Stealing Spree

With his eyes alternating between me and Nami, the guy eventually lowered his head and stepped forward, to try and get out of the room.

However, with our bodies blocking the way, he found himself unable to proceed.

Nami wanted to open the way but I grabbed her waist and pulled her close. She tried to reprimand me using her eyes but I only responded with a shake of my head.

If she’s still going to be nice at this point, Ogawa would just remain like that. Cowering inside his own shell without even trying to take a step forward outside of the darkness where he’s currently staying.

Nami’s kindness was like a single ray of light, illuminating the dark space of his shell. However, that ray of light came from a glowing stone. And obviously, the light it was reflecting wasn’t unlimited. Sooner or later, it would eventually be exhausted.

When that time comes, the coward would remain in his darkness, without a guiding light to bring him out of it.

That’s why this situation was the best moment to knock some sense into him.

I already told him what he should do. But he probably forgot that as he focused too much on himself. On the revelation concerning his pathetic self.

“Ogawa, where are you going?” I asked the guy before I took a peek past his shoulder. The gang was complete except for Shizu and obviously, Nami next to me.

And since the sound of the opening door was loud, they were already looking in our direction. Or they’re already looking in this direction even before we enter.

I mean, this guy was about to go out. That’s reason enough to see him out through their eyes.

As soon as my eyes scanned the room, I instantly noticed Hina. She looked incensed as though she was angered by something or better yet, someone. Saki and Kikuchi were by her side, rubbing her back and trying to calm her down. Arisa-senpai looked worried while Izumi-senpai had a complicated look on her face while standing up from her seat.

She’s probably about to call Ogawa back but with our appearance, the words got stuck in her throat.

As for the two guys. Tadano had his brows furrowed while looking at Ogawa disappointedly while Taku, well, he’s as expressionless as ever.

In any case, seeing Hina in that state, anger also welled up in my chest. Obviously, I was as affected as my girls even though I didn’t know the context.

I could guess what happened but it’s a lot better to inform myself through this.

Raising his head to meet my gaze, Ogawa scowled but he still looked dejected or despairing. Whatever fits him most. “Move it, Onoda. I’m leaving.”

“Pfft. Are you running away again? Is that all you can do?” I intentionally snickered to agitate him but the response I received was utterly disappointing.

“So what? You can’t dictate what I do.”

Before responding to that, I looked at Nami and nodded. My hand gripped her waist tightly as I tried to communicate with her wordlessly through our eyes.

Whether she understood what I meant or not wasn’t important. But considering she nodded back, I guess she got the gist of what I’m about to do. She hugged my arms tightly and drew even closer.

Seeing that, Ogawa clenched his fist pathetically as anger bubbled up and popped at the same time in his head. He couldn’t muster any anger at the situation. Most likely, what I told him yesterday continues to ring in his head. He’s a pathetic coward who couldn’t move on.

That’s why after getting Nami’s agreement, I used my free hand to push him inside the room with a bit of force.

As it was something he didn’t expect, the guy was pushed a few steps back before falling down on his ass.

Upon seeing that, Izumi-senpai was about to shout at me but Arisa-senpai held her off. I guess for her, what I did was unnecessary or too over the top.

Nonetheless, I lightly lowered my head to her when our gaze met before stepping inside the room with Nami and closing the door behind us.

Removing my hand from Nami, I walked forward, my eyes looking down on Ogawa that’s still grimacing from the pain of falling down.

I heard a gasp of surprise from Kikuchi as well as the sound of Tadano’s chair falling down as well when he hurriedly stood up right after Ogawa fell down.

But I ignored those and continued on my steps before squatting down before Ogawa.

I could talk to him while looking down but… that would be in extremely bad taste. He’s already down on the ground, I didn’t need to step on him further.

“That’s true. I can’t dictate what you do. You’re a master of your own person. I respect that.” I started; my eyes entirely focused on the coward’s good-looking face. He’s handsome, alright. But beyond that, he’s nothing but a turtle that was running faster than a hare. All he’s relying on was his natural charm. Take that off him and he’d be nothing. He might be more pathetic than a nerdy otaku who already lost hope in the 3D world.

“However, are you really just going to embrace being this pathetic?” I continued. With every word I said, the volume of my voice grew louder.

Although this might be seen as me pulling him down further, I could see myself as a blacksmith with a hammer, forging this cowardly idiot to man up. I’d hit him many times if possible but if he breaks in the end, then he’s nothing but a scrap metal of poor quality who only looked excellent on the outside.

“You got your girl stolen. You made your childhood friend hate you. You pushed away the remaining girl trying to understand you. What else? You refused to acknowledge your wrongdoing. I… Like I said, I’m a bastard. You can hate me all you want because of everything I did but Ogawa… I will never be as pathetic as you. Why don’t you stand up and hit me? So that, for once in your life, you can stand up for yourself. Come on!”

Saying all that without hitting a pause button, everyone’s eyes fell on me. Arisa-senpai was a little gloomy, perhaps she’s also thinking I’ve gone overboard.

Nami was standing behind me so I had no idea what kind of expression she had now.

Hina’s anger was abated and she’s now looking at me worriedly, perhaps it’s because I told Ogawa to hit me. Saki was the same but her eyes told me that she was cheering me on.

Izumi-senpai was, nevertheless, speechless. Her eyes were shaking as though she was about to be filled with rage yet she was holding herself back.

As for the other three in the room, I had no time to check anymore.

“… it.”

That’s the only word I caught from the guy in front of me.

“Come again?” I asked.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds…

By the time everyone managed to exhale the breath they were holding, Ogawa’s bloodshot eyes stared straight at me as his hand angrily grabbed my collar. From being down on his ass, the guy kneeled as he tried holding me up before barking in rage. “I get it! I’m pathetic! Is that what you want to hear! I accept that I am. What more do you want?!”

Haa… It’s no different than yesterday. He just had her anger burst forth.

But this was fine, I could steer him close to my desired outcome.

“I told you yesterday. Apologize. That’s what you need to do. But hey, you don’t want me to dictate that, right? Decide for yourself.”