Stealing Spree

When I thought that Ishida-senpai waited at that club room for an hour, I certainly felt a little bit guilty. She was trying to help me be a better guy that could run a club.

Well, she had no choice but to rely on me since Otsuka-senpai was kind of problematic because of her endless curiosities and Rae only wanted to read more literary pieces and books to learn more.

Perhaps if we get more members during the second semester, if there’s someone who would apply, she could then pick more suitable candidates from them.

However, at the moment, we needed to make the Cultural Festival a success.

“Well then, senpai. See you on Monday.”

“Un. Don’t be late.”

With that, our conversation ended and I got another planned schedule this Monday. I guess I won’t be able to stay that long in the other school when I send Akane there and meet someone else.

Nonetheless, I had to make the best of my time.

As the train continued to go from station to station, passengers who looked like the same kind of people I saw when I picked up Yae earlier began boarding the train. They’re all going to that concert and its venue was probably near where I would meet the two girls.

They’re a noisy bunch as I kept hearing tidbits about the current gossip circulating around that popular singer.

Even the pair of middle school girls who took the free seat next to me couldn’t stop themselves from excitedly mentioning the concert. That Mabushisa Asahi truly had a wide range of fans but they’re more concentrated on youths.

In any case, since I was once again in a position where I had no choice but to listen in on them, I began filtering their words while I waited for my station.

According to the two, that singer was rumored to have been studying in our city. As to which middle school she hailed from, no one could truly pinpoint it or her managers from the Music Label covered it up so that she wouldn’t be recognized by anyone. Nonetheless, that didn’t stop her fans from searching for the truth.

And the widely known rumor was that… she’s a former student of the middle school I graduated from.

With that kind of info, perhaps it’s true considering I found her face familiar. I just had no idea if I had any dealings with her before. Perhaps she’s from a neighboring class, from a year higher or lower.

All in all, I couldn’t place her name to any of the girls I could still vaguely remember.

Ah. In any case, I already decided not to unconsciously think about those girls who didn’t chase after me and decided to live their life anew. Hifumi showed me that they’re better off without me meddling in their life again.

Ten minutes later, I was only a station away from my destination.

However, the train became even more crowded because of the concert-goer passengers whose destination was probably farther than mine.

Luckily, I got myself a seat and I already informed Himeko that I was near.

“Onii-san, can I ask something?”

Suddenly, one of the middle school girls next to me tapped my left shoulder to get my attention.

I lazily turned my head towards them and saw that the two somehow had an excited glint on their faces.

I swiftly observed the two to see if they’re someone I recognize. Alas, I couldn’t recognize any of them.

It’s already 30 minutes since they rode the train and sat next to me. And all those times, their topic of conversation was only about that singer.

That’s why it kinda baffled me that this girl would suddenly talk to me.

Most people were shy to talk to strangers, especially when one was riding a public transport like this. It’s common courtesy to not disturb the other passengers. And I already tolerated their somewhat loud voices when they’re talking to each other.

Now they even want to disturb me by asking their question?

Ah. In any case, since I was already near my destination, I could entertain their question. It didn’t seem like they would bother over senseless things.

Wait. It must be really senseless given that they had that kind of eyes.

I did wear a better outfit for my date with Himeko. It changed the somewhat ordinary atmosphere I was always exuding because of how I only dress myself enough for the occasion.

Perhaps if a word could describe me right now, it would be… cool? I don’t know. That’s what Aya and Elizabeth said when I sent them a picture of me.

“Yes, what is it?”

“Are you also going to the concert, Onii-san?”

Ah… I see. This is why they had shining eyes. They thought I was like them. But why do they talk to me specifically?

Well, simply because on their right was an old man and in front of them looked to be a group of office workers who were running late to their jobs or their destination.

Although there’s a lot of passengers that were concert-goers, on this side of the train, there’s only these two.

“No. Sorry.”

Upon hearing my answer, that light in their eyes dimmed but a few seconds later, the one sitting next to me got a flash of inspiration in her eyes.

“Then Onii-san, considering you’re dressed up handsomely, you’re going on a date, aren’t you?”

This little… Must she meddle too much? But she’s not wrong.

Is it too obvious? Although I’m not uncomfortable with my appearance, it’s another new experience for me. Usually, I wouldn’t get this kind of attention even if I ended up entering a place full of girls.

Moreover, I didn’t really care that much back then since I was only concerned about my targets and the girls I stole.

“Hey Sumire, that’s being overly familiar now. Stop bothering him. We already asked our question. Alas, he didn’t have the same taste as us.”

I hadn’t even heard any of that singer's song yet and the other girl already reached a conclusion about me.

“It’s fine, right? It’s not like we’re invading his privacy.”

But you’re already invading my privacy by asking those questions.

“Well, there’s no hurt telling you two. I am going to meet someone on a date.”

“See this, Umi? He didn’t mind my questions… By the way, Onii-san, have you already heard Asahi’s song? If you don’t yet, you’re losing out big time! I think whoever your date is, she will love it if you sing that song for her.” The girl named Sumire suggested with that light in her eyes intensifying.

I see… I get what this girl is scheming. She wants to pull another fan for that singer, huh? Are all her fans like this?

Either way, because I kept hearing about that singer, my curiosity about her reached to the point that I was wondering what made her so popular.

“Hmm? Alright. If what you’re saying is true, let me hear it.” Naturally, I acted as if I wasn’t that interested.

“Really? Here!”

However, that was still enough for the girl to excitedly take out her phone and hand me one of the two earphones.

With an excited grin on her lips, she opened her music player and tapped the ‘Play’ button.

As soon as she did that, a soothing voice filled my ears along with the melody of the song that sounded eerily familiar.