Stealing Spree

Hearing about different levels to it sure as hell confused me. However, as their conversation continued, I got the gist of what Saki meant with Year-level and Campus-level.

It’s just a popularity poll in a wider scope. To think that they even have that kind of system was amazing in itself. And to top it all off, I was unaware of it…

Uh… their tradition probably didn’t extend to the other side of the city or specifically to the schools we attended.

From what I gathered listening to them jovially guessing how far I will climb in it.

There were only three levels to it.

The Classroom, Year and Campus. Much like how competitions and tournaments were being held; City or District-level, Prefecture-level and National-level.

They’re going to start inside their own classrooms. Boys like us would be ranked by the girls.

Taking the emerging top five from each class, they would then conduct the Year-level popularity poll, ranking them once more to know who was the most popular among every year level.

Naturally, they wouldn’t conduct it as soon as the rankings from each class came out. Instead, they would wait for a week or so until every girl had gotten a good impression of every entry.

Although most of them would tend to be biased towards someone from their class, the result would still vary greatly thanks to those fangirls that would surely vote for their idol regardless of their class.

And the same thing would happen for the Campus-level, crowning the most popular guy in our school.

What about the boys? For sure they also have their own popularity poll but it wouldn’t be as systematic as what the girls came up with.

“And you all believe I’ll rank high up in that poll?” I asked them, incredulity laced in my voice.

“It’s natural. You’re being too high-key!” Satsuki was the first who answered in a matter-of-factly tone.

Following her, Nami expounded on that. “Yes…There’s you becoming Student Assistant of two teachers. And you even flaunt your friendship with that girl from Class 3. What else? Your role in the Student Council. Tell us, Ruu. Is that being high-key or low-key?”

My eyes scanned the room, hoping for someone to take my side. Unfortunately, everyone was nodding their heads, even Aya. The girl even rejoiced upon learning that the scope of my popularity was bigger than what she was aware of.

Well, in my eyes, that’s not popularity, right? Most of those were just aware of my existence. Those girls wouldn’t instantly admire me because they heard my name from the rumors.

But these girls… they’re too sure about it.

A while later, their faces depicted their amusement at my reserved reaction.

“If you don’t believe us… What about this? We’re not going to vote for you at Year-level. If you are still ranked among the top 5 then we win.” With the look of someone about to commit mischief, Hina laid out her suggestion.

Upon hearing that, the other five all nodded their heads, expectant of how I would answer.

Ah… I understood why she chose Year-level and not during the Classroom-level. There were only a few votes in one class.

How many girls are there in our class? 18.

A guaranteed six votes or 1/3 of the poll body will surely lift my name on top, resulting in my qualification to the next level.

Even if the remaining 12 only focused on two instead of another four, that’s a guaranteed top 2.

And if that’s not the case, just their six votes could push me on top 1.

Ugh… Alright, I admit. I’m popular in their eyes but that’s not the case with the other girls that didn’t have anything to do with me.

Upon reaching this line of thought, a meaningful smile crept on my lips, “Alright. If I truly reached the top 5 without your votes, what do you girls want as a prize?”

Although I’m not really comfortable at taking up the mantle of a popular guy, I love seeing this seemingly overwhelming confidence they have in me.

I can only surrender to that, right?

“Let’s see… What about granting one request from each of us?” Hina’s mischievous smile grew wider. And like earlier, the five seemed to have understood whatever underlying meaning she included in it.

“Request? You girls… You know, you can request something from me anytime.”

That’s what I truly think. As long as it’s in my ability, I can grant any request they have.

However, Nami's next words made me understand and correct my belief.

“You don’t get it, Ruu. There are things we can’t just ask you upfront. See it like this. It will look like we’re taking advantage of you if you grant each and every request we have. If it’s like this, something we won from a ‘bet’ with you, then we won’t be too guilty in requesting something from you. Obviously, if we’re wrong about your popularity then you will also have the same privilege.”

“If you want, Mirae will also not vote for you. But you will also have to accept one request from her.” Satsuki added.

“Uhm, what about Akane and the others not from our school?”

“And Ruki’s girls from upstairs.”

Aya and Saki also spoke up.

Isn’t this getting out of hand?

But thinking about it, by bringing that up, they didn’t want to monopolize the ‘request’ privilege or it would truly be unfair for the others…

Now I’m wondering what kind of request they have in mind… My capabilities are limited. I’m not someone who can do everything. I only do what I can.

“Why not talk to them about this? Hear their opinion. There’s the chat group…”

Whether that saved the day or not, I don’t know. But with Chii bringing that up, Hina, the one who suggested it, fell into contemplation.

“You’re right. Let’s talk to them rather than keep them out of the loop. The Year-level won’t happen today anyway…”

And with that, talks about the upcoming poll continued among them. Looking at their enthusiasm as they discussed the possible scenarios, I decided not to burst their bubbles by acting pessimistic.

Whatever the result, I guess we’ll both win anyway. The only difference is… the result of that poll will confirm whether I’m really popular or not.

Honestly, I still lean on the latter. That’s how I lived my life for years, after all. Unpopular and unremarkable.

Wait, am I really unpopular back then? Uh… I don’t know. Perhaps, perhaps not. I was blinded with my desire, after all.

-

-

A while later, the clock ticked to the last 10 minutes of the lunch break. At this point, I changed to my PE uniform – Yes. In front of them – and left the empty clubroom to meet Eguchi-sensei in her office.

I had no idea what kind of activity she prepared for us today. I just hope to correctly adjust its difficulty before disaster befalls my girls.

Whether it’s a miracle or not, Eguchi-sensei showed me a fairly acceptable activity that will not result in someone being sent to the infirmary.

When I saw that, I unconsciously blurted out a praise which resulted from a rather unusual reaction from her. Ah. No, it’s not unusual anymore. To me, at least.

The former scary teacher in my eyes heaved a sigh of relief as the tension she’s probably keeping was released before a gentle smile flashed on her lips. “Great! I finally did it…”