Stealing Spree

Kazuha-nee and I talked a bit more after that kiss that lasted a few minutes. We moved from topic to topic, mostly about our personal lives as we wanted to know more about each other. She asked me about my childhood, clearly intrigued at what actually led me to become the person that I am now other than the things that I revealed to her. Likewise, Kazuha-nee told me more about her life and her family. Her aspirations and what she's looking forward to in the future.

She's not looking to be a very successful woman but at the very least, she wants to be independent. Someone who can stand on her own two feet.

She told me she's saving up to buy her own house.

Kazuha-nee’s aspirations painted an image of someone who valued both independence and self-reliance. Quite a contrast to the tangled web of emotions that had brought us together.

Listening to her talk about her dreams, I could see her in that house she wanted. Decorated in her style, a space where she could breathe freely, unburdened by obligations or expectations. Would I be there with her? I couldn't quite picture it yet but that's for Kazuha-nee to decide since I also have my own aspiration for us.

“You’ve really thought about this a lot,” I said as she finished outlining her plans, her eyes alight with determination.

“Of course. I’m not like you, Ruki-kun. I don’t have the luxury of just... floating around until things fall into place.” She gave me a pointed look, though her tone was light.

“I don’t just float, Kazuha-nee. I’m more like a kite. Anchored, but I fly where the wind takes me. It's not like I'm doing nothing. For my current capability, I'm maximizing everything that I can accomplish. Of course, as they say, money makes the world go round and even if it can't always buy happiness, it's a necessity for a comfortable life.”

“Sure, a shameless kite,” She muttered thoughtfully as she stared at me as though looking at someone her age, “Anyway, what about you? Where do you see yourself in, say... five years?”

“Five years?” I echoed, leaning back on the bench to look up at the stars while my arm draped around her shoulder, “I'll probably be in a place where I can make everyone I care about happy. That includes you, Kazuha-nee.”

Her cheeks flushed at my response, and she quickly turned her head to avoid my gaze. “Idiot... You can’t just say things like that so casually. And you sounded so ambitious by then. You think you can accomplish that in five years?”

“I won't say I can since complacency is not equal to confidence. Without certainty, I can only hope my plans for the future will bear fruit."

She didn’t respond immediately, but the way her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her hoodie betrayed her inner turmoil. Finally, she let out a resigned sigh and looked back at me. “You’re impossible, Ruki-kun. But I'm intrigued. I want to see more of what you can do...”

She didn’t respond immediately, but the way her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her hoodie betrayed her inner turmoil. Finally, she let out a resigned sigh and looked back at me. “You’re impossible, Ruki-kun. But I'm intrigued. I want to see more of what you can do...”

"Hmm? Am I finally getting your sweet yes, Kazuha-nee?"

"Idiot. That's not it. Your relationships are too complex. Since you're still not bogged down by different responsibilities as an adult, you can still freely do anything you want. But what about the women around you? Not everyone is as mature as you. Some may be illusioned by their feelings for you but once they enter the society, reality may slap them awake. I want to see more of what you can do by being close to you but, Ruki-kun, you can't expect me to bet everything on you."

Kazuha-nee's words, as sharp as they were insightful, resonated deeply with me.

She wasn't wrong. My relationships, tangled as they were, operated in a space shielded from many of the harsh realities of life. The kind of life adults like her had to navigate every day. The simplicity and purity of youthful love might not survive in the storm of societal expectations and real-world responsibilities.

But then again, this was a topic that many of us already touched on as soon as they signed up for our complex relationship. They were maturing alongside me in order to keep up and stay with me. That's why... I find all my girls precious. They're all willing to take on the challenges together with me.

True. Some of them still have outstanding problems that need to be solved. But once those were resolved, they'd also be the same as everyone.

Kazuha-nee's gaze remained on me, unwavering but tinged with something unreadable. Concern, surely. And maybe curiosity about how I would respond to her blunt observation.

"I don't expect you to bet on me, Kazuha-nee. You've known me as this shameless guy, after all. If anything, I respect that you're thinking this far ahead. You're considering not just yourself, but the consequences for everyone involved. That's something I admire about you. I may have slithered my way into your heart but that shouldn't satisfy you yet. Stay with me and allow me to show you that I can walk my talk."

Her lips pressed into a thin line as if my response had caught her off guard. Maybe she'd expected me to argue or make some grand, sweeping declaration about overcoming all odds.

I continued, "There's a lot I still don't know. And you're right that things could change for any of us as we grow older and take on more responsibilities. But that's precisely why I don't make promises I can't keep, Kazuha-nee. I'm not asking you, or anyone else, for that matter, to bet everything on me. I'm just asking for a chance to stand by your side, to prove myself every step of the way."

Kazuha-nee's expression softened, her posture relaxing slightly. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, the vulnerability in her movement was such a contrast to her usual confident demeanor.

"I want to scold you on how glib you are with weaving your words but I cannot overlook your sincerity. Prove to me. No. To us. That you're not just full of hot air. Never forget that."

"Mhm... I won't. Our connection won't just be all about sharing intimate moments."

"This pervert... It better be. I opened myself up to you because I'm expecting more than that."

"I know, Kazuha-nee." I cupped her cheek again before kissing her one more time.

The moment lingered between us, comfortable and warm despite the cool night air. We finally understand each other on a deeper level.

When it was time for her to head back, Kazuha-nee stood up reluctantly, brushing off invisible dust from her hoodie. “You better get home too, Ruki-kun. Don’t make me worry about you.”

“Worrying about me already, huh? I feel so loved” I teased, earning an eye roll from her.

“Don’t push it.” She paused, her expression softening as she added, “But... message me when you get home, okay?”

“Of course, Kazuha-nee. Shall I bring you home next time?”

Kazuha-nee hesitated for a moment before nodding. "In your room."

Upon saying that, she quickly dashed away, her ponytail swaying as she turned to the corner. I stayed on the bench, watching her retreating figure until she disappeared into the shadows of the streetlamps.

With a satisfied sigh, I finally stood up and finished my other plans for the night before moving to the station.

The night had turned out far better than I’d expected, and I couldn’t help but feel a little lighter.

When I arrived home, I sent Kazuha-nee a quick message letting her know I was back. Her reply came almost immediately:

"Good. Get some rest, Ruki-kun. And don’t stay up too late thinking about me."

I couldn’t help but chuckle, replying with:

"Too late. You’re always on my mind, Kazuha-nee."

Her response was a string of angry emojis followed by a single word:

"Idiot."

Smiling to myself, I pocketed my phone back and stepped into our house where Akane and Miwa-nee and Minoru were waiting for me.

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