Stealing Spree

Putting the thought of Fuyu’s deleted message to the back of my mind, I continued shifting through the messages that I received recently.

And sure enough, I found another one worth more than my attention.

It's Juri's message.

Yeah. This was why I could freely change seats today. Setsuna-nee wasn’t around. When I left them earlier in that room, I was certain they'd be coming to watch Satsuki's game today. I even pointed them to Nami and our classmates and had Sakuma escort them.

Unfortunately, both Juri and Setsuna-nee separated from them halfway through their trip here.

According to Sakuma who immediately updated me through a message – which I only managed to read not long ago – and Nami who led their group on the way here, those two apparently got called back to their campus. It’s a meeting with those who were involved with the upcoming camping trip. Which means it probably involved the dean or their department or a few professors. The one who came with them today was a professor but that one left right away after the meeting with Hayashi-sensei.

“Ruki… I apologize for messaging you this late. We have just gotten off that sudden meeting, I’ll tell you about it later. It’s not that important but I think you might want to hear it. Also, we’re on the way there now. We’re not late, are we? Setsu here is too anxious that she’s going to miss her sister’s important match.”

I do wonder what the meeting is for and why they’re called back when they already finished the work assigned to them. Did they give them a new task?

Uh. Anyway, seeing that the message had been sent only a few minutes ago, I quickly typed a reply.

“No worries. It must’ve been important. Tell me when you’re close so I can meet you at the entrance. The match isn’t over yet but the second half is already about to start.”

“Great! We’ll be hurrying over.”

“How? Are you going to hit the bus driver in the back to press down on the gas?”

“I meant it as an expression, you dummy. That made me laugh though. I can’t wait to see you…”

For how quick her replies are, I could imagine them sitting side by side with Setsuna-nee staring out the window while Juri happily fiddled with her phone. Or if not that, she’s probably preventing Setsuna-nee from peeking on our chatbox.

Anyway, before replying again, I looked ahead of us, seeking empty seats that we could use. I mean, I couldn’t have Setsuna-nee be seated behind us. We’d be caught easily by her.

“Me too. Take care and tell Setsuna-nee not to worry, I’ll save you both a seat.”

“Close to you, I presume?”

“Let’s just say I will be able to switch seats and sit next to you.”

Obviously, that’s so Setsuna-nee wouldn’t needlessly search for me but also a chance for me to bond with Juri. It’s risky but that’s not enough for me to be scared of being caught. I’ve already prepared excuses in case it becomes inevitable to explain to her.

“You and your honesty. Okay. Be careful not to be caught by Setsu, she’ll be on your case if she notices you are close to other girls..”

“I’ll get that covered. I can’t miss my chance to dote on you here.”

As I expected, Juri managed to catch what I was trying to convey there.

A few seconds later, the girl sent me a photo of them, bringing forth what I was imagining earlier. They’re seated together on the bus with Setsuna-nee looking impatient as she stares out of the window. On the other hand, Juri wore a playful yet captivating smile that made my heart skip a beat. She even angled it upwards, giving me a glimpse of her valley.

So much for being a propriety freak. But then again, I like her more for that.

After a few more exchanges wherein we just continued complimenting each other, I tucked my phone back, informed Akane and the other girls about it, and stood up to get those seats secured.

By the time I returned to my girls, the whistle for the start of the second half echoed across the venue. The festive mood was already on the rise since the first half ended with quite a huge gap in scores in favor of our school’s basketball team. It’s even higher than yesterday against the second seed. A whopping 15 points.

However, despite that lead putting them in a favorable spot with a higher chance to win this game, none of them was celebrating. They kept the tension on their faces, not showing any signs of complacency. Even with the creeping exhaustion shown on their faces, the aura they were giving off remained the same; something like an unstoppable force that would bring them to the finals and the next level of this competition.

As we all expected, Satsuki alongside two other second-year seniors was subbed in for the second half. They benched the three seniors who made the most goals and also spent more energy than the others. It’s so that they could recover to be subbed in again in closing off the game in case they were needed.

Fifteen points wasn’t an insurmountable lead, after all. But then again, with how well they played yesterday, everyone also had high hopes for Satsuki and the others to finish this match in another dominating fashion that would leave every audience in awe of how strong a team they are.

Time quickly passed but at the same time, it felt so slow with how intense the plays were being made on the court. The shoes squeaked loudly and the players’ shouts and the audience’s cheers melded together, creating a chaotic yet exciting atmosphere.

Even while changing seats to be with my girls, my eyes got glued to the court, not wanting to miss any plays by Satsuki.

Likewise, my girls were also fascinated with what was happening before their eyes. Whenever our team would score, either my hand would be gripped tightly or my arms would be subjected to their thrilled embrace that clearly expressed their elation.

Yep rather than clap and cheer like the other audiences, they’re conveying all those by clinging to me.

Well, it’s not like I hate it but I guess that’s intentional on their part.

What am I to do then? Obviously, I kept doting on them while also making sure to clap and cheer for Satsuki for every play she would make.

Anyway, because the opposing team couldn’t make a dent in that 15-point lead, they soon called a timeout, halting the growing momentum of our team.

And using that brief moment, I stood up and excused myself for a bit to come and pick up Juri and Setsuna-nee who had just arrived.

They might’ve missed out a lot on the game but knowing Setsuna-nee, she’d probably be fine as long as she catches Satsuki’s play.

“Hey, can I come with you?”

As I made my way to the exit, someone caught up behind me. Glancing behind me, Saionji’s fidgeting figure was caught in my vision. While rubbing her shoulders uncomfortably, the girl’s eyes kept on darting around as though she was trying her best not to meet my gaze.

This girl… Where’s her ego when she needs it? For her to chase after me like this… this showed that she was already cracking in pressure in the middle of my girls.

I guess it’s not easy for her to digest everything she saw today. I mean, anyone would be overwhelmed when they saw me keep on switching seats and doting on different girls. At the same time, those girls never expressed dissatisfaction towards me.

It should be bizarre for the eyes of the unaware.

Rather than answering her, I reached for her hand without saying anything and started guiding her outside of the venue.

While that move somehow surprised her, Saionji’s face lit up as she curled her fingers, gripping my hand tightly. From there, she gradually recovered her usual poise as she started walking next to me.

I could even sense her joy despite not answering her verbally.

However, after taking a few steps outside, I turned to face the girl. “Senpai, are you conceding to me? Are you feeling uncomfortable there?”

Obviously, since I wasn’t going to bring her with me to meet Juri and Setsuna-nee. I simply moved us out of the way there. Whatever was in her head right now, I would be resolving it here before sending her back.

“H-huh?! Nobody talks about conceding! And no, I’m not uncomfortable… I simply don’t want to…”

And there we go with her egotistic tendency not to back down easily to admit something. Too bad for her though, I could already read and deal with her behavior accordingly

“Go on. Don’t want to… what? You know I may be shameless but I’m not a mind reader. Also, I don’t have much time to spare. If you don’t say what’s bothering you then… I can only leave you here.”

As I said that, I loosened my grip on her hand, letting go of it.

However, the girl was quick to notice it as she grasped it tighter, not letting me pull my hand away. And while biting her lips as indignation gradually covered her face, Saionji replied with a question, “Will you stay with me if I tell you what’s on my mind?”

“It depends, actually. You see how busy I am, senpai. Each of those girls is important to me so… It’s more than likely that I won’t be able to. But you see, I will definitely appreciate hearing your honest thoughts even if it’s just once. It’s fine to be prideful and egotistical as it’s your defining trait. However, senpai, we won’t get anywhere if you keep on deflecting my attempt to break past that glass wall you put up. I can force it like last time, however, I don’t have the luxury to do it today. Do you get it?”

Upon hearing that, Saionji’s eyebrows which were slanted to keep up appearances gradually relaxed. Her shaky eyes stared at me for a few seconds before her head drooped. Then, she carefully took a step forward before letting her forehead press against my chest. And with a weak voice, totally unusual of her, she said, “Yes, I feel uncomfortable. Are you happy to hear that? Go on, you can laugh at me now.”