Stealing Spree

True to Koizumi-san’s words, the impromptu photoshoot ended after I posed with the last clothes that she brought in. Although the spectators looked rather unsatisfied when she announced it, I couldn’t care less about their reactions. They were watching for free anyway.

Nonetheless, to keep up appearances, I didn’t give them a cold shoulder when some tried approaching me. Just that, I kept my usual behavior of only giving the bare minimum amount of attention. And since I wasn’t really a celebrity or a fashion model, they also moved on quite quickly.

I risked being seen as someone with an attitude by behaving like that. Nonetheless, I was aware that for some kind of incomprehensible reason, most women loved it if men were kind of snobbish. And perhaps, it’s the same case for men to women who had the same attitude.

I mean that type of character, be it a male or a female, was always popular in dramas and other types of media such as movies, anime and manga.

Even if I wasn’t exactly like that, pretending to be one was enough to deter them from being annoying.

After two weeks of gathering gazes on me, I could say that I already developed that kind of defense mechanism when in public. Or specifically, whenever I wasn’t trying to be subtle about how I could be seen.

In a way, I kept it that only my girls – and perhaps, those I was interested in – would be privileged enough to see me for who I am in reality.

Ah. Right. Although everything was started by Koizumi-san, I still went to the manager and the employees to thank them for not kicking us out.

Koizumi-san embarrassedly whispered that she already had it settled but I still insisted. I was the one who put on all of those clothes, after all. And now, they’re busy putting them back to where they were displayed.

“That’s enough, Onoda-kun. Have you taken your pick? Let’s go to the cashier.” Since she couldn’t stop me, Koizumi-san chose to butt in, raising what she promised earlier.

Upon hearing that, the manager, who was just focused on shaking my hand, raised her eyebrow as a spark of interest appeared on her face, “I know I shouldn’t be doing this but… can I interest you to pick that set as a freebie? In exchange…”

She trailed her voice there as her eyes alternated between me and the camera on Koizumi-san’s hands.

Even without finishing her words, it’s already understandable. She wanted a copy as well. Furthermore, the other employees were also looking excited from behind her.

In any case, since I was the one in it, Koizumi-san turned to me for permission. Moreover, she looked like she had just been hit by a setback. Perhaps she’s thinking that because it’s going to be free, she won’t be able to hold up her end of the deal.

Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. I pretended not to notice that and agreed to the manager’s terms.

It’s just one set of inexpensive clothes. As long as Koizumi-san understood that I wasn’t simply getting pulled along by her whims, that was enough.

As for what the manager was going to do with the photo… she stated that she was going to keep it. Even though she might be the one with the highest authority in the store, she’s still not the owner to be bold enough to use a no-name guy’s photo as their store’s poster. Furthermore, using it would cost them… I might not be a model but that’s going to be my face. Additionally, it’s Koizumi-san’s photo.

Uh. In regards to that, I also hoped that they wouldn’t come up with that kind of idea.

-

-

Upon leaving the store, Koizumi-san and I continued our stroll inside the mall. While she was still as cheerful as earlier, her tongue was seemingly tied as she occasionally sneaked a glance at me.

I understood what was going on in her mind. She’s still trying to come up with what she could give me as an alternative.

And sure enough, once we reached the waiting area near the escalator where mall-goers could rest their feet with the benches lined up there, she opened her mouth and suggested, “Uhm. Onoda-kun, do you still have time? Wanna go to the arcade with me?”

“Arcade?”

“Un. Let’s play there or we can go to the karaoke. I’ll treat you.”

“Koizumi-san, are you still bothered that you didn’t buy me this?” Telling her what I deduced from her behavior, I lifted the paper bag containing that set of clothes.

Her eyes quickly landed on that and with a guilty smile, she slowly nodded her head.

“It’s fine. They offered it anyway. Isn’t it great? It saves you a few thousand.”

“Eh. But I promised to compensate you. Can it be that you’re just making a statement earlier?” Koizumi-san tried to bring it up again but halfway through, she looked like she finally realized my intention.

“Mhm. You got it. I just thought you might think that I’m easily coerced so…”

“That… I will never! You’re not that kind of guy. I just… got taken in by my excitement to see you in different clothes.” Koizumi-san averted her gaze and her voice came as a murmur on that last part. If I had to guess, she was once again flustered.

“I see. Did you have fun?” I asked as I stepped forward and tilted my head to the side to sneak a peek at her face. Alas, she covered it completely with her hands when she noticed me.

Following that, it took her a minute to answer. We also sat down on the empty bench to stop becoming the center of attention of the others.

“I did have a blast. I am now more convinced that you’re fit in the modeling industry.”

“I may be fit for it but you see, I hate getting too much attention.”

That’s actually the only thing holding me down. I have a lot of secrets. Even though it would make me sound complacent, getting famous from it would be detrimental to me.

Yue also had the idea to turn me into a celebrity but that’s really not just for me. At least, if I wanted to keep everyone safe, I can’t step into that big of a spotlight.

“Are you? That’s not how it played out earlier.”

“It’s because you’re with me. If I’m alone, I’ll find a corner for myself.”

Koizumi-san gently sighed, accepting my reason, “… So that’s why. You’re still awfully considerate even if that could make you uncomfortable.”

She then turned to me with a teasing smile, “What else should I expect from you, Mr. Perfect?”

“Alright. That nickname doesn't fit me.” I waved it off, rejecting the nickname right away.

“Why not? You’re perfect in my eyes.”

“Am I getting complimented again?”

Perhaps taking my reaction as amusing, Koizumi-san giggled again, “You got it.”

“I think I might get my head bloated from all the compliments from you, Koizumi-san.”

“That will be interesting.” And another giggle.

Soon enough, our conversation revolved around that. She’s not taking back her compliments and instead, doubling them down. In the end, I could only raise my arm in surrender.

And claiming that victory, Koizumi-san triumphantly laughed.

Perhaps parched from our almost nonstop back and forth, she produced a water bottle from her bag and drank from it. She downed it to half before offering it to me.

Naturally, I didn’t refuse it. I emptied the bottle which was just enough to soothe my throat. I was about to throw it into the trash can but the girl grabbed it from my hand and put the empty bottle back in her bag.

“So, you won’t come with me to the arcade?”

A few seconds later, she brought up her suggestion again. But this time, her tone was kind of convinced that we won’t be going there.

“Maybe next time, I guess?” My date with Ayu was approaching, after all.

“Okay. But if you say it like that, I’ll take that as a promise.”

“Well, you can. However, it’s a promise that won’t be fulfilled right away.”

“That’s fine by me. This won’t be our last meeting. Well then, I look forward to next week, Onoda-kun.”

“Mhm… Me too.”

We stood up and made our way down the ground floor of the mall. We separated right at the bus station. The girl had no other plans today so she’s going straight home. Offering to go to the arcade was probably within reason.

I watched her bus leave before going back to the mall.

Actually, I still haven’t heard from Ayu yet. From the message she sent me before I met up with Koizumi-san, she still got involved with the training camp. Somehow, her former coach was there and forced her to do it…

Anyway, it’s not like we had a set time, I could wait for her even until dusk.

That’s why to pass the time while waiting for Ayu’s message, I decided to chill inside the mall and chat with my girls.

Twenty minutes quickly passed by like that.

I was about to stretch my legs and leave the mall when someone called out to me.

Or rather, someone recognized me from afar. And obviously, it’s not one of my girls.

“Hmm? I see a familiar face. Is that you Onoda Ruki?”

Calling me by my full name, the owner of the voice surely got me a little taken aback. I followed the direction of the voice and straightened my back upon confirming who it was… “Kazuha-nee? And… Ogawa.”

Right, next to the woman that I named, there’s the grumpy little brother who looked like he had just seen a ghost as his gaze locked on me.

He probably had no idea that I was acquainted with her sister.