ask me for that lesson.

To prevent the situation from turning awkward, I quickly switched to my house slippers and followed her to the living room where Akane and the others were waiting.

Sure enough, it’s not only Futaba who came tonight. Their group of best friends was complete.

Eri was playing the same fighting game with Minoru, losing against the boy again.

Fuyu was in the kitchen, helping Miwa-nee set up the dining table.

And of course, my silly wife, Akane, who quickly jumped into my arms as soon as I stepped into the room.

”Welcome home, husband! I missed you!”

My arm reflexively wrapped around her waist, keeping her balanced as she clung to me like a koala. As always, Akane’s scent filled my senses, which instantly grounded me after the long day of running around the school.

”Really? But why didn’t my wife wait for me at the door today?” I teasingly asked, fully knowing the answer.

I glanced over at Futaba, who was now standing a few paces back, trying her best to look disinterested while her eyes remained locked on us.

Akane puffed out her cheeks, acting innocently, ”Oh, I’m just looking out for Futaba. She’s been sitting there restlessly for like, a whole hour. I thought it would be more polite to let her greet you first.”

”A-akane, you! Why would you say it like that! Onoda-kun would misunderstand!” Futaba stuttered. She looked away, though the tips of her ears were practically glowing.

”What’s there to misunderstand, Futaba? Aren’t you getting anxious waiting for husband?”

”I... I am anxious. But not because of him.”

”Heh. Is that so?” Akane smirked. She slowly climbed down from my embrace and walked over to her friend.

At this sight, I couldn’t help but shake my head. Clearly, Akane wanted to tease her friend, but the sheer lack of subtlety was almost endearing.

Futaba looked like she wanted the floor to swallow her whole. Her posture stiffened as Akane began to circle her like a predator who had already won.

In any case, Futaba might be telling the truth. What’s making her anxious wasn’t actually me but her friends, or more specifically, Akane and Fuyu. They’re my girlfriends after all. Even if she had already steeled herself and gotten their permission for it, she still couldn’t simply ignore the fact that she’d be in an intimate situation with her best friends’ man.

”Alright, stop teasing her, Akane. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of her properly later. If anything happens, I’ll take full responsibility.” I said as I pulled my girl back to me before giving Futaba a reassuring nod.

”Anyway, since everyone is here... I brought desserts.”

As soon as I said that, Eri and Minoru, who were in full concentration to beat each other in the game, perked up. Their heads turned with their eyes sparkling in delight.

Meanwhile, Futaba shrank back and bit her lip before glaring at me with resentment. For all I know, she’s already cursing me for feeding her sugar-filled sweets again. But no matter how much she wants to reject it, I know she’ll still happily nibble on them later.

---

After dinner, Akane pushed me out of the kitchen, preventing me from helping out with cleaning up.

Left with no choice, I could only retreat to the living room and into the embrace of my Fuyu.

”Geez, Ruki. Eri and Futaba are looking.” Fuyu blushed, though she didn’t make any move to pull away. She had her arms looped loosely around my head, patting me gently as I rested on her bountiful chest.

”Let them look,” I murmured, closing my eyes as I wrapped my arms around her waist. ”I’ve been a hardworking man today. I deserve a little recharge.”

”Pfft. Just say you just want to take advantage of our Fuyu, Ruki.” Eri clicked her tongue as she stared at me like I was some sort of stray dog.

She was lounging on the floor, caressing her flat stomach as she continued to munch on the donuts I had brought.

”Indeed. Onoda-kun, you’re being a little shameless. Shouldn’t you be showing more consideration for your guests?” Futaba spoke up as well, her sensible side showing up for a moment. But then, perhaps remembering what’s waiting for her later, the girl immediately lowered her head as she resentfully took another bite of her donut.

I just laughed, rubbing my cheek against Fuyu’s softness. ”Consideration? Sorry, I’m the most shameless guy in the world. I just want to be pampered by my Fuyu.”

A moment later, Fuyu’s hand moved to my cheek, pinching it with a soft, affectionate tug. ”You’re lucky you’re adorable, Ruki. Otherwise, I might actually let Eri kick you off the couch.”

”Heh. Just say the word, Fuyu. I’ll kick him!”

”Hey. I thought you were my girl best friend, Eri? Is this how you’re going to treat me?” I teased, glancing up at her from Fuyu’s chest.

Eri rolled her eyes, though she was too busy chewing a chocolate glaze to sound truly convincing. ”Whatever. It’s exactly because I’m your girl best friend that I have to keep you from acting improperly in the living room. What are you? A giant cat? You’re awfully clingy today.”

”Am I? Well, should I cling to you instead, girl best friend?” I smirked as my eyes moved to her pitiful chest.

Sensing where my gaze had landed, Eri’s cheeks puffed up. ”I hate you, Ruki. This is still soft even if it’s not as big as Fuyu’s!” She instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, a defensive reflex that only served to emphasize the lack of volume there.

Futaba and Fuyu couldn’t help but giggle at the sight. Eri looked like she was about to explode, with her face matching the red of the strawberry frosting on her donut. For all her attempts to assert her ’girl best friend’ status, she was easily the most reactive of the bunch when it came to her own insecurities.

”Stop it! Stop looking!” Eri huffed, shifting her body away from my gaze. ”Go be clingy to your Fuyu. You’ll regret looking down on my chest today.”

With that remark, I could only shake my head. I mean, I’m not looking down on her chest, right?

I looked up, meeting Fuyu’s eyes and beautiful smile. ”What do you think, Fuyu?”

”You are bad, Ruki. But I’m going to let you off today...” Her voice then lowered slightly as she whispered, ”Because I missed you.”

Upon hearing that, I couldn’t help but lift my head for a moment to kiss her before burying my face deeper into her warmth with a contented sigh.

Fuyu just chuckled, her fingers affectionately threading through my hair.

Perhaps understanding she couldn’t break through my shamelessness anymore, Eri let out a snort as I felt her foot nudging my leg.

As for Futaba, her giggling also stopped but I could still feel her gaze from behind me. Whatever is in her head, I’ll probably only hear the entirety of it when we are finally alone.