Stealing Spree

After around 15 minutes of the Student Council meeting wherein they tackled other issues aside from that of the Baseball Club destroying school property, the three left with their other assignments and we were once again left alone in this room.

I thought she would instantly dive back to her work but Shizu turned her head to me, “Onoda-kun, let’s take that rest you’re talking about.”

After saying that, she stood up and went to the sofa where the couple was sitting earlier.

And abiding by what she asked earlier, I followed her and took the seat next to her. I didn’t make a move of course or she might just push me away again. It’s better to act like this than repeat what I did earlier.

With the two of us sitting straight, I could feel we’re both waiting on each other about who would talk first.

I turned my head slightly to check on her. However, it was as if she was thinking the same as me.

Although she’s maintaining her straight expression, I could see the slight hint of red slowly occupying her face.

“Hmm? What made you change your mind? I thought you’ll just go back to work and I will do my secretary job.”

“Don’t ask me. Besides, how long will you stare at me?”

”For as long as I am here.” After saying that, I inched closer to her and slowly moved my arm across her shoulders.

When she noticed my hand on it, she shook her head and pinched it off her. “As much as I want to be intimate with you… I can’t. And you know why.”

“Won’t you change your mind?”

“I should be the one asking you that. If I am you and I cannot let go of my girls just for you, I will stop associating with you in a heartbeat.”

“That’s you. But remember, we have different mindsets. I’m a despicable, shameless and greedy guy. You can reject me, Shizu… If you do, I will have no choice but to respect your decision. But you’re not doing that.”

“We’re back here again, huh?… I will never reject the guy I love. This is new to me and I am aware I am losing a lot by gatekeeping you with what I want to happen. However, this is me, Onoda-kun, no, Ruki.” Putting on a bitter smile on her lips, she then inched away from me before continuing, “Enough about us. What are your plans about your situation with Nanami?”

Since she swiftly changed the topic away from us, I had no choice but to follow through. Shizu is a stubborn girl. And I am the same. In fact, I probably made it hard for her when I made her fall in love with me. She’s adamant about what she wanted to happen and all the tricks I stored in my mind would surely not work with her.

Perhaps, we would stay like this for a long time. Loving each other without ever taking the step to truly become lovers.

“I am going to talk to Ogawa. Make him wake up from his delusions.”

That’s the plan but I expect him to just brush my words away. Hina, Nami and perhaps Shizu already talked to him but none of them could change his mind about his delusions.

“Don’t you think that’s a tall order? Even I cannot change his mind.” With doubt in her eyes, I guess she really did talk to him or that guy approached her. Being the most senior among their circle he’s probably thinking about asking for her help with Nami. In the end, his attempt was proven futile. He already lost his position not only in Nami’s heart but perhaps in most girls in their circle.

Well, Izumi-senpai was still devoted to him. However, he would soon find her distant as well. That is if he never changed.

“That’s only because he’s submerged in his fantasy. What do you think about showing our relationship to him?”

“He will still deny it. But that’s the only shot you have at opening his eyes.” Shizu shook her head.

“I want to protect Nami so I want to settle this with us privately but… the way he acts now, it will probably create a buzz if he starts losing it.”

“... Let me deal with the aftermath. Also… you have to tell everyone about what exactly happened. About how you stole Nanami from him. Otherwise… I will be the one telling them about it.”

“I planned to do that but the complications…”

“Nevermind the complications. They all deserve to know what you did. Don’t disappoint me, Ruki.” Cutting off my words, Shizu glared at me while saying that.

If I told them about it, Arisa-senpai, Izumi-senpai and perhaps the others too would hate me for it. Nami would probably try to diffuse it but… the others would definitely take Ogawa’s side. He’s the one who lost a lot from Nami’s ‘cheating’ after all.

Then what I needed to do is to make sure that Nami wouldn’t be persecuted by them.

And that’s probably what Shizu also wanted me to do. The reason why she asked me directly like this.

I was the one who set things in motion, I also should be the one who would carry the burden of being hated by them. Even if this meant a setback on how I wanted Arisa-senpai to fall with me or how I wanted to steal Izumi-senpai, I had to go through this.

“Alright. I won’t disappoint you.”

Upon hearing my answer, Shizu formed a satisfied smile while nodding her head.

”Great. Now that that’s out of the way… Ruki, what do you think about my work?”

“Your work? It’s tiring, I guess?”

Just looking at how she always has a pile of paperwork atop her table, it’s definitely tiring. Nonetheless, this girl could still appear fresh and without fatigue despite how heavy the load she was carrying as the Student Council President.

“What if I ask you to run in the next election? Will you do it?”

Eh? Next election? She’s joking, right? In the first place, I’m not a President material. Besides, I already had a lot of responsibilities. If in the off chance that I really won, then I wouldn’t have any time off for myself anymore.

But looking at her shining eyes as if she’s expecting a positive answer, I ended up contemplating whether it was viable or not.