Stealing Spree

“I won’t nag about you fighting thugs again. It’s inescapable, no? But color me surprised at how much you’re thinking about holding back for us. Our worries are affecting you, huh?”

“Isn’t it natural?”

“It is. But numbskull, don’t get tied down by it. I’ll be more concerned if you let yourself get beaten up without fighting back. I’d rather scold you with empty words of concern than nurse you back to health with your body bruised and battered.”

Still lying on the sofa, I had just finished telling her about my encounter with Ichihara Jun.

As I expected, Shizu immediately went to check my body if I was hurt anywhere before expressing those thoughts. She might be contradicting herself there but she’s just reminding me that when it comes to things like that, I should always prioritize my safety more than what they would think about afterward.

“Mhm. I understand. I think my mindset went from not wanting to hit them to thinking that our date would be ruined if I held back in fighting them. Look, they left no crease or stain.”

“Ugh. That’s amazing, huh? I’m just glad you’re alright, numbskull. So, what’s next?”

“I have the evidence. I think I can push for his expulsion... But only if Hayashi-sensei can accept it.”

“Do you think she won’t?”

“Not really. Even if she’s the first one to tell me not to use violence, I can sense her concern about me. She just didn't want me to get in trouble. And it’s Ichihara we’re talking about.”

“Their family’s influence, huh? Do you have a plan?”

“I won’t call it so much as a plan but... it’s now or never, Shizu. For Marika’s safety...”

“I support you. I’m sure that you’ll be like this if I’m the one in the same position. She’s not safe anymore if he’s willing to spend that much money in order to deal with you and force her to stay with him.”

Right. That’s why he paid that much. He probably picked the strongest thugs out there to deal with me.

Had they won and I truly hurt my arm and leg, he’s probably going to use that as a pretext to threaten Marika into submission. In place of ensuring my safety, he’d demand her to become his obedient fiancée again. Never to approach me again.

As my thoughts went to that, my rage bubbled up again. Shizu was quick to notice it as she grabbed my hands, filling in the gaps and preventing me from clenching my fists.

I looked at her in appreciation before sitting up. Then after another kiss, I calmed down the rage inside me and forced a smile, giving her the chance to tease me.

We laughed a little, easing the tension brought about by our conversation.

“Thank you, Shizu. Let’s go to Hayashi-sensei.”

“Un. The day is still not over. We’ll have plenty of time for our date. We’ll go as the strongest couple among the students of this school. The Student Council President and the Disciplinary Officer.”

“Strongest, huh? Are the Demon King and the Hero?”

Taking that analogy again was just another attempt to lighten our mood. Even if we’re going to march into the gates of hell – sorry Hayashi-sensei – it’s better for us to not be too caught up in seriousness or it would be straining for us.

“Maybe? You’re the Demon King, numbskull.”

“No. Aren’t I supposed to be the Hero?”

“This guy... No one sees me as a Demon King.”

“Yeah, right. I’ll pretend those who know you personally aren’t afraid of you before your change.”

“Ugh. Don’t rub that on my face... Okay, it’ll be the Demon King and the Hero-turned-Demon King Lover then.”

“That’s even more shameless. But better.”

Shizu glared at me, unamused at the shamelessness that I kept spreading to her. Nonetheless, as we continued in this conversation, our body relaxed and we smoothly finished preparing to leave the room.

“Geez, are you influenced by Elizabeth or Aya-chan? Or maybe Ririka as well? One of these days, you’ll embody all of your girls’ preferences.”

“Hmm? Shizu, that’s already a reality. I love everything about all of you so... I also embraced their hobbies.”

“Talk about being dedicated.”

“Only someone like me can do this.”

“There’s no one else like you, numbskull.”

As Shizu spat that last sentence, we both laughed at our silliness.

We then made another round to check that everything was in order before Shizu returned to my side, linking arms with me and locking our hands together.

On our way to the Administration Building, I continued telling her the rest of my day and likewise, Shizu told me how bored she was being alone in that room.

She said she should’ve asked Watanabe and Komoe to stay with her. At this point, she’s now capable of making small conversation without turning it awkward. She truly changed a lot from the Shizu who could make the whole Student Support Club silent with her presence.

And I like the idea that even Komoe wasn’t a stranger to her anymore. That girl also needed a friend. Even though people could say that she’s too fragile just because a boy rejected becoming her friend, everyone has a unique personality. And it’s not like she won’t be able to change herself.

Look at me... I’m probably the most prime example when it comes to a change in mindset.

When Shizu heard about Hanabi and how that goofball jumped into my net, she leered at me and pressed on to tell me more about the girl who found the most fun by my side. Perhaps, she wanted to experience the same feeling as that girl. To find each moment with us fun and worry-free.

I told her I’ll introduce her next time.

As for Matsuri, Shizu didn’t want to hear me retelling our tragic tale of separating because we couldn’t agree with each other. She’s jealous that I considered that girl my first even though it should be Miwa-nee. And she’s also jealous that even if I haven’t reconnected with the girl yet, I’m already showing signs of how much I’m looking forward to that day.

There’s no appeasing that jealousy. She let it go right after a kiss, after all.

Then lastly, when I brought up what happened between Orimura-sensei and I... although I didn’t explicitly tell her that we ended up doing it, she sniffed it out of me.

Or rather, the way I described our interaction was enough clue for her to discern the truth.

She asked me about what I plan to do with her and I answered with the same words I used earlier; I’ll let her attempt to correct my ways and see where we go from there.

Shizu contemplated for a moment before putting on a smirk, “As if someone can get out of your grasp. You’re already a menace. Correcting you is impossible.”

Or so she said despite my explanation that there’s still a little chance for that.

But she just hit back with her certainty that I’m hopeless and it’s actually the girls who are more likely to change as time goes by. I couldn’t refute that because that’s a definite possibility.

Well, if any of them heard that, I'd surely be scolded by them so I just kept my mouth shut.

Soon enough, we reached the vicinity of the Administration Building.

Eguchi-sensei’s car was already gone. They finished their visit to Hayashi-sensei and most likely, Orimura-sensei also hitched a ride along with Kawakami-senpai.