Stealing Spree

Chapter 2358: Communication is the key

chapter 2358: communication is the key



as the bus rolled smoothly along the dimly lit streets, the silence remained but it was easy to sense the two girls wanting to say something to each other.

and so, to give them the space, i leaned back to the soft cushion of the bus seat, feigning disinterest while my eyes darted between the two, keeping an eye on them.

with futaba being sensible enough to notice the tension, she decided to be the one to break the silence, "eri. i know this may sound out of place but... are things going well between you and toshi-kun?"

before answering futaba's question, eri glanced at me, most likely gauging my interest in it. i know i shouldn't be hearing this but... it's not like i can pretend to be completely indifferent. this came up because of me, after all.

i shifted slightly, keeping my expression neutral while my ears remained attuned to their conversation.

futaba's question was laced with genuine concern. that much i could tell. however, there was also a hint of self-reflection. she's probably trying to see eri's perspective and then compare

it with her own.

eri's lips curled into a faint, bittersweet smile. she leaned back against the seat, her grip on my arm tightening a little, a reflection of the internal battle she was fighting. "yes. things are going well. in fact, it's the same as before."

at the end of her sentence, eri forced out a smile. i guess she didn't want to admit that she was not satisfied with the lack of development. but then again, her lack of satisfaction with their current status quo must've also been influenced by associating with me... or my

relationship with akane where my silly wife never held back in telling them that we've already done everything a couple would do.

and that's the same for futaba but her situation was different. they're willing. it's her body that seemed to be rejecting further intimacy.

eri's bittersweet smile lingered as her words hung in the air. each syllable is weighted with unspoken thoughts.

futaba shifted uncomfortably beside me and saw her fingers toying with the hem of her skirt. internally, she must've been reprimanding herself for bringing that up.

"i see..." futaba finally responded. her gaze flitted towards me momentarily as she bit her lips while trying to find an answer from my eyes. "if things are the same as before, does that mean you're... happy with it?"

eri pouted slightly at being treated like a child but she didn't object. instead, she leaned her head on my shoulder, "i can at least do this, right?"

"as long as you know what you're doing, why not? i already told you i'm fine with being close to you even though i already got scolded by akane and fuyu earlier."

"pfft. right. i have to apologize for putting you in that situation, ruki."

"don't be. i got more than just a scolding."

"... i shouldn't ask what it is you've gotten, right?"

"yeah. but don't you already know?"

"un. i do." eri's voice turned softer. clearly, she's imagining whatever it was.

turning to the other side, futaba remained silent but i could tell she also had something to say. most likely, she's holding it back for later as it probably involved our 'secret'.

the bus ride continued with only the occasional rumble of the engine breaking the quiet. the bus's gentle swaying was almost hypnotic and it wasn't long before eri's breathing grew steady, indicating she had dozed off on my shoulder.

futaba, on the other hand, remained awake. when she noticed eri had dozed off, she leaned closer to me and whispered, "onoda-kun..."

i glanced at her, raising an eyebrow in question. "what's on your mind, futaba?" her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink as she whispered, "i... i just thought i should say this. thank you for being so considerate. but... i don't think we're lacking in communication." "mhm. i know. let's talk about it later, alright? i still don't mind continuing to help you." i whispered back, giving her a comforting smile.

"is it really fine?"

"as long as it's fine with you."

futaba faltered a bit from that answer but she still understood what i was trying to say.

my mindset was really different from the other guys. just the fact that they're close friends of akane and fuyu, my excessive consideration had also extended to them regardless of their current status. if i could help them, then i would.