Stealing Spree

“It’s delicious. Thank you, Auntie.”

“Oh? That one was made by dear. It is indeed delicious.”

“As expected of Ruki!”

Sometime later, the dinner could only be described as harmonious. Even though Yuika and Minori-senpai were still quite averse to me, they were already used to my presence around them. They enjoyed the meal with us. I even managed to tease Yuika-senpai, causing her to frown and pick up a piece of wrapped salmon that I prepared, stuffing it in her mouth to relieve her annoyance.

Upon learning that it was made by me, it was too late for her to spit it out. Instead, she gulped it down without chewing.

Almost instantly, her face turned purple. She was about to choke on it.

How could someone choke on it eluded me but there was no time to waste.

Before the others could react to it, my body instantaneously moved on instinct, grabbing my cup that was still filled with tea and moving behind her.

Since we were not using the dining table and instead chose to dine in the living room by putting another low table next to the coffee table, I dropped down from behind her and carefully assisted her in drinking from my teacup. All the while, I used my body to prevent her from moving too much.

Of course, rejecting me was already thrown out of her mind. She grabbed onto my hand holding the cap and slowly lifted her chin to gulp it all down, washing away the salmon blocking her throat.

Soon enough, the color returned to her face and a sense of relief took over it.

I didn’t return to my seat right away and just waited until she fully recovered.

“T-thank you.” Fully understanding what happened, Yuika-senpai gently put down the cup before quietly muttering her gratefulness.

Slowly, her cheeks gradually turned rosy. That was embarrassment taking form on her face.

Instinctively, the hand I used to hold the cup landed on top of her head, patting her gently.

“Mhm. As long as you’re fine. Next time, chew it well. I tried my best to make that.” I replied.

Yuika-senpai turned even redder as she weakly nodded.

Satisfied by her response, I let go of my hold on her and moved back to my seat.

At this point, Yayoi-san, Haruko, Mina, Edel, and Minori-senpai had yet to catch up to what happened.

One by one, clarity returned to their eyes. Mina grabbed my wrist and squeezed it as she also let out a sigh of relief and threw me a look of gratitude.

Minori-senpai who was in between me and Yuika-senpai also did the same but her attention immediately turned to the orange-haired girl, checking her condition.

On the other hand, Edel and Yayoi-san immediately praised me. The former even stood up to claim her spot on my lap.

As for Haruko who’s acting like a spectator, she winked at me before gracefully sipping the godly tea that the mother and daughter brewed.

“That’s impressive, dear.” Yayoi-san smilingly shook her head before standing up to take a pitcher of water from the fridge.

When she returned, she handed another glass to Yuika-senpai. Already ashamed of what happened, Yuika-senpai didn’t turn that down.

“Let’s continue eating?” I said upon noticing that everyone somehow stopped eating.

One by one, they broke out into a smile and the harmonious dinner resumed.

Of course, Yuika-senpai acted more carefully when stuffing her mouth with food. I also kind of kept an eye on her.

Maybe that put her under pressure because she became more meticulous – even chopping the meat to tiny bits before picking it up with her chopsticks.

Well, if she choked on a small salmon that was already softer than a marshmallow, it’s better to be vigilant around her, lest she choked again.

Ten minutes later, we finished everything we prepared.

Mina, Edel, and Minori-senpai helped out to clean the table and wash the dishes. I was also going to do it but Yayoi-san shot me a glance, conveying not to move and let them handle it.

Due to that, I could only stand up and tidy up the cushions we used before taking a seat on the sofa.

Yuika-senpai was still acting a little remorseful but she obediently sat down next to me even though there were still a lot of empty seats to choose from.

As for Haruko, she maintained her spectator mode but she took the single seat on my right.

The first minute was an eerie silence where the girl on my left kept on fidgeting. She clearly wanted to say something to me. Maybe thank me again for saving her from choking or apologize for it.

Nevertheless, I don’t feel like forcing her to voice it out. In the end, it should still be her choice, right? Not like I helped her out because I wanted to get close to her.

It was an instinctual response.

It’s a good thing the TV was turned on, making the atmosphere fail to turn a little awkward.

I glanced at the kitchen and saw the four were still busy.

Although that chore could be done by one or two of them, the four somehow started working together.

Yayoi-san and Minori-senpai were standing by the sink while Edel and Mina were wiping the washed plates and bowls dry, and arranging them on the cabinet.

If they’re quick, they’ll be done in at most five minutes, but I couldn’t help but feel that they’re intentionally slowing down…

Yeah. These girls, including Yayoi-san, are trying to create a situation where Yuika-senpai would have to talk to me.

And it didn’t take long before it happened.

After another minute, Haruko stood up and walked towards the curtained area, most likely going to the bathroom.

However, before she left, I heard her whisper, “Hubby, you probably sensed it by now. I’m leaving to give her the space to gather her courage to talk to you. I’m not meddling. She’s a good girl.”

… not meddling, huh? Yeah. Right.

All of them were all in this together.

Uh… I don’t mind it anyway. This is much better than letting the girl hesitate for the rest of the night.

“Onoda-kun. Can I talk to you?”

Finally, after looking around and finding that no one was paying attention to us, Yuika-senpai tugged at my sleeve.

“Yes, senpai?” I answered.

Turning around to face her, I caught her immediately lowering her head as though afraid to make eye contact with me.

However, a few seconds later, she found the courage to look up again.

“D-do you find me annoying?”

Yes, I do. Initially, at least. I mean, her hostility against me was immediately at max even though I haven’t done anything to her yet. But lately, I just couldn’t care less anymore. Her space in my head was better off spent thinking about my girls.

“No. Not really.”

“Even when I keep on making a face and refusing to talk to you?”

So, she knows what she’s doing, huh? But well, she’s probably going to apologize about that. But let’s be magnanimous here. What use was her hate and hostility? It’s not like I’ve been harmed by that.

“Yeah. That’s not a reason to be annoyed with you.” I replied. And somehow, my hand once again landed on her head. Just like earlier, she didn’t show a reaction. She just kept her gaze on me as though she was trying to read my face to determine if I was lying or not.

“I respect your choice of not wanting to associate with me. In fact, aren’t I the annoying one? You’ve made it clear that you don’t want me to approach you. Yet here I am, still lingering around you. However, it’s not entirely because of you. It just so happened that you’re in the same club as the others. Also, I made a promise to help you. That’s still in effect.”

“Your promise

The orange-haired girl muttered silently. She looked like she fell into a daze but her eyes remained clear. Now that I got a clearer look at her, I noticed a scar above her left eyebrow. It was stitched but even her makeup couldn’t fully hide it.

Is that related to her hate with men? Possibly. In any case, there’s no reason for me to bring that up. It’s better to let her open up on her own rather than force her.

“Mhm. I mean it when I say I want to help you. In any case, don’t take it to heart, and don’t mind what happened earlier. I helped you not because of that promise. I just moved out of reflex when I saw your face turning purple.”

I waved my hand before unconsciously fixing her hair, tucking a clump on her ear.

As soon as I did that, Yuika-senpai immediately covered up her ear.

However, I caught something.

There’s another scar close to her ear… Did someone hit her on the head?

I couldn’t help but frown at that thought.

Then, I reached for her hand and gently pulled it down. She was trembling.

“This… Senpai, I apologize. Can I take a look at this?”

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