Stealing Spree

Looking at her dumbstruck expression at what I said, another smile bloomed in me. It’s partly because I might get lost in it and kiss her without warning. Even if I already got a clear read of what I am to her, I opted not to rush things.

True, she might not stop me from doing so but that’s the same as throwing away what I just said earlier, to cultivate this relationship of ours slowly… Besides, she didn’t have a definite answer yet.

To not make her more dumbstruck than she already was, I deliberately changed the topic of our conversation, “Anyway, how is it? Are there mistakes in our piece?”

Hearing that, Ishida-senpai suspiciously eyed me. Most likely surprised that I pedaled back on the chance to tease her or deepen our bond.

After several fake coughs, Ishida-senpai straightened her expression and answered while picking up the piece that she put down.

“… I still have to review this at home… I’ll call you if we need to change something.”

“Alright. I’ll be waiting for that, senpai.”

“Don’t say that so casually! Don’t you have other girls who will call you?”

“What of it? It’s not like you’re going to talk to me all day if you call.”

“This shameless guy… Alright. Now move away…”

“Right away, senpai.” I raised my hand in surrender and moved my chair away.

A while later, Ishida-senpai nodded in satisfaction before giggling again. And right at that moment, the door to our clubroom opened. Kana, Rae and Otsuka-senpai returned from their trip.

As soon as I entered her eyes, Kana’s feet instantly brought her to me, circling her arms around my neck as my head plunged down her bountiful softness. She was panting a little and hugging me was her way to recharge her energy.

Rae, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow as she looked at us. Without any hint of jealousy covering her face, she then made her way to Ishida-senpai to give the folder containing their collaborative piece. But when she passed behind me, she whispered, “I also want to be spoiled, Ruki.”

And lastly, Otsuka-senpai looked like she was deliberating whether to join Kana or not. In the end, her reason won over her instead of that overflowing curiosity and the attraction that’s making her drawn towards me.

Surprisingly, Ishida-senpai allowed our closeness as she quickly reviewed their collaborative piece before storing it along with what we made.

Kana also didn’t overdo it anyway, once she caught her breath, she let go of me and went around to pick up her bag.

With our activity over, we all prepared to go home.

Before sending Rae and Kana to their bus stop, the five of us from the Literature Club passed by a food cart that’s famous for their oden near our school. Given that we’re all mentally exhausted from thinking about what to write, a simple stop like this could reenergize all of us.

Obviously, there’s also the physical exhaustion from the school day that wouldn’t be cured by just hugging and being intimate with me.

There’s also another reason why I pulled them all with me. Given that tomorrow is our midterm exam, there wouldn’t be a club activity. Not only would it be hard to see Kana, but Rae was also the same. And, well, the other two seniors as well.

And, in this way, we’re making a memorable moment for our small Literature Club.

“Are you secretly rich, Onoda-kun? For you to treat us all.” Otsuka-senpai curiously asked as she stirred the oden in front of her, coating every ingredient inside with the delicious soup. With her eyes already focused on the food in front of her, she didn’t wait for my answer and picked up triangular tofu before taking a bite.

“O-ouch!” The curious girl cried out in pain as she dropped the bitten tofu back into the bowl. It’s still hot, obviously. And that scalded her tongue. With her face grimacing in pain, Otsuka-senpai stretched her slowly reddening tongue out, blowing air to it for relief.

Upon seeing that, the other three laughed at her. Rae acted like a diligent junior and grabbed a glass of water for the girl.

“Take it easy, Karen. It’s straight out of the pot, why are you hurrying up?” Ishida-senpai, who’s sitting next to her, rubbed the girl’s back.

“She got drawn in with how tasty it looks… And her mind was flying somewhere again.” Kana giggled as she tried to do the same. But after blowing air to the smoky-hot piece of tofu, she brought it next to my lips, her eyes clearly telling me to take the first bite.

Since we’re not the only ones eating, those at the other table all clicked their tongues and cursed upon seeing that.

However, I ignored them and took a bite before putting on a look of satisfaction as though I'd just eaten something delicious.

Seeing that, the food cart owner who’s busy moving behind the counter while watching us also nodded approvingly before raising a thumb up. But that thumb quickly reversed at the next moment.

“That’s unfair, Ruki. take a bite of mine too.” Rae also moved closer to let me take a bite of the fishcake in her bowl.

Since I was always fair with my girls, I naturally didn’t reject it, earning me more curses not just from the other customers but also the passersby.

And that’s not the end of it. Although the other two didn’t copy Kana and Rae, they cut a piece of an ingredient in their bowls before placing it in mine.

The question that Otsuka-senpai threw at the start was left unanswered and instead of becoming a blissful and memorable rest stop for us, I felt like a large boulder dropped on my shoulders from those cursing me.

“It’s a bad idea to eat like this in public.” I couldn’t help but blurt those words out but the girls surrounding me ignored those as they watched me try and enjoy my food despite the difficulty.

Anyway, we quickly left the area as soon as we finished and on our way, the four tried teasing me.

Right. They’re widely aware that we became the center of attraction because of what they did. Furthermore, without my knowledge, that’s something they all agreed on doing… Yep. Ishida-senpai included.

“We’re waiting for you to get flustered but… it looks like your face is already too thick for it.” Ishida-senpai started as she poked my cheek to gauge its thickness.

“Why are they glaring at you, anyway? Some of them have their own girl on the table. And girls were also looking envious!”

Otsuka-senpai, they’re probably envious of you. I answered her question in my mind and shrugged outwardly.

“Heh. Based on my knowledge, Ruki acquired a number of haters. Will they remember what happened if they see you walking in the hallways?” Rae presented different scenarios of what would transpire and all of them would laugh at it.

“Knowing Ruki, he’s just going to ignore them. Look, he still looked indifferent. How cute~”

And lastly, Kana joined Ishida-senpai in poking my cheeks as she continued giggling in satisfaction.

“… Next time, I’ll bring you all to a private establishment. I might become public enemy number one because of you.” I said jokingly before putting on a bitter smile.

Public enemy number one? If they find out about my complex relationship, that’s not the only title I will receive…