Stealing Spree

Chapter 2809: Bringing in another

The kitchen was alive with the clatter of bowls when we reached the bottom step.

Eimi and Ria had claimed the countertop, piling trays and spreading all those ingredients like it was their personal kingdom, giggling over whatever secret recipe they’d concocted.

Measuring cups were scattered everywhere and a double boiler bubbled gently on the stove, filling the air with a rich, velvety aroma of chocolate.

Anzu paused at the doorway and let out a soft laugh at the sight. "Looks like they’ve never even thought of looking for us.”

“Oh. They do. They just knew where we were or what we were doing, so they weren’t that bothered.”

My reply made her blush again. After all, it was her attempt to make it sound like Eimi and Ria didn’t know that she took me with her upstairs for something intimate.

“Ugh. Just play along, shameless brat.”

“Alright, alright.” I could only raise an arm in surrender before letting her drag me again near the kitchen.

“You two need some help, or is this a no-brats-allowed zone?" She asked.

Eimi glanced over her shoulder, spatula in hand and a smear of chocolate on her cheek like war paint. Her eyes lit up when she saw us, then narrowed playfully at our joined hands.

"Nee-san! Perfect timing. We need a taste tester. But Ruki’s banned. This is a surprise for him. It’s late valentines and birthday chocolate."

Ria nodded enthusiastically, stirring something in a bowl with focused precision. "Un. Dumb-senpai, we put the ingredients on that side. You can start working on preparing our lunch.”

She pointed to the left side of the kitchen. There’s another countertop there. After all, Eimi’s parents owned a restaurant, and both of them were chefs. There were also times when they would split the kitchen duties. The left side had its own sink, stove, and prep area, perfect for keeping me isolated from their chocolate conspiracy.

I raised an eyebrow at Ria, but the smug little grin on her face said arguing would be pointless. "Got it. I’ll behave and stay over here. No peeking, promise."

Eimi laughed, "Good. We’ll give you a nice surprise, Ruki. Don’t worry."

A nice surprise. I like the ring of that. And I know they will deliver.

After squeezing Anzu’s hand, I watched her join the girls at their station.

"Alright, you two. What can I do? Mold duty? Or am I on stirring?"

Ria handed her a spatula without missing a beat. "Stirring, Big Sis Anzu. We need your strong arms for this batch. It’s extra thick."

Anzu rolled her eyes but took the tool, diving in with that focused energy she always brought to everything. Watching her like this, relaxed and laughing with the girls as they whispered about shapes and flavors, made something warm settle in my chest.

I turned to my side of the kitchen, unpacking the bags and laying out the ingredients for lunch. We’d grabbed fresh veggies, some cuts of beef for stir-fry, rice, and a few extras for sides. Nothing too fancy, but enough to make a solid meal.

Before continuing, I checked on my phone and sure enough, I had a new message from Akane who told us she would be coming but until now, she had yet to show up.

“Husband, tell Ria and the others. I’ll be a little late. Machida-san came over. She said she’s visiting me but I knew she was looking for you. I’ll be bringing her there with me.”

That girl... She knew, huh? I doubt that. But then again, I could imagine Machida asking her where I was when she didn’t see me at home and Akane interpreted it that way.

In any case, looks like she was really becoming more of a friend for Akane. Eri and Fuyu also let go of the grudge they had for her from the conflict with her friend group in the past.

As I was about to type my reply, Akane sent another message.

“Oh, husband, Machida didn’t get that part-time job she applied to. Miwa-nee overheard it and asked her if she wanted to work for her.”

Hmm? The cafe location hasn’t been selected but Miwa-nee is already collecting her staff.

Since I haven’t talked to Hassen yet, the payment I would’ve received from Mitsui Kyoka is still pending. But knowing Miwa-nee, she’s already planning ahead. If Machida accepts, that could be interesting. She might fit right in at the cafe once it opens.

I typed back quickly: “Got it. Take your time with Machida. Tell her I said hi, and good luck dodging her questions. See you soon.”

Akane’s reply came almost instantly: “Husband, you’re terrible. Just you wait, I’ll drag her along. I love you.”

I pocketed my phone with a chuckle, shaking my head at the mental image of Akane tricking Machida into coming here. That girl would be surprised.

Turning back to the counter, I started chopping vegetables, the rhythmic thunk of the knife against the cutting board got me focused on the task.

However, the girls’ laughter from the other side of the kitchen continued to float over.

I could even hear Ria saying, ‘No, more sugar! Dumb-senpai doesn’t like sweets too much’. And Eimi also called out, ‘Wait, it’ll be too bitter!’.

Anzu’s voice chimed in now and then, directing them like the responsible one in the group.

I couldn’t help but be tempted to glance behind me just to see the chaos that they were causing, but I held back.

About twenty minutes later, Akane arrived. Eimi opened the door for her.

I wiped my hands on a towel and stepped out of the kitchen just in time to see Akane leading Machida inside, the latter looking equal parts confused and intrigued. Akane’s golden hair bounced as she turned to me with her radiant yet clearly mischievous smile, like she’d just accomplished some secret mission.

Machida’s eyes locked on mine immediately, her usual sharp gaze softening just a fraction when she spotted me. She was dressed casually, jeans and a loose top that did nothing to hide her figure.

“Onoda-kun. Figures you’d be here. Akane wouldn’t tell me why she dragged me along.”

But then, her cheeks reddened slightly as she shifted her gaze away. She probably remembered what happened during her last visit to our house. That scene of finding us about to make love in that hallway when she rushed back for her bag was probably burned into her mind.

Akane giggled softly beside her, looping an arm through Machida’s like they were old friends now. "See? I told you it’d be a surprise. Come on, everyone’s inside. We’re making chocolates for husband. Late birthday stuff. You can help if you want."

Machida’s eyebrows shot up, her confusion overriding the embarrassment for a second. "Chocolates? For Onoda-kun? Isn’t it a bit... random?"

"Oh, it’s not random," Ria chimed in from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel as she peeked out. Her intelligent eyes quickly sized Machida up but her smile was warm and welcoming.

"It’s my birthday wish. And since Dumb-senpai’s birthday got skipped this year, we’re fixing that too. By the way, I’m Ria. You must be Machida-san. Sister Akane talks about you sometimes."

Machida blinked, clearly not expecting the pint-sized analyst to address her so casually. "Uh... yeah. Nice to meet you, Ria-chan. And happy birthday."

She then glanced back at me, her lips twitching like she was fighting a smile. "Dumb-senpai, huh? Fits him."

Ria giggled, nodding enthusiastically. "Right? He’s impossible sometimes. Come in! We’re almost done with the first batch."

Akane tugged Machida forward, and the girl followed without much protest, though her eyes kept flicking back to me like she had questions that needed to be cleared.

Most likely, it had to do with why I was here instead of our house, and who these girls were and why they all looked at me affectionately.

"More hands? Perfect!" Eimi said, "Nee-san’s been bossing us around, but we could use fresh energy. I’m Eimi, by the way. Ruki’s... well, you know."

Machida’s flush returned in full force as she slowly pieced together the dynamics, her gaze bouncing between all the girls like she was doing mental math on just how many ’you knows’ I had. "I... yeah. Nice to meet you too. And sure, I can help. Chocolates sound fun."

With that, Machida nodded, rolling up her sleeves as she stepped into the fray, clearly deciding to roll with the chaos rather than question it. Akane gave me a quick wink before joining them, leaving me to return to my station as the chaos behind me became livelier. It made me want to join them.

But well, I had my own task to finish. Cooking our lunch.

At some point, the girls alternately checked on me, assisting me in their own way. Ria washed the potatoes I’ve set aside after peeling. Eimi made some adjustments to the miso soup’s taste. Anzu handed me the Nikaido Family secret homemade sauce for the stir-fry. Akane was the one who helped me the most, of course. She slipped in behind me while I was stirring the beef in the pan, her arms wrapping around my waist as she rested her chin on my shoulder. That was comforting.

As for Machida... of course, she wouldn’t just approach me on her own, right?

Anyways, once I finished, I started setting up the table and that’s when Machida came over to help.