Stealing Spree

Hifumi's little confession went past Hana's head and I didn't really make a big deal out of it considering their current conversation. Nonetheless, I made a small gesture to the girl, hinting that I would like to hear more about it from her when we're alone.

And so, starting with the topic of kindness and selfishness that both of them tried to deny, the two girls went around that topic without really arriving at a consensus. But that's because they're both waiting for the third player to arrive. Furthermore, they stopped delving into whatever friendship they created. Hifumi didn't insist on it the same way as Chii while Hana looked at it from a new perspective. The glasses girl expressed that she appreciated those two weeks since, in a way, Hana and Chii could be considered her first friends. As for the obstinate girl, while she stood by her quest to steal me being her top priority, she began considering if she could really be friends with the two. And perhaps to be certain that she was not doing anything wrong, Hana kept on glancing at me, using me as her gauge if she was still in that fine line or not.

Well, that's fine with me. I mean, I was just enjoying myself watching the two interact, after all.

In a way, seeing them talk like that, it kinda removed the veil of Hana's cold countenance to anyone else aside from me. Her loner character also got chipped off when at one point, they moved from the serious talk to recalling their experiences within those two weeks that they're together.

There was one particular event that Hifumi enthusiastically recalled which instantly made Hana unusually flustered.

It involved that time when they went to a local festival as a trio. It was probably within the second week of spring break that year, just a few days before the three of them walked their separate ways.

At first, they thought of dragging me out of my house to accompany them. However, I was probably out with my parents and Akane's family that day, also visiting a festival that I could recall to be very boring or I just didn't enjoy it that much especially because Akane stuck to me the whole night.

Anyway, since they failed on dragging me with them, the three of them still went to it after much deliberation. That's obvious, I wouldn't hear this story otherwise.

Chii had yet to experience a change back then so it's like an entourage of three soft-spoken girls walking through the crowd. Apart from Hana who was already mature enough to wade through the crowd, both Hifumi and Chii were like confused ducklings who could only follow the girl as they went from stall to stall.

However, Hana apparently got separated from them at one point. Hifumi and Chii panicked at first but they're lucky enough to be spotted by the candied apple stall owner. Even though they were not exactly little kids at that time, she was still kind enough to give them a stick of candied apples to calm them down.

Following that, the stall owner found out from the two that they got separated from their friend. With her help, they started searching for Hana from the crowd of festival-goers.

Knowing that Hana was mature enough to know where to go, they first thought that she might be waiting for them at the entrance where a volunteer tent for lost and found was located.

However, not even a minute later, they actually found Hana, crouched down in a corner, looking like she was about to bawl her eyes out.

And with that, the image of the mature girl shattered in their minds. In the end, instead of becoming their leader, Hana became the lost child earning hearty laughter from that kind stall owner.

When I imagined that scene after Hifumi's detailed account, I couldn't help but laugh as well, resulting in Hana childishly clamping my mouth closed.

It was a story that Hana wanted to be buried and never be told to me. Too bad, Hifumi used that to lighten the heavy mood after their serious conversation.

When I thought that was all to that story, Hifumi mischievously grinned and prepared to continue. However, Hana, who probably considered that as a dark phase of her past, immediately sprang up to her feet and covered Hifumi's mouth.

She resolved herself to silence the glasses girl from telling that story, no matter what happens.

Well, whatever it was… my curiosity was already piqued. I needed to know that or I wouldn't be able to sleep.

Alright, that's an exaggeration.

It was at that point that Chii arrived. Upon seeing the lively scene where Hana was desperately trying to cover Hifumi's mouth as well as my amused expression, the fake gyaru excitedly joined in with a grin.

Unfortunately for her, Hana jumped at her, covering her mouth right away even before she could get up to date on what was happening.

Seeing that it was going out of control, I decided to put a stop to it by dragging the three of them out of the station.

"Alright. As much as I want to hear about that story, it's getting dark. Where do you want to go?" I asked the three after they eventually calmed down.

At the moment, the three girls were in front of me, walking side-by-side while I kept a single step of distance behind them. There are still a lot of other pedestrians so I couldn't squeeze in between the three or we'd be occupying the whole sidewalk. Hifumi and Chii also couldn't take my sides because Hana prevented them from doing so. After that serious talk and the little hilarious scuffle, she didn't want to be left out anymore.

And due to that, the three of them now looked like a group of friends while I am their follower, ready to tend to their needs. I mean, since I was carrying their bags and Hifumi's books, I truly looked the part.

That's not bad. It saved us the trouble of earning envious gazes or unwanted attention.

"Where? There's one place in my mind."

"Oh, I know! Hifumi, is this why you chose this place to meet up?"

"Un. I thought of going to Ruki's house first but we'll be disturbing Akane."

Hifumi started and Chii chimed in right away. Even without mentioning the place, I already had a hunch about what they were trying to point at.

It's obvious. The girl in between them was already shaking as if she was about to erupt in order to refuse their upcoming suggestion.

Since I noticed that, I decided to join in to tease the girl.

"I see. That's the only ideal place at this time. Alright, Hana, let's visit your house. Good timing, it's also a chance to finally check how you're living alone there."

"Huh? No way! Choose another place! Auntie will…"

"Oh. What's wrong? We can make an excuse that we're your friends and we're going to study." Chii didn't let Hana finish her words. She grabbed the girl's arm, locking her in place.

"Un. Let's stop by the convenience store first. Let's have dinner together." I added which Hifumi and Chii agreed on readily.

"Wait. Ruki… Must it be my house? We can go to a hotel or—"

"Nope. It's your house, Hana. Or maybe you don't want to spend time with us? It's fine too. I can just take them home with me."

Cutting her off once again, I pressed forward, whispering those choices to her ears.

And sure enough, Hana became stuck between a rock and a hard place. She could be alone tonight or she could spend her dinner with us.

With anticipation in their eyes, Hifumi and Chii waited for the girl to answer.

A few seconds later, Hana lowered her head in defeat before saying, "… Okay, my house it is. But I demand compensation for this, Ruki. You can't just take advantage of this situation."

"Sure. As long as it's within my ability, I'll do anything for you tonight."

Although Hifumi and Chii became alert at the mention of compensation, it's already a done deal. I'll just make it up for them if ever Hana asks for something absurd.

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