Stealing Spree

Once our lips separated after that long kiss, Mina and I just stared at each other heatedly. Our warm breath brushes against each other’s skin, heating us up. Our hearts jubilantly beat in sync, communicating wordlessly.

Her sweet and fragrant scent filled my nose, calming and relaxing me. It reminds me of what she prepared earlier. The sweetness of the snack and the fragrance of her brewed tea.

Even though I wasn’t tired or anything, I felt like sleeping with her like this. Enjoying the peace and quiet with this girl, who had started regaining her former shine.

Through our silent communication, Mina felt the same. She gradually slid down and returned to just snuggling in my arms. If Edel saw her like this, that girl might think that she’s copying her koala trait.

There was the temptation and desire to be more intimate with her. However, for some reason, we chose to cuddle like this.

Minutes later, Mina raised a question. Her voice was so small as though she was deliberating whether to say it or not.

“Hey, Ruki… Do you want to do it with me?”

“I do.” My answer came instantly.

Mina giggled in relief and satisfaction. “That’s a quick response, shameless guy.”

“Well, that’s what I honestly feel. Besides, I cannot lie to you, right? Or are you expecting a different answer?”

I answered that question in a different context than our current situation and surely, Mina understood it. The girl was trying to sound me out because I chose a different route today. Perhaps, an idea suddenly popped into her head that made her think that I don’t feel the same desire as I have for the other girls. Hence, the relief and satisfaction that she felt from my quick answer.

“No… I won’t expect anything less from a pervert like you.” Mina continued giggling while her finger started tracing a circle on my chest. “You’re always too intimate with all of us. Whenever you will find a chance, it’s either you’ll stick to our side or we’ll be the one sticking to you.”

“Mhm… That’s how it is.”

“I’m not saying that it’s bad… or exhausting on my part. However, it feels like you’re always overworking yourself to satisfy us. Loving you came rather naturally with your continuous persistence to woo me. Before I could give a name to what I feel for you, you’re already stuck close to me, whether you’re next to me physically or not.” Mina continued. Her giggles stopped but replacing them was a clear and bright smile.

At this moment, this girl was baring to me the previously buried extrovert girl. With her body shaking slightly, she probably wasn’t that comfortable to bare it completely yet.

Nonetheless, I held her even tighter and started caressing her head and back. To make her feel secure.

“I’m glad to hear that, Mina. Well, I was persistent. I’m also relieved that I didn’t overwhelm you.”

“Idiot. You had long overwhelmed me, there’s no way you can overwhelm me more than that. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is… I love every moment with you but I kind of hate how you’re overworking yourself. It’s probably just me but like you said, we can bare our thoughts to you. That way, you can understand us.”

Ending it at that, Mina’s face reddened once more, however, it’s noticeable the apparent liberation in her expression.

“In short, my Mina is worried about me.” I smilingly answered and faced her heated gaze.

Hearing that, Mina facepalmed and climbed up again. This time, she pushed me to my back and placed herself on top of me. Grabbing both sides of my face, the girl then bit my lips.

“Yes, Mister. That’s the short story of it.” She’s clearly annoyed yet she’s still so adorable. “I’m not telling you to stop, by the way. I just wanted to release it in my chest.”

“I understand. Let me just say this then…” I paused for a while to wrap her tightly in my embrace. “… I might look like I'm overworking myself. However, I’m enjoying every second of it. I’m a shameless and sinful guy. Being accepted by all of you was already equivalent to taking advantage of you. Yet, all of you stayed with me. I can only be thankful for that. I could only get back at you for putting in more effort… That’s why you can rest your worry, Mina. Your man is strong enough not to overwork himself.”

I probably shouldn’t tell her that I hurt my hips last night. That would just reinforce her worry. Besides, it’s already fine this morning… so my last sentence was still valid.

Ah. Wait. Now that I think of it… She probably heard it already in their chat group… And that led her to talk to me about this. Or it was the trigger for her to decide on talking to me about this.

Additionally, her agreement on our silent decision not to be too intimate was subconsciously influenced by it.

This girl is too precious… I was once again reminded of how lucky I am to be with her.

“Strong? Yeah, right… Don’t come to me for a massage if you hurt your hips again.”

And there she goes. She still revealed what I had deduced.

“If that happens, I’ll come in the middle of the night and knock on your door. I’m certain, Auntie Yayoi will open the door for me.”

“Don’t involve my mom with your shamelessness!”

And with this, our banter continued, ending up with us laughing heartily while rolling on her soft bed.

Obviously, once we were done laughing, we became all over each other again…

-

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About an hour later, Mina and I arrived in front of Auntie Yayoi’s salon. It’s surprisingly bigger than I thought. It’s located in a shopping complex around 15 minutes away from their house. Peering from outside, it’s half-filled with customers.

“What? Are you having cold feet?” Mina commented at my side.

“Never… You told me your preference. Watch me become more presentable.”

“Heh. It’s just a preference. You’re fine as you are. I, or we, fell in love with the person named Onoda Ruki, not because of your hair. Even if other people disdain you for your unkempt hair, none of us will leave you just because of it.”

“Now I don’t know if you’re encouraging or discouraging me.”

“Interpret it however you like. You’re already here. There’s no running away.”

After saying that, Mina clasped our fingers tightly before hastening her steps to the salon, dragging me with her.

Upon entering, Auntie Yayoi welcomed us but the attention of almost everyone in the salon, be it employees or customers, focused on us.

“Is that Mina-chan? And… her boyfriend?” Someone who recognized Mina said.

“Wow. Boss… Your daughter got herself a man. When will you get yours?” One of her employees tending to a customer also commented.

“Youths are pretty daring nowadays.”

Those and similar comments flew from their mouths as the salon became livelier because of our arrival.

On my side, the brave Mina was now showing an awkward smile, not knowing how to reply.

“Ladies, enough teasing the children. Mii-chan dear, come in and bring Onoda-kun inside.” Stopping the little commotion, Auntie Yayoi directed Mina.

In contrast to how she acts at home, Auntie Yayoi looked like one of those professionals.

Uh. Right. She ‘is’ a professional. But this was like a breath of fresh air compared to the rather goofy mother who loves teasing her daughter.

Mina followed her mother’s direction and brought me inside and away from the other customers or the main area of this salon.