Stealing Spree
chapter-2264

"Here she is," I said as I flipped the phone down to show Akane lying comfortably on my lap, "Why are you pouting there Akane? Are you unhappy about something? You can't be jealous of me, right? After all, you're part of the reason why I fell in love with him."

Fuyu's voice was such a tease. She wasn't being malicious, of course. Just poking fun at Akane's antics.

And sure enough, my silly wife's face grew redder as her pout turned into a frown, "N-no. It's just... I don't know."

I poked her cheek but the girl just bit my finger again.

Hearing Akane's unclear answer, Fuyu just giggled on the phone.

"So, what are you planning to do today, Fuyu? Are you going to take Fubuki-chan outside?" I lifted the phone back and asked.

Fuyu's eyes lit up at the mention of her little sister. "Yes, Ruki-kun. I'm going to take the little runt to the park later this afternoon. You can join us if you want. I mean, just don't let Fubuki know that we're already... you know?"

"No!" Akane suddenly interjected, "F-fuyu. Don't go to the park. Come here. Come here with Fubuki-chan. Husband will be busy today. I want to bully both of you."

If at first she sounded like a lost child who was asking for attention, that last part was her mischievous side making its comeback. Looking at her comfortable smile, I could tell she was already feeling better.

Fuyu's eyes narrowed playfully. She could also tell that Akane was feeling better by the way she spoke and acted, "Oh? Bullying us, huh? Alright. We'll go there and pamper you instead. Fubuki is also asking me about you. But really, Akane. You're always a handful when you're on your period."

I couldn't help but laugh at Fuyu's remark, "Be good to her, okay? She needs to rest. Also, don't spoil her too much. I'll be the one to do that."

"Of course, Ruki-kun. Don't forget. I was the one handling her before. I'm already an expert at tying her down. Also, you have to spoil me too! Not just Akane." Fuyu giggled more while Akane sat up on my lap, trying to make Fuyu jealous of our closeness by her clinginess.

Just like this, we spent thirty minutes playing along and laughing at each other, trying to get a reaction to the quirky silly girl.

When the call ended, Akane settled back down on our couch. I was at her side as I bent down to kiss her forehead.

"Alright, I'll be back later. Do you want something from the supermarket? I'll buy it for you."

"No... Just come home soon, husband. I want to spend more time with you before you go to your part-time job."

"Understood. Now, get some rest." I grabbed the blanket from the side of the couch and gently covered her. "I'll be quick. Don't you go causing trouble while I'm gone."

Akane stuck out her tongue, "As if I would. Go and have fun with Eimi. She's been waiting for you too."

"So, you won't get jealous of Eimi?" I playfully poked her nose, making Akane frown. My finger naturally took the blame as she bit on it.

"I won't... I'm not jealous of anyone. I just thought... it's fun to act that way sometimes." Akane's eyes twinkled mischievously, her cheeks still flushed from our little game.

"You're lying. I can tell when you're genuinely jealous. But that's also an adorable side of you... So, don't hesitate to tell me if you do feel jealous. I'll make it up to you." I kissed her again, this time more intimate than the last as if leaving her with a taste of me lingering on her lips.

"Hmph! Bad husband. Just go before I keep you locked in here with me." Akane pretended to pout, but I knew she enjoyed it.

I laughed and then pinched her cheek before turning to the kitchen to check on what we might need to restock before going out of the house.

The fridge was mostly empty because of how we kept having the girls over. But it's not a problem. It's also satisfying for me to be able to serve everyone.

As I was leaving the house, I checked on Akane one last time and found her already snoring on our couch. Of course, it was also exhausting for her.

A few minutes later, I arrived at Eimi's house. Even without ringing their doorbell, I already saw two figures waiting outside.

My Eimi and Anzu-nee.

They were both dressed casually, with Eimi in a simple white blouse and Anzu-nee in a cute pink dress that emphasized her youthfulness - yeah, she's not going to beat the allegations that she looked like a middle schooler despite already being a college student.

I waved and smiled at them.

"Mhm. You looked great today. And you too, Anzu-nee-san." I greeted them with quite a cheeky smile that immediately made Eimi giggle while Anzu-nee bloated her cheeks. "Cheeky little brother. Take care of Eimi again, alright?" As always, Anzu-nee put on the shoes of an older sister not just to Eimi but to me too. Regardless of what happened between us last week, this would remain a constant.

"Don't worry, Anzu-nee. I'll make sure she won't get lost in the supermarket aisles." I playfully said as Eimi instantly reacted to it.

"Hey, Ruki! I'm not that much of a child," Eimi said with a playful pout, pushing against my arm lightly.

Anzu-nee rolled her eyes, unamused, "Eimi-chan. Don't let him tease you like that. You have to tease him back."

"I know Anzu-nee!" Eimi exclaimed before turning to me and sticking her tongue out, "Here, hold my hand Ruki, it'll be bad if you get lost in the market. I have to protect you from jumping to another girl."

I played along by saying, "You know what, Eimi? How will I get lost when I only have my eyes

on you?"

Eimi's cheeks flushed a beautiful shade of red as she took my hand. As for Anzu-nee, she made a face as though she was cringing at my flowery words. She then murmured, "What an idiotic little brother."

Despite those words, I could see her smiling silly underneath it.

"Alright. That's enough for your glib tongue, Ruki. We have a supermarket to catch. Anzu- nee, we're going. Please look after the house." Eimi had our hands intertwined as she pulled

me with her.

Anzu nodded and just gestured as though shooing us away.

As we walked towards the supermarket, Eimi and I chatted casually about our week. She talked about her classes and her friends. And as for me, apart from things I've already told her through our messages and calls, I also filled her in with some of the happenings that were

best told in person.

"Oh right, Ruki. Anzu-nee also told me about last week. She sounded so guilty as if she had stolen you from me."

Ah. Of course, she wouldn't be able to hide it from Eimi. Nonetheless, I already told her about that instance to this girl and while conflicted about how our dynamics changed, she commended me for standing up for her older cousin.

I mean, I also filled her in on my speculation about that guy. That he might just be putting Anzu-nee on the back burner and planning to two-time with her.

While I wasn't any better than that guy... I naturally wouldn't just sit back when I saw how affected she was by their breakup before.

"Well, I guess that's the normal reaction. But I think Anzu-nee can soon get over it. Her low self-esteem comes from her appearance but if I keep treating her like an older sister, she'll soon build up the confidence to stand on her own without looking for a guy who will just date her just because." I said to Eimi as we approached the supermarket. Listening attentively, Eimi nodded her head with a pleased expression, "There you go with your consideration, Ruki. I won't say anything since you know what you're doing. But thank you for looking after Anzu-nee. None of us could truly cheer her up, only you."