Stealing Spree

With Haruko coming over to our side, Serizawa-senpai, whose state switched multiple times in the span of these few minutes we spent entangled with each other, instantly felt embarrassed.

As if she was caught cheating, Serizawa-senpai closed her eyes and snuggled to my neck, escaping Haruko’s gaze.

The way she seemed to be slightly shivering once more was different from earlier. It’s like she was guilty of being caught cheating by her lover and without any other place to hide, she ended up choosing to just cover her face. And this time, she used my neck.

Nonetheless, when Haruko arrived at our side, she put her hand on Serizawa-senpai’s head, her expression was endearingly proud of the girl.

And when Serizawa-senpai felt that, her shivering gradually stopped as she began to savor the head pats from Haruko while still clinging tightly on me.

“Hubby, isn’t Edel too adorable?” Haruko teasingly asked. Her smile filled with meaning.

She knew I had a lot of questions about this girl that had started to treat me like a hug pillow. I could even feel how she kept on sniffing my scent as her arms gradually tightened.

And with this current situation, she’s too complicated for me to understand... I had no idea why she’s acting like this when she’s always scared of me whenever our paths would cross. Moreover, she admitted that once she separated from me, that fear would return...

“I will be lying if I say she’s not. Senpai is too gorgeous. To think that you managed to make her yours, I might need to ask some pointers from you.” I honestly answered. My remark just naturally flowed out though.

“You’re a shameless jester, hubby. Asking your own lover how to pick up girls. You’re asking to be stabbed.”

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“I’ll gladly take that stab as long as it’s you, girls. I’m a great sinner after all.

“Don’t say gladly, you’re being an idiot again. Don’t take it too seriously.”

“I’m joking, of course, I still want to live with all of you in the future. I will take the stab but I’ll ask you to aim at the non-fatal part.”

“What a big fool. And I’m in love with this guy... I’m a bigger fool.”

Instead of continuing on that topic, Haruko pinched my cheeks with all her might as she lamented on that fact.

And although everything was heard by Serizawa-senpai, the girl hadn’t reacted to it.

“Anyway, even if you don’t include me, everyone has their own charm and all of them fell in love with you. You playboy. Why not start taking care of your appearance? That way your charm will go up another level and we will surely be delighted.”

And with another topic in line with what she started, Haruko pinched my chin and moved it upwards, downwards, left and right as she scrutinized my face with a wide smile on her lips.

This girl... she’s intentionally doing this. Prolonging out of the current issue’s topics to give time for Serizawa-senpai to calm down.

Although it looked like we’re forgetting that she’s with us, Haruko and I understood each other.

So for now... I better play along.

“Hmm? Is my appearance too plain?”

I admit... This topic was also somewhat relevant. I... I’m not a big fan of fashion and I never truly spent minutes or hours in front of a mirror just to get the best appearance.

“Look at the mirror and ask yourself about that, hubby. If you think girls will fall in love only because of how you treat them, you’ll be entirely wrong. Your appearance is included in the criteria. There’s no way it will not be. I’ve seen the ‘disguises’ they created for you and each of their craft perfectly brought out your... hidden charm. Don’t mind it too much though. I, for one, still love you as you are now and will always love you no matter how you present yourself. But if you think you’re just a plain regular guy then you’re just demeaning yourself, hubby.” Haruko shook her head before stretching her arm out to brush my hair upwards, revealing my forehead followed by kissing it.

Am I demeaning myself? I don’t know.

No. I already saw that was the case. Whenever I was in disguise, I was getting more attention than normal.

I was the one who’s neglecting my own appearance. Because, well, I already got too used to how I look and... I stole most of them while like this...

“Anyway, we’re going off-topic.” Before I could answer her, Haruko dropped her lips on mine before blocking it with her finger after a swift kiss. She probably deemed that it’s already enough time to calm down Serizawa-senpai.

Fortunately, the girl had her face completely buried on my shoulder and the side of my neck. She didn’t see how Haruko kissed me filled with genuine affection.

“Senpai, I appreciate our current closeness. No, I totally welcome it. However, I’m really curious about what you said earlier... Can I know the reason?”

Haruko signaled with me to start first while she moved to the girl’s side and whispered in her ears.

“Edel, I’m not jealous and I will not see this as you cheating. I already told you, right? I love you and I also love Ruki.”

With every word that left Haruko’s mouth, Serizawa-senpai would exhibit minute reactions. I could clearly feel it since she’s this close to me.

And with that, her affection towards Haruko was also genuine. If I’m not wrong, Haruko was the one she trusted the most by now. As for romantic feelings. Perhaps, that’s what they’re leaning at. Not just in Serizawa-senpai’s case. Himeko, Mina and the other two as well. Normal friendship wouldn’t cut it.

“I will not force you to love him, Edel. But let him help you alongside me. You know, I can answer his question why you’re alright holding onto him this time. But I’ll let you do that.”

Haruko continued patting the girl’s head and by the time her words ended, she’s already hugging Serizawa-senpai from behind.

A few seconds after that, the girl who seemed glued to my neck gradually lifted her body and twisted it a bit to look at Haruko. “Haru...”

As she whispered Haruko’s name, the two had already conversed through their eyes.

Following that, Serizawa-senpai sprang back and faced me. Although her eyes were still shaky, she began her explanation.

“O-onoda-kun, I... the reason is simple... Haru told me that... I will feel extremely safe inside your arms... The kind of safety that I am feeling beside Haru... And she’s right.” Serizawa-senpai’s words were still filled with her stuttering and pauses as if she’s finding it difficult to talk and look at me at the same time.

However, she’s steeling herself to do that.

“Uh... I can’t explain it properly but it’s like that... I got too scared earlier that I almost lost consciousness... You chased after me and held me close to you... At that time, I felt time... what Haru mentioned. Even now...”

As soon as she finished her words, Serizawa-senpai plunged down on my shoulder again but this time, she raised her arm for Haruko to slip in. She wanted the two of them to experience the same thing...

In the end... if my comprehension was correct. For Serizawa-senpai, the inside of my embrace was like a defended paradise. But before reaching that paradise, she had to cross hell first. Or in other words, her fear of men would be hindering her to approach that paradise.

It’s quite illogical... but that’s the gist of it, right?

When she’s in my arms like this, she could forget that fear. But if I tried to talk to her... it would slowly remind her that she should be afraid of me... hence the stuttering.

Just by that, it could be said that she’s already attempting to reel in her fear. And that’s something commendable.

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“I understand now... If I can be of help to senpai then don’t hesitate to come to me. I’m still unaware of the source of your fear but I guess... let’s tackle that when we get another chance.”

“T-thank you,” Serizawa-senpai replied as her arms gradually tightened.

Haruko, who was at her side, raised her head for a bit to show me her grateful and satisfied smile.

In a way, I ended up playing with Haruko’s well-crafted plan for Serizawa-senpai.

She’s truly going all out for them... Although she initially said that she wanted me to steal all of them and make them fall for me. For sure, she accepted that there’s a chance that it wouldn’t happen. So instead of that... she’s employing my help to cure whatever was the issue with her girls. So even if she cut them off in the future, the girls would be able to stand up on their own feet...