Stealing Spree

"I can't believe I also corrupted you, Rumi." Minutes later, I whispered into her ear as we both lay on the couch, her body nestled against mine.

"Yeah... You have to reflect on that, shameless junior. You have to take responsibility for making me like this," Rumi playfully replied as she snuggled closer to me. Her voice was a mix of teasing and satisfaction.

"Mhm... I will." I kissed her forehead, feeling a sense of pride and affection swell within me. "But only if you promise to keep scolding me if I did you wrong. To keep telling me if you didn't like something I did. That way, we both can grow together."

Rumi turned around to snuggle on my neck, burying her face there before her muffled response reached my ears, "You know, I can't get mad at you. Not when you're being like this. I promise. So, promise me too that you won't let your self-deprecating thoughts pull you down. I... No, I think we all love the confident you. And it's hard to navigate around it whenever you're blaming yourself over things that we all have influence on."

Her words hit me right in the heart. I mean, I'm aware of it. I tend to blame myself for everything that goes on around me. It already feels like a habit and I cannot stop doing it. Because I didn't want them to be burdened, I kept picking it up to shoulder it.

But is that really the right thing to do? Absolutely not.

It's like a burden I've been carrying for so long, I didn't know how to set it down.

Now that I'm hearing this from her as well is another reminder that I can share this burden with them, that they're here for me as much as I'm here for them.

"Mhm... I promise, Rumi. If I break that promise... Feel free to tear at me." I whispered back, feeling a warmth spread through me at her words.

Rumi chuckled against my neck before she pulled away. She then looked up and shook her head with a smile.

"I won't tear at you, Ruki. I'll just scold you a lot more," she said, her eyes filled with affectionate mischief.

"Alright. I'll take that. I'm gonna tell that to Kana as well. No. To everyone." I chuckled, the warmth from her body was soothing as I felt myself getting lost in her embrace.

After this, we spent the next fifteen minutes just cuddling, our hearts beating in sync. It was the most peaceful I've ever felt with someone. No words were needed as our hearts did the talking. Her sweet scent was intoxicating and her soft breaths against my neck were -comforting.

It's making me look forward to our first night together.

The moment was perfect, and I felt the weight of the world slip away from my shoulders. I knew that Rumi felt the same way as she laid her head on my chest, listening to the steady beat of my heart.

"Alright. I'll see you later, Rumi." I said as the two of us moved from the living room to her front door. Our clothes were already fixed and the hint of what happened was already gone.

"Un. Take care, Ruki. I think I'll call Kana and the others. We can continue working on our interactive story. And if you arrive early... Maybe you'll also catch them here. Isn't that great?" Rumi's eyes sparkled with excitement, the promise of our intimate evening later adding a delightful anticipation to her voice.

Hearing that from her, the first thing that flashed in my mind wasn't really the anticipation of seeing the other girls here later. It was the fact that Rumi would invite the others. She never wanted to show them the gloomy state of her house that's why even Kana had yet to visit here but now, she's willing to open her door to them. It's a clear sign of how she sees me as someone she can lean on and that she's not afraid to show the other girls this part of her life anymore.

"Yeah, it's going to be great," I replied with a smile, "I'll make sure to bring snacks for everyone."

Rumi laughed as she saw through my thoughts. And then before sending me off she leaned in and whispered, "It's thanks to you that I think I can now step out of my own shadow."

Her words were a gentle caress to my soul. I leaned down and kissed her softly, feeling the warmth of her breath against my cheek. "I'll say it again. You girls are making me feel like I am the luckiest guy in the world."

As I stepped out of her house, the afternoon sun kissed my skin, reminding me of the warmth that Rumi had just shared with me. I glanced back one last time to see her standing by her door, sending me off with her eyes.

Yep. Who won't fall if they're all that sweet?

Anyway, I didn't waste any more time as my foot soon brought me to the train station. I pulled out my phone to check the time. It's only 2 PM. Still a few hours before my part-time job. I already messaged Ayu, confirming the time.

Then, I also messaged Akane, telling her about my plans for tonight. She should be with the others by now. Did she bring Machida when meeting her best friends?

Hopefully, it won't be as strained as I predicted.

As the train pulled into the station, I received a message that made me change my immediate plan.

"Senpai, do you have time today?"

It was from Sumire. My energetic junior who's an avid Asahi fan. Our usual message exchanges were mostly about Yue and her songs but lately, after our relationship shifted to a more special one, that topic cooled down a bit and we switched to a somewhat restrained exchange of messages. I could tell that it was because she was still embarrassed thinking about me but the last time we were together, she had me hug her while hiding behind the public bathroom in the park.

"Yes. What does my adorable junior need?" I replied, the image of Sumire's blushing face flashing in my mind. Her energy was like a breath of fresh air and even though she's not really against our newfound closeness, I still enjoyed our usual banter where I eventually beat her in teasing.

"Shameless senpai! I just thought... I want to see you. Is that weird?" Her reply came swiftly, and I couldn't help but chuckle at her cuteness.

Alright. I still have a few hours. I can certainly grant her wish to see me, "Not at all. Wait for me. I'm on the way to see you."

At that, I stepped into the train that would take me to my next destination. She was only a station away. It wouldn't take long for me to reach her. But as I expected, her reply was a bundle of her flustered response in the form of text.

"Eh??? Seriously? Wait. I haven't taken a bath yet!"

"Forget taking a bath. I think I'll still appreciate your scent even if you stink a little."

"I'm not stinky!" Sumire responded to that in a heartbeat filled with angry emojis.

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