Stealing Spree

Hina’s words could be said as another set of punches aimed at Ogawa’s face. Nonetheless, he took it all like a champ without being knocked down.

With that, I understood that the guy already steeled himself to do what I told him; apologize to the three girls I mentioned. He’s finally acknowledging what he did wrong.

That’s good. But with this, their club would be under a heavy atmosphere again. Hopefully, a client or something will come and break that.

In any case, after apologizing to Hina, although it was through his tears and snot, he also turned to Izumi-senpai.

Once that was done, I excused myself after telling Nami to immediately contact me if something else happened.

Kikuchi or Tadano called out to me, throwing questions about whether what happened was what I told them before; that they would hate me more rather than welcome me to their circle. I only gave a vague reply.

I told Tadano that he’s free to interpret what happened as he sees fit. He could take Ogawa’s side and protect him like a big brother. He didn’t reply to that, of course.

As for Kikuchi, having heard the gist of what happened to Hina, she’s extremely conflicted as well. On one hand, she’s glad that we somehow put a closure to the issue and on the other, she’s afraid that whatever they had before my intrusion would never return. I apologize to the girl. Whether she accepted that or not, I had no idea but at least, seeing her supporting Hina at the side put me at ease.

Izumi-senpai felt like she was in shock upon hearing Ogawa apologizing to her. That guy admitted that he’s aware of her affection – which he was deflecting by acting oblivious. That’s why she had no time to reprimand or scold me. Perhaps, I’d find a time in the following days to talk to her.

Arisa-senpai was naturally at Izumi-senpai’s side, supporting her best friend. However, when I left their clubroom, the girl rushed out and chased after me.

As I made my way towards the stairs, she remained behind me, not uttering any word.

She probably rushed out instinctively with her mind still a jumbled mess. And with little distance from their clubroom to the stairs, she’s still processing what she had to say.

That’s why when I reached the corner leading to the staircases, I stopped my feet, making the girl bump her head on my back.

“Ow!” She cried out in pain as it was something she really didn’t expect.

I turned around and saw Arisa-senpai holding her forehead, teary-eyed with her cheeks puffed like a blowfish.

My lips went up into a smirk as I opened a question, “Are you going to scold me, senpai? Is that why you chased after me?”

“Naturally! You deserve a scolding…” Although her voice was loud at first, it toned down by the end of her sentence. Her cheeks returned to normal and her eyes seemed to lose their brilliance. “… No, scolding you is wrong. You did it with good intentions.”

“Good intentions or not, I knew I overdid it by pushing him down. That’s why if senpai wants to, you can freely scold me and I’ll take it without talking back.”

Upon hearing that, Arisa-senpai looked at me angrily, her sidetail shaking in response to it. However, that didn’t last for more than five seconds as she eventually calmed down. After heaving a sigh, her concerned voice reached my ears.

“… Why do you always try to vilify yourself?”

This question, huh? This girl… Even after what I did, she’s still impartial, or… this was me getting a privilege from her.

I smiled inwardly. My opinion of her was already high, to begin with, but this… I think I’m going to fall in love with this girl further than I am now.

“Because I am. In the first place, your circle will remain the same if not for my meddling, senpai. I am the menace. You know my past. I’m someone who breaks relationships and now, I did it again. Not just a couple but a group of friends.”

Right. That’s one way to see it.

“B-but… You worked your way to—” Arisa-senpai fumbled with her words as she tried to think of an explanation, justifying my actions. But I cut her off on that.

There’s no need to justify it at all.

“Senpai, are you here to scold me or comfort me? You should be at Izumi-senpai’s side instead or in your circle. Pick up the pieces to repair them if it’s still repairable. You know I left because you all needed that. Even Nami.”

“Besides, I’m fine. You know how shameless your cheeky junior is…”

Upon saying that, I grabbed her cheeks and gave them a pinch. The tear from the corner of her eyes spilled down but they stopped in the middle. It’s a small amount after all. Only a drop.

I was tempted to kiss her puckered lips. However, I held back and just remained smiling.

After a while, I let go of her cheeks and turned around.

Without saying anything else, I went up the stairs, leaving Arisa-senpai behind.

She couldn’t find words to rebut what I said so… she had no other choice but to accept it.

That’s better. Although Nami could take the helm of the situation, she’s in the middle of what happened so it’s best to let Arisa-senpai do that job.

Before opening the door to the Literature Club, I cleared my head first and fixed my expression. Although I would possibly tell my day to Kana and Rae given the chance, I didn’t want them to see me having a complicated expression. Besides, they’re not the only ones inside.

“Finally, the habitual latecomer arrived. What a day to rejoice…” In a sarcastic tone, Ishida-senpai clapped her hands and announced my arrival.

Upon hearing that, the three women who were seemingly busy with their collaborative work all turned to me and laughed.

“… Yes, senpai. Thank you for the warm welcome.” I shamelessly accepted that while scratching the back of my head, resulting in more laughter from the three.

“Ruki, stop being shameless and come in.”

“I understand. Ishida-senpai, you can use my book to smack him. It’s pretty thick.”

“Nothing beats Onoda-kun and his shamelessness.”

While Kana asked me to come, Rae jokingly suggested violence to Ishida-senpai. And using her book at that. And lastly, Otsuka-senpai gave me a thumbs-up, adding oil to the fire.

“Alright give that to me. And you, come here and sit down.” Ishida-senpai picked up the book that’s truly thick and hardbound before pointing at me and gesturing to me to sit down next to her.

That book is a lethal weapon, you know?

I looked at Rae and saw my pretty glasses girl naughtily sticking her tongue out, truly elated at what she was seeing.

I guess I could only play the clown for now, huh?

This was fine. After a dramatic exit from downstairs, a comical relief following it relieved all tension that I unknowingly accumulated.

While acting meek, I first went to Rae and Kana’s side, giving the two a hug and a stealthy kiss. Well, not so stealthy when Otsuka and Ishida-senpai followed me with their eyes.

“Can I ask for one too?” Otsuka-senpai asked, her dazzling eyes turning heart-shaped…

“Onoda-kun…” And obviously, Ishida-senpai’s anger meter reached its maximum amount.

I ignored Otsuka-senpai’s words but I tousled her silky, smooth hair before skipping steps to Ishida-senpai’s side. I sat down and put on an oblivious expression, “You called, senpai?”