Stealing Spree

The martyr. Let’s say that’s Ohori-senpai’s nickname. And it’s a very fitting one considering she kept on choosing to remain in her relationship despite everything that happened. Even if it made her cry a few times already.

I had no idea what was making her crazy over that guy. But I guess everyone has their own unique taste. There must be something with that guy which fulfills her. Otherwise, that’s just her being too masochistic in letting herself suffer.

In any case, my girls might also be asked what’s making them crazy over me if people found out that even with their very attractive and pretty faces, they chose someone like me. In the end, it’s all about what the individual decided for oneself.

Well, let’s not discount those who were trapped in a relationship that they didn’t want.

Marika was a fine example. Someone else chose Ichihara Jun for her. Nonetheless, the girl still managed to do something herself – trying to cultivate an originally non-existent relationship for the sake of being happy with him.

At the present, she’s failing. What more? I also entered her life. Now, she’s probably at a crossroads. She has less than a year left before they will be wed, regardless of their current relationship.

If she chooses to remain in it, I will probably not be able to pull her out. But if she chooses the latter – let me help her – another set of problems will emerge. That’s like saying that the girl has been doomed to unhappiness if she failed to do the one thing that she tried to do for herself.

Right. I haven’t heard from her since last night. Is it too much to tell me the result of her talk with that Ichihara? Maybe. Maybe not. But for now, I’ll leave her to it. She may be naïve but she is not an idiot.

Anyway, where was I?

Ah. Right. Ohori-senpai.

Twenty minutes after I separated from Aika, I arrived at the same café where I met her recently. As expected, she’s once again sitting by the window where she could see the entrance to the love hotel. In front of her, is a cup of coffee that’s already half-empty.

She didn’t see me arriving since her mind seemed so lost staring outside. That’s why upon taking the seat in front of her, the girl got startled and as a reflex, kicked my leg.

“Alright, senpai. That’s a nice reflex. I never expected to be hit right away.” I said as I looked down at her foot which was still stretched forward. She removed her sandals so… what hit me was her bare foot.

“You! Say something if you’re already here! Who knows if you’re some creep who’s trying to hit on me.” The girl replied as she tried to retract her foot back.

Tried. Because instead of letting her do that, I grabbed it and put it on my lap.

And that instantly resulted in the girl’s cheeks bloating in annoyance.

Ignoring that reaction, I put on an insincere smile. Like one will use to irritate someone, “Sounds like something that you already experienced, senpai. Did you kick them the same? With this barefoot?”

Ohori-senpai indignantly answered, “Yeah. Seeing a woman sitting alone in a coffee shop, you boys always try to hit on them.”

And she tried to pull her foot back again. This time, I released it from my hold, causing the girl to look rather relieved. She then fixed herself on her seat, pulling herself up.

“Well, not me. I’m very much satisfied with my girls at the moment.”

“You’re worse, of course. Two-timer.” The girl annoyedly remarked again before taking another sip of her cold coffee.

“And what do we call your boyfriend? A horrible bastard who slaps you by showing off how many girls he can pull down his lap?”

I said that in a higher-than-normal volume which made the other customers nearby look in our direction.

“S-shut up. Let’s not talk about that.” Ohori-senpai immediately jumped out of her seat to cover my mouth.

But that only made those looking at us amused as though they were looking at a quarreling couple. They all returned to their business right after that though.

Removing her hand from my mouth, I tilted my head and asked, “Hmm? Isn’t this why you asked me out?”

“No! Aoi told me to talk to you. That’s all. I won’t invite you out myself.”

Yeah, I know that. But let’s see how she will react.

“I see. You should’ve said so in your message, senpai. I could’ve saved you the trouble of waiting here.” As I said that, I purposely acted like I was also not interested in meeting her. But at the same time, I kept an eye out for her reaction.

While looking a bit dejected by it, the girl sat back down and muttered silently as though she was trying to save herself from being down, “… Didn’t you say you want to help me?”

“Yeah, I did. However, if you don’t want it yourself, why will I bother to do so? It’s like I picked up a club and hit my head with it. I’ll be an idiot for doing so.”

I shrugged and called for the server to order a coffee for myself. Well, I mean, I could see her from my peripheral vision, hesitating whether to approach me or not. Must be a new hire in here who still lacks experience in not bothering whatever their customers are currently doing.

Once that server left to get my order, Ohori-senpai answered in the same volume, “You’re already an idiot even without that.”

While it’s true, I can’t help but notice that she somewhat softened up. Instead of continuing to preach that she’s only here because of Aoi, she’s started hinting at me that she also has other reasons to call me out here.

As for what that was, I guess I have to pull that out from her.

“I guess that’s true. Anyway, senpai. Are we just going to chat like this?”

“… What do you think?”

“Let’s see. I’m willing to hear you out if you’re even comfortable enough to tell me what’s bothering you. And if you really want my help, I don’t mind giving it.”

“Hear me out, huh… You’re only doing this for Aoi, right?”

“I believe I already told you back on that bus. This is not just about Aoi anymore, senpai. But I also don’t care if you don’t believe me. It’s your choice, after all.”

This girl. We’re going in circles. Although it might just be because she wanted to make sure that she was trusting the right guy.

A few seconds later, Ohori-senpai downed her cup, perhaps to get a boost of courage, before looking me straight in the eye.

“T-then… can you listen to my story?”

“Is there more to it than what I already know?”

“Y-yes. I can’t tell Aoi this because she’ll be more concerned for me.”

“But it’s fine to tell me?”

“I believe you’re someone who can keep a secret.”

Am I? But aren’t I untrustworthy? Well, there’s no point saying that anymore when she already decided to trust me with it.

“I see. Then, I’m all ears, senpai.”

“Uh. Let’s move location. Get your coffee first.”

“Alright.”

Looks like it’s something she didn’t want others to hear even if most of the people in this shop wouldn’t care about it. Must be a secret she wouldn’t want to divulge so easily.

A while later, the coffee I ordered arrived and I drank it in one gulp, surprising both Ohori-senpai and the server.

Ignoring their reactions, I paid for it and stood up to leave the room.

Once I reached the door, I looked back to Ohori-senpai, who had just recovered, scrambling up to her feet to follow me.

I let the girl lead the way. While following, I checked my phone to inform Aoi about this progress.

However, one other message stuck out that made me pause in pocketing my phone. I received a message request.

Upon checking who the sender is and the message’s content, a smile peeked out from my lips as to how silly it was.

“Ruki! I made an account here. I have no idea that this is a lot better than emailing you… I’m too out of touch with modern technology.”

It’s Hana. And along with her message, she sent a bunch of stickers with no relevance to her message. Is it her first time using a messaging app? Did she come from a cave?