Stealing Spree

Chapter 247: Last Stops

The students walking along the hallways of the School Building though still a bit crowded have already lessened. Itʼs up to the point where no one would notice a lone first year going upstairs to a floor that he doesnʼt have any business to.

Why do I need to look for Ishida-senpai even if sheʼs not one of my girls? I guess itʼs concerning what I wanted to do in the future. With this club as the starting point, I want to see something that I can accomplish thatʼs out of what I was doing for the last three years.

It might not be counted as something amazing but apart from stealing girls and making them mine, I havenʼt done anything noteworthy. Even now, I kept skipping the club for my girls so I should at least be upfront about it when I will be skipping rather than ask someone to do it for me.

”Onoda-kun. You seem to be on the wrong floor.”

I thought Iʼm already safe not to run into someone I know… I am expecting to meet her tomorrow but here she is.

Standing gracefully at the top of the stairs, the SC President who had an amiable mask on was staring at me from above. Due to the current position of the sun, her back basked in the orange tinted sunlight which made her image at this moment more picturesque.

Though I couldnʼt see her face well, I would never forget that voice.

”I know. Iʼm going up to look for my Club President. What about you, senpai? Going to the Student Council?”

Shizu-senpai didnʼt answer me but she started descending the stairs and when our distance was reduced to one step, our faces leveled to each other due to how she was on a higher step.

”As always, youʼre busy running around.”

Looking at her, Shizu-senpaiʼs bright-yellow eyes were fixated on me. And though faint, I heard the sigh she released.

Her bag was slung on her right shoulder while books and a stack of papers were clutched by her arm.

”You know how I am. Do you need help with that?”

”Youʼll have your secretary work tomorrow. You donʼt need to go out of your way to help me. Give yourself a break sometimes.”

Shizu-senpai shook her head before she continued her descent. When she turned to the next flight of stairs, my eyes followed her and before she left my field of vision, our gazes met but only for that brief moment as she continued to descend.

There was the urge to come after her and follow her to the Student Council, however, thatʼs all there is to it and I couldnʼt just act on it. Besides, from her words, she wouldnʼt like it if I did.

A minute later, I continued to go up and reach Kanaʼs classroom. The same classroom where I caught them and where I first made contact with her.

As soon as I stepped in front of their door, I saw Ishida-senpai inside, still doing something on her desk.

”Arenʼt you that 1st year Kana talked to?”

Before I could call out to Ishida-senpai, someone walked to the door and itʼs one of Kanaʼs friends who I saw with her at the cafeteria.

Compared to Kana who was too shy to talk to new people, this one seems to be the extroverted type. Her height is only slightly taller than Kana but their demeanor was contrasting each other. Most likely, sheʼs the one who reached out to Kana. From the few times I saw Kana dining in with her group of friends, it didnʼt look like she was forced and in fact, even if sheʼs not always talking during their conversations, they never leave her out of it.

I donʼt know her name but just based on the friendly vibes she was exuding as well as her tame and slightly childish face, Kana is in a good circle.

”Ah. Yes, senpai. Thank you for taking care of Kana.”

”Heh. The way you called her, are you two…?

”Yes, we are. I know that guy is still trying to get her back. Senpai, I know this is the first time we talked to each other but Iʼll be asking for a favor. I canʼt be with her all the time so… can I rely on you to look after Kana?”

Upon hearing my words, I heard her whisper in an almost inaudible voice ʼNo wonder that Goto lost.ʼ

”I like your guts to ask someone a favor on the first meeting. Alright. That girl always told us that she will fix it herself. Thanks to you, I can now just tell her itʼs your request if I meddle with that guy that kept on bothering her.”

She answered with a grin. If itʼs not for her tame face, she would have been intimidating but this way, itʼs more like someone acting tough.

But I wonʼt tell her that. I will be hit by her if I do.

”I should be the one thanking you. Feel free to use my name.”

”But I donʼt know your name yet.”

”Ah. Iʼm Onoda Ruki, senpai. Iʼm sorry for not introducing myself first.”

”Youʼre too serious. Iʼm Momoiro Suzuha. Anyway. Donʼt make her cry, do you understand? I like her smiles these days so if that someday disappeared, Iʼll be blaming you.”

”I understand. Iʼll make sure it wonʼt disappear. Like senpai, I also love to see her smile.”

Her eyes scanned me as if inspecting if there were any defects.

”Hmm. You better hold onto that. Kana isnʼt here. She already went to your club.”

”Ah. Yes. Weʼve met already. Iʼm actually here for Ishida-senpai.”

”Ishida? Alright. I wonʼt hold you off.”

Momoiro-senpai nodded before continuing to go out of the room.

She probably knew that Ishida-senpai is the Club President of the Literature Club so she didnʼt ask any unnecessary questions about why Iʼm looking for her.

In any case, meeting and knowing Kanaʼs friend aside from the members of the club is great. I also got to ask her to look after Kana. My worries lessened slightly.

”Onoda-kun, what are you doing here?”

Ishida-senpai already noticed my arrival earlier. Thatʼs why she stood up and approached me after Momoiro-senpai and I finished talking.

”Uhm… I feel bad to say this but I wonʼt be able to attend the club today.”

”Haa. I expected thatʼs what you will say. Have you started feeling bad asking Kana and Mirae to make an excuse for you?”

Ishida-senpai sighed and shook her head.

”Yes. Not only to them. I also feel bad for you, senpai. After the big talk of making something to preserve the club… Here I am, asking to be excused again.”

I know this wouldnʼt do anything but itʼs better that she knew.

”Youʼre really awful, Onoda-kun. Awful enough that Iʼm starting to lose faith about the club surviving next year. You know, we only have until the end of the summer break to continue going to the club. After that, Kana and I wonʼt be able to come anymore. Weʼll be starting our preparations for our graduation as well as the entrance exams that we will be taking for college.”

Ah right. Thereʼs that too. Nao and Kana will become busy by then. I know Kana wanted to pursue writing her own novel but she surely had a backup if that didnʼt work while Nao wanted to become a Pastry Chef. Itʼs great that they already know what they wanted to do while Iʼm here, trying everything.

”I have no words.”

Hearing my answer, Ishida-senpai sighed again before continuing.

”On Monday, present me your plan. That way we can go over and polish it. The Cultural Festival will happen before the Summer Break so… weʼll still be there to help you.”

Monday, eh? Because of the piled-up plans with the girls, I still havenʼt thought of a proper plan. There were ideas but I guess I need to compile them and prepare a presentation during the weekend.

”I understand. I will present something this Monday. Thank you for your patience, senpai.”

”Just donʼt disappoint me, Onoda-kun. If you want suggestions, donʼt hesitate to ask me. Give me your phone.”

Ishida-senpai held out her hand.

Thatʼs better. She made me in charge of it but that doesnʼt mean I canʼt turn to her for suggestions.

I took my phone out and placed it in her palm. She grasped it and fiddled with it before returning it to me.

”There. I put in my Messenger or if you prefer, my phone number as well.”

”Iʼll keep that in mind. Well then, I wonʼt take your time anymore.”

”Okay. Iʼll be expecting you.”

Ishida-senpai nodded and turned around to go back to what she was doing.

Sheʼs another diligent student but if I have to guess, what sheʼs doing is something related to the club again.

Now that Iʼm done, itʼs time to go.

I made my way out of the School Building and started to walk towards the train station.

I took out my phone once again to message Akane that Iʼm on the way,𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Since itʼs earlier than when I usually go home, the train was somewhat crowded by students and office workers alike.

This train ride will last for almost an hour so I waded through the sea of people to look for a seat or some corner.

And I donʼt know if itʼs a coincidence or not, at one corner, I saw someone familiar and likewise, she saw me. Sheʼs always the first one to leave the class but for us to meet here. I guess she also decided to go home early.

”Chii…”

Though surprised at first, her lips curved into a smile as she started talking to me.

”Thatʼs new. Youʼre going home this early. Do you want a seat?”