Stealing Spree

With a clear destination in mind, it didn’t take long for us to arrive at the indoor court that would be used for the volleyball match today.

Instead of going to the waiting room, I climbed up the staircase that would lead us to the audience stand, overlooking the entire court.

As it was still early, only a few people were running about; mostly staff responsible for preparing the event and a few girls warming up or conditioning themselves by running a lap.

Although I said we were going to check them out, there was really nothing to see here. Nothing beneficial for the basketball team.

My initial intention was just to walk around the venue. It just so happened that I got Orimura-sensei tagging along. Otherwise, I'd probably be on my way back to their waiting room.

In any case, this is still better than nothing.

Behind me, Orimura-sensei was still in a state that could be described as being livid and confused.

I ignored her question, after all. I didn't clarify what I meant there and that left her in this state.

I have no idea what is in her head but there's no doubt that for today, her thoughts will only be filled by me.

And so, we’re in this situation.

“Sensei, why don’t we take a seat?” I asked as I started walking down the aisle.

Of course, we could’ve sat anywhere and there was actually no point spending time here. But if I wanted to talk to her in private, this was an ideal place. Unless those below noticed us, we’re pretty much the only people here.

“I get that it’s difficult to believe everything I told you but there’s really no other explanation to it. Sensei, I suggest you open your mind if you want to make sense of my personality – and drop your prejudice if you wish to understand me.” I continued before taking a seat in the row of seats next to the wall.

Orimura-sensei deliberated for a moment whether to follow me or not but in the end, she still didn’t have it in her to leave me alone.

“Do you think it will be that easy? It’s not prejudice when my image of you has been shaped by what you’ve shown me.”

Ah. I cannot deny that. Apart from that one time when she helped out in class, I’ve always shown her the not-so-pleasant side of me. But in my defense, she’d already formed her bias by then that my usual act was being negatively interpreted by her.

“Onoda, you know I won’t really mind it if you two have gotten closer through mutual respect as a teacher and a student. But you both crossed the line… Can you blame me for worrying about the consequences that you two might face?”

I could hear the helplessness in her voice. She’s being sincere there and it’s completely justified. In a normal sense, she’s correct. Unfortunately… it’s already too late to apply normalcy to us.

“Mhm. I can’t. And honestly, I’m grateful for that, sensei…”

“Why did you pause? There’s a ‘but’ coming, isn’t there?”

I nodded, “Yes, there is. Do you still want to hear it?”

“If you guarantee that it can convince me to drop my prejudice against you then go ahead.”

“Ah. It probably won’t be able to convince you. It will just give birth to more questions. Can I make a suggestion instead?”

Right. Regardless of how I craft my words for better understanding, this woman will just find it harder to wrap her head around it.

Why not try a different approach instead?

Orimura-sensei put me in her scrutinizing gaze again, possibly attempting to read my expression no matter how futile it was. A moment later, she rested her back on the backrest and released all the tension on her body – a sign of her resignation to what was coming.

“Go ahead. Bring up that suggestion. No matter how nonsensical it is.”

“You think it will be nonsensical?”

“Of course. Isn’t that how you managed to convince me in that shower room?”

“I never thought it was nonsensical though. Forced maybe but that’s the only way to convince you not to shout or kick me out.”

I guess that instance also got stuck in her head, huh? I restrained her with my strength and then convinced her to help me out.

“I don’t know why I gave in to your persuasion back then.” Orimura-sensei shook her head as she smiled bitterly.

“It must be because you also favored me. Right. I said I still owe you one for it. Don’t you want to cash that in?”

“No. You know what I will request, right? I doubt you’ll be able to grant it through that. Just go and give your suggestion. And let’s get out of here.” Orimura-sensei shook her head.

Well, she’s not wrong. Even if she used that to request me to leave Eguchi-sensei alone, I wouldn’t be able to grant it. It’s a lot better for her to hold it and request something else in the future. As for whether I could grant that or not, that’s still up in the air.

At this point, our presence was noticed by the two girls running a lap down below. One of them stopped and pointed at me while the other just continued running.

I had no idea what she was saying but she probably didn’t recognize me. She’s just wondering what we are doing when the event is still hours away. Or maybe she didn’t want us watching them warming up.

Whichever the case, I waved my hand at her as a friendly gesture before opening my mouth, and replying to Orimura-sensei.

“I suggest that you observe me closely, sensei. I won’t hide from you and you’re free to check out how I normally act. I’m sure in only a few days, you can form a conclusion on how I am as a person. By then, it’s up to you how you will view me.”

“That’s…”

“Too much?”

“Y-yeah. That will be breaching your privacy.”

Oh. That’s unexpected. So, she still has a sense of proper decorum. I’m impressed.

However…

“That’s the only way for you to understand me, sensei. Unless…” I paused for a moment to lean close to her, “… sensei prefer for me to demonstrate why I consider myself beyond normal comprehension.”

As I finished that sentence, I straightened my back again and checked on the girl down at the court. She’s now also waving back at me. I guess she liked it? Or is it my awful charm again? In any case, that’s one way to solve her curiosity.

Not long after, I made a cheering gesture which made the girl laugh before nodding at me and continuing on her run. Behind her, the other girl who just finished another lap raised her gaze in puzzlement before chasing after her friend.

I don’t know them and they’re not from Cloudpeak so… I doubt this interaction will go beyond this.

Within the duration of that small and distant interaction with those girls, Orimura-sensei finished organizing her thoughts.

She turned her gaze at me and gave a determined answer, “Okay. Demonstrate it to me.”

“Alright. Let’s get out of here first, sensei. But don’t get your hopes up. Maybe you’ll be just as disappointed as you already are in me.”

Right. How can I demonstrate it to her? Of course, by none other than becoming as shameless as I could in front of her.

On our way out, I heard the girl on the court shouting. Although it’s unclear, she’s asking for my name. In any case, I pretended not to hear her and continued towards the exit.

It has been a few minutes since we left. Maybe after making one last round to check out the other venue, it’ll be time for us to return to the waiting room.