Stealing Spree

Rumi's words warmed me up like the hot tea she had made earlier this afternoon. These small moments reminded me of how much I appreciate their acceptance of me. Furthermore, I loved seeing how much the girls had changed positively.

While we began cooking, the four girls left in the living room couldn't help but watch us from the kitchen doorway. It's like they were expecting something to happen. Something romantic or... steamy.

Or maybe, they just wanted to see if they could also help out. However, seeing how Rumi and I worked seamlessly as if we were Sous Chef and Chef in a Michelin restaurant, they decided to let us have our moment.

I was occasionally throwing them a wink though. Just like one of those performers paying attention to their audience.

The kitchen became like a stage on fire. Rumi and I danced with the knives and ladles as we chopped, stirred and sauteed.

Just like last time, Rumi proved to be quite adept in the kitchen. It's the skill of someone cooking for herself. Something, I also picked up.

We cooked a simple yet delicious dinner meal of teriyaki salmon, rice, and a side of stir-fried vegetables. The aroma of the food filled the house, making our stomachs rumble with anticipation. While we cooked, we talked about the festival and our roles.

Also, while doing so, we couldn't help but just gravitate towards each other; holding her when I wasn't doing anything and vice versa. Kana and the others looked at us enviously, but no one disturbed us. I'm sure they're just biding their time. I should expect to be mobbed by them after dinner. But well, that's something to look forward to, no?

We set the dinner table with the dishes we prepared together. It wasn't fancy, but the joy of making it ourselves and knowing everyone's taste buds was a different kind of satisfaction.

"I know Ruki can cook... But Rumi, you never told me about this. You always ate in the cafeteria!" A rare occasion of Kana shouting ensued as she got a taste of what Rumi prepared.

Rae and Hana nodded in agreement, their eyes gleaming with astonishment. They didn't know Rumi had such a talent.

I grinned and teasingly nudged the girl with my elbow.

"Well, you know. Got to keep some things a surprise, right?" Rumi replied with a wink but I could tell that she simply came up with that explanation.

It's fine though. If she told them it was the result of her living alone for so long, the atmosphere could turn gloomy. She could tell them about it later. And I'm certain Rumi wouldn't mind anymore.

In any case, I could see from her eyes that she was genuinely happy to see that their large table in this dining room had finally been occupied by more than two people.

We ate in a lively atmosphere, enjoying everything we prepared. Each bite brought us closer, not just physically but emotionally too. The conversation flowed freely, filled with laughter and the occasional sneaky glance.

I played along, of course. But not to the extent that it would disrupt our meals. There was a proper time and place for that.

Still, just like at our dinner table, I ended up getting fed by the girls. They all handed a piece of salmon to my mouth as if they'd tasted different from each other.

Even Otsuka-senpai joined in but she was more curious about whether the salmon's taste changed for me. To satisfy them, I crafted a believable lie telling them the same answer with different wordings.

When Rae caught on to it, everyone laughed and they once again had me taste a piece of their salmon.

... Somehow, it felt like they were already deliberately doing that because they couldn't finish it. Am I just imagining things?

Well, as long as they're satisfied, I guess?

After dinner, Rumi told me that she'd do the dishes. On the other hand, she told me to accompany the girls and escort them to the station when it was time.

Since she wouldn't take no for an that's what happened for the next thirty minutes. I pampered them for half of that time and walked out of the house, escorting them to either the bus stop or the train station.

Before separating from me, my girls all silently expressed their longing to spend the night with me. Hana squeezed my hand tightly as if she wanted me to ride the train and go home with her. Kana, on the other hand, took all her time to hug me tightly even when the bus already arrived. But Rae was a little straightforward. She seductively whispered in my ear, "Ruki, I miss you on my bed."

Ah. Let's not forget Otsuka-senpai... She didn't express anything but she had me call her name a few more times as if it's a spell to make her giddy.

When I called her out for it, she pretended to be unaffected and pouted, telling me, I was being tactless. Her round purple eyes sparkled with naughtiness.

Upon returning to Rumi's house, I carefully tidied up the front door, putting the house slippers back in their place like I was also a resident of the house. Then, I quietly moved to the living room, organizing the papers as well as the cushions that everyone used.

When I finished, I found Rumi standing by the doorway leading out of the living room as she came from upstairs, watching me like a housewife admiring her husband's tidiness. She had already changed into something more comfortable, a loose shirt and shorts that emphasized her lean build. It reminded me of what she wore the first time I was here. But sexier.

"No wonder they keep saying they want to live with you, Ruki. You're a husband material." Rumi said with a pleasant smile as she leaned against the frame, continuing to watch my movements.

I picked up the last cushion and glanced at Rumi, a grin tugging at my lips. "Well, I'm going to be your husband. I have to keep impressing you."

I paused for a moment to toss the cushion to the girl which she effortlessly caught and hugged in her chest.

"But it's not just about tidiness, right?" I stood up and closed our distance, my gaze dropping to her outfit. "You're looking particularly... comfortable"

Rumi's cheeks became tinted with a light shade of pink as she shyly averted her gaze, "It's nothing special. This is what I usually wear at home."

"Heh. Is that so? But why do I feel like it's more than that?" I stepped closer, my hand landing on her waist as I pulled her close while my eyes scanned her body up and down. The way the fabric clung to her curves was definitely not something she'd wear when she was feeling just 'comfortable'.

I'd say, it's her battle uniform. I was expecting a negligee but this was great too. I could already feel the heat down there... I'm really a hopeless pervert for my girls.

"Ruki..." Rumi pressed her lips together and looked up at me, her voice sounding sweet and tempting, "Do you mean it?"

I leaned down to kiss her forehead before caressing her cheek. "Of course. You know I do. I love you, Rumi. Please take care of me tonight?"

"That's my line!" Rumi giggled as her eyes shimmered with her unabashed happiness, "But yes, I will definitely take good care of you, Ruki. I love you too."

As we exchanged those magic words, Rumi and I stared into each other's reflection in our eyes as our lips got attracted to each other like magnets.

As seconds ticked by, our kiss gradually grew more passionate. The cushion dropped to the ground as Rumi's body melted into mine as if she had been waiting for this moment all night. It's a sweet, tender yet passionate embrace that I never want to let go of.

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