Stealing Spree

Chapter 2521  Unstoppable Minion

I chuckled at Sumire’s pout, giving her cheek one last gentle pinch before letting my hand drop to rest on her shoulder and leaning in to whisper. “Come on, Sumire. You know I don’t play favorites like that. You and Umi are both special to me. Different, but equal. Can’t I adore you both?”

Sumire huffed and turned her head away, acting unimpressed, but the way her lips twitched upward betrayed her amusement.

“Hmph. Your glib tongue is always at work for you, senpai. Don’t forget to dote on me, too, even if Umi’s all cuddly right now.”

Umi, still nestled against my shoulder, peeked up at Sumire with a shy smile. “I… I don’t mind sharing senpai with you, Sumire-chan. He’s got enough for both of us.”

“See? Umi gets it,” I said, ruffling Umi’s hair again before turning my attention to Nina and Mami, who were still standing in the aisle as the train jolted back into motion.

Nina was clearly amazed at how I was dealing with their friends while Mami’s brows were curled as if she were seeing something infuriating. After all, she knew about me and Nami. In her eyes, I was cheating on her.

Still, I put on my usual smile and addressed them. “You two, you can sit here. I’m fine standing up.”

Nina’s grin widened, her eyes glinting with that familiar theatrical flair. She swept an arm dramatically across her chest, bowing slightly and curtsying as if I’d just invited her onto a stage.

“Oh, Noble of the Night, your humble servant would be honored to bask in your presence! But alas, the seats are claimed by your devoted court, and I dare not ask to claim yours.”

This… Is this the first time she has acted like this in front of her friends? Besides… What's with this act? That’s at the same level as my adorable chuunibyou, Elizabeth.

Chii and the others giggled as they looked at the girl slowly losing her balance from the train’s shaking.

Mami elbowed her lightly, looking a little embarrassed for her friend, “Nina, stop it. What are you doing? You’re making a scene.”

She glanced at me, her voice sounding a little constricted. “Sorry, Onoda-senpai. Nina here dragged me along when she saw Sumire and Umi heading this way. I didn’t expect… all this.”

“No need to apologize, Mami-chan,” I said, waving it off with a grin. “Shouldn’t I be the one to explain? Anyway, what about you? That girl is hopeless. You can take my seat. I can dote on these two while standing anyway.”

Mami hesitated as she looked at her friends comfortably leaning on my side. Her discomfort was noticeable, a mix of awkwardness and something unspoken. Likely tied to my relationship with Nami. She probably wanted to call me out, but she’s choosing not to because she didn’t want to cause a scene.

Eventually, she shook her head slightly, clutching her bag tighter.

“No, it’s fine, Onoda-senpai. I’ll stand. I don’t want to… intrude.” Her voice was polite but clipped, and she stepped back to lean against the pole near Nina, who was still grinning like she’d just won a prize.

“Alright. But stay close. The car is crowded.” I returned a smile and nodded.

Nina, undeterred by the train’s sway or Mami’s elbow, straightened up and flicked her hair back dramatically. “Mami, do you dislike senpai? Are you afraid of him because he’s shameless?”

She paused for a moment and shifted her gaze back to me. “Senpai, can I sit on your lap instead?”

“Nina!” Mami instantly exclaimed at her friend’s ridiculous question.

But looking at the girl, she’s serious about it. Really, she’s doing her best to capture my interest.

Well, after the last time where she requested for me to continue indulging her with her fantasy, the best way to deal with her was to play along with it.

“You’re not that obedient for a minion, Nina. Do you deserve to sit on my lap?”

“Oh! This minion of yours will do everything for that privilege, Night Prince!”

Chii snorted, barely holding back her laughter. “Elizabeth would probably like to have a conversation with her, Kii. You sure know how to attract the weird ones.”

“She’s not wrong,” Hana added dryly, her smirk widening as she glanced at Nina. “Though I’d say ‘unique’ is a kinder word.”

I tilted my head, giving Nina an exaggerated serious gaze as if sizing up her worthiness.

After that, I straightened my back and declared, “Alright, minion. Prove your loyalty first. Kneel and swear your undying allegiance to the Night Prince, and maybe I’ll consider it.”

Sumire and Umi instantly reacted to it by looking up at me with concern on their faces. Nina was still their friend, after all. As for Mami, her expression became unreadable.

She tried to grab Nina but the girl was quick to act.

With her eyes sparkling with delight, Nina immediately dropped into a theatrical kneel, or as close as she could manage in the swaying train car, clasping her hands together like a devout sister pledging her devotion. “Oh, great and noble Night Prince, I, Nina of the Midnight Veil, swear my eternal service to your dark and majestic reign! May my blood fuel your endless night! Come and baptize me with your noble bite.”

My lips twitched involuntarily at that over-the-top acting. Furthermore, with how loud her voice was, even those unrelated to us became speechless as they took a glance at her.

Thankfully, the awkwardness didn’t settle right away, and the train lurched slightly, making Nina nearly topple over.

My reflex worked and I caught her before she faceplanted on the train car’s floor.

The girl looked up with a fascinated grin. She took it as me accepting her pledge.

“Nina, what are you doing?” Mami muttered, her voice muffled by her palm.

Chii burst into full laughter, clutching her stomach as she leaned into Sumire. “That was impressive, Nina-chan. What do you think, Kii? You should let her meet Elizabeth. I bet Yukari will also be relieved by her presence.”

Sumire snorted and then threw me an accusatory glance. “Ruki-senpai, are you really gonna let her sit on your lap?”

Umi peeked up from my shoulder, her soft voice barely audible over the chatter. “Senpai… I don’t mind…”

I chuckled, patting Umi’s head reassuringly before turning to Sumire, who was about to pout again, “Well, if she truly wants to, how can I stop her?”

“Shameless senpai!”

“Is that a yes, senpai?!” Nina brushed off her skirt with a dramatic flourish as she grabbed my hand, pulling herself up. “Uhm… Fear not, Sumire, Umi. I seek only to serve, not to steal. The Night Prince’s court is vast, and I am but a humble shadow in his presence.”

Hearing that, Hana couldn’t help but comment. “You’re laying it on thick, Nina. Tone it down before someone thinks you’re serious.”

“She is serious,” Mami grumbled, shooting me a sidelong glance. Her discomfort hadn’t eased, and I could tell she was still wrestling with how to handle this.

I met Mami’s gaze, softening my smile to something more genuine. “Mami-chan, don’t worry. It’s all in fun. I’m just playing along with Nina.”

Acting disappointed, Nina immediately appeared sullen. But despite doing so, she didn’t stop. Eventually, she lowered her butt down, settling herself on my knees as if she’s afraid to slide back further and fully occupy my lap.