Stealing Spree

Chapter 2551: Stealing a moment

As Sachi led me toward the still-deserted track field, the afternoon sun dipped lower, painting the school grounds in hues of amber and gold.

Somehow, it felt like we had the school for ourselves.

The girlʼs steps were light as she hopped and skipped in delight, the can of peach tea swinging loosely in her hand.

Every now and then, sheʼd glance back at me and reach her hand out, as though telling me to catch up and join her with what sheʼs doing.

Well, given that I chose to grant her request this time, I followed after her, sipping the lemonade from time to time, quenching the thirst that I acquired from my extensive intimate exercise with Ryouko-san and Orimura-sensei.

Soon, we crossed the empty field where the grass was slightly worn from countless laps and drills and headed toward a small cluster of trees near the edge of the track.

It was a secluded spot, tucked away from the main paths, where the noise of the school faded in the distance.

A single wooden bench sat beneath the shade of an old oak. It had a weathered but sturdy bark, offering a perfect view of the field without being exposed to prying eyes.

”This is it,” Sachi said, plopping down on the bench and patting the space beside her. ”Told you itʼs quiet. I discovered this when I looked somewhere to avoid Coachʼs extra drills. Donʼt tell her about this, okay?”

I chuckled, settling next to her, close enough that our shoulders brushed. ”Sneaky, Sachi. Orimura-sensei would be livid if she found out her promising 1st year volleyball talent had a knack for skipping practice.”

She stuck out her tongue, then took another sip of her tea, her lips curling around the rim in a way that was distractingly seductive. ”Iʼm not dodging. I just… prioritize my energy. Gotta save it for the real games, right?”

”Right,” I said as I leaned back and stretched my legs out. I put down the lemonade can on my side as I took in the sight in front of us.

The air was cool and it carried that fresh scent of grass. It was incredibly relaxing. Sitting there and letting the silence settle, Sachi and I occasionally glance at each other before smiling. It wasnʼt awkward, though. It was the kind of silence that felt earned, like weʼd both said enough for now and were content to just spend time like this.

A while later, Sachi broke the quiet first. ”You know, Onoda-kun, I meant what I said earlier. About you being impressive. Itʼs not just the way you handle all your… relationships. Itʼs how you make everyone around you feel like they matter. Like, even now, youʼre sitting here with me, and I know youʼve got a million other things going on, but it doesnʼt feel like youʼre just humoring me. Thatʼs rare.”

I turned to look at her, catching the way her eyes were fixed on the field, like she was avoiding my gaze on purpose. Her honesty was disarming, and it stirred something in me. A need to match her vulnerability with my own.

”Is that so? My girls used to tell me that Iʼm incredibly considerate. Thatʼs why girls cannot help but be drawn to me. They keep telling me to tone it down a bit but… unfortunately, I cannot do it perfectly.”

I paused for a moment and released a soft sigh, ”For example, Iʼm here because I want to be. Youʼre fun, youʼre sharp, and youʼve got this way of keeping me on my toes that I kinda like. I donʼt just sit around with anyone, you know.”

Her head snapped toward me and her eyes seemed to widen for a split second before she masked it with a playful smirk. ”Oh, so Iʼm special to you now, huh? Careful, Onoda-kun. Keep talking like that, and I might start thinking youʼre trying to charm me for real.”

I grinned, ”Who says Iʼm not? But seriously, you donʼt need to overthink it. I like this. Us, just hanging out, talking. No pressure, like you said.”

She held my gaze for a moment, then laughed brightly.

”Youʼre too much, Onoda-kun. Fine, no pressure. But donʼt think this is all I can offer you. Iʼm still gonna show you my cool side, and youʼre gonna be impressed.”

”Iʼm already impressed,” I shot back, taking a sip of my lemonade and offering it to her again. She hesitated only for a moment before picking her own can and exchanging it with mine.

We took a sip at the same time and I noticed how her lips lingered on the rim where mine had been.

She furtively glanced up at me, gauging my reaction. ”This is Maemura-sanʼs favorite, right? Youʼre gonna be in so much trouble if she finds out weʼre sharing drinks.”

”Well, youʼre not wrong. But donʼt worry.” I said with a shrug, though the thought of Satsukiʼs jealous pout made me chuckle. ”Iʼll deal with her like I always do... Besides, I think sheʼd like you. Youʼve got that same stubborn streak she does.”

Sachi raised an eyebrow, handing the can back. ”Stubborn, huh? Do I also look grumpy? Just kidding. Iʼll take that as a compliment. But youʼre gonna have to tell me more about your story. Iʼm still curious. How can you keep up with all of these? I mean, Iʼm barely managing my volleyball schedule and dealing with my distant friend who kept on drawing to some crazy conclusion.”

”Mhm? Is your issue with him still unsettled?”

”Tell me about it.” She sighed as she leaned back on the bench and kicked her legs out in front of her. ”Heʼs still the same. His responses are so lukewarm that Iʼm starting to feel like it wonʼt work out anymore. I was even holding back talking about you and your feats…”

I nodded, filing that away. ”Iʼll be harsh with this. You can ignore it since itʼs my opinion but he sounds like heʼs not worth your time anymore, Sachi. Thereʼs no point keeping your communication up like that when all it brings you is frustration. Have you told him how you feel yet? Or vent to him on how heʼs acting like a bitch? Sorry for the language.”

Sachi stared at me and then burst out laughing, ”A bitch, huh? Un. Heʼs really like that. Thanks, Onoda-kun. Youʼre not wrong at all. Iʼm also starting to think why Iʼm wasting my time when nothing is improving. But youʼre right. I should dump what Iʼm feeling to him, right? That way, he wonʼt be able to deflect anything as if Iʼm the only one who did something wrong. And if nothing changed after that… can you lend me your chest?”

I patted my chest and nodded, ”Feel free. I told you back then, right? You can always come to me to vent. Youʼre my friend, after all. And heʼs also a friend. Weʼre not that different in your eyes.”

”Pfft. No. Youʼre already different from him. I havenʼt gotten this close to him, you know? Maybe Iʼm only chasing his shadow all this time… And then when it comes to you… Youʼre like this bright light thatʼs guiding me on this path.”

I scratched my cheek and acted a little embarrassed, ”I never thought I had this much impact on you. Should I take responsibility?”

Sachiʼs eyes sparkled in delight as she nodded multiple times, ”Yes. Take responsibility! Comfort me, Onoda-kun.”

I patted her head and the girl grabbed my hand, pulling it and draping my arm around her shoulders. And before I knew it, she rested her head on my chest.

”Un… This is comforting, Onoda-kun. Can I keep you to myself?”

”Now thatʼs a little cheeky coming from you, Sachi.”

”Why? If I end up falling for you, wonʼt I have to fight them for your attention?”

”Well, not necessarily unless you want to antagonize all of them.”

”Pfft. Yeah… that will be bad. I guess Iʼll settle with stealing a moment like this with you for now. As your friend, of course!”

”Sure.”

We both laughed, the sound mingling with the rustle of leaves above us. The conversation flowed easily after that, jumping from a more personal topic to volleyball-related topics, which I intently listened to.

And just like this, we spent the last few minutes without any boundaries. We decided to return not long after, just a few minutes before the bell rang for the end of the school day.