Stealing Spree

Fuyu throwing that kind of question most likely meant that she spotted me yesterday. I was disguised and even wearing their uniform so she wasn’t sure if it was really me. This was her trying to confirm if I was suspicious or not. Akane trying to stop her was possibly because she already mentioned that to her.

To which, Akane didn’t tell me. It’s a coincidence that we ran into Fuyu today.

I could somehow guess why Akane didn’t tell me about it. Fuyu was only speculating so she probably didn’t feel like it would be a problem.

And that led to the current situation.

As I observed the girl that I just likened to a distant star, that smile of hers that was gentle and kind now appeared like a mask to prevent herself from going for my throat.

She’s probably unsatisfied with Akane’s passive reaction to the possibility that I might be seeing another girl and in the same school, no less. She took it upon herself to interrogate me, in order to protect Akane.

Once again, that’s admirable of her.

Unfortunately for her, this was an instance where I have to deny it. It’s not like she already confirmed that it was me. It’s still salvageable.

Moreover, it wouldn’t be good if she found out.

“Up until the gate, I guess. Does that count as me being inside your campus?”

Upon hearing my answer, Fuyu paused in her steps and stared at me for a long while.

Although I maintained a neutral expression, to show that her line of questioning failed to pull out a reaction from me, I eventually copied her, stopping before looking at her in confusion.

Curious eyes quickly focused in our direction.

“What’s happening? A love triangle?” One of the passing students who’s probably from a higher year wondered.

“That’s the famous 1st year, the one with the golden hair and that girl in a ponytail is that rising Tennis Club ace. I remember watching them that day! They even made it to the front page of our school newspaper. But who the hell is that guy? She’s clinging to him… Boyfriend?” Another one answered him.

While some of them stopped to see what was happening, most continued on their way, not creating a traffic jam for those behind them.

The two girls mostly received praises for their beauty while I got cursed to death when they assumed that this was a scene of two girls fighting for my attention.

However, the world wouldn’t be missing those who always wanted to address injustices, those who felt righteous enough to interfere as well as those who thought it might be a chance for them upon reaching a conclusion at what they’re witnessing.

One guy tried to step in. But one glare from me and he scurried away. He didn’t even get the chance to speak.

Another tried to grab Fuyu on her shoulder while appearing concerned. He was probably going to say, ‘What’s wrong?’. Well, that one felt like a normal reaction if the situation was different. He’s a clear stranger so there’s no reason for him to do that.

I thought of moving quickly to pull Fuyu toward us before his hand lands but Akane beat me to it. Following that, she glared at the guy while hugging her surprised friend.

With his hand landing on air, he quickly scratched his head and laughed awkwardly before saying, “I-I see. There’s no problem…”

He scurried away right after that.

When he passed by me, I intentionally clicked my tongue aggressively.

If I could describe him, he’s like a dwarf from those fantasy stories. He had this broad, seemingly muscular body yet his height betrayed him. Even Akane and Fuyu were even taller than him. Because of that irregularity, even if he’s rather good-looking, that was offset by his build.

Anyway, he tried to return a glare but the laughter occurring around us that was directed to him, pushed him to run away in embarrassment.

According to what he’s wearing, he’s a senior in their school. I better tell Akane and the others to watch out for him. Akane could protect herself but her friends weren’t like her.

Putting my focus back on the two girls, Akane was still holding Fuyu.

A few seconds later, realizing what just happened and the situation she probably unintentionally created, Fuyu’s shoulders jumped as red gradually crawled up from her neck to her face.

Watching that reaction from her friend, Akane laughed before guiding her back to my side.

Because of what happened, Fuyu’s thoughts scattered. The tension and suspicion towards me that she was emitting vanished in thin air.

As we resumed our walk, Fuyu, whose embarrassment had just started to settle in her mind, pouted cutely before nudging her friend’s shoulder in an attempt to get back at her laugh. “Missus, are you my knight in shining armor?”.

“Sure, I am. The Princess of Tennis was being a scatterbrain right there. It’s my duty to not let anyone lay a hand on you. I swear upon my oath.” Akane put a hand on her chest and straightened her back, mimicking a knight gesture.

Ah. That’s right. They’re like this when they’re together.

This kind of sight wasn’t new to me as I already witnessed them being goofballs to each other back then. Nonetheless, seeing them laughing and bantering like this after a long while, once again warmed my heart that always appreciated close friendships.

A while later, when the two girls stopped laughing at each other, Fuyu’s eyes landed on me once again.

I thought she was going to continue with her line of questioning earlier. However, the girl looked at me with guilt as she bowed slightly, a gesture of apology.

“Uhm… Forget what I asked, Onoda-kun. You won’t cheat on Akane, right? Maybe I mistook someone with the same stature as you. You’re not from this school after all.”

Although feeling guilty, those words were still laced with suspicion.

If I had to guess, this girl was more than half-certain that it was me who she saw. But with me denying it, that certainty plummeted. In her mind, she’s probably thinking that unless she interrogated me thoroughly, she wouldn’t get any result. Furthermore, it would be rude for her to do that when she had no evidence of my infidelity.

Thinking about it. As someone who was always with Akane back then, she already knew a lot about me even though we hadn’t truly interacted with each other. She endured almost everyday of Akane preaching about the guy she loves – me.

Naturally I kept my straight face and responded accordingly to her.

And that became the end of her question. Even if she appeared a little unsatisfied, she was already out of time.

Nonetheless, she kept shooting glances at me as if trying to memorize my face and whole figure.

Whenever I would catch her staring, the girl would blink her eyes before acting that I wasn’t the one she’s looking at me. Akane also noticed that but as we were guiltily keeping the truth away from the girl, she acted obliviously.

Fortunately, that didn’t last long as a few minutes later, we finally reached our destination as well as the point where I had to part with them.

… I guess I successfully averted Fuyu’s interrogation but this just shows that I can’t be too careless. Besides, with all the attention we gathered today, I expect another article to be written with us as their topic…

Right. I spied from some corner that idiot from the newspaper club, a camera hung on his neck. He’s showing me a thumbs up while grinning widely as if the headlines for their next newspaper would be penned by him.