Stealing Spree

Because of what happened yesterday morning with Ichihara Jun, I was already more than a celebrity in our school. On the last stretch that I spent walking from where Suzuki-san dropped me off to our school gates, curious students flocked around me. They're mostly seniors who were aware of Ichihara's notoriety. As for their reason… they're curious how I survived Ichihara Jun's pettiness and animosity.

Well, since I still have a sliver of an image that I wanted to maintain and I was without my Disciplinary Committee armband, I entertained them by answering some of their questions. I told them that I managed to talk it out with that guy but someone argued that they saw him running away with his tail tucked between his legs. Then someone else raised that Ichihara appeared hurt when they ran into him on the stairs. According to their words, he was holding onto his stomach while frowning and his followers could only zip their mouths closed as they menacingly glared at the other students to intimidate them.

Somehow, when I imagined that, those idiot followers made it obvious that their master was hurt.

Nonetheless, I didn't confirm it and simply stuck to what I previously stated. It's already up to them whether they would interpret it differently or not. I couldn't care less.

I mean, I already expect another confrontation with that guy. The photo I took yesterday would definitely make him boil in jealousy and anger. The question is… will he risk being put in the same situation as yesterday or will he confront me in private? We'll see... Either way, he's still not going to come out triumphant against me.

Moving on from that, those seniors that were hounding me bid their farewells, distanced themselves, and hurried on their steps upon passing our school gates.

Despite already turning more and more amiable to everyone, Eguchi-sensei still had this kind of presence that was enough to intimidate them, making them cautious around her.

Thanks to that, as it was already a habit, I got the chance to pause in my steps to greet our lovely PE Teacher, drawing out a subtle yet mood-uplifting smile from her.

Perhaps, if her friend, Orimura-sensei, saw that expression she made, that woman would probably drag me somewhere and scold me. Because as someone aware of Eguchi-sensei's infatuation with me, it would look like a very obvious hint and she'd panic that the other students would also pick up on that.

Fortunately, she's not around and most students were actually trying their best not to be put under Eguchi-sensei's scrutinizing gaze, giving us this small window to intimately communicate through our eyes and gestures.

Of course, we didn't converse past that morning greeting. It's Friday, after all. A chance would be presenting itself to us before or after our PE Classes. I remembered that we wouldn't be doing anything physical today, just another lecture for a change of pace.

Furthermore, even though she was slightly distracted by the change in our relationship thanks to our trip, she's still the Adviser and Coach of the Girls' Basketball Club. She's going to be busy this weekend and the next week.

The start of the Inter-High School tournaments will be starting on Monday. And since they're going to compete in the initial City or District level tournament which encompasses every school in our city, that will take place for more or less three days. For the basketball category, the runner-up and the champion will be stepping up to the next level. And since their goal this time was to win at least that title, their club had prepared a lot. They even played a lot of practice matches against strong schools, including the one where Matsuri was supposed to be.

And that's why even if she's about to get drunk from the affection we started sharing, she couldn't afford to neglect the club. Obviously, I have no qualms about it. In fact, I'm all for supporting them. I promised Satsuki, after all.

I can say the same thing for Sena and Aika who are also going to compete.

Ah. Right. There's also Fuyu. But well, she's not my girl so… verbal support was enough, I guess?

Anyway, if ever Eguchi-sensei and I get a chance later and Ryouko-san surfaces, I'll at least put some self-control and not get lost in it as well. Maybe, I will simply express her support for her upcoming endeavor.

Uh. We'll see. One thing is for sure… No matter what happens, there's also no turning back for me when it comes to my interest and feelings for her.

Upon arriving at our classroom, I acted the same as before, ignoring the attention thrown at me by our classmates, and continued on my seat where I started greeting my girls.

"Hmm? Looks like you're once again lost in the world of that new book…" As always, I started with my adorable Aya who I found to be once again engrossed in reading something.

"Eh? Ruki… Good morning! This is… a great book." Raising her head and catching me already inches away to kiss her cheek, Aya, whose face was adorned by her reading glasses, giggled as she showed me the colorful cover of her book. It seems to be another light novel but with a less exaggerated title than the one she bought before. Judging from her great mood, it's definitely a great story that she will soon share with me.

"Indeed. Looks like I'll have a new story to look forward to listening to." Upon saying that, I patted her head and let her continue with her reading but this time, she leaned closer to me and made herself comfortable in my presence. Wakaba and Kashiwagi who witnessed that were both reacting positively but like yesterday, Wakaba was acting a little unnatural. Whatever the reason for that, I had no idea.

"You two, how long will you be in a standoff? Should I get in between you?"

Continuing to greet my girls, my eyes soon found Nami and Hana who seemed like they were butting heads again. At almost the same time, they turned around from their seats to greet me along with their breathtaking and blush-inducing smiles.

Like what Aya showed, I couldn't help but be smitten by both girls. I greeted them back before favoring Nami more, making Hana a little bitter. She didn't stay that way for long though. Her recovery was swift.

"I knew it, there's no need to stop them. Ruki's presence alone is enough."

"Un. Our interference isn't needed. Nanami alone can hinder her attempts to one-up us when it comes to Ruki.

Following that, Hina and Saki walked over to me, laughing at the two. They both appeared satisfied – obviously Hina for her wonderful birthday and Saki for that time we spent at that park. Nonetheless, because Hana was their perceived enemy, they joined in teasing the girl who once again put on her fake angelic smile.

"Come on, girls. Hana-chi ain't that bad. Watch her fall for Ruki soon."

That wasn't the end though. Chii came to Hana's rescue, mixing her gyaru act and normal way of talking. However, her attention soon focused on me as she repeated what she did yesterday; hugging me from behind my desk, pressing the back of my head on her heavenly softness.

"Mhm… It's so nice to be wrapped in this softness. Good morning, Chii."

I instantly relaxed and raised my head to greet my fake gyaru which she answered with a tighter embrace. She picked between kissing me and that. But since no one openly kissed me and I made no move to flaunt it before the eyes of our classmates again, she also exercised restraint.

And with that, I didn't really need to stand up from my seat to greet them all. They all gathered around me in no time at all.

On the other hand, since I was already at it, I also greeted our other classmates who openly approached me like Kanzaki, Shimura, and Misumi. Add to that, Kushii, the gyaru who got flustered yesterday tried to redeem herself by trying to joke around me as if that's enough for us to forget about that incident. I let her off with it as a sign of my magnanimity. Or so I proclaimed, earning the laughter of everyone, and uplifting the overall mood in our class.

Unfortunately, my tsundere desk neighbor was probably still at their morning practice. But that's fine. Knowing that girl, I'm confident that she'll find a way to have me dote on her later.

In a way, our mornings would always be like this from now on unless someone tried to get in our way. No one was brave enough to do that yet.

Ah. Right.

Apart from the usual envious glares that I was receiving, I found Ogawa glaring hatefully at me again. But this time, there's surely a different meaning to it. I don't know if Kazuha-nee told him about what happened but his newfound hatred towards me definitely stemmed from last night.

That's all he did though. He probably forgot his balls again. Until when will he act this pathetic? Ugh.

I soon took my attention back to my girls and enjoyed the time I have with them.

And as time passed, I stood up and excused myself from my girls before stepping out of the classroom, twenty before Shio's homeroom.

As for my destination… The Club Building or specifically, inside the Poem Appreciate Club.

"Ruki, you told me to come. I'll wait for you at the same place."

That's the message I received even before I arrived at our classroom.

It came from the college girl who's helping us renovate and decorate our clubhouse, Mutsumi-senpai.