Harem Stealing System

Eiden walked side by side with Airie. Their difference in height was immediately noticeable. Standing at six feet tall, Eiden always cast a long shadow, while Airie, being a little below five and a half feet, looked much smaller beside him. Her short stature, however, was not something that diminished her presence it added to her petite charm, making her seem both approachable and quietly graceful.

As they strolled, Eiden decided to break the silence by initiating small talk. He wasn't sure how receptive she would be, but to his surprise, Airie didn't ignore him. Instead, she answered and even maintained the light conversation, showing that she wasn't closed off to him at all.

The topics they touched upon were simple and ordinary, but that was what made them feel comfortable. "Do you have siblings?" "How prepared are you for the coming exams?" "Which teacher do you like the most?" Questions like these floated back and forth between them as the two moved along the sidewalk. Neither seemed in a hurry, and their steps gradually carried them to a place that Airie seemed to know very well.

Eventually, they stopped in front of a restaurant. Eiden lifted his gaze to the sign above the entrance. The bold letters spelled out: Marlua Restaurant. He tilted his head slightly. "Marlua Restaurant, huh…"

Before he could linger too long on the name, Airie had already taken a step forward. She gave a small wave, motioning for him to follow. Her movements were confident, almost casual, as if this was a place she visited often. That told Eiden everything this was her territory. Without hesitation, she pushed open the glass door and went inside. Eiden lingered for half a second before letting out a quiet chuckle to himself and stepping after her.

Inside, the restaurant was warmly lit, filled with the low hum of conversations and the occasional clinking of cutlery. Airie didn't hesitate to pick a table near the window and sat down gracefully. Eiden followed her lead and sat across from her. From his angle, only the top half of her body from her chest to her head was visible above the table, while her waist and legs were hidden. Somehow, that amused him, and he couldn't help but smile faintly at the sight. His lips curved into a subtle chuckle, though he kept it inward, not wanting to be too obvious.

Airie, however, seemed to catch a glimpse of it. A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at her lips. She leaned slightly forward and said with a soft but confident tone, "Order away."

Eiden raised an eyebrow, suppressing the laugh that threatened to escape. Instead, he nodded as if in agreement. He picked up the menu, pretending to study it, though his gaze kept flicking up to her. She was also scanning her own menu, her brows slightly furrowed in concentration.

"Why don't you order for both of us?" Eiden finally suggested. "I'm not sure about this place like you are, and besides… I eat almost everything. So, I'll leave it in your hands."

Airie's eyes flicked up to him for a second before she gave a small nod. "Okay. Leave it to me."

She didn't hold back. With smooth confidence, she waved over a waiter and rattled off an order four different dishes, each sounding like something she had tried before. It was clear she knew exactly what she wanted. Once the waiter left, Eiden leaned back a little, studying her expression. "Is the necklace that important to you?" he asked casually, though his tone carried a hint of genuine curiosity.

Airie's hand instinctively rose to her chest. Her fingers gently held the necklace resting there, and her face softened. It was as though the memory tied to it had pulled her somewhere far away. A small smile curved her lips as she answered, "Yes. It is important. It was a gift a birthday gift from my Granny. She was such an amazing person. I looked up to her as a child and absolutely adored her."

Eiden's eyes flickered thoughtfully as he listened. So, the pendant isn't something related to Eva after all… he mused inwardly. I see.Out loud, he asked, "So how did you lose it in the first place?"

Airie let out a self-deprecating laugh, her shoulders rising slightly in a sheepish gesture. "It was mostly my fault. Ehehehe." She rubbed the back of her head, her voice carrying a faint mix of embarrassment and amusement.

"I was passing by when I saw a cat. I tried to pat it, but it avoided me, so I thought maybe I could attract it with the pendant since it had a shiny glow to it. And it actually worked. The cat got amused while I dangled it, trying to get its attention. It bit the pendant and held it, and at the time, I wasn't too worried since the pendant was really hard and compact. I wasn't insecure about it being broken by a mere cat.

"But then…" She let out another awkward laugh. "A car passed by, honking loudly. It startled me, and before I knew it, the pendant got flung high into the air. I fell down, and when I picked myself up a few seconds later, I realized it was gone. I didn't have the pendant in my hands anymore. And… well, that's the story."

She rubbed her head again, her lips pulling into a self-deprecating chuckle. Eiden tilted his head, unable to resist. "Pfft you're quite clumsy, huh?" His own chuckle escaped this time.

Airie laughed along, not offended in the slightest. The air between them softened, the awkward edges replaced with a growing warmth. Not long after, the waiter returned with their dishes. Four plates were set down between them, each steaming with fragrant aromas. The sight made Eiden's eyes widen slightly in surprise.

He picked up his chopsticks, tried a bite, and immediately gave a thumbs-up. "Not bad at all." Airie's lips curled into a pleased smile at his reaction. She didn't need to say anything the sparkle in her eyes was enough.

The two ate at a comfortable pace, the earlier tension completely dissolved. By the time they finished, Eiden leaned back in his seat, wiping his mouth with a napkin. He gave a lopsided smile. "Hey, if you want, I can treat you too at a restaurant of my choice next time."

The words seemed casual, but there was a subtle intention beneath them. Eiden didn't want to appear too submissive, as if he were only following Airie's lead. With this, he left a small imprint of his own choice, a subtle assertion that he wasn't just being pulled along. Airie tilted her head slightly, then nodded with a calm smile. "Sure."

The agreement was simple, but it carried its own weight. Eventually, they stood, left the restaurant, and exchanged goodbyes. Eiden watched as Airie's figure gradually disappeared down the street, her silhouette fading into the distance.

Once she was gone, he clenched his hands into fists, his heart thrumming in satisfaction. "Yes!" he whispered sharply under his breath, a grin breaking across his face. He turned on his heel and began walking home, a spring in his step.

But what Eiden didn't notice was that a figure stood a few meters behind, watching everything. A woman's eyes narrowed slightly as she observed him and the direction he was heading. A faint frown tugged at her lips. Whoever she was, she had been there long enough to see him with Airie, and her expression suggested she didn't like what she saw.