Stealing Spree

When homeroom started, Shio cut the lesson halfway and only left behind reading exercises we have to memorize and study. As her Student Assistant, I still followed behind her, carrying her things to wherever she was going.

As it turned out, she’s returning to the Administration Building and it’s not only her but every teacher from all year levels.

“What’s happening Shio?” I couldn’t help but ask her as we slowly made our way there.

I said her name in a low voice, obviously. In any case, I didn’t look out of place since some of the teachers also have their Student Assistants accompanying them.

“Kinda like a meeting. We’ve been informed of it earlier. It’s just… the one who will start it didn’t arrive on time. That’s why we, homeroom teachers, had no choice but to start the classes first. Someone from the faculty informed us of that person’s arrival.”

“It’s probably important. You’re all hurrying back.”

“Un. You know who that person is… The owner and director of the school.”

Ah… I see. It’s Hayashi-sensei, huh? If it’s her then… I could guess what the content of their meeting would be. It’s probably related to that Nobuo. She’s not going to announce but will put out new rules, restrictions, or prohibitions for the members of the faculty to prevent the same thing from happening…

If I’m right, although Shio and I can just take our relationship outside, Eguchi-sensei who’s gradually growing close to me will definitely be affected.

Well, I’ll try and ask Shio later about it.

While continuing that conversation, we soon reached the Administration Building. As much as I wanted to take this chance to spend time with Shio, we both found it impossible. And so, after dropping her things on top of her desk inside the faculty, I followed the other Student Assistants’ example and left the Administration Building to return to our classroom.

I planned to go back quickly but I slowed down when I saw an acquaintance. Or maybe I’m not equivalent to an acquaintance. I have no idea what she sees me as, after all. Maybe I’m the shameless rival who also wants to get close to her? I don’t know.

After deliberating what to do, I approached and called out to her. “Minori-senpai. It’s a surprise to see you here.”

Right. The girl I saw is one of the last two girls in the Poem Appreciation Club. The green-haired girl and the one in the same year as Edel. The girl who bravely faced and told me that if I would ever try to get close to her and the orange-haired girl, Yuika-senpai, I should start with her.

Upon hearing my voice, the girl noticeably slowed down in her steps, allowing me to walk beside her. However, when I glanced at her side frame, there was no hint of surprise in her eyes. Furthermore, she was expressionless as we both matched our pace.

A second later, she replied not with the same greeting but with a question. “Are you sure approaching me like this is good for you?”

Obviously, that question wasn’t because she was worried about me, it was simply her standard response to my shamelessness in approaching her in public.

She clearly hated interacting with me, yet here she was, giving me a chance to walk with her. I guess rather than running away from me every time, she switched her stance to make me give up with her indifference and clear hate instead.

The same with the first three, her story remained a mystery to me. While Edel was scared of the opposite gender because of her experience with that stepfather, Minori and Yuika-senpai both hated men to the core.

Nonetheless, they’re also not showing it in public, only to those who would try to approach them, otherwise, they would be more of an outcast than a recluse and definitely not an introvert. That status was just something they turned into after Haruko met and took them in.

“What’s wrong with approaching a senior? Our destination was the same place anyway. A simple conversation won’t be seen as weird.”

“That’s not what I meant. You’re someone well-known by now while I’m an unassuming third-year student. We’ve never interacted before and you approached me as though we’re familiar with each other. Are you trying to make me stand out?”

This girl… You slowed down and waited for me. That’s not in my hands, right?

Did I find another overthinker? How did she come up with that conclusion right away?

In any case, those points were valid. I’m not a simple Classmate A anymore. I’m the Disciplinary Officer as well as the new hot guy in their area. Calling myself a hot guy is definitely making me cringe but what can I do? That description came from the mouths of my new admirers.

“Does senpai hate to stand out? Same here.”

“Don’t ‘same here’ me there, Onoda. We’re not the same.” The girl clicked her tongue and threw me a hateful glare. Yet her voice was as low as it could get. I even had a hard time catching that.

She’s really careful, huh?

“No. I’m stating the truth there. If not for the circumstance I put myself into, I will never choose to stand out like this. I very much prefer to be invisible.”

“Invisible while getting girls left and right? What a life… you should get an award for that.”

“That’s the ideal, yes. It’s how I can fill up this unstoppable desire.” I shrugged.

Minori-senpai gave me another glance and this time, it was longer than usual. It’s like she’s thoroughly observing me, digging into what’s hidden inside me.

A few seconds later, she mused, “Hmm. Are you sure you’re not hindering yourself to remove it? It’s all in your head. Let me put out a theory. You are your own person. If someone can remove that desire, there’s only you. And on the same note, it’s your own subconscious who’s preventing you from doing so. Do some meditation and search for the answer from within you.”

It's all in my head, huh? It might be true. There’s a possibility that because I don’t want to lose any of them, I’m preventing myself from, once and for all, pulling out the root of my unstoppable desire, or at least putting a lid on it. And the result? I’m still here, chasing after more girls that I take interest in.

“I see. That’s enlightening, senpai. Thanks for the advice.” I replied. There’s no point in me rejecting her theory after all. And it’s actually helpful for my mind.

“No. That’s not advice. It’s a simple observation on my part.”

Observation… She’s really someone with high observation skills. The same as me and Nami. However, unlike Nami, she’s the type to overthink like me which made her arrive with that kind of theory.

That’s interesting.

Well then, I better not lose on that and show her my mettle.

“I see. Then can I also tell you the result of my observation of you, senpai?”

Upon hearing that, Minori-senpai paused on her steps and stared at me. This time, her eyes were shaking a bit. Most likely it’s not within her expectation that I’m going to match what she did.

Nonetheless, she recovered soon enough and returned to walking by my side, “Go ahead. I’m not afraid to be read. If you’re correct then… I’ll applaud you.”

“Is that so? Then senpai, your hate towards men in particular is not because of a tragic past or incident. Am I correct?”