Stealing Spree

Expectedly, what awaited me in the classroom was Shio's slanted eyes as she reprimanded me for coming in late to her class. Since we agreed to never give me any special treatment in cases like this where I intentionally let the time run out on me, this is normal and I'm glad she followed through with it.

Although it's not bad to be pampered by her every time, it's better this way. It won't be a disrespect to her authority as our teacher and it will show that no matter how favored I am as her Student Assistant, I won't easily get a free pass.

For my punishment, Shio had me stand at one corner of the classroom while she lectured.

My girls and most of my classmates looked at me in amusement while those who hated my guts snickered at their seats, reveling in my plight.

I even heard one of Fukuda's lackeys commenting again but even before he could finish his words, he was already stabbed multiple times by my girls' unfriendly gazes – including Shio who called him to the front to answer a question regarding today's lesson.

What a swift revenge even though I wasn't harmed in any way.

Moving on from that, Shio also somewhat focused on me when it comes to recitation. It's part of my punishment for being late.

Luckily, I was always focused when it came to her lessons. Standing at the side while being close to her even improved my concentration. And so, without breaking a sweat, I managed to answer everything she threw my way.

Of course, I wasn't some genius who would answer correctly all the time. I also got a few of them wrong which would garner a grin from Shio as though she loved it more whenever I fumbled.

If I took that into the equation, that could perfectly explain why she would also pout and appear a little sulky for a moment if my answer turned out to be correct.

Shio. My lovely teacher was hoping for an opportunity to tease me and then correct me in her own way. That's all she could do without raising suspicion to others unaware of the true nature of our relationship, after all.

Furthermore, she's probably a little discontented that reprimanding me in front of everyone while wearing the shoes of my girlfriend was impossible. That's why… she found another path to savor this situation where I will be at her mercy.

And that's how the rest of the first period went.

When the bell rang, Shio made a summary of her lesson and concluded it before reminding everyone to study something from our book as well as the homework she left behind.

Once that was done and my classmates started putting away their study materials on top of their desks, the woman used that moment to approach me.

Thinking she was going to relieve me of my punishment, I welcomed her with a smile.

Upon seeing that, Shio failed to contain the red streak that quickly occupied her face.

Yep. Now, she's blushing just by seeing me smile at her.

Nonetheless, she also quickly shook it off before closing our distance.

"Onoda-kun, the next time you are late, I'll dock the bonus points you're supposed to get, understand? It pains me to have my own Student Assistant becoming a troublemaker."

Initially, she acted in line with her position, putting on her strict and commanding side. However, a moment later, she took another step forward and spoke in a gentle tone and a volume that could only be heard by me.

"Ruru… Escort me?"

Although short, that was enough for my mind to churn as it kickstarted my rigid body to quickly move and do my job as her Student Assistant. Furthermore, the expression on her face made my heart throb.

If I didn't move right away, I might fail to stop myself from jumping at her to dote and pamper her dearly.

By the time I returned to her side, I was already carrying her teaching materials.

Upon seeing that, Shio couldn't help but produce a burst of sweet-sounding laughter before hurriedly stepping out. Those sitting at the front heard her laughter, after all.

With a faint smile on my lips, I shook my head and followed after her.

Making use of the few minutes of break in between classes and before I dropped her things to her next class, I teased her until she snapped and brought me to some corner where she gave me another punishment. Bites and kisses.

The second and third periods quickly passed by.

In terms of academics, nothing much happened. It's the same listening to lectures and other hands-on activities. Naturally, I got some quality time with some of my girls in between the lectures or the activities.

And like I had guessed earlier, Satsuki who was absent earlier this morning especially stuck close to me even when we changed classrooms.

In her own way, she's getting back her lost opportunity to be with me.

And that extended even to the present.

At the moment, upon leaving the Science Classroom, the grumpy girl specifically slowed down her movements so that we'd be the last ones to leave.

Nami and the others also did the same but unlike Satsuki who grabbed my arm so that I wouldn't be able to walk ahead of her, they were at least a step or two ahead of us. Somehow, they created some kind of body wall, preventing Sakuma and the other boys who were probably trying to befriend me like Hashimoto and Yamada from approaching me.

But well, it's probably not an unconscious effort on their part. They just wanted to be close to me even in this kind of moment.

Hana looked like she was deliberating whether to take my other arm though. When she finally came to a decision, it was already too late… Nami already moved back and occupied that position.

"Heh… Look at her. I left your side open to see if she'll take advantage of it… Alas…" Nami murmured as she started having a staring competition against Hana. "Ruu, did you defang her? She's not as scary as when she first presented herself anymore."

"Of course, he did. Remember that he went to her house just the other day." Satsuki answered Nami's question instead of me. Then she grumpily hummed before tightening her grip on my arm.

Well, I told them about that night but not with complete details so…

"I see. You're always quick at your work, Ruu. Now we wait for when she's going to yield." Nami poked my side, expressing her slight discontentment. Then the same as Satsuki, she hugged my arm tighter, enough for my arm to be lodged in between their squishy valleys.

If someone was behind us, for sure, I'd be cursed to death for how enviable my situation was.

"Well, knowing that girl, she'll be like Shizu. She will hold on stubbornly to her belief that she can steal me someday." I eventually said before focusing a part of my attention to the said girl.

Upon seeing me staring at her, Hana paused in her steps and waited for us to reach her. And when that happened, she fervently took a deep breath before moving behind me.

A moment later, the girl was already clinging to my back, earning both Nami and Satsuki's ire.

"Oops. Did I upset you two? I apologize but can I borrow Ruki?"

"No!"

Hana condescendingly muttered which instantly got shut down by Satsuki and Nami's collective rejection.

As for me, I found myself enjoying the third pair of squishiness pressed against my back before snapping out of it and addressing the girl behind. "Hana, it's not too late to admit defeat."