Stealing Spree

From how I described it before, my story with Matsuri was different from how I usually steal a girl.

It’s still vague in my memory but the first time I saw her, she wasn’t with her boyfriend. It was a normal encounter – or at least, a fleeting encounter that I thought was just a little unusual. It was in a crowded train and during a rush hour where there was little to no space to move around.

I was going to my usual corner at that time but with the train braking at that exact moment, the man behind me propelled me to where she was standing. And because of that, she lost her hold on the grab handle which brought us both to one corner.

She was pissed at me at that time but when she noticed that I was a junior, she instantly deflated and asked me to step back so she could return to where she was originally standing.

Unfortunately, someone took the chance to take her place there and even when she got into a shouting match against the other passenger, they refused to give her back that space.

Although it wasn’t my fault that it happened, I felt a little responsible. And so, I grabbed her hand and brought her back to that same corner, saying she could lead on the wall and I would maintain the space around her.

Initially, Matsuri laughed at me since I still hadn’t gotten a full growth spurt back then, she’s still taller than me. However, I accomplished what I said which thoroughly impressed her.

Before we separated upon arriving at her platform, she asked for my name and class which I didn’t answer.

Yep. I treated that encounter as nothing and believed that even if I saw her again, nothing would change between us.

At that time, no one had yet to replace Nao’s place beside me. And for a month or two, even when I’d already stolen a few girls, the void that Nao left for my desire was becoming an issue. It actually made me a little unmotivated to continue scouting for new targets and approaching them.

Then one day, I decided to pass the time on the rooftop.

And there, my second encounter with Matsuri happened.

“That sounds like a TV plot, Ruki. What then? Did she remember you?” Interrupting my story at that part, Satsuki poked my cheek.

“Oh. I think I remember that one. One day, Matsuri told me she encountered an interesting junior. I have no idea it was you. I should’ve noticed because her smile at that time was like whenever she was munching on her favorite chocolate bar.” The goofball interjected. She raised a finger upward as though she was trying to get all of our attention.

Following that she copied Satsuki by poking my cheek.

As for Orimura-sensei, there’s no noticeable change in her. She’s laser-focused on hearing more of the story. Well, at least, the crease on her forehead already disappeared – her aching head found peace even if it was just a little.

Anyway, before answering Satsuki’s, I reciprocated their mischievousness by grabbing both of their hands and locking them in my grasp.

Satsuki didn’t mind it, she even opened up her palm for my fingers to fit in. Hanabi, on the other hand, looked at me in puzzlement. Even if she’s not uncomfortable with it, she’s aware of the special meaning of holding each other’s hands intimately – especially when she watched Satsuki’s hand interlocked with mine. It took a moment for her to ball up her hand, preventing my fingers from sliding in. Due to that, it ended up with me just clutching her fist.

Perhaps thinking that she won against me, the sassy goofball cutely stuck her tongue out again to make fun of me.

Really, she’s that careless. She had no idea I could catch that slippery tongue of hers if I wished to.

Anyway, that’s enough for now or I might draw Satsuki’s jealous ire again.

“Unfortunately, no. She didn’t recognize me at that time. It’s been close to two months, after all.”

Upon hearing that, all three women in the room had similar reactions. They stifled their laughter.

I mean, with the way I narrated it, Matsuri recognizing me should be the normal progression. They found it comical.

“Yeah. You can laugh and tell me that I’m the one who got taken in by her since I still remember her.”

“Idiot. That’s unexpected. That’s all.” Satsuki still held back her laughter. Nonetheless, her eyes showed how much she was enjoying this.

On the other hand, Hanabi was more invested in the story. “Babe, I’ll ask Matsuri about this later. Continue.”

And lastly, Orimura-sensei clutched her head again after reeling in her laughter, “Onoda-kun... what’s the point of this story? And why am I here?”

She’s confused, alright. But it’s better that way.

“Aren’t you here to find out why I’m different, sensei? This is it.” I lifted joined hands to show it to her.

Of course, it didn’t change anything. She could only facepalm and inhale a deep breath to regulate her emotions.

Well, my hands are full so I cannot influence her more than this. It’s all up to her whether she wants to remain in this room with us or not.

A minute later, I resumed my story.

That second encounter with Matsuri led me to the discovery that she’s already taken. Due to that, it sparked my desire to make her mine.

The next day after that, I found her at the same spot again and I intentionally stayed next to her until her boyfriend at that time along with his goons arrived.

Yep. I intentionally set a target on my back for getting close to her. They decided to ‘teach me a lesson’ which I endured to gain Matsuri’s sympathy.

And from that day onwards, I humbled myself to them while secretly working my way towards my conquest of Matsuri.

Now, I forget whether I immediately revealed my intention to her or only a part of it during one instance where we got locked in a room together.

But that day, I found a way to get us out, and that very same room became the place where we met up with each other behind her boyfriend’s back.

It was also at that place where she taught me what I was missing from all of my successful conquests.

When I reached this part of the story, Satsuki pinched my side, signaling me to stop while Hanabi was shocked and speechless.

She stared at me with her mouth agape as her head boiled into whatever she was imagining, “Matsuri did what with you...? Babe, you’re serious, right?”

“Of course, I am... Sorry, I tainted your innocence, babe.” At the same time as I said that I let go of her hand to cup her cheek. While caressing her face I continued, “My relationship wasn’t a pure one. It started with me coveting her and ended with her, betraying the trust of the guy she was dating at that time.”

“That... I don’t know if I can ask Matsuri... Ugh. My pure mind. You have to make me forget, babe.”

“Sure. Lean your head on me. I’ll massage your head.”

“Will that work?”

“I don’t know. But there’s no hurt in trying, right?”

“No! As if it’s that easy to forget. Whatever, let’s move on from that topic. Say something funny, babe.”

With that quick exchange that ended with the girl squeezing further to my side, Satsuki who was listening to it all at my side erupted with a bite on my neck.

Then, she pointed at both of us with a somewhat exasperated expression, “Wait, idiot. Forget about that part! Why are you two already calling each other naturally in that way? Did I miss a page in this book?”

Ah. How should I answer that? I also don’t know how that turned so natural after repeating it a few times. And looking at the goofball on my side, she’s just as clueless as me. She blinked a few times before issuing an awkward laugh.

“I... I’m just getting back at him for calling me that when he saved me earlier, Satsuki! Yes! That’s it! Am I right, babe?!”

This girl... She’s really so awful at acting, isn’t she?

Realizing the same thing as I did, Satsuki immediately covered her mouth to prevent herself from laughing. Then, she amusedly whispered, “I see. You picked up another one of your kind, idiot Ruki.”

Ah. She’s right, no? In my defense, she’s a different kind of idiot. Or is she? I don’t know.

In any case, I still played along with goofball who believed her act was flawless to prevent her from being embarrassed.

And to end this one, I also whispered something to the girl’s ear, “Babe, you chose this. From now on, you won’t be able to get away from me.”

Upon hearing that, Hanabi looked up at me. It was different from earlier. This time, her pretty round eyes were seemingly scanning my whole facial feature and saving it in her memory.

Slowly, her bright pink lips formed a natural, captivating smile that made my heart skip a beat.

And lastly, her head subtly moved, indicating a small nod.

That is... no doubt, an approval. This goofball acknowledged that she jumped into the net herself.

Still, I doubt she knew what it truly meant to be involved with me. I wouldn’t be surprised if in her head, she interprets it simply like I will always goof along with her whenever we meet each other.

Honestly, that’s more than enough.