Stealing Spree

Chapter 2910: Accompanying Suzuki Yumika (2)

The gelato arrived shortly after, the cold sweetness cutting through the humid afternoon air.

The old woman placed the treats on the table with a knowing look. Thankfully, she didn’t linger.

As she retreated, Suzuki Yumika picked up her spoon and then pointed it at me, "This is your treat, right? Don’t tell me later that this will be deducted from the sponsorship you promised the archery club."

"Of course not, senpai. My generosity doesn’t come with a bill," I replied, taking a slow bite of the vanilla gelato. The coldness was refreshing, though it paled in comparison to the heat radiating from the girl sitting across from me.

Suzuki Yumika nodded in satisfaction as she began scooping her cheesecake flavor with a certain elegance. After taking a bite, her body shuddered slightly from the cold before a bright smile bloomed on her face. "Un! This is the best. I should take you out to treat me again next time, Onoda-kun."

"Will that be a date then, senpai?" I teasingly asked, leaning my chin on my hand.

Yumika nearly choked on her gelato. She coughed slightly, her cheeks flushing a vivid pink as she stared at me with wide eyes. "A-a date? Who said anything about a date! I’m just... wanting to take advantage of your generosity!"

There goes her bold honesty.

I couldn’t help but laugh at her reaction. It was fascinating how she could flip from a confident, commanding senior to a flustered mess in a matter of seconds.

"Sure, sure. You’re lucky you have a very generous junior like me." I chuckled and took another bite of my gelato, watching her as she tried to regain her composure.

Yumika rolled her eyes before taking another bite. "Hmph. It’s only normal that you treat me this well, Onoda-kun."

"Heh. Why do you think so, senpai?"

"Because... I’m good to you!"

The way she said it, half-confident and half-desperate, made it clear that she was trying to convince herself as much as me.

She looked away quickly, focusing intently on the last bit of strawberry cheesecake gelato, but the tips of her ears had already started burning.

This girl was really trying her best to maintain her seniority. But because of what she witnessed and what happened between us, this was her last resort to prevent herself from acting too embarrassed in front of me.

"Sure. By the way, senpai. Do you remember? My sponsorship to your club’s additional budget has a return."

Upon hearing that, Suzuki Yumika almost choked on her gelato. Good thing for her, it quickly melted and flowed down her throat. "Y-you. Why are you bringing that up now? Didn’t you say you’ll tell me about it after the festival?"

"I did. I’m just reminding you, senpai." My lips curled up to a smirk as I kept my eyes focused on her, watching all the minute reactions on her face. "The ’return’ is only for the sponsorship. For the extra effort I will be putting in. Can I get a reward for it?"

"Huh? What do you mean by extra effort?"

"Being your pack mule, of course. And being a good junior."

"You... You’re trying to take advantage of me, Onoda-kun."

"I’m not. I swear. It’s all about mutual benefit, senpai," I replied, my voice smooth as I leaned slightly closer. "Think of it as a performance bonus. After all, carrying heavy archery equipment and navigating crowded stores is quite a workout."

"Ugh. Okay. A return and a reward. Looks like I’ve signed a deal with a devil. A perverted devil."

"Well, that’s not my fault, senpai." The smile on my face turned into an amused one. Her reaction was really entertaining.

Suzuki Yumika could only grumble and turn her head away, though the lack of conviction in her voice was obvious.

A few minutes of silence followed between us. It wasn’t awkward at all since we were both enjoying the cold treat before us. But when I noticed her furtively glancing at me, an idea formed in my head.

I looked around the shop, ensuring no one was paying attention to us. The old woman was busy scrubbing the counter at the far end, and the other few customers were preoccupied with their own conversations.

Under the cover of the plants behind our table, I moved over to her side, squeezing her into the corner of the booth. It was a sudden movement, enough to make Yumika gasp.

"Huh? What are you doing, Onoda-kun? Why move here?"

The girl tried to push back but she quickly found out that she couldn’t do it.

As an answer to her question, I simply turned my head to her and smiled, "Why not? Can’t I sit with you, senpai?"

"Of course, you can. But doing it here... you’re not thinking of doing something indecent, are you?"

"Guess." My smile turned into a smirk as I used my spoon to scoop a bite from her gelato and eat it myself.

"Hmph. What is there to guess? You picked this spot because you had that intention." Suzuki Yumika’s eyes alternated between her gelato and my mouth. Then, she pouted and did the same, scooping a bite from mine. "As I expected, vanilla tastes bland."

"Bland, huh?" I murmured, my voice dropping an octave. "Maybe you’re just used to things that are too flavorful, senpai. Sometimes, simple flavor like this vanilla is much better."

Before she could retort, I shifted my weight, pressing my shoulder firmly against hers. The physical contact was deliberate, a slow encroachment on her personal space that made her fidget. Then, her hand dropped on my lap, pinching my thigh as her silent retaliation.

"I would’ve believed you if you weren’t squeezing me here." The girl rolled her eyes before focusing on her gelato again. This time, she gave up pushing me away.

"Ah. That was rude of me. Then, should I return to my seat?" I asked as I slid back slightly.

Yumika blinked, looking slightly disappointed that the sudden pressure had vanished.

"You’re so erratic. You haphazardly came over here and then with just one word from me, you’re willing to return?"

"Of course. I’m afraid to be detested by you, senpai."

"... Weirdo." She rolled her eyes again before scooping a few mouthfuls of her gelato as though she were venting her frustration through the food. "You can stay. Just don’t do anything that’ll make the old lady over there suspicious."

"Hmm? Can you tell me what’s acceptable, senpai?"

"H-how would I know?"

I laughed as I reached for her ear, parting the hair just enough to let my fingertips graze her sensitive earlobe. "I’m just curious. Since you’re the senior, you should be the one teaching me the boundaries of what is and isn’t ’acceptable’ in public."

Suzuki Yumika shivered as she glared at me, though the effect was ruined by the way she leaned subconsciously into my touch. "T-that’s not my job. Besides, do you still need me to tell you that? Ugh. You’re taking advantage of me again, Onoda-kun."

"Taking advantage? Senpai, if I take advantage of you, taking your lips won’t be difficult for me."

Her eyes widened and her mouth opened and closed. But as though she realized I was speaking the truth, no words came out of her mouth. Instead, she just huffed unhappily and once again vented her frustration on her gelato.

Just like that, she eventually finished it.

"I’m done here, Onoda-kun. How long are you gonna keep staring at me?"

"Just a second."

"Liar. Your gelato has already melted. If you won’t eat it, then let’s go."

I chuckled and quickly scooped up the last of my melted vanilla gelato, not wanting to keep her waiting.

Surprisingly, she held out so well. Even with her bold honesty, this situation was far from what we experienced earlier. Besides, I also restrained myself a bit. If I turned up my shamelessness, she’d probably not be able to resist feeling me up again to satisfy her curiosity.

In any case, I confirmed that her curiosity had not only dissipated but also evolved into a quiet, simmering anticipation. Maybe next time, she’d be bolder.

Of course, I would have to match that boldness. Otherwise, she’d fall into a state of perpetual frustration and awkwardness. She might even start running away from me.

How would I be able to tease her again if that happened?

As we walked out of the gelato shop, Suzuki Yumika didn’t immediately regain her haughty stride.

Instead, she walked with a certain softness, her shoulder occasionally brushing against mine as if she were subconsciously checking if I would do something like grabbing her hand.

I could read it from how she kept her hand on her side. Really, her anticipation was building itself.

"By the way, senpai." I started, "I’m curious about that magazine feature of yours. Can you also tell me about it?"

As though a fire had been suddenly lit in her eyes, Suzuki Yumika’s posture straightened instantly. The flirtatious haze of the gelato shop vanished, replaced by the pride of a specialist.

Yeah. She’s also pretty simple like this.