Stealing Spree

Chapter 523: Like a Boat

After Akane returned to her seat and I gave everyone the same treatment even if they didn’t ask me to because of embarrassment or they’re not just envious of what they witnessed, the introduction resumed.

With Shizu not being able to refute Ria and the other girls’ follow-up question, she gloomily sat down on one corner.

Due to that, I called out to her and asked Aya to give her the seat for a while.

While the other girls began to socialize with each other, starting from Nami talking to Akane or Satsuki talking to Miyako, I held Shizu closely and whispered in her ears.

“What do you think? Are we lovers or not?”

“I’m a stubborn woman... While everything you heard was true, I still... wished for you to become mine alone.”

“Shizu-senpai, am I right? That’s also what everyone wished for.” Eimi, who remained behind me, answered her.

“That’s right. But darling is more stubborn than us. He shamelessly loves everyone and even if it can lead to him being hated... He’s always honest with his feelings.” Aoi, who was making herself comfortable by using one of my thighs as her pillow, also interjected.

Even though I was here next to them, these girls weren’t holding back with their words.

Well, looking at how they would always focus their gaze on me when speaking, they intentionally wanted me to hear what they said.

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After a while, Ria also offered her words after lifting my arm to put it over her shoulder.

She’s asking me to do the same thing I did for Shizu. Hold her closely.

No matter how mature she was thinking despite being the youngest, this adorable girl would still be jealous at times.

“Truthfully, we should all hate and leave him. But you see, Dumb-senpai will not say anything and receive all of the hate while thinking he deserved it. And at the same time, he will be wishing for us to find a better guy that will be different from him. He’s aware of what he’s doing and he made us aware of why he’s doing that.” Ria started while rubbing her cheeks on my chest and smiling contentedly at me.

“If I can make an analogy about him, Dumb-senpai is like a boat in the sea that is too small to fit all of us. However, like a boat, he’s making sure that no one will fall into the water and drown, even if it means he’s going to break. The boat that is Dumb-senpai will keep us all afloat until we all find another boat or boats to hop on where we don’t have to squeeze ourselves in.”

By the time Ria finished her words, everyone was already looking in our direction, listening intently to what she’s saying.

“That’s... Is Ria always like this, sweetie?” Yae, who couldn’t believe what she’s hearing was coming from the girl, raised a question.

Naturally, I instantly nodded and lowered my head to kiss the girl. “She is... she’s my smart and observant girl.”

“Stop that, Dumb-senpai. I’m not finished.” Although she accepted my kiss, Ria pushed my head away to continue telling the others about what’s inside her heard. ”But in my opinion, all of us that’s standing inside is holding a plaque of wood, nails or tools to expand the boat that is Dumb-senpai. However, that is if you want to stay afloat with him. In the end, the choice is still ours. Dumb-senpai will not say anything and accept our decisions while putting on a fake smile on his face. And I hate seeing that fake smile of his whenever he mentions that ‘choice’.”

Ending her speech with a pout, Ria then buried her face on my chest, refusing to elaborate further and move out of her position.

Nonetheless, with her speech, I noticed all of the girls, even Shizu, who was still stubbornly holding onto what she wanted to happen, contemplating carefully.

And in this way, time continued to pass where my girls were discussing among themselves and getting to know each other.

When my time to leave for my part-time job arrived, everyone had more or less settled themselves in this kind of environment.

At the side, I could see Aya interacting with Hiyori and Kana. The three shy girls’ alliance. To my surprise, Hiyori was feeling comfortable with the two and the same could be said for Aya and Kana. I went to their side for a bit to check on them. In the end, Kana told me to leave it to her by flashing her mature side.

Rae, on the other hand, was too amazed over Ria so she pulled her out of my embrace to converse with her and to expand her knowledge.

Mizuki sat down next to Shizu and conversed with her. As for their topic, it was probably too hard for me to understand at the moment. Moreover, after a while, Haruko joined them even with Serizawa-senpai acting like a child who didn’t want to leave her side.

Excluding my connection to the three of them, all three had some kind of similarity to each other. Haruko as the Student Council President during middle school was acquainted with Mizuki and was commending her even if she’s just a Class President. Shizu wasn’t the first choice to run for the Student Council President, it was Haruko, which she rejected.

The three women began their conversation and from a tidbit of what I heard, Mizuki was telling the two about her plan to teach me about her trade. Haruko was supporting her for that and asked her to not hold back with me. Shizu, on the other hand, shared her idea of having me run as the next Student Council President. Moreover, I was reminded that tomorrow, she would bring me somewhere and that’s probably had some connection to that.

Shio and Miwa-nee moved to the dinner table and began drinking between the two of them. It’s just a beer that Shio brought with her. Apparently, they passed by the convenience store to buy a few bottles of beer.

It was already in her plan to drink with Miwa-nee.

Minoru already woke up. He was surrounded by Ririka, Hina and Saki, playing with the UNO Cards that we set aside earlier.

I went to check on the three girls to see if they’re still feeling comfortable. Fortunately, the three said yes. Well, Saki’s answer was somewhat forced.

Due to that, I checked on them one by one when Minoru wasn’t looking or was focused on checking his cards even if he couldn’t understand the rules fully. Ah no, they’re not playing UNO. They’re using the UNO cards to play Old Maid…

I first went to Ririka, who was somewhat rejoicing that she did her part by presenting the tea and snacks to everyone. I praised her for that and the girl truly liked it. Moreover, she asked me about what I thought about her outfit. It’s almost the same as her previous maid uniform from that maid café. That’s why I answered honestly that it reminded me of the time when I was still visiting that café to see her.

Next, Hina had me hold her hand for a while as she whispered about how she was going to continue standing on the boat. Which is in reference to Ria’s analogy earlier. It then became Hina’s expression to me that whatever happens, she’s now mine and she had completely moved on from her infatuation with Ogawa.

Saki, on the other hand, was trying to keep her calm by asking me to hold her. Even if she didn’t say it, I easily noticed that her inferiority complex was probably acting up. By having me remind her that she’s never inferior to anyone, the girl calmed down eventually.

Once I’m done on their side, I moved towards the congregation of eight girls. Akane, Yae, Nami, Satsuki, Aoi, Miyako, Chii and Eimi. They looked as if they were in a serious conversation that even Satsuki was participating in.

“Is it time, husband?” Akane asked as soon as she saw me approaching her.

“Un... Sena and the others are already at the gym.”

“I see. Then husband, take care on the way, I will stay here with them. Bring Yae with you.”

“Uh... No. I will also stay, sweetie. I’ll wait for your lesson here when you return later…”

“Darling, why not bring Miyako, Eimi and Chizuru?”

Surprisingly, Akane and Yae chose to stay… And Aoi wasn’t being unruly as she even suggested the other three.

I guess this was their way to help me... They wanted to stay here to make sure that everyone would be comfortable.

When I switched my gaze to the three girls that Aoi mentioned, all of them straightened their backs and prepared themselves to stand up. They happily agreed. I didn’t need to ask them again if they did just by the fact that there were already stars in their eyes brought by their excitement.