Stealing Spree

Chapter 2118: Eri's Problem (2)

"Like that? I guess he's right. There's no need to tell you to stop consuming sugar. But let me just tell you this. It's my opinion so you're free to believe it or not..."

I paused for a moment to bring some sort of suspense before looking at her straight in her eyes as I delivered my words in utter seriousness.

"Eri, you already look so beautiful as you are. I'm certain you'll look better if you gain more nutrients in some parts and create a curvier figure but it's not necessary at all. You can ask your boyfriend. There's no way he doesn't see you as attractive."

If I say the same words to Futaba or any other girl who's too conscious about their figure, they might just declare me as their mortal enemy. That sounded like what a champion of 'body positivity' would say, after all. They're all working hard to keep their figure so it was more insulting to hear.

"I don't know if that's a compliment or not but thank you, I guess?" Upon hearing that, Eri put on a lousy smirk as though she was just picking up some kind of pity from me.

"Come on, I'm honestly complimenting you."

"I know. But Onoda-kun, it's just unbelievable for me... Aren't you someone who would prefer Akane, Fuyu, or Futaba's figure more? I've seen how you hold them and your head tends to..."

She didn't finish her sentence but the way she looked down on her chest conveyed her unspoken words.

This girl. Is that what's running in her head? It's not that she's comparing herself to the other three. She simply accepted that out of the three, she was the least attractive and lacking in sex appeal.

Yeah. It's not that noticeable since she's always playful and energetic despite her overflowing girlish demeanor. But thinking about it, after being with them for years and seeing their bodies slowly develop next to them, this was bound to happen.

It's not an inferiority complex. But maybe a defeatist one. It would probably not affect them negatively but this girl... she severely needed someone who'd compliment and help her build a tower of confidence.

I won't judge but her boyfriend is probably already satisfied with their current situation.

Wait. Is she actually here to ask me for advice on her relationship? Uh... We're still not back on that topic.

"Unlike most boys, I have no such preference. The four of you are head-turners. I may be biased for Akane and Fuyu though."

My reply was just in line with what she knew. Upon hearing that, the girl's grim look slightly brightened up.

"Haha... That's very like you, Onoda-kun. Did I tell you this before? That you're so good at comforting a girl."

She hit me again on my arm but this time, it was a light tap.

"First time I'm hearing that."

"Now you do, then. Hehe. Don't make my two best friends cry in the future! You have to make them happy!"

"Of course, I will. You'll be there to witness that. We've been derailed for so long but Eri, tell me... What is it? What's bugging you that's in need of this Shameless Wisdom Spirit's answer"

Finally, we finished a circle and returned to the reason why she sneaked out to meet me at this hour.

Upon hearing that, the girl also turned serious. She slid closer and nudged me with her shoulder.

Glancing at her from the side, I saw the girl with her head down while fiddling with her fingers.

"Can you promise not to laugh?"

"Cross my heart."

Is she telling me some embarrassing secret? I don't know. But this sounds serious. So, I simply answered swiftly.

Eri raised her head to look at me. From her gaze alone, I could already feel that this was going to be important for her.

"Then, Onoda-kun, do I look attractive to you?"

"I'm sorry?"

I didn't hear wrongly, right? Didn't I just call her attractive a few times before this? Or maybe that doesn't count and this one has another meaning?

"That's my question! I... You see. Don't tell this to anyone, okay? I heard you earlier but I can't help but put that as your objective opinion based on what you see from me. Tell me seriously this time. Use your subjective point of view. I'm stuck in a rut, thinking I'm not attractive enough. What do you think?"

I see. So, she thought I was only being objective earlier. If she knew I often rely on my subjective view of any situation or person, she'd probably stare at me with an incredulous expression and wonder if I was an idiot. Which wasn't wrong in the slightest.

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In any case, if this was the matter troubling her then... this should be easy.

"Wanna hear a short or long answer?"

"Short. Be direct about it."

Using my observation skills, I could sense this girl's uneasiness. It's like my answer might be the key she needed to hear to accept her situation.

If I'm not wrong, this isn't the exact question she asked Akane or the other girls. There's something more specific hidden beneath it.

But for now, she wants to hear my honest and unfiltered opinion about her first.

"Alright. Short answer, you're attractive to me."

Her eyes lit up for a split second. That came from neither joy nor excitement but the

recognition that I didn't beat around the bush.

Following that she closed in and said in a serious tone, "Prove it."

"Prove what?"

"Prove that I'm attractive to you. Show me what you want to do with me."

"Wait. Wait. Wait. Eri, you're probably misunderstanding something here but that's not how attraction works. What do you want me to show you? Do you want to see me push you down and ravage your body? Isn't that just straight-up assault? Spare me with that." Alright. This was getting out of hand so, I should steer her back a little, right? She's here to be enlightened about something and I'm only expected to give her the answer.

I may be a pervert and someone who has taken advantage of girls before but this situation is just wrong for that.

Perhaps she was hit with a whiplash, Eri facepalmed, "Ugh. You're right. Sorry. Forget about it. I... believe you."

The girl then slid away from me. Even without looking at her, I could feel the heat of her embarrassment.

"Hey, Eri. Correct me if I'm wrong. This question. Does this have to do with your

relationship?"

Right. This should be the root of her problems, right? It all stemmed from her relationship. She wouldn't suddenly ask me if she was attractive when she could ask her boyfriend for that.

There's more to it than that.

And somehow, I think I can already guess what it is.

"Yes. Kind of. There is not much progress with our relationship so I thought I may not be attractive enough for him."

"Progressing with what?" Although it's already obvious, I still pressed her for it. This way, she could voice out her problem properly.

"You know... With what couples do. We keep hearing from Akane that you two have long

crossed that line... Uh... You live together and sleep in the same bed. You do it day and night, early morning and before sleeping. Sometimes in the other parts of the house too! While me and my boyfriend, we're still in the cuddling stage!"

... If I was drinking something at the moment, I would've choked and sprayed it in front of me from what this girl revealed. That Akane, what kind of stories is she telling her friends? Does Fuyu know about it as well?

No wonder, she sent this girl to me... Akane trusts me enough to clear her friend's head

regarding that topic. She knew I wouldn't just lay a hand on her and help her out sincerely.

Haa... I don't know if I should praise or scold my silly wife for this. But well, let's take a step back and focus on the matter at hand first.

"Eri, first off. You shouldn't compare yourself to us. We're a couple of perverts."