Stealing Spree

Having accepted his request, Sawano soon returned to where the other camp managers were, leaving me alone again.

Since it was small enough to fit in my pocket, I put the pouch to be delivered in it and put the request to the back of my head. I’ll either check what’s in it later or to save me from the trouble, I can just ask Shiina later when I deliver it to her.

Furthermore, I might not be entirely correct but I think I already have some sort of a picture of why Shiina decided to do this.

Not knowing that I would be audacious enough to visit there to see my girls, she sent Sawano to put me up for this ‘request’. It probably happened during breakfast or before the girls and boys separated.

She’s not being too obvious in her interest in me, is she? The woman already cooked up a way to approach me. And that’s without showing up in front of the other boys or being too obvious about it to others like Sawano.

What was left to figure out was how she managed to rope in that guy. From my impression of him, he doesn’t give off the vibe of someone subservient. Hell, with his looks and demeanor, he might even be one of the most popular guys in their college or in their entire department. There’s no way he can be that much of a simp that she will follow her unconditionally, right?

Furthermore, Shiina can very well be a schemer like Hina said but I doubt she’s someone who can collar someone like that to do her bidding. Otherwise, Sara’s boyfriend would’ve long been kicked to the curb even before they could go on that failed hiking trip.

She probably just knows how to make use of her influence, unlike Ichihara Jun.

Looks like the questions I have for Shiina are piling up more within these past few hours. I never thought I could be this intrigued about someone again. It’s quite different from my usual interest. This time, I just got this urge to unearth everything about her, much like how I did with Haruko and Mizuki back then.

As for Sara, she’s possibly still asleep in their cabin... And even if she already woke up, she’s going to return to the girls’ area.

Anyway, that’s that. Clearing my head off of the thoughts of these college girls, I resumed my walk that Sawano interrupted.

Looking around the place, there’s actually nowhere for me to go. Moreover, given that we are only a few minutes away from the gathering of both girls and boys in this space, someone will probably stop me if I wander out of the area

And that gave me a very limited choice of what to do.

Hino, Fukuda, and Ogawa also dispersed on their own with the first two staying together. Some groups who also finished their task had been loitering around, observing those who had yet to finish their task or just sitting somewhere to kill time.

At the side where I found Shio and Eguchi-sensei, I noticed that the professors and other teachers were locked in their own conversations. Whatever topic they were discussing, I had no idea. They’re not particularly keen on observing what we were doing.

Their presence here was probably what Shio meant by they’re not going to be hands-on in supervising us. Only when an issue like what happened with that dude from Class 2 took place will they step up to resolve it. Otherwise, they'll be nothing but spectators.

It should be fine to approach them, right? It’s not like I’m going to flirt with Shio and Eguchi-sensei openly. Being able to spend time next to them should be enough.

Also, I have another identity that could pretty much offset whatever suspicion they would lodge on me if they saw me close to them. I’m their Student Assistant. Being in their good graces should be a normal thing.

And with that, my heel turned in their direction. Without making it too obvious that I was excited to see them, I gradually covered the distance between us.

Both women saw my approach and while they held back their smiles from blooming on their lips, the way they edged over their seats alone was enough indication of their excitement.

“Look at him. He thinks he’s hiding it excellently that he’s here for us.”

Even though there’s still a bit of a distance between us, I read Shio’s lips when she said that. The volume of her voice was low enough for only Eguchi-sensei to hear. And sure enough, Eguchi-sensei replied to her with an amused smile.

“Is he turning to an airhead when it comes to us?”

“Yes. I think so. He’s so honest about his feelings these days that he sometimes forgets to put on an act when he’s that excited. Should we remind him?”

“No? He’s adorable like this. Don’t you think so?”

“I’m surprised you prefer him acting dorky, Eguchi-sensei.”

“Isn’t that one of his charming points, Kinoshita-sensei?”

This... Since when are they aware of each other? Shio should only be the one to know about my entanglement with Eguchi-

sensei but from the way they’re talking right, the cat’s already out of the bag. Most likely, Shio told her, and Eguchi-sensei, who I haven’t informed about Shio yet, accepted it without question.

Or maybe I’ll be hearing about this from her later?

In any case, I should pretend I didn’t read their lips.

Soon enough, I reached their location. Although they were not actually sitting in a line or a group, the professors and teachers weren’t that far away from one another. They’re also using the stools to sit on and there’s actually a table for them to share.

Most likely, they'll probably be given a table as well.

Nonetheless, despite their clear gathering, Shio and Eguchi-

sensei were separated from them. They probably opted out of it and used each other as an excuse to not join their group.

And that’s why they’re sitting together here while the rest are a distance away from them.

Naturally, my approach was also noticed by that group. And so, the first thing I did was to introduce myself to them and inquire if it was not against the rules of the camp to interact with them.

I got a positive answer from our teachers while the professors were curious about me.

Then, our Mathematics Teacher told them about my reputation in school. A Student Council Member and the appointed Disciplinary Officer. Of course, he didn’t miss the fact that I’m a Student Assistant to two teachers and probably the most popular student in our grade.

Due to that, the professors who looked like they were in their late 20s to 40’s flashed a hint of interest in their eyes.

Thankfully, that was the end of it as they resumed their discussion.

Having gotten their answer, I politely bowed before turning in the direction of Shio and Eguchi-sensei.

Upon taking an empty stool and dragging it over to their side, I also acted the same way I showed there.

By bowing politely, I greeted them both, “Sensei, it’s nice seeing the two of you here... Can I sit with you?”

With both of their eyebrows raised, Shio and Eguchi-sensei looked like they were holding themselves back from standing up to ruffle my hair or pinch my cheeks. Their lips also kept on twitching as they wanted to not be too obvious at their excitement to spend time with me even if it was just for a moment.

“Polite, are we? Ruru... I mean, Onoda-kun, come here. Stave off our boredom while we wait for lunch.” Shio moved her seat to the side, opening a space for me to place my stool on. She even slipped a little by calling me by her endearing nickname for me. Luckily for her, no one caught it aside from me and Eguchi-

sensei.

But ignoring all that, Eguchi-sensei produced a towel from out of nowhere as she dragged me down to plop my ass on the stool. Without hesitation, she pushed that towel on my face, “Geez. Onoda-kun, you’re sweating. Shouldn’t you bring a towel? What if you catch a cold by letting it dry?”

Looks like I’ll be doted on in my time here and not the other way around... Yeah. I don't really mind if it’s these two women.