Stealing Spree

Minutes later, I followed along with the Basketball Club. Unlike the last time when Otoha and Mizuki teamed up to shoulder the cost of a celebration party at a high-end restaurant, there’s nothing planned for today.

Well, they did wonder about it. I told them that the two were busy today so they couldn’t come. They did send their congratulations though.

And having realized that they sounded a bit greedy there, they immediately apologized to me before extending that to those two noble ladies.

Of course, I told them that it was fine but they insisted so I could only reluctantly agree to it.

And while walking, they started talking about simply organizing their own party and they told me that they wanted to invite the two – as a way to show their gratitude for their support.

The same as earlier, they didn’t let me reject that invitation. Good thing that given how busy we would be this upcoming weekend, they moved that celebration to next week. Besides, they still lacked the budget for it. Maybe Hayashi-sensei would grant them a reward for bringing honor to the school but that’s still up in the air.

Eguchi-sensei already expressed that she wanted to treat her students though so there’s that.

On the way out, we were ambushed by a group of students and fans alike who witnessed that historic moment. Of course, the majority of them were from our school.

Kawakami-senpai was showered with praise by them who called her the Buzzer-beating Princess for that decisive point that decided their win.

Satsuki and Kanno-senpai were then dubbed the Great Walls of 4th High. Not to be misunderstood as a mockery for their not-so-abundant assets, of course. They’re just amazed at their offensive and defensive capabilities when they’re together on the court.

Naturally, the other players also had their acquired fans and received praise from everyone.

Once we passed by the crowd, we noticed that the opposing team was also making their exit.

Even if most of them appeared devastated and depressed with their loss, their Coach or Advisor as well as most of the core members of their team exhibited sportsmanship as they once again congratulated the girls. Likewise, everyone returned the same courtesy.

However, halfway through it, I noticed that some of them were eyeing me, especially their Team Captain as well as that rookie point guard.

Remembering what the latter blurted out earlier in the game, I realized the reason why.

Yep. Judging from their scrutinizing gazes, they’re probably thinking that I’m some kind of hidden card that the team pulled to save them from the jaws of defeat.

As I didn’t want that attention, I hid within the lineup of the girls and slipped toward the back.

Alas. They already locked on me.

Eventually, that point guard who’s sporting brownish or near orange-colored hair was sent to approach me. With a ribbon adorning her hair, she looked bubbly. She’s possibly someone who oozed out positiveness all around. However, at the moment, curiosity must’ve taken over her.

She’s tiny for a basketball player but probably average in height among the girls within our age range. That’s why the strategy of blocking her view using Satsuki was too effective, crippling her playmaking capabilities.

Satsuki tried to block her again but the girl showcased her agility, bypassing the girl and arriving before me.

“Can you tell me your name?” She asked, ignoring the gradually expanding giant behind her.

She’s brave. I’ll give her that. And considering that’s her first question… they probably won’t be able to sleep at night if they fail to find out the culprit responsible for stealing the gold medal away from them.

“Sorry?” I acted like I didn’t hear her and gestured by putting a hand on my ear.

Due to that, the girl was immediately irked. Like a fruit that was about to explode, she turned red in indignation. Still, she managed to calm herself down, repeating the question. Or not. She’s now demanding it instead.

“Your name. Let me hear your name.”

“Oh… Sorry, I’m taken.” I shamelessly answered while I intentionally let her see me glancing at the girl behind her.

The petite figure of the girl shuddered visibly before retorting. “What the? Excuse me? I’m not hitting on you, mister.”

“Is that so? Alright then. What can I do for you?” Still in the mood to continue teasing the girl, I clasped my hand and acted like I already forgot what she was asking.

I know. Someone could point a finger and condemn me for playing around but what can I do? She’s surprisingly fun to tease.

“Argh! Are you deaf? I’m asking for your name. Why is it hard to answer tha–”

And there we go. Before she could flare up from being provoked that much by me, someone else rushed forward, covering the girl’s mouth and dragging her back to their team. It’s none other than the transfer student shooting guard who I suspected to be her friend. This one girl had long highlighted hair. Inside the court, her hair was secured by a ponytail. This time, however, she let it flow freely behind her. Her fringes were split in two uneven parts; neatly combed on one side and adorned by a hairclip on the other. That exposed a great part of her forehead.

Before completely retreating, her eyes landed on me.

“I apologize for this girl’s rudeness. However, I disdain the way you angered Mikan. I’ll remember you and this team. We’ll win next time.”

After leaving that declaration, she stormed back within their team.

Seeing that spectacle, Eguchi-sensei and the Coach of the other team simultaneously apologized to each other before the latter excused themselves and walked away.

Uh… Alright. That’s my bad.

A mindless fun became a vendetta.

“Idiot Ruki,” Satsuki remarked.

Although that sounded just like her usual way of calling me, I could somehow understand that it meant differently this time.

She returned to my side and poked my cheek as though she wanted to drill a hole in it.

As for the other members of the club, they’re either raising their thumb in approval or wryly smiling at my display.

Juri and Setsuna-nee had matching reactions though. They’re both holding back their laughter.

I guess I just doomed myself to continue helping their team as a strategist.

Right?

Several minutes later, we all arrived at the bus. There, we found Orimura-sensei just outside it, waiting for us.

At a glance, there’s nothing worth noting about her appearance. She already recovered and looked like her usual self.

However, with Eguchi-sensei already privy that something happened between us, the woman immediately approached her friend – not to confront her about it but perhaps, to confirm it.

Satsuki also appeared interested but perhaps understanding me, she pushed me back, saying I should go and check on the others.

Right. Even without a plan on how to get to my girls who attended and watched today’s match, my head was already churning to produce an excuse to run and check on them before leaving with the basketball team.

And knowing those girls, they’re probably also waiting for me. They’re aware that I will always make the time to check on them before the day ends.

They’re that used to my shenanigans by now.

Regardless, with my end plan for the day to return and pick up Shizu at our school, this was truly my last chance to spend with them today.

That’s why, after determining that Eguchi and Orimura-sensei would be fine, I turned to everyone from the club and made up an excuse on the spot before sprinting away to where my girls should be waiting.