Stealing Spree

Compared to that other coward who never returned to the club after that confrontation, being late instantly earned me Ishida-senpai’s disappointed look as I joined them in their simple club activity.

Well, it’s clearly my fault and even if I apologized, that’s slowly becoming meaningless because of how I always disappoint her.

Nonetheless, taking into account her dedication to this club as well as Kana, Rae and Otsuka-senpai’s feelings, I had to do something to keep the harmony.

And perhaps knowing what I aimed to do, Kana and Rae silently encouraged me after greeting and catching up with the two.

Kana specifically said, “You’re aware of why Rumi is disappointed. Ruki should show his sincerity to her.”

Rae, on the other hand, scribbled on her notepad, ‘It can’t be helped, take responsibility and appease Rumi-senpai.’

As for Otsuka-senpai, with her curiosity lulled earlier, she just smiled brightly and pointed to the seat next to Ishida-senpai.

That’s right. The three girls were of the same mind on what I had to do to return the liveliness of the club room.

With that, I stood up from my seat and took the one next to her on the other side of the long table.

When that Kenji was still going to this club, the three of them were occupying this side with the previous couple close to each other.

But nowadays, Ishida-senpai was the only one who remained. Kana had long moved to the other side to be next to me after all.

In any case, for the past few club meetings, I already lost a permanent seat. Either I was between Rae and Kana, Kana and Otsuka-senpai or next to Ishida-senpai whenever we’re talking about that plan.

And today, with the urgings of the three and my own guilty conscience, I took the seat next to her with the intention to cozy up with her.

Of course, I was aware. No. Everyone surely picked up the clues.

Ishida-senpai had long become conscious of me as a member of the opposite gender. Otherwise, she would’ve kicked me out long ago rather than put up with how I could only come three times a week and be late almost every day.

Even though there’s that worry about who will hold the club up in place of her after the summer vacation, that’s no more than an excuse or even if it’s not, it’s just part of a reason why she’s not kicking me out.

She even decided to go out of her way to guide me. Furthermore, the way she always mentioned how I should chase after her skirt outside the club was just a not-that-subtle hint for me to make a move on her.

Only idiots wouldn’t notice those hints. And naturally, I was ignoring it most of the time.

Do I not like her? Perhaps, but I already admitted how much I admire her.

With my desire still in place, this is what’s currently happening;

I am challenging myself with Misaki.

I am taking responsibility for Otsuka-senpai because of how I opened her eyes to that world.

And I respect Ishida-senpai.

To be honest, it’s fairly easy for me to flip it around and seriously go after them as well given that I am interested in all of them. But this is the current situation that I ended up making.

And at the moment, I decided to keep it this way.

Despite the silence and the clear displeasure Ishida-senpai had towards me, I remained at her side and did activity while asking her at times.

Although it always took a while before she responded to me, she’d eventually give in and answer me along with mentioning some quick tips.

And just like this, time passed and the ice surrounding Ishida-senpai gradually melted.

Her expression relaxed and the atmosphere of the club turned livelier by the minute when the other three also joined us when they turned in their papers.

By the time the club hours ended, Ishida-senpai’s mood returned to normal.

Before she left the clubroom, she gave me a reminder. “If you’re going to be late in the future and I’m sure you will, at least message me. What’s the use of getting my contacts if you’re not going to use it?”

I held back from telling her that I only usually respond to my girls... hence I missed her message to me back then.

Anyway, I accepted that reminder and etched it in my mind to regularly message her.

With Otsuka-senpai and Ishida-senpai leaving first, Kana and Rae remained in the clubroom with me.

Using the few minutes as we waited for Satsuki and Aya to arrive, I talked to Kana about that pending meeting with her ex.

“Tomorrow. That’s what I told him... Also, I reminded him not to raise his hopes... There’s no way I’m going back to him.” Kana said.

They’re from the same class... So even after making him understand that it’s already hopeless, they would still meet each other.

In any case, there are her friends like Momoiro-senpai and Ishida-senpai. Furthermore, Kana isn’t as hopeless as before.

Like everyone around me, she’s slowly changing. In fact, the cute and shy persona that made her slightly famous was slowly being replaced by her mature attitude. She’s now being vocal even when around other people. According to her, her friends were now running to her for advice, be it about relationships or other miscellaneous things.

“I see. Ishida-senpai and I will be there to watch over you. If he tries anything, don’t be afraid. I’ll jump out instantly to shield you.”

As if he can do anything. I’ll intimidate him before letting him meet Kana. That way, he can shelve whatever plans he drew for that instance.

“Un. I believe in you. After that... take me home to meet your...” Kana stepped forward and hugged me from the front as she cutely gazed at me after sniffing my scent.

“Of course, I will bring my Kana with me. You too, Rae.” I kissed her forehead before extending one of my arms to Rae, pulling her close to me as well.

It’s a chance to bond with the two while we’re waiting. Better not waste this time.

“I understand but will everyone be there? Don’t you think it will be chaotic?” Rae looked concerned, perhaps remembering what happened last Sunday.

“Maybe but I don’t know how long they will stay here or whether they will easily accept my making all of you my girlfriends. That’s why... Let’s beat them to it?”

Well, for sure they already had an idea how many there are. There’s a couple of spies next door in the form of Akane’s parents. Given how cheerful my mother was during that videocall with Otoha and Akane, she’ll probably accept it. As for my father, I expect a night of sermon.

He’s also going to ask me about his liquor collection when he finds it near empty. I wonder, can I pay for it with my income? Ugh... let’s think about it when the time comes.

“I’d like to say how idiotic... But knowing you, you’re just worried that you won’t be able to introduce us to them, right?” Rae scoffed and pinched my cheeks.

“That’s definitely the case for this guy.” Kana laughed and supported Rae’s guess.