Stealing Spree

After I separated from the three girls, I first went to an obscure alleyway to remove my disguise and revert to my normal look. Ah. No, I didn’t completely revert it. I kept my hair brushed to the side, giving me a slightly neat appearance that allowed my forehead to be partly seen.

To make sure that it didn’t look weird on me, I checked it in the mirror from the train station’s restroom. Although it cast off some of the ‘mysterious aura’ that Eimi pointed out, I was fairly satisfied with what it came out to be. However, I was still not entirely invested in keeping it up every day.

Besides, I sent a photo of myself to my girls and asked for their opinion.

The responses I received were fairly positive but some of them still gave a commentary that made me think that I should probably get a haircut soon. At least, to improve my normal look that my girls preferred.

I’ll find time this week to do just that. Or I can take up Auntie Yayoi’s offer to give me a haircut.

Yesterday, Mina passed me her mother’s message. I think it went like this… ‘Tell Onoda-kun that I would love to give him a haircut for free. It’s to thank him for all his help. Also, a privilege for being my Mi-chan’s boyfriend.’

Mina sure had an unpleasant expression when she recited that word for word. She could’ve worded it differently, but the girl even tried to imitate her mother’s articulation. And due to that, I found that moment adorable.

Rather than focusing on the message, I was lost in Mina’s reluctant yet expressive side.

Uh. She tried walking out on me when I teased her about it. Obviously, I caught her and put her back to bed where I pampered her thoroughly before leaving that hidden room.

Anyway, I might just take up that offer. One of these days or when I visit their house again…

Unlike yesterday where it was quite eventful starting from my meeting with Otoha’s grandfather, the first half of the day passed by smoothly.

During the first period, it’s easily noticeable that there’s a substantial change in Ogawa’s behavior. His signature kind smile once again resurfaced, making it easy for the others to approach. However, the same could be said about the distance between their once solid circle. It was too noticeable when Nami, Hina, and Saki would choose to join my group whenever a teacher allowed us to review in groups.

Although none of our classmates pointed that out yet, it’s now becoming a normal sight for them to be near us.

Anyway, with the midterm exam coming up tomorrow, everyone diligently worked on memorizing or absorbing the knowledge they already forgot. They put the gossiping on hold, for now.

During the lunch break, I only stayed for a few minutes in our classroom before going to the cafeteria, searching for Kana and her friends’ table.

For a change and to somewhat lessen the growing suspicion being thrown at us, I specifically picked today to at least spend time with my other girls not from our class.

True, I already chose to be a little bold at showing off my closeness with the girls but if it somehow resulted in a negative effect then, throttling it down a bit was in order.

Anyway, ever since breaking up with that Kenji, Kana was now spending more time with her friends. Perhaps as part of the favor I asked of Momoiro-senpai, she’s now not leaving Kana alone. Somehow, I acquired a debt of gratitude through that, and I didn’t know how to repay it.

I easily spotted their table, courtesy of the said senior who waved her hand openly upon spotting me.

“Onoda-kun, here!” Perhaps a little excited at the prospect of me joining them for lunch again, Momoiro-senpai shouted at me which in turn made the other students in the cafeteria turn their heads to her before following her gaze.

Ignoring all those unnecessary attention, even if some wondered who I was or what’s my connection to them, I raised my arm as I made my way to their table.

I was already acquainted with Kana's friends, so they welcomed me with a smile before opening up a space next to Kana.

Obviously, Kana was shyly hiding from everyone’s eyes but a quick look and I noticed the joyous smile decorating her adorable face.

Well, her shyness was at max this time but when I took the space next to her, she quickly grabbed my arm and pushed herself closer.

Upon seeing that, Momoiro-senpai and the others from their table whistled and cheered at us as if they were watching a romantic comedy.

By the time I settled my butt on the seat, the initial attention coming from the other students from the cafeteria had already stopped. They returned to minding their own business.

“Senpais, thanks for having me here.” I respectfully greeted them and they responded with a pout.

“Quit being that respectful, Onoda-kun. As Kana’s boyfriend, you can now bypass the seniority. We won’t be offended. Moreover, you look like the type who only puts up with it on the surface. Wooing Kana is the best evidence of that.” One of her friends pointed out. She then looked at the others who all agreed with what she just said.

Well, she’s not wrong with that considering I even openly defied the couple yesterday. I had no qualms about butting heads with a senior but obviously, I'm not brazen enough to antagonize everyone… That’s why…

“Uh… I understand. But being polite is a given, no? I don’t think I’ll be favored by all of you for Kana if I come off disrespectful, right? And the circumstance of how I fell for Kana is another story. I somehow found myself cherishing her instead…”

Although that sounded like a lie since I omitted everything that happened when I stole her from that Kenji, that statement was still true. Who will not cherish this adorable senior?

After saying that, my arm naturally draped over Kana’s shoulder. Upon seeing that, her friends all reacted with ‘Ooh~’ and whistles, amazed at my boldness.

“Onoda-kun, we know you love Kana enough to even fight it out with her ex so stop rubbing it on our faces, alright?” Momoiro-senpai was the first one to recover and reprimanded me while smiling. And soon enough, the others all sent me a pout. Kana, on the other hand, tightened her embrace on my arm, burying it deeper in her fluffy softness.

None of them noticed that, or they ignored it as Momoiro-senpai continued.

“Oh right! Will you be fine for your exam tomorrow?”

“Although I won’t say I’m confident to not get a failing mark, I believe I did my best in studying. Kana also helped me a bit.”

“Oh… What a doting girlfriend she is…”

Naturally, that question was just to continue a conversation with me as well as to gather more reactions from the girl. They all looked satisfied at watching Kana shrinking like a furball as she kept on hiding her embarrassment.

Soon after that, we started eating our lunch. Although the conversation still centered around me, Kana’s friends let me in on some gossip going around their year.

And although I expected it to happen soon enough, when they mentioned what happened yesterday at the library, I was surprised. And what was more surprising is… there’s no mention of my name or Ishida-senpai.

“Oh right. Have you heard? Someone was bold enough to be involved with that troublesome couple. It happened yesterday in the library, a junior ignorantly told Kujou that Ichihara approached another girl…”