Stealing Spree

"Onoda-kun, here."

Just as I was about to part ways with them, still a fair distance from the school gates, Ohori- senpai suddenly turned around and hurried back towards me. Her expression was a mix of urgency and something else. Was it hesitation?

She looked to be on edge. Her eyes darted around as if she was checking to make sure no one was watching us.

It made sense.

That cuck ex or his followers - or even that newspaper club guy - could be lurking nearby. It’d be another trouble again if they spotted us together.

She took a moment to survey the area, but with so many students around us, it was impossible to be certain if anyone was paying attention.

Taking a deep breath, she reached into her bag and pulled out something small and colorful. She held it out to me, her hand shaking slightly.

I took the item from her, and when I realized what it was, a smile spread across my face. It was a handmade crochet rabbit, vibrant with different shades of pastel yarn.

It was expectedly skillfully crafted, almost like a plushie.

"Senpai, are you sure about this?" I asked, my voice a little soft just to be mindful of our surroundings.

Ohori-senpai nodded quickly, her cheeks flushing a light pink. Without another word, she gently closed my fingers around the crochet rabbit, almost as if she was afraid somebody else might see it.

"Treat it as part of my gratitude to you... You’ve been a great help to me. Without you, I’ll still be toiling in that cafe, hoping not to see him with another girl." she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "And I apologize. I can’t think of a better way to show it more sincerely. Take that for now, I finished that last night."

I shook my head, still holding onto the small crochet. "Ah, it’s fine. I really appreciate this, senpai. Looks like you’re back at crocheting, huh? You used to have these small crocheted rabbits tied to your bag all the time back then, didn’t you?"

A faint smile tugged at her lips, and she nodded again. "Yes. I did."

I remember those days well. She used to have a whole collection of these crocheted animals handmade by her. Some were rabbits, others were bears or cats. They were all attached to her like a colorful parade of tiny, fluffy companions. Some were even made into keychains tied to her phone and keyholders, their small, delicate limbs dangling as she walked.

It was such a stark contrast to the image she projected now. Despite her sometimes unruly demeanor of days past, her hobby was undeniably cute, reflecting a softer side of her that maybe only Aoi and I noticed.

But then, there was that absolute shitstain of an ex. That cuckold fetishist bastard most likely put a stop to her hobby, just as he had influenced her to be more timid and reserved.

I remembered thinking something was off when I first saw her at the café a while ago. Gone were the cute crochet decorations and even her hair, once lively and styled with little accessories, was now plain and unadorned. It was as if he had stripped away everything that made her unique before getting into a relationship with him. He forced her to be in his own mold of a woman who’d probably love to satisfy his disgusting desire.

The fact that it took our intervention for her to change her mind made it clear how deep his influence was with her.

Thankfully, Aoi noticed it immediately. Otherwise, she might’ve been one day given to another guy to satisfy that bastard’s desire.

I can take this little rabbit in my hand now as a sign of her slowly returning to how she once

Was.

I didn’t really need her to pay me for helping her anyway. I did it for Aoi at first. And for her well-being after knowing how pitiful her situation was.

"Forget about repaying me. This is enough, senpai. Go and be happy again. That way, Aoi will also feel relieved."

"No... You know I’m not that kind of person. Just you wait, Onoda-kun..."

"Stubborn. Or is this you being unruly again?"

"Can it be both?"

"You’re right. I forgot you’re like this as well. Well then, I just have to look forward to it, right?"

"Y-yeah... I’ll ask Aoi to borrow you in the future."

"Borrow me? You can just ask to meet me somewhere. As long as I’m free I can come to meet you."

"That’s inappropriate, isn’t it?"

"Not like Aoi won’t know that I will be meeting you."

"Oh... Okay then. See you, Onoda-kun. And take care."

"Mhm. It’s not over yet so don’t put your guard down, alright?"

"I know. I can also fight back. It’ll be embarrassing if you keep on supporting me yet I don’t have a drive to change."

"That’s good to hear."

I smiled and waved my hand at her, ushering her to continue to their school gates. Aoi and the other two already noticed her stopping and were waiting for her.

After this, I quickly left the premises while ensuring no one was following me. While doing so, I checked my messages, greeting my girls and informing Marika that I was on my way.

The same as yesterday, Ichihara Jun would surely try to take her with him.

If only he was that eager before I entered Marika’s life, he wouldn’t be like that, acting like a complete fool when his loss was already sealed.

Once again, after I ignored Ichihara Jun who was posturing in front of Marika’s place, I was met by her two bodyguards.

One of which blocked my way while the other remained inside.

Although I arrived a little later than yesterday, Marika was nowhere to be seen. From her message to me, she didn’t want to go down early and hear Ichihara Jun outside so she’s going to stay in her room until I arrive.

As I took another step, the man blocking the door threw me a question. It was loud enough for Ichihara Jun and whoever his goons were.

"Hey, kid. How are you this courageous? Aren’t you afraid of the Ichihara or the Kujou

Family?"

"Oh. I’m afraid. However, is that more important than accommodating the girl I like?"

"You’re out of your mind. Some things cannot just be decided like that. The adult world is so complicated and people with influence aren’t easily toppled. Unless you don’t have a backing yourself, you’re only going to make this difficult for both you and Marika-sama."

Yeah. I’m not so foolish not to understand what he’s saying. Maybe if I hadn’t been assured by my parents that it’d be fine, I would probably find another way to take her away. But now, facing them upfront like this was the most effective route.

Humiliating Ichihara Jun until he gives up completely. If he loses it just like before, then I can openly retaliate against him.

It’ll be a win for me. I’ve been meaning to beat up his ugly mug after holding back all this

Time.

"I understand. I may sound like I’m bluffing here but I also have a backing. A backing big enough to get her out of this predicament. That’s why, Ichihara-senpai should just give up

And move on."

After arranging my thoughts, that’s the answer I came up with. Since they’re already questioning me about why I was this bold despite knowing who I was offending, bringing up a mysterious backer, something they needed to investigate first to figure out should throw

Them off the loop.

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