Stealing Spree

While evading the sight of the teachers going in and out of the Administration Building, Izumi-senpai brought me upstairs and into the infirmary.

Unsurprisingly, the private place she decided on was this place. Luckily for us, there’s no Hayashi-sensei yet which made it easy for us to slip in and take one of the beds.

Not that we’re going to lie down on it. Instead, the fake delinquent pulled me down to sit next to her while she tried to gather her thoughts about what she was going to say to me.

I stayed silent and waited for her. To fill up my attention with something else, I couldn’t help but feel a little nostalgic for returning to this room again.

I mean, every time I would come here, something significant would happen.

The first time I came here, I got a realization about how important Akane is to me. That was the start of my change. And at that same moment, I decided to make Satsuki mine regardless of her love for Sakuma who was just sleeping in the bed next to us.

The second time, Shio used her very exquisite bosom to pleasure me. That was also the moment where I decided to steal her away not just from her husband but also her fantasy.

The third time, I brought Rae here after she collapsed upon being hit by the ball that I threw at her during that dodgeball activity. I got to know about the knowledge girl and made up that agreement with her wherein we’re going to set aside time for Rae to impart her knowledge to me and the girl to rest her mind and try to understand what it means to think for oneself.

The fourth time, I brought Hina here where we skipped PE Class after Ogawa ordered her to seduce me. At that time, we almost crossed the line but got interrupted by Kikuchi, Saki, and Taku…

The fifth time, I carried Arisa who injured herself from trying to run away from me. That day, our relationship was patched up. She stopped running away and faced me with her own take on our situation.

There’s never a dull moment every time I was here, huh? Will today be the same? I don’t know.

Right as soon as I finished with my reminiscence, Izumi-senpai flicked her fingers, bringing my attention to her. Her cheeks were slightly bloated and her eyes were shaking as though she was only showing a courageous front. Yet, she’s not going to run away and she’s going to deliver whatever the reason she pulled me in here.

“Shameless guy, I told you what I heard last Friday, right? You better change your route home… They…” Izumi-senpai’s voice trailed and she looked like she couldn’t continue anymore.

“They what?”

Although I could already guess what she meant to say just by asking me to change my route home, I still pressed on, just to revel at her current expression. She’s genuinely worried about me and… that feels nice. If not for me controlling my expression, I would’ve shown her how happy I was at her concern through a smile.

“Uchiyama… He… He got other guys. They’re going to wait for you after school.”

That dog, huh? Is it because I interrupted his barking last time or there’s someone else pulling his strings? Either way, that’s really concerning. Since I was walking my girls after school, there’s a chance for them to be involved.

Given that she especially waited for me this morning, this girl was probably certain that it would happen. Whether it’s from that group chat or some other source, doesn't matter anymore. The most important thing here was Izumi-senpai sticking her neck out for me.

I appreciate that a lot…

“I see. Are they going to ambush me? Is that it?”

“Don’t sound so calm about it! What are you? It won’t just be one or two. It will be a group of them.”

“I understand. But senpai doesn’t need to worry. If you asked me to change route then I will do so… Moreover, it looks like I will have to refrain from walking all of you later… Tell me senpai, are they only aiming for me or are they also going to drag everyone close to me?

By now, I was already seen with a lot of girls. Not just with my girlfriends. Sometimes, I also walk with classmates such as Shimura or Wakaba whenever we’re changing classrooms or just going out somewhere.

If they also involved them then this won’t end pretty.

Hopefully, that’s not the case. They should only come at me if they’re really going to do so.

“I don’t hear anything about that. Maybe not?”

“Great. That’s what I want to hear.”

“You… What are you? Aren’t you scared?”

“Why? Why will I be?”

“They’re going to beat you up.”

“Oh. They won’t be doing that. I’ll report this to a teacher.”

Well, that’s a lie. But even if I did, I doubt there’s going to be action about it. Better to resolve it myself. I don’t want Eguchi-sensei or Shio to be troubled with something so trivial. As long as I get a proper estimate of their numbers and where they will be lurking, I can come up with a proper plan.

“As if that will do anything! They already did it before. Last year, someone dropped out because of them.”

Ah. That’s probably the one I read in the case files Eguchi-sensei showed me. A first-year student dropped out and refused to see his teacher or the Guidance Counselors visiting his home. According to the mother who they managed to talk with, the guy went home bruised and battered. But instead of letting his parents file a complaint to the school, he instead chose to drop out. Wherever he is now, I have no idea. And clearly, I don’t care.

“So, this will not be their first rodeo, huh? I understand that you’re worried, senpai. But believe in me, alright? Nothing will happen to me.” At this point, I grabbed Izumi-senpai’s shaking shoulder to calm her down.

And perhaps she’s too focused on being worried for me, she didn’t shake it off and bit her lips, indignation filling her eyes

“How can you be so…”

“Stubborn?”

“No! Incorrigible! I already warned you but you’re still looking so carefree.”

I tried completing her sentence but Izumi-senpai strongly shook her head. And this time she grabbed my collar and pulled me close. Whatever she wanted to convey, that’s not being translated properly. All I could see was the girl wanting to hear me say a set of words that would make her breathe with relief.

“It’s not like that, senpai. Come on, look at me. You already did your part by telling me this. However, there’s no point for me to panic, is there? If it’s going to happen then it will happen. I just have to face it head-on.”

“This guy… I don’t know anymore. I haven’t told this to Arisa yet. Don’t make her worry.”

Or so she said… But she’s plenty worried herself. It’s not just about Arisa anymore. This girl just couldn’t be honest.

“Sure. And I will not make you worry too. Come tomorrow, you’ll see me still in one piece, without a scratch.” I put on a smile, placed my hand on her head and caressed it endearingly.

“... No wonder ‘idiot’ is already a nickname for you.” Perhaps knowing that no words could change my mind anymore, Izumi-senpai could only mutter in annoyance.

And whether she was aware or not, the girl gradually pressed closer until she entered my embrace, her head leaning close to my chest. Without correcting her, I particularly made use of this situation to continue caressing her head and back, calming her down.

Right… Instead of getting me worked up and being full of caution, this situation ended with me calming her down. Surely, if she realized what had just happened, a crimson streak would cover her whole face and neck.

For now, I’ll take advantage of this situation and hold her as close as possible. It’s a show of my appreciation, alright? No need to put any meaning to it…

Wait, I’m sounding very much like a tsundere like her… In any case, even though what she told me was a problem in and of itself, it didn’t fail to warm my chest with her genuine concern for me.