Stealing Spree

“... Fine, I’ll stop. You made your choice and... Kana, that’s your decision, right? Not his?”

“It is my decision, Kenji. Ruki is here just because I want him to be here with me to break it to you. Thank you for everything. You didn’t mistreat me. I at least need to acknowledge that. You’ve been a great guy.”

“Great guy? Heh.” Goto mocked himself as an extremely bitter smile showed on his face. He then pulled a handkerchief and wiped his face off his tears and snot.

Seeing how he even cried, there’s no doubt that his affection towards Kana was at least real. Well, not everyone could persevere for a year courting a girl and stay in a relationship with her for another year.

And like Kana said, he didn’t mistreat her at all. If being a little possessive was considered mistreatment, then that’s just an ignorant belief that relationships were always filled with flowers and butterflies.

Kana’s freedom wasn’t even restricted. She had friends of her own and she could do what she wanted. I guess if there’s a negative one, that’s how he didn’t want her to leave his side. But considering Kana could meet me alone the first time I made a move with her, it’s already an indication that he didn’t have a tight hold on her.

Anyway, it’s over.

After saying all those to Goto, Kana returned to my side and opened my arms herself to squeeze her body in my embrace. I put my hand on her head, patting and caressing it gently at the same time as I whispered praises like ‘Good job’ and ‘You did well’ in her ears.

Kana stopped looking at him as well as dropped any consideration to him seeing us this close. Although not as extreme as when we made out in front of him, it’s enough to thoroughly nail the fact that she wouldn’t go back to him anymore. No matter what promises he put on the table.

A few minutes later, Goto stood up from his seat and after looking at Kana who’s still snuggled to me for a good minute, he sighed and left the room quietly.

Upon seeing that, Ishida-senpai looked at me first before following him out. Most likely, she’s going to talk to him. He’s still a friend for her after all. Even though that thing happened to them, she already moved on from that.

If I had to guess, after checking if he’s okay, she’d ask him about the club. She’s also concerned about his membership on whether he’s going to quit or not.

He’s also a 3rd-year student so after summer vacation, he’s also going to leave the club even if he chose to stay after the fallout.

In any case, as soon as the two of us were left alone in the room, Kana raised her head and asked me to kiss her. To clear her whatever lingering guilt in her mind.

I naturally gave it to her and more than just a simple kiss. I held her tightly to let her feel the security she’s searching for.

A few minutes later, Rae and Otsuka-senpai entered the room, joining us at the table. As for Ishida-senpai, she also returned soon after, her hand on her forehead as if she’s lulling a headache.

For the rest of the club hours, we simply checked on some literary works as our club activity without talking too much. None of us also mentioned what just happened. To slightly brighten the atmosphere in the club, Otsuka-senpai returned to her usual antics of being curious about anything.

Thanks to that, Ishida-senpai and Kana also returned to normal soon enough.

By the end of the club hours and before dismissing us for today, Ishida-senpai also announced Goto’s quitting.

Well, I’d be surprised if he chose to stay. He’s already absent for weeks anyway. It’s not like he’s Ogawa who wouldn’t be able to leave their club.

“Kana, Rae, we talked about this yesterday but let me bring this up again... My parents are most likely at home by now. I just realized I’m being hasty with introducing all of you to them so... if you think you’re still not ready, we can postpone that. It’s not like this is the only time they’ll return.” I opened the conversation between us when Otsuka and Ishida-senpai finally left the clubroom.

Although the latter looked like she wanted to talk to me about something, after seeing how Kana was still clinging to me, she decided against it. Instead, she reminded me to not neglect her message if she sent one.

That girl... maybe if she became more straightforward with her intentions, I might change my mind about her... But I guess this is good too. I admit I’m finding it interesting to anticipate what she will say next.

In any case, I have to draw the line for now and focus on what’s in front of me.

“Are you sure, Ruki? You said you don’t know when they will come back.” Rae asked.

Yesterday, she already agreed when I talked to them about it so… she’s kinda baffled that I brought it up again and made her rethink their choice.

“Yes, I’m sure. You see…” Without holding anything back, I told them what I realized from my conversation with Shio earlier.

After thinking for a while, Kana responded first, “I’m curious what they think of us, Ruki. I think I can meet them and introduce myself as your girlfriend.”

“My Kana is this brave now.” I promptly pulled her in my embrace, doting on her completely. Just thinking about the changes that happened to her, it’s too pleasant. From what she showed earlier, although she gathered her courage first, telling all of that to Goto without even stuttering once was a great leap. I couldn’t be more proud of her.

“Not brave enough… But I know I can gather more courage as long as I’m with you…” She smiled and like earlier, returned to snuggling with me.

“Mhm… I’m glad I can help my Kana… What about you, Rae?”

“I think… I’ll pass for today, Ruki… I don’t know. I decided to meet them yesterday but now that you talked about what Shiori-sensei felt, I spiraled into negative thoughts. Even my knowledge is somewhat useless on this topic…” Rae answered softly as she lowered her head to hide her expression.

Kana also noticed that. The girl lightly nodded in understanding as she gently separated from me, giving me the chance to approach Rae.

I grabbed Rae’s shoulder and instantly felt how she’s cold from nervousness. Even though she’s still here and she hasn't met them yet, she’s already this nervous.

“No worries. There’s always a next time, Rae. Truthfully, I’m also feeling the same when it comes to meeting your parents. They knew about us and I had no idea what they thought of me at this moment. Perhaps we’re feeling the same at the moment.”

I still had no idea how much they knew but it’s certainly clear that when the time to meet them comes, I would be under much scrutiny on whether I deserved to be with this girl or not.

Rae didn’t respond to me with words but instead, she hugged me tight and rested her head on my left chest, probably trying to hear my heartbeat.

Like Kana, she also changed a lot from her previous knowledge-relying persona. She’s now thinking for herself and weighing her choices. And through it, she’s now having a cold feet about meeting my parents.

“I’ll walk you to the station now. We can also talk along the way…” I suggested and she answered almost instantly.

“Yes, please.”

Since Kana was just next to us, the girl understood the situation. She assured me that she’ll wait in this club room for the others before sending us off to go on our way.

Apart from Aya and Satsuki, Nami and the others from the same club will also gather there. That’s what we agreed earlier after all.

However, Shizu, Himeko and Chii won’t come.

Shizu was still stubbornly holding onto the thought that she could be my only one. So, she chose to not meet them along with the other girls.

It’s impossible for Himeko to just ditch the chauffeur waiting for them to bring them home. She did want to meet them, however, with her situation in her family still not resolved, we could only rely on Itou to sneak her out during weekends or meet her here at school during weekdays.

And as for Chii, she’s still deliberating about our relationship… She wanted to first come to terms with our abnormal situation before saying yes and meeting them…

Furthermore, our last alone time was when I sent her home. These past few days, I couldn’t find the chance to spend time with her.

… Uh… There’s still a lot on my plate.