Stealing Spree

With my words hitting their mark, Kanzaki gradually crumbled into a state of weakness. Exposing what’s really going on in her mind shook the resolve she gathered.

The girl then lifted the hand that I kissed, rubbed it to her cheek as though she’s trying to pass the sensation to it. Or she’s just relishing it. Because in a sense, that one was something she didn’t ask from me but something I’ve given voluntarily.

Following that, with powerlessness filling up her body, she stumbled forward. Being the one in front of her, I held her up and let her rest on my chest. Moments later, soft sobbing sounds reached my ears. She broke down into tears.

Comforting her with words came to my mind but considering she’s not talking and just letting out whatever’s inside her chest, I did the bare minimum as someone supporting her at the moment. I rubbed her head and back until she calmed down.

That took nearly five minutes. After which, we left the room and began our way out of the School Building. Fortunately, no students saw us leaving the Science Room and even though her eyes were still a little red from crying, her glasses concealed it perfectly.

“Well then, Kanzaki, see you tomorrow. Whatever you decide from now on, remember that you were never lacking.”

“Y-yes. Thank you for your time. But can I ask one last question?”

“Sure. What is it?”

Well, considering what happened, I already expect what she’s going to ask. But since this was the last, I would answer her without beating around the bush.

“You said you’re interested in me… Is that true?”

“Mhm. I told you that I value honesty. I won’t just throw a lie without any reason to do so.”

“I… I see.”

When she heard my answer, her lips curved up a little. She raised her arms and pressed it to her chest before she exhaled, casting off whatever’s weighing her down.

After bowing out of gratitude to me, she turned around and started walking towards the Administration Building. Most likely, to return the key that she borrowed.

Perhaps tomorrow, Kanzaki will be like a changed girl. Her gloom will be reduced and she'll return to being that straightforward and diligent Class President.

Although she didn’t ask me about my girlfriend or what's my relationship with the girls that always crowded around me, I could put out a guess that she already had some idea. Especially when it comes to Satsuki, Aya and Chii.

Anyway, what do I do with my interest in her? Since I wasn’t inclined to make her mine, the best course of action was to shelve it back at the back of my mind. Hand it to chance if there would ever be another situation where we could be together.

This might look like I was contradicting myself but in my own opinion, I saw this as a significant change in the way I treated the girls that took my interest…

There’s no need to rush at all. Besides, there’s already a lot of girls waiting for me...

Since it’s already a habit, I first visited the Student Support Club to check on their current state.

Because of what happened yesterday, I didn’t invite myself in so that I wouldn’t mess up the rather tranquil air that I chanced upon. From what I heard from my girls who greeted me outside the door, it’s quite peaceful and they had a Support Request they’re working on.

That’s good to hear.

As for Ogawa, well, according to Nami, he’s like the same guy from their middle school with a dimmer glow. As for what that glow means, she described it as his ‘welcoming and kind vibe’.

So long as he stopped chasing after her, then he’s clear in my books. I wouldn’t unnecessarily antagonize him again when it took us an effort to open his eyes to reality. That would just be troublesome when there were more things we had to focus on.

For now, the only threat in that club was the silent guy. Nami and Hina were already aware of how he’s stalked Saki before. That’s why they also started watching his movements. He’s still occasionally looking at Saki but he’s still not doing anything beyond that.

It’s like the guy was already satisfied just admiring her. Is he a natural-born cuck? Is he going to take the title from Tadano? I don’t know.

But since he’s supposed to be their friend, there’s no need to make any move when yesterday had just happened. Besides, even Arisa-senpai had some good things to say about him despite his eternal silence.

Following my visit there, I went to the Book Club to check on Edel’s condition. She’s already back to normal and she's even clingier than before. With our relationship leveling up to lovers, the way she’s jumping in my arms was already more straightforward. And her lips would pressed with mine as part of her greeting.

And because of Edel’s act, even Haruko who was more than happy to let the others steal her march was being spurred into action; she’s now asking the others for her turn to snuggle with me.

Anyway, because even Mina started waiting for me in the Book Club, there's no need for me to go to the Poem Appreciation Club anymore. And that cut off the chance to interact with the remaining two.

Well, it’s not like I would actively seek them out and at the moment, that was for the better.

“Oh. I remember, Ruki. Ya-chan said you’re going to help her. What’s that about?”

When her turn came to snuggle and sit down on my lap, Himeko raised a rather surprising question.

The help she’s talking about was about Misaki but we didn’t have a date for it yet. Besides, it’s truly surprising that she talked about it to Himeko when she’s supposed to hate being overshadowed by me in her beloved sister’s mind.

And looking at Himeko’s expression, she probably still held that uncomfortable thought about Itou becoming another captive in this complex relationship with me. That was brought up during our date. That time, Itou asked me to hold her hand inside the bus and right after it, she confessed about it to her older sister.

Based on how she’s acting, it’s probably an older sister’s protection as well as slight jealousy to see the man she fell in love with getting along well with her little sister.

But I could be wrong.

Anyway, that Itou… why didn’t she tell Himeko the full details of that agreement we had? Did she intentionally let me be put in this situation? Is she watching from somewhere?

“Right. There’s that. Yesterday, I ran into her before coming here. We got into a little argument concerning her friend or our friend, Misaki. You already met her, right?”

“Ah… That adorable girl who asked to be kissed by you…” Himeko intentionally raised her voice as she said that. And it successfully took the attention of the other girls in the room.

“That girl is about to be corrupted by Ruki. That’s for sure.” Mina clicked her tongue before smirking at me.

“Eh? Misaki-chan is cute but she’s too innocent. She’s unaware of our relationship with Ruki.” Edel’s beautiful eyes widened in surprise.

“T-that… she also tried to ask for a hug from Ruki last week.” Aya added, mentioning what happened after the PE Class last week.

“Oh? What’s this, Ruki? Care to tell us more?” And lastly, even though Haruko was already aware of my ‘friendly’ relationship with Misaki, the girl flashed a playful smile as she stoked the already-raging fire from these girls’ curious eyes.