Stealing Spree

Chapter 2311: Can we stay here?

But thinking about it, this was truly bound to happen. Itʼs not like everyone was skilled in sneaking into this area. And with more girls coming here, people would start to notice.

”I guess the catʼs out of the bag. Welcome to our Potato Clubhouse, senpai.” I said with a grin as I spread my arms open.

Almost instantly, Sagara-senpai who looked quiet couldnʼt help but burst into laughter, holding her stomach ”Potato Clubhouse? Okay. Thatʼs hilarious.”

”Ruki. Itʼs not Potato Clubhouse! Secret Garden! Remember?” With reddening cheeks, Maaya tried correcting me as she approached. But itʼs already too late.

Miura-senpai also laughed at the odd naming scheme.

”I think Potato Clubhouse suits it better.” She said.

”See. I finally got another vote.”

”Shut up, Ruki. We already decided on the name. Itʼs Secret Garden, senpai! Only this guy calls

it that name because he wants to plant potatoes!” Maaya protested, her cheeks reddening

even more as she playfully smacked my chest. ”Get serious, you idiot Ruki.”

”Really, whatʼs wrong with potatoes?”

”Nothing! But itʼs not a really great name for a clubhouse.”

”Pfft. You two. You sounded like an old couple bantering over what to name their first pet,” Sagara-senpai said, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

Upon hearing that, Maaya became more flustered. But instead of expressing her embarrassment in words. She nudged my chest with her forehead.

”Oh. Do we? Anyway, If itʼs about a pet, Iʼll name a dog a cat, and a cat, a dog. Just for the laughs,” I quipped, causing Sagara-senpaiʼs giggle to echo in the room.

I could see Miura-senpai shaking her head with a bemused smile, clearly enjoying this display while Maaya eventually slotted herself into my embrace, her cheek still pressed against my chest.

”Anyway, senpai. What brings you here aside from your curiosity?” I changed the topic while stroking Maayaʼs hair. Thereʼs no need to hide our relationship now. After all my visits to their club, it would be weirder if we still tried to keep it hidden.

Miura-senpaiʼs eyes sparkled a little as she said, ”Hmm. Now that you mention it, I wonder why weʼre here?”

”Nothing. You dragged me here because youʼre curious about our junior.” It was Sagara- senpai who answered, rolling her eyes at Miura-senpaiʼs absurdity.

”Eh? Is that the case? Anyhow... This became a fruitful trip. Onoda-kun, itʼs fine for us to be here, right?”

”Will you leave if I chase you out?” I returned a question for a question, keeping the playful atmosphere alive.

Miura-senpaiʼs smirk grew wider. ”Well, I wouldnʼt say that. But Iʼd like to know if you donʼt mind having two more members in your... secret garden. Sounds fun. Weʼll bring board games and play here with the other members. There are more, am I right? Komoe is also part of this.ʼ

This... While this place was supposed to be our private hangout spot, having two unrelated girls to our complex relationship would definitely either make this place livelier or more awkward.

-

Several minutes later, nothing much had changed inside the clubhouse, Miura-senpai and Sagara-senpai settled on the couch, enjoying the comfort of it. Maaya was tending to them when she brought out her board game that we left behind here.

While they were busy on it, I continued finishing my work outside, weeding out the last plot of the garden.

Naturally, I didnʼt accept Miura-senpaiʼs suggestion of adding them. I used the excuse that the decision wasnʼt in my hands. It was all up to the club members. But with the secret already out, chasing them out would just be awkward. So, I let it slide, deciding to talk to the others later.

Upon returning, I saw Maaya enjoying the game with her seniors from the Game Club. She looked up and smiled when she noticed me, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she gestured for me to join them. I wiped the sweat from my brow and stepped inside.

”Oh come on, are you going to sit there and flaunt your relationship with us, Onoda-kun?” Miura-senpai mused as she saw me positioning myself behind Maaya, peeking over her shoulder to check on their game.

Sagara-senpai appeared unaffected but I could tell, she was curious as well.

As for the girl in question, her ear was gradually turning red, and she was trying her best not to look at me but she couldnʼt help but lean back a bit more against my chest as I wrapped my arms around her, giving her a gentle squeeze.

”Whatʼs wrong with it, senpai? Could it be that you want me to sit down behind you instead?” I teased. The girl had already confessed her interest to me even after knowing how close I was to the girls, including her little sister.

But instead of Miura-senpai replying, it was Maaya who spoke up, chiding me with a roll of her eyes. ”Ruki, donʼt tease senpai like that. Knowing you, thereʼs no guarantee youʼre just

joking.”

Miura-senpai only chuckled in response, mischief twinkling in her eyes, ”Well, if Onoda-kun insists, I donʼt mind having him as my knight in shining armor.”

At that, it was Sagara-senpaiʼs turn to roll her eyes as she blandly said, ”Kotone-senpai, the President will bleed if he hears you saying that. And Onoda-kun, do you have a knack for teasing your seniors? Come here to me instead. Iʼll treat you well.”

And here I thought sheʼd be the voice of reason between the four of us but that last sentence just added more fuel to the fire.

Before I knew it, the board game became their secondary focus as they all started to playfully bicker about who gets to sit where and whoʼs more ʼdeservingʼ of my attention. It was like watching a sitcom unfold before my eyes, except this was real. The Game Club President would definitely cry if he saw Miura-senpai acting like this.

But then, I could also tell that Sagara-senpai was just in it for the fun of teasing both her senior and junior. It was another game for her. And she was really good at it. She could switch from serious to playful so naturally, itʼs like sheʼs been doing this kind of thing with them for

years.

Maaya looked at me with a pout, silently scolding me for causing this. But the girl was getting more relaxed, the stress she accumulated last weekend was fading away. Her cheeks were red, but she didnʼt protest anymore when she felt my hand reaching for her thigh, caressing her

sneakily.

”But really, Onoda-kun,” Miura-senpai began, placing a hand on her chin dramatically. ”What do you think of our little proposal?”

I glanced up and answered, ”I already told you, senpai. Itʼs not just my call to make. However,

if you want to hang out here sometimes, feel free. Just help us out and keep this place a

secret.”

Miura-senpaiʼs eyes lit up as if she hit the jackpot. ”Oh? So, if we donʼt tell anyone, weʼre all good?”

”Yeah. I bet Komoe will be happy too if she sees you here.”

”That brat? You wish. I may be her older sister but sheʼs more like a little gremlin to me who somehow got a few steps ahead of me,” Miura-senpai clicked her tongue in mock annoyance. Of course, she was still fond of her younger sibling no matter how troublesome that girl became when she stopped coming to school.

”Let me change the topic, senpai. I get it that you followed Maaya out of curiosity but are you sure itʼs fine to leave your clubroom? Nishimura-senpai mustʼve been wondering where the three of you went.” I asked out of curiosity.