Stealing Spree

This place being their usual meeting spot was as I expected. The baseball club is nearby and she's not even a part of it.

If anything, it's probably Miyoshi who brought her here, designating this place to be their special space where they could be honest with each other.

He unnecessarily created this kind of setup just so they could continue hiding their connection.

How cowardly must one be?

But then again, I wasn't that privy to the real reason why they decided to keep it secret. And now that they've broken up, I wasn't interested anymore.

Kanzaki is my sole reason for being here. To see through what she planned for her ex.

In any case, for them, this place should hold the same relevance as the empty clubrooms I often used to spend time with my girls.

Even if their high school romance became short-lived, this place should be holding some precious memories for both of them.

Or maybe, it's not that precious anymore.

I mean, that's probably the statement Kanzaki was waving at me.

Anyway, with that sentence as the start, Kanzaki continued talking while I perked my ears to intently listen to her.

And while that was happening, I did what I always do... Give her the comfort that she needs.

While I didn't push to hold her intimately my arms secured her in my embrace.

I either rub her back or stroke her head gently.

Thankfully, it's effective. Kanzaki managed to deliver everything she wanted to say to me.

In summary, I heard about the key points of their past relationship that spanned at least a year. But the only thing I picked up on that was...

What the hell is that dude doing? She's with him for a whole year and he can't even get to first base let alone her lips? Man, I don't mean to brag but... only idiots will not try to progress their relationship no matter how conservative their values are.

Well, Ichihara Jun also failed that. If only he paid attention to Marika just a bit, I won't find the opportunity to be her eye-opener. Seriously, I can count the boys and men on one hand that's decent when it comes to relationships and that includes my father and Uncle Satoru

It's not just about being immature, it's the idiocy to not do things they should've done.

"I apologize if I'm going to use you today, Onoda-kun. This is what I came up with to ensure that he's going to stop asking me to return to him."

Upon saying that, Kanzaki released a sigh as she weakly slumped her shoulders.

When I noticed that she was losing grip on my shirt, I immediately moved to catch her hand from dropping.

Her palm was cold, signifying her current state of nervousness. Despite how straightforward she appeared, it's inevitable for her not to be a nervous wreck when she's basically going to destroy the special memories they've built.

I pressed it just enough for her to feel a prick of pain. This way, I brought her head back to reality, making her focus on me.

"Don't apologize. I came here expecting this. You've done your part in sorting out your feelings. Let me help you sort out the shadow of your past. After that, let's talk." I put on my best smile while squeezing her palm and caressing her face.

Kanzaki's eyes trembled a little, looking like her tear glands were about to burst. Then, a sense of relief washed over her as she eventually managed to form a smile before doing a little nod.

A minute later, the sound of footsteps could already be heard outside followed by the metallic sound produced by the sliding door.

As the floorboard creaked, Kanzaki straightened her back and stood up from her seat. She’s going to welcome the newcomer.

However, she kept her hold on my hand, perhaps trying to channel courage from me.

Well, to give her a better boost, I kissed the back of her hand which resulted in the girl being a bit startled.

Following that, when she let go of my hand, she lifted hers close to her lips, kissing the same spot as I did.

"I received your encouragement, Onoda-kun. Thank you."

She whispered right before the figure coming from outside appeared in our vision.

Obviously, it's none other than Miyoshi and instead of focusing on the girl standing in front, his eyes instantly landed on me.

He's pretending to be shocked or he's genuinely appalled to see Kanzaki bringing me here. Whichever the case, I couldn't care less.

I met his gaze without faltering and sure enough, it didn't take long for him to avert his eyes. He couldn't stand being in a staring contest against me.

A pussy.

But because of that, his attention returned to Kanzaki. With his eyes slanting up to an interrogative look, he shot his questions.

"Mio, what's the meaning of this? Why is someone else in this place?"

The first part sounded aggressive. However, the second part was more tame. It's as if he's afraid to offend me.

This guy... Maybe if I pitch him a fastball with the clear intent of hurting him, he'll take a moment to decide whether to dodge or receive it. Dodging will offend me while receiving will hurt him. That's the kind of guy he is.

"Don't mind Onoda-kun. He's here as a witness."

Right. As I expected, that's part of her plan. She made him anxious by knowingly letting him see us leaving together. It's a play on his mind.

For sure, on the way here, he already thought of a lot of possibilities especially when the girl linked arms with me.

"A witness. Why do you need a witness?"

Figure it out, dude. At least prove me wrong with my assumptions of you.

Or so I wish.

But the guy was already tilted.

His nostrils flared and the vein in his forehead creased. Perhaps, if not for his bangs covering most of it, we'd see his throbbing vein on his temple.

Kanzaki faced that question calmly. Devoid of the nervousness that I picked up earlier, she crossed her arms and chuckled.

"Miyoshi-kun, how long will you be this clueless?"

"What?! You're being vague and now, I'm clueless? Get straight to the point!"

He screamed that last bit, albeit still minding his volume. This guy... He's a walking comedy for me. I could laugh at his patheticness and cowardliness everyday.

In any case, Kanzaki was unperturbed. Her chuckling stopped and in place of it, she smirked as though announcing that she was not going to be ruled by him.

Following that, she delivered her answer in a matter-of-fact way.

"Sure. I'm never going back to you. We're over."

At first, Miyoshi tried to laugh but as her words gradually sank in his head, he staggered to the point of almost collapsing.

But that was an act, he's probably thinking that if he looked that lost, Kanzaki would run and support him.

Much to his dismay, Kanzaki simply looked down at his figure. Her whole body radiated calmness.

Like a tall boulder blocking the narrow path leading to the top of the mountain, she became an intimidating presence to him.

The guy started sweating as one of his knees finally reached the ground.

Clenching his fist, he tried to pull himself up but to no avail.

To drive a point home, Kanzaki hit another pitch that flew across the field and into the stands, "I've been enlightened. I shouldn't be the one suffering because of your decision. I have my own worth, Miyoshi-kun."

The girl then dropped her arms and began taking a few steps back.

Indeed, she's not going to sit back down.

Understanding what she was trying to do, I stood up to become the wall that would block her retreat.

And as soon as her back touched my chest, my arms naturally slid across her body before my fingers clasped together on top of her navel.

The downed guy gritted his teeth and upon realizing what had just happened his eyes turned bloodshot.

It's all too late by then though.

My head moved and it didn't take a second for my lips to press against Kanzaki's cheek. The girl's body warmth surged upward and once again, heat congregated on her face.

And yet, she remained unmoved, just watching the guy's reaction.

"Y-you. What is happening? Isn't he a witness?"

The hell? That's what he's focusing on?

"Un. He is... Let me tell you something. You wanted me to learn how to kiss. Can you guess who I learned from?"

As she dropped that question, Kanzaki gulped her accumulating saliva.

And at the next moment, she lifted her arm to my cheek to keep me in place as she slowly turned her head to face me.

With only a few centimeters of distance, it took less than a heartbeat for our lips to be drawn to each other.

Unlike the first two instances, there's nothing to stop us and we're both aware of what's going to happen.

At the same time as her eyes closed, I parted my lips open, capturing hers in full.

And with this, under the seething eyes of her ex, Kanzaki and I finally started her practical lesson.