Stealing Spree

Chapter 2593: Short Visit?

The side door of the Gymnasium produced a creaking sound as I pushed it open. The sounds of the distant basketball practice could still be heard in this area, but it was muffled enough to feel the tranquility of this area.

I scanned the immediate hallways, expecting to catch a glimpse of Orimura-senseiʼs but the corridor leading to the club rooms was empty.

I pulled out my phone to check the time. 5:45 pm.

Chii and the gyarus were probably at the school gates by now, getting impatient. What excuse should I give them?

After thinking for a while, I sent Chii a quick message, ”Iʼll be there in a minute, Chii. Is An-rin behaving?”

Her reply came almost instantly, with a string of laughing emojis, ”Good thing you messaged me, Kii. An-rin is already plotting to pick you up there. She just wanted chaos!”

Well, not really that surprising from that girl. All she cared about was how to have fun. And now that she had seen a glimpse of how my life was going for me, sheʼs now very interested in how I was managing the chaos of my complex relationships.

As I pocketed my phone, a soft shuffle of footsteps pulled my attention to the right. There, Orimura-sensei emerged from the corner leading to the shower room. She was still in her tracksuit but her hair was slightly damp, possibly from a quick shower.

Her sharp demeanor twisted slightly when she spotted me, her lips curving up into a slightly annoyed smile.

”What are you doing here?” She asked as she approached me.

I raised my hand to wave at her but the way her face scrunched up told me it was better to tease her than greet her normally.

”To see you, sensei. Mhm. Looks like Iʼve missed catching you inside the shower room. Like last time.”

”Y-you! What last time?! Youʼre the one who hid inside it. I caught you. Not the other way around!”

”Hush, sensei. What if your students are still around? Wonʼt they wonder who youʼre screaming at?” My lips curled into a teasing smirk, watching her try to regain her composure.

Orimura-senseiʼs eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms tightly over her chest, ”Donʼt play games with me, Onoda-kun. Youʼre already pushing it by loitering here after hours. Whatʼs your excuse this time? Lost your way to the gates?”𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

I chuckled, unfazed by her attempt to take control of the situation. ”Nope, I know exactly where Iʼm at, sensei. I just visited the Basketball Club to see Ryouko-san and Satsuki. But I just couldnʼt leave without checking in on my favorite teacher, right? Gotta make sure youʼre not overworking yourself with all that volleyball duty.”

Her lips twitched, a mix of irritation and amusement flickering across her face. ”Favorite teacher? Youʼre not even my student! You should work more on your excuses. What do you really want? And donʼt tell me itʼs just to flirt in a dingy hallway.”

I tilted my head as I let my gaze linger on her gradually reddening face, taking in the way her damp hair clung to her neck and the faint flush on her cheeks from the showerʼs warmth.

”Canʼt it be both? Flirting and making sure youʼre okay?”

As always, she huffed as though she didnʼt like it. But the way she uncrossed her arms to pull me by my collar showed how much she liked this situation.

”Donʼt try to turn this around on me, you little brat. Iʼm fine. Unlike you, I donʼt juggle a dozen girls and still have the nerve to act all innocent about it.”

”Sensei, arenʼt you a bit harsh?” I said, clutching my chest dramatically before dropping the act with a grin. ”And here I thought Iʼd get a smile from you. I made time for you, didnʼt I? Thatʼs gotta count for something.”

Orimura-sensei rolled her eyes as she put on a forced smile. ”There you go, happy? Not that youʼve got it, scram before I drag you to detention for loitering.”

Look at this woman. Maybe this is why I cannot just bring myself to ignore her. Not back then and not now.

”Not enough, sensei. What about a kiss?”

”You! You should stop when youʼre ahead–” Before she could finish with a louder voice, footsteps suddenly rang out from the corner she emerged from.

Her eyes widened in a panic as she hurriedly dragged me with her, pushing on the nearest door to slip us both inside before anyone could spot us.

The door clicked shut behind us, plunging us into the dim, cramped space of what seemed to be a storage closet.

I never expected it to open, really. And I donʼt think weʼll be in trouble if the Volleyball Club members see me there. After all, Iʼm not a stranger to them anymore. Theyʼll wonder what Iʼm doing there but thatʼs all.

In any case, the smell of cleaning supplies and old gym equipment filled this room, the only light came from a sliver of a small window high on the wall.

Orimura-senseiʼs hand was still gripping my collar, her body pressed close in the tight space. She held her breath and I could feel the rapid rise and fall of her chest pressed against mine.

Her eyes alternated between the door and me, her usual sharp composure seemingly getting flayed open.

”Quiet,” She warned as I leaned forward slightly, my arm wrapping around her waist. ”If someone finds us here, Iʼll never hear the end of it. Youʼre gonna get me in trouble, you little brat.”

I couldnʼt help the grin spreading across my face as I responded with a low voice, matching hers, ”Trouble? Sensei, Iʼm just an innocent student visiting his favorite teacher. Whoʼd think anything of it?”

Her glare couldʼve melted steel but the dimness of the room failed to hide how red her cheeks had become. ”Innocent, my foot. Youʼve got a knack for making everything complicated. Why do I even let you get away with this?”

”Because you like it, sensei. Admit it. Shouldnʼt we get another ramen sometime?”

She opened her mouth to retort, but the sound of footsteps passing by the door made her freeze. I could hear the chattering of the girls along with the familiar voice of Sachi. Theyʼre talking about their practice and a little about other topics.

Orimura-senseiʼs hand tightened on my collar, pulling me even closer as if to keep me from making a sound. Our faces were inches apart now, her wide eyes locked on mine.

At this, the world outside the closet seemingly stopped existing.

The footsteps soon faded, and the silence stretched between us. Orimura-senseiʼs grip loosened, but she didnʼt pull away. Her lips parted slightly, and I could see the conflict in her eyes. Part exasperation, part something softer, something she was still not ready to admit.

”Sensei,” I murmured, my voice soft but teasing, ”youʼre holding me awfully close for someone who wanted to kick me out.”

She shoved me back, pressing me against the door. Her hands stayed on my chest as she pinned me there. ”Donʼt push your luck, brat. Youʼre already walking on thin ice.”

I chuckled, raising my hands in mock surrender. ”You say one thing and do the other. Sensei, Iʼm starting to believe you like being in this kind of vague situation with me rather than admitting to what you truly feel.”

”Shut up. I told you. Everything is for correcting your path. Nothing more, nothing less.”

I inwardly shook my head. Sheʼs stubborn like this. Maybe even if we flip our situation, sheʼd never admit to it, ”Alright. But you owe me that kiss now, donʼt you? Canʼt leave me hanging after all this excitement.”

Her eyes narrowed, but there was a spark of amusement there, like she was fighting a smile. She clicked her tongue again before replying. Fine, one kiss, and then youʼre out of here. No funny business.”

I nodded, keeping my grin in check as she leaned in hesitantly. Her lips brushed mine, soft and quick, like she didnʼt want to prolong it or sheʼd also lose her restraint.

But I didnʼt let her pull back. My hand on her waist moved to the back of her head as I tilted my head to deepen the kiss. Her hands tightened her hold on my uniform and she started answering my movements. Kissing me back, entangling our tongues as her usual fragile wall crumbled under the heat of the moment.

Then, just as quickly as it started, she broke away, turning her head to hide the flush creeping up her neck. ”There. Happy?”

I stared at her for a moment, weighing my choices. And after a quick deliberation, my teasing grin remained, ”Nope. Not enough, sensei.”

”Y-you. I just showered. I… I canʼt sweat again!”