Stealing Spree

Chapter 2802: Enviable

I kissed Ria’s forehead, then Aoi’s, pulling them both close for a moment in the tiny space. “Mhm. Anytime you want, birthday girl. Who knows? I might be the one who couldn’t hold back today with how you’re acting.”

“That sounds more enticing, Dumb-senpai. It’s been a while since you...”

She didn’t finish her sentence but I could easily guess what she wanted to say. She wanted me to be the one to initiate, not wait for her to ask for it.

We’ll see.

“I’ll keep that in mind, Ria. Now let’s get out before Ohori-senpai knocks on us.”

We slipped out of the cubicle one by one, trying to look as casual as possible.

Aoi went first, smoothing her hair with that satisfied little smirk like she’d just won a secret game.

Ria followed, cheeks still flushed pink, tugging at the hem of her shirt like it could hide the way her legs wobbled slightly.

I brought up the rear, adjusting my pants one last time before stepping out into the brighter light of the restroom hallway.

Ohori-senpai was awkwardly standing outside the door, not knowing where to look when we stepped out.

She didn’t say anything at first. Just let the silence stretch long enough to make Aoi fidget and Ria duck her head with a tiny, embarrassed smile.

Finally, Ohori-senpai opened her mouth and, with a bit of a stutter, she said, “... Someone could’ve come here, you know? Onoda-kun, you should be careful.”

I scratched my cheek, acting embarrassed, “I apologize, senpai. Thanks for the reminder.”

“As long as you know...” Upon saying that, she turned away with her cheeks burning crimson as she pretended to check her phone.

Nevertheless, the way her fingers fumbled over the screen and her ears stayed bright red, told me she’d heard more than enough from where she was standing.

I mean, it’s a cubicle. If we made a lot of noise, it was naturally going to bounce off the walls and exit the only opening of the bathroom.

Aoi burst out laughing first, looping her arm through Ohori-senpai’s like she was the older one between them. “Ohori-nee, don’t act all innocent! You totally knew what we were doing there.”

“I-I didn’t!” Ohori-senpai immediately denied but her voice cracked as she tried to pull away. “I was just... waiting! And wondering why it was taking so long!”

Ria tugged at my sleeve again, that smug little birthday-girl smile curving her lips as she leaned into my side. “Dumb-senpai, you’re terrible. Making Ohori-senpai wait like that.”

I rubbed the back of my neck, playing up the sheepish act even though the grin tugging at my mouth probably gave me away. “My bad, senpai. We shouldn’t have let you wait like that.”

Ohori-senpai sighed, the sound becoming somewhere between a scoff and a laugh, and finally gave up trying to escape Aoi’s grip. “O-onoda-kun. Stop adding fuel to the fire.”

In any case, her eyes lingered on me long enough to tell that she wasn’t actually mad. If anything, she looked... curious. Like she was trying to figure out what exactly we were doing in there, even though she already knew what it was.

Unfortunately for her, Aoi wasn’t done teasing.

She leaned in close to Ohori-senpai’s ear, whispering loud enough for all of us to hear. “Don’t worry, Ohori-nee. Next time, you can join if you want. Darling’s got stamina for days.”

Ohori-senpai’s face went nuclear. She slapped a hand over Aoi’s mouth, hissing, “Aoi! Shut up! I’m not... I would never...!”

Ria giggled softly, “She’s not wrong, though. Dumb-senpai does have the stamina.”

I raised an eyebrow at her. “Ria, looks like Aoi is rubbing off her unruliness to you.”

Ria just smiled up at me, all innocent and sweet like she hadn’t just been grinding on my fingers twenty minutes ago. “Nope. That’s not it, Dumb-senpai. I just know if someone’s interested in you. Besides, it’s my day. I’m allowed to be honest.”

Ohori-senpai looked like she wanted the ground to swallow her whole. She finally wrenched free of Aoi’s grip, smoothing her tracksuit down like it could restore her dignity. “I’m going home. You three... do whatever. Just... don’t get arrested.”

Aoi pouted dramatically. “Ohori-nee, don’t leave! We’re just getting started!”

But Ohori-senpai was already backing away, cheeks still flaming as she waved awkwardly. “Happy birthday, Ria. And... be careful. All of you.”

She turned and speed-walked off like she was escaping a crime scene.

Aoi looked at me with a satisfied smile before saying, “Alright, I’m gonna chase after her, darling. Take care of our Ria, alright? Make her feel more special today.”

“I don’t need you telling that to Dumb-senpai, Aoi.”

Aoi stuck her tongue out at Ria before blowing me one last dramatic kiss and dashing off after Ohori-senpai.

Ria watched her go with a smug little smirk still curving her lips, then turned back to me, eyes sparkling with quiet triumph.

“Finally,” She murmured as she pressed on my side again, her fingers laced through mine as she tugged me toward the park exit like she couldn’t wait another second to have me all to herself. “It’s really just us now, Dumb-senpai.”

I let her lead, falling into step beside her as the morning sun warmed our backs.

The park was starting to fill with families and joggers, but Ria didn’t seem to care.

She stayed glued to my side, head resting lightly on my arm, while humming contentedly like a cat who’d finally gotten the milk.

“Mhm... So, birthday girl. Where to first? Supermarket with Eimi? Or do you want something else before we dive into the chaos?”

Ria tilted her head up at me with her assessing gaze, softening into something warmer. “Supermarket first. I want to see how Sister Eimi acts around you. And... maybe tease her a little for stealing my Dumb-senpai’s attention.”

Her voice dropped on the last part, playful but with that tiny edge of possessiveness she tried to hide behind her mature act.

“Jealous already? It’s barely nine a.m.”

“Why will I be jealous when I know you’ll keep loving me?” She denied it immediately, her cheeks puffing out in an adorable way that always made me want to pinch them. “I’m just making sure everyone remembers whose day it is.”

I leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to the top of her head. “They will. Promise.”

Ria’s fingers tightened around mine, and she nodded, satisfied. “Good. Then let’s go. I’m starving again. And I want you to carry me if my legs get tired from all the walking.”

“Deal. Piggyback or princess carry?”

She pretended to think about it, tapping her chin dramatically. “Princess. It’s my birthday. I deserve to be spoiled.”

I laughed, already shifting to scoop her up.

Ria squeaked in surprise but didn’t protest. Her arms looped around my neck as I lifted her effortlessly.

“Like this?” I asked, adjusting my grip under her thighs.

Ria’s cheeks went pink, but she nodded, burying her face in my neck with a happy little hum. “Mhm. Perfect. Don’t put me down until we get to the train station.”

“Yes, ma’am. But what if someone who knows you snitches us to your parents?”

“That’ll be your problem, Dumb-senpai.”

Well, that’s right. It’ll be mine. There’s no point thinking about it. I just have to tell them who I am to their daughter, right?

We left the park like this, me carrying the birthday girl, who clung to me like a koala. Her soft laughter tickled my ear every time someone glanced our way.

—

Around half an hour later, we arrived at Eimi’s street. Since she told me she was going to wait outside, I was surprised when we were met with a different scene.

Standing outside their gate was Anzu-nee-san, stopping a guy who looked as though he was trying to kneel before her.

My eyebrows twitched as I didn’t need to guess who that might be. She showed me his photo before, after all.

Her ex-boyfriend. The guy who dumped her over another girl and was once again trying to win her over as if she were a backup girl he could pick up again.

But for him to come here, he must’ve been feeling desperate.

There was that one time when I answered her phone for her and told that guy that I’m her new boyfriend. However, that didn’t stop him. And with how our relationship progressed, the previous act was already the truth.

“Hmm? Dumb-senpai, who is that?”

“An annoying guy who thought he’d still have a chance with my girl.”

“Oh! Then... Is that Sister Anzu? She’s so tiny!”

This... I hurriedly covered her mouth in an attempt not to let Anzu-nee hear it.

“Girl. Don’t say it like that. Even if she’s the same height as you, Anzu-nee is a college student.”

“Oh! I know, Dumb-senpai. Besides... that part of hers is... enviable.”

Upon saying that, she glanced down at her chest, which was still only a little bulge compared to Anzu-nee, who had those generous curves that could make any guy do a double-take. I mean, she was petite all over except there. Soft, full, and perfectly proportioned in a way that made her look like a living contradiction.