Stealing Spree

Although she could’ve chosen to ignore me, Itou voicing that out upon seeing me probably meant something.

Is it because of the present I slipped into Himeko’s bag yesterday? Knowing this siscon, it’s not wrong to assume that she was there when Himeko found it in her bag.

Anyway, from how she appeared, Itou was most likely on her way to the Game Club. Stumbling on me instantly put her in a bad mood that she had to frown like that.

“No need to look like that, you know? You could’ve ignored me and I would surely fail to notice you coming from there. But you really had to call me out.” I stopped my steps and responded to her.

Through that ‘date’ where she employed Akane’s help, it just proved how much of a siscon this girl was… However, Akane had a different opinion.

She still held onto the idea that this girl was interested in me. If I didn’t go for Himeko, there’s a higher possibility that this girl would seek me out. Instead of playing games in their club, spending time with me would be her relief from her stressful life.

Or so Akane said.

But there’s no going back to Himeko. I already love the girl… And if that girl would allow me, I was more than ready to come with her and confront her father. To once and for all improve her condition in their family.

“Don’t tell me what to do.” Itou rolled her eyes as she took the last few steps up the stairs.

“Oh, sure. See you then, Itou.”

“Are you going to see Nee-sama?”

“What else will I go to their clubroom for?”

I could walk out on her and continue on my way. It’s only a few steps left after all but somehow, I found myself waiting to see how Itou would respond.

“Ugh… Come with me.”

A moment later, I felt my wrist being grabbed as the girl tried dragging me away with her.

“Huh? Why?”

“Hurry up.”

“No. Tell me, what’s up? My time is always limited. I can’t go with you.”

If she’s going to say something to me then I really prefer for her to do it here rather than waste my time going to another place.

Upon hearing that, she looked a little disheartened for a moment before releasing my arm.

“Yeah, right. And you still have the time to get more girls. Even Misa is becoming too interested in you.”

That sounded like she was sulking. However, the mention of Misaki took most of my attention.

“You know it, Misaki is different. She’s just a friend.”

“So, is it normal to kiss your friend?”

Of course, it’s not. But I have no choice, right? Or so that’s the excuse I came up with.

Not voicing that out, I raised my hand in surrender. “Alright, you got me there. You know how the girl is.”

“You can reject her.”

“She will be sad.”

No. I could understand that this was another excuse I was fostering… Should I acknowledge my interest in her? Then I would lose that challenge I imposed on myself in less than a month…

“So? Then make her understand the difference between a friend and a girlfriend.”

There’s that solution… However…

“… I thought you were already doing that. Aren’t you her first friend? Isn’t it a lot better that you educate her with that rather than me? You should know that girl's innocence can lead others to trick her.”

With the topic of our conversation focusing on Misaki, knowing the reason why she tried dragging me away already slipped my mind.

And for sure, that’s the same for her as she began contemplating right on the spot.

She crossed her arms and raised a hand on her chin. Looking at her like this, she was really like an elegant ojou-sama. A high-class lady that’s clearly on the same level as Otoha or Mizuki. She’s closer to Mizuki though. Given that she’s managing her hotel, there’s an authoritative air around her.

Her sister, Himeko, was the one who was like Otoha. Both were reserved yet totally affectionate when we were together.

“A-alright. I’ll try and educate her about it. But you should help me!”

“Huh? Why do you still need my help? I will just distract her if that’s the case.”

“No… She’ll be more willing to learn if you’re there.”

“And the reason for that is…?”

Obviously, I already know the answer. However, if I set aside time for that again then that meant I would have less time for my girls again.

I had no obligation to accommodate the two.

“I need you.” She murmured with an almost inaudible voice.

And because of that, I couldn’t quite understand what she said.

“Come again?”

“I mean, she needs you. You’re her only male friend. If you can also provide context then… she’ll understand it better.”

I swear I heard she used a different wording on that first part.

Itou need me? I guess I should ask Akane again or better yet, Himeko… Although that girl expressed a little discomfort at the thought of me also going for her sister, she’s the one who knows Itou better than anyone else.

Anyway, what to do here? Should I say yes or no? It’s for Misaki. And I surely wouldn’t want her to be tricked by someone else…

“Alright. I’ll help my friend.”

Upon hearing my answer, a faint smile lined her face before she quickly ran up the stairs to the third floor.

Before disappearing from my sight, she looked back at me and said, “You better not back out, Onoda.”

“Sure.”

Soon after that, I quickly put it to the back of my mind and continued on my way to the Book Club.

Upon entering, I instantly saw Nami having a tea brewed by Mina. Moreover, I had no idea if they arranged it or not but Edel, Himeko and even Aya were seated around Haruko’s table.

All of my girls in this club and the neighboring club were all together.

As usual. Edel stood up instantly upon my arrival. But instead of running to me, the girl carefully took her steps. She’s not grimacing from the pain but I guess it’s still a little sore. If she moved quickly, the pain would return.

With my adorable koala jumping the gun and taking the first dibs on my embrace, the other girls were also spurred into action, Nami stood up and while shaking her head, she took the free side. Himeko then went behind me, her hands clutched onto my back as they pushed me towards the table where Mina, Aya and Haruko remained seated. Mina was as always, being a snobbish tsundere while Aya and Haruko just smiled as though they were watching an amusing sight.

As soon as I was seated, except for Edel who settled on my lap as though it was her territory, Nami and Himeko returned to their seats. Following that, Mina handed me a teacup. Her lips were twitching while saying, “How does it feel to be this popular to women? Do you feel like a king now?”

Upon hearing that, the other girls whispered in chorus, ‘Someone’s jealous.’

And that made the girl’s cheeks shake in exasperation, “I’m not jealous!”

However, that only earned her giggles from them. Edel even raised her head and stretched her arm to her, “If Mina wants, I can give you this spot. It’s comfortable.”

With that as a start, the following minutes were spent with the girls teasing the tsundere who wouldn’t admit to what she was feeling. In the end, I had to make a move by pulling her to my side to calm her down.