Stealing Spree

Chapter 428: Stretched Time

When I arrived at the changing room, the four who were with me earlier were changing as well and upon seeing me, Sakuma acted friendly and apologized. Perhaps he’s thinking that I got mad or hurt about what happened earlier. Moreover, he’s feeling guilt from riding what Fukuda was saying back there.

As I said, I might be annoyed but I didn’t really care about it. That’s why after nodding at him and accepting what he called an apology, I changed back to my uniform and left the room after making it awkward again.

The other three were also looking at me but… unlike Sakuma, none of them approached me. Naturally, I didn’t really have any intention to cater to their hurt egos.

Let it be a new rumor for all I care. At least, the highlight might only turn to me and the girls around me. That’s the best-case scenario.

With half of the 7th period used for resting ‘again’, the remaining half was spent with a short lesson from the last teacher.

Since the atmosphere was still somewhat heavy, I left the classroom first but I asked Aya if she would go to the Book Club, acting as if I was only asking a friend or a part of their group.

Well, Matsuda was thoroughly afraid at his seat when my gaze swept past him.

Besides, with Aya, they wouldn’t easily conclude that she’s my girlfriend. We’d been close ever since the first week and when our group was established. Only, if they saw us alone outside or having a date would they think about it. It’s not that she wasn't a girlfriend material but… she’s probably seen as the girl closest to me since we’re desk neighbors and our seats were often close to each other during class.

Some of them even commented before that I did a good job making Aya easily approachable.

They thought she was an extreme introvert, which was true in a sense and she’s still an introvert. However, they’re not aware of that because they could now converse with her if need be, especially when it was an activity that would involve a group of people.

As part of Aya’s efforts to get used to interacting with anyone else for her dream of becoming a Librarian, her introverted personality would now seldom appear when it comes to our classmates. And that’s something I enjoy seeing.

Since our destination was the same this time, it’s a waste not to use this chance.

“Ruki… They… They’re talking about who your girlfriend is earlier. A part of what you answered was true, Fukuda said. So they asked all of us…”

Even though she was excited when we left the classroom, her tone instantly deflated when she began telling me about what happened inside the Gymnasium after I left.

“Judging from how they look at me now, none of you admitted to it, right?”

Even if Nami and Satsuki had sufficient motive to say yes to shoot down Ogawa or to spite them from what they did, I strictly told them not to admit to anything.

As for Saki, she probably dodged it skillfully with how she could conceal her real thoughts when around everyone. Even though she’s probably still thinking about what happened to us, with that kind of atmosphere, she could do well not to gather attention to her.

On the other hand, Chii could also get out of that situation just with her skills to act as a gyaru. She’d brush off the questions while exaggerating her answers. If I wasn’t wrong, that girl would even admit to it like I did and by how she answered it, none would believe her. Fukuda would believe though…

Nonetheless, at the moment, Chii still hadn’t come to a decision yet.

Even if he believed what she said, he’s just making it hard for him. I don’t know, he’s already cucking himself if he’s thinking like that. In any case, Chii wasn’t really his girl. If he didn’t become decent and took what she was saying seriously about dating him then… he would probably not be like this. For real, he might become like Ogawa who would be deluding himself in a fantasy of his own creation.

“Un… I want to but… It will trouble all of us.”

“You did well. And I apologize for preventing you from saying it and putting you in that kind of situation.”

When we turned to a corner where there were no eyes that could see us, I bowed in apology to the girl. For sure the others were also thinking like that… so an apology was in order, even if it wouldn’t change anything…

“It… It’s fine, Ruki. I love you regardless. It’s better like this…” Putting on a very lovable smile, Aya then pulled me in her embrace. Following that, she kissed my forehead and patted my head like how she always does whenever she was comforting and spoiling me.

In return for that, I made sure to set aside time with her while we’re the first ones inside the Book Club. Naturally, apart from our being intimate, I made use of the time to tell her what happened today. Especially about Saki.

Although her reaction was kind of accepting, I noticed the slight envy in her voice that she instantly hid with her adorable smile.

I expected that kind of reaction but since she already hid it, I didn’t force it out and told her that… I would straighten my relationship with Saki and whatever the result, I would let her know.

When Haruko and the other club members arrived, I took my leave after spending time with Haruko as well. I thanked her for the key and updated her on what happened with Yuika-senpai earlier. About the things that I told Aya, I refrained from telling her about it for now and thought of doing it when she stayed the night in our house tomorrow.

Nonetheless, being the girl who could also read me like most of my girls, she’s aware that something happened and it was bugging me. She promised that she would help me with whatever it was tomorrow. Right, the same as I planned to do.

Shizu was probably waiting for me at the Student Council so… I only passed by the Poem Appreciation Club to get the premade tea for the day of Mina.

I already told her that I might not be able to stay for too long today and asked her to prepare her recipe beforehand.

Before taking the tea, I made sure to increase my affection points with her.

Being the first one in their club, just like with Aya and Haruko, I spent those few minutes talking and being intimate with Mina whose guard was already down when it came to my advances.

Ah. Not really down, but she had probably already given up because she knew I would just continue asking her for it before I leave.

In any case, seeing the girl’s smile and her growing trust in me was the biggest prize I got.

Upon leaving the Poem Appreciation Club, I also ran into Himeko and we talked about that date of ours that was planned this weekend. Itou was against it but… perhaps for the first time since they reconnected, she told me how she shouted at her little sister. Even if that made her apologize right after doing it, she’s still feeling bad. That’s why… I told her that if she’s so opposed to it… she could come with us and observe our date.

As if Himeko heard a brilliant plan and a solution to her problem to her sister who was vehemently opposed to my relationship with her, she continuously nodded and told her that she would talk to her later.

Well, due to the already stretched time that I used for the three girls before her, I only reached in for a kiss before running ahead to go to the Student Council.

Naturally, since I would be passing there, I also checked in our Literature Club.

Haa… If I wasn’t running late for what was planned for today, I would be staying to spend more time with all of my girls…

A minute after that last stop to my club and seeing Kana and Rae, I was finally standing in front of the Student Council.

Taking a deep breath, I prepared myself to once again see the girl who wanted to monopolize me… It’s been four days since that time...

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