Stealing Spree

Giving an apology was a simple thing to do. However, doing it with the right amount of sincerity was something that would pose difficulty, especially if you found yourself at the side of the defeated.

However, in Ogawa’s case, it’s not because he couldn’t be sincere about it. He disregarded the things he did to others and only focused on what we did to him.

How many times have I already tried to instill the reality in him? I lost count after the first. In any case, now that we’re here in front of his circle and I already revealed everything in case some of them were still unaware of what exactly happened, I better end this here today.

Whether their circle would remain intact or not, I had no idea. I was doing this for my girls… and perhaps for Ogawa.

Although some could argue that I was doing this for myself. That’s true as well. Depending on how one viewed this situation.

“Why? Why do I need to apologize?”

Still holding my collar, Ogawa said all those in a gloomy tone. He’s already close to breaking but at the very least, he still had the consciousness to ask that question.

My analysis of him was spot on. He really never tried considering what he did compare to what was done to him.

Let’s see…

“Do I need to refresh your memory? Alright then…” I looked behind me to check on Nami.

The girl nodded, the light in her eyes flickering like candlelight approaching the end of the wick. She felt complicated yet she had to see this through as well or we’d truly be stuck with a gloomy guy who couldn’t move on.

I returned my focus to Ogawa and began repeating what I said yesterday. Arisa and Izumi-senpai already heard that so their reaction was minimal but for the others, especially Kikuchi and Tadano, they both turned serious, their gazes seemingly turned into a sharp knife, aiming to cut my not-so-good-looking face.

I thought they would stand up and say something in Ogawa’s aid but half a minute later, their mouths remained closed.

As for Ogawa, the blacks of his eyes were shaking. Whether it was because he found it unacceptable or not, I had no idea.

In any case, it was two minutes later when he eventually lowered his head. His grip loosening on my collar.

At this point, I stood up and took a step back.

Nami reached for my hand and squeezed it before she went before the guy.

Instead of letting him stand up to apologize to him, she’s probably going to do the same thing… To fully let go of her guilt, she also had to go through that and right in front of their circle.

Right. Even though I tried putting all the blame on me, Nami still couldn’t accept me protecting her from the heat when she’s widely aware that she’s also part of the problem.

“Kazuo… I apologized to you before and I’ll do this again today. You can blame us all you want for tricking you but one thing you need to accept is that… it’s over. I… love Ruki. I love him so much that I can take it even if all of you hate me after this…” Nami started. Although I hadn’t heard what words she used back then, it’s probably the same.

And to not rub it in his wound, she didn’t mention their mutual understanding before my appearance. However, that’s just not stating the obvious. Everyone knew how they were in middle school and the first few weeks in our high school.

In any case, Nami didn’t just say those to Ogawa. Her eyes also moved to Izumi-senpai, Arisa-senpai, Kikuchi, Tadano and Taku. She’s apologizing to all of them… making it a point that it’s also her fault that Ogawa was reduced to that kind of a mess.

“It’s the case of falling in love with another person. However, I still see you as a friend… At least, that one doesn’t change. But if you continue being like this, hopelessly chasing after me… then I’ll have to stop you right now.”

After that, she went on with telling everyone what happened to us. Step by step.

Obviously, I stood before her and supported her. Although Hina and Saki also wanted to step up to join us, they understood that it would just complicate things if they did so.

Once we were done, Nami and I stepped back again to wait on Ogawa’s reaction.

Everything was already said and done. With Ogawa being the core of their circle, this could spell the disbandment of their group. However, I’m partly aware that it won’t happen.

During these past few days, Izumi-senpai had already replaced Ogawa for being the core. She’s the one running the club with the help of Arisa-senpai.

I would be glad if Ogawa resigned from the club by himself and the other two followed him.

Unfortunately, that’s probably not going to happen as well. Tadano might be taking Ogawa’s side but he’s here for Nami. Clinging to the title of ‘childhood friend’. Taku… I don’t know. If he’s still after Saki then I just have to stop him from bugging the girl. Even if that meant using violence to threaten him.

After a few minutes of silence, Ogawa, who was already tearing up and sobbing, picked himself up.

While still kneeling on the ground, he began approaching Nami. Although the girl tried to put me behind her, I stood by her side. We’re in this together.

“A-all I ever wanted is you, Nanami. I thought… we’ll be together in the end… But someone else appeared and everything changed. You changed. You became close to someone you only met for a few days… I couldn’t accept that… I couldn’t accept the reality that… you chose him over me… But you’re right… because of my indecisiveness, someone else swept you in, because of my blind obsession over you, I ignored everything you’re saying… I’m sorry. I’m sorry for being this pathetic…”

With Ogawa saying all those with tears and snot decorating his otherwise handsome face, Nami didn’t falter and accepted every word he said, even his apology.

But soon after that, the girl started shaking. That’s why I quickly moved and put her in my embrace.

Ogawa stared at us for a minute. Crying and perhaps trying to accept that Nami would never be his again. He then closed his eyes and turned around to face Hina.

The girl looked in my direction first and nodded, determination shining in her eyes…

Before Ogawa could start apologizing to her, Hina stood up from her seat and also squatted in front of him, “Kazuo, earlier, I already told you everything I hate about you. And everything I liked about you. I won’t say I am not at fault and I will definitely apologize for that. However, you know yourself that it’s you who did me wrong… If you’re going to apologize, can you promise me that it will be sincere?”

Hina paused for a moment as she lifted the guy’s head to make him look at her. Just like Nami, she now wanted to put an end to all this, to stop hating her ‘childhood friend’.

Naturally, I supported that decision of hers. Rather than leave the issue hanging, it’s always better to not hold grudges against someone. Although I loved the way she’s enacting her revenge for what Ogawa did to her, that’s just burying a defeated guy deeper in his hole.

“No. Just promise me that you’re going to move on… That’s enough.”

Ending it like that, Hina heavily sighed, letting go of the grievances in her chest.