Stealing Spree

Chapter 973 Convinced

Entering the month of June, it marked the start of the gradual transition from spring to summer season. Nonetheless, it’s not as if we’d be facing the extreme heatwaves this early. That still had to wait for the summer vacation. There would be little episodes of rain showers or storms passing by our country first.

Well, as long as it’s not heavy rain along with thunderstorms wherein flood and power outage would be imminent then it’s still fine.

In any case, I mentioned that because they said on the morning news that the chance for rain is high today.

“Here, it’s definitely going to rain so don’t forget your umbrellas. Haruko and Edel too. We have spares so take these.”

Running after us before we left the house, Miwa-nee looked like a very normal housewife worrying over her forgetful children. That put us all in a great mood. Even Edel and Haruko found it endearing.

“Thank you!” Edel and Haruko pleasantly smiled as they received the umbrellas.

Edel was living alone while Haruko had a strained relationship with her family. Experiencing this kind of concern even though it’s a simple one was enough to let them warm up more to Miwa-nee.

“Thank you Miwa-nee. We’re going then.” I put the umbrella in my bag and stepped forward, kissing Miwa-nee. “Have a great day.”

Akane also thanked Miwa-nee and we departed from our house.

With the expectation that this day would be tiring for me, I prepared myself to be oblivious and indifferent to the same unsolicited looks or approaches that I might receive today.

Well, I wouldn’t benefit in any way from those. That’s why it was best to just be vigilant rather than be mindful of something I had no control of.

And with that, I still insisted on sending Akane to school despite her suggestion last night.

Faced with my stubbornness, the silly girl could only give up on it.

In any case, before separating from Haruko and Edel, I didn’t forget to pamper and satisfy them to start their day with a smile.

It goes both ways so… I’m just as satisfied and happy like them.

“You stubborn guy… Only until the station, alright? You’ll definitely be on the front page of our school newspaper if you showed up at the gate.”

Upon entering the train car, Akane got us a corner neat, away from most eyes. It’s her own countermeasure to prevent me from becoming the center of attention.

Right. Even if I became unbothered by it, the same couldn’t be said for my girls. They’re actually more affected by this sudden glow-up on my image…

In a way, our situation was reversed. If before I was the one making sure that no one would ogle at her, this time she’s the one preventing the other girls from ogling me.

And with the way she’s doing it, I found myself loving it more.

“Mhm. I understand. I’ll do this too then…” I smiled at her before slipping my arms to her snugged, hugging her in public space. Not only that, I snuggled to her chest and settled on it even if I heard the surprised gasps of boys and girls alike that were looking at us.

Akane’s temperature rose little by little, and when I glanced up to look at her, she was covering her fully flustered face with her bag.

“…Uhh. I also understand now, husband. This must be what you’re feeling when we just can’t stop snuggling to you.” Her lips curved into a forced smile to hide her embarrassment but her red face says it all.

Well, that’s incorrect though. I never felt embarrassed when they were snuggling with me most of the time. Instead, I was a little smug whenever that would happen. Seeing the other boys or men’s envious glares was satisfying for my desire.

I didn’t tell her that and just enjoyed the rest of the ride watching her squirm and overheat from embarrassment.

By the time we reached their station, the attention I was receiving became a mix of admiration and envy.

Not really a mix but the girls admired my looks while the boys hated me from experiencing Akane’s soft chest throughout the ride.

Since I promised that I would only send her up to the station, Akane and I waited inside until her friends arrived to walk with her.

Obviously, when they did arrive, the same reaction to my new appearance ensued.

Eri and Futaba had their eyes widened in disbelief as they tried to circle around me. On the other hand, Fuyu instantly recovered, she drew near me and nodded approvingly, “This is great Onoda-kun. Akane will not be questioned why she picked you. You now have the looks to match hers.”

So, she’s still also concerned about that, huh?

Because I wasn’t that presentable before, the other students found me a mismatch to the ultimate beauty of Akane.

“You’re exaggerating Yuuki-san. I don’t think I changed a lot.”

“Stop being humble!” It was Eri who responded to me. She also drew closer and even inspected me at different angles. “Even I can admit that my boyfriend isn’t as great as you.”

“That… don’t you think he will be sad if he hears that, Kitayama-san?”

“He’s not here. So, it’s fine. I call him the most handsome when I’m with him. He’s already content with that.” Eri said as though she’s talking not about her boyfriend but someone who’s just a convenience for her.

“Is that so…?”

Poor guy. I never talked to him and I haven’t even met him this year but he had just earned my sympathy.

Thinking about it, Eri and Futaba seldom walk with them to school. But then again, my dedication to sending Akane and the other girls was on another level. This isn’t rare. Just uncommon.

Besides, they’re attending the same schools so they had more time to meet up in between classes.

Anyway, after chatting with them, they quickly got used to my new look. Something I’m expecting to happen to everyone. This is a temporary boost. Once the hype dies down, they’ll treat this new look as normal.

As I sent them with my gaze as they walked out of the station, I saw Fuyu suddenly stop before retracing her steps back to me. Akane, who was now chatting with the other two, failed to notice it. Or rather, Fuyu took the chance that her attention was on the conversation to sneak away like that.

It was definitely unusual for her to do this and thinking that this might concern her suspicion, I waited until she turned around to hear what she was going to say.

“Uhm. Have you forgotten something, Yuuki-san?” I asked.

She expected that question. She nodded and looked around first before gesturing to me to follow her to a corner. Most likely, she didn’t want anyone else to hear it or it was just a precaution in case Akane looks for her.

I followed her to it. As soon as she turned around to face me, I noticed that her earlier smile disappeared. In place of it was a grave expression. Her lips quivered slightly as though she was trying to steel herself to do this.

Furthermore, even though she’s not glaring, the way her azure-colored eyes focused on me was slightly unnerving. Nonetheless, I acted normally, not showing any signs of that appearing on my face.

A few seconds of silence later, she released a sigh, erasing traces of hesitation in her bodily gestures. And right after that, she said her piece. “Onoda-kun, I hate to say this but… I’m convinced that you’re not being loyal to Akane.”