Stealing Spree

While I was contemplating my new mistake when it came to her, Nao put down her phone and rested her head on my shoulder.

I can't clearly see her expression but the way she took my hand to put her hand on it… she's somehow filled with uncertainty.

After a while, Nao's voice filled with melancholy entered my ears.

"We never truly talked about this as I always evaded whenever you question me or you're backing out whenever we reach this topic… But I think this is the right time to talk about this, Ruki."

Although it sounded unclear, I'm aware of what she's talking about. It is the entirety of what happened to her that she ended up in a relationship with that man.

Locking our hands together, I felt the coldness on her palm and the rapid beating of her pulse. At this moment, Nao decided to clear everything up for our future.

"I'm listening…"

Upon hearing my words, she glanced up a bit to let me see her faint smile.

"Months after I graduated and became a full-fledged high school student, I never heard anything back from you. Like flashcards you memorized for the exam that will be forgotten right after it. That's what I first felt. I was feeling down. I couldn't go to your house to see you because you never brought me there. I couldn't go back to the middle school to see you because I'm afraid to see you with another target you were chasing… And because of that, I gradually accepted that you already abandoned me."

What I had with Nao before was probably even stronger than the other girls after her. Otherwise, she wouldn't come back to me after what I did.

"And eventually, I forgot about you. That's when I met him. The space you left behind was filled by him. And I truly liked him at first when he hadn't shown his true nature yet. Who wouldn't? He possessed all the good qualities, handsome, nice, caring and most importantly, he let me feel that I am the only one in his eyes. Unlike a certain someone…"

Good qualities, huh? I guess that's how he always did it. Shio also got drawn in by those 'qualities' of him. And he's certainly unlike me who's only average in looks, not nice and caring at all. And most importantly, I was always upfront about what I was doing. I can act, I can lie but once I conquered them, all of those would be dropped and I would tell them everything.

Nonetheless, at that time, they wouldn't be able to separate themselves from me anymore. I had their weakness after all. Using that to threaten them, they could only follow what I told them. But unbeknownst to me, I was already doing something that made them fall for me. How thick is my denseness back then?

Nao released a sigh before continuing.

"However, as days passed, his facade started to fall, revealing his true nature. But I'm already far too deep to back out and like you, he's holding onto my weakness. That's useless now as you held a stronger weakness of him. At least he listened to me that I will only have sex with him once I graduated. He's especially looking forward to it, that's why he kept bringing me to his house. At that time, the previous infatuation I had towards him was already gone and I am only being dragged around by him. His wife even tried to lecture me but she didn't know my circumstances."

She's already a 3rd year, that guy's probably counting his eggs before it hatched. And to let Shio succumb to what he wanted to happen, he continued bringing Nao there. Shio, who thought Nao willingly came with that guy, tried to lecture the latter.

"When you appeared before me once more, the feelings I thought I had also forgotten all came back. I actually don't know why I am still drawn towards you. But knowing that you're there for his wife and you will not really remember me if our paths didn't coincide, I feel bitter… That's why after the events there, I don't want to come with you… But you being you… dragged me out of there."

I see. At that time, I didn't give her a choice again when I dragged her with us after that confrontation. I suddenly appeared and only remembered about her in that house. If she's not with him, our paths will probably never cross again.

"In just a day, my life changed once again. You took me out of his grasp… You told me your change and how you want me back but I'm scared, you know? What if you forget or abandon me again?"

Nao's fingernails started to dig into the back of my hand as the shaking of her hand grew stronger.

At some point, I started hearing her suppressed sobs as she pushed herself to continue speaking.

"That's the reason why I asked for this day… I thought that maybe by giving it to you, I will never be forgotten by you anymore. I want to be optimistic that this will continue. That you will continue to fulfill your promise."

"If I want to stay with you just like the others, I can't just rely on you for everything. It did seem like he tricked me into entering a relationship with him but it was my choice, not yours. And letting myself be drawn to you once more is also my choice, not yours."

"Nao…"

"Don't say anything yet. I can do this, Ruki. I can ask you to allow me to do it but I guess that's naïve of me. I will do it without your permission. You always tell me that, right? That you don't want to control us anymore, well, except us being chummy to another guy. You greedy and selfish guy."

I see. It still comes to this. This girl… she also wanted to become more relevant, not just someone who I will remember at times.

She was also in that group. She also read everything about what happened yesterday. Reading about nine more girls that were added, she decided not to continue being that kind of Princess. The Princess who I kept on top of a high tower to protect her from any threat. She decided to climb down from it with a sword in her hand to eliminate the threat.

"You're right… You don't need to ask me about it anymore. You all have your own choice now. I should've accounted for your thoughts as well when it comes to dealing with him. I should've let you settle it yourself if that's what you wish. I neglected the fact that you're just like Shio. But Nao, let me support you."

I wanted to deal with that guy by myself to protect them. But all this time, the two of them also wanted to end it with their own hands. Shio even went to her parents to confirm what really happened with her marriage but for Nao, I prevented her from doing anything.

"That's natural. You're my man, now. I will be needing not just your support. I also want to feel your love. Just like what you are giving them."

Nao relaxed her hand and lifted my arm to drape it on her shoulders. Afterwards, she let her body drop to my chest as I enclosed her in my arms.

"Un. I will let you feel it. I'm the densest guy, probably. What we had before you graduated, I remember everything. The way I hold you, the way I cared for you unknowingly and the way I loved you. I never asked you before, right? Then let me do it today, can you let me in your life again?"

"Idiot. You're late, I already accepted you back without waiting for you to ask me."

Nao lightly hit my chest to show her slight frustration.

"I know. I'm always late in this regard."

"Then that's that. Let's put that behind us and continue our night. I'm waiting for this for so long, Ruki… Let's not spoil the mood, okay?"

Lifting her body a bit, Nao put her hands on my shoulder and planted a kiss on my lips.

"Alright. I will stay with you tonight, Nao."

After everything that happened, it's about time to do this. It's weekend tomorrow so…

"Really?"

Upon hearing my words, Nao was surprised at first before an expectant expression appeared on her face.

"Yes. It's already late as well. Let me call Akane first. Is it fine?"

Even if I decided to stay out tonight, I don't want her to be kept in the dark. Akane, that silly girl… she's also waiting for when I will ask her for this. She already showed the signs when she allowed Haruko and Yae into our bedroom.

I took out my phone and dialed her number. It is dark in here so there's no point to do a video call.

"It's more than fine. She's waiting for you. If you don't tell her, Akane will wait until late into the night. Right. I will also tell her!"

After saying that, Nao hurriedly took out her phone again. Ready to type in a message after I finish calling Akane.

"You seem to know Akane well."

"Un. I'm talking to her through the group and I learned a lot from her. Especially things about you."

"I see. That girl is sacrificing a lot for me."

And it's continuing. She's sacrificing more of what should've been hers alone…

"We know. That's why we don't hate it that she's that special to you."