Stealing Spree

Well, it's not like me to be stumped but I was somewhat taken aback by how she looked this time.

Although there were already previous instances where I got a glimpse of her, none of those was this close.

They chose to be on the side which made it even closer than when they're in front of me so…

They somehow made a mistake on that.

Nonetheless, I wouldn't tell them that and I had no reason to.

For now, my goal was to not make them uncomfortable with my existence.

Perhaps Haruko already told them how she wanted them to get to know me but given that they're refusing it for so long, it wouldn't be easy to completely change their mind.

Next to her, the other third-year like Serizawa-senpai was whispering to the orange-haired girl.

Using this chance that my eyes were on them, I also tried observing her. Among the three who probably have a fear of men, this girl looked tamer than the other two. She had these calm-looking eyes that even if she glared at me, it wouldn't look scary at all. Her green hair reached down to her shoulders and it was adorned by a plain white hairband.

Whatever she's whispering on the orange-haired girl, I bet it didn't concern me at all. She's trying hard not to look at me and perhaps she's also trying to make some topic to take the orange-haired girl's attention away from me.

Well, she didn't need to do that because upon realizing that we ended up staring at each other, the orange-haired girl turned her head away to break our gaze.

More importantly, my fingers already stopped tapping the table so she had no more reason to ask me to stop.

In just a few seconds, the two became lost in their own world leaving me behind on my seat with nothing to do.

If I barged in their conversation, that would just make them wary so instead of doing that, I turned my head back to Mina.

Fortunately, she was already finished.

She's currently putting the teacups and the teapot on a tray.

When I saw that, I immediately stood up and offered my help.

"Let me help you with that."

Even though Mina tried to stop me, I already took the tray and steadily held it in my hand.

Before she could tell me off from what I did, I continued. "By the way, they're here because Haruko or you wanted the two to be acquainted with me, right? You don't need to lie to me. That's also what happened in the other room with Serizawa-senpai."

"If you already know then don't ask. They're not like me or Hime. They're not only an introvert but they are also having a hard time interacting with a guy."

"I understand. Look, I did it well, right? They're in their own world that they now don't have time to be uncomfortable with my existence."

"I don't think you should be proud of that." Mina shook her as we began walking back to the table.

As I placed the tray down, I placed the teapot in the middle before arranging the cups one by one, doing it carefully in front of the two.

After that, I placed the tray behind me before sitting down close to Mina.

She's the reason why I was here anyway. Getting to know the two was just a side quest that was hard to complete.

"Minori-senpai, Yuika, try this and tell me what you think." Mina addressed the two as she poured her brewed tea on their teacups.

As the freshly boiled tea filled their cups, the fragrant aroma of the tea successfully took their attention.

With a slight smile on their lips, they took a sip on their cups before a refreshing expression appeared on their faces.

"Don't stare at them, here's yours. You'll be the judge so give me your honest evaluation." Mina reprimanded me for staring at the two as she also filled the cup in front me.

"Naturally. Just don't make me drink everything again."

"What? Did you have a good time inside the bathroom last time you drank my tea?" A playful smile dropped on her lips which she instantly covered with her hand.

Of course, she knew that's what would happen to me. This girl...

In any case, that's a small sacrifice.

"You tell me." I acted by rolling my eyes before taking a sip.

As soon as I did, it's sweet taste and aroma was the first thing that came to my mind.

I tried to visualize that I was some kind of a connoisseur of tea but I guess I might fail spectacularly at this. I wasn't that picky after all. As long as it suited my taste, I would drink it.

"So? What do you think?"

When I placed the cup down, Mina looked excited as she waited for my judgement.

"Do you want me to be honest?"

"Of course! Ah! Wait. I'll ask them first. Minori-senpai, Yuika, what do you think about my tea this time?"

Mina covered my mouth with her hand, preventing me from speaking.

The two girls looked as if they were hesitant to speak because of me but with Mina's urgings, the two probably just decided to ignore my existence as they straightened their backs to respond to the enthusiastic tea girl.

"It's sweeter than before. And I like this Mina." The green-haired Minori-senpai spoke first.

"Yes. The sweet taste of honey made it even better." The oranged-haired named Yuika followed after.

"Now, your turn, Onoda-kun."

To not lose the momentum and to capitalize on the two's attention that was still on Mina, the girl instantly turned to me.

She's helping me to make a good impression with the two…

"Like the two seniors said, the sweetness made it better... But, how do I put it? Please don't take offense to this comment of mine, I think you should tame the sweetness a bit. A sip was fine but if we drank a whole cup, the other taste would be drowned by it."

By saying that, my eyes alternated between the three of them.

At first, the two girls looked as if they already lost interest when I started to speak, however, when I elaborated on what's on my mind, I successfully took their interest back.

Perhaps they wanted to confirm it, the two girls downed their cups. Minori-senpai lightly coughed after gulping it down while Yuika-senpai grimaced slightly.

Mina who watched that began nodding by herself as she lightly muttered.

"Too sweet, huh?"

"Don't worry, it's still great. Look, I already finished mine. Give me more."

I lifted my cup and showed how empty it was to her.

Upon seeing that, an impish smile appeared on Mina's lips as she lifted the teapot.

"Heh. Alright since you volunteered, drink all of this for us."

"Huh? No. I was just trying to… Haa, alright, if it's for you then this isn't that difficult."

It's an act, of course. I'm trying to gain sympathy from the two girls who were watching our exchange.

And bought by my act, the two girls lifted their cups towards Mina for a refill.

"Uhm. We'll help. It's only too sweet if we gulp it down at once so…"

"I agree. It's not that bad. And, I doubt he will be fine after drinking a whole pot."

Ah. This is good. To think that not only I got their sympathy, but also the Yuika-senpai expressed some kind of concern for me.

Well, I might be imagining the last part but at least, this successfully made them recognize my existence.

Due to that, with all of us sharing the tea, it was emptied in no time.

Although I hadn't made another conversation with the two upperclassmen, I eventually managed to introduce myself to them and likewise, they did the same.

Furthermore, Mina who settled herself on my side leaned her head on my shoulder and secretly whispered her gratitude.

Perhaps gratitude for helping her and helping the two to somehow open up to another person outside their circle.

Nevertheless, I didn't think it's time to make a move on them. I could help them slowly thaw away their fear of men but I was currently more concerned with the girl at my side.

So for the rest of the time I spent inside the Poem Appreciation Club, I stealthily slipped my arm to Mina's waist, pulling her closer to me.

Looking at her becoming comfortable being close to me with her head comfortably resting on my shoulder, it's a small leap but it's a progress to our relationship.