Stealing Spree

As always, the lunch became more eventful than most of our classes combined. Even if our gathering in the middle of the classroom to eat together was already a regular sight, it's still like a treasure trove of interesting moments.

On top of the list, Hana produced a lunchbox. However, instead of a proper meal, it was filled with convenience store-bought rice balls.

The girl admittedly sucked at doing house chores or even preparing a proper meal for herself so... seeing her bring out a lunchbox made me suspect that it's her Aunt who made it for her.

Alas, she simply improvised to present herself capable, earning amused laughter from the other girls.

She got teased but none too hurtful. In the end, the girl turned to me to be comforted.

And that was possibly her real intention... All of that was a set-up to have a reasonable excuse to draw close to me.

When Nami and the others realized that, they stuffed themselves with the rice balls, leaving none for the girl.

Anyway, there's something unique about her rice ball. The soy sauce she brought along with it in a small container could transform the rice balls into a delicacy with just a few drops. It was heavenly in taste that I also stuffed myself with it through Nami's helping hand.

According to Hana, it was homemade.

Of course, she didn't make it. It's the Shinohara Family's secret seasoning that only the women knew how to make.

In short, it's from her Aunt who was worried about her niece living alone without the necessary life skills to survive on her own.

Really, that got me thinking that maybe I should make another visit to her house. Stock up her fridge and pantry with groceries. And to make sure that I also won't worry about how she will survive for the next day, I'll give her a short lesson on how to cook simple meals.

And if that's not going to work, the thought of bringing her home and feeding her like a stray cat popped up in my head.

Anyway, watching the rice balls disappear before her eyes, Hana who was feeling smug from her successful plan pouted before whimpering softly, expressing her hunger.

Upon sensing that I wouldn't be able to resist feeding Hana personally with whatever was leftover in our table, Chii and Hina stepped up, presenting her two plates of assorted foods; mostly rolled egg and slices of fried meat.

Next on the list was obviously Mio.

Since she regained her very straightforward personality, not just my girls but everyone in the classroom paid attention to her.

And the highlight of that moment was her announcement.

That she's also running for the position of being my girlfriend.

As soon as that happened, it created a huge buzz that even those who were just passing by our classroom stopped to look and see what the commotion was about.

Not long after that, Maaya, Misaki and Rae showed up in the classroom followed by Komoe, Watanabe, Kaede and Sachi.

Yep. The news flew to their classrooms right away.

What happened next after that?

Chaos...

Or rather, a chaotic garden of beauties surrounding one guy.

Perhaps our school has an active newspaper club, that scene will be at the front page with a headline saying 'Is it a harem in the making? What a scumbag!'

Alright. That's exaggerating it a bit.

But it's not that far from reality.

Our group swelled up in incredible numbers that it became something like a sightseeing spot for those unrelated to us.

"Alright... The lunch is over and we all have to go. Shall I walk you all back to your classrooms?"

Ignoring the attention focused on me coming from the other students, I raised my arm in surrender as I brought that up.

At the moment, it's already ten minutes since we finished eating and none of them felt like going yet.

Watanabe and Kaede were conversing with Misumi and Shimura. Also, the seemingly unmotivated girl was sneakily watching me from time to time. She still had the habit of staring at me from a distance despite how we could already be considered friends.

Komoe joined Saki at the side. And from what I could hear from their conversation, the girl was asking for a tip from the opportunist. Or their conversation just arrived there at one point.

Maaya and Misaki were sitting among Hana, Chii, and Aya. The four of them were keeping the innocent forehead girl busy so that she wouldn't recklessly jump on my lap and throw herself on me.

As for Sachi... Well, as someone who looked frustrated because of their club's loss yesterday, she was attempting to cling from behind me, silently asking me to comfort her.

The rest of the girls were close to us, preventing her from accomplishing what she declared to do. Specifically, Rae was blocking Sachi by taking up that position to herself. Her arms were enclosed around me.

If I wasn't wrong, it's the one that garnered a lot of attention from outside.

Actually, I spotted her friend Nazuna peeking from outside. Most likely to check whether I was neglecting Rae or if the rumors they're hearing about me was true.

In a way, Rae choosing to be the stopgap for Sachi saved us the trouble from being questioned by her friends.

Well, I didn't totally ignore Sachi anyway. I tried comforting her with words but that's probably not enough. Hence, her attempt to cling to me.

Anyway, that's their current status before my question.

Thankfully, with my voice becoming like a signal beacon, everyone soon paid attention to me.

Watanabe and Kaede stood up right away and said goodbye to Shimura and Misumi.

"Right. It's about time we prepare. Hina, Saki, help me clean our tables. You two, Class Prez, if you're up to it." Taking the initiative to lead after me, Nami smiled and started delegating duties to those closest to her.

When our eyes met, Nami winked at me and gestured a flying kiss.

I caught it which allowed for a sweet smile to bloom from her lips.

Following Nami, Chii, Aya and Hana also didn't waste a second to make a move. And since they're also around, Shimura and Misumi helped with the task.

With that, in less than a minute since I spoke, I got left behind with the girls from the other classes.

Komoe ran to my side and Misaki took the other. Rae and Maaya took my sides while Komoe and Misaki placed themselves behind and in front of me respectively.

Too bad for Sachi, she still could only walk next to Rae, looking a little bitter.

Watanabe and Kaede were the ones who were seemingly neutral. They just walked alongside us, not minding who took what position.

Upon stepping outside the classroom, we were naturally greeted by a huge crowd that had been gawking at us since earlier.

Still with the same attitude of ignoring them, we forced our way out of it.

No. Somehow, with Misaki in front of us, a miraculous path opened up.

Is it because she's too cute to be hindered? Maybe. That's worth researching.

In any case, thanks to that, I successfully walked them back to their classrooms.

As for my return trip to our classroom? Let's just say it's a little rough yet nothing noteworthy as well.

It's the same questions and attempts in trying to get me to talk, after all.

While some were put off by my indifference, those who were a little forceful had to be silenced by my unyielding presence.

As I stepped back into our classroom, my eyes naturally landed on my girls. The chairs were already back to their proper positions and they've finished their preparation.

I walked back to them and asked about their plans as I had a different one.

Right... I still have a list of things to do l. And even then, I will probably not be able to come to the sports complex with them.

That's why... It's better to coordinate with them now.

"Ruu. Stop beating yourself up. Didn't our class plan to go together?" Nami started. As always, she instantly read what's on my mind.

Then the others soon followed.

"Mhm. I will catch up later before the match starts." I nodded and smiled before conveying what I have in mind to the other girls.

They all accepted it but obviously, there's a varying reaction from all of them.

That's why before I set out to my next destination, I left the classroom with them to go to our usual meeting spot in the empty clubroom.

There, without any outsider watching us, I spoiled them to our hearts content. The time was tight but it's still a satisfying moment.

A while later, I returned alone to the School Building to pick up someone.

"Sakuma, you're still here? Come with me."