Stealing Spree

With that kind of declaration, Satsuki stood up, folded her sleeves that revealed her lean arms as she marched off to the door like a soldier ready to take down a dragon.

As our attention was all focused on the ruckus being made beyond that door, we watched the slightly comical confrontation between the two sisters.

“What? I told mom that we’re not to be disturbed. And you just did.”

Upon opening the door, Satsuki stood tall and glanced down at her sister that’s at least half a head shorter than her. She also slowly crossed his arms to add an intimidating presence.

Although Satsuki secretly admired her sister, what the latter was doing this time most likely passed the threshold that she could endure.

Even if her back was turned to us, I could imagine that girl’s dark expression coupled with her cold-looking eyes glaring at her sister who had an amused smile.

“Mom left to buy something, you see. Can’t I at least check on my dear lil sister?” Her sister replied.

Because of how Satsuki was standing at the door like a gatekeeper of sorts, I couldn’t really see her sister standing in front of her. But just judging by the tone of that voice, it’s filled with mischief. She’s even giggling at Satsuki.

Satsuki’s shoulders started trembling, clearly restraining herself to lash out at her sister. “Even so. That doesn’t give you the permission to come and disturb us.”

Not taking any hint from that, her sister, Setsuna, continued. “Hmm? When can I disturb you then? Is it when you and Onoda-kun are on the bed?”

“Wha?! Y-you! No!” Satsuki instantly panicked. She stepped out of the room and hurriedly pulled the door close behind her.

That’s clearly taking it too far. Even I would’ve reacted the same, especially when there’s someone here that’s unaware of our relationship.

And as expected, the girl I was pertaining to confusedly muttered. “Eh? What are they…? What was that about, Onoda-kun?”

Aya was quick on the uptake. She promptly moved to Kanzaki’s side before I could respond. The girl then sent me a small gesture that said to leave it to her.

I nodded to that but I thought that I should at least answer to clear her doubts. My gaze also passed by Sakuma. The guy instantly nodded his head, his mouth closed shut.

It’s great that he’s not slow this time.

“Ah. Perhaps because Sakuma isn’t her boyfriend, her sister thought that there’s something between us.”

Same as usual, I neither denied nor acknowledged our relationship. Subtracting Satsuki’s initial reaction or even if that was included to be interpreted as the girl being embarrassed by it, Setsuna’s words could be taken in as an assumption.

“You three stay here. I’ll have a look. It’s not everyday to see Maemura that embarrassed, I somehow want to witness that.” I intentionally laughed for Kanzaki to see before standing up and approaching the door.

Surprisingly, I hadn’t even reached the doorknob yet but their voices could already be heard again, especially Setsuna's unrelenting mischievousness.

“Oh? Judging from your reaction, you two have done it already. How nice, my sister grew up to be a fine woman…”

“Nee-san… Can you shut up for a moment? Do I need to use violence here?”

“Heh, you’re not going to do that. You love your sister too much.”

Her sister was clearly so used to Satsuki that even if she raged in front of her, it had no effect on her older sister that’s dead set on playing with her.

“… I might just change that if you don’t stop, nee-san. Are you really going to do this? Dad is downstairs.”

“Nope. I want to tease my little Satsuki. Also, you have yet to properly introduce him to me. Like you promised.”

“If that’s what you want, I’ll call him…”

So, that’s what she’s actually aiming for, huh? To get to know her little sister’s boyfriend.

At this point I was already before the door, I only needed to turn the knob and I would reach Satsuki’s side.

Without waiting for her to turn around and open the door to call me or hear her sister’s response, I opened the door and stepped outside before closing it behind me once more.

“You don’t have to call me. I’m here… Uh, Onee-san. I might be out of line here but can you stop with this?”

“Oh! Great timing, Onoda-kun. Stop what? Teasing Satsuki? Are you also angry that I’m bullying your girl?”

“I’d be lying if I said no. It’s infuriating to see her teased like that”

I’m the only one allowed to do that! Well, there’s no point blurting that out.

“Is it that fun to tease your sister?”

“Of course! I’ll be leaving soon so… I’ll make use of this time to dote on my cute little Satsuki.”

So, it’s doting now instead of teasing? Judging from this short conversation I had with her, that’s a halfhearted answer. It’s in her nature to tease. That’s how she was even when I first met her.

The question is… from the stories I heard from Satsuki and Sakuma, she’s not originally like this… It looks like she changed over the years, huh?

On my side, Satsuki clicked her tongue. Not convinced with her sister’s answer. Perhaps, if I wasn’t next to her this time, she’d lash out again about her sister’s behavior being nothing close to doting.

Anyway, looking at Setsuna like this, she’s clearly not someone Sakuma could handle and… despite their similar facial features, I’m kinda irked by that wide mischievous grin on her lips.

“That’s some tough love, onee-san. But I guess I can understand you.” She’s going to go back to college. And if she’s telling the truth then doting on her little sister in this way was somewhat understandable. “This isn’t the appropriate place for that kind of introduction so… can onee-san wait until we’re done with our studies?”

“You… You don’t have to. This is enough for introducing you.” Satsuki instantly reacted, her eyes clearly telling me that it’s not a good idea to be involved further with her sister.

“From what I observed, she’s not going to stop. I hate to see you looking troubled. Naturally, I won’t go alone, accompany me later.”

More than acceding to her sister’s request, this was all about not wanting to see Satsuki in trouble.

“… Hmph, you’re the one deciding this but you’re going to drag me.”

“Do you want me to go alone?”

“Absolutely not! I… I’ll only be going to make sure nothing else happens, alright?”

As expected, that’s just this girl’s nature of being a tsundere. What’s going to happen anyway? I’d choose her over sister anytime.

“Then it’s settled.” I smiled and hugged Satsuki right in front of her sister who already turned speechless from what she just witnessed.

And right at that moment, a shadow approached from behind Setsuna.

It’s her fashionable friend, Juri whose eyebrows were twitching in annoyance as she grabbed the girl at the back of her neck like a cat. “Setsu, you mischievous imp. Stop teasing your sister and let’s go. No wonder you’re not coming back.”

Upon witnessing that, it seems that Satsuki’s sister isn’t that tough at all.