After telling the chauffeur about our plans, the old man, who was dressed like your ordinary butler, looked at me in confusion. He then started sweating as if he didn't know what to report to their father. But then again, if he didn't know what to say, he could just tell the truth. That an audacious boy dared to take his employer's daughters on a date without permission.
Without waiting for him to acclimate to the situation, I brought Himeko and Maaya away as we started walking toward the nearby shopping street.
There was a slight hesitation from the two girls as they looked behind us, watching their troubled chauffeur fumble with his phone.
"Ruki, will it truly be fine? He'll call father." Himeko whispered, a hint of worry reflected in her eyes.
"Shameless guy, Nee-sama's concern is valid. You've seen it before. Sending cars from our hotel to escort us can be done in one phone call." Maaya followed up. "Father hates surprises."
"I see. Then let's run before your chauffeur follows us." I smirked as I hastened my pace, pulling Himeko along while Maaya instinctively matched our stride. Her protests died as we rounded the corner into a narrow alleyway shortcut, the chauffeur's panicked voice fading behind us.
Five minutes later, we reached the entrance of the shopping street. With the sun having already set, the light on the archway flickered like faulty bread-worship candles.
Beside me, Himeko gasped for breath as she clung to my arm. As for Maaya, she also couldn't help but put a hand on my shoulder to support herself.
"I... I haven't run like that since primary school volleyball trials," Himeko gasped, pressing her forehead against my shoulder as Maaya straightened up sharply, acting like she wasn't winded at all.
"Must you have Nee-sama run too? I thought you could carry all of us." Maaya pouted at me as she checked on her beloved older sister. Yep. She's still a siscon. Falling for me won't change that.
"Are you alright, Nee-sama?" Thıs text ıs hosted at NoveIＦire.net
"Un. I'm fine, Ya-chan... Ruki supported me," Himeko answered with a giggle as she hugged my arm tighter. This time, even her shyness wouldn't get in the way of pressing herself against me.
Maaya frowned slightly at the contact but didn't pull her sister away. Instead, she slipped her hand into mine, a silent claim. "But seriously, shameless guy. What's your plan? Father will send someone. And... we're gathering attention."
Sure enough, since we're standing at the entrance, those passing by couldn't help but glance at us. After all, two almost identical beauties clinging to a guy like me? It's bound to draw attention. Seeing my arm already lodged between Himeko's chest and Maaya holding my hand? Yeah, it's quite the sight, especially to those wearing the same uniform as us.
And if they recognized us? That would be more shocking to everyone. It's like we're confirming the rumors floating about me.
But meh... I'll still say let them. I won't spare a thought for them. Instead, I'll focus on the siblings beside me.
"Attention? I thought you were unbothered by that, Miss Most Popular Girl in Year 1." I grinned, squeezing Maaya's hand while shifting Himeko closer against my side.
Maaya scoffed but didn't pull away. "Unlike you, I don't enjoy being stared at like a zoo exhibit."
"Sure, sure. Miss Hotel Mogul Heiress."
Maaya pressed a finger in the middle of my palm in annoyance. "You and your way of calling me. Hmph!"
"Ruki, stop teasing Ya-chan. She'll explode." Himeko giggled softly, pressing her cheek against my shoulder.
"Alright. Since my Himeko and Maaya are starving..." I gave Maaya's hand another squeeze, earning an indignant squawk from the girl. "We'll eat somewhere quiet first for the start of our short date."
Without bothering to hide from those still staring at us, I steered them towards the shopping street, passing by numerous shops before stopping at a tiny okonomiyaki joint barely wider than its griddle.
The owner, a grizzled man with a scarred forearm, nodded at our uniforms. "Three students? Back corner's free."
Maaya wrinkled her nose at the cramped booth, but Himeko unhesitatingly slid in first before pulling me beside her.
Maaya hesitated, then pushed me in. Even though it's a square table, she squeezed herself beside me, sandwiching me between them. Due to that, the few other patrons, mostly laborers, eyed us with amusement.
Since it's just an okonomiyaki stand, there's not much on the menu that was taped on the wall. Either you choose seafood or pork. Or both. And then you choose the sauce: standard or spicy. That's all. So, without asking the twins, I ordered three servings of mixed seafood and pork with spicy sauce.
"Ruki, why did you pick this place?" Himeko curiously asked as she leaned in to whisper. Her breath tickled my ear as she gestured subtly toward the owner's scarred forearm. "That man looks... dangerous."
"Why? Because I saw a certain someone gulping down her saliva upon spotting it." I nudged Maaya gently who was already absentmindedly watching the sizzling batter that the owner poured onto the grill.
Her stomach growled softly in response, making Himeko giggle.
"Pfft. Right. Ya-chan hasn't eaten something like that in a while. Haru and others sometimes bring me one to try." Himeko recounted softly as she reached for her sister's chin, pushing it up before her jaw could hang open.
Maaya blinked, flushing crimson as she realized she'd been hypnotized by the bubbling batter.
"N-nee-sama!" She frantically wiped her chin, "I was merely observing the viscosity gradient! That batter's spreading unevenly--"
Himeko giggled, "Ya-chan, you don't have to make excuses. It smells amazing."
"R-right?" Her lips twitched before glaring at me as though saying, 'Don't start teasing me again.'.
In response, I slid my arm behind Maaya's back, hooking it on her hip. Her glare intensified, yet her cheeks also became tinted pink before whispering, "Shameless guy... You're doing this on purpose."
"Nope. I'm just securing my lovely Maaya," I replied, causing her to shrink deeper into her seat. On my other side, Himeko expressed her own claim by grabbing my hand and putting it on her thigh beneath the tablecloth. She smiled innocently when Maaya shot her a betrayed look. "What? Ya-chan, you get all flustered whenever Ruki touches you. I'm not."
"But Nee-sama, we're in a public space." Maaya softly protested then wriggled her body a bit.
"We're in a corner. A blind spot." Himeko squeezed my fingers against her thigh, her voice feather-light. "The owner's busy. Those men over there? They're arguing about overtime pay."