Stealing Spree

Chapter 2441  Late-night Call

Two hours later, Hitomi also fell asleep. She tried to get up and return to her place but I stopped her, telling her it was already late so she should just stay the night.

After a lot of convincing that included more kisses, she eventually gave in and snuggled into my arms, her breathing evening out as she succumbed to sleep.

I also ought to rest but I reached out for my phone. There's no way I would forget to send goodnight messages to my girls.

However, just before I turned it off, someone replied to me.

I looked at the time and it was already close to one in the morning. Someone was pulling an all-nighter again, and who else was it other than the usual suspect?

Mizuki.

Her message reads; "Ruki, are you sleeping over there?"

Although one of my eyes was already closed, I quickly typed in my reply to not let the girl wait another second, "Yes. What about you? Why are you up this late again? Are you waiting for me to scold you again?"

"Yes. Scold me, Ruki. Your Mizuki is a bad girl." That reply arrived in seconds as if she already anticipated how I was going to answer.

"Geez. What will I do with you? I miss you too, Mizuki. Should I sleep over at your house next? After meeting your parents?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"There's no problem with my parents like Otoha," She replied, the message appearing with a playful wink emoji. Somehow, she's more expressive here than when talking normally.

"I see. Then what does my Mizuki want?"

"Not just a sleepover, Ruki. I want more than that." Her message had a hint of longing in it, making me smile.

"A trip?" I suggested, already planning the perfect getaway for us.

"You already know what I'm thinking?"

"How can I not? You're my Mizuki. You wouldn't act like this without surety," I replied, the warmth of her desire resonating through the digital message.

"This is why I love you a lot, Ruki. You always know what's on my mind. Yes. I'll bring you with me on a trip."

"What kind of trip will that be?" My mind was already thinking of different possibilities. A beach resort, a mountain retreat, or maybe even a foreign trip. Whichever it is, I will accompany her.

"Our honeymoon." Mizuki's reply evoked a sudden rush of excitement in me, and I couldn't help but chuckle at her choice of words. The thought of that girl whisking me away on an exclusive trip was something I'd already imagined before. I mean, it was also relaxing for her, away from all her duties and responsibilities as the prodigy of the Hasegawa Family.

Unfortunately, I could also tell that it's not going to be that kind of trip. It won't be before we become successful at what we're building for our future.

"Come on, what kind of conference will you take me to? Will I be able to score you some good deals by charming the clients?"

"You're no fun, Ruki. Just because you know what I'm thinking, doesn't mean you have to always say it."

"Alright. I'll play along. Where will we go for our honeymoon?"

"Too late, idiot!" Mizuki swiftly replied, filled with emojis she seldom used.

I couldn't help but giggle at that as my fingers glided over the screen of my phone.

"I'm your idiot, after all. By the way, Mizuki, can I see your face?"

"No. That's your punishment from me."

"No? Alright. I'll let you see mine then. Turn off your camera and answer my request for a video call."

"..."

I could imagine her rolling her eyes as she sent that ellipsis.

I quickly sat up to make my other eye open again. I couldn't let her see me looking like I was pushing myself awake, right?

However, I also needed to be careful or I could disturb Otoha and Hitomi's sleep. I exhausted them both, after all.

Tapping the video call icon, I watched as it rang a few times before Mizuki's sleepy face appeared on the screen.

She wasn't in her bed yet and judging from the background, she was still seated on her chair, in front of her work table. The light from the monitor illuminating her face.

"Idiot Ruki." She said with a pout.

"I told you to turn off the camera, now I'm an idiot?" I playfully chuckled, keeping my voice low so as to not wake the two angels beside me.

"I hate this." The girl sighed but with her eyes focusing on my face transmitted to her screen, a natural smile formed from her lips.

"Indeed. I also hate seeing you looking exhausted like that. What are you working on? Is it related to that trip?"

"Kind of. I received an email about this contest from one of the firms who consulted me before. They're holding an international symposium in Kyoto. The prize is a trip to Europe, and it's a great opportunity to sightsee and create connections." Mizuki spoke with a tired yet hopeful voice.

Yep. She's already aiming for that one trip even though it's not 100% guaranteed that she'd win it.

"I see. The trip to Europe is where the conference is. As for the symposium... you seem confident to win it."

"Truthfully, it's already rigged for my win. The competition is just a sham to gather public interest." Mizuki replied with a yawn, leaning closer to the camera. "But it's still a good chance to show off, right?"

"Mhm. You're right. More people will know about the legendary prodigy Hasegawa Mizuki. Uh... Will I get new rivals?"

"Look at this idiot. I mean that it'll be your chance to show off. That smartass Kyoka won't be able to call you no name anymore if you appear in that symposium," Mizuki said, a playful smirk forming on her tired face. "You'll be winning in my stead. I'll make them think it's all going to be my presentation and only reveal to them that it's actually 100% yours the day before the event. What do you think?"

"... You're putting me on the spot like that?"

"Nope. My Ruki can awe all of them. I know it."

The confidence in her was undoubtable. She never stopped to think that I might not be up to the task. Because in her eyes, I’m the only one who can match her own genius.

"You and your confidence in me. What if I fail?"

She thought for a moment, before grinning widely, "Hmm... I'll just pay for our trip then."

"This girl... Alright. I'll give it my all to impress everyone in that symposium and it'll be the rise of another prodigy who's also the partner of the legendary Hasegawa Mizuki."

As if it was going to be that easy. But knowing this girl, that’s the thing she wanted to hear the most from me. And obviously, she also knows I’m just joking.

"Pfft. You're so full of yourself and I love it." She chuckled, her eyes fluttering slightly with sleepiness. “I’ll continue mentoring you before it. Besides, it won’t be happening anytime soon. It’ll be in September. In the meantime, I’ll bring you to more dinners.”

“Don’t tell me you already filled up our schedule?”

“Whatever are you using, Ruki? As if I can just whisk you away whenever. As much as I hate it, you’re a busy guy. That won’t change. I’ll adapt to it.”

“As expected of my Mizuki. So, no sleepover?” Along with a nod, fully acknowledging her preparation, I cracked a playful smirk as I delivered that last question.

Mizuki’s face darkened almost immediately. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Ruki, I’ll fill you with bite marks when I see you.”

Upon saying that, the girl then shyly lowered her head, the camera of her seemingly moving in until her face fully occupied the screen, “Prepare yourself to meet my parents too and we’ll stay in our room, just like how you’re in Otoha’s room tonight.”

With that, the girl stood up from her chair and walked towards her bed, propping herself down.

“Goodnight, Ruki.”

“Mhm… Goodnight. I’ll still scold you for staying up this late, alright?”

“Whatever. You’ll just pamper me after anyway.”

Well, she’s not wrong. I’m that easy when it comes to these girls.

Soon after that, I watched her until she got taken into the dreamland, dozing off silently before ending the call and following them to it.