Stealing Spree

Chapter 2225: Our Game of Wits (2)

Upon hearing my frank answer without any hint of changing my mind, Minami Shoukoʼs face froze momentarily.

She blinked her eyes a few times before eventually letting out a laugh.

”Youʼre joking.” She said, ”Tell me youʼre joking, Onoda-kun.”

”Nope. Iʼm not interested at all. Especially after meeting you in person.” I said, nailing it further into her.

Minami Shoukoʼs grin faltered for the first time. Her eyes searched mine for any hint of a bluff. But she couldnʼt find any.

Her laughter died in her throat as she studied me, the air in the room thickening. I could sense her gloom. Or at least, the fact that she came here expecting me to be a like-minded individual. But she was wrong.

”You donʼt understand, Onoda-kun. Iʼve been searching for someone like you for a long time.” The confidence in her voice was slipping away, replaced by a desperation that was unnerving to hear. ”Someone who could see through the masks everyone else wears. Who could challenge me, keep up with me.”

Maeda had mentioned Minami Shouko approached her asking why she seldom smiles. From that, I knew she was craving for something genuine. So, when I saw that vulnerability in her eyes, I knew that was it.𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

”Are you happy with how your life is going, Minami-senpai?”

Her eyes narrowed slightly, probably not expecting that question.

”I am,” she replied, but the way her voice quivered suggested otherwise. ”Why wouldnʼt I be? Iʼve got everything I want.”

”Is that true?”

Minami Shouko took a moment to process my question. She was definitely caught off guard. Her eyes searched my own, looking for any hint of sarcasm or mockery. But there was none. My questions were genuine and she knew it.

Her posture stiffened, the facade of the confident game master slowly cracking. She took a deep breath, her hand gripping the armrest tightly. ”What do you know about happiness, Onoda-kun?” she asked, her voice laced with bitterness. ”Youʼre surrounded by these... these... puppets, playing out your perfect little harem fantasy.”

Hearing her call my girls in a different demeaning term triggered something within me, but I kept my cool. After all, this was her defense mechanism. Her way of coping with the fear of rejection and her own feelings of inadequacy.

”You call them puppets but to me, theyʼre the most important people in my life. With them, I donʼt have to put on an act. I can be myself,” I replied, my voice firm yet gentle, hinting at the warmth and affection I held for each one of them. ”What about you, senpai? Howʼs the fun youʼre deriving from these games? From this manipulation that youʼre doing? Do you feel satisfaction from them?”

Her gaze drifted away, and she took a moment to compose herself.

”Itʼs... complicated,” Minami Shouko finally said, her voice softer now. ”But Iʼve never felt more alive than when Iʼm playing. Itʼs like... itʼs like I can see the truth in people when theyʼre in my games.”

”Heh. Then do you want to play a game with me?”

The sudden shift in topic took her aback. She leaned back into the chair, the tension in her shoulders loosening a bit. ”What kind of game?”

”A simple one. Itʼs called ʼbeing honestʼ. You tell me what you really want. Whatʼs behind all these games? And Iʼll tell you what I think of it.” As always, I fell back to this one. Itʼs already one of my important tenets. My complex relationship was founded based on it.

Minami Shouko stared at me for what felt like an eternity before she let out a deep sigh, her shoulders dropping.

Seeing that, I sighed inwardly. Looks like I finally pierced her defense. But then again, it was already crumbling ever since I spoke of rejecting her interest in me.

”Well, Onoda-kun,” she began, her voice still holding a hint of amusement, ”youʼve got me there. I guess Iʼll have to play by your rules for now.”

Minami Shouko leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. She studied me, her eyes sharp, as if she was trying to find a chink in my armor. It was clear she wasnʼt used to being the one at a disadvantage. She took a sip from her tea, the liquid sliding down her throat as she thought of her next move. It was like watching a chess grandmaster contemplating the board, her eyes flickering with intelligence and a hint of something more... desperate.

I raised an eyebrow, sensing that the air around her changed. It looked like she suddenly recovered from a trance.

”Alright, Onoda-kun. Letʼs play your game of honesty,” she said, the challenge back in her tone.

Well, looks like I still underestimated her after all that.

”You wanna start or...?” I said, setting the tone of our conversation to a playful one, hoping sheʼd take the bait.

Her eyes narrowed as she studied me, the gears in her head turning. ”Very well. You say you donʼt need me. But, Onoda-kun, think about it. What if I can make you happier than all of them combined?”

What a bold declaration.

”Heh. You sounded confident, senpai. Tell me honestly, how can you make me happier?” I said, placing my tea cup down and leaning into the comfort of my chair.

Her smile grew smug. ”I know you, Onoda-kun. Iʼve watched you. You crave excitement. Adventure. And I can give it to you in ways they can never imagine.”

”Youʼre correct with excitement but only to my loved ones. Adventure? I can also get that from them. So, what are these ways youʼre speaking of?” I put on a meaningful smile, my eyes drilling into her.

Minami Shoukoʼs smile faltered a bit. She didnʼt expect me to counter so quickly. Good. That means sheʼs taking me seriously.

”You see, Onoda-kun, itʼs all about the thrill of the unknown. The adrenaline rush when youʼre on the edge. Thatʼs what I can give you. Something... unpredictable. Something that even your precious ʼpetsʼ couldnʼt provide.”

”Minami-senpai. I donʼt appreciate you calling them names. But letʼs not get off-topic. You say you know me, so tell me, what do you think I truly want?”

Her smugness faded, replaced by a smoldering determination. ”You want a challenge. You want to feel alive. And I can give you that.”

”Empty words,” I answered, my voice calm and unfaltering. ”But Iʼll play along. Tell me, whatʼs this grand adventure youʼre promising?”

Her eyes lit up with excitement, clearly enjoying the dance of our words. ”Itʼs something youʼve never experienced before. Something beyond our mundane school life. Something thatʼll test your limits, push you to new heights, and show you a world you never knew

existed.”

”Again, empty words. Senpai, are you kidding me? Youʼre not taking this seriously at all.” I feigned a look of disappointment, though inwardly I was thrilled she was taking my bait. She was a tough nut to crack. I must admit. But even the toughest nut can be cracked. Minami Shoukoʼs expression was unreadable. It was a mask of a poker face that Iʼd seen before, but this one was painted with a hint of annoyance. She didnʼt expect me to turn her down. Her plan probably didnʼt have this scenario.

Sensing that it was my time to flip this around, I leaned in closer, my voice dropping to a whisper that carried the weight of a declaration, ”Letʼs go back up. Right from the start, youʼre not playing the game with me, senpai. I asked you to tell me whatʼs behind the games youʼre doing but you came at me declaring youʼre better than all of my girls combined.” Her smugness washed away, and for the first time, she looked at me with something akin to respect. ”Youʼre right,” she conceded, her voice dropping to match mine. ”Iʼve been playing games for so long that I forgot how to be straightforward.”

”You can be straightforward with me. Youʼre forgetting it, Minami-senpai. Isnʼt this the reason youʼve done all this to get my attention? Because Iʼm like you”

Upon saying that, I leaned back, sipping my tea and enjoying the moment of Minami Shoukoʼs

crumble.