Stealing Spree

Like we agreed on, after my part with Eguchi-sensei's lecture passed, I excused myself and returned to our class – heading straight to the back row to join my girls.

For the first time, my tsundere ojou-sama, Maaya as well as the innocent forehead girl Misaki moved from their seats and inched closer to our class. Even before I could sit down at the back, the two girls quickly positioned themselves to my left, Maaya seated directly next to me while Misaki sat on her side. Then, the one who occupied my right was obviously, Satsuki. She's extending what she missed earlier this morning.

At this point, gathering the other students' attention, whether it was negative or positive, was already normal. However, upon seeing the most beautiful girl in our school year taking the initiative to move close to me, a loud disturbance was created by the flabbergasted students of both classes. Obviously, the boys of Class 3 were the ones most affected.

Perhaps in their eyes, they're seeing their untouchable Goddess descending next to a mortal peasant like me. Not only that, but her angelic attendant in the form of Misaki also followed, showering me with her innocent affection.

But what can I do? It's not like I called them to my side, right?

Besides, regardless of what they think, I doubt the two girls were that bothered with their opinions; especially Misaki who was pouting a bit because my right side was already occupied by another girl, leaving her no choice but to only reach for me from where she was.

Boys could grit their teeth in envy or just curse me to death and girls could be curious all they want or also curse my girls for being close to me, it didn't really matter. Unless they make a scene, it would just be a waste of energy to be so conscious about what they think.

And with that mindset gradually settling in my and my girls' head, we got ourselves quality time even in this situation while listening to Eguchi-sensei's lecture.

Obviously, Eguchi-sensei also took notice of us but she didn't show much of a reaction. If I had to guess, either she's maintaining her image in front of everyone after taking my reminder to heart that she's a little obvious sometimes or she's already satisfied from the moment we shared earlier.

Also, I already decided to gradually let her know about my complex relationship before she completely fell for me. Not hiding how close I am to other girls apart from Satsuki is the start of it.

A few minutes later, Maaya gradually leaned closer to me. She started by fixing the way she seated so that she could use my shoulder to rest on.

When that happened, my arms naturally moved, allowing her to close our distance and while I was at it, I stretched my arm to her back. However, before I could hold Maaya on her waist, Misaki, who was still finding her way to get close to me, caught my hand. Perhaps thinking that I was telling her to hold my hand instead, the forehead girl couldn't help but be overjoyed by it. Even with her paper fan covering her mouth, her eyes alone indicated how happy she was with it.

Not wanting to let the girl down, I didn't pull my hand away and let the girl hold it and play with it in any way she wanted

Maaya was also unbothered by it. Her satisfaction reached its maximum just by sticking close to me – though that's not actually visible on her face.

A while later, Satsuki who was completely on my right copied Maaya and leaned her head on my shoulder. With a pinch on my side, the grumpy girl conveyed that she wanted the same treatment.

Due to that, for the rest of Eguchi-sensei's lecture, I pampered the three girls close to me.

Ah no. Four. Nami, who was directly in front of me, eventually slid backward to lean her back on my chest.

If I wasn't wrong, Satsuki and Nami were flaunting their position in front of their new sister. I mean, even if they're already aware of each other, they have yet to truly interact. This was the start.

Upon closing her lecture with a reminder that we probably wouldn't have a PE Class next week because of the Interhigh, Eguchi-sensei dismissed us soon after.

Naturally, I once again acted on my role as her assistant, bringing her things back to her office.

Although the other students interpreted that as me running away after making that kind of scene with Maaya, I ignored their disgruntled voices and venomous remarks.

Besides, Maaya and Misaki, along with my other girls, all left together. They also didn't want to spare any energy answering senseless questions. If they could only use their heads a bit, they'd already be able to guess what I am to Maaya. Right?

Anyway, unlike earlier, I left Eguchi-sensei's office right away after helping her sort the materials she used and drinking a can of soda from her fridge. Why?

Orimura-sensei was also in the room… There's no way we could create our own world again.

That's fine, anyway. We will still have more chances in the future.

That aside, before going back to our classroom to wait out the last vestiges of the 7th period, I met up with Rae in the area near the cafeteria.

They also have no lecture in the 7th period so… she used this time to talk to me.

As for the reason… It's about our plan for today.

"Rae, have you already told Yoko-san about it?" I started with that once we arrived at a more private location. Naturally, given the chance, the two of us failed to resist throwing ourselves at each other.

At the moment, we're sitting next to each other with the girl fully enveloped in my embrace. She could take the lap but… she refrained from doing so.

"Un. I'm ready to go home with you tonight." Ending that answer with a giggle, Rae then pressed her cheek on my cheek and rubbed it there like a spoiled kitten.

Right. Today's the day. After her long wait, I couldn't let her down and postpone it any longer. She's ready for a long time, only the timing as well as our mutual decision to do it either in my room or hers hindered us from going all the way.

Last week was already a perfect moment for us but because of how I noticed her troubled expression concerning Yoko-san, the first person who appreciated her despite her almost unbending belief in knowledge, we stopped before I could tear through the thin membrane preventing a thick and lengthy intruder deep inside her.

Yeah. I blamed myself for that. But only to some extent and I never voiced it out. Because at the end of the day, the way she managed to finally have Yoko-san open up to her, even if it's just a bit, was a great tradeoff.

It's been two years since the woman started taking care of Rae after mysteriously disappearing for half a year. And knowing how strained their interaction in that mansion with only the two of them, I couldn't stand not doing anything to improve their station.

Well, I became somewhat of a villain in Yoko-san's eyes though. I acted aggressively and almost broke her down into a mess.

"Are you sure? Did she not say anything against you spending the night with me?"

"She did say something along the lines of, 'If you're going to spend a night with him. Do it here. I won't tell Madam.'. I assured her that you won't put me in danger no matter what happens so it'll be fine."

As I expected, no matter what Rae said to her, it wouldn't be able to reverse or erase the stain I made in my image inside Yoko-san's head.

Rae was definitely aware of it but with the girl looking forward to this day, it's close to zero chance for her old friend to change her mind.

Although I could simply ignore that and take Rae's words as final, I believed that it could be bad if they ignored the woman's concern.

And so… I replied in a different tone.

"Hmm? I bet she's skeptical hearing about that."

Upon hearing that, Rae abruptly stopped rubbing her cheek on my chest and raised her head to catch a glimpse of my face.

A second later, the girl muttered in a rather uncertain tone, "Un. You got it right. Yoko-san appeared hesitant as if she was withholding her reply to my assurance."

"That means she really cares a lot about you but because of her position, she also cannot freely speak her mind. Well, it's also because I presented myself to her like a scumbag. She couldn't fully trust me with you."

"It's because of last time, huh?" Rae eventually nodded and frowned, fully grasping what could be running in Yoko-san's mind.

"Mhm… But hey, cheer up. Even if that's the case, there will be no change in our plan. I'll bring you home with me but first…"

Predicting what I was about to say next, Rae's frown gradually eased up before her lips returned to her brilliant smile, "We'll go meet Yoko-san first and convince her that you're not as bad as she thought."

"That's right."

That's all I answered. Although I doubt it would easily be reversible, there's nothing wrong with trying it out. Besides, Yoko-san still hadn't fully opened up with Rae after a week. Her employment as well as the reason for her disappearance were still a mystery. Maybe Rae was just too soft on her so… I might continue maintaining a bit of that aggressive image in her mind – or in other words, we'll maintain the good cop, bad cop routine albeit weakened to some extent.

Soon, I patted the glasses girl's head, praising her for the correct prediction. And with this, it marked the end of our discussion about it.