Stealing Spree

Whether it’s out of luck or not, as soon as I finished reading that, Izumi-senpai came online.

I was just about to type my reply to her messages, to ask her to elaborate on what she meant when three dots indicating that she was typing a message appeared on my screen.

“Really? What’s she going to say this time?” With a hint of interest in my voice as I stopped my fingers from tapping any letter.

Perhaps she would clarify her words so… I waited for her to finish.

In any case, the girl surely noticed that I already read her message. Is it about this then? Is she going to nag at me for leaving her on ‘read’?

But if that’s what she’s going to do, she would then notice that I instantly read her new message because I waited.

I wonder what kind of face will she make by then?

Somehow, I felt the urge to tease the girl again…

“Shameless guy, if you already read this, at least reply with a dot or something. It’s kind of irritating being seenzoned.”

Along with that message was an angry emoji. Following that, a sticker of a blonde non-human character from that world-famous manga and anime was sent by her. Oh, the character was clicking her tongue. Almost the same look as what she did whenever she’s acting pissed.

“Why is she so predictable?” I shook my head and started typing.

But just like I thought, she did notice that I instantly read her message as she sent a single exclamation mark.

And seconds later, interrupting my tapping on the virtual keyboard on the screen, a call notification arrived.

No, it’s a video call. And there’s no need to guess who it is…

If it was on impulse or not, I also had no idea.

In any case, since I already waited as well as I needed her to clarify her first message, I accepted it.

The same as my previous video calls just a few minutes earlier, it connected instantly, showing me the grumpy expression of the blue-haired fake delinquent.

Her lips were slightly pouted as she blew on a strand of her fringe hanging down her head.

This girl could really be cute sometimes…

“Senpai, good evening. To whom do I owe this pleasure?” Not waiting for her to start nagging at me, I greeted the girl with an amiable smile.

Although I’m sure that it’s not my best one, I made sure to convey how pleasant it is to see her tonight.

However, that was ineffective. The girl snarled just as quickly, toppling down the imaginary tower I was building.

She casually brushed her hair with her fingers, fixing the stray strands before glaring at me as she shouted, “Good evening, my ass!”

Oh. Sure. Her shapely ass was as spherical as the moon in brightening up the evening. I could feel it whenever she would sit on my lap. If not for me trying to win her over, I would’ve already grabbed those and fondled them to my heart’s content.

“Did you eat something bad tonight, senpai? Do you want me to rub your belly?” I teasingly asked while intentionally lowering my gaze below what could be seen through the screen.

Obviously, it’s not possible, but the gesture was enough to make her reel in annoyance.

“W-wha?! No, what are you talking about this late in the night?! Get serious, you shameless guy!”

“Now, now. You don’t have to shout, senpai. I’m curious. Why call me when you can just wait for me to finish typing?”

Upon hearing that, the girl froze for a moment. Perhaps thinking of an excuse.

But as her expression twisted as though she was having difficulty coming up with one, Izumi-senpai snorted before turning her head sideways. “… None of your business.”

“Alright. That’s not cute at all.”

“I’m not trying to be cute!”

“Really? But you did look cute before you shot down my pleasant greeting.”

“… I’m not happy being called cute by you, alright. S-stop that.”

So, she said. However, her expressions and minute gestures betrayed her.

That thin, almost unnoticeable smile clearly conveyed how happy it was to her ears. And at the same, it cooled her boiling anger from being teased by me.

“I’m only telling the truth, senpai. You know me. Besides, it’s truly a pleasant surprise to be called by you.”

Not knowing what to answer once again, the fake delinquent rolled her eyes, “This guy… Are you going to tease me all night?”

“If it’s possible, yes.”

“Kuhhh!”

I swiftly answered and that resulted in the girl seething once more.

Just like this, the first few minutes of the call were spent with me teasing her and Izumi-senpai failing at every turn to make a comeback.

Even though we got a little derailed from the matter at hand, I could admit that it’s somehow refreshing for me…

Anyway, before she could explode and end the call on me, I cleared up the floor to finally return to the topic.

“Senpai, what do you mean by that message?”

“It is as I said… I heard from—”

“You heard? Is that even credible?” Sensing that there was something wrong with her answer, I cut her off.

Since I had no recollection of doing something that could lead to that kind of reminder from her… someone must’ve been creating stories about me.

“Huh? Are you saying that it’s not true?”

“First. What did you hear? You know me, I’m not fond of lying so… I will answer you honestly. Confirm whatever you heard; if that was true.”

As confusion crept upon her face, I observed the girl properly. She’s not on her bed yet but from the wallpaper of the room, I could guess that she’s inside it, just sitting closer to the window.

She’s wearing an oversized shirt wherein one of her shoulders was exposed. Since there’s no bra strap on it, she’s either not wearing one or it’s the strapless type.

Well, I’d say that she looked a little stunning, especially with the backdrop of the bright sky outside her room. If she turned off her light, her image would probably be more picturesque.

Furthermore, she’s not wearing makeup. Her natural face was as great as most girls I know. One thing that really pulled me in to continue staring at her was her sharp nose, giving her face a symmetrical feel. It’s accentuating her beauty which was normally covered by her fake delinquent makeup.

Anyway, Izumi-senpai’s confusion soon cleared up as she started narrating what she heard.

“It’s like this…”

It took a good two minutes before she finished. And when she did, Izumi-senpai looked at me worriedly. Most likely, she’s trying to read my expression or reaction to what she just narrated.

Nonetheless, I carefully digested it and… ultimately deemed it hearsay.

“Senpai, didn’t I walk all of you to your bus stops and station? How can I be embroiled in that kind of exaggerated mess?” I raised that question, picking out the core of her story.

Apparently, someone sent to their group chat that… I made a move on some delinquent, sending him running by using the authority of my new position.

Although that’s eerily similar to what happened with Uchiyama, the story diverted, stating that it happened earlier after school. Furthermore, according to it, I smugly declared how there would be no delinquency in school anymore. They even mentioned eyewitnesses. Obviously, they were shams.

Whoever cooked up that kind of story and quickly spread it to everyone was clearly targeting my character…

Do I have a suspect? Honestly, a lot.