Chapter 2712 - 2712: Escorting them home
As the three of us stepped outside the gelato shop, their old chauffeur immediately stepped forward, calling out to the two girls.
“Young misses, the car is ready. We should head back before your father starts asking questions.”
Himeko and Maaya exchanged a quick glance, their cheeks still faintly flushed from our earlier escapade. Himeko’s hand lingered on my arm, her fingers brushing against me with a subtle possessiveness. At the same time, Maaya clutched her alpaca tighter, shooting me a sidelong glare that screamed both embarrassment and defiance.
“We’re not taking the car today, Himuro-san.” Maaya declared, her voice carrying that familiar tsundere edge, though it softened when she glanced at Himeko. “Nee-sama and I… we’re going to be escorted by Ruki. Tell Father he does not need to worry.”
Himuro, the chauffeur, raised his gray eyebrow, his weathered face creasing with mild disapproval. “Young miss, your father won’t be pleased. It’s already late, and he sent us to–”
“We’ll be fine,” Himeko interjected, her tone gentle but firm, the kind of quiet authority that made people listen. Hearing her talk like that, even the chauffeur who was probably used to Himeko’s withdrawn nature was surprised.
She smiled sweetly at that but her grip on my arm tightened. “Ruki is with us. We just… need a little more time together.”
“But this isn’t… right. This boy… what is he to you?”
“Himuro-san, you’ve known it for a while now, you don’t have to play dumb. You always see him escort us outside the school gate, no?”
“T-that…” The old man still tried to refute but Maaya put an end to it.
“Mother knows. And I’m certain Father knows by now. We’ll be fine.”
The old man sighed, adjusting his cap as he gave me a scrutinizing look, like he could smell the trouble I’d be bringing the two girls.
“Very well, young misses. But we still cannot leave. The cars will follow you. I’ll inform the master you’re… taking the scenic route.”
His tone dripped with skepticism, but he turned back to the men in suits and the car they brought. The car he was using to pick them up was probably not far as well.
Still, he’s going to follow us, huh? What? Are they going to tail the bus? They’re quite dedicated but I guess this involves whether they’ll be employed or not.
But knowing these two, they might just save them if they let us be.
Maaya huffed, muttering under her breath, “Nosy old man…”
She looped her arm through mine, sandwiching me between her and Himeko. Her alpaca dangled from her other hand, its crooked bowtie swaying with each step.
“Don’t be like that. That old man had been driving you for a long time now, right?”
“Yes. But he is… father’s eyes and ears. His loyalty is to him. No matter how warm he appears to be.”
“I see. But well, don’t you think it’s also a good trait? His loyalty to your family shows he cares about your safety, even if it’s in his own rigid way.” I kept my tone light, teasing just enough to ease the tension.
My arm stayed snug between the two girls, Himeko’s warmth on one side and Maaya’s defiant grip on the other.
Maaya rolled her eyes, her lips twitching into a reluctant smirk. “Tch, don’t defend him, shameless pervert. You’re just trying to sound reasonable to impress Nee-sama.”
Himeko giggled softly, her fingers tracing small circles on my arm. “Ruki’s right, Ya-chan. Himuro-san’s just doing his job. But…”
Her voice dropped as a playful lilt crept in as she leaned closer, her breath tickling my ear. “I’d rather have your eyes on me instead.”
This girl… she’s becoming more mischievous, isn’t she?
The double entendre hit like a spark, and I felt my cock twitch in my pants, already stirring despite the thorough workout it’d just had.
“Careful, Himeko,” I replied, matching her sultry edge. “Keep talking like that, and we won’t make it to the bus stop.”
Maaya’s grip tightened, her nails digging into my arm as she shot me a glare, though her flushed cheeks betrayed her. “Ugh, you two are impossible! Can’t you keep it together for five minutes?”
Her tsundere act was in full swing, but the way her hips brushed against mine as we walked told a different story.
As we exited the shopping street, the evening air felt cool against our skin as we strolled toward the bus stop.
At this point, the two cars, one from their chauffeur and the other from those hotel employees, started following us at a considerable distance.
Perhaps if we changed our direction, they might stop us. But well, there’s no need for that.
The two girls were already satisfied with our ‘short date’. I mean, it turned out longer than we expected, after all. The okonomiyaki, the arcade and then the gelato shop… I could tell from their eyes how memorable this day became.
The streetlights flickered on as we reached the bus stop, casting a warm amber glow over the three of us.
Himeko never let go of my arm, her touch soft but possessive, while Maaya settled on just standing close enough that our shoulders touched while hugging her alpaca. Of course, whenever she’d stray a bit, I’d reach for her waist, pulling her back.
Whenever that happened, she would pout despite the pink blush on her cheeks.
“Ruki, you’re gonna walk us all the way home, right?”
Her eyes sparkled with that mischievous glint again as she tightened her hold on my arm. I could tell she was testing me, pushing to see how much further I’d indulge her. My cock twitched again, she’s that irresistible, after all. Still, I kept my cool and flashed her a grin.
“Of course, I promised. I won’t go home without seeing you two safely entering your house. Or a mansion?”
The girl sweetly giggled, satisfaction overflowing in her eyes, “It’s not so much as a mansion… but, it’s quite big, I guess?”
“I see. I guess I’ll also use this opportunity to figure out an optimal path to sneak into your rooms.” I playfully said.
Maaya’s scoff cut through the moment, her tsundere mask firmly in place. “Tch, shameless pervert! Can’t you go one minute without being gross? What ‘sneak’ into our rooms? If you’re going to do that, use the front door!”
“Sure, I’ll sneak in through the front door.”
“That’s not what I meant, idiot.” She huffed again as her alpaca plushie looked like it was about to burst from her arms’ grip.
“I know what you mean. I need to earn your father’s approval first. But you know, I’m still displeased by how he’s treating you both… so, our first meeting may become a little explosive.”
“Look at this guy… Your words radiate too much confidence.”
“Hmm? I have to be confident if I want to steal you from their grasp, no?”
Upon saying that, I leaned in, giving her cheek a peck.
Her face turned crimson as she swatted my arm, her alpaca flopping against my side in protest.
Himeko just giggled, leaning her head on my shoulder. “Ya-chan, don’t be so hard on him. He’s just… eager to take care of us.”
As we reached the bus stop, it didn’t take long for the scheduled bus to arrive.
It pulled up with a hiss, its doors sliding open. Himeko wasn’t that flustered about taking public transportation. After all, she already had experience in it when meeting up with Haruko and the other girls from the Poem Appreciation Club.
It was only Maaya who looked inside like she was about to enter a lion’s den, her eyes darting around the bus’s interior as if it were some alien contraption.
She faltered for a split second as we climbed up, her eyes showing a flicker of uncertainty. She clutched her alpaca tighter, like it was her lifeline before reaching for my hand, “Don’t let go of me, shameless pervert.”
I chuckled, guiding her forward as they let them up first.
“Relax, Maaya. It’s just a bus, not a dungeon. You’ll survive.”
My tone carried that teasing edge she secretly loved, even if she’d never admit it.
Himeko climbed up first and waited for us there. She flashed a knowing smile as she grabbed her little sister’s hand too. “Come on, Ruki. Let’s make sure Ya-chan doesn’t bolt.”
Maaya huffed, stomping onto the bus after her sister. “I’m not bolting, Nee-sama! I just… ugh, fine.”
I followed them and we soon reached the back of the bus. She plopped into a seat near the window, crossing her arms and glaring out at the streetlights like they personally offended her.
The alpaca sat in her lap, its crooked bowtie somehow making it look as indignant as she did.
I slid into the seat next to her, with Himeko taking the spot on my other side, effectively sandwiching me between them again.
The bus wasn’t crowded, just a few tired commuters scattered about, their faces buried in phones or staring blankly out the windows. We drew some gazes because of how loud we were but that’s it. They all minded their business after reaching our seats.
After this, the bus waited for a minute more before the wheels started rolling again. Maaya couldn’t help but look around while Himeko and I watched her reactions.
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