Stealing Spree

The dinner progressed smoothly after that. Moving past what happened and Hina being such an adorable sweetheart to me – totally or intentionally ignoring the fact that we were in front of her parents – there was no more room to bring up whatever blunder her mother committed earlier.

And by putting down their bias or just their wariness towards me, Uncle and especially Auntie became great hosts in my eyes.

While Uncle talked to me about Hina's childhood that he witnessed with his eyes, he also taught me things that I have yet to discover about Hina. For example, he mentioned that Hina often wore non-matching house slippers every morning upon waking up. Not because she couldn't find the correct pair but because the girl has the kind of quirk wherein she's using the mismatched sensation of the slippers to cast away her drowsiness. That's why she always keeps two or more sets of house slippers inside her room.

When Hina heard that being brought up, she embarrassedly covered her father's mouth regardless of being too late to stop him.

I laughed at it and I got the same treatment from the girl.

That's a weird quirk but when I imagined the girl doing that every morning, I couldn't help but find it endearing. I guess I'll have to get her another pair of slippers when she sleepovers in the future.

Other than that, more stories unfailingly stacked up the girl's adorability and I gladly listened to all of it while holding the girl close to prevent her from stopping Uncle or Auntie from completing them.

Naturally, I also didn't escape from their questions about my family or just myself. Obviously, I had to modify my answers a bit to skillfully evade mentioning my desire or the state of my complex relationship with multiple girls.

Watching all that from the side, Kazuha-nee would sometimes chip in some words to help me tide through difficult questions. She also raised a few questions that garnered the interest of Hina and her parents.

And although she truly behaved herself throughout that dinner, I couldn't help but notice her gaze lingering on me whether or not I was the focal point of the conversation. It's like she's there to watch me and learn more about me through her stares.

Whenever I would catch her doing that, she would show a meaningful smile before turning her attention someplace else.

Weird, no? Unfortunately, I had no chance to question her about it since I dedicated this day all to Hina.

That aside, the mystery of why Kazuha-nee was with us also came to light.

It happened when we finished dinner. Perhaps wanting to come clean because I already gained her approval for their daughter, Auntie admitted that she invited Kazuha-nee to dine with us tonight upon finding out that the woman already met and interacted with me before. Because she found Kazuha-nee's account or what she thought of me insufficient, Auntie wanted her to be present here; to observe me and tell her whether her opinion about me changed.

Really, a mother's love for her child could truly be taken to the extreme. If I'm not wrong, my mother was also very protective of me, as well. In any case, Auntie was just making sure that I wasn't taking advantage of Hina so I couldn't really blame her for it. Besides, it's harmless probing.

Shortly after that, Kazuha-nee approached me and also admitted how her tongue slipped during their neighborhood get-together to celebrate Hina's birthday earlier. She kinda blurted out my name when Hina's parents brought up the information that I would be arriving here alongside Hina.

Because Kazuha-nee openly talked about me, the couple got curious and so was everyone in this neighborhood. That explained why those neighbors appeared as though they were waiting for us to pass by and why they looked like they were scanning me from top to bottom.

What a weird neighborhood or better yet, I couldn't help but dread that get-together they're holding whenever there's an occasion.

After we finished that dinner, Hina asked her parents if she could show me her room or in other words, if I could be alone with her inside it.

Auntie and Uncle were reluctant at first but because of Hina's pleading expression as well as Kazuha-nee's help, they folded and gave us their approval. However, there is one condition… Kazuha-nee will be watching over us.

And that was our current situation…

"Don't mind it too much. This is your night. Enjoy it." Kazuha-nee said to us once we started ascending the stairs.

She's behind us, watching us closely. While she looked really amused at this sudden turn of the situation, she was not acting obnoxious.

I mean, she's already about to return to their house after that dinner. Being given another reason to stay, she didn't hesitate to jump on it.

As for what was in her head, neither Hina nor I had a clue.

Or maybe I had some clue what she was trying to do but it's not reason enough to call her out.

Furthermore, with that statement, Hina probably interpreted that as Kazuha-nee would not intentionally interfere with us even if she was asked to watch over us.

I mean, we already had sex in the clubroom and realistically speaking, that happened because we both knew that it would be close to impossible to do it again here, under her parents' watch. Even if she's an inherent schemer that often worked for her benefit, she's not like Elizabeth who was ballsy enough to dare initiate having sex with me even with the constant check up on us by her father.

The reason why she was bringing me to her room was about that surprise she was going to show me as well as my promise to wear the cosplay outfit from last night.

Upon reaching the top of the stairs, Hina turned around to face Kazuha-nee. She sincerely took her hand and gratefully said, "Thank you Kazuha-nee. That extends to all the help you rendered us tonight."

"No worries, Hina-chan. It's your birthday. Besides, I'll take that as Ruki-kun owing me a debt. It's a win-win for us."

Kazuha-nee patted Hina's head again before turning to me and for the first time tonight, showed the same shameless smile as last Saturday.

There we go… She's finally showing her true colors, huh? Is it because we're not in front of Hina's parents now? Or she just decided to drop the pretenses?

In any case, not expecting that kind of response from her, Hina was a bit taken aback.

However, before she could voice out her confusion, Kazuha-nee added, "Oh. Don't misunderstand that. I won't steal him from you, Hina-chan. You know that he's like Kazu-kun to me. A little brother."

Alright. Now that's a blatant lie. Didn't she say I'm incompatible to be her little brother because we're both shameless? But then again, she put up and helped us a lot tonight so… I don't know. Maybe her view changed?

No. Looking at that shameless smile that was clearly directed at me, she had another idea in her mind. Perhaps she wanted to mess with me. Who knows?

Hina caught on to that lie, of course. The girl once again acted a little defensively, hugging my arm tightly.

Alright. I guess, it's my time to step up. If she wanted to tease us, she had to face me first.

"I don't mind that, Kazuha-nee. Please list my debt to you and I'll repay that in the future."

"Heh. Look at you, Ruki-kun. No wonder Kazu-kun was afraid of you. You know when to stand up and back away." Kazuha-nee praised me and like with Hina, she approached me to pat my head and ruffle my hair.

I tried evading but it was too late.

"Anyway, like I said. This is your night, Hina-chan. Don't worry about me. I'm only asked to watch over. Even if you two decide to roll on your bed, I won't say anything to Uncle and Auntie." Kazuha-nee continued as her shameless smile widened before winking at both of us.

Alright. Let me reevaluate this woman… She's still as devious as I first thought.

And so, to knock her off her high horse, I decided to match that shamelessness, "I see. Hear that, Hina? Looks like we can ask Kazuha-nee to join us in bed. This will be fun."