Stealing Spree

Chapter 2769: Aneki

The kiss started quickly but deepened fast, like she’d been holding back for weeks and finally let go.

Juri’s fingers threaded through my hair, tugging just enough to tilt my head the way she wanted.

It was filled with her longing that if not for our current setting, she’d probably prolong it further.

When she finally pulled back, her white cheeks became flushed and her eyes became a little glassy. The cool aura around her became so warm and affectionate.

“Hmph. You took too long, so I was starting to think you were just joking when you said you were going to visit.”

I scratched my head and bowed slightly in apology, “That’s my bad. I should’ve told you I wouldn’t be able to come right away.”

“Geez. Enough of that. You’re already here. That’s more important. Come, let’s go to our room before Setsu comes here and drags us in.

Ending that with a giggle, she grabbed my hand and started dragging me into the building.

Will she do that? Possibly. It’s Setsuna-nee, after all. Somehow, I felt inclined to look up. And there she was, standing by the window, watching us from above.

As soon as our eyes met, she narrowed hers and clicked her tongue before turning around, maybe returning to their room. Her long hair cascaded behind her.

How should I interpret that? Was she pleased with my presence or was she annoyed that I showed up today?

Ah. Right. I should send Satsuki a message to tell her I visited her older sister.

I quickly pulled out my phone and typed a short update, attaching a sneaky photo of the dorm building I snapped earlier.

Satsuki would probably be grumpy at me tomorrow but I just had to make up for it, right? I would be there cheering her up in their practice match again.

Juri tugged me through the automatic doors into the cool, air-conditioned lobby.

The moment I stepped in, I already felt eyes following me.

As it was a dormitory, there was a reception desk manned by a middle-aged woman who looked up from her magazine with a raised eyebrow. She gave me a once-over, then glanced at Juri like she was mentally noting this for the dorm log.

Juri didn’t even flinch. She just flashed that cool, model-perfect smile and waved casually.

“Afternoon, Auntie. This is my cousin.”

The woman’s eyebrow stayed raised, but she shrugged and went back to her magazine. “Curfew’s ten for male visitors. No funny business.”

Juri’s lips twitched slightly but she maintained her smile. She couldn’t just argue with her, right? She might not let me in.

Although I hadn’t heard much about this place they were staying at, it was surely something that had strict rules for occupants. After all, if it were an all-women dorm, there’s no way they’d just let anyone bring a man over.

“Got it. Come on, Ruki.” She called over her shoulder.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at how smoothly she lied there. Do I truly look like her cousin?

Ah. Perhaps it’s because I didn’t dress up in a more mature getup the way I did during that hiking trip with Miwa-nee. In that aunty’s eyes, I must’ve truly looked like a younger guy visiting his favorite cousin.

My looks also helped, considering how beautiful Juri is.

“Should I start calling you Aneki?” I teasingly said.

“Shut up,” She snapped back as her cheeks became tinted pink again as we stepped into the elevator.

The doors slid shut, leaving us alone in the small space. The second they closed, Juri turned around, pressing me against the wall as she rose on her toes to steal another kiss.

This one was slower, deeper, like she was making up for lost time. Her camera bumped against my chest as she leaned in, and she pulled back just enough to adjust the strap with an embarrassed huff.

“But it’s not a bad idea to be called like that by you.”

Juri smirked as she placed her hand on my head, patting me like I was her adorable little cousin who’d just said something precocious.

“Come on, call me Aneki, Ruki. Let me hear it.”

The way her smirk widened in anticipation says a lot about how much she’s enjoying this. I guess that’s my fault for giving her that idea.

If she wanted to tease me by playing along with it, then so be it. We can tease each other like this.

My hand moved from her waist to tugging at the hem of her blouse, acting a little innocent. Then, I closed in, pushing my lips close to her ear as I whispered.

“Aneki.”

I let the word roll off my tongue in an unhurried manner like I was tasting it. “I missed you, Aneki.”

A moment later, Juri couldn’t help but suck in her breath as her fingers clutched a clump of my hair while a shiver ran through her. The cool, composed model mask cracked completely.

“You...” She started but whatever retort she had died when I lightly bit down on her earlobe.

“How is it, Aneki?” I continued as my hands moved to her hips, sliding just a little lower to the curve of her ass. “You’re really cute when you’re flustered, you know that?”

Juri made this tiny, frustrated sound in the back of her throat and shoved at my chest half-heartedly.

“Idiot Ruki. You’re not supposed to make it sound that good.”

“Am I not? Then how am I supposed to do it?”

“Like this...” While trying her best not to be bothered by her crimson cheeks, Juri straightened up and put on that cool, composed mask again.

She cleared her throat lightly before placing her hand on my head once more, patting it like she was indulging her cute little cousin.

“Ruki-kun,” She called out with that slightly higher-pitched, teasing tone that sounded almost sisterly. “Did you miss Aneki that much?”

The way she said it, with that playful tone and the subtle smirk tugging at her lips, made my chest tighten a little. Mhm. She’s quite good at this.

I couldn’t help but play along more.

I leaned into her touch, letting my head rest against her palm like I was really just her adorable younger cousin who’d been waiting all week to see her.

“Mhm. I missed Aneki a lot,” I answered in a softer, almost whiny tone that I knew would get under her skin. “School’s boring without you. And no one makes me feel as good as Aneki does.”

Once again, Juri’s breath seemed to stop for a split second. Her fingers froze in my hair before she quickly yanked her hand back like I’d burned her.

“You... you absolute menace,” She muttered under her breath, cheeks flaring further as she turned away to face the elevator doors. “Don’t say it like that. It sounds wrong.”

“Wrong? But Aneki started it,” I teased, stepping closer until my chest pressed on her back. I slipped my arms around her waist from behind, resting my chin on her shoulder. “Besides, you’re the one who told Auntie I’m your cousin. Shouldn’t we commit to the bit?”

Juri made a strangled little sound, partly laughing and partly groaning, before elbowing me lightly in the ribs. “Shut up. I hate you.”

“Liar.” I pressed a quick kiss to the side of her neck, just below her ear, feeling her shiver against me. “You love it when I play along, Aneki. Besides, it’s not every day I can tease you like this.”

The elevator dinged softly as it reached their floor, saving her from having to answer. The doors slid open, and Juri quickly stepped out, tugging me along by the hand like she was trying to escape.

But the way her fingers laced tightly with mine told me she wasn’t really trying to get away.

The dorm corridor was quiet. Most girls were probably out enjoying their weekend but I could feel a few curious glances from open doors as we passed.

Juri didn’t slow down until we reached a door at the end of the hall, a corner unit with probably a little more space than the others.

She paused there and glanced up at me with that mix of nerves and excitement she didn’t often show.

“Setsu’s inside,” She whispered. “Fair warning. She’s been grumpy since you messaged earlier.”

Well, at this point, I was already used to that girl being grumpy. She’s turning into Satsuki v2 even though she was a tad bit playful the first time I met her. I could attribute that to her being extremely conscious of me. I mean, during the training camp, she admitted that I kept running in her head. I seemed to fully occupy it during the two days that we spent there.

And that’s why we got that promise of a date, which I still haven’t granted.

Without waiting for me to reply, Juri pulled out her keycard and swiped it, pushing the door open with her shoulder.