Stealing Spree

When I said they’re troublesome, it’s about how they’re all self-serving idiots. They’re a group that does anything to have fun. Or at least, that’s how I remembered them from the few times I put them under observation.

Because I abide by my rule of not picking my target in my class, the only times I could remember being engaged in a conversation with them was whenever there was a group activity or during the sports and cultural festival.

That’s how disconnected I was in my class. That’s why I was honestly surprised to find out that Eimi developed feelings for me.

Anyway, the other three in their group showed up not long after the two approached me. They’re all talking to me as though I was their long-lost childhood friend and they’re dying to catch up with whatever story I could come up with while we’re separated.

But it’s easy to notice in their eyes and expressions that they’re just in it for the fun of it.

“Enough with that. Go back and get what we needed. I’ll accompany Onoda-kun here.” The first girl, who approached me, told the other four off, she even made a gesture of shooing them off. She even sent me a wink, most likely thinking that she did me a favor.

Well, in a certain sense, she did. I had no energy to entertain all their questions. I only even answered the basic ones like why am I here or what school I’m attending. They tried mentioning Akane and about how our relationship sat me up the pedestal as the number 1 guy among the first years they envied.

If it’s Eimi who was left behind here. They probably wouldn’t be this interested or they would also be after seeing the two carts.

In any case, the girl was successful in sending them away. She even gave the basket to that guy who stuck to my side earlier.

From what I recall, this girl was the ringleader of their group. She's extremely outgoing and outspoken; an extrovert so to speak. If our class back then would be ranked, she’d be at the top of the hierarchy. She’s neither a Class President nor a representative of other committees but she’s got this certain charisma to be on speaking terms with everyone in our class, except me.

“Now that the distractions are away… Onoda-kun. I see that you haven’t changed much. You still have the same uninterested gaze. I wonder, is my charisma not enough to make you interested in even a simple conversation?” The girl checked herself out but soon enough, she gave up after finding nothing wrong with her.

She sighed lightly before focusing her gaze on me.

In front of me, only two customers left before my turn. I could ignore the girl if I wanted to but with how loud her voice was, I already heard those in front of me clicking their tongues in annoyance.

Not my fault, right?

But I guess, it’s best if I entertained her enough to shut her up.

“Machida, what do you want?”

“How cold. But that’s to be expected with someone taken.” The girl I called Machida looked disappointed but that interest bubbling up in her remained. “Say, Onoda-kun, if I say that I want you, will you dump Shimizu?”

As soon as she finished saying that, the girl tried to hook her arm with mine but I simply stepped to the side, dodging her.

Realizing that she failed at what she aimed to do, the girl burst into laughter. “What quick reflexes! Onoda-kun. You’re really interesting. But you’re so boring last year. No one in our class got to get close to you. You always keep your distance as if you never want anything to do with us. Now that we’re not classmates and not schoolmates either… is it now possible to get to know you?”

This girl… Looking at her pretty emerald eyes, I could tell that she was serious. Anyway, I did remember her last name but that’s about it.

My mind was occupied with the thought of Eimi waiting for me outside. I couldn’t even be worked up in understanding where she’s coming from.

Eimi was one thing. She was next to me and she observed me closely. But this girl? I couldn’t even remember the times that she tried talking to me.

So, this was possibly just her trying to have fun again.

She had the looks, alright. She wouldn’t be at the top of our class without that. But being aware of my relationship with Akane and trying this stunt, I could easily deduce her motive.

Furthermore, those who she sent away were probably just lurking in the corner, waiting for any kind of development.

Judging from how they’re trying to ask me earlier, all of them only see me as a source of entertainment. They’re looking down at me. If I get swayed by this girl, they’re probably going to laugh their ass off.

“Huh? What for? You can continue to see me as the boring dude, I couldn’t care less.” I shrugged and pushed my carts. At this point, she couldn’t squeeze to my side anymore.

“That’s a great defense, Onoda-kun. You’re still too tough to crack.”

“I don’t need any cracking, Machida. I am what I am. If you’re only trying to have fun at the expense of another person; in this case, me. Go ahead. I don’t care.” I answered.

Upon hearing that, the girl’s eyes tilted her head in confusion “Huh? We’re not trying to make fun of you. Is that what you think of us?”

“Is that so? Then why the barrage of questions?”

“It’s because we’re interested in what’s going on with a former classmate. No one from our class has gotten close to you. And from what I heard, you never looked at Shimizu for the whole three years. I am curious what changed.”

I observed her reaction and I guess it’s pretty genuine. So, it’s just my misconception that she’s trying to get a kick out of me, huh? No, maybe what she’s saying was the truth but if I acted differently, they’d still find it amusing.

“Not much has changed. I simply remembered that I love her. Is that understandable?”

“What the heck is that? Did you get amnesia or something?”

“Sort of? Anyway, nice meeting you five. I never acted as a classmate because it’s troublesome to deal with people I’m not interested in.” I declared as I pushed the carts forward.

“That’s rude, you know?”

“I’m aware. But Machida, that's just how I am. If you’re thinking that I’m an interesting person then… just drop the thought.”

“Heh… This is the first real conversation I had with you, Onoda-kun. And I must say, you’re interesting enough to not bore me. I won’t ask why you have two carts anymore. That’s intriguing but I don’t want to get on your nerves anymore. See ya!”

Ending our conversation with that, Machida sent me a provocative grin before walking away without looking back.

I thought she wouldn’t mention it but to decide on not prying about it when it should be the most interesting detail that could tickle their curiosity, I guess my evaluation of her or their group was really off.

Anyway, I put them in the back of my mind soon after that. If I ever encounter them again after this day, I’ll just act the same way.