Stealing Spree

“I-Ichihara deserved that! He’s always trying to pick up girls while he keeps Kujou in the dark. It’s about time he got retribution for all the trouble he caused everyone… But… but Kujou also needs a wake-up call that her groom-to-be isn’t some saint. Honestly, I don’t know why her followers aren’t even telling her that she’s being fooled for long.”

When the conversation turned to that rumor, the girl who was seemingly satisfied just sticking to my side broke her silence. Even though she stuttered in some parts, Kana spilled what was on her mind.

Well, as someone who’s in a relationship where she’s not the only one, I initially couldn’t fathom why she blurted that out. But upon careful thought, it probably stemmed from the difference between Ichihara and me as well as her desire to protect me if ever my name was brought up as the impertinent junior who defied that unspoken order to not meddle with the troublesome couple.

“Retribution, huh? I doubt that will happen. He’s well connected with those troublemakers skulking around the corners of our campus. Furthermore, not only does he have the leader of the delinquents answering to him but there’s also the Vice President who’s close to that one. His influence is too wide. Kujou’s followers will also diffuse the situation to make her forgive him. They’re sent to this school to make sure that the two betrotheds will still end up together.” Momoiro-senpai sighed as she answered in a whisper. Her eyes also darted around cautiously. Perhaps to make sure that no one among that couple’s followers was around to tattle what Kana blurted out.

Not only her, but the others from the same table also added their thoughts while making sure that their voices weren’t that loud.

Seeing that, I was convinced that I probably underestimated their influence. Did I dig my grave yesterday?

Perhaps.

However, even if I returned to that time, I would still reverse the situation and take a jab at Ichihara. Furthermore, even if he’s at the top of this school’s hierarchy or Ichihara-san from the gym’s relative, I couldn’t care less.

I am really a petty person. I took offense to his attempt to send me away to flirt with Ishida-senpai yesterday. Now that the issue with Ogawa is more or less settled and he’s on the path to change, that Ichihara could become the recipient of my pettiness.

“E-even so—”

“Oh. That sounds interesting, senpai. Do we have to be careful around him?” I grabbed Kana’s hand to calm her down, cutting off what she was about to say before interjecting.

“No, Onoda-kun. You shouldn’t say it’s interesting. It’s dangerous. You should be careful not to be marked by them.” Momoiro-senpai warned. From the curl of her eyebrows, she’s genuinely worried that I might offend them unknowingly.

What will be her reaction if she finds out that I am that junior in the rumors?

“Ah. You two will be safe. He already gave up on Kana and… he’s not someone who will go after those in a relationship. From what I heard, it’s because he doesn’t want to antagonize every boy in our school.” The one who brought up that rumor added. I think her name is Tsuchida.

Doesn’t want to antagonize, huh? I could somehow understand the reasoning why. It’s probably because he’s not confident to steal the girl as well as not make a lot of enemies that would ruin his carefree life of chasing after different girls.

Yesterday, he quickly surmised that nothing was going on between me and Ishida-senpai so… he masked his intention to send me away by using the ‘broken’ AC. He didn’t anticipate that I would catch that easily.

“Oh… So, girls still fall for him even though they know how troublesome it will be?” I asked again. At my side, Kana was silently protesting by squeezing my hand clasped by her. She’s really worried about me. I looked at her and lightly smiled, wordlessly assuring her that it would be fine.

“Well, you know. He’s handsome and he’s a real flatterer. Girls who get ensnared by him always say he’s making them light-headed and satisfied. Like he’s giving them a boost of confidence” Hiraoka, the last of Kana’s three friends answered.

“That’s right. It’s like a label for some if they were put in his eyes. Honestly, I don’t know what would happen if I also got put in his eyes. Will I succumb and ignore the trouble?”

“Uh. For me, I will likely try it. To experience being courted by a handsome and popular guy, it’s something someone with average looks like us rarely gets.”

With Tsuchida and Hiraoka-senpai saying how open they were to the possibility of also succumbing if ever that happened, Momoiro-senpai huffed annoyedly as she leaned forward to pinched their cheeks which quickly brought them back to reality.

“Don’t be an idiot. You’re all graduating next year. Instead of that playboy, find another guy if you want to experience high school romance. Or wait until you’re in college. They said it will be easier to find someone you can go steady with there.”

That advice seemed reasonable. And compared to the two, Momoiro-senpai was the one who had the highest chance to be targeted. Or Ichihara already tried picking her up before.

I don’t know and it seems rude to ask.

A while later, Momoiro-senpai turned to me again, she looked like she was about to utter a sermon or advice so I put on an attentive expression, waiting for her to start.

“And you, Onoda-kun. Keep your interest in check. Kana will be sad if you somehow get in trouble. You don’t want that, right?”

“I understand. Thank you for the advice, Momoiro-senpai.”

“Good. Keep that up and you’ll always find an ally in me.”

Momoiro-senpai grinned and reached for my shoulder and gave it a considerate tap.

After that topic about Ichihara and Kujou, our lunch and conversation soon came to an end.

In consideration of us, Momoiro-senpai and the other two went on ahead, leaving Kana with me.

Looking at the time and noticing there were still a few minutes left, I accompanied Kana to their floor.

Obviously, we didn’t do anything that would turn people’s eyes on us. We only walked side by side until we arrived at our destination. Not their classroom but the place where we made our first connection; on top of the stairs leading to the rooftop of the School Building.

Well, we didn’t sit down on the stairs but moved further in where no one could spot us unless they also went up the stairs.

Pulling me down on the floor before climbing up on my lap, Kana straddled me before holding my head steady.

She was silent throughout our walk and the worried expression she put on earlier never really went away.

And now that we’re alone, in a place where no one could see us, the girl’s mature self once again resurfaced.

“What did I tell you, Ruki? Be careful… Suzuha wasn’t joking when she said it’s dangerous…”

“Mhm. Don’t worry. I understand that. From how they described him, he seemed truly influential. You know me. I won’t easily lift a hand as long as they leave me alone… But because of the incident yesterday, I may or may not be targeted by him. It’s better that I know my enemies, right? Besides, there’s a possibility that I will be dealing with them even if yesterday didn’t happen.” Patting the girl’s head, I could only use words to pacify her extreme worry. And to further relax her mind, I embraced her tightly and rubbed her back.

Although reluctant, Kana surrendered eventually before asking me to pamper her more as she put her lips a few centimeters away from my lips.

Naturally, there’s no way I would reject her.

Using the remaining time before the fifth period arrived, I spoiled the adorable girl thoroughly. Spoiled her enough to forget about her worries and just focus on making more memories with me; her skirt raised and my pants down.

And with that, this special place became witness to another intimate moment between us.

Kana’s worry was entirely normal. For sure, all of them would have the same opinion when they eventually heard this from me. However, even if I could settle their worry by telling them that I wouldn’t get involved with the troublesome couple, that would just turn into a lie. It’s already too late to turn away and take a step back…