Stealing Spree

Contrary to what happened yesterday, our role of who needs comforting and who would be comforting the other was reversed.

Before letting her go to her practice, I remained by Satsuki's side for a while. Continuing the talk about our relationship, we cleared everything that was somewhat vague between us. Like how we're already dating. I'm her boyfriend and she's my girlfriend. Putting that kind of label while disregarding our situation somehow put her mind at ease.

Afterward, we spent a few minutes reinforcing that by how I continuously called her in any endearing titles. In the end, she got so flustered by it that she decided for us to go back to just calling each other on a first-name basis. Moreover, she wanted it to continue even in front of the others.

Well, calling each other like that wasn't necessarily a couple exclusive. Look at Ogawa's group. All of them call each other by their first names. Well, I even called Shizu, Arisa and Izumi-senpai by their first names even on the onset.

If we suddenly change our way of calling each other, some would surely notice it and make a comment.

Nonetheless, we just needed to shrug it off. It's for Satsuki's happiness and satisfaction anyway.

After sending her up to their locker room and kissing her goodbye, my feet brought me to the Literature Club Room.

As always, Kana and Rae were too excited to see me that they both stood up to welcome me with their bright smiles. Rae even congratulated me for that small win during PE.

Because we're from different classes, it was hard for me to talk to her during it. Nonetheless, I found a way to interact with her when she was practicing for those simple exercises.

When I asked her why she's here when she told me that she would go home early today, she only answered that what happened in her home was resolved so she didn't need to go anymore.

Although I was curious for what happened, this time was inappropriate.

Upon seeing that still fluffy atmosphere around us, Ishida-senpai could only shake her head.

When our eyes met, I greeted her casually which almost made her snap but in the end, she released a small sigh before greeting me like the rest. The way I teased her and our conversation yesterday was probably still in her mind. Well, I was the same. She kept talking about getting into her skirt after all.

I don't know but if I encountered her outside this classroom, that urge to tease might resurface for her.

As for Otsuka-senpai, the curiosity-filled eyes of hers were smiling in anticipation.

She's most likely waiting for me to give her an answer.

I haven't talked to Kana yet about this curious girl's request since I could only talk to her for a bit last night with all that was happening with Shio and Akane.

Moreover, Kana was currently focused on finishing her novel. After greeting me like that, she went back to working on proofreading and editing her works.

To help her, Ishida-senpai turned our club activity today and for the rest of the week to helping Kana.

None of the others rejected the idea so as soon as we're all in the clubroom we busied ourselves in that kind of activity.

The novel will still be completely hers. We're just becoming her first readers. If there's a typo or some phrase that was somewhat vague, we would point it out to her.

Just like that, the time for the club activity passed by in a blink.

Kana slumped down to the table when she finished. It was probably exhausting for her to think of a way to polish her work. It was already completed as a draft but naturally, she still wanted to properly convey her thoughts as the author of the book to her readers.

Otsuka-senpai managed to reel in her curiosity. However, when she sat next to me and started fidgeting at her seat, Ishida-senpai instantly noticed that and asked her if there's something wrong.

To prevent her from spilling anything from our talk yesterday, I stealthily reached for Otsuka-senpai's hand to calm her down.

Fortunately, that was effective. Instead of fidgeting at her seat, the girl became content with fiddling with my hand and fingers. Soon afterward, when she probably felt satisfied, she tried to focus on reading Kana's manuscript.

The result was easy to guess. Otsuka-senpai failed to focus on it because of how she was still engrossed with my hand placed over hers.

My mind was geared toward helping Kana with her novel so I failed to notice that the curious girl focused on my hand instead of on what she was supposed to do for the club activity.

That's why as soon as the club activity ended, I took back my hand which instantly resulted in a forlorn expression on the curious girl's face.

Well, if I let her continue holding my hand we would be found out by Ishida-senpai. It's already enough for the day.

On the other hand, Rae brought out a box of cookies for everyone to share before going home.

To have something to push that down our throats, I went out to get our drinks from the vending machine.

Perhaps she thought that I managed to behave myself throughout the club activity and I'd started listening to her. Ishida-senpai had an approving smile on her lips when our eyes met.

Due to that, she joined me on my way down to get our drinks leaving the three in the room.

"I can carry it by myself, senpai. Did you perhaps follow me to talk to me?" I asked her while we were descending side by side on the stairs.

"Huh? Don't overthink it, Onoda-kun. I'm just in a good mood that the harmony in the clubroom is going back to its normal state."

Normal state huh? If she knew what the curious girl was doing earlier, I wonder what her reaction would be.

In any case, let's not ruin her mood. Since she volunteered to come with me then there's no reason to refuse.

"I see. I'm glad it's working." I put on a smile to not let her be suspicious.

"It's just the day one. Don't be too complacent. Anyway, Kenji. He's bugging me instead for that talk."

So this is the true reason why she followed me… This girl.

I tried to sneak a glance at her and saw that she had this somewhat troubled expression on her face. Whatever that Kenji did, it was probably uncomfortable for her.

"Didn't you tell him that it will be next week? Kana is focusing on her novel. If he comes and ruins it…"

I could pull him to a corner and give him some good beating. Well, that guy might report me. I guess I could put a cloth over his head and tie him to a tree…

Ah. Wait. Let's be civil for now.

Perhaps she noticed something on my face, Ishida-senpai tapped my shoulder, pulling me back from my thoughts.

"You. You're thinking about using violence again, aren't you? My intention for telling you is for you to become aware. I don't like it. Don't always turn towards using violence, Onoda-kun. You have your way with words, use that first if you can."

"I understand. But you know him, senpai. You were there. If I didn't do that, he would continue harassing Kana. Now, he turned to you because I instilled some fear within him."

That guy never learns. But at least he's not worse than Ogawa. Nonetheless, if he tries harassing Ishida-senpai instead… I guess he needs another scaring session.