Stealing Spree

“Why did you only pick a meatbun?” Mizuki asked after seeing what I picked from a number of delicious-looking bread displayed.

“This isn’t for me, you know? This is for you. I remembered how you loved eating these.” I put the plate down in front of her before sitting on the seat opposite of her.

Because it’s still early, the bakery had customers going in and out. Most of them were office workers who didn’t have time to eat. There were also some students entering but they could be counted on one hand. Although they threw a curious glance in our direction, not everyone would be a busybody to pry onto something that didn’t relate to them.

“… This guy. I already ate before you arrived. See this?” She pointed at her empty plate wherein one could notice the bread crumbs and drops of sauce from the juicy meatbun she ate.

Mizuki leaned down a bit causing the hair tucked on her ears to fall off. With the sun slightly hitting this side of the bakery, that scene became too picturesque as she tucked it back behind her ear.

If not for the table being too wide, I would’ve reached in to kiss her.

“I’m not blind. But don’t you usually eat three pieces of it? Here, I bought you one more.”

“Are you telling me I’m a glutton when it comes to meatbuns?”

With her eyes turning into a slit, Mizuki glared at me and asked with a colder than normal voice.

“Not really, I just want to watch my Mizuki enjoying her food again.”

Teasing her like this brings me back to when I finally conquered her. With that supposed boyfriend of hers always out of the picture, we would often end up in a store. Despite her somewhat skinny figure, she’s somewhat of a glutton. She reasoned it as her refilling the energy she used from thinking too much about everything.

Because of how she acted and with her goal of being an outstanding woman without relying on her lineage, she’s doing everything to achieve great results. Although she’s still too young at that time, Mizuki was already like an adult. Among all my girls, she’s the one with the most mature outlook on life.

Her time with me was mostly her relaxing from the tiring things she’s doing. And there was me, letting her do what she wanted.

Whenever that boyfriend of hers would show up, she would shoo him away.

Now I wonder where that guy is now. More than being angry at me stealing Mizuki’s attention, that guy was even thankful for taking the load off his shoulders.

“Try again, Ruki. I’m already full. I’m maintaining a diet now.”

“I see then I’ll pack it and give it to someone else.” Putting on a disappointed expression, I pulled the plate back to me.

However, after my words registered on her mind, she reached for the plate and prevented me from moving the plate further. With a raised eyebrow, Mizuki gawked, “Who will you give it to?”

She bit the bait. It’s been a while so I wanted to tease her. Besides, we only have a few minutes here. In a while, we’ll separate again. It’s best to make this time worth our while.

“Aya will probably like this or perhaps Satsuki, she’ll need a replenishment of energy after their morning practice…”

“You. are you trying to make me jealous?” Without changing her expression, Mizuki asked while stealthily pulling the plate back to her side.

“Yes, I am.” I smiled and held the plate in place.

Noticing what I did, Mizuki clicked her tongue. “Tsk. You’re still this hateful when you’re in the mood for teasing.”

“It’s a rare chance. Why not? Should I not come here?”

I reached in for her hand and grabbed it. As I slowly clasped our hands together, Mizuki clicked her tongue again.

Relaxing her expression, she put down the cup of coffee to use the hand holding it to reach for the plate. “… Alright, you win. I’ll eat this. By the way, don’t sit there.”

“How can I watch you eat that if I sit next to you?”

“Ugh… One day, I’ll tie you and take you home with me.”

“Even without tying me, I’ll follow you home.”

Resigning that she couldn’t win with me using words, Mizuki grabbed the bread.

After that, I spent the time watching Mizuki nibble onto the bread. At first, she’s only biting small parts but as soon as she reached the meaty part, her bites grew bigger. If not for minding me in front of her, she would’ve gobbled it up in less than five seconds.

Staring at her ecstatic expression as she enjoyed her food was something I certainly missed.

When she finished, I picked up the tissue on the side and leaned over to wipe the juice stain off from the side of her lips.

When she noticed what I’m doing, Mizuki pursed her lips, making it easy for me. As soon as I’m done, I traced her lips with my thumb before pushing forward to steal a kiss.

As if predicting what I was going to do, Mizuki closed her eyes and received it without any fuss. Our clasped hand broke off as she grabbed onto the back of my head, pulling it closer to deepen our kiss.

Behind me, I could hear the customers that were still picking their bread from the displays whistled while saying ‘Youth~’.

Ignoring all of that, our kiss lasted for at least more than a minute before Mizuki released me

When I sat down, Mizuki crossed her arms, “That kiss was great but… You’re ruining my diet, Ruki.”

Although that sounds like a complaint, the way she pouted her lips was too cute. I whipped my phone out and took a photo of her.

When she noticed it, she immediately leaned over to have me delete it.

But who am I? She failed spectacularly and instead of taking my phone, she ended up changing her seats to be next to me.

“… You’ve grown a lot of guts since that time.” Giving up her struggle, Mizuki used my shoulder as her personal pillow again.

That time? I guess she’s talking about our whole time together… Because I sometimes entertain her wish to be the one at the advantage, she was often satisfied just being able to direct me to do some of her trivial biddings in her own book. Those biddings include cooking for her, spoonfeeding her and helping her turn away all those who try to approach her.

Despite her cold attitude, she’s still fairly popular and being the Class President who even Haruko somehow admired, Mizuki’s standing was even higher than a direct line descendant like Otoha.

However, outside the school, she still needed to be respectful towards her, especially when I had the two meet each other. At that time, Mizuki felt extremely jealous of Otoha. Comparing how I treated the two of them, she probably felt that Otoha was getting special treatment from me. Nonetheless, being who I am back then, all of those weren’t noticed by me. In my mind, I was only being myself in front of them. Although my attitude might be a difference between heaven and earth, I understood that different girls needed different approaches.

“Well, I’m always like this. You just didn’t want to admit losing to me. I conquered you literally; be it in bed and outside of it. In any case, I love that trait of yours, Mizuki.”

“Your gall to say ‘love’ now was definitely… a great thing.” Mizuki scoffed but her last words were said in an extremely quiet voice as if she’s too embarrassed to say it.

“Do you want to hear me say it?”

“No. Idiot. I’m not fond of sweet words like that, you know me.”

“I see. I love you, Mizuki.” Doing the opposite of what she wanted, the girl was definitely taken by surprise.

Her little mouth opened, not knowing how to reply. Her pair of ears that were now slightly peeking behind her luxurious hair gradually reddened.

Coughing twice, Mizuki tried to compose herself before standing up and grabbing my arm.

Understanding what she wanted to do, I naturally let myself be led by her outside the bakery.

After calling someone from her phone, a familiar black car stopped in front of us.

Noticing that I continued standing next to her, she threw me a side glance with her eye slightly widened.

“Right. Right.” I smiled wryly before stepping forward to open the door to the backseat.

This girl still had this habit… Well, it’s not like she’s hurting me and back then, I always did it for her.

As soon as the door opened completely, Mizuki seated herself inside followed by her familiar tapping on the seat next to her.

“Alright. Excuse me, Suzuki-san.” I said as soon as I entered the car and sat myself next to Mizuki.

Suzuki Sakurako. Her personal chauffeur. She’s like Mihara-san, Otoha’s chauffeur. Because of Mizuki’s excellent results at everything she did, the main family line of the Hasegawa Family granted her Suzuki-san during her 2nd year in Middle School.

At that time, I still hadn’t conquered her much less putting her in my crosshair.

When I got curious one time and asked Mizuki about her, she told me that Suzuki-san was a special exception only for herself. Unlike Mihara-san, Suzuki-san wasn’t that close to Mizuki.

However, even if they’re not on speaking terms, like Mihara-san, she’s someone loyal to Mizuki. When I first saw her, she only threw me a curious glance before following Mizuki’s instructions.

Nonetheless, after a year, the previously cold atmosphere between the two had already somewhat warmed up.

Now that she called Suzuki-san… I could now guess where this girl is taking me. Unlike with Ririka yesterday, we will be in a private place where we can be alone.