Stealing Spree

After I returned from Miwa-nee’s room, Akane and I did our nightly routine. We fell asleep past midnight because of our talk concerning my reunion with Yue and what’s going to happen from then on.

I hadn’t forgotten that little apprehension she had when it comes to the girl. That's why I’d been very careful recounting what happened. Hence, the reason why our talk reached that long.

Even though I basically told her everything that happened, most of those were summaries. I even omitted the fact that I had Yue follow me from shop to shop to buy some of the presents.

Well, knowing Akane, she would be able to guess what exactly happened. In the end, I told her how I found Yue almost the same as the girls who waited and chased after me.

Akane waited until I finished before also opening up on what had transpired when she approached Yue back then. Apparently, Akane was aware that Yue was really the same as Yae and the others. However, at that time, Yue was already scouted because of her song. Instead of joining the group, Yue only left that number where I could contact her.

And that’s where her apprehension came from. Akane took it as though I wasn’t important for Yue. Akane admitted that she’s most likely overreacting on that. Because going by the logic, why waste a chance to be a star when there’s really no certainty that I would look for her again after cutting her off.

Well, I hadn’t heard anything from Yue concerning that conversation she had with Akane before she became the famous Mabushisa Asahi. We’re probably overthinking and assuming things, both Akane and I.

Nonetheless, Akane still tried to brand herself as a petty one because of what she felt from Yue’s rejection.

Of course, I stopped her from doing that. Because in the end, the reason why she felt like that was me. She already sacrificed enough, I wouldn’t let her push herself further down…

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The night passed and another week was upon us. This was the last week of this month and the week where midterms would be held. I was fairly confident with everything we studied but not confident enough to top it. At least, this would be the most productive I’d been when it comes to school ever since my desire manifested.

Back then, I only did enough to at least not get held back a grade. Now, I might reach the middle ranks. Who knows?

After doing our morning routine and leaving the house for school, Akane and I separated at the train station. Due to that, this day became another instance wherein I was among the early birds.

There were only a few of them in the classroom and none of my girls had arrived yet. There’s the otaku Matsuda who’s reading a manga that’s clearly not a ‘shounen’ genre because of how its cover screams ‘fan-service’.

There were a few girls, three to be exact, talking amongst themselves. They’re not in any groups and they’re also the ones I only know by names and faces. I never really had a conversation with them.

If greeting each other ‘good morning’ counts as a conversation, then scratch that previous sentence.

Well, upon seeing me arriving, their eyes all went towards me as they greeted me ‘good morning’. Thinking about my current popularity, according to what my girls listed, I deliberated whether to return the greeting with a smile or just do it like how I always do.

In the end, I opted on using a normal greeting before I sat down on my chair, hoping that it was the end of it.

As always, I lack the motivation to socialize with others if it isn't required.

However, I probably underestimated my popularity as someone from the three approached me and asked a question. “Onoda, did your alarm clock mess up? It’s rare to see you this early.”

Checking out who spoke to me, it’s Shimura, the girl who was there during my first time doing the Cleaning Duty.

There are eighteen girls in our class, six of which are my girlfriends. Then among the remaining twelve, two of them also voted for me in the Popularity Poll. The identity of the additional two was still a mystery and I would probably not know who they were. Kanzaki was a suspect but I might just be getting ahead of myself so it’s better not to assume that she’s among those.

In that case, Shimura was also a possible suspect. Well, considering this should be the second time we’re going to talk to each other, I highly doubt that.

Anyway, since she’s talking to me, it would be rude to ignore it, “You’re right. My clock broke. It rang two hours early.”

“Seriously?! I got it right?!” Shimura was flabbergasted. Her eyes widened in shock before her eyelids drew an arc. Happy that she luckily guessed that right.

Unfortunately, her joyful flight ended quickly with my next response.

“I’m kidding.”

And because of Shimura’s reaction, the two other girls who also walked over started laughing as they found that instance hilarious.

“That’s a good one, Onoda.”

“Poor Shimura, that must’ve been a shock. Look Takishima, this girl is turning rock solid.”

“Don’t poke her, Mitsugi. She might break like glass.”

With that kind of reaction from the two, I could only force a smile. Matsuda, who was by his lonesome at his table, took his eyes off his manga and looked over at us. His round eyes gradually filled with confusion but he soon reverted his focus back on the manga.

Well, he met my gaze and it seemed that my intimidation at that time in the bookstore was still in full effect.

As the laughter continued to be drawn by Takishima and Mitsugi, Shimura broke out of her curse of petrification. She leaned forward and pressed her hands on my table as she complained.

“You should’ve said that earlier, Onoda.”

“Sorry. You seem so serious and I can’t…” Before I could complete an excuse, the two girls' laughter just grew louder.

“Hahaha. Don’t mind it, Onoda. Shimura won’t hold a grudge.”

“Yeah. She’s the type who will cry in a corner though.”

“You two! Stop laughing.” As she couldn’t salvage the situation anymore, Shimura pushed on the two and brought them away from my table.

That’s great. Peace again, finally.

Before leaving completely though, I heard Shimura murmuring something, ‘How embarrassing.’.

That wasn’t my intention… It’s the other two who turned it into a laughing matter.

Anyway, from that, I observed that even though they’re not really close to one another, considering they’re still on the last name basis, they could joke around like that. It must be because they’re all from the same middle school.

A while later, our other classmates started trickling in our classroom. And soon enough, what happened got passed around, leaving Shimura with a red face on her seat.

When Aya arrived and heard that instance, she also couldn’t help but giggle. But in consideration of the embarrassed girl, she didn’t do it openly. She covered her lips with the book she brought with her.

Taking that as a chance, I pulled my present for the girl from my bag and stealthily put it on her table.

Aya picked it up before looking at me. Just like Akane and Miwa-nee’s gift, it’s not wrapped so by the time it left my hand, it would be harder for the others to connect that it came from me if they didn’t see it by themselves.

“For me?” She asked in a whisper. Her eyes were already glittering as she observed it.

“Mhm… A gift.”

It’s not a book. Even though that’s the first thing I thought of when it comes to Aya, I couldn’t trust my taste in books. That’s why instead of that, I gave her a rather fancy notebook and a fountain pen.

It’s not at the same price as Akane’s locket necklace and Miwa-nee’s wristwatch but that’s not important, right?

“Use it how you see fit. You can use it to jot down notes and observations. Summary of the book you just read and many other things like words you cannot say openly. Uhm, I’ll borrow that in the future for reading. That way, I can keep up on what’s going on in your mind… But of course, that’s only if you will let me.”

“I… I’ll treasure this, Ruki. And I will let you read… Thank you.” Aya let me glimpse on her outstretched lips.. That truly satisfied smile was enough to make my day.