As a college student, Nikaido Anzu sure had a lot of time on her hand. She’s even always at home whenever I would come to pick up or send Eimi home.
Despite her ‘tiny’ and bratty disposition that would always mistake her for perhaps a middle schooler, she sure kept her head on her shoulders.
With her teasing remarks as well as her famed pieces of advice when it comes to relationships that she apparently pulled from her experience in dating, our walk to the supermarket had been lively.
Eimi, who's probably trying her hardest not to butt heads with her Anzu-nee, settled herself on locking arms with me as well as clasping our hands together.
Due to that, I became the sole recipient of the talkative girl’s endless chattering. From her words, I arrived at a conclusion that she’s yet to get over her ‘stolen’ boyfriend.
“You know Onoda-kun. If you let yourself be stolen by someone else and made my cute little Eimi sad, I will hang you on that tree, stripped naked.”
She pointed at a tall tree we were about to pass by, peeking from beyond someone else’s backyard.
There’s a lot to rebut from that declaration of hers. There’s the problem of how she could climb that tree and hang me there or how she could trespass someone else’s backyard. Worse, she’d be caught first before accomplishing what she just declared.
Besides, I would never be stolen by someone else. If anything, I would be the one doing the stealing. Like old times…
“What do you think of me, onee-san? Some sort of easily seduced man?”
Uh. If my more vocal girls heard that, they might make a counter-argument, pointing out how easily I fall in love or take interest in other girls.
Nonetheless, it served its purpose.
“Of course not, you even seem too mature for your age. I’m just reminding you. Do you see this?”
“Yes, I see that you have a rather slender figure, onee-san. Let me do the carrying later, alright?”
“You little sh--!”
My response earned me her sulky punch to my sides while she’s sporting bloated cheeks.
The way she even tried to intimidate me by flaunting her arm that had soft biceps was laughable. Now she looked more like a middle schooler than a college student.
“Anzu-nee, can’t you act your age? Ruki won’t be stolen from me. I’m not like you.”
Eimi who’s restraining herself not to bother with her older cousin finally snapped. Joining our conversation while throwing a jab at Anzu, I could spy a smirk from her. But at the same time, she edged closer as if she’s using me as a shield against her cousin’s retaliation.
Hearing that, Anzu’s eyebrows twitched. And now I’m between the cousins’ crossfire.
“Oh? Since when do you have that kind of confidence, little Eimi?” Perhaps to get back at Eimi, Anzu hooked her arms on mine instead of just walking beside me. “See this? What will you do if I try to steal Onoda-kun from you?”
It’s a bit surprising that even with her small stature, that pair she’s hiding at her front had sufficient mass of softness. Ah. Wait. I shouldn’t focus on that.
“Onee-san. Isn’t that a bit…” I tried to talk and pull my arm away from her but Eimi already had a rebut.
“Hug him all you want, Anzu-nee. You won’t be able to steal him. Also, it might bite you on the back if you keep that up.” Eimi then winked at me.
This girl, that’s your cousin. Don’t hint at me to steal her.
Anyway, as the two started bickering at each other, I simply shut my mouth and would only occasionally hum my agreement when faced by the two girls.
I still preferred agreeing with Eimi. However, it gradually devolved to just who would have the last laugh.
Nonetheless, this walk to the supermarket became a fairly enjoyable moment. I mean, I got to see Eimi’s side that she tried her hardest to hide. They showed me how they always were when they’re at home.
Even at the supermarket, the two stuck close to me making it awkward for the others to see that. I even received stares with mixed envy and pity at my situation of calming down the two.
Before going home, we stopped by the café once more.
Fortunately, the two girls eventually stopped with their childish bickering.
As it was our fourth time together there, we’re already treated as a regular.
It would surely be bad if I brought another girl there in the future. Anzu’s presence didn’t become a problem though. She looked like a middle schooler if she’s silent after all.
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After returning home, it’s already past 10 o’clock in the morning.
Akane and Yae helped me unpack the groceries, storing the perishable in the fridge while stuffing those nonperishable at the pantry. And while we’re doing that, the two gossiped about what I did with Eimi or rather, how our little date went.
When they heard about Anzu, the two snickered and looked at me meaningfully. They most likely had the same idea as Eimi.
After that, I rested in the living room and while I was at it, I opened my phone. After replying to my girls’ messages, I found Ishida-senpai’s message containing the direction towards our meeting place.
Today’s the day where she claimed to teach me about the essentials of being a Club President. However, it’s also quite clear that she had another motive for this.
Apart from the directions, she also sent a lot of other messages, including reminders not to stand her up. But the most obvious hint was her photo in a lacy camisole and a silky pajama. Her lush black hair was untied, giving her a wilder look. Basically, what she sent me was her ‘woke up like this’ appearance.
I could appreciate her curves and smoky hot appearance but that’s clearly inappropriate, especially when I’m not even her boyfriend.
She had a follow-up message saying ‘I sent a wrong picture’ but she never deleted it. That photo was already sent hours ago, perhaps after waking today.
It’s too late to point that out as she probably intended to let me see it.
Anyway, with this situation with Ishida-senpai, the fault clearly lies on me again. Albeit there’s no confession that happened, it definitely looked like I’m leading her on to continue with her obvious antics to appeal to me. Furthermore, she’s slowly getting bolder at her attempts.
Should I continue acting oblivious or address this properly? It’s just a matter of telling her that I’m not trying to get inside her skirt… She’s not also being straightforward after all. She’s throwing hints that she wanted me to pick up.
Considering she knew that I was now in a relationship with both Kana, Rae and even Yae who she saw with me that day, she’s either hoping that I also made a move on her or this was just me assuming things.
Either way, meeting her today might give light to it.
After resting for a while and changing my clothes again for that meeting with Ishida-senpai, I left the house with Yae.
It’s time for her to go home after all so I at least wanted to walk her to the station.
Another thirty minutes later, I arrived at the station near our meeting place.