Stealing Spree

When I escorted Itou to their club, I quickly left before Komoe or Miura-senpai could spot me. Not that I didn't want to see them, especially Komoe, but I just couldn't afford to be stalled any longer.

It's not too late or impossible to pass by later anyway.

Moving on, my feet soon led me to the Alchemy Research Club. After putting on my armband, I lightly knocked on the door, fully expecting the succubus senior to answer.

I wasn't disappointed. The bespectacled senior whose alluring charm came off naturally even with little to no makeup adorning her face appeared before the opened door. She's once again wearing a lab coat that perfectly raised her charm level.

Upon recognizing me, Nakanishi-senpai's first reaction was a subdued gasp before she unconsciously looked sideways.

From that, I successfully gathered that the guy I decided to pay a visit to was inside.

"It's nice to see you're still as charming as ever, senpai." With an impish smile, I greeted the senior in a flirty manner.

Well, her natural charm was as strong as ever. I couldn't help it.

"It's you. Why are you here again?" She stiffly answered, her lips twitching slightly.

If I had to guess, she's inwardly cringing at the way I greeted her. Though she's not that concerned over Enomoto getting the wrong idea about us, the girl maintained her calm composure, befitting a senior.

"Hmm? Can't I check on my favorite senior? Also…" Upon dropping that answer, I frivolously stepped forward making the girl take a step back to prevent me from crashing into her.

The same as her, I carefully watched my steps but in a subtle way. Once my whole body passed the doorway, I turned my head to the side, catching Enomoto and his childhood friend Nikka standing side by side close to a lab table.

Since my knock was loud enough for everyone to hear, their attention was on me.

First, I curtly nodded to the short, timid-looking senior as a way of greeting her before meeting Enomoto's gaze and continuing my words, "… I have some business to Enomoto-senpai."

Nakanishi-senpai furrowed her brows upon hearing that. She alternately looked at me and Enomoto, trying to get a hint on what was going on.

She probably wasn't informed of what happened yesterday. And considering she's kind of an outcast because of her superior appearance, she probably failed to hear the juicy rumors about Ichihara Jun and Marika.

"You. You're not here to bring trouble, are you?" Her voice contained a hint of uncertainty but I guess I could understand her concern. She's genuinely worried that I would clash against Enomoto right at this moment.

This place is her sanctuary. A place away from the lecherous eyes of the boys and the envious eyes of the girls.

However, with my plan to have a talk with Enomoto, I wouldn't hesitate to use my connection to the girl.

Using that, I would be showing him that within the short timeframe that I got to know Nakanishi-senpai, I, more or less, managed to gain her trust. Something he knew as something difficult to accomplish.

And I'd like to see how he would react to that.

Bringing my gaze back to the girl, I gently shook my head and lifted my hands in a bid to assure her. "I'm not. Come on, senpai. Why will I trouble my favorite senior?"

Unconvinced with that answer, Nakanishi-senpai's eyes scanned me from bottom to top, trying to discern my intention.

She's wary, alright. However, after maintaining eye contact with me for a few seconds, her shoulders visibly relaxed. She believed my words, resulting in her worry disappearing entirely.

And in response to it, the girl let out a relieved sigh before suppressing her laughter, "Pfft. Yeah, right. I can see that you've grown more shameless than the last time you visited me."

I put on an exaggerated expression, Something clearly out of character for me, and replied while placing a hand on my chest, "Eh? Senpai, I'm hurt. Have you forgotten that I'm inherently shameless?"

Upon dropping that last sentence, I drew closer to Nakanishi-senpai and entered her personal space.

Although my approach caught her a little off guard, I saw her eyebrows twitching slightly. She understood what I was trying to do.

And with that, Nakanishi-senpai followed through with my act.

Instead of retreating from me, the girl casually placed her hand on my shoulder and laughed in good humor, "Oh! Did I hurt my pitiful junior? Here, lean on me and remind me of how shameless you are."

Compared to Marika's act, I guess that's passable. Besides, with how absurd I made myself out to be, I would say that she perfectly matched it.<novelnext></novelnext>

"Really? Don't mind if I do,"

And with that, I continued. My lips stretched into a smirk as I did what she asked me to do.

I bent my back forward and let my forehead land on her left shoulder. Her alluring fragrance instantly filled my nose. If not for my high resistance to her natural charm, I would probably lose it and pounce at her at this moment.

Nonetheless, it still managed to give birth to another idea. Using my body as a cover, I reached for her left hand.

I held it as tight as possible and entwined our fingers.

"What about this, senpai? Am I shameless enough?"

"I have no words, you idiot. I only offered an inch but you took a yard. What? Are you really going to offend him?"

While suppressing her slight annoyance, Nakanishi-senpai's concern reemerged. However, she's not really pulling her hand away. Furthermore, the volume of her voice lowered. She didn't want Enomoto or Nikka to hear us.

"Not really, I just thought that since we're already doing this, why not take advantage of the blind spot? You see, I missed holding your hand like this."

"You don't say… Did you not consider that I might hate you for this?"

"I did. But senpai, if you're going to hate me, you would've done so already during the first time I held your hand."

"I'm about to hate this cockiness of you, Onoda-kun." Nakanishi-senpai let out a disappointed sigh.

I thought she's going to push me away, but she didn't. A second later, she continued in a rather soft voice, "I'm only letting you off this time, understand?"

Upon hearing that, I couldn't help but squeeze her hand a little tighter before responding with a smile, "Got it. I'll be obedient next time."

Although a part of my attention was still focused on seeing how Enomoto would react, I couldn't help but be more invested in teasing the girl close to me.

With her concern gone, Nakanishi-senpai was genuinely having fun acting like this with me.

But then again, knowing her character, even with what just happened, she's possibly also testing out Enomoto or me. Or maybe, both of us.

Unfortunately, our little act would have to come to an end.

Just as I started enjoying the warmth coming from her palm as well as her subtle reactions to our closeness, Enomoto finally made his move.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Nikka holding onto his sleeve, perhaps to stop him. However, the guy paid it no heed and continued.

He ceremoniously took slow steps as he approached our location. On his face was an amused expression, a little similar to yesterday. Obviously, it's the result of what he was witnessing.

Upon noticing him, Nakanishi-senpai gently pushed my head from her shoulder and pulled her hand out of my hold. The girl was about to take a step aside but decided against it in a split second. She remained next to me as we both waited for Enomoto.

Looking at the guy, I couldn't find a hint of jealousy on his face. Either he's really not into Nakanishi-senpai or he caught on that what we did was mostly acting.

His gaze lingered on Nakanishi-senpai for a while before fully focusing on me.

"I see, you two have become well acquainted without my knowledge. I can't say I'm not glad to see that. You finally found a boy you're comfortable interacting with, Nakanishi… However, Onoda-kun, when will you state your business? You see, we're performing club activity here"

This guy… For him to remain this calm and even appear sincerely glad for Nakanishi-senpai, there's no doubt that he was a lot different than most guys I had run into.

In any case, it's really my fault. I said I have some business with him yet the first thing I did was to put on an act with Nakanishi-senpai…

Let's see…

"I believe you're aware of why I'm here, Enomoto-senpai. Does 'yesterday's event' ring a bell to you?"