Stealing Spree

Chapter 2719: Matsuri’s Unsent Letter

Hanabi buried her face in my chest for a second, her hot breath seeping through my shirt, before peeking up again. Her fingers fumbled with the letter still clutched in her hand as she thrust it toward me. “H-here! Read it already. Together. Like I said.”

The envelope was simple, a faded pink with my name scrawled in Matsuri’s neat handwriting on the front.

To Ruki, it says.

No date, no frills, just that.

Hanabi’s goofy energy was back in full force as she wiggled closer. We lifted our bodies slightly and leaned back against the headrest. The girl rested her head on my shoulder, her ribbon tickling my neck.

I took the envelope from Hanabi’s trembling fingers, the paper soft and slightly worn from being tucked away in a book for who knows how long. Matsuri’s handwriting stared back at me, that familiar loop in the ‘R’ of my name sent a pang through my chest. I used to not think about it too much but she used to write our names together. She’s quite good at calligraphy. Not the traditional kind, but using the Western alphabet. She even made me a nameplate by hand when I helped her out in the Cultural Festival before we separated.

Mhm. Once again, memories of my past girl were flowing back into my head. Or rather, they were resurfacing thanks to this letter.

Hanabi’s head stayed pressed against my shoulder, her long black hair spilling over my arm like silk.

“Come on, open it now, babe,” She whispered, her voice a mix of excitement and that goofy impatience. “I’ve been dying to know what’s inside since I found it.”

I slid my thumb under the flap, gently opening it so Hanabi could return it with it still in its original state.

The letter unfolded in my hands, a single sheet of stationery with faint cherry blossom patterns and confetti along the edges. Classic Matsuri.

“To Ruki,

I don’t know if you’ll ever read this. Maybe I’ll burn it tomorrow, or maybe I’ll hide it forever. But I need to write it, even if it’s just for me.

I miss you. Every day. I know we ended things because I couldn’t handle... everything. You, your desire for more girls to steal, the way you looked at me with nary an emotion in your eyes other than that desire. It hurts, but I don’t blame you anymore. You were honest, at least. That’s more than most guys.

I had no idea I would fall for you harder than I fell for the guy you stole me from. But here I was... writing the words I couldn’t say to you in person.

I was hoping I could change you but I understood how impossible it was. Like you said, you weren’t right in the head. You even used to do things that would’ve put you in danger and yet, you never looked back and forged your path ahead.

Those times we snuck away in that room that locked us in, I would continue cherishing those memories. Because whenever we were alone, I could feel it. You cared for me more than you realized you did. And I... I loved those moments.

I kept replaying that last day. Your stupid emotionless face, the way you didn’t even try to grab my hand like my telling you we were over was just a normal day to you... It hurts. I should’ve fought harder. To change you. Or maybe I shouldn’t have tried at all. I don’t know. I just know I’m stuck.

I told you I’d return to him but honestly, I couldn’t care less anymore. That’s just a lie I came up with. To see if you’d change your mind. To evoke that desire of yours to steal me again.

It’s funny, right? You’re just a junior. A very audacious junior who even acted like a shrimp in front of them when you could take them all down without wasting a sweat just to get close to me.

Back then, you asked me if I remembered our first meeting. Yup. That train incident. I only remembered when I rode it again and found that spot where you used your body to shield me from that crowded car. Why did I not realize that sooner? I would’ve tried to tease you about how gallant you were back then.

Anyways, it’s too late to regret it. I would soon graduate, and you’d still be stuck in this school for a year. I thought of waiting for you at one of the high schools nearby but... that’s not going to happen anymore. My mother is moving out of the city and she’s taking me with her.

Do you think about me? Probably not as much as I think about you, right? I heard you’re still... you. Stealing girls left and right and making them fall for you.

Good for you, I guess. I hope they make you happy. Happier than I could.

Do you know? It’s absurd how most of us end up in a similar situation.

In my experience, no matter how bad you portray yourself to be, only you show how genuinely you care for the girls you steal. It’s possible they all feel the same way I do. Too bad, I aimed for something you’d never consider. Starting a real relationship.

If you ever see this, just know I’m okay. I’m trying to be. But if ever we see each other again. Don’t blame me if I cling to you... I will do that. I promise.

If you read this someday, know I don’t hate you. I forgive you, idiot. Maybe we’re better apart. Or maybe... fate’s funny. If our paths cross again, don’t run. Face me. Kiss me like you mean it. Make love to me like you used to. Make me yours again, even if it’s just for a night.

Yours always,

Matsuri”

The words hit like a quiet storm, stirring up memories of her soft laughs, the way she’d blush when I teased her, and the ache I didn’t realize from that final goodbye.

Hanabi’s grip on my shirt tightened, her goofy energy dimming as she read in silence. Her thigh pressed against mine, the heat of her skin seeping through her dress, but she didn’t move, didn’t joke. Just breathed.

“Wow, babe...” She finally murmured, her voice softer than usual, almost reverent. “Matsuri really loved you. Still does, maybe.”

She tilted her head to look up at me, her round eyes searching mine, the ribbon in her hair slipping further askew. “You okay?”

I folded the letter carefully, tucking it back into the envelope. My chest felt tight, but not in a bad way. Just... full.

“Yeah. I’m okay. It’s just... a lot. She deserved better than me, you know? I’m just this bastard who couldn’t be satisfied with just one girl. I hurt a lot of girls. Akane, Miwa-nee, Nao and maybe you too, in the future.”

Hanabi shifted, propping herself up on one elbow to face me fully. Her dress rode up again, exposing the creamy curve of her hip and the edge of her white panties, but her expression was serious, no trace of her usual goofiness. “You were an idiot, babe. You said it, right? You’re just dumb and horny but still... she said you genuinely cared for her even if you didn’t realize it. She’s not mad at all. She’s... waiting. Kinda romantic, huh?”

I chuckled, the tension easing as I reached out to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. She looked like Matsuri but at the same time, she’s not. The two of them were like two sides of the same coin. And that’s what makes them unique.

“Romantic? Yeah. I can feel her longing for me through this letter. So, you should return this before she realizes she lost this letter that would never be delivered.”

Her pout returned instantly, cheeks puffing out as she swatted my hand away, though she didn’t pull back. “Hmph! Of course I will! Do you want to send me home right away? And here I thought you’d be pleased with my surprise.”

“This is hardly a surprise, you know? Knowing you, I already had a hunch that it would have to do with your twin sister. But tell me, is she doing fine there?”

“Un. She does. She stepped away from those bad influences and she’s now a manager of that Basketball Club.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“What, babe? That’s all you’re going to say?”

“Well... you’re the one here with me tonight. Reading her letter is enough. Right now, I want to dedicate my attention to you... Should I repeat myself? You’re just as important to me now.”

“Y-you... You’re being unfair, babe. How can you pivot like that so easily?” Hanabi’s voice cracked, her pout melting into something softer, more vulnerable. Her thighs squeezed together again, the subtle shift of her hips brushing her knee against my growing hardness.

The air in the room thickened, charged with the heat radiating from her flushed skin.

I cupped her cheek, my thumb brushing the corner of her lips. “Because it’s true, babe. Matsuri’s in the past. You’re here, in my arms, looking like you’re about to burst from how much you want me to kiss you.”