Stealing Spree

As I expected, introducing Hanabi didn’t go as smoothly as I hoped. It raised a lot of questions but not from Satsuki or Eguchi-sensei. Instead, it was Kawakami-senpai who seemed keen on finding out who the girl was to me.

Moreover, because her mind was still in disorder with what I presented, the normally sassy goofball could only curl up into a ball as she took refuge at my side. Satsuki also didn’t help. I mean, she’s just as surprised as them. I did message her about the goofball but she failed to read it. It escaped my head that her phone was left behind in this waiting room.

Thanks to that, I was faced with Kawakami-senpai’s doubtful gaze. And when she found the opportunity, she asked Satsuki for permission to borrow my time again.

And that’s the current situation.

With my back against the wall, Kawakami-senpai got me pinned by her intense gaze as she waited for me to clarify Hanabi’s identity.

We’re not somewhere far away, just outside their waiting room. From the corner of my eyes, I could see heads peeking out from the door to eavesdrop on us.

Among them was Hanabi and Satsuki. The former was cutely blinking her eyes, poorly acting oblivious. On the other hand, the latter was holding her smirk back but her eyes already betrayed her. She’s just as amused at this current situation.

When I met their gaze, Hanabi stuck her tongue out while Satsuki, who noticed that clicked her tongue. I don’t know if that’s jealousy but she’s surely not amused seeing that gesture. However, instead of directing it at Hanabi, I became the subject of her annoyance.

I should expect her lashing out at me later– through hugs and kisses, of course.

Other than that, it was also at this point that Orimura-sensei, who looked like she went into the washroom to refresh herself, finally returned. She stopped at a distance and watched the scene unfold before her. Whatever was in her head, I suppose her head was still in turmoil.

As for Eguchi-sensei... she probably remained inside the waiting room. If it’s her... I expect her to ask me about this later when we get the chance to be alone together. She cannot afford to slip in front of her students, after all.

Anyway, as there was no running away from this situation, I organized my thoughts before braving the threatening aura of Kawakami-senpai.

Of course, I kept my back straight so as not to show any weakness. And with my unmoving expression, it managed to stave off the heat I was being subjected to.

“Senpai, like I said, Hanabi is an acquaintance from the Third High. I encountered her outside, saved her from those idiots trying to drag her away, and decided to bring her here temporarily for protection. I was planning to inform you all about this but given that you’re all warming up, I decided to just wait for you here. If that is an overstep on my part, I won’t mind bringing her somewhere else.”

As I don’t know how to start, I just repeated what I said earlier. And sure enough, that’s not what Kawakami-senpai wanted to hear.

“Onoda-kun, you just repeated what you said earlier. That’s fine. We understand the situation. But that’s not what I’m curious about. Or we for this matter...”

Halfway through her words, her eyes moved to the side, landing on Hanabi who immediately flinched at her spot.

However, before Kawakami-senpai could follow up on another question, Satsuki took the initiative. She walked out of the room and dragged the goofball out with her.

Confused, Hanabi cranked up like a headless chicken not knowing what to do.

Satsuki visibly smirked at that reaction. Although not one to be playful like Hanabi, she’s definitely not the type to let this pass. And so, as they approached us, she pulled Hanabi closer and threw her arm around the girl’s shoulders. With their height difference wherein Hanabi’s ribbon only reached Satsuki’s chin, it appeared a little natural and not at the same time.

Kawakami-senpai wondered what the girl was trying to do. Luckily, upon reaching a certain distance, Satsuki opened her mouth, speaking out for me while clutching the poor goofball on her side.

“Captain, it’s fine. If it’s as that idiot says, I know how nosy he is. If he saw you in the same situation, he would do the same and ensure your safety by bringing you with him. Besides, this girl is one of those girls close to him. Not as close as the others, however.”

... This girl. Is it even necessary for her to let Kawakami-senpai take me out if she’s going to speak out like this? I can’t help but feel a little ashamed. But then again, it’s also a fact that my words alone won’t be able to clear things up.

That’s why before the spark died out, I quickly followed up on that. And with this, the three of us spent a few minutes clearing things up all the while Hanabi stuck speechless at Satsuki’s side.

In any case, since she’s smart enough to pick up the direction of our conversation, she responded very well by nodding continuously whenever she’d be dragged into it as though she was in on it right from the start.

Nonetheless, with her constant signal to me to help her out, I could only shake my head helplessly knowing that she was just winging it there. If things get dragged on further, who knows what kind of shenanigans she’s going to pull out?

Thankfully, Kawakami-senpai soon took a step back after exhaling a mouthful of air, expelling all the tension in her body.

“I see... It appears to me that I’m the one overstepping my bounds here. I apologize. But Onoda-kun, take care not to draw all the attention to you. People will keep talking. And most of the time, lies can be taken as the truth. I don’t wish to see you – someone who helped us a lot – suffer from public scrutiny.”

Somehow, I couldn’t help but feel bad and grateful at the same time for this Basketball Club President. Even if she’s just looking out for her junior and this was also part of her gratitude to me, I could sense her genuine sincerity in wanting to be of help to me or us.

“I appreciate the concern, senpai. You don’t have to worry. Even if the sky falls on us, nothing can topple our truth.”

While that sounds like a load of bull, I am serious about that. Forget about public scrutiny. I’m planning to overturn the public perception around us in the end. If I so much as falter about that, it will shake the foundation we’re building.

“Pfft. I don’t know if that’s overconfidence or not. You’re truly something else.” Kawakami-senpai chuckled while shaking her head.

She then reached for my shoulder, patting it a few times. From her movements, I sensed that she restrained herself from doing more than that. Most likely, she was about to hug me again – albeit unconsciously... Or if not that, pat my head like the older sister she’s portraying herself to be.

Following that, she walked over to the two girls and gently patted Hanabi’s head. That shocked the girl but Kawakami-senpai’s next words swept that away.

“It must’ve been hard on you, huh? Don’t worry. You’re welcome here. Cheer for us later, okay?”

“Y-yes!” Looking a little flustered at that cool display of Kawakami-senpai, Hanabi’s voice reached a pitch higher, drawing giggles from everyone.

“And Satsuki, you should put a leash on Onoda-kun, don’t you think so?”

“A leash won’t be enough for him, Captain. That idiot is wilder than any wild beast.”

“Pfft, Is that so? Alright then, I’ll give the three of you the space to talk.”

Yep. She thought Satsuki was just joking there. Little did she know she said that in the truer sense of the words.

Anyhow, Kawakami-senpai returned to the waiting room right after that, closing the door and dragging the peeking heads back with her.

With that, she fulfilled her words, Satsuki, Hanabi and I were given all the space to talk.

Or not? I mean, Orimura-sensei was still watching from a distance.

In any case, ignoring that woman, I approached the two girls, fully expecting them to go off on me.

Without delay, Satsuki reached for my ear and pinched it. “Idiot... What do you want to do now?”

“Well, shall we go somewhere else to talk? Hanabi, are you in?”

Although she looked confused at first, Hanabi quickly grasped the essence of my question. And so, even though she’s still looking uncomfortable next to Satsuki, the sassy goofball’s lips stretched from side to side as she cheekily said, “Eh? Ah... Y-yes? If it’s with you babe, I’ll go anywhere.”

This... I’m doomed, right?

In front of me, Satsuki’s eyes immediately slanted as her intense glare stabbed me multiple times, even without words, I could already understand what she was conveying.

“Babe, huh? Idiot, care to explain this one?”

And to top it all off, Hanabi didn’t stop at that. As she used the chance that Satsuki got taken aback by that, the girl hopped over to my side, hugging my arm tightly.

Have I been too soft on her? Perhaps. Since she dared try this one, it won’t be wrong for me to correct her, right?

But first... “Satsuki. Go ahead.” I raised my free hand in surrender.

Satsuki didn’t waste a second and hurriedly moved to my free side before dragging us with her.

Yeah. She looked pissed alright. However, I could also sense amusement rising from her expression. She’s enjoying this development. All this time she wanted to get back at the times I teased her. Thanks to Hanabi, she now has her justification...

Will they get along? Possibly. Furthermore, this... This is Hanabi’s answer. Despite my warning, she jumped into the fire herself – for her amusement.

How should I explain this to Matsuri?