Stealing Spree

When I stepped out of the car, one of the two men in suits approached me to say something.

He didn't do that to intimidate me but instead to leave a reminder. He said, "Kid, don't get me wrong. I have nothing against you. However, it will be best if you start distancing yourself from Marika-ojou-sama. I'm certain you're aware of her circumstances. We might not be from the Ichihara but it won't be long before they pick up on this."

The man returned to the car without waiting for my response.

Well, that's surprising, to say the least. The two are loyal to Marika making that concern totally understandable. And obviously, they cannot advise the girl themselves or it will be defying the one they're supposed to be serving so… they went after me instead.

They're not clueless about my developing relationship with Marika. They definitely noticed the change in her or just the difference between her behavior around me and the way she conducts herself towards Ichihara Jun.

I guess I should be thankful that they're not reporting to anyone else. Unfortunately, walking away from Marika isn't an option anymore.

Anyway, before the car sped off to take the girl away, Marika rolled her window down to wave at me while showing the same affectionate smile as earlier.

Yep. She's now far from my initial impression of her. That ringlet girl was just as precious as the titular forehead girl.

Well, aside from that photo we just took, I promised to take her away in case she found no chance to visit. I could probably use Tanaka for that. It would be killing two birds with one stone if I also started probing that girl about Takashima Gentoku.

However, with my busy schedule, that would have to wait, perhaps on Thursday, Friday, or next week. We will also be waiting for Ichihara Jun's reaction to that photo, after all. She's going to send it to him later or maybe she already sent it.

I won't be at school tomorrow so… I'm thinking of asking some of my girls to approach and keep an eye on her. But obviously, I won't push it on them, it's basically asking my girlfriend to watch over someone I am cheating with, after all. Even if they won't say it, that kind of thought will surely pass through their mind. Furthermore, Marika has no idea about my relationships. It will probably confuse the girl.

Maybe Watanabe is a good choice? I guess I'll ask her tomorrow before Eguchi-sensei and I leave for our trip.

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Ten minutes later, after picking up Chii and Hana, the three of us made our way to the station.

As it was still in the middle of the rush hour, the train cars were mostly crowded which made it hard for us to find empty seats.

That's why instead of squeezing into different cars to find a place for us, I simply guided the two to a corner. It's something I always did before so it was never a problem.

I had the two girls stand together while I used my body to cover them.

Well, I was supposed to only do it for Chii but with the fake gyaru holding the girl's wrist to prevent her from running away from meeting Hifumi, this situation happened.

"It's refreshing to see you this afraid. Are you worried about not being able to say that you don't see them as friends?"

As I watched her struggle to find ways to get away from Chii, I couldn't help but raise that question to tease the girl. Well, even if someone could hear us in this crowded train, most would just mind their own business. Besides, I made sure that we're not close to any students from our school.

It's one thing to be spotted by them but with the two girl's beauty, it's kinda inevitable for them to gather attention. Even if they wouldn't try to approach us at this moment, they might bring up what they heard if they ran into the girls at our school.

"I'm not afraid, Ruki. I find it a hassle… I came back for you, not for renewing whatever friendship born from spending time with them back then." Hana answered disdainfully. However, with Chii next to her, Hana lowered her head and refused to look at her eyes.

I also checked on Chii if that affected her. But the fake gyaru wasn't even worried. She keenly believed that Hana was just refusing to acknowledge it.

That's why in response to it, she playfully grinned and moved behind Hana.

Much to the girl's surprise, Chii's arms slipped from her sides, embracing her from behind. Following that, the fake gyaru placed her chin on the girl's shoulder before winking at me.<novelnext></novelnext>

"Hana-cchi, I believe you when you said you returned for Kii. You loudly announced that with your words and actions. But let's be honest here, you're lonely. Stop closing the door that you already opened for us before."

"… What door are you talking about? I never considered you a friend."

"Still with that lie. Alright then, let's be friends?"

"No. What's wrong with you…? You're just a clumsy girl who got so hooked by this guy back then. You never really understood him."

"Oh. Are you saying you're the only one who understands him?"

"Yes, I am! That's why I…" Perhaps realizing that her voice was getting louder, Hana suddenly paused and focused her eyes on me. She bit her lips in indignance as a pleading expression covered her face.

Yep. She didn't want to deal with Chii anymore because the girl was capable of drawing out what she's hiding inside her chest.

I shook my head, rejecting her plea. Instead, I looked at Chii and patted the fake gyaru's head, praising her.

"Go on, continue, Hana. Tell us what you're keeping in your chest. This might not be the ideal place but will there be another chance like this?" I pressed my head forward and whispered that directly to her ear.

Even without physical contact, my eyes caught the changes in her by the subtle movements of her body.

Her eyes started shaking and she stopped struggling out of Chii's embrace.

Following that, while acting as though she's a cornered rat, a look of desperation appeared on her face. "No. I will not open up to you or them. I have my own resolve, Ruki. If you two are going to force this meeting to me then so be it, nothing can change my mind that I only need you."

This girl… I thought what happened earlier at lunch broke her composure but the same as yesterday, she's getting back up at the last moment.

Obviously, she's more than aware how her actions were making this even harder for herself. But like she said, she's not backing down on it.

It's like even if another path opened up in front of her, she's still choosing to walk on her original path that's filled with different obstacles.

Her stubbornness was on another level.

However, the same could be said for me and… the girl behind her.

Before I could form words to reply to Hana, Chii already made her move.

"Hifumi is right. Each of us has one glaring trait. I'm the clumsy girl who can fail at even the simplest things. She's the industrious girl who meticulously does her best to remain at the top. And you… the obstinate girl. You're too inflexible. You never considered other people's opinions but your own. I saw Kii as my reason for changing. Hifumi considered him the only one patient enough to care and understand her. And you, Hana, you're looking at him as if he's your one-way ticket away from the prison you built around yourself." After saying all that, Chii released the girl from her embrace before placing herself in between us. "You can go now if you want, Hana. It's wrong for me to force you."

Chii… Is she giving up on Hana? That's how it sounded, after all.

I glanced at the fake gyaru who's now in front of me. And sure enough, she also started shaking. It's not from anger but helplessness.

She probably wouldn't give up on wanting to renew the friendship she believed they had before. However, Chii decided to stop forcing Hana to do things she didn't want to do.

Upon understanding that, I cleared my thoughts and simply wrapped my arms around Chii. Following that, I looked at Hana who appeared to have been frozen. She didn't expect that from the fake gyaru, after all. And now, she's torn whether to go and leave or stay and meet Hifumi.

Whatever she decides, it will be by her own choice. Not mine. Not Chii's.