Stealing Spree

Chapter 402: Bringing Rae to the Book Club

After spending that few minutes just laying down together, listening to our breathing and heartbeats, we left the room and I brought her to the Book Club. The conversation we just had wasn’t brought up again. It was somewhat sensitive and there’s no solution to it at the moment.

Instead of becoming downhearted for that, I changed our topic to a more lighthearted one wherein both of us would talk about mundane things.

As for mundane… given that we’re both not normal, it turned out to be interesting that at the end of our time there, Rae couldn’t stop giggling lovingly.

When we arrived at the Book Club, Aya, who I informed that I would be bringing Rae, welcomed us right at the door before pulling Rae towards Haruko’s table.

Sitting there were Haruko and the silver-haired Serizawa Edelweiss-senpai who immediately averted her gaze upon seeing me.

The girl had her eyes shifting to either Haruko, Aya, Rae or even the teacup in front of her while she’s making extra effort to not meet my gaze.

Well, ever since I entered the room, I hadn’t said anything. Apart from hugging and kissing Aya covertly, I kept my distance from them or her. Haruko was all smiles upon seeing that and after whispering something to the girl, her flawless white skin was touched by a red hue.

“Welcome, though it shouldn’t be the first time that we’re seeing each other in person, Mirae.” After pinching Serizawa-senpai’s cheeks, Haruko cracked a meaningful smile towards Rae and the glasses girl somewhat nervously nodded in answer.

“I apologize for the last time when I ran away, sister Haruko.”

Rae then bowed in apology and called her sister.

Like everyone else, they had already interacted again in their chat group but this would be the first time they met face to face again after Rae ran out of this club in fear of the Book-eating Machines.

Naturally, that time in the infirmary wasn’t counted. Rae was pretending to sleep back then while Haruko was focused on me that she didn’t even care about Rae lying down on the infirmary bed.

“Don’t mention it. Come and sit here with us.” Haruko waved her hand and hollered for her to come. “By the way, this is Serizawa Edelweiss.”

“N-nice to meet you, Mirae.”

When Rae sat on the prepared chair for her, the introverted silver-haired girl greeted her albeit, still somewhat awkward.

“Nice to meet you too, Serizawa-senpai.”

Rae also greeted her but with a somewhat confused look, she alternated her gaze from Haruko and me as if trying to find an answer on what’s the status of Serizawa-senpai. A target or not.

As an answer, I only shook my head slightly before bringing Aya to another chair beside Rae.

Since I was already nearby, I reached in to kiss Haruko as a greeting which was witnessed by the silver-haired senpai who once appeared as if she was about to burst in anger to reprimand me but her fear of men held her back.

In the end, with pouted lips Serizawa-senpai hugged Haruko from behind, circling her arms over her shoulder.

It’s like she was telling me to back off because Haruko is hers.

To satisfy her, I took a step back and distanced myself from them.

Aya and Rae tried to pull me back by grabbing onto my hand. However, knowing that I was about to leave for the next room, the two eventually let me go.

“I will be back later. Haruko, Aya and Serizawa-senpai, I’ll leave Rae to you.”

“Eh? Ruki, I’m not a kid that you’re leaving in a kindergarten.” Rae immediately rebutted.

However, instead of answering her, I just patted her head and dropped another kiss on her lips.

Upon seeing that, Aya glanced at me and even without words, her eyes were conveying that she wanted the same treatment.

Helpless against the adorable girl, I gave in and kissed her even under the observing eyes of the Serizawa-senpai.

Compared to that first interaction between the silver-haired senpai and me wherein I made sure to be careful around her, my consideration over what would be her reaction already lessened.

Whatever she might think of my interaction with Haruko, Aya and Rae, I would let her judge it.

Well, the thing I needed to do for her was to at least lessen her hate over men or if that’s not viable, her hate over interacting with me.

I let her see me kissing Haruko and with that reaction of hers, she was already somewhat tolerating my existence.

Just that, it still needed some time for her to interact with me without Haruko’s instructions.

If I had to guess what Haruko planned, she would eventually leave that girl alone with me or if not alone, she wouldn’t be there.

Now that I began coming here every day, the number of times where we would run into each other would increase. The same goes for the other two; the orange-haired Yuika-senpai and the green-haired Minori-senpai.

For now, I only thought of curing them of their fear of men. Going after them just like what I did with Mina and Himeko would be much later. I just didn’t have that much of a time to spare for it.

–

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As I moved from the Book Club to the Poem Appreciation Club, Mina wasn’t alone. Himeko and the other two seniors were there. However, the two were not sitting around the low round table but at another table placed near the door to their storage room.

When I peeked at what they were doing, they were surprisingly practicing calligraphy by writing their self-created haikus.

It was a surprise because… they’re actually doing some real club activity.

When Himeko and Mina saw me ogling at the two, the former pinched my cheeks while the latter strongly put down a teacup in front of me.

“Stop ogling… Are you here for them or me?” Mina clicked her tongue while she’s filling Himeko’s cup.

Himeko giggled upon hearing that. “Oh my… Mina, you’re acting jealous.”

“I’m not!” With a louder than normal voice, Mina immediately denied it.

And to escape from Himeko’s further teasing she brought her teapot and teacups towards the table where the other two seniors were located.

“To think that my Himeko can actively tease someone else… It’s a refreshing sight.” I commented as I downed the first cup. The flavor of Mina’s brewed tea now had a different texture than yesterday. She improved on it again.

Seeing them interact with each other like that was something new for me.

Most of the time, Himeko was the quiet but brave girl who wouldn’t shy away from me. Seeing her natural smile while having fun like that, a thought came to my mind.

I want to see all of my girls having fun like that in one place while I am watching them. I guess that could be called a paradise for me. Even if I’m not involved as long as all of them are happy. That’s enough.

“Is it? It’s been a while since I saw Mina act jealous. And now it’s because of you, Ruki.” Himeko slid over to my side and used my shoulder to lean on.

Ignoring the other three in the room, she’s making herself comfortable by my side.

Naturally, I didn’t miss that chance. Slipping my arm to her side, I pulled her even closer to me. Times like these were always precious.

Although I was here for Mina’s tea. Seeing Himeko here was a welcome surprise. Being a tester to the tea and deepening my bond with the two girls, it’s like hitting two birds with one stone.