Stealing Spree

The bet was silly but they did agree to it. Due to that, Yue who lost her bet had to pay for it.

"Yue, don't blame us here, alright? You're the one who suggested this. If you won, we would also concede husband to you." Akane said as she slowly pulled the girl off my lap before taking another chair from the other tables.

Yeah. It looks like the stake Yue put there was their right to flirt with me unhindered.

I could've asked them if I gave them consent but I was fairly content watching their expressions.

Akane impishly smirked at Yue.

Yua tried to hold back her excitement.

Miho openly shook her head at how ridiculous they were

And lastly, Yue looked like she was already about to cry when she had to separate herself from me.

Really, I wonder what's going on in that group chat of theirs that they could come up with something like this.

I'm aware that it may also be connected to how I won't reject all of them if they ask me to pamper them. However, is it really necessary to turn into a bet?

Ah. Scratch that question. I get it all along.

Rather than nurture some bad blood between each other, they're turning it into small bets or competition. And everyone follows them.

Of course, they're not doing it all the time but only on some occasions. For example, during our camping trip where they drew lots on who would sit next to me.

And this time, it's to make this meeting livelier.

"Next time, let me join in your bets. I can also feel left out, you know?"

"Pfft. Husband, it won't be a bet anymore if you join. Knowing you, you'll find a solution where everyone can win."

"That's right! But Akane. Ruki joining will also be exciting."

"I agree. With how clueless he is sometimes, Ruki can make it more interesting."

Akane, Yua and Miho all voiced their thoughts.

As for Yue, her pretty eyes blinked a few times as clarity returned to her.

She then pushed her chair close to me and hugged me from the side.

"I don't really care if he joined or not. This guy can find a way even if we bar him from joining. Am I right, Ruki?"

... Is that really the case?

Honestly, I'm not that confident. But upon hearing their answers, I was really a variable that might make whatever they're trying to cook a success or a failure depending on how I would want to go.

Alright. I guess it should be best to take a backseat and let them surprise me from time to time.

It's not like we won't have some bonding moments even if we're all together in public.

"Honestly, I'm more impressed with how much you girls understand me. I feel like I'm always naked in front of you."

Upon hearing that, the four of them either laughed or smiled while having boastful expressions.

They're proud about being acknowledged like that.

Then, a moment later, the other three surrounded me, squeezing me inside their embrace.

For the next few minutes, I ended up being pampered by them with Yue being the most enthusiastic.

They only stopped because Kaoru-san and her father stepped out of the kitchen with the food they prepared for us.

--

"I'm glad you're enjoying the food but... Asahi, is it necessary to be fed by Onoda-kun?"

With her apron still on, Kaoru-san, who was bringing a tray of steamed dumplings, stopped before our table and put her hand on her hips as she watched me use my chopsticks to feed Yue.

"Yes, Kaoru-nee. This is necessary."

"Sorry for this display, Kaoru-san. But I can't turn down this girl at all."

I put on an apologetic smile as opposed to Yue's mischievous answer.

Kaoru-san put a hand on her forehead and shook her head before putting down the dumpling.

Understanding that there was no stopping Yue from her act, she turned her head to the other three who were also enjoying the food they served.

Well, the girls were feeding me whenever Kaoru-san or her father would return to the kitchen so I could say I also enjoyed the food.

Most of them were noodle meals like stir-fried udon, a bowl of ramen, and soba noodles.

The dumplings were side dishes that further complemented the set.

"Are you still cooking, Kaoru-san? Why not join us here?"

"Hmm? Don't worry about me, Onoda-kun. Just enjoy the meal with everyone. I'll be back with some tea."

Although I asked her just for courtesy, I didn't expect her to answer like she was trying to escape.

Did she not want to dine with us?

As I was thinking about that, Yue, who had just swallowed the piece of dumpling in her mouth, seemingly read my mind, "It's not anything serious, Ruki. Kaoru-nee is like that when she's in charge of the kitchen. She's more than satisfied to watch us enjoy the food she prepared."

That sounds like most chefs who love their job. But why did she become a talent manager and not a chef to continue her parents' craft?

"You're wondering why she became a manager, right?"

Alright. My girl was already a mind reader.

I looked at her and nodded. At this point, even Akane and the others were intrigued. They paused slurping their noodles and focused on Yue who started rubbing her nose.

Shortly after, she began with a chuckle.

"Hehe... This is a secret so don't tell her that I told you. Kaoru-

nee is quite meticulous in her job as my manager, right? She's also the same as the food she makes."

"I don't see any problem with it," I said. It's pretty normal, after all. I mean, I'm also reviewing the food I cook for Akane and the other girls. And surely, everyone who cooks for themselves or their family does the same.

"Yes, Ruki. It's not a problem. But you see, Kaoru-nee... She has always been too critical of herself."

"You mean...?"

"Un. She can't enjoy her own food because most of the time, she's going to nitpick about what she could've done better."

Alright. That sounds like a hassle. If I'm understanding this better then Kaoru-san refused to eat with us because she might just nag at herself while eating the food she prepared.

And so, she chose a manager career. Because even if she found herself lacking, she could keep it to herself and improve.

But couldn't she also do that with her cooking skills?

Ah. No. It must be never-ending for her. No matter how much she improves her craft, she's still going to have something to say about it.

"That sounds tiring."

"I know, right? I talked to her about this before but she believes there's no solution to it. She can only live with it."

Upon saying that, Yue nudged at my arm to have me continue to feed her.

"That also sounds like a confidence problem. She never thought about treating it?"

On my other side, Miho, who probably had just finished processing what she heard, commented. She surely could relate to her.

"I also brought that up! But she said it's not that--"

Before Yue could finish her words, someone else spoke.

Someone coming from the kitchen.

"What's not that? Asahi... You know I can still hear you from the kitchen, right?"

There, Kaoru-san was standing by the door with her arms crossed. Behind her, I saw her father giving us a thumbs up.

Mhm. We've been careless but Kaoru-san's parents must've also been concerned for their daughter's problem.