Stealing Spree

A few minutes later, I left the station while still a little baffled at what I heard from that guy.

Indeed, he’s desperate. But to ask someone like me for help, disregarding the time, place as well as the attention we both got, I could only spit at it in my mind.

In his own words, they’re apparently in need of more hosts as the club experienced a mass exodus of their employees to their rival.

The guy, as someone who rose to the rank of a manager, was tasked to scout for it.

As for the reason why they all jumped ship with their rival, he explained that the offer was too enticing. Furthermore, there were no limiting rules such as respecting each other there.

It will be an environment of survival of the fittest that most hosts want.

Their profits would be higher if they could steal more patrons from the others, after all.

But that story was full of holes for me.

Shouldn’t there be some kind of law among those clubs? Like no mass poaching of employees. It could spark a war, after all. That’s why I remained skeptical throughout the few minutes I’ve given him to talk.

Not that I was going to accept his offer. I found no merit in it, after all. I simply answered due to his amazing perseverance.

All things considered, I still managed to come up with an answer. At least, a consolation for his effort.

It’s not a yes, of course. I simply told him the truth. That I am still in high school.

As soon as that information sank into his mind, his face blackened as though he had just eaten something unappetizing. He then quickly apologized before storming away.

I thought that was the end of it, but he came running back with an offer and a suggestion, “Won’t you at least try it? One night. You don’t have to drink or be touchy-feely with them. You will only talk to a patron. Every profit the club made on those you served will be given to you.”

Yeah. He’s that desperate. Even though he still had no idea about my skill, he was quite convinced that I would be able to pull it off. That’s how much he believed in my ability.

Anyway, he gave me the same card, or rather, forced it on me, telling me to call him if ever I decided to accept that offer.

“Maybe if I’m Ruki from a few months back, I will certainly accept that. I can’t even see all of my girls in one day. It’s absurd to do something that’s not going to make an impact on our current situation. I’d rather accompany Mizuki and start our journey to become business moguls.” I muttered to myself while shaking my head.

With this, I quickly put that encounter to the back of my head.

–

–

By the time I reached in front of the Ishida mansion, my empty hands now had a rose and a paper bag from the nearby burger shop.

I was only supposed to ask her about that miraculous tea but that’s a waste of a chance to surprise her. And that’s why I came up with this.

At first, I thought buying something that could pass as breakfast or a midday snack would be enough. However, I also saw a flower shop nearby. Might as well tune it up, right?

After readying myself to meet my lovely senior, I pressed the doorbell and waited.

Unlike the last time, Ishida-senpai didn’t open the door right away, instead, she answered it through the security system installed in that doorbell.

“Huh? Who are you?” With a sleepy voice, she asked. Most likely, the girl didn’t look at the camera feed yet. Or even if she did, my face could only be partially seen. Add the possibility that she had just woken up, her eyes were only half-opened.

Intentionally missing the chance to get her guessing, I smilingly answered as I stepped right in front of the camera, “Who else will it be? It’s your boyfriend visiting. I brought breakfast.”

After saying that, I lifted both the flower and the paper bag, showing them to her.

A second later, Ishida-senpai’s loud gasp was delivered through the microphone before hurried steps rang out.

“W-wait a minute! I have yet to wash my face! Why didn’t you call me? Ugh!”

Yep. That made her drowsiness disappear and she started panicking. She even failed to react to how I referred to myself as her boyfriend. Although that’s now more or less true, the girl still had a little reservation about it.

In any case, she probably didn’t want me to see her in her ‘just woke up’ state. That’s cute. That will change soon when the time comes for her to sleep in the same bed as me.

Three minutes later, the door opened and Ishida-senpai with a homely attire of a pair of shirt and short pants rushed to the gate to let me inside.

“You cheeky bastard. How come you’re here this early? You didn’t even message.” She growled at me but the natural smile on her lips remained.

I didn’t answer her right away. Instead, I stepped forward and handed her the flower. When she grabbed it, I stretched my arm to her back, pulling her close to me.

Knowing that no one will be passing by anytime soon, I unhesitatingly kissed her, taming her.

Upon seeing her expression relaxed, I pulled my head away and put on my best smile, “Actually, I’m here to ask about the tea. But scratch that, my prevalent reason now is to see you and spend time with you.”

“You know, there’s no use changing that if you already honestly told me the real reason.”

“You’re right. I can’t just lie to you though.”

“While it’s nice to know that you’re keeping that up, I also want to hear you saying that you’re here because you miss me.”

How nice. I’m glad she’s now being this straightforward. Unlike before when she kept on holding herself back from saying what was really on her mind.

“I’m sure that will happen soon. But senpai, I’m also being truthful when I said my reason changed. I can ask about the tea later…”

While pouting, she turned back towards the door and started walking, “Yeah, yeah. Let’s go in. You’re right on time, I’m hungry…”

“Want me to feed you?”

I chased after her and teasingly asked.

Obviously, that earned me a glare and a swift refusal. She’s embarrassed.

Well, the mystery of tea could wait. My mind was already busy thinking of ways to enjoy this moment with this girl.

The house still seemed very lonely… Is there a way to brighten it up even just for a bit?

A house tour maybe? Uh. she might not like it. I mean, she’s also not that keen on walking around this empty house, after all.

In any case, I could worry about that later. For now… I just want to hold the girl in front of me.

Upon arriving in their living room, I placed the paper bag on the coffee table before reaching in towards her. My arms swiftly enclosed around her, hugging her from behind.

“I caught you,” As cheesy as it sounded, I affectionately whispered that in her ears followed by using a bit of my strength to bring her down with me on the sofa.