Stealing Spree

Upon closing in on us, Eri and Futaba joined our group. Instead of finding a seat for themselves, they stood in front of us, creating a private space and ending the situation where the looks thrown at us were either filled with envy or annoyance.

Well, we could continue ignoring those anyway and to be fair, we were also to blame why we gained their animosity. I mean, who asked us to display our intimacy in public? No one, right?

Nonetheless, the girls also didn't ask those who were originally seated to offer them their seats. They gave it voluntarily.

So in a way, both sides were at fault and while Akane and I could just be unbothered and shameless about it, we somehow dragged Fuyu and Eimi to the mix.

Now, thanks to Eri and Futaba, that situation was resolved for the most part.

Yep. It's not entirely resolved because the other passengers – mostly male students our age – had their enviousness intensified and focused solely on me thanks to the addition of another two fairly attractive girls to our group.

For me, however, that's already a lot better. I couldn't be bothered about them, after all. We would only have a problem if they started insulting my girls.

Anyway, enough about that.

Considering Eri and Futaba's reaction upon seeing us, it didn't take long for the two to open that conversation, causing Fuyu to facepalm, Akane to return snicker back at Futaba and Eimi to amiably greet the two.

Three different understandable reactions.

As for me… well, I noticed Eri staring at me in a daze, a hint of amazement on her rather blank face while Futaba winked at me and praised my bravery to put Akane on my lap in this public space.

After that, I slipped back into the role of being a listener to their conversation.

A few minutes into it, Akane brought up how Fuyu stayed the night as well as the details surrounding it which naturally made Eri and Futaba look at their flustered friend, teasing her.

"Okay. Akane's craziness aside, how clumsy is our Tennis Ace to fall asleep in someone else's house, hmm?" Eri started as she even bent down to leer at Fuyu.

That's kinda uncharacteristic of her. I mean, most of the time, she's the serious or straight-man type of character. Most likely, she truly found what happened last night as intriguing.

"What? That's an accident. You know, I don't mean it." Fuyu fumbled through her words as she reasoned it out. Given that she's still slightly leaning at me, I sensed Fuyu wriggling in her seat as though she's trying to hide somewhere.

Unfortunately, there's nowhere to hide. Due to that, she raised her bag and covered her flustered face instead.

Akane laughed again while Eimi also showed interest in that reaction.

Then, riding onto the current mood, Futaba raised her hand impatiently as her lips stretched further and curved up into a mischievous smile,

"It must've been fun. Too bad, we weren't there. Call us next time, Akane. Eri and I will also join you!"

"Hmm? That doesn't sound bad. What do you think, husband? " Akane positively answered before pulling me into their conversation. Looking at her expression, the silly girl was definitely considering it. Having three of her best friends sleep over our house.

At my side, I sensed Eimi squeezing my hand tighter. When I glanced at her, I found her eyes shimmering in dazzling light, conveying her desire to sleep over as well.

What can I say? If it's Eimi, it's naturally a yes. The only problem is… whether we can get her parents' permission.

As for also having Futaba and Eri to sleep over, that's something I feel like should be handed to Akane to decide.

Last night was truly unforeseen, after all. But if they're going to plan for it then it's another story altogether.

As long as it doesn't coincide with my other girls sleeping over then I don't have a problem with it.

"Let's see… Futaba said if there's a next time. Shouldn't we first consult Yuuki-san first? Ask her if she's going to sleep on our sofa again."

Instead of giving a straight answer, I also hopped on the teasing train and handed it over to Fuyu.

And sure enough, as soon as my words registered in Fuyu's head, the tennis ace ponytailed-girl puffed up her cheeks. She then turned her head towards me, looking a little miffed as she repeated her words earlier "Onoda-kun… I told you it's an accident! I didn't mean to… sleep until midnight."

"Pfft. You're right, Onoda-kun. It all depends on Fuyu." Ignoring her friend's reaction, Futaba clapped her hand and laughed. "Eri, are you in?"

"If all of you will be there then… I don't want to miss it." Eri deliberated for a moment before nodding her head. Although she's not laughing, she's definitely amused at how this turned out."

"Hehe, Fuyu, you don't have to explain. Instead, care to tell us when you plan to stay the night again?" Akane then added, pinning it further to her best friend.

Not knowing how to respond to those, Fuyu appeared defeated as she helplessly said, "Akane, not you too…"

Starting from this, our conversation revolved around that topic. At one point, since it's kinda hard for Eimi to suddenly chime in, I added her into the conversation which was followed up by Akane. Futaba and Eri acknowledged that, easing up the girl's inclusion to the group.

While she wouldn't easily become close friends to the other three, at least, Eimi wouldn't feel left out of the conversation.

And as things progressed further, I sat back and just watched the five deciding for a plan when they would sleepover.

Right. In the end, they also eased up in teasing Fuyu as they focused on drawing up a plan for it.

Since it would be a rare chance, they naturally wouldn't let it be a simple sleepover where they're just going to be there to sleep.

By the time the train reached our destination, the five still failed to conclude whatever plan they were drawing. They would continue at it later. They, at least, decided to hold that sleepover after the Inter-high. That way, Fuyu wouldn't be able to say no or back out from it by using that event as an excuse.

"Onoda-kun, I trusted you to help me..." On the last stretch of our walk to their school gates and after they eased up on that topic, Fuyu closed in to my side and whispered that to me.

Well, it's easy to understand what she meant by that… She thought I'd be saving her from her best friends' teasing but instead, I directed their pitchforks to her, resulting in the girl to almost shrink at her seat from not knowing how to get her out of that situation. Too bad for her, I also liked seeing her getting flustered.

Anyway, after making sure that Akane and Eimi safely entered their school grounds, I once again made my way back, surfing against the wave of students who, as always, got curious about my identity.

When I was about to enter an alley that would lead me out of the foot traffic, I got spotted by someone who immediately called out to me.

"Onoda-kun, you're here?"

As I turned my head to the source of that voice, I found Aoi's older friend, Ohori-senpai, making a beeline towards me from a distance.