Stealing Spree

"Hey, Onoda-kun. Are you here for Kana?"

I had just reached the door of Year 3, Class 4 when I ran into Momoiro-senpai. who appeared out of nowhere. She stepped into my path before I could even peek inside the classroom to look for Kana and Rumi.

Her timing was quite impeccable as if she had been waiting for me specifically.

It couldn’t be, right?

Her face lit up with a round, cheerful expression. Her big, bright eyes sparkled with curiosity and a hint of mischief, and her pink-tinted hair tied into a ponytail bounced with each step as she moved closer.

There was something different about her demeanor this time. It’s like she was extremely pleased to see me but at the same time, there’s the usual hint of apprehension because of my identity as her close friend’s boyfriend.

With a meaningful grin stretching across her lips, she seemed to almost bounce in place, as though barely containing her energy. "Onoda-kun, hi! Are you here for Kana?" She repeated her greeting, perhaps because I failed to answer right away. Her voice was light and teasing as if she wanted to see me flustered.

As one of the few people that I truly look up to because of her genuine concern for Kana, I eventually returned an embarrassed smile as I greeted her back in a bid to match her lightheartedness, "Hello, senpai. Yes. I’m here for Kana, and Rumi-senpai too."

Remembering our last encounter where she took the time to question me about the rumors of Hana kissing me the day she transferred into our school, I couldn’t help but feel ashamed considering I ended up partly lying to her about my relationship with Hana. On top of that, her concern back then also extended to me, reminding me to be careful about getting involved with Ichihara Jun and Marika.

Still, I’m grateful for her because of that. She’s up there along with Kawakami-senpai and Nazuki who I respect due to how they treat their friends or juniors.

Although this couldn’t be counted as us not meeting each other in a while since I sometimes ran into her in the hallways, this should be the first time since Hana’s transfer that she started up a conversation with me.

Thinking about it, she’s pleased to see me because she’s been meeting to come and call out to me again, right?

If I consider the current rumors floating about it, the most prominent will be the one between me and Marika.

Eyewitnesses have already popped up, supporting the rumors. Moreover, hiding our closeness isn’t within my intention. In fact, I want a lot of people to know that Ichihara Jun lost his fiancee to me.

That way, when he returns next week, he’ll be crowded by students wanting to know if it’s true or not. It’ll buy us time to further drag his reputation down.

Of course, I’ll probably get visited by Kawakami-senpai and Nazuki again one of these days - or maybe not Nazuki since she already interrogated me about the same topic during the camping trip.

Anyway, back to the topic...

I am aware Kana has assured Momoiro-senpai about whatever’s happening around me. She told her that there was nothing to worry about. However, with Momoiro-senpai not privy to our complicated relationship, she was, most likely, holding a lot of suspicions.

Hence, she’s here in front of me right now. She found the opportunity to ambush me before Kana could see me.

"Oh. They’re inside. Do you want me to call them for you?"

Or so she said, but the girl’s piercing gaze and meaningful smile directed at me seemed to be warning me not to take a step forward.

I pretended to be oblivious to it and answered, "Yes, please."

"Sure. Wait here. But Onoda-kun, can I ask you something first?"

As I expected, despite her cheerful tone along with her nod, it immediately waned into that of solemn iciness as she drew closer to me.

Perhaps if not for this corridor being so open that students could be seen walking by and passing us over, she would’ve pinned me on the wall despite our height difference.

That’s how serious she sounded here.

Maintaining my composure, I positively answered, "Sure. What is it, senpai?"

Perhaps she was expecting me to flinch or stutter from the sudden change of air around her, Momoiro-senpai’s eyebrows curled. Nonetheless, she let go right away and went straight to bringing up the question she wanted me to answer.

"What’s the deal with you and Kujou? Don’t tell me it’s nothing again, Onoda-kun. I understand Kana telling me that there’s nothing to worry about because she trusts you a lot but... I can’t just turn a blind eye when you’re blatantly flaunting your relationship with that girl, right?"

Impressive. She didn’t even try to mince her words there. Furthermore, she’s also careful not to raise the volume of her voice, keeping it only for my ears to hear.

I stared into her eyes for a few seconds before raising both of my arms, "As expected of you, senpai. You won’t let me off without a proper explanation, am I correct?"

"Yeah. I’m sorry, Onoda-kun but this concerns your fidelity... I can understand your previous explanation that you’re close to that transfer student and all those girls around you. Yet, I can’t understand why are you so open with Kujou while you’re still keeping your relationship with Kana private. No matter how I try to spin my head around it, I can’t think of a plausible excuse you can use... Tell me, are you fooling my friend?"

Although her words sounded like she was also trying to understand my position, Momoiro- senpai was probably prepared to throw her hands at me for Kana’s sake if I ever tried to deny it or make a lousy excuse.

Now, how do I answer this? It’s not like I can just tell her that I’m dating both at the same time, she’ll just explode at me if I do that.

Let’s see...

"Never. I will never fool Kana, senpai. As for Marika... Can I tell you a secret?"

"A secret?"

"I’m helping her get out of her arranged marriage."

"Oh, arranged marriage, huh? Alright! As if! Do you think you’re in a drama?! Onoda-kun, get serious here... I’m not here to fool around with you. You can be mad at me but... I can’t just let

This pass."

And there goes her display of her sense of justice. It’s not bad to have that, honestly. She probably helped a lot of other students already just going off like that. However, sometimes, it’s also too much.

Last time, she also apologized to me for being meddlesome. That meant she was clearly aware of what she was doing. Unfortunately, she cannot stop herself from acting upon it.

And this time wasn’t that different. Just that, she’s now holding more details that I couldn’t really answer vaguely.

Furthermore, for those unaware of what’s happening with those influential families, if they hear someone bring up arranged marriage in this modern era, not many will believe it.

"I’m serious, senpai. I can bring you to her to confirm it."

"Wait... Is that true? You’re not kidding? So you mean to say... you’re making a show for

Ichihara to let her go?"

"Something like that, yes."

In a way, our situation could really be summarized as that. However, it’s not just a show.

"Why does that sound unbelievable?"

"Well, because you’re hearing it from me. I’m the third party. Unless you hear the real situation to the one involved, only then will it sound more believable."

"... Uhh. That makes sense. But even so-"

With her frown deepening, Momoiro-senpai grabbed her head as though she was trying to

Digest what I said.

However, before she could continue speaking, a soft voice came from behind her.

There, Kana who just stepped out of their classroom alongside Rumi called out to her.

"Suzuha?"

"Eh? K-kana? Wait... I’m not interrogating Onoda-kun here. I swear." As though hit with a panic button, this senior immediately stuttered as she tried explaining the situation to her

Friend.

Hearing that, Kana couldn’t help but giggle.

"What are you trying to say? I haven’t asked a question yet."

Behind her, Rumi, who also saw how flustered Momoiro-senpai began, secretly smiled and

Shook her head.

I don’t know if they heard her questions, but considering there’s only one reason Momoiro - senpai would approach me, it wouldn’t take long for them to figure it out. "T-that... Hey, Onoda-kun. Help me out here." In the end, she turned to me for help.

I smiled and took a step forward before playfully saying, "Ah. Momoiro-senpai here is just trying to catch up with me. She didn’t try to interrogate me at all."

"Hey! That’s not it!" Momoiro-senpai hurriedly interjected as though she wanted to drown

Out my voice.

Unfortunately for her, Kana and Rumi already heard it. Before long, they started giggling, causing the concerned senior’s face to take on a peachy pink color from embarrassment.

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