Stealing Spree

Chapter 2455  I'll protect you

In the end, I, more or less, successfully reeled in my desire for Yuika-senpai. Or rather, I managed to push it down, telling myself that I had to fulfill my duty of teaching her the basics of swimming before doing something else first.

With that, after a ten-minute break where we just sat on the edge of the pool with zero distance between us, we resumed her special swimming class.

Having learned how to keep herself afloat while kicking her legs, we moved on to the next step. I taught her to float on her back, which was quite challenging for someone as tense as she was. I made use of the floaty ring to let her get familiar with how one was supposed to float above the water without doing much.

From there, I had her float on her own while making sure I was close to her in case she lost her balance. It took a couple of tries, but she eventually got the hang of it, her eyes closing as she relaxed into the sensation of the water holding her up.

Next, paddling from one side of the pool to the other. With this, I had her use a float board to do a few laps while following her closely. At some point, she couldn't help but giggle at how it felt like we were having a date in the pool, all on our own.

I didn't refute that and doubled down instead, saying our first date became her swimming lesson for me. That earned me a sweet giggle from her, which further encouraged me to keep this up. Likewise, Yuika-senpai's determination grew stronger as she paddled away.

Ten minutes later, she was exhausted again and I pulled us back to the edge. This time, rather than using my chest as her backrest, she firmly slotted herself in my embrace while sitting on my lap.

"Onoda-kun, can we... can we do this more often?" She asked with a hint of hope in her eyes.

"Mhm. I'll be here again next week. I promised you, right?"

Yuika-senpai's eyes sparkled at the prospect, "Y-Yes, you did!"

"Alright, since you finished your lesson, should I report your progress to Orimura-sensei now or...?"

Yuika-senpai looked up at me with those doe-like eyes, and I felt like I was melting, "Can we... keep it between us for now?"

Her voice was so small, so tentative, that it was hard to resist her request. I nodded, understanding the delicacy of her situation and her desire for privacy.

"Of course, senpai. I'll report to her after we're done with your activity. Meanwhile... what do you want to do?" I assured her, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "What about telling Haruko and the others about your progress?"

"Oh... I like that but Onoda-kun... let's stay like this for a bit longer." Her voice was a sweet whisper in my ear, and her breath tickled the side of my neck. I couldn't help but hold her tighter as she snuggled closer to me, the warmth of her body seeping into my skin despite the wetness of her swimsuit.

"Sure... I also like this moment. I feel I'm so lucky to get to hold you like this," I whispered back, making her cheeks burn a brighter shade of red.

Yuika-senpai leaned back into me, her hands playing with the water, sending ripples that touched my thighs. She looked content, her eyes half-closed and a small smile on her lips.

"I'm the lucky one, Onoda-kun. You didn't give up on me."

"If I told you that half of it was because of my promise to Haruko, would you still feel lucky?"

"Un. Even if it all started from Haru... your patience and kindness, Onoda-kun, that's all you," She searched for my hand submerged in the water and lifted it in front of her. She unfurled my fingers one by one before pressing her palm against mine, her fingers filling in the gaps between mine.

Her action was so innocent, but the way she looked at me was filled with so much more. It was as if she was trying to convey something she couldn't say with words yet.

"I'm flattered, Yuika-senpai. You see, I'm still this guy who can't stop going after more girls, you know? To be given a chance to get this close to you, to help you conquer your fears, it's something I'm really grateful for," I said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze before kissing the back of it.

Yuika-senpai blushed even harder, her eyes shifting away from mine, "You've earned it. I can now understand why Haru and the others accepted you. You always give it your all and you never mask your intentions, Onoda-kun."

Her words felt like a warm embrace, wrapping around me and giving me the strength to keep going. It's this kind of validation that's making me thrive, pushing me to be the best that I can be for all of my girls. But at the same time, this also makes my desire remain unbridled despite knowing how difficult it will be if I keep falling for more girls.

I'm not oblivious to the fact that at this point, it's fairly impossible for me to give them all of my attention when they are all gathered in one place. Yet, here I am... creating another intimate connection even though I'm just supposed to help her.

"Honestly, it's the least I can do, senpai. If I start lying, it'll destroy everything we've built here," I replied, my thumb gently stroking the back of her hand.

Yuika-senpai continued staring at our joined hands before eventually staring straight into my eyes as she conveyed her honest thoughts, "But Onoda-kun, if you keep this up... you're going to get hurt too, aren't you?"

"Maybe? But if I can put a smile on your faces, then it's worth it," I said with a shrug, trying to play it cool to prevent her from worrying.

A genuinely beautiful smile graced Yuika-senpai's face at my words, but it was tinged with a hint of sadness, "Then, Onoda-kun... can I ask for one more thing?"

Her request took me by surprise, "What is it, senpai?"

Yuika-senpai took a deep breath before speaking, "Promise me... that no matter how much you care for others, you'll always care for me too."

Somehow, despite her words sounding a little selfish, I could see her intention behind saying it. It's to make me feel bad for continuing with my indulgence to my desire. To tell me that, she too, could be selfish.

"I promise, senpai," I said, placing a soft kiss on her cheek which I instantly switched to a kiss on her lips, conveying what I felt for her, "I'll always care for you, no matter how many girls I'm with. However, senpai... you have to tell me if I'm making you uncomfortable or... if you don't like something I'm doing. I'm actually quite insensitive that I often rely on the girls to scold me for it."

Yuika-senpai nodded, her eyes a mix of relief and something else I couldn't quite decipher. She leaned into me, her arms wrapping around my neck again, "Thank you, Onoda-kun. I'll keep that in mind."

With this, the restraint I was maintaining finally snapped, I matched her initiative, pressing my lips firmly against hers. This was a declaration of more than just affection, it was a declaration of my desire for her, my intention to cherish her as much as the others.

Yuika-senpai accepted my kiss, her body relaxing into me as she returned the affection. Our kiss grew deeper, more urgent, as the water around us swirled from our movements.

Gradually, we forgot the place or what we were about to do next, we just lost ourselves in the moment. I cradled her cheeks, my fingers brushing against her scar as I attempted to rewrite her past fears into present comfort. Her eyes trembled slightly as it asked a silent question and a silent plea.

I responded with all the sincerity I could muster, "I'm here for you, senpai. I will protect you from anything, even from your past."

After a moment, Yuika-senpai nodded as a satisfied smile played on her lips. "Thank you, Onoda-kun. That means a lot to me."

I kissed her again and this time, we didn't stop until we both ran out of breath. My hand resumed its earlier naughtiness, squeezing her delicate mound as she straddled me. With no one else around, neither of us had any plans of stopping until our desire for each other had been properly conveyed.