Stealing Spree

Including that first instance, I got blocked two more times before reaching the bus stop. Each time, the thugs whose only redeeming feature was the fact that they were still young used the same tactics by blocking me and babbling like they already got me in the bag. It’s as if they haven’t learned their lesson. Either no one communicated with them about what happened to the previous group or those paid thugs believed that the result would be different with them. Whichever the case, it worked out in my favor in the end.

Those idiots made it so easy for me to get past them. Furthermore, since one of them even flaunted the money they got, I pocketed it before sending them away to their dreamland.

I’ll consider that as my compensation for the troubles I faced – they made me lose two minutes, after all. If it was extended to three, I might lose the timing of the bus and wait for another five or so minutes for the next one.

And with that being said, I didn’t need to wait for the bus to arrive anymore. It was already there by the time I reached it. I got in and it drove off just a few seconds after I settled down on my seat.

Ah. Right. As for those followers who were tasked to record what happened, one tried to run away but tripped by himself, allowing me to catch him, while the other one handed me the camera by himself to delete whatever he recorded. Such a nice senior, right?

Also, I had him relay a message to Ichihara Jun, thanking him for the money that I would be spending on my date with Marika.

He never showed his face, after all. Most likely, he’s sipping some pretentious cocktail-like juice somewhere with his followers fawning over him. I wonder how he will react when he hears about it? Rage, maybe?

In any case, I used the time I spent waiting for the bus to reach my destination to organize the evidence I gathered and sent it to Hayashi-sensei. It’s to make sure that she wouldn’t be misled in case Ichihara Jun somehow managed to spin a lie about me beating up those thugs – let’s not talk about how I stomped on them whenever possible.

I have to make sure that I hold onto my promise to her of not always resorting to violence, right?

Informing my girls also passed by my head but since I resolved it easily, I held it off. It’s just going to make them worry again. I decided to delay it until the end of the day. That way even if they found it unfair for me, they wouldn’t be taken in by impulse to confront that pompous idiot for my sake.

Instead of that, I updated them with my status, saying I was already on the bus.

Soon enough, the bus reached my destination and I threw the incident to the back of my head before strolling into the venue.

The same as yesterday, my feet led me to where the boxing matches were being held.

Since I messaged them about my arrival, Ayu waited for me at the backdoor and with her acting as my escort to the waiting room, we got the chance to talk and spend time together.

While our conversation topic started with her being acquainted with Eguchi-sensei, Hitomi, and Suzuki-san yesterday, we somehow managed to arrive at the topic of what happened between us in one of the rooms in this place.

It’s still vivid in both of our memories that Ayu became instantly flustered at the mention of it. As always, I used that to tease her a little but that earned me a jab to my shoulder to deflect her embarrassment.

It hurts, of course, but I totally deserved it.

Aside from recalling those memories, I naturally inquired about her current state. Even if her endurance was higher than most of my girls, she still bled yesterday during our first time. Though she could wave off the pain or soreness from it, it’s inevitable for it to sting when she went into a state of full relaxation – for example, when lying in bed before falling asleep.

Since I could read her expression and whatever she might try to hide, Ayu gave up on acting tough in front of me, she put on a wry smile and honestly told me of her struggle to get up this morning.

“I see... I should’ve been by your side to relieve you of it.” I said in a slightly humorous way. Of course, I knew that expressing my worry wouldn’t really do well in this situation. It would just make it awkward.

Moreover, Ayu already stated that the pain already subsided even before she went to meet up with Sena and the boxing club. Most likely, it was only the lingering pain that assaulted her senses upon waking up.

“Don’t be an idiot, Ru-kun. Relieve it? What will you do? Massage that part of me?” Ayu shook her head as her lips curved up into a playful smile.

“If possible, yes.” I shrugged and then moved behind her.

With my fingers grasping her waist, Ayu fidgeted and almost hit me with her elbow. I dodged it, of course, but she improvised and turned it into a hook that locked my head in her grasp.

It was a simple yet playful exchange between us and sure enough, Ayu also understood it. Her laugh naturally escaped her lips as she started pinching my cheek, giving me the full experience of her unnatural strength.

In this way, our walk to the waiting room became a little livelier. Everyone who ran into us probably thought we were just playing around. There was no need to further discuss that topic, of course. I asked and she honestly answered. That’s more than enough.

My concern was already fully conveyed through my actions and her words of assurance also relieved me of it. And so, moving on from it was the best course of action.

In any case, I still found my chance to pamper Ayu before arriving at the waiting room where Sena and the rest of the boxing club were preparing for their match. That’s something I will never forget to do.

The same as yesterday, once I stepped inside the room, most if not all, breathed a sigh of relief as they welcomed my presence. No matter how inexplicable it was, the mere sight of me was truly working like a calming agent.

The tension and pressure building up on their heads seemingly got washed away. Those who were standing by their locker sat down and started stretching their bodies. Those who were sitting frozen on the bench got the motivation to start warming up. And lastly, those who weren’t really going up the ring crowded around me, thanking me for my support.

As for Sena, the girl amusedly watched all of that happening from the side. There’s even a proud smile on her lips as if seeing me that popular in her club was another boost for her.

I guess it’s the difference of how it was during our middle school. Back then, when I also visited her club, I was treated as nothing more than a spectator or maybe a nuisance because of how I looked.

No one batted an eye on me even when she introduced me as the one helping her train, they just scoffed at it. Some of those club members are also present here but they probably never made the connection between my past and my present self.

That’s not something to hold a grudge over so it’s fine. I’m only here for Sena and Ayu, after all.

Minutes later, Sena, who was now acting as their leader, called everyone for a short meeting before the designated time as they strategized on who to go first among them. The rules were the same as yesterday so she’d still be fighting in the third match.

As for me, I stood behind Ayu and their Club Advisor on the side, watching them proceed to it.

Our input wasn’t needed anymore and they’re just maintaining their concentration while waiting for the opportune time. And so, once the staff of the Interhigh knocked on the door to inform them of the start of their match, all of us piled out of the room.

Compared to yesterday, I would be watching them alongside the other members of the club and not in the audience seats.

That’s better. My exaggerated cheers will be more effective.

Or maybe I should tone it down and stop acting that cringe? I might draw the ire of their opponent again if ever this club miraculously won.

Ah. Forget it. I'm their cheerleader and pressure-reliever today.