Stealing Spree

Shortly after the dust settled inside the court, the sports commission handling the Interhigh announced to everyone still in the venue that the final match would be held this Thursday instead of tomorrow. It was a decision in favor of having the players recover from fatigue from the two consecutive days that they played.

I don’t know what they’re thinking but the commission is pretty lousy with their scheduling of events. If I have to guess, they probably tried to cram everything to be done in just three days when most of the sports were pretty exhausting for everyone participating. Maybe it worked before when there were only a few participants in every sport but this year was different.

Most likely, someone stepped up to clean up their asses and ensure the well-being of our city’s athletes.

With Sena’s club winning a clutch, they will have another match tomorrow. And so is Fuyu and her tennis club. Their Club President won that 3-set match earlier.

Unfortunately, most of the girls with me may not be able to come and watch again tomorrow. Some of them had already taken some time off from things they had to do like Shizu who has her Student Council duties or Mizuki who’s always busy with her business engagements.

Of course, if they still wanted to, I’d be there for them. And obviously, I wouldn’t be missing any of my girls’ matches. And that’s why I’d be there for Sena and Coach Ayu as long as their match didn’t fall in the morning like Aika’s match earlier.

As for Fuyu… Uh. As long as the time won’t conflict with Sena’s match then I will be there to cheer for her. I’m a little curious about that second message that she deleted. It must’ve been important enough for her to retract it immediately. Or maybe, I was just overthinking things and she sent it in error.

In any case, thanks to that announcement, Satsuki and Eguchi-sensei will be free tomorrow. Even from afar, their expressions brightened up from relief. Of course, the other members of the club were also relieved to hear that. I saw them rejoicing before they disappeared back to their waiting room.

With the match done, all of us prepared to leave but with the stream of audience moving slowly by the exit, we opted to wait for a while before getting up.

Juri returned to join up with Setsuna-nee while I naturally still kept up being with my girls. I just have to hide from her eyes, after all. I could pop up anytime in front of her in case she searched for me.

As for where I hid… obviously, in the middle of my girls. First I sat between Kana and Rumi. Checking on the two of them. They were both quiet throughout the game. Not that they’re not interested in the match, they’re just that kind of people. Even if they’re already soaked with the festive mood around them, it’s still hard for them to suddenly join in on it.

“Ruki, I think I got some inspiration from what I watched. Not just the sports itself. Everything I’ve seen here… they’re all bringing me new ideas” While enjoying the warmth of my arm, Kana spoke of what she gained from this.

Well, she’s not wrong. Writers often go out to experience things themselves as it would be possible to bring more life to their writing if it came from their own experience. Researching about topics has its limitations. Furthermore, being in a new environment could always give birth to new inspiration to them.

“Oh. I’m glad this worked in your favor. I thought you’d be bored. And sorry for not being by your side right away.”

“Uh-un. Don’t be. I’ve seen you keep moving. If you stayed by my side earlier, I might’ve locked you in here with me.” Kana shook her head.

Then, on my other side, Rumi interjected as she tugged on my arm and pressed her fingers on my palm with all her strength.

“What can you expect from this guy, Kana? He’s not going to change. And she’s right, you know? If everyone else can’t stop you from moving freely like you’re a tireless machine, we’ll both keep you here. You can nag at me but… we’re just concerned for you shameless junior.”

After saying that, Rumi turned her head away, evading my gaze.

I couldn’t help but smile at her words and even if my arms were locked by them, I tilted my head to her side and replied in a whisper, “Thank you for your concern, Rumi. But if that happened, I won’t nag at you. I’ll probably kiss you enough to let me go though. Will that be enough?”

Rumi shivered from the sensation brought about by my warm breath grazing her skin and then, she turned her back to glare at me, “So, you won’t let yourself be locked by us?”

“Unfortunately, I have to keep moving. With all of you here, I can’t help it. My head is nagging me to continue checking on all of you. To make sure that you’re comfortable or not bored.”

Yup. That was why I couldn’t really stop even if I wanted to. My body was moving on its own. It’s unlike before wherein I could spend a day not approaching any of the girls I stole. Now, as long as they’re this close to me, it’s impossible for me to hold back.

Kana and Rumi weren't pleased by that but they didn’t refute it. Instead, the two simply conveyed their feelings through constant tugging at my arm, pinching my fingers, and lastly, kisses that would either land on my cheek or squarely on my lips.

After spending a few minutes like that with them, I kept stealthily moving to the other girls. And by the end of it, I got myself in between Sena and Ayu. I checked on the latter’s state after what we did earlier.

I mean, even if her first time didn’t hurt her a lot, the sensation would linger for a while. I had to make sure that she was not pushing herself to be here. If need be, I would drop everything and escort her home so that she could rest.

Uh. That’s my worrywart trait working. And having known me for that, Ayu couldn’t help but laugh at how I acted. She ruffled my hair to pull me out of that state before burying me once more in her bountiful chest. And then while gently caressing my head, she assured me.

“I’m perfectly fine, Ru-kun. I’m feeling more energized than tired, to be honest… It stings a bit. However, it is negligible. I endured more painful bruises and cuts on my face than this.”

“I see… Then I’m relieved. I guess you can scold me more, Ayu.”

“Nope. I’ll spoil you instead. Let’s turn the situation around sometimes.”

“Eh. Coach, that’s unfair. Let’s spoil him together. He’s part of the reason why the other girls’ anxiousness dissipated.”

Seeing that Ayu wouldn’t let me go, Sena soon joined in. Not long after that, the others also joined in with their reason being ‘to hide me better’.

It’s unnegotiable and even if it was, I probably wouldn’t try to negotiate. It’s a paradise to be loved and spoiled by them, after all.

Soon enough, the time for us to leave arrived.

However, before we started moving out, Mizuki and Otoha – with Suzuki-san and Hitomi by their side – announced something.

“Ruki, go and stop your classmates from going. Also, you should go pick up Satsuki and her club. They won the game, right? Isn’t it just right for us to celebrate it?”

Mizuki started with an honest grin. She then looked at her side, signaling for Suzuki-san.

“The cars are already outside, young miss. They will be enough to bring everyone to their destination.”

Cars? Wait… I think I could already expect what Otoha would say.

And sure enough, as soon as Suzuki-san retreated, she spoke next, “Un. We’ll celebrate somewhere. It’s rare for us to gather like this in one place so… I prepared a place.”

Hitomi then did a follow-up, “The restaurant has been reserved for the day. I received the call that they’re ready to receive us.”

If I had to guess, these two already talked about this even before coming here. And if I’m not mistaken, the result of the match was secondary. The primary reason was what Otoha said.

It’s rare for everyone to gather in one place…

Celebrating the win would just be a cover for all of us to be there.