Stealing Spree

Maeda took a deep breath as if preparing herself to lay out her life story.

At this point, the girls had already returned and took up their seats, surrounding the Maeda, adding to more pressure.

To ease her tension, I closed in and assured her using a gentle tone, "It's fine, senpai. No one's going to devour you here. Not even me. You see, they're here to prevent me from charming you."

Maeda took a deep breath as if preparing herself to lay out her life story.

At this point, the girls had already returned and took up their seats, surrounding the Maeda, adding to more pressure.

To ease her tension, I closed in and assured her using a gentle tone, "It's fine, senpai. No one's going to devour you here. Not even me. You see, they're here to prevent me from charming you."

Arisa pinched my cheek and glared at me for my teasing remark, but the tension in the room broke a bit. "Cheeky junior, was that your real plan?"

"Ruki, you're not being subtle." Komoe giggled, knowing full well my intentions. "You're the one scaring her."

"If it's Onoda-kun, isn't that a normal occurrence for him?" At this, Watanabe also chimed in but the look in her eyes told me enough that she's serious about it.

Maeda looked at us in confusion but sensing the gradual dissipation of tension, she let out a sigh of relief.

"Onoda-kun, you seem well-versed in dealing with girls." Maeda's eyes darted around everyone present, hinting at a question she didn't dare ask.

"Does it look like that?" I asked with a meaningful smile on my lips as I glanced at the girls around us. "Well, that seems to be the case. Except for that one."

I playfully pointed at Watanabe who immediately jumped silly.

"Oi, Onoda-kun! Don't call me 'that one'! I can feel hurt too!" Watanabe protested, feigning offense.

And once again laughter filled the air, this time more genuine and relaxed.

Maeda's shoulders dropped slightly as she took in the playful banter of our group.

It was clear she wasn't used to this kind of atmosphere or rather, she was used to the serious atmosphere in her club.

Before long the girl exhaled, releasing all the tension she was keeping in.

Then, she lifted her head as her gaze focused on me.

"It started in our second week of school. Minami Shouko approached me, asking me why I seldom smile." She paused for a moment as though she was arranging her thoughts and contemplating, "I said I didn't have much reason to smile often but then, she told me she could make me before exchanging numbers with me."

That sounded a little amazing. She claimed she could make her smile, huh? And it looked like they were at this longer than I thought. Her agenda possibly just shifted to me recently. After my

"So, did she accomplish that promise?" I asked.

Maeda reluctantly nodded and put on a smile, "She did."

"I see. I won't ask what method she used but let me guess... did it have to do with the game you're playing?"

At this question, Maeda visibly shuddered before nodding once again, "She told me about doing harmless pranks. Doing a minor perfect crime. Like taking an eraser from someone's pencil case and observing the owner's reaction before sneakily putting it back. We both shared those stories, either through writing or videos. No one was really getting hurt!"

Maeda fully emphasized that part. Then she continued,

"Minami Shouko - Shouko-chan is... really persuasive. Too friendly. Before I knew it, the harmless pranks grew in scale. Most of the time, it's a collaboration between other students that she... befriended."

I listened carefully, noting the details.

"She'd give me instructions. Like where to move things or who to avoid. And then, recently, she mentioned your name." Maeda's eyes flicked up to meet mine.

"She said she was... interested in you. That you might be similar to her. Someone who could make people smile. And she might be right,"

Upon saying that, her eyes shifted to the girls inside the room. Arisa and Komoe beautifully smiled as their affectionate gaze landed on me. Watanabe, on the other hand, was just jotting down on her notepad.

"She started this new game. To see how long until you figured out it was all her."

I narrowed my eyes slightly. "So this whole thing was about getting my attention?"

"I think so, yes," Maeda nodded. "But I don't know why. She's been really secretive lately. And I haven't seen her much in the last few days."

I leaned back in my chair, piecing it all together. Minami Shouko had been playing a game to make me notice her.

But it was a dangerous one, using people like Maeda to push boundaries and see how far she could manipulate things before I caught on.

Now that I had, she was probably also waiting for the moment I confronted her.

"Thank you, Maeda," I said after arranging my thoughts. "You've been honest with me, and I appreciate that. I'll handle the rest from here. For now, stay out of this. I'll have the girls escort you back to the Kendo Club."

Maeda nodded gratefully, her relief visible.

I stood up, signaling that the conversation was over. Then I turned to my girls, "Arisa, Komoe, Watanabe, can you bring Maeda-senpai next door? I think it's best if I meet this problem student alone.

Arisa and the other two nodded but before doing so, my girls clung to my arm, telling me to be careful. Arisa even reminded me that I shouldn't let my consideration get the best of me.

Alright. I should take that to heart.

Maeda also stood up, giving me one last uncertain look before she got escorted out by the girls.

As soon as she left, I cleaned up the table, taking away the cups and the tea set that we hadn't finished drinking.

So I put back two cups and set it down, taking away everything.

After that, I sat down, picked up my phone, and sent messages to my girls while waiting for our Little Miss Troublemaker.

Five minutes later, a gentle knock echoed through the room. I knew it was her. She didn't really want to prove me wrong. She's here to prove that I was right in thinking that it was her all along. I mean, could she still hide after Maeda's confession?

I took a deep breath and stood up and went to the door to open it for her. Minami Shouko was standing there in the attire that Arisa informed me about. She wore a hooded jacket on top of her uniform and she was covering her long black hair with it. Like the file about her said, her body was that of an athlete, slender but full of firmness. She had this huge grin on her lips but there's a hint of craziness in it as if she's only forcing it.

As soon as I saw her, I knew she was the one. Besides, I still had her photo in my pocket.

The way she's standing, the way she's looking at me, it's like she's challenging me to a duel of wits.

"Senpai, are you lost?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

The girl's grin wavered for a split second before she stepped into the room, stepping past me before glancing back to answer, "Lost? No. No. Aren't you waiting for me? Onoda-kun, I've been meaning to meet you."

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