Stealing Spree

I’m aware that it’s not my place to step into their conversation, or rather, get in the way when Sara has yet to form a reply to him.

But looking at her expression, she seemed to be having trouble collecting her words to get away from his aggressive questioning, my feet moved on their own.

Before I knew it, I already closed our distance, putting myself in between them.

Well, as someone who’s quite used to being a nuisance to a couple, as it was usually part of my plan to steal a girl by growing some rift between them, this move was probably born out of that habit.

Still, for me to do this for Sara, I guess she’s also growing on me, huh?

“Onoda-kun?!”

“Huh?!”

Their initial reaction was obviously that of surprise because of my sudden intrusion. I came out of nowhere, after all.

However, their subsequent reaction stood at opposite ends.

On one hand, Sara was pleased upon recognizing me as though the trouble in her head was wiped away in an instant. On the other hand, the guy was not in any way amused. Well, it’s normal, I would also be furious if someone interrupted me while in the middle of talking to someone who I deemed important.

“Are you here to...?”

“Oi. What are you doing here? Can’t you see we’re in a conversation?”

Sara’s question was unfinished but I could surmise the rest of it. She’s asking whether I’m here to help her or not. As for the guy, he obviously wanted me to step away so he could hear Sara’s answer.

I faced Sara and winked at her as a response before turning around. I put on a nonchalant act as though his growing rage was irrelevant to me.

“Ah. Sir. May I borrow Miss Sara for a moment?”

“Kid, did you not hear me?”

“I do. You’re conversing with her. But sir, that’s not how you should ask your question. You look so aggressive. What would others think if they saw you here?”

“Huh? Do you think I care? And this isn’t your place to meddle. This is between us.”

Although he could’ve lashed out more aggressively, he’s obviously cautious not to cause a scene. He even looked around us, making sure that no one was coming to this location.

The place was pretty obscure since this was along the curve leading to the girls’ area. Perhaps if I hadn’t taken the shortcut and gone around the pathways normally, I’d probably not see this scene.

But then again, since I’m already here and stepped in for Sara, there’s no backing down now.

Also, I may be cautious about antagonizing Sawano but this guy? He’s not in a position to be a threat to me. There’s only half a day left before this camp’s over so... even if he does make it difficult for me later, I can just brush it off.

“Maybe it isn’t my place. But I can’t just turn a blind eye when seeing someone in distress, no?”

“Who’s distressed? Did you not know? We’re dating!”

Seeing how I wasn’t even flinching from his aggressive stance, his voice had begun to gain more volume. Still, he’s managing his anger well. Or maybe he’s just afraid to throw hands first.

I’m still a student that he’s supposed to look after. Given that this issue doesn’t really relate to the camp, he can’t just exercise his authority on me. In fact, I can sense that he’s afraid to turn this into a bigger issue.

In the first place, there’s really nothing wrong with him to question Sara why she’s giving him a cold shoulder. So, his being annoyed at me was justified.

But do I care about that? Obviously not.

“Hmm? Now that’s news to me. Miss Sara, is that true?”

I glanced back to inquire even though I already knew the answer.

She meekly nodded and that made the guy produce a triumphant grin, perhaps thinking that it was enough to get me to back away.

“I see. I thought you were just a suitor pressing her for an answer. I apologize for that then.”

“If you understand now then hurry up and move. You’re in your free time, right? Stop wasting time here and go.”

Although my words offended him since he’s pretty much flaunted their relationship since yesterday, the guy huffed as though he was trying to become the bigger man in this situation. He even lifted his chin, acting like an understanding Camp Manager.

“I will. But sir, like I said earlier, I’d like to borrow Miss Sara. You see, there’s an urgent matter that needs her assistance.”

At this point, I started making things up. I don’t know if Sara could follow but if she didn’t want to talk with him then she’d jump in it if not, then she’d probably be kind enough to send me away as she wouldn’t want me to get in trouble because of her.

“Urgent matter? Assistance?” The guy tilted his head to look at the woman behind me. Of course, he wouldn’t easily believe me so he needed to confirm it with her. Even if he could call out that I was just making things up, he also couldn’t afford to just assume things.

“Ken, h-he’s right. There’s an urgent matter I have to attend to. Onoda-kun here must’ve been sent by the Dean.”

As she said that, I felt Sara grabbing the hem of my shirt behind me. She understood the assignment and filled up another detail to my bullshit but she’s not entirely confident about it.

In any case, since she did that. That’s enough reason for me to believe that she didn’t want to have that conversation with the guy. Either she didn’t have an answer to him yet or she just didn’t want to answer.

“The dean? Why does that sound dubious? Why will the dean send him to get you?”

Oh. Looks like he’s not entirely stupid. That’s a good question.

Sara’s grip on my shirt tightened even without looking, she was probably having trouble following up on a convincing detail. Well, she’s the one who included the dean when she could’ve used other excuses like going to the other hill to check or using the professor’s name instead.

“I...”

“Ah. Let me answer that. I don’t know if you’re aware but this is related to the incident last night.”

Sensing that she was about to stutter, I cut her off and filled in the details myself using something that truly happened.

Although the incident with the three idiots was resolved by the dean, every Camp Manager should be informed about it.

The guy raised his eyebrow, still unconvinced.

“Incident last night? What? The one where the dean had to step in to get you out of trouble?”

“Oh. So, you’re aware... Yes. That’s right. I’m grateful to the dean for resolving it. But the Hill Manager asked us to give our version of the story just for reporting.”

“Wait. Is Sara related to that?”

“Eh? Miss Sara, he’s not aware that you’re a witness? I mean, you can also be called a victim since they tried to harass you too. If not for me seeing them... Oh. Wait. I understand now.”

Of course, that’s another layer of bullshit. She’s not even aware of what happened until Shiina told her. But then again, so is this guy. By making her a witness, it also brought up a plausible excuse for why she didn’t respond to him last night.

And knowing that she’d be as confused as the guy, I intentionally added that last sentence to have them both focus on me.

“Sir. She’s possibly keeping this from you to not make you worry...” I shook my head in lamentation before turning around to face the woman. I winked at her again, signaling for her to just follow my prompt. “Miss Sara, I apologize for spilling the beans, I think there’s no reason to hide it anymore.”

She blinked her eyes a few times, maybe trying to collect herself from how absurd this was becoming. Thankfully, she still managed to catch up on where I was leading this conversation.

“N-no. You don’t have to apologize, Onoda-kun...” She hurriedly stopped me from bowing my head before switching her gaze to her oblivious boyfriend, “Uhm, Ken, let’s talk later after this camp, okay? I’ll tell you everything by then. I have to go with Onoda-kun.”

Mhm. That’s perfect.

Even though he could verify everything if he inquired with the professors, he probably wouldn’t do that. Furthermore, hearing that she didn’t want to worry him, he must’ve been feeling good as he easily stepped aside, letting us pass.

Well, if he followed us, I’ll just have to make up some other bullshit to make him stay.

As for where I should bring Sara... I’ll think about that on the way...