Stealing Spree

Chapter 2295: Cannot Attend Swim Class

The morning classes passed by smoothly, the only notable thing that happened was when Satsuki decided to sit on my lap during the homeroom announcements making everyone's jaws drop. If not for Shio pretending to be mad at the public display, the other girls would surely follow her example and take the chance to slot themselves on my lap as well.

Imagine the chaos that would cause.

Even if our relationship was pretty much open by now in the eyes of our classmates, I'd feel bad for the other girls who weren't a part of it feeling uncomfortable at our display. I should at least spare them from it, right?

As for the boys... well, it's the same old, I couldn't care less about their feelings. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

During lunch, we had it at our usual gathering spot, the empty clubroom that could accommodate everyone. I handed Misaki's phone back to her which she would then give to Maaya later after school for storage as she couldn't bring it home.

While eating, that forehead girl bragged about our date as she showed the photos we took in the mall that she hadn't had the time to send to their chat group when I sent her home early.

There was also Rumi who shared the photos she sneakily took when we were together at her house, both before and after our night together. There was even one where I was sleeping. She woke up in the middle of the night for that.

Marika also didn't back down as she showed our photos in Ichihara-san's mini gym when I was instructing her with Koharu-chan and then our time together in her room.

Seeing as how she managed to take a photo of us where I was topless, the golden ringlet girl was so resourceful that I didn't notice it happening at all.

The other girls looked on enviously and naturally, their eyes eventually settled on me, wordlessly demanding their turns to be taken by me on a date.

As I couldn't promise them right away, I played it cool and took a bite of the pork cutlet before saying, "Don't worry, everyone will have their turn. Won't it be better if it's a surprise?"

Of course, I wasn't just saying that for the sake of calming them down. I had already started with 'dates' and 'short dates'. I'd continue with it whenever an opportunity arises.

In any case, I understood that the girls didn't really need it to be extravagant or for us to go out on a weekend. As long as we could hang out together with just the two of us, that would be more than enough for them.

But well, I always wanted to go extra for them so... it will be a surprise.

Before going to report to Hayashi-sensei, I stayed behind along with Minori-senpai and Yuika-senpai.

It's just another session of me trying to get closer to them. To have them open up to me. Yuika-senpai was pretty much on her way to getting more comfortable with my presence, especially when I kept holding her hand while we talked.

On the other hand, Minori-senpai was still pretty closed off but whenever possible, she'd draw closer so that she could sneak in a kiss that she's starting to get used to. Her cheeks would always flush red, which was a stark contrast to her usual stoic expression during our conversations.

I know their past was still holding them back but little by little, even if it's just my presence, we're at least making progress.

"Uhm. Onoda-kun, can I ask for a favor?" As we were about to leave the clubroom, Yuika- senpai reached for my sleeve, her voice filled with a hint of nervousness. She then glanced at Minori-senpai who nodded in understanding.

Before she stepped out of the room, she stared at me as though telling me to take care of the girl. Just like last time.

"Sure, what's up, senpai?" I asked with a gentle smile. "A favor means... you need me for something, am I right?"

Yuika-senpai nodded shyly, looking down at her own hand that was still holding my sleeve. "Well, it's about the swimming lessons coming up. I... I don't know if I can use the same excuse I did as last time."

Ah. I see. This is about her scar. Looks like she managed to skip the whole swimming class last year, not letting anyone see the scar on her face that was normally by her hair. Minori- senpai's scar was on her shoulder so she could hide with her swimsuit. Yuika-senpai, on the other hand, had to raise her hair which would expose her scar that ran from the side of her face to her ear, a reminder of her past trauma.

"I understand. So, to confirm, Yuika-senpai. You don't want to join the swimming class, right? Because it will expose that." Although I didn't point directly at her scar, my eyes lingered on her face.

Yuika-senpai nodded as she bit her lips in slight frustration, "Yeah. I've been avoiding it for a while now, but... I don't know if I can keep doing that forever."

"It's fine to feel that way, senpai. You need time to get past it. You shouldn't force yourself," I comforted her, placing my hand over hers again, squeezing it to comfort her.

After that, I guided her back to the table as we took a seat side by side. We can't just talk while standing at the door, after all.

"Let's see. Can I ask what kind of excuse you used last year?" I inquired, hoping to find a way to help her avoid the same situation.

Yuika-senpai looked down at her lap, fidgeting with her fingers. "I just said I had a doctor's recommendation. I don't know if I can use that again."

Ah. The classic doctor method. I bet she truly tried to get a certification for it which allowed her to skip the entire swimming classes throughout the school year.

Although she could use the same method this year, she probably thought it might not work again, or a doctor might not give her that certification. That's why she's here to ask me to help her find another way out.

"Why don't you let me talk to Hayashi-sensei? Maybe we can think of something together." I offered, placing my hand over her trembling ones. "Good timing, I am going to report to her. Senpai can come with me."

"Really?" She looked up at me with a spark of hope in her eyes. However, it instantly dimmed, "But... will it be fine? Won't I be imposing on you?"

"Don't worry, it's what I'm here for. Besides, I promised to help you out. Not just on your difficulty to open up to someone but to everything you're still struggling with," I assured her with a warm smile, feeling her tension ease slightly.

"... Onoda-kun, you're a great guy."

"Thanks for the praise but I'm only doing what I can do. It just so happens that I'm well

connected."

"Pfft. There you go humbling yourself again but really... I... I'm happy that you're here," Yuika-senpai murmured with a voice filled with relief and a hint of something else that made me feel warm inside.

I couldn't help but reach for her cheek, cupping it and caressing it gently.

Yuika-senpai looked up at me as she put on a small smile, maybe trying to assure me that she

was fine.

"You look great like this, senpai," I whispered, my thumb brushing away a strand of hair that had fallen over her scar. She blushed even harder and looked away, but she didn't pull away

from my touch.

"D-don't say that. I'm not pretty," she mumbled, trying to hide her face with her free hand.

"You are. But well, that's subjective, right? In my eyes, you're as pretty as the other girls. Unfortunately, it might have a lower value considering I'm this playboy who's in a

relationship with a lot of girls."

Yuika-senpai pouted. "Onoda-kun, I... I believe you. Don't put yourself down like that. Haru

and the others will scold you if they hear you."

"You're right, they would. But let's keep it between us," I whispered back with a wink. Yuika-senpai giggled and nodded, her cheeks still painted by a small blush. I couldn't help but get tempted to kiss her but I restrained myself.

Instead, I grabbed her hand again to start going to Hayashi-sensei's office. This time, there was no hesitation on her part as she stood up with me, following me out of the door while keeping our hands interlocked.

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