Stealing Spree

As always, time worked against us. Before we knew it, the bell rang, indicating the end of the club hours.

The other members of the Student Council returned right after that. The Treasurer, Watanabe, had another amused smile upon seeing me standing close to Shizu.

It seemed like she kept her word on keeping the secret of my relationship with Shizu. However, if she kept being obvious like that, it wouldn't be long before her boyfriend and the rabid dog-like Vice President picked up on it.

Anyway, apart from that, everything went fine.

After separating from her, I went to the Literature Clubroom to see Rae and Kana. Since Satsuki’s house where we’re going to do the group study was in the same direction, I decided to bring them with us.

It’s just Sakuma and Kanzaki who’d wonder about their identities. I could simply tell them that they’re from the same club or Aya could also add that they’re her friends.

Along with the two girls, we then went to pick up Aya at the Book Club and waited for Satsuki at the side door of the Gymnasium.

Although the girl told me where we’d meet up after club hours, I still went on to pick her up. Just that, I’m not alone this time.

While we’re going there, the eyes of the students we ran into or passed by focused on us. However, with the three girls getting along with each other while I remained silently listening to them, successfully let me off from new rumors.

What I thought about using this situation to be thought more of a male friend being close to many girls was somehow working its charms.

I also thought of checking on Hina again but before I could excuse myself, the girl sent me a message to stop, clearly predicting what I thought of doing.

With Shizu, Nami and Saki with her, the girl assured me that she’d be fine and I should stop becoming more of a worrywart. Following up on that, the other three also sent me a message. Nami told me to leave it to her. Saki told me that she’ll be there to support them and lastly, Shizu told me to… make our planned date to be better than the rest.

Right. That girl was back to being jealous. However, knowing her, she’d surely take the helm and be there for the girls.

A while later, Satsuki who had just taken a shower after a day’s practice left showed up before us.

And as I had expected, her eyebrows instantly creased, her mouth curling up, ready to nag at me for bringing everyone or not waiting at the place she told me.

However, before she could do that, I ran up and embraced her, my nose firmly planted on her neck and sniffed her fresh fragrance out of the shower room.

“Y-you idiot! Who told you to hug me?!”

“No one. I just couldn’t help it.” I answered with a smile before resuming what I was doing; hungrily sniffing her scent.

Her body trembled from clear annoyance. However, in the end, the girl eventually loosened up, her arms returning my embrace. “I’ll kill you later.” She whispered.

“Sure, revive me with a kiss from my princess.” And I answered, reminding her again of our past conversations that involved the Princess and the Jailor.

Behind me, the three girls were most likely amused at watching us or just watching Satsuki’s complicated expressions; partly annoyed and partly cheerful.

I also did the same for them earlier.

Kana instantly melted in my arms like the cute and shy senpai that she was. Apart from hugging her, the girl loved when I rubbed her back and patted her head. At that point, she’s not her usual mature self but the spoiled Kana who didn’t want to leave my embrace.

Rae tried to do the opposite, pampering me in her arms while mentioning various knowledge that she had read recently that she deemed useful for me.

Aya was like Kana but the girl also cheerfully told me about that activity for their club in which she helped Haruko. Hearing her stories like that always cheers both of us.

And now, Satsuki’s tsundere tendency kept on sinking and floating. By the time I released her in my embrace, her flushed face since he had just finished her shower turned even redder. And to get back at me, the girl initiated a kiss that I would certainly not reject.

By the time we reached the actual meeting place, Kanzaki and Sakuma were already there.

And as I had guessed, the two were wondering why there were two additional people.

Fortunately, the first excuse I thought up worked as I introduced Kana as my senior in the club and Rae as a fellow 1st-year clubmate.

Well, Kanzaki was aware of Kana. She caught us making out by the stairs after all so she accepted that easily. As for Rae, they remembered her as the girl I hit with the ball during that dodgeball activity.

“No wonder you seemed so concerned over her, a fellow clubmate.”

That’s what Kanzaki and Sakuma’s comment about Rae.

Naturally, they also asked for a reason why they’re with us. Saying their stop was in the same direction was enough to quell any subsequent questions.

Nonetheless, Kanzaki showed an understanding smile. And even if she didn’t voice it out, I could guess that she’s thinking that I used this chance to be with Kana for a few minutes longer.

Anyway, with our group completed, we began to set out for the bus stop.

Ten minutes later, we’re now seated inside. The five girls all took up the seat at the back of the bus while Sakuma and I sat together.

Well, Kana and Aya wanted me to sit in between them but in consideration of Kanzaki or the guy next to me, I passed on it and told them to sit comfortably there.

Kana was probably hoping that she would get to sit next to me since it’s the first time we’re going to ride another public transport together. The only time we did that was during the first week when I brought her to our house and we went to school together.

Due to that, the girl took the chance that the bus hadn’t left yet to lean towards my seat and whisper, “Walk me home next time, Ruki… I’ll invite you in.”

With that kind of invitation, I promptly answered positively which brought another smile to her lips.

“Onoda. You’re not cheating on Maemura, are you?”

Perhaps he noticed that Kana’s look at me wasn’t just a normal junior of the club, the idiot next to me came up with suspicion. However, he still remembered to be considerate by whispering his suspicion softly.

“Of course, I’m not.” I confidently answered. But depending on one’s knowledge, the meaning could be different. I’m not cheating since Satsuki was aware of my other relationships.

Sakuma stared at me for a few seconds as if confirming whether I was saying the truth or not.

However, with my eyes not faltering, the guy eventually accepted it. “I see. I’m glad you’re the one she fell in love with.”

You’re glad, huh? Or you’re regretting pushing me to her and now you cannot get her back even if you realized how dumb your decision was?

Ah. Let’s stop gloating at him. He’d already given up and even focused on another girl. If he messed that up again… I don’t know what I’ll do with this guy.

“Mhm. Thank you for that push in the back. I got to confess to her.”