Stealing Spree

Compared to the first time we met in front of their house, talking to Yumei today allowed me to observe her character better.

I got to know that her birthday was also in March; the same as Akane's. Due to that, she’s among the youngest on her year level. Yet, according to her, most of her classmates were more of a brat than her.

Well, it’s from her mouth so I couldn’t really take it at face value. She could just be putting herself up while dissing the others.

Anyway, while she was eating her parfait, Tadano called her. Even without prompting the loudspeaker, the guy’s voice was too loud for us to hear.

It goes along the lines of, “Get away from him this instant! You can’t be close to him! He’s dangerous!”

Or something like that. He kept on yapping about how I might mislead her. Yumei even tried to infuriate her further by calling out to me and asking me to talk.

On my side, Nami was holding her laughter alongside enjoying the ice cream that she was sharing with me.

At one point, she whispered something to me, “Don’t you think Mei-chan loves her brother too much?”

“Huh? Are we watching the same scene?”

“Oh. Right, you wouldn’t know because you’re an only child. Remember this, Ruu. Sometimes, we as little sisters also wanted to be spoiled by our big brothers. But we’re always embarrassed to show it. I was like that too before they both left the house.”

Hee… Is that how it is? Is it some kind of sibling dynamics that someone like me won’t be able to understand?

Let me imagine that … Nami acting like Yumei to her brothers… Uh… I guess it’s another form of showing affection, huh?

“Yep. That’s hard to understand.”

“I’m only talking about my experience so it probably varies from person to person. During my childhood days, my brothers always spoiled me. They often bring me to the park or playground to play or buy me presents even without occasion out of their meager allowance.”

While both of us were still engrossed in Yumei making fun of Tadano, stoking his anger as best as she could, Nami started telling me her childhood stories. The story that would explain the sibling dynamics around Tadano and Yumei. And perhaps, Kazuha-nee and Ogawa.

Uh. Scratch that last part, it’s probably different for them.

“Then, the time comes when I grow out of my childhood phase. Or, in other words, I matured a bit. From then on, I started becoming embarrassed acting like a spoiled kid around them. Because of that, I resorted to acting like an annoying brat who always tease them both. They got annoyed at me, that’s true. Yet, at the end of the day, they still love me as their cute little sister.” Nami continued. She then fed me a spoonful of ice cream. She opted to just do that instead of having me get my own spoon.

Anyway, after using a table napkin to wipe the stain on the corners of my mouth, she finished her story, “I am the same as them. They’re still my precious brothers who I know will definitely help and protect me in my time of need. I just can’t show it openly anymore. They’re now living their life outside our house, after all. Besides, I have you and Shizu-nee now. In any case, I’m sure that Daiki is the same as my brothers when it comes to Yumei.”

Around two minutes later, Nami asked for Yumei’s phone. She’s gonna talk to Tadano to stop him from worrying too much.

Although Yumei was reluctant to do it, she just couldn’t turn down Nami and her icy glares. She already had her fun anyway.

“Oi, Daiki. Don’t worry about Mei-chan. I’m here with her. Ruu is only focused on me! Besides, we’ll be sending her to her friends after we finish this. Stop acting like a raging idiot. It doesn’t suit you.”

Upon hearing that, Tadano went silent. However, that’s not because he already calmed down. He was just surprised that Nami would talk to him in defense of Yumei.

“Nanami, even if you said that, you know how he is! I can’t let my little sister to…” Tadano couldn’t finish that sentence.

Most likely, he’s going to say that he can’t let his little sister be stolen by me as well. That’s what it looks like to him, right?

“Don’t worry. Mei-chan loves you. Not Ruki.” Ignoring the unfinished sentence, Nami smilingly replied as she smirked at the girl in front of us.

And sure enough, Yumei instantly reacted in denial, “Eh? What are you saying, Nanami-senpai? Who will love that idiot of a brother? Hmph!”

She cutely puffed up her cheeks and turned her head to the side.

Nami, on the other hand, interpreted that differently, “Did you hear that? That’s Mei-chan professing her love for you, Onii-chan.”

Saying that last bit in a cutesy way, Nami successfully teased both brother and sister.

When Nami returned the phone to Yumei, she and Tadano groaned in frustration.

In the end, Nami became the winner.

A few minutes after we finished the ice cream, Nami and I escorted Yumei to where her friends were gathering.

The girl still acted a little mischievous by introducing me as her boyfriend to her friends which they surprisingly believed at first.

Nami quickly cleared that up and scolded Yumei in place of her brother.

“Listen here, Mei-chan. Ruki is mine. Understand? You brats better remember it as well, hmm?” While sporting a rather intimidating smile, Nami declared that to a group of second-year middle schoolers.

However, that didn’t have any effect on them, especially on Yumei. While they started walking away to go to their destination, Tadano’s little sister glanced back and stuck her tongue out to Nami before sending me a flying kiss.

Nami shielded me from that flying kiss – even if that was imaginary.

And as soon as they disappeared from our sight, Nami turned to me and pouted, “You know, you could’ve said something there… Are you really trying to add Yumei?”

“Hmm? Do I look like I’m interested in her? She’s cute but she’s definitely a headache. Look at what happened with Tadano.”

“So, if she’s not a headache, you’re going to add her?”

“Girl, stop interpreting my words differently.” I flicked her forehead before pulling her closer and putting her in my embrace. “You know that I will tell you about it if ever it happens.”

“Hmph. You enjoyed yourself watching us bicker there.”

“Well, it’s entertaining to watch my Nami get worked up. It’s not an everyday sight.”

Since she couldn’t get angry at that response, the girl pursed her lips. “This guy… I demand justice.”

“For what?”

“My hurt forehead. Kiss me, right now!” Nami demanded as she raised her chin and closed her eyes to wait for it.

Kissing in public might’ve been embarrassing for others, but with the girl rubbing my shamelessness on herself, she didn’t even stop to think about it.

Well, it’s not like I’m going to refuse her.

Without wasting any second, I held Nami’s chin and kissed her deeply. Not only that, I prolonged it for as long as I could, satisfying the girl.

By the time she realized that we were in public, her face was already as red as an apple.

Escaping the public eye, the girl grabbed my hand as we ran out of the scene.

Without any destination or plan, the two of us ended up touring the mall.

At the end of our steps, the two of us arrived at the arcade area.

And there, we tried every game as part of our date. When we got tired of it, we found the karaoke booth as the ideal resting place while we waited for Ayu’s message that would signal the end of our time together for today.