Stealing Spree

Chapter 2810: A Casual Conversation

Machida approached with a stack of plates in her hands as she set them down on the table with careful precision. She didn’t say anything at first, just quietly worked alongside me like she was testing the waters before diving in. Perhaps it was still a little awkward for her to talk to me alone but she couldn’t just stand there and do nothing.

The kitchen chatter spilled over from behind us. I could hear Ria’s bright laugh mixing with Eimi’s teasing instructions, Akane’s added chaos and Anzu-nee’s corrections.

But here, it felt a little more subdued. Almost like Machida found solace in the silence.

"Thanks for the help, Machida." I said casually, handing her a set of chopsticks to arrange. "Didn’t expect you to get roped into this chaos today."

She glanced up at me, her lips curving up slightly, amused at what I said.

"Yeah, well... Akane wouldn’t take no for an answer," She muttered, lining up the chopsticks neatly beside each plate.

“Ah. Sorry about that. She’s quite stubborn when she decides on things.”

“I can see that. But I’m not complaining. I don’t know why but the atmosphere is a lot better than when I’m hanging with my circle.”

“Hmm? What do you mean?” I asked. That tickled my curiosity. Because for the entirety of last year, I’ve never seen them disagree with something. And they’re not like the circle that surrounds Azusa, where she was the queen bee. They’re like equals. Friends who were there for each other.

Well, I couldn’t claim that I was observing them like how I observed my targets before. But if I’m not wrong, differences in opinions have possibly started to pop up now that they’re in high school.

Machida paused in arranging the utensils as she seemed to weigh her words. The faint clatter from the kitchen filled the brief silence, but her gaze stayed fixed on the table like she was organizing her thoughts more than the silverware.

"It’s nothing major," She eventually said in a voice quieter than usual, almost like she didn’t want the others to overhear. "Just... little things adding up. Like, we used to agree on everything. Movies, hangouts, even stupid stuff like what toppings to get on pizza. But now? It’s like everyone’s pulling in different directions. High school changes people, I guess. Or maybe it’s just me noticing it more."

I nodded, setting down the last bowl. "Sounds normal. Circles shift when you hit high school. People start figuring out who they really are, what they want. Doesn’t mean it’s falling apart, though. Could just be growing pains."

She glanced up at me then, her sharp eyes softening a bit, like she appreciated the lack of judgment in my tone. "Yeah... maybe. It’s just weird. Like, one day we’re all synced up, and the next, someone’s mad because we didn’t pick their idea for the weekend. And don’t get me started on the drama with guys. Half the time, it’s why the fights start."

A wry smile tugged at my lips. "Guys, huh? Let me guess. Someone’s got a crush, and it’s complicating things?"

Machida snorted before rolling her eyes as she straightened a placemat that didn’t need fixing. "Bingo. It’s like a bad rom-com in there sometimes. But enough about me... What’s your deal, Onoda-kun? Akane drags me here, and suddenly I’m in the middle of... whatever this is."

She waved vaguely toward the kitchen, where Ria’s laughter spiked again over something Eimi said. "You got a whole squad of girls baking chocolates for you? On a random Sunday? Here in Nikaido’s house?"

"Mhm? It isn’t random though. It’s Ria’s birthday. And apparently, they decided to make up for the one that I skipped earlier this year. As for the squad... let’s just say I collect interesting people."

She raised an eyebrow as she looked at me skeptically. "Interesting people, or interesting girls? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’ve been collecting them. And they all know about each other being... intimate with you.”

“Good observation.” I chuckled, grabbing the serving bowls from the counter and placing them in the center.

The stir-fry was still steaming, the savory aroma of beef and veggies mixing with the lingering sweetness of melting chocolate from the kitchen.

"You’re not even denying it.” Machida clicked her tongue but a smile remained on her lips like she found it amusing. Then she continued, “So, your birthday. When was that? Now that I think about it, no one knew when it was in our class.”

"Chocolates. You can connect the dots. But don’t worry about it. I don’t make a big deal out of mine so... only the girls who know me for what I am know about it."

“Eh? V-valentines? No wonder... Even if you tell someone about it, they will hardly believe you. For all the special days, it has to be that day. How ironic.” She shook her head again before chuckling, “Explains why you never made a fuss about it in class. Most guys would brag or at least pretend that they want to receive chocolates during that day. But you... you’re different. Always have been. Quiet, observant, and somehow, behind all that, you’ve surrounded yourself with girls. None of our former classmates will believe me if I tell them."

"Don’t tell anyone or they’ll die in envy," I playfully replied with a shrug, "Speaking of which... Akane mentioned you didn’t get that part-time job. Sorry to hear that."

Machida’s shoulders tensed for a split second, but she played it off with a casual wave. "Eh, no. Not exactly. I’ve gotten it but... the owner wanted to extend my shift from what we first agreed upon, so I backed out."

I straightened up and crossed my arms as I studied her every movement. She was avoiding my gaze now, focusing way too hard on aligning the utensils.

"Miwa-nee offered you a spot at her cafe, right? What do you think?"

From that, she finally looked up as surprise flashed across her face before she schooled it back to neutral. "She... yeah. Mentioned it. Sounds okay, I guess. Flexible hours, and it’s not like flipping burgers or something lame. However, the cafe is still not built. And I need some pocket money so I might... find another part-time job before that."

"Mhm? Pocket money, huh?”

“What? Are you going to offer me something?”

“Well, I’m not a business owner, so, no. But if you want to buy something, I think I can lend you some. You can pay me back once you start earning from the cafe. No interest or anything. Just... helping out a friend."

Machida paused, her fingers freezing on the napkin she’d been folding unnecessarily. Her eyes shifted up to mine, narrowing slightly like she was searching for the catch.

The faint flush from earlier hadn’t faded completely, but now it mixed with something else. Surprise, maybe even a hint of suspicion.

"A friend, huh?" She echoed the word. She set the napkin down and crossed her arms, leaning against the table like she needed the support to process what I’d just said. "Since when are we friends, Onoda-kun? Last I checked, we were just... classmates who never talked to each other throughout the school year.”

“Ah. I apologize for jumping to that assumption. Then, former classmates?”

Machida failed to hold back her laughter. “Pfft. You’re quite the jester. But I don’t think I can accept that. I mean, it doesn’t feel right.”

“What’s not right?” Akane repeated her own words with a playful tilt of her head, her golden hair swaying as she leaned against the table like she’d been eavesdropping the whole time. Which, knowing her, she probably had been. “Machida-san, if it’s about borrowing from husband, don’t worry. He wouldn’t offer it if he didn’t have it. Besides, he’d probably forget you owe him anything by next week.”

Machida blinked, caught off guard by Akane’s sudden appearance, then let

out a short, surprised laugh. “Akane... you make it sound like he’s some kind of forgetful loan shark. And no, it’s not that. It just feels... weird. We’re not exactly close, Onoda-kun. Why would you offer something like that out of nowhere?”

I shrugged, “Not out of nowhere. You’re Akane’s friend now, right? And friends help each other. If you need pocket money for something, just say the word. I’m actually glad to know that you won’t resort to picking on someone to hand their allowances to you.”

There were those cases after all. Bullying someone and asking them to hand out their money. And it’s not just delinquents who will do that. Those who are also at the top and think they’re superior can do the same.

Akane nodded enthusiastically, looping her arm through Machida’s like they were already besties plotting world domination. “See? He’s that generous, Machida-san. I’ll vouch. Well, unless you try to steal him from me, but I don’t think that’s your style.”

Machida almost choked on her spit from that, “Steal him? Please. I’m not suicidal. And... thanks, I guess. Both of you. I’ll think about the cafe thing and... what you’re offering. Miwa-san seems nice. Flexible hours would be great for school.”

“Alright. You can talk to Akane about it too. I mean, she’s now playing my wife. We now have shared finances,” I teasingly added, which made my silly wife’s lips curve up into a grin.