Stealing Spree

Chapter 2262: Stretching the time as much as possible

After breakfast, we decided to go to the nearby park to take a morning walk. The fresh air and the serene environment helped to clear our minds and allowed us to appreciate the beauty of our strengthened bond. When we passed by the public library where I first truly interacted with her, Rumi held my hand tightly, as if afraid that I would disappear if she let go.

How adorable. If only she knew that I was also that afraid that there might come a day when they would just suddenly tell me that they wanted to leave me. It was the thing I dreaded the most.

But that was a thought that was better off shelved at the back of my mind. For now, we were here, together, sharing this beautiful moment.

The gentle sunshine kissed our skin as we walked hand-in-hand as we reached a park where we could sit down and rest to talk about things. We brought up the interactive story booth that we’d be doing for the Cultural Festival, the activities that we could do in clubs, and a lot

more.

Rumi looked so at peace, so content, that I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment for bringing that smile to her face.

Well, for sure, she’d go back to scolding me when I came late to the club next week. But that’s also part of the joy, right?

After our walk, I started preparing to leave. She clung to me as if she didn’t want me to go but couldn’t voice it out properly. And so, I decided to prepare lunch for her again.

I was also worried that she might get gloomy once I left the house. All the memories we had yesterday and this morning should be enough but… there’s no hurt adding more to it, right? As someone who already lived in this house alone for too long, Rumi wasn’t really exactly a gloomy person. It’s only this huge house.

She had hobbies of her own but mostly, it was reading a literature piece or just surfing the internet. She also goes out with her friends sometimes to hang out in tranquil spots in the city. Kana would sometimes join her too. And now that there’s Rae, Otsuka-senpai, and Hana, they could also continue setting up more of it. If I am free, I’ll naturally join them.

“What is your favorite dish, Rumi?” I asked as I started picking out ingredients from her well- stocked fridge and pantry.

“Erm… anything with meat, I guess. I like steaks and roast chicken.” She replied with a shy smile as she watched me move around her kitchen with surprising ease. In her eyes, she’s probably looking at me through the lens of a wife evaluating her husband.

“Steak it is, then. What about hamburg steak?” I picked a pack of ground beef from the fridge and placed it on the counter.

I wasn’t confident with making a usual steak even though it only needed seasoning so… I had to improvise.

Rumi nodded enthusiastically, “That sounds delicious. I haven’t had a good one in a while.” With that, I got to work. The kitchen came to life with the sizzle of the pan and the aroma of cooking meat filling the air. The simple task of preparing food for someone you care about is surprisingly satisfying. It’s a way of saying ‘I love you’ without actually saying it.

And Rumi sure enjoyed it. She tried to help out but since I wanted to serve her, I just told her to sit back and relax.

“This guy… You really know how to make a woman feel special,” Rumi said with a warm smile as she watched me cook. Her eyes never left me, as if she was afraid to miss any moment of this domestic bliss.

“It’s nothing really. I just want to make sure you have a good meal,” I replied, focusing on the sizzling meat. I was determined to give her something that would make her feel cherished, something that would show her that she was more than just another girl in our complex relationship. That’s the least that I can do for their sacrifice and acceptance.

Before long, the aroma of perfectly seasoned Hamburg steaks filled the kitchen, making our stomachs rumble in anticipation. I plated the food with a side of steaming rice and a fresh salad, setting the table for two. Rumi’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she took her seat, and the sight of her eagerly waiting for me to join her made my chest swell with happiness. It’s still a little early but it won’t hurt to recharge more after all that exercise in the bed. Once we finished eating, it was truly time for me to leave. And just like earlier, Rumi clung to me tightly, refusing to let go.

In the end, I succumbed to her embrace and turned around to pamper her more. She knew she was being difficult so Rumi just folded in my embrace, enjoying the time that she managed to sneak out more from me.

“I love you, Ruki.”

“Mhm. I love you too. Don’t miss me too much but if you do, you know you can call me anytime, right?”

“Call you? What if you’re busy?”

“Well, I’ll message you as soon as I see it.”

She pouted but didn’t argue anymore. Before long, she sent me out to her door and we shared one more kiss before she pushed me out of the door, giggling.

“See you next week, Rumi,” I called out with a wink before turning to leave. A step later, I heard the door opening again as she peeked her head out.

“See you, shameless Ruki.”

And then she was gone again.

Really, was she that embarrassed to say goodbye? Or she’s just holding back not to cling to me again? Yeah. That’s more likely the case.

Upon reaching the train station, I sent a message to the girl, telling her to call the other girls. Her house shouldn’t be so gloomy anymore.

As the train started moving, my head already shifted to my next destination… Eimi should be waiting for me by now. We have another supermarket date and maybe I can learn more dishes from her? As for Anzu-nee… if she’s at home then… I’ll just continue playing the role of her little brother and someone she can rely on that is close to a boyfriend.

Ah. Knowing that girl, I doubt she could act like that when Eimi was around. Last week was a special circumstance that allowed for us to be alone together.