Stealing Spree

For the next ten minutes until the first of my girls arrived, I conversed with Wakaba, Kashiwagi, and some other classmates or girls from different classes who approached this corner.

Of course, most of them tried to probe me about what was real or not based on the loads of rumors I was involved in. Like always, I didn’t give a straight answer so they also immediately gave up and we just had a mundane conversation where I ended up only answering yes, no, or maybe on their topics.

I filtered their topics in my head and only took note of some interesting bits. In the end, Wakaba even confessed that I caught her off guard back then and declared that it wouldn't happen again.

In response, I whispered to her that she could try – and she immediately shrank back like a snail hiding in her shell.

Kashiwagi and the others got a good laugh from that.

Anyway, that’s all that happened. The first girl who arrived was Satsuki. She also got a lot of attention for the Basketball Club’s championship win yesterday but she ignored all those and walked straight to me.

Upon seeing her casually approaching me like that, the others backed away. Or rather, they probably sensed that my attitude to the girl was different or special.

“Did you rest properly?”

“Of course. That should be my question to you, idiot.”

As usual, she’s quite grumpy in the morning. I pinched her cheek and before answering, “Do I look tired to you?”

“No. You look like a pervert.”

A swift response drew laughter from the observers.

I raised my hands in surrender before I moved a bit to the side, pushing Wakaba and Kashiwagi to open up a space for the girl to sit next to me.

Naturally, that gathered more attention to us but like earlier, I couldn’t be too bothered by it. Besides, their eyes wouldn’t linger on us anyway. As the students continued to arrive, most of them would find their friends and then be locked in the same excited spirit, conversing with each other.

Satsuki didn’t act reserved and took the seat. Furthermore, she also didn’t hesitate to hug me from the side as though announcing our closeness to everyone.

I heard audible gulps and gasps as a reaction to that but I played it cool and patted the girl’s head, letting her do what she wanted.

At least, she refrained from kissing me so openly or there would truly be no end to the attention allotted to us.

Our classmates, after shoving down the awkwardness from seeing us this close, approached us again and started congratulating Satsuki again.

This time, she deflected it by saying that their win was made possible by me.

And because of that, another torrent of focused gazes rained down on me. I felt like I was being showcased like an exotic animal in the zoo.

It’s unpleasant but I couldn’t really do something about it. I’ve drawn this card on me. If I didn’t make myself too famous for attention, I’d probably be living my life quietly.

But then again, what’s the point, right?

As minutes continued to pass and the sun rose from the east, more students continued arriving.

Of course, my girls also continued to flock towards me. Wakaba eventually left my side. She couldn’t handle the atmosphere anymore.

Aya and Rae arrived together. Chii and Hana also somehow met up on the train. Then the trio of Nami, Hina and Saki. Then Kanzaki, Shimura, and Misumi also seemingly got drawn to our crowd. Little by little, our corner became filled with flowers and I once again became stuck in the center of them.

But once there were enough of them to create a wall to block the prying eyes on us, my girls took their turns asking for a morning kiss – of course, Shimura and Misumi didn’t take a turn. They’re baffled at what they witnessed, seeing that even our Class President asked for the same treatment. I saw their faces turning crimson, not knowing how to react to it.

Maybe that would open their eyes to stop chasing after me, no? I don’t know.

Anyway, since we’d be separated by gender later, my girls were just taking their chances with me.

Eventually, more girls gathered around me including the second years, Arisa, Izumi, Himeko, Mina, Haruko, and even Shizu who slipped away from her class after seeing the clamor we were creating. Then there’s Maaya and Misaki, Komoe who dragged Watanabe and Yanagi with her as well as Sachi.

Misaki somehow managed to find her way to my lap and asked me for a kiss as well after seeing her Nee-sama getting one. And given that it’s not our first time anymore, my restraint about protecting her innocence has already loosened a lot.

As for Komoe... even if she became so brave to reach my side. She became so nervous upon seeing my girls staring down at her. I comforted her with a pat on the head and a swift kiss on her cheek.

I guess that’s more than enough for her as she immediately cast off that gloom.

Along with Watanabe and Yanagi, she socialized with the others.

I thought Sachi would also be daring like before but seeing her staying at a distance, she could probably only act that bold whenever she’s finding me alone. I still greeted her good morning before she returned to her class.

That’s a normally wild situation but with my girls serving as a blockade, everything was contained within.

Soon enough, when the teachers arrived to make us line up and pile into our respective buses, the other girls returned to where they should be.

Shio pulled me to the side and scolded me because I still made a scene despite her reminder earlier. It wasn’t that serious though as those who watched that take place all laughed at how obedient I became in front of our teacher.

It’s like the contrast of seeing a rampaging wild beast being docile in front of its tamer.

Thanks to that, the buzz that I created was swept under the bus...

Soon, the appointed time for our departure arrived. It’s already 5:30. Those who were still not here would be left behind. They could catch up by riding a train or bus towards the venue. It’s their fault for not arriving on time, after all.

As the buses started to leave the school’s premises, Shio stood up in front and started her orientation while silencing the clamor created by everyone.

I tried listening to her intently but the one seated next to me kept my attention to her.

“Sorry, Ruki, I got lucky to draw the winning lot. I won’t waste this opportunity.” Kanzaki raised her gaze and shyly smiled. Behind her glasses, I could spy the elation in her eyes.

At the moment, all her attention is on me, foregoing her role as our Class President to help Shio manage the others. While using her fairly huge asset to bury my arm in that heavenly softness, the girl would straightforwardly ask for my lips.

Yep... My girls sneakily did a lottery on who would be sitting next to me here. With the backseats occupied by our classmates, only one winner was drawn...

Kanzaki

How long is this trip to Akimitsu Hills? Maybe an hour at most... According to her, the privilege is solely for her and the other girls won’t try to steal me away.

In any case, it probably only applied to my girls... if it’s a classmate not involved in our complex relationship then... there’s a possibility that we’d still be interrupted.

Should I be worried? No. Not worth it. I better just play along with them and give this privilege to Kanzaki.

“Don’t say sorry, Mio. Just that, let’s listen to Shio first, alright? We might miss some important detail.”

I replied to her as I fixed her slightly loosened glass. And while I’m at it, I combed her hair, exposing her reddened ear.

Kanzaki nodded and a hint of shame flashed on her face. Most likely, she realized that she should be helping Shio. It’s too late by now. In the end, she could only follow my words and listen to Shio’s directives.