Stealing Spree

Chapter 2046 Trust

She kept her finger on my lips and continued, “Dear, you don’t have to be alarmed… I won’t be upset even if it turns out to be true.”

What did she mean by this? I couldn’t help but ask that to myself.

Did she figure it out herself or did someone tell her about it? Or maybe, the clues Mina and I left for her were already uncovered by her.

Based on her words, she’s not certain about it. At least, until I opened up to her by saying I wanted to apologize.

That settled her suspicion.

With this, one could say that I made a blunder. However, I’ve been meaning to confess it to her anyway. That’s one of my reasons for coming here.

At this moment, there’s no trace of unhappiness from Yayoi-san. In fact, apart from the hint of relief as though she pulled out what was prickling her, Yayoi-san's eyes still showered me with warmth and affection.

Like she said, she wasn’t going to be upset so an apology would be unnecessary.

Our relationship might’ve started too quickly and we only had a few instances where we could be this close to each other. Nonetheless, I never missed a day checking on her except when I was on a camping trip. But that shouldn’t be enough for her to just dismiss her doubt, right?

Well, there’s no point trying to figure it out myself. It’s best to hear it from her directly.

“Yes, it is true. Their identity is the same as you and Mina. I love them as much as I love the both of you.” I tried hanging my head low but Yayoi-san prevented me from doing so. She wanted me to look her in the eye and communicate with her truthfully.

“Your eyes didn’t even waver by saying that. Does that mean you love all of us equally?”

“Yes. I was planning to tell you about this in the future…”

“Are you afraid that I’ll be devastated?”

“Not only that. I don’t want you to feel betrayed again.”

“Dear, if that’s the case, it doesn’t matter whether you tell me about it right away or in the future. In the end, I’ll still feel betrayed because I will be thinking that there’s only me and Mi-chan for you.”

“You’re right… I became a little selfish, thinking it’ll be better to slowly ease you up with the idea that I can fall in love with multiple women.”

“Mi-chan agreed to your decision, right?”

“Mhm. I asked her for help…”

I was already deliberating about adding an apology at the end. However, I pushed it back down upon seeing her unshaken resolve.

“Mhm. I asked her for help…”

I was already deliberating about adding an apology at the end. However, I pushed it back down upon seeing her unshaken resolve.

No matter what, she’s not going to be upset with me. Even with this revelation.

Yayoi-san became silent for a while, most likely digesting everything that I said.

I thought I should continue revealing everything to her. However, before I could say something more, Yayoi-san pulled my head in, resuming the connection between our lips. Her affection for me poured through it. And little by little, the sweetness brought by that kiss seemed to convey her reason why she was unbothered despite my admittance of guilt.

For Yayoi-san, her current affection prevailed over everything else. That simple.

Her trust in me was so high that she never even compared me to the man who made her suffer years ago.

Maybe it’s because I’ve been nothing but genuine to her when it comes to my affection for her or there’s another reason.

However, Yayoi-san is willing to turn a blind eye temporarily, letting me tell her everything I’m still keeping from me.

Whether or not her affection for me will change after I tell her everything, it’s still up in the air. At the moment, Yayoi-san didn’t have any intention of flipping the board and letting any negative emotion take over.

Seconds gradually turned to minutes. Soon, our lips separated again and Yayoi-san let out a peal of endearing laughter.

“You’re a totally good kisser, dear. I can’t get enough of it.”

“So are you, Yayoi-san.”

“Un. We’re this compatible, no?” Her lips curled up into a smirk before moving her arms from my back to my head. Then, she pulled my head down, enclosing me in her tight embrace.

“Dear, I can see the resolution in your eyes. You came here ready to address my suspicion. And you did so without faltering. It may be normal to be upset. However, our relationship has been abnormal from the beginning.”

“You promised to take care of me – or us. And I still believe that. You may be young but your sense of responsibility has been oozing out of you ever since the first day that I met you. You’re someone who will never break a promise. That’s my initial impression. That hasn't changed yet, right?”

Hearing her words, affirmed her words and looked up at her with the same resolute expression.

However, there’s still something that needs to be addressed.

“Even if that’s the case. Don’t you feel it’s too much?”

“It is too much. That’s why I’m expecting you to make up for it. Can you do that?”

“How?”

“Simple. Don’t let me be in the dark anymore.”

“That’s too simple. And I’m going to do that regardless of the outcome.”

“Is that so? Then… I’ll leave you to think about how to make up for it. In the meantime, can we finish preparing our dinner? I meant it when I invited you for dinner.”

“Alright. Order me to your heart’s content, Yayoi-san.”

“I’ll take you up on that offer then. Here, prepare all of these for me…” She reached for an onion and then pointed at the stack of ingredients on the other side of the countertop. “And before I forget, I will also be transparent to you, dear. It’s been some time since I sensed that you and Mina have something you’re keeping from me.”

“... How long was it?”

“Last week? I met Haru-chan and Edelweiss-chan. I’ve met those two ways before Mina brought you here for our little competition. Unlike before when they were so averse to the mention of a boy, they wore the same expressions as Mi-chan when talking about you. They’re both filled with affection toward you.”

This. So, Haruko and Edel indirectly clued her in. I must say, she’s got some scary observation skills as well to pick that up. But then, even without the trip to Tokyo, we’re already bound to arrive at this same juncture.

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“I see… we’ve been seen through already.” I smiled bitterly before slowly loosening up my hold around her.

When Yayoi-san noticed that I was trying to take a step back, she locked her fingers together from behind me, not letting me retreat.

Then, with a stern look, she wordlessly conveyed that I shouldn’t escape.

“Don’t feel bad about it. I run a business of my own. I have developed a good eye on people by observing my customers day in and out.” Yayoi-san smilingly stated before easing up her expression. “Ruki-dear, we have a long way to go. I’m willing to bet our future with you. You’re the only one who made me feel loved again. You’ve shown clearly that you’re not calculative but sincere with everything you do and say…”

Hearing all of this from her, my face couldn’t help but feel the heat. This kind of trust and devotion… I truly have to live up to it.