Stealing Spree

“Kikuchi-san, you understand why he has to be kicked out, right?”

The same earlier, I started with Kikuchi. Hina was already seated next to her and from the expression on their faces, one apologetic and the other relieved, they probably settled their differences in opinion earlier.

Well, it’s mostly Kikuchi doing Ogawa a favor, anyway. But as her close friend, Hina was affected by it.

Really, is Ogawa’s favor worth it? Will he do something for her? Like modeling for their BL manga. Possibly... The extent of their fantasy was something scary in itself.

Now that I think about it, I should really introduce the guy to Otoha’s brother. Who knows? He might be able to set the idiot straight by opening his eyes to a brand-new world. Wait, will he still be ‘straight’ by then?

Ugh. Alright. Let’s stop there. It’s unpleasant to think about.

“Un. I do... I won’t say anything anymore. But Onoda-kun, can I request one thing from you?” Kikuchi answered. Judging from the way she looked at Hina and the other girls in the room, the request must be personal.

There’s no reason for me to refuse but... accepting easily would be no good.

“A request. Let’s see... If it’s something I can do then I will. However...”

“Un. If you can’t do it, it’s fine. I’m just grasping at straws here. You see, apart from me, everyone has changed ever since you... appeared before us.”

She kinda said that last part in difficulty. And by the end of it, her eyes focused on Ogawa.

The idiot frowned as though he was already expecting what the girl had to say next. Tadano, who probably also understood her intention, stopped the guy from interfering.

“My request is simple. Let us know how you convinced everyone to accept your situation. Nanami, Hina, and Izumi were all vying for his affection. But with you, they seem to relinquish their rivalry and accept that they can only share you. How did you do it?”

While continuing to face Ogawa, Kikuchi said her piece. Most likely, that was done so that the guy wouldn’t turn away from reality. And by keeping him there, he’ll also learn to accept my answer to it.

I guess this is one way to finally calm that guy’s disillusioned state. Rather than let him run away from reality and only nurse his hatred towards the thief who robbed him of the affection that should’ve been directed to himself, Kikuchi and Tadano were now going to force him to do it.

I had no idea if Shizu had a hand in this but considering the state of their circle and how calculating that girl is, she must’ve, at least, put these two to this task. As the only girl in their circle who isn’t involved with me and the guy who’s supposedly a best friend to Ogawa and Nami’s childhood friend, they’re really the best choice to do this.

If I’m not mistaken, the reason why the guy kept on clinging to his delusion despite the girls trying to open his eyes to reality was because of his prejudice that I put them to it. He believes that I’m just using the girls to do my bidding.

Haa... I guess it’s also my fault for not realizing that early on.

“How did I do it? Alright. It’s something I can answer and believe it or not, this is the truth.” After gathering my girls’ reactions to it and seeing them nod their heads, giving me the green light to speak for them, I started answering Kikuchi’s request.

“Let me start with the beginning. There’s this guy who has a rampant desire to steal someone’s beloved. And for years, that’s all that has been driving him forward. However, recently, the emotions that he had no idea he had forgotten returned to him. And by realizing what he has done to everyone, he decided to take responsibility for his actions.”

Well, that’s the summary but for sure, it would be hard to digest it or even understand what that meant.

Granted, my girls were already aware of it. However, the three were hearing it for the first time and they all looked at me with trepidation.

“You took responsibility. Is that it?” Kikuchi doubtfully asked.

“That doesn’t answer anything,” Tadano added.

“See that? He’s someone who does that kind of thing for years! He’s going to abandon you in the future. You should get out now before that happens!” And with a crazed interpretation of the little summary I did, Ogawa shouted. His eyes swept over the girls, perhaps hoping that they would agree with him.

Unfortunately for him, none of them blinked or faltered. They knew that I’m not done yet, after all.

Though what I was going to say next wasn’t going to justify what kind of mess I put them all in, I could honestly claim that it’s the truth for me, or us.

“Yes. I took responsibility for my actions. But not the kind of responsibility that you imagine right now. You see. I cast them all away but some of them still wanted to remain by my side. That’s why I took them back in and decided to do what was right for them. Offering them what I cannot give before. My affection.”

Upon saying this, I couldn’t help but look at Hana. As much as this was just me letting them know everything about me, it’s also an opportunity to sincerely talk to Hana’s heart.

When she realized I was looking at her, Hana bitterly smiled and lowered her head. Her hands on her lap clenched tightly as though she was restraining herself. I guess that triggered something in her.

Anyway, Kikuchi who still couldn’t make sense of what I was talking about spoke again, “Correct if I’m wrong but are you saying that apart from the girls in here, there’s more we don’t know about? Onoda-kun, are you kidding me?”

Yep. She couldn’t help but find it ridiculous. But that’s the normal reaction. There’s nothing wrong with it.

“Let me correct you on that. They’re all aware that there’s more. I’ve told them about myself before letting them decide what to do.”

“What the... That’s abnormal.” Tadano muttered in disbelief. He already let go of Ogawa and like Kikuchi, he’s trying to make sense of what’s coming out of my mouth.

His eyes also darted around, trying to check the girls’ reaction to it. And upon seeing that none of them were even disagreeing with what I said, he sat back down. His mind was probably blown away.

He might’ve expected it but it’s still enough to give him a decisive blow.

“You’re a menace, Onoda! You should release them instead! You have no right to play with their—”

“Alright. Shut up for a moment, will you? Are you even listening? I’ve given them a choice. Even now, they can step away from me. I’m not locking them in this relationship. They accepted me and I’m very thankful for that. That’s why... I’ll do everything to protect them.”

I shut down the idiot before he could run amok again. And luckily, it was extremely effective. He choked on his words as skepticism washed over him. He desperately tried to see any change in my girls that he could grab on but upon realizing that no one was refuting my words, he dejectedly slumped down.

Kikuchi being the last one who can still keep a sound mind released a sigh. It’s not because she’s disappointed but to just air out whatever was building inside her chest.

“You still haven’t answered my question, Onoda-kun. How did you do it? Why did they choose to be in this kind of relationship with you?”

“You’re right. We’re just getting to that part. Although I should say that they can answer it better than me, I’ll still tell you what I believe to be the reason they accepted this arrangement... It’s my overflowing consideration and stern honesty. I will never lie to them and everything I do is all for their sake.”

Upon saying that, I raised my arms and enclosed them around the two closest girls to me at the moment, pulling them into my embrace. Then, facing each of them, a genuine smile that encapsulated what I just said peeked from my lips.

I had no idea if Kikuchi would be satisfied with this but I just broke my own rule of only informing my girls about my past. Maybe it’s my consideration for all of them. Who knows?

One thing is for sure though... The things I revealed today will still be known by others in the future. That’s why it doesn’t matter if they know about it now. The real question is... how will they take it from here?