Stealing Spree

By the time Saki and I left the abandoned club room and the Club Building, Shio’s car was nowhere to be found.

When I checked my phone, Aya messaged me that they’re already on their way. A picture was even attached to it. Aya was sitting at the passenger’s seat while Satsuki and Shizu were in the backseat with both of them staring out the windows at each side.

Just seeing how Aya was the only one who was slightly smiling, the girl was probably feeling the awkwardness of the situation.

Due to that, while we’re traversing the few steps out of the school, I messaged all four of them in that car, including the driver, Shio.

Although she wouldn’t be able to read it instantly, I just want her to read something that would be able to put a smile on her lips later.

Following that, I put my phone back to bring Saki to the place where Nami and the others should be waiting.

In the end, Saki eventually agreed to come with me after I explained what I was aiming for when I asked them to come.

Because of that mentality of hers, when Nami told her about it the first time, she became afraid of being in the same room as the other girls connected to me.

She’s already aware of how complicated of a person I am… But in the end, the girl still stood by what she told me before. She might be feeling guilty but she’s not regretting being entangled with me.

As for our relationship, I had just given her that push on her back. It might take some time before she accepts that in my eyes, there’s no such thing as higher or lower. Everyone’s equal.

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Well, there’s a special girl but there’s not much difference in how much I ended up loving all of them.

The reason why Akane is living with me was because of how I was making up for the years I ignored and forgot about my affection for her. Moreover, her parents accepted our relationship despite the complications with my character.

If Aunt and Uncle didn’t allow Akane to live with me when I asked them before, then I would also not push it and just visit her as much as possible.

“Now, I’m curious about the whole story… The girls who accepted this situation with you, they’re not idiots, are they? If they are, am I becoming an idiot like them?” Saki, who was already devoid of her earlier emotions when the silent guy saw us, curiously asked me.

Last Friday, she also managed to pick up that every girl sitting together at the Gymnasium had some connection with me. That’s why telling her the extent of my multiple relationships somehow became easier.

Nonetheless, curiosity like this was as I expected.

It would be weirder if they didn’t ask.

“Don’t label yourselves as idiots casually. You’re not one and they’re not as well. If there’s an idiot here… then that’s only me.” I wryly smiled as we began traversing the road towards a business district that I already went to before… with Satsuki.

Well, I thought of letting them wait at the cake shop where I brought Satsuki before but considering the owner of that shop would be able to recognize me, I had them choose where to wait among the other business establishments in that district.

“Anyway, that’s something I really can’t comment on. Not accepting the situation with me is the most logical choice, right? But even you choose to… accept it. I believe you have your own reason why.” I continued while I slanted my head slightly to catch a glimpse of her without letting her notice.

Like what Aika said, they all wanted to monopolize me but if Akane couldn’t do it, then they believed that they couldn’t as well. Hence, they settled on sharing me… Even if it’s a situation that shouldn’t happen… They love me too much to not even think of just moving on and living a new life without me.

And truthfully, instead of being guilty that I put them in this kind of situation with me, I was more thankful that they decided to stay.

“My reason… Is feeling how my heart races whenever I’m with you reason enough?” Saki answered in a low voice as she turned her head in the opposite direction to hide it from me.

Either way… that was…

“That’s something I’m hearing for the first time…”

Although I’m not dense, I can be extremely insensitive at times and that, most of the time, ends up with me not being able to notice things.

“After everything that you said to me, I don’t see any reason why I still need to be reserved when it comes to you.”

“I see… I succeeded in changing your mind, huh?”

“Not entirely… I still don’t see why I am on par with them. I just want to be more honest with you.”

“Oh? I’m glad you feel that way… Did I influence you?”

I guess my being too honest somehow influences them. But like I said, this girl was already honest with me ever since we began interacting one on one. But that didn’t mean she’s telling me everything that she was keeping inside her.

This was an example of it.

“Do you even need to ask? Every time, you always sounded sincere. How can I continue to hold back after all that? Moreover, I don’t think I can continue holding back after this day. Do you know? Each moment I spent with you even when we’re just talking or when I was still just teasing you and Nami, I felt lighthearted.”

“Now I know. Thank you for telling me.” I smiled and swiftly slipped my arm behind her and pulled her by her waist to have her walk closely with me.

We’re actually walking with a gap between us earlier but with this, I got her close again. Either way, I probably hadn’t learned my lesson yet even after being caught. But since we already arrived at a somewhat deserted street, getting close to her was fine, right?

However, Saki slightly pushed me away and hastened her steps for a bit to start walking a few steps ahead of me. And with her back being the one I was facing, Saki declared. “I’m not done! You opened the dam, Ruki. I will have you hear it all.”

Well, I was being excessive and the girl probably still had what happened earlier in her mind so… I should stop pushing it and just follow behind her.

“I’m all ears. Especially if it’s about someone I like”

“Ugh… I don’t want to blush but you keep on pushing my buttons.”

“Now, that’s something I want to see again. I mentioned how I always want to see you girls smile and become bashful. That’s more effective than any energy drink. Can you turn around for me and let me see?”

Haa… Look at me, I just said that I should stop but here I am again, teasing her…

“Stop, idiot Ruki! Let’s go back to the topic.”

In any case, as I expected, it was met with Saki slightly raising her voice. She’s not angry. In fact, she seemed as if that if I teased her further, she would just turn around to face me, forget everything and kiss me without holding back.

That’s tempting… But I guess I really have to hold myself back this time.

“Un. I will zip my mouth then.”

“Great…” Saki heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing it. After a while, Saki continued in a subdued voice. Perhaps if we’re in a noisy street, I wouldn’t be able to catch it. “Even if I am eaten by my guilt or hate myself for this. I confess... I’m liking you more and more, idiot Ruki.”

And this time, I was the one that got caught off guard by her. Nonetheless, I returned it to her just as well. “You know, with this brief conversation and even if it felt like we kept going in circles without reaching the topic… the feeling is mutual. I’m liking you more and more, Saki.”

That’s right. I believe I only told her that she has her own reason why she accepts this situation with me… but until now, I never heard her say it.

Well, it’s not a question anyway.

After spending a few minutes to digest what I confessed in return, Saki, who looked like she went on a mind trip somewhere that I even caught up with her walking pace, exclaimed as she covered my mouth with her hand to keep me from replying again. “… Anyway! Hear me out now.”

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With my mouth covered by her hand, I had no other avenue but to nod my head.

In this way… Saki’s dam, or how she called it, flowed out and emptied into my ears.

While being a patient listener and accepting every word that flowed out of her mouth, I managed to hear this girl’s inner thoughts. Not just about the reason why she accepted this situation but also what she’s keeping inside her about that friendship they made in their circle. And perhaps, the reason why she thinks of herself as inferior.

That was included in her story. The story of her past before she was integrated into their circle.

Surprisingly, Saki was, according to herself, originally a bully. A bully who in turn got bullied as well during her 6th grade and the early days of her middle school. Having the taste of her own medicine, Saki ended up stuck in that role until… Ogawa extended his hands towards her.