Stealing Spree

Upon leaving the infirmary, Hanabi and I ran into the nurse. I thought she was going to question us about why we were there but the nurse's attention instantly fell on Hanabi.

Why? Because the girl was already a notorious student who uses the infirmary to skip classes. The nurse thought that she came to use a bed again.

Due to that, it took her a while before noticing that I'm not a student of the school. By then, Hanabi already had fun making all sorts of excuses before standing behind me to reveal that she was giving me a tour.

The school nurse shot me a glance but she seemed to be the type not to bother with details. She easily accepted Hanabi's answer and lost her interest right away, leaving us alone as she continued on her way back to the infirmary.

"Heh. See that, Ruki?"

"See what? Proving that you're a notorious slacker?"

"Oh, please. Don't praise me or I'll blush."

The girl mischievously grinned before cupping her cheeks acting like she was pleased with what she heard.

This girl has her way to annoy people, huh? But then again, it's not like I don't have a girl with similar traits. But still, they're way more lovable than this girl who's like the embodiment of a happy-go-lucky stereotype.

"I'm not praising you..." I murmured as a response that instantly drew some sweet-sounding laughter from the girl.

Not falling for her attempt to banter with me, I turned towards the stairs to leave the building.

Although I kind of want to see Nao and check on Saionji one last time, the inspection should be done by now and they're on their way back here. It's better to wait for Eguchi-sensei at the car to prevent Kanno-sensei from interrogating me where I ran off to.

Hanabi chased after me like I expected. She's humming merrily without any care in the world. Sure enough, she still didn't have any plans to return to her class. Should I call Saionji here and let her take care of this girl?

Ah. Wait. That might backfire on me. Besides, I guess I could entertain myself with her and find out Matsuri's current status.

A few steps away from the Administration Building, I opened up the conversation.

"Won't Matsuri feel sad if she finds out you're still skipping classes? She even bought you that gift."

"Ehh... Of course, she will." Surprisingly, she didn't deny it. However, a moment later, Hanabi's mischievous grin resurfaced, "But who will tell her? You?"

Ignoring that bait, I focused on what I picked up from her words, "You talk as if she's not attending the same school."

"Un. Because she isn't. We go to different schools. It's always been this way." Her playful tone waned a bit in the last part. She instantly recovered though.

But having picked that up, I couldn't help but interpret that as the girl sounding a little lonely.

Now that I think about it, if she also attended the same middle school, I would've, at least, run into her once or twice during my scouting sessions. But no. There's only Matsuri there.

There must be a reason why they're separated. But since she received a gift from Matsuri and even saw my photo with her, they're not really out of contact.

I never pried into her family situation before and that girl didn't really talk about them that much except that day when we walked our separate ways.

I should scold myself for not doing so but there's no point in it by now. Years already passed, after all.

"Heh. No wonder I never saw you with her back then."

"Yeah! Wanna hear our story? No, I'll tell you even if you don't answer yes." Without pausing at all, the girl quickly decided what she wanted to do. She clapped her hands enthusiastically before looking to her left and right, perhaps making sure that no one was around.

Once she confirmed that, the girl went behind me and started pushing me on my back.

Looks like apart from deciding to tell me their story, she already had a place in mind where to do it.

But if I let myself be dragged by her pace, this girl might think I'm easy. I should play with her a bit. I already decided to ask her about Matsuri, anyway.

"Girl. At least respect someone else's opinion first?"

"Eh? Are you going to say no?"

"Well, not really." I shrugged and grinned at the girl which resulted in a rather annoyed pout.

She then clicked her tongue and said, "Then what's the deal? Psh. Don't make it so complicated, Ruki. Do you think I failed to notice your interest when I brought up her name? Tsk tsk. You still lacked the experience, kiddo."

Hearing all that, I couldn't help but laugh inwardly. She's really trying to make herself appear bigger in my eyes, huh? She's really different from Matsuri.

This girl was too spontaneous.

But from what I've seen. That was probably just on the surface. Or not.

Anyway, this was just an assumption on my part. She might be hiding her loneliness beneath this goofiness or she's just a natural goofball who could also be lonely at times. Either way, there's no doubt that I found interacting with her like this as a little refreshing.

"I'm just not fond of someone forcing me to do something." I eventually answered before stepping aside.

Seeing that, the girl sidled up next to me again.

"Eek. That's lame." Although she grumpily said that, the girl still sidled up next to me before matching up my steps again and dropping the notion to bring me somewhere.

"Girl, you should really learn some manners."

"I should say the same to you. I'm your senior. Did you forget that?"

"Not really. But who was it that told me I can call her casually by her first name?"

"Ugh. I'm starting to hate you, Ruki." Stumped at what to fire back at that, the girl grunted.

But even with her visible annoyance at losing in this verbal battle with me, I continued to fire back with my lips curved up into a teasing smile "Shame, I feel the opposite."

"Guh. Stop making comebacks like that!"

And with that, the girl raised her white flag and shut her mouth while my laughter naturally escaped my mouth. Hanabi tried to make another comeback after that. Unfortunately for her, she found no success.

Soon enough, we reached the parking lot. Since I only needed to wait for Eguchi-sensei's return, I brought her into the nearby rest area. It's roofed and even has a vending machine next to the benches.

However, because of what happened, Hanabi's earlier overflowing enthusiasm clearly took a hit. It slightly dampened. She even appeared a little upset, pouting to no end.

And when I asked her to sit down, the girl did it sluggishly as if she was trying to get back at me by doing petty things like that.

"Hanabi. Cheer up. How will you tell me your story if you're like that? Here, what do you want to drink, I'll treat you."

What a turn of events, right? In the end, I had to cheer her up like this when she was the one who pushed herself onto following me.

Anyway, the girl's eyes instantly lit up and energetically jumped from her seat to pick a drink for herself, "Heh, thank you, Ruki. You're the best!"

"Yeah, yeah. Flatter me all you want. I'll take it." I lethargically replied as I pushed the buttons on the vending machine.

Along with the sound of dropping cans, Hanabi, who probably didn't like the way I answered, pouted again. But this time, she also wrapped her arms around my neck; not to hug me but to express her frustration by strangling me with her meager strength.

The result? It's ineffective and she just fed my perverted instinct by giving me a feel of her softness when she pressed herself against me with all her might.

"Are you done? Let's go and take a seat." A few seconds later, even with the girl still clinging to me, I leaned down to get the cans and started walking to the bench while dragging her with me.

I don't know what to expect with their story but I'm all in it for Matsuri… Uh. Alright, let's be honest, I'm also interested in this goofball's story.