Stealing Spree
chapter-2017

As the train moved down the tracks to continue to its destination, my girls and I watched the changing scenery outside the window.

Since our tickets were premium ones, the seats we got were different from the ones on the buses. It's two 2-seaters facing each other with a small table in the middle which serves as a utility.

We were located on the right side and the seats parallel to us were unoccupied. At least it was when it left our station.

Akane and Miho took the window seats while Yua and I took the aisle ones.

Next to me was Akane but the three girls agreed to switch seats as they saw fit.

Yeah. I had no say in that matter. It's not like I will be stopping them. If it's up to me, I'll just put one of them in my lap and the other two on my sides.

Forget the propriety on the train, cuddling with and pampering them was my priority.

Alas, it's not possible or those train staffs would ask us to behave. Moreover, given that most people our age were still in school, the passengers were mostly adults who would definitely frown if they chanced upon us flirting openly.

They might not say anything but they would sure judge us in their heads. We could ignore those but despite my shamelessness, I would still like to avoid my girls being labeled the same as much as possible.

Anyway, the first ten minutes passed uneventfully. We did nothing but sit comfortably and wait for the conductor to do their initial check of our tickets.

Once that's done, it becomes free time for us.

As we didn't have that much to do, we just rested for the next half an hour.

Then when the train quietened down, I accompanied my girls one by one to change out of their uniforms.

Right. There's also the fact that they're still in their uniforms so those adults kept on frowning at us.

Anyway, the only place to use for changing was the bathroom. That's why my girls timed their turn when no one was around so they could pull me in with them.

Thanks to that, we got some private time together.

Of course, there were times when we almost got caught but we escaped that situation by calmly walking back to our seats.

When all three of them finished changing, the rest of the trip was spent with us just cuddling with each other or one of them using my lap as a pillow.

Just like this, we arrive from station to station. And even if some other passenger took the seats parallel to us, we didn't bother chatting with them.

Thankfully, they're decent enough not to pry as well.

The world was wide so... the possibility of running into jerks and idiots who would try to hit on them was actually low. And in this space where the staffs prioritize our convenience, troublesome nuisance like those would be filtered out.

"Hey, Ruki. What if you get scouted to be an actor in Tokyo?"

Miho suddenly brought up that question a minute after laying her head down on my lap.

Akane and Yua perked up their ears as they were also seemingly interested to hear my answer.

"If, huh? I don't know. I'd like to say that's impossible but you three won't take that as my answer, right?"

"Of course!" The three of them replied in chorus. Miho even clicked her tongue as she pinched my side.

Akane and Yua giggled though. They're expecting that from me, after all. They know the first thing I will say is to turn down the idea.

"Alright. Hypothetically, if someone is deranged enough to scout me for something, I'll first have to find out what kind of job it will be. You're all confident with my appearance but I doubt this will take me higher in any industry that involves presenting it."

"Eh. You're going to become a model, why do you still doubt that?" Yua retorted.

"Let's just say I don't think I'm cut out dealing with other people."

"Ah. I get it. Husband doesn't want to cut his time dealing with working with other people. He'll be thrilled if the agency has one of us though. That's why he doesn't seem to mind accepting Yua and Juri's offer to model with them."

As always, Akane figured me out. But she's wrong about one thing.

"You're right that I'm more comfortable if one of you will be with me But I don't really mind working with other people. Just that, if I enter the entertainment industry, won't my freedom be restricted? I can't really have that."

"Heh. As expected of you, Ruki. You've already thought that far ahead." Miho smirked before poking my cheek.

She's already satisfied with my answer.

"Well, let's change it up. What if the three of you get scouted? Will I have four of my girls away from me?"

Throwing back the same question to them, the girls didn't take too long to come up with an answer.

"Pfft. As if we will. My calling is a model, Ruki. And I like to sing but I doubt I will have a break with it like Yue."

Ah. Right. If it's Yua she's also fond of singing since she's basically close to an idol in our middle school. But compared to her passion for modeling, it's a bit on the low.

"No can do. I'll be your full-time housewife, husband. The song we're going to record is the only exception."

Akane being Akane, alright. There's nothing that will change her mind anymore. But I really like it if she soon finds something she can be as passionate about. I can't just lock her in our house, right? Tennis might not be it but it's better than not having any other hobby.

"Hmm. It depends on their offer. I'm a musical genius, Ruki. Or so my coaches said. My talent won't really fit the entertainment industry. Even as a songwriter... I'm leaning more on classical pieces."

That's an objective take on her current situation. This girl... I'm certain, Miho is somewhat similar to me, who underestimates our value.

While it's true that she has a prideful nature when it comes to music, she's also her number one critic. She often wallows in being dissatisfied with her compositions.

There was even one time when she didn't attend a competition because she felt her prepared piece wouldn't be enough to bring her the win. But when I heard her play it, I found myself more mesmerized than any classical tune.

However, given my nature back then, I didn't encourage her to go and just stay next to her, satisfying my desire.

"Is that so? Why am I not convinced?" I said before poking her cheek as well.

Miho puffed it up like a blowfish and glared at me, "What are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying you can do it. Your talent is more versatile than you thought."

"Hmph. Don't flatter me."

"I'm not doing that. I'm simply being honest. You think I sat through your plays without even appreciating them? And this time, I fell in love all over again with the tune you created."

"Pfft. There he goes again with his glib tongue."

"That's husband's number one asset, Yua. We're all weak to it."

Ignoring the two girls on the side whispering among themselves as they watched us in amusement, I focused on the girl on my lap whose face started burning up.

Miho attempted to avert her gaze or lay down to the side. Unfortunately for her, she couldn't help but get drawn back to my gaze.

Before long, she lifted her arm and hooked it around my nape. Using me as an anchor, she pulled herself up and eventually pressed her forehead against mine.

"... You mean it, right?"

"I do. When it comes to your music, it's second to none."

As she hadn't expected to be encouraged like this when she brought that question, Miho looked out of sorts as she slowly accepted my words.

Before long her eyes shone in a radiant light as a new fire lit up within it.

"You have to keep cheering for me, otherwise I'll lose confidence again."

"You don't have to ask me for it. I'm your number one supporter."

Upon saying that, I crossed the remaining distance between our lips. Even with Akane and Yua scrambling up to join this moment or the passengers at the other side watching this unfold, my head solely focused on Miho.

For sure after this day, she'd be more motivated with her compositions. And I'm excited to listen to her play.