Stealing Spree

The shopping district was still filled with people when we walked in. The crowd was a mix of students, couples, and families weaving through the narrow alleys. Signage blared with neon lights made it feel like we’d stepped into a new world. Other students also lingered nearby but most of them were just there for the atmosphere, finding karaoke boxes or any hangout spot. Meanwhile, Chii and the other two gyarus were lured by the smell of grilled meat and sugary treats.

An-rin led the charge. Somehow, her eyes locked on the crepe stall like a predator stalking prey, while Kushii tugged at Chii’s sleeve, pointing out a display of hair accessories. They really like those colored hair extenders. They didn’t need to dye their hair with it.

“Focus, girls,” I called out as I pulled out an empty bag I’d prepared for the props we would buy. “And An-rin, you’ve just eaten takoyaki. Will you still have room for dinner? And here I thought I would be cooking for us.”

An-rin’s eyes sparkled upon hearing that, “Seriously? Onoda-han’s gonna cook?!”

“What? You don’t think I can do it, An-rin? I’m pulling out all the stops tonight. Gotta make sure you three don’t forget this sleepover,” I said, flashing a confident grin as I adjusted the empty bag slung over my shoulder.

The weight of the props we’d pick up would definitely add up and I wouldn’t want them to be burdened by carrying it. In any case, I was already used to carrying heavier loads, both literally and figuratively.

An-rin clapped her hands and grinned. She even whistled joyously. Her energy was truly bursting.

“Ooh, Onoda-han’s goin’ chef mode! This is gonna be lit! What’s on the menu? Spill, spill!”

Chii smirked, her arm still looped through mine, her fingers giving my bicep a playful squeeze. “Knowing Kii, it’s gonna be something that’ll make us all swoon. Right, Kii? You’re not just cooking to show off, are you?”

I tilted my head, giving her a sidelong glance. “Swoon, huh? You want me to make them fall for my cooking, Chii? Sure.”

“Huh? Wait. I didn’t mean it like that!” Chii quickly stumbled over her words.

An-rin, finding an opening to tease her friend, got in between us, “I don’t mind falling for ya, Onoda-han. My tummy would’ve been well taken care of, would it?”

I chuckled, shaking my head at An-rin’s relentless teasing. “Careful, An-rin, you might fall for more than just my cooking if you keep this up. I’m quite notorious for that. What’ll we do with all that chaos?”

Undeterred, she stuck out her tongue while Kushii rolled her eyes furtively as her gaze darted between us like she was watching an absurd progression.

Meanwhile, Chii pinched my arm lightly, her fake gyaru pout in full force. “Kii, don’t encourage her! She’s already a handful without you egging her on.”

“How is it my fault? I’m warning her, am I not?” I said, giving Chii’s hand a reassuring squeeze as we wove through the bustling crowd.

An-rin just laughed, satisfied at the chaos she caused.

“Anyhow, I’m thinking of something simple. Stir-fry meat and vegetables, maybe some miso soup and rice. Gotta keep it cozy for the sleepover vibe. Unless you girls want me to go full gourmet? Is your fridge equipped enough to handle me, An-rin?”

“Dunno, like, I’m not a kitchen person, Onoda-han. My cooking skill is nil. I can even burn a rolled egg! Seriously!”

“How will you become a housewife like that?”

“Easy, Onoda-han, you and Chizuri will take me in, no?”

“An-rin!” This time, Chii couldn’t hold back anymore, pushing away An-rin, who kept squeezing herself between us.

“Hehehe. I’ll stop. Come on. Crepes first, though. Can’t shop on an empty stomach!”

Chii rolled her eyes but didn’t protest, her arm tightening around mine as An-rin approached the crepe store.

The sweet scent of batter and whipped cream hit us before we even reached it, and the line wasn’t too bad. Just a few students and a couple giggling over their shared dessert. When those students turned around after getting their crepes, they hurriedly stepped away, avoiding our gaze.

They possibly recognized me. Or the girls with me. An-rin even called out to them, but they sped up and almost tripped over how panicked they became.

“I never thought you could scare away even our seniors, An-rin.”

“That’s not me, Onoda-han! They’re afraid of you. Your charm is notorious. Seriously!”

“Huh. That’s not how it looks to me.” I shrugged and then watched them disappear in the distance.

As we waited, I glanced at Kushii, who was still hovering at my side. Not too close but not too far away, preventing An-rin from squeezing in there. I saw her staring intently at the crepe menu. When she caught my gaze, she quickly looked away, her fingers twisting a strand of her hair.

Alright, time to ease her in a bit more.

“Kushii, what’s your pick? Strawberry? Chocolate? Or are you gonna go wild like getting matcha with red beans?” I asked with a gentle tone. Making An-rin, who just couldn’t stop being so hyperactive, raise her brows.

She blinked, her lips parting in surprise before a small smile crept onto her face. “Um… I like strawberries. With whipped cream. You know I’m not as extreme as An-rin, who’ll experiment on flavors.”

“Right. Among you three, she’s like an alien studying our planet.”

“Oi, Onoda-han, who are ya calling alien?! Hmph. Watch. I’ll seriously order the most normal–”

Before she could finish her words, someone bumped into her. And then a sharp, grating voice came over. “Stop dawdling and order. No one’s gonna wait on you, bitch.”

Another gyaru wearing a uniform from a different school came over. She’s part of a group of three gyaru and two thug-looking bastards.

Seriously? We’d get into a conflict in front of a crepe stall over nothing?

Obviously, An-rin wouldn’t just let it pass being called that way.

An-rin’s grin vanished, replaced by a sharp glare that could’ve cut glass. She squared her shoulders, stepping right up to the gyaru who’d bumped her, not an ounce of hesitation in her stance.

“Say that again,” An-rin snapped, her voice low but dripping with defiance. “I dare ya.”

The other gyaru, with her over-the-top makeup and a sneer that screamed trouble, didn’t back down. She tossed her hair, her two friends flanking her like backup dancers in a bad music video. The thug-looking guys behind them smirked, clearly enjoying the show. One of them eyed me as he cracked his knuckles, probably thinking it made him look tough.

Of course, her courage came from them. Do they think we’re easy pickings?

Meanwhile, Chii and Kushii also didn’t back down. My girl even let go of my arm to stand next to her, glaring at that clown-like gyaru. Yeah. Clown. Unlike the three, her makeup was so thick that it looked like she’d eaten makeup for breakfast.

In any case, those two guys behind were also looking at the girls with lecherous gazes. They couldn’t even reel it in with just An-rin. Now, with Chii also stepping into their view, they all looked like dogs who found a bone that made them salivate.

The crepe store employee sighed at the sight, clearly not amused at the conflict that was suddenly brewing.

As for the couple in front of us, they hurriedly went away, not wanting to be dragged by this.

Alright. Should I end this quickly? I mean, I may be averse to hitting a girl, no matter how detestable, but if I knock those two thugs down, they’ll be scared shitless, won’t they?

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