Stealing Spree

As I followed Fuyu in, I immediately heard little Fubuki’s excited voice coming from inside telling Akane that I brought her donuts.

“Look, look. Akane-nee-chan, Ruki-nii-chan brought us donuts!”

“Oh! How thoughtful of him. What do you think, Fubuki-chan? Will he pass your evaluation?”

“With full marks!”

… Alright. I'll pretend I didn't hear that conversation. Fubuki was just too happy about the donuts and Akane is just… being herself.

Having heard that as well, I noticed Fuyu shaking her head at my side, an awkward smile hanging on her lips.

“Those two… Don't mind them, Onoda-kun.”

I nodded, “Mhm. I expected as much from Akane. But Fubuki… she's ready to sell you to me in exchange for donuts.”

Hearing that bit at the end, the arc on Fuyu’s lips turned the other way as she unhappily muttered.

“That… Am I a commodity to be traded?”

I leaned close to her and answered in a hushed voice, “If you are, I have long brought you home.”

Taken aback, Fuyu let out a surprised gap before her eyes narrowed at me. Her hand also reflexively reached for the hem of my shirt and tugged at it.

“Y-you… Don't say something that can cause a misunderstanding! Geez. You, Akane, and Fubuki are a bunch of teasers… How can I win?”

“You know there's a saying ‘If you can't beat them, join them’. You can always fight fire with fire, Yuuki-san. I don’t mind being teased by you.”

“If it was that easy, did you think I wouldn't do it? Ugh…” Fuyu groaned.

She’s not wrong though. Her ability to tease back was severely lacking. But then again, she could endure being triggered by it before. Is becoming conscious of me made her susceptible to it? Possible.

Now that I’ve grown closer to her, her strong personality for protecting those important to her wasn’t manifesting here.

Well, this shows the progress I have with her, no? While we’re still seemingly at a standstill when it comes to what we both want from each other, this girl has already been caught in my net. And likewise… I don’t think I can step away from her anymore.

“I must say though. This suits you better, Yuuki-san. You’re so charming whenever you're flustered.” I blurted that out at the end of my thought.

Perhaps not expecting to hear that from me, Fuyu almost toppled over. She swayed to my side, nudging my shoulder. Reflexively, my arm caught her by her waist which made her stiffen.

A few seconds later, I heard her aggrieved murmuring, “Onoda-kun… I hate you.”

Contrary to the words she had spoken, I found the girl’s puffed-up cheeks already dyed in crimson red. Like I said, she’s too adorable whenever she’s flustered.

It’s quite tempting to continue teasing her like this but unfortunately, I have to refrain from doing that. It’s a short walk from their gate to their door, after all. And we’re already in front of it.

Upon noticing that, Fuyu appeared as though she found refuge at the sight of their door. She quickly extracted herself from me and hurried on her steps to grab the knob.

But before turning and pushing it open, the girl looked at me again, her eyes looking fierce. It resembled her game face whenever she was playing tennis.

I thought she was going to say something but the girl only scanned me from head to toe as if she was sizing her opponent. Following that, she lowered her gaze and resumed what she was about to do.

Opening the door, the girl turned her body sideways as she gestured for me to come over.

Shaking my head, I followed her guidance and walked in with her before politely muttering. “I’m sorry for the intrusion.”

Like a proper host, Fuyu quickly got me a pair of slippers to use before guiding me to their living room.

As this wasn’t my first time in this place, I found everything familiar. Also, I couldn’t help but recall the moment this girl came over just to fall asleep on my shoulder.

It’s not even a week yet but it feels like it’s been a long time.

Anyway, as we neared their living room, I couldn’t help but find the place strangely quiet. No. To say that it’s strange should be wrong. It’s more like the closer we approached it, the heavier the load on my shoulders became.

Am I getting nervous? Possibly. I mean, it’s always a challenge to meet my girl’s parents. It’s just funny this time because Fuyu isn’t my girl yet.

I don’t know what to expect but I could liken this feeling of pressure to an impossible dungeon none has yet to conquer. Furthermore, there’s also Akane who can be considered as an unpredictable variable that may or may not help me in this situation.

Ah… Enough about that. I better keep a straight face. I mean, I’m here to pick up my silly wife, right? I’m not here to court Fuyu… I should stick to that.

As I was lost in that thought, Fuyu glanced behind to check on me.

Perhaps seeing my serious expression, she asked with concern, “Are you okay, Onoda-kun?”

“Mhm. Don’t worry. I’m probably just overthinking.”

“Huh? You’re weird.” Fuyu let out a giggle as she waited for me to catch up to her. “I have no clue what’s in your mind but Onoda-kun, I believe you’ll be fine. You’re not here to ask for my hand, right?”

Alright. I’ll give it to her to accurately guess that one.

But let’s see…

“If it’s possible, I will do that.”

“This guy… It’s pointless to be worried about you, huh? One moment, you looked like you were about to succumb to pressure. Then, at the next moment, you’re teasing me again… Ugh… I won’t fall for that next time!”

I couldn’t help but let out a laugh from her reaction. Before she could take another step, I reached for her hand and squeezed it tight before sincerely saying, “Thank you, Yuuki-

san.”

Whether she understood where that came from or not wasn’t important already as the girl focused more on our hands and how intimately I was holding hers.

Fuyu’s mouth opened and closed, looking as though she was going to reprimand me. But in the end, she simply let out a sigh and turned her body to stand in front of me.

As a sweet laugh escaped her lips, she lifted her hand and placed it on my cheek. “I admit… You’re also adorable when you’re like this, Onoda-kun.”

“Am I?”

“Yes… But don’t get it to your head… My Fubuki is more adorable.” Fuyu cutely stuck her tongue out before hurriedly walking away from me.

Looking at her back, I couldn’t help but shake my head. Didn’t she say she couldn’t tease back?

Then what’s this?

In any case, thanks to her, I feel light on my shoulders again.

Looks like I can survive this… whatever is waiting for me in their living room.

I caught up to her and we went in together.

As the view of the living room entered my eyes, the first thing I noticed was Akane sitting comfortably on the same sofa I sat on back then. A meaningful smile plastered on her lips. Fubuki was beside her, munching on one of the donuts I bought.

Then, seated on the side was an imposing middle-aged man… Yep. He’s probably the source of the pressure I was feeling earlier…

Fuyu’s father.

His eyes alternated between me and Fuyu before eventually settling a fiercer gaze on me. Even without words, I could already feel like he was gauging me whether I was worthy of his daughter or not.

… Uncle. I’m only here to pick up my wife.

If I opened up the conversation with that? How likely will I survive?