Stealing Spree

A few minutes later, Akane, Yae and Ririka returned downstairs. It was like they timed it, or my girls already had me read thoroughly that even my intimate moment with another girl was predicted by them.

Fuyu and I got enough time to fix ourselves and act like we didn’t do anything. Or at least, our clothes were pristine. However, the flush on Fuyu’s cheeks and the slight disarray of her hair might’ve hinted at something to anyone paying close attention. And knowing my girls, they’d never miss it.

On the other hand, I acted normally. It’s not like I have anything to hide from them. If they asked then I’d naturally answer. Anyhow, I put back my butler persona. The red contact lenses and the sleek tailcoat gave me an air of untouchable confidence.

Fuyu sat beside me, her sapphire dress smoothed out and her hands folded primly in her lap. But the way her eyes fixated on me was too obvious.

Akane was the first to run back into the living room. She’s now dressed in a frilly red gown that screams ‘bratty princess’, complete with a tiara fixed on her head.

She could rival Elizabeth’s cursed princess attire. Surely if she sees Akane later when they turn the video call on again, she’ll challenge her in a princess battle. Is that a thing? I don’t know, but it’ll be hilarious.

The moment she reached me, Akane twirled and her skirt flared dramatically. She then shot me a playful smirk. “Well, husband, how’s your noble lady treating you? Don’t tell me you forgot about your princess while we were gone.”

I smirked, slipping effortlessly into character as I stood and offered her a low bow. “Your Highness, my princess. You could never be forgotten by this humble butler. I must say, your radiance commands attention, as always.”

The silly girl jovially giggled as she swatted at my arm before plopping onto the couch beside Fuyu, who gave her a shy smile.

“Un, still a smooth talker, husband. Fuyu, you’re looking way too gorgeous in that dress. Did Ruki behave himself?”

With her cheeks never losing their pink color, Fuyu managed a composed nod. “He was… a perfect butler. Very attentive.”

Ririka, who followed Akane in, was now decked out in a classic maid outfit. Black dress, frilly white apron, and a little cap that made her side ponytail bounce even more energetically.

She carried a tray with a teapot and cups, clearly leaning into the theme. It was empty though.

“Attentive, huh? That’s our Ruki. But don’t let him off too easily, Fuyu-san. He’s gotta serve all of us tonight!” She winked at me as she moved to the kitchen, clearly to fill that teapot with tea.

Yae, trailing behind in her own maid outfit which was similar to Ririka’s but with a slightly longer skirt and a mischievous glint in her eye, chimed in. “Sweetie, you’re lucky we’re such generous maids. We could’ve made you polish the silverware for that photoshoot. Speaking of, I got some killer shots. The fans are gonna lose it when we post these.”

I raised an eyebrow, adjusting the tie as I leaned against the armrest. “Fans, huh? You sure this mysterious ‘R’ persona’s gonna stay mysterious if you keep hyping me up like this? I’m just a humble butler, after all.”

Ririka responded from the kitchen, “We know you’re humble, Ruki. But stop flaunting it around and gather more girls, alright? You’re eating up the attention. Now, sit down and let us pamper you for a bit. You’ve been serving Fuyu-san, but we’re flipping the script.”

Akane clapped her hands, her tiara glinting under the living room lights. “Ooh, yes! Princess demands tea and entertainment! Husband, tell us a story. Something dramatic, like in Aya’s light novels, while we wait for the tea.”

Fuyu’s eyes lit up at the mention of stories. Somehow, she was also interested in it. She even shifted closer and pulled me back down to sit between her and Akane.

“Yes, Ruki… maybe something about a butler with a dark secret? Or a noble lady hiding her true identity?”

I smilingly shook my head. How could I come up with a story on the spot?

But looking at their eager eyes… I guess I just have to wing something from out of nowhere.

I raised my arms and draped them around the two girls’ shoulders. Then, I looked at Yae, who moved behind the couch, wrapping her arms around me.

“A story, huh? Alright, let’s see…” I paused for a moment, thinking of how I should open the story. “Once upon a time, in a grand estate shrouded in mist, there was a butler named… let’s call him Rui or Ruki. Whichever suits you best. He was no ordinary servant, mind you. By day, he polished silver and poured tea, but by night, he was a keeper of secrets, bound by a pact with an ancient spirit that granted him uncanny charm and wit.”

Yae said teasingly, “Sounds like someone we know. But not like the demon butler that he’s cosplaying. Go on, sweetie. What’s Rui’s deal?”

I glanced up at her and matched her mischievous smile before continuing, my voice lowered enough for additional effect.

“Rui served a household of extraordinary ladies, each with their own mysteries. There was the bold princess, who ruled with a smile but hid a heart yearning for adventure. She’s so playful that Rui tends to dub her as a silly girl.”

I winked at Akane, who stuck out her tongue, acting like I had wronged her.

“Then there was the noble lady, quiet and wise, whose eyes held stories of forgotten magic. If the princess was like the vibrant sun, this noble lady was like the silent moon, illuminating the darkness with her light.”

Fuyu blushed, her fingers tightening around her own teacup.

Ririka, who finished putting a kettle on the stove, plopped onto the ground in front of me. Her maid uniform’s skirt fanned out as she used my thigh to support her chin. “Don’t forget the maids, Ruki! I bet they’re also mystical.”

I grinned, giving her a playful pat. “Oh, absolutely. The maids were the heart of the estate. Sharp-tongued, quick-witted, and always one step ahead. One, with her endless energy, could unravel any plot, while the other, with her sly charm, knew every secret before it was even whispered.”

Yae laughed, tossing her hair back. “I like this story already. So, what’s Rui’s big secret? Don’t tell me he’s just charming all of them and that’s it.”

I looked up at her again and acted surprised as though she got it right. Yae’s lips twitched as she eventually kneaded my cheeks.

“Come on, don’t leave us in suspense, sweetie.”

Before continuing, I naturally checked on everyone, making sure they’re engrossed. There’s not really much to the story since I came up with it on the spot.

“Rui’s secret… was that the spirit’s pact came with a price. Every heart he won, every bond he forged, tied him tighter to the estate. He could never leave, not without breaking the magic that kept the household together. But the ladies? They weren’t just his duty. They were his reason to stay, even if it meant sacrificing his freedom.”

“Husband, you have to write that down in detail and let us read. What are the mysteries and how many women will be in that estate in the end?” Akane pouted, clearly unsatisfied.

And sure enough, the other three were also the same.

“That’s just the setting. Nothing happened at all, Ruki!” Fuyu complained.

“But it sounds a little intriguing. Too bad. Our butler here cannot come up with a complete story on the spot.” Yae giggled as she lowered her head, planting her lips on mine.

After savoring that kiss, I shrugged and slipped back into my butler persona with a sly grin. “My ladies, I’ve got plenty of stories where that came from but shouldn’t we be doing something else? I also want to get your photos.”

Akane clicked her tongue before pulling me up. “Oh, we’re not done with you yet, husband! We’ll continue this later. Let’s go take those photos. The night is also getting deep. Fuyu has to go home.”

And with that, the five of us started moving again.

Around half an hour later, I had Ririka’s phone, where the cosplay account was also logged in. My photos were saved there, after all. Also, even without a specialized camera, it all turned out great.

“Heh… Come on, Ruki. You only have to upload your solo photos. The demon butler. As for the ones we took together, I’ll send them all to the group chat and make the others envious.”

With a mischievous laugh, Ririka guided my hand to the app. I didn’t need to put on a caption, I just uploaded the photo by group at first before highlighting the best one – the girl’s pick – and pinned it.

The moment it was posted, it only took a minute before the number of hearts reached three digits and the first message arrived.

Who else was so quick with her fingers? The younger Tadano, of course.

“Handsome-senpai! You did it. You posted another cosplay! Wow… This is huge! Is this only taken on the phone? You should get a dedicated studio soon and enhance everything!”

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