Stealing Spree

Chapter 172: End of Assessment

”Youʼre here.”

Shizu-senpai said when I entered the Student Council Room.

After the questions of Ishida-senpai, we separated. She went back to the club while I made my way here at the Student Council

Upon seeing me entering, Shizu-senpai stopped what sheʼs doing and stood up to go to the long table with a box in her hand.

Cake?

Did she wait for me?

”Do you want tea to go with that, senpai?”

I asked her even though thatʼs probably the case. But thereʼs still a probability that she wanted water instead.

”Un. Make that two.”

Shizu-senpai answered while she started to spread the box open and reveal 2 slices of cheesecakes.

She then stood up and went towards my direction, the cabinet where the plates are kept is next to me. Well, itʼs the Student Council, even some clubs have a refrigerator inside. Though if the Student Council found that, it will either be close the club or give the fridge to the Council to be disposed of. Club Budgets arenʼt meant for leisure after all.

I donʼt really know what happened to her but sheʼs probably in a mood for a break.

Err… However, itʼs quite possible that she really wanted to eat it with me or someoneʼs coming to visit.

Knowing her attitude towards other people, the latter seems impossible.

Shizu-senpai opened the cabinet but she couldnʼt reach the level where the plates were. Whoever arranged that would surely be nagged at by her.

After trying for a few times, she gave up and glanced at me. She was pouting and clearly upset that she couldnʼt reach it.

”Uhm. Do you need help, Shizu-senpai?”

I know that sounds sarcastic but I donʼt want her to flare up. Though I mightʼve already passed her evaluation, I still want her to have a good impression of me.

”What do you think?”

Though she looked upset, the way sheʼs acting right now is… adorable.

I smiled and shook my head before moving next to her.

”Which one?”

I asked since there were three plate designs that were arranged neatly on that level.

”That one with the yellow pattern.”

I took what she pointed at and closed the dish cabinet. I only took one even though I already have an idea that the other oneʼs for me.

”Huh? Why did you only take one?”

Shizu-senpai asked, confused.

”Ah. Will there be a visitor? My bad, thatʼs why you asked me to prepare two cups.”

”The other oneʼs for you, blockhead.”

Shizu-senpai pouted again and this time, thereʼs no more hint of that scary Shizu-senpai mask she always put on.

I told her to open up to someone and it seems my guess from before was correct. She chose me.

”Err… Sorry. I didnʼt think it was for me.”

”Just go get it and come to the table when the tea is prepared.”

She turned around and walked back to the table and put one slice on her plate, she then stood up again since she forgot to get a fork.

So, she can act this cute sometimes.

Err... What am I thinking?

Minutes passed and weʼre already at the table with the cake and tea in front of us.

Shizu-senpai was eating her cake while sipping her tea occasionally. Like this, no one was talking, or she just couldnʼt get herself to start a conversation.

Iʼm quietly observing her, trying to see if my guesses are right. At first, she appeared scary, she saw me with Satsuki and used that to threaten my relationship with Nami. When we revealed it to her, her view of me as a playboy was cemented but with one unexpected phrase from Nami, the wall she built up crumbled which led us to this time with her.

I got to know what sheʼs hiding beneath that scary facade she put on herself and now…

”Senpai. Do you want to open up with me?”

Her type is someone you really donʼt need to beat around the bush and just straight up tell her your thoughts. Sheʼll surely find that annoying like that Vice President. Heʼs probably asking her out with a pretext made of excuses and not his real intention.

Hearing my words, her gaze fell upon me. She didnʼt answer immediately and just stared at my face just like how I was staring at her.

She and Nami really have that resemblance, even for a bit. Especially their long silky black hair. Shizu-senpaiʼs eyes are kind of yellowish, unlike Namiʼs sky blue eyes.

”What did Nanami see in you that she chose you over Kazuo? Heʼs more attractive and… kind.”

With that kind of pause, she probably realized that those were the only redeeming features of Ogawa.

”You probably already asked Nami about that, senpai. What did she tell you?”

”… I still donʼt get it, itʼs not even a month and you replaced her at least two years of affection towards him.”

”I will be honest with you, senpai. Isnʼt it because Ogawa is too indecisive? In truth, she only approached me to help her about Ogawa.”

”I see. You took advantage of that.”

”I did help her like she asked though. But since I liked her. I confessed to her and… look where we are now.”

”I guess Iʼm getting it now. Nami will not really fall for you if not for your efforts to let her feel how serious you are to her. Onoda-kun. Promise you wonʼt hurt her.”

I see. This is probably the purpose of this tea time. This will be the last day of her assessment and my last day as her secretary.

”I promise. I love her, senpai.”

I wouldnʼt make the same mistakes as before. Iʼve hurt a lot of girls during middle school. That wonʼt happen again. In fact, it might be my turn to get hurt if some of them decided to leave me in the future. However, as long as theyʼre with me, even if itʼs already tiring, Iʼll always make them feel special. In my own way.

”Then. Thatʼs enough. Iʼll entrust Nanami to you. I will stop meddling with you and Nanamiʼs affairs. You pas--”

Before she could finish what sheʼs saying, I cut her off.

”Do you really want to end this here, senpai?”

”Un. I told you, I wouldnʼt be able to change my image anymore.”

She nodded and though she kept a firm tone in her voice, I could feel that it was just her acting.

”Sorry senpai but that just sounds like youʼre giving up. Thatʼs not something someone strong will say.”

This girl. She really didnʼt want to open up. She decided to continue like that.

”I know. You saw it, Iʼm not really that strong. I only pretend to be one.”

Hearing that, I couldnʼt help but release a sigh.

”Haa. Nami will worry about you.”

”She wonʼt if she doesnʼt know.”

”I already told her about it. Iʼm not keeping anything from her.”

Well, except what I did to have Shioʼs husband back off.

”Why did you…”

”And I will also worry about you.”

”Why? Do you like me?”

”Itʼs not about liking you, Shizu-senpai. Sooner or later that mask youʼre wearing will crumble and the real you will be exposed. When that happens, how will you fight back?”

”T-that wonʼt happen.”

With her stuttering like that, she probably imagined what would happen.

”I see. If thatʼs the case, I have nothing more to say.”

I said and finished the last bite of the cake in front of me and downed the tea.

I stood up and took the plates and the cups and moved to the sink to wash it.

After what I said, Shizu-senpai was left at that table and didnʼt say anything more. Whatever it is sheʼs thinking, no one else will know but her alone.

Honestly, I couldʼve let her end the sentence and be done dealing with her but I didnʼt.

Have I grown to like her? Maybe… No. I really have.

I am using the excuse that she is Namiʼs cousin.

Ah. This is probably the same case as Aya. I wanted to help her. If itʼs still the me who hasnʼt realized anything, I will still help her to get out of her shell to let her have the courage to open up to people.

Haa… Now that I think of it. I went out of my way to try and understand her. In the first place, she will only try to convince Nami to leave me. She will not risk Namiʼs reputation to be tarnished because of her. All her words back then was just her trying to scare me. I couldʼve confronted her one time and let Nami deal with her, which she wished for.

I looked back and I saw Shizu-senpai staring at my back. When she noticed my eyes on her, she turned around.

After putting the plates and cup to their place, I went back to the table and sat on the chair next to her and not in front of her.

”I just realized, senpai. About your question earlier, yes, I like you.”

”E-eh?”

”I just want you to know. If this is where it ends and you still stick to your decision, Iʼll rely on Nami to help you. She will be happy to do that for sure.”

If itʼs Nami, she could really help her. Even if I now admit that I like Shizu-senpai, I donʼt think itʼs right for me to force her on what she doesnʼt want to, and I donʼt think I have the time to make her like me too. Maybe if things calm down, Iʼll try again unless…

”… If. If I decided to trust you. How will you help me?”

In the lowest volume possible for her, Shizu-senpai whispered while her head was hung low.

I reached my hand to her face and lifted it by holding her chin. Though she trembled when she felt my hand on her face, she didnʼt resist.

Her eyes were shaking as if it could burst to cry at any moment.

I see. That was her real self talking.

”I donʼt really have a plan but Iʼll tell you to drop your strong and scary girl facade when weʼre alone. That way, I can interact with your real self and youʼll see how I treat you despite showing me your weakness. Well, I can also help you to make this place lively and have you open up to more and more people.”

”...That sounds like a dream that will never come true.”

”True but dreams can be partly realized, right?”

I smiled at her and took my hand off her face.

”Well then, senpai. I have to go now.”

As much as I want to stay here and put more blocks towards my relationship with her, I asked Satsuki to wait for me.

”Your secretary job. Can we make it permanent?”

When I stood up to leave, Shizu-senpai asked. I knew this would be coming, this girl…

”As long as itʼs not everyday. You see. Iʼm a busy man.”

I canʼt always be here. There are the club and my girls who I will spend time with as well as working towards that future.

”Right. You have other girls waiting for you.”

”Huh?”

”Do you think I only know about the basketball girl? Youʼre really a busy man Onoda-kun.”

With a sly grin on her face, Shizu-senpai exposed what she has on me. If I didnʼt work my way to make her change her impression of me, the others might really be bugged by her. Though I donʼt know who else sheʼs talking about, I really need to be extra careful.

”Err… I guess, I was really seen through by you. Theyʼre all as special as Nami so please keep it a secret.”

”Monday and Friday. Your secretary and… your promise to help me.”

With that pause, her real self surfaced. If only she could keep at it. Iʼll draw that out.

”Understood, senpai.”

I smiled and saluted at her before going out of the door.

I could hear her sigh of relief even from a distance. I know. I said I wonʼt actively chase on her but… it just happened.