Stealing Spree

Thanks to Hashimoto, I reached the school gates without being approached by anyone again. Well, since I engaged him in a conversation, it would be rude for those who had the intention to suddenly barge in.

Anyway, Hashimoto separated from me right there. He seemed to be hurrying somewhere else rather than going straight to our classroom.

Since there’s no use keeping him by my side, I continued my steps and soon came face to face with Eguchi-sensei.

She’s already wearing her gym uniform while holding a shinai instead of her normal stick. Because of her normal expression that appeared intimidating to most students, she looked more fearsome that way.

The students could clearly be seen trying to steer away from the range of her shinai.

Well, except for me. I walked straight to her. It’s to try and see if she would recognize me.

Surprisingly, she did. But her initial reaction upon recognizing me was the same as the others.

With uncertainty clouding her pupils, she asked, “Onoda-kun?”

As the first person, aside from my girls, to instantly recognize me, that lifted my mood a bit. I smiled at her and answered. “Yes. Good morning, sensei. You look different today.”

I eyed her shinai and her rather aggressive stance. Understanding what I said, she softened up and laughed. “Oh, this? I can’t find my stick. Also, this is better. Those delinquents knew they’re going to get it from me if they showed up without following the school regulations with their uniforms.”

The delinquents, huh? I never heard her talk about them before. Are they becoming rampant?

“Anyway, I can say the same to you. That haircut suits you.” She added along with returning a smile.

“Thank you, sensei.”

Right. One more thing that surprised me is her composure. I thought she would be awkward after what happened last Saturday. Looks like I’m correct with my guess. She’ll try to keep up an act to not show me that vulnerable side of her.

Well, now that I’m not without a shield called Classmate Hashimoto, I continued on my way after that exchange with Eguchi-sensei.

When I went to my shoe locker, the girls who were shadowing me poorly hid on the side. I said poorly since I could still see their little heads and their occasional attempt to peek.

Somehow, instead of approaching me now that I’m alone, they turned into shy maidens who cannot work up their courage to talk to me.

Not that I was waiting for them to do so but it was a little awkward to have acted like that. Even more so when the boys who noticed what was happening started sending me hostile and envious glares.

If I could pass them this sudden popularity, I would.

Anyway, after changing into my indoor shoes, I went straight to our classroom.

When I checked my back, those shadowing me stopped at the turn and poorly hid again.

They’re not going to follow me anymore. Instead, they’re trying to find out which class I am in…

Should I expect them to crowd in front of our classroom during lunch break? No. I better stop getting ahead of myself.

It will die down eventually. Hopefully.

Before stepping inside our classroom, I made sure to put on my normal expression.

One step later, the one who was closest to the door noticed me.

“Excuse me. This is Class 1’s classroom, are you here for someone?”

Great. Someone instantly mistook me for a student from another class.

I looked at that classmate and tried to recall her surname. She’s one of the 18 girls but I couldn’t recall ever interacting with her.

Well, unlike last year when I couldn’t care less about their names, I managed to dig up my memory for hers.

“Uhm… Amano-san, I’m from this class as well.”

“Huh? We don’t have—”

As expected, she was confused. But before she could finish her sentence, another student butt in; Kanzaki whose seat was also at the front, “Onoda?”

She recognized me, huh? As expected of our Class President…

“Yes, good morning, Class Prez.” I smiled at her and continued on my way, leaving Amano hanging.

But since she heard Kanzaki, she already turned red from embarrassment for mistaking me for a stranger.

Her gaze followed me but at least, she didn’t call out to me.

But that’s just the appetizer.

Because Kanzaki’s voice was a little loud, those who weren't paying attention at the door turned their eyes to me.

The same thing as the others, they either had creased brows or a mesmerized expression.

Anyway, I only gave them a passing glance and instantly filtered my vision to only show my girls. That experience with Amano was enough.

I traversed the few steps to join Aya who was glowing brightly because of her wide smile. Even from a distance, I could feel her excitement permeate the air. It even looked like there was an illusion of blooming flowers and a colorful sky behind her.

If not for her shy nature, she would’ve already jumped out of her seat to jump at me and drag me to my seat. Kissing me on impulse was also a possibility.

Satsuki was probably still practicing with her club. As for Nami, Hina and Saki, they’re already preparing to stand up and move out to greet me right on my face rather than shouting it from where they were.

Chii, on the other hand, has yet to arrive. I received a message from her earlier that she might run late. Like Hitomi, the girl’s clumsiness also struck this morning. She only noticed that she was wearing a different pair of shoes when she was already near the station.

Anyway, as soon as I settled down on my seat and got greeted by the four girls, the silent classroom burst into chaos.

“Onoda?!”

“That’s Onoda?!”

“Tell me I’m not dreaming.”

“Wait… Let me confirm!”

Aren’t those reactions too exaggerated? I’m already tired of hearing them…

Anyway, the last one was Misumi, that one girl who shouted ‘Date her, Onoda’ when Satsuki asked me to carry her.

She volunteered to confirm my identity as though I was an unidentified person invading their class.

Furthermore, the four girls surrounding me just laughed at it. They’re totally entertained at this attention I’m getting.

I eyed them all before Misumi arrived at my side but they all averted their gaze before covering their mouths to laugh further.

Ugh… These girls are asking to be teased.

“E-excuse me… Is that really you, Onoda-kun?”

I looked up and met her gaze. However, even before I could say something, the girl took a step back and almost stumbled on Satsuki’s desk.

Almost, because my reflex unconsciously moved, grabbing her wrist to prevent that fall.

Anyway, what’s with that reaction? The girl covered her nose as though she was about to get a nosebleed!

“T-thank you.” The girl stuttered as she stabilized her footing. Not waiting for me to answer her earlier question, she returned to her seat and relayed what she found out.

“Y-yeah. That’s Onoda-kun.”

This…

Why am I getting exhausted? As I thought, my affinity is shadow. I’m more fitted to be a background character. A Classmate A, so to speak.

No matter how many times I convince myself that this will pass and this is normal, should I really put myself on the level of handsome boys? Just because of a haircut?!

“Ruu, you should keep your cool. You’re more handsome that way.” And while I was overthinking, Nami delivered the final attack, cutting away my desire to rebut.

“Girls, can you let me rest on your laps?”

With that, the girls laughed once more but obviously, they offered their laps willingly without thinking twice.