Stealing Spree

Truthfully, bringing Kanzaki here could be akin to torture. She was somewhat hopeful that we’d be alone somewhere and continue our talk from before. However, this was necessary. In her case, at least.

Before Haruko started, I leaned down and whispered something to Kanzaki, calming her down.

It’s a simple message.

“Don’t worry, everyone here will only listen and not judge you at all. Myself included. And if you can’t muster the courage to pull everything out in the open, just tell me. I’ll get you out of here.”

“You’re cruel, Onoda-kun…” That’s all she could reply but the shakiness of her eyes diminished to almost unnoticeable.

For sure, she’s thinking deep inside about whether this was necessary or not. There’s the option to reject her completely and be done with this. But why should I do that?

My interest in her hasn’t disappeared, I just set it aside while she’s also unsure of what to do yet. I dubbed her the ‘lost girl’ because even after that day, she’s still off her original path.

Taking a few moments to fix herself in her seat, Kanzaki eventually found the courage to face Haruko.

And there, I and the others turned silent as they started their conversation.

At first, Haruko tried to get to know more about Kanzaki. Asking her about her hobbies and interests. But eventually, they arrived at the topic of relationships.

As the only one inside this room aside from Kanzaki who had experience with relationships, Haruko could listen attentively to the girl. Her frustrations, her regrets, and everything about it.

When I saw Kanzaki’s shoulders shaking, not because of fear but because of contained anger, I placed a hand on them and gently caressed her in order to calm her down and not explode.

Although sometimes it’s great to scream and air one’s frustrations out, the clubroom was kinda inappropriate for it. Besides, there was the Book Eaters busily consuming their favorite food and Aya silently reading in her corner.

Upon feeling it, Kanzaki put her hand on top of mine, squeezing it as though she was trying to channel energy from me.

At the same time as that, I felt Itou on my side drawing closer to me. When our shoulders touched, I glanced at her side frame. Although she acted like nothing happened, the way she was fidgeting slightly gave her away.

The girl was trying to take advantage of the situation. And that was further proven when I noticed her fingers reaching for mine. At first, she’s just caressing the back of my hand. However, little by little, her fingers gradually moved until our hands clasped together.

When our fingers started to fill the gaps in each other’s hands, I glanced at the girl for the second time and saw the girl’s ears turning redder by the second.

This should be a great time to tease her but I refrained from doing so. It might disturb Haruko and Kanzaki, after all.

And that’s why I simply let everything happen. I also didn’t stand idly, letting her do everything. Unlike that time on the bus when there was not much movement, I made sure that Itou would like the experience this time.

Well, obviously, what I could do was still limited. Nonetheless, it’s enough to bring satisfaction to this tsundere ojou-sama. Seeing her try to cover up her smile, the desire to tease the girl kept on building up… Although she’s almost identical to Himeko, her charms weren’t about being gentle and kind, Itou had that strong, blinding presence that would make everyone look at her light.

No wonder she was considered as the most beautiful girl in our year. Not that my other girls such as Nami and Satsuki weren’t high rank themselves but Itou just had that undefeatable presence. It wouldn’t be wrong to think that a fan club dedicated to her exists. She’s more of a celebrity than a normal student. That’s why a lot of guys were trying to get her attention.

But as luck would have it, this girl somehow fell for the first guy who probably showed her that she’s not at all special in everyone’s eyes.

Yeah. That’s my guess on why she became interested in me. Unlike those guys who kept on trying to get her attention, I treated her simply as Himeko’s little sister.

Around ten minutes later, Haruko leaned forward, reaching in for Kanzaki’s face. No, more specifically, she took the girl’s glasses off and inspected her facial features thoroughly by cupping her cheeks and caressing her face.

“Hmm. Not bad. You’re really the type he will be interested in.” She murmured as her eyes went on me for a brief moment.

Kanzaki’s body became frozen stiff, not knowing how to react. It didn’t take long though and my hand remained clasped by her so… she remained steady on her seat.

Seconds later, Haruko sat back down, smiling contentedly. Following that, the girl gave her evaluation based on what she heard from Kanzaki.

“I understand now. Mio-chan, your interest in Ruki was born from that frustration, am I right? And even now, you have no one else to depend on aside from him. Let’s also add the fact concerning how he confessed his interest in you. You’re holding onto that, thinking that he will keep on looking at you favorably.”

“... I honestly don’t know.”

“That’s fine. We might be the master of our own life but there are always times when we will fail to gauge what we’re truly feeling. The same as his advice to you, take some time to do some ego searching. Find yourself. The one that was lost or locked behind some impenetrable cage.”

Haruko changed the tone of her voice to become less serious. It’s to finally let the girl relax. And at this point, Mina who went to the clubroom next door returned with the tea she just brewed, serving everyone.

“If you’re not comfortable trying to do it alone, you can always come here. You can relax and talk to us some more. As you can see… we always have tea sessions here. And when he’s coming to visit, everyone is excited. We’re head over heels for him.” Haruko continued and ended that with a very affectionate smile directed at me.

“I never knew. Or I failed to guess that he even has you as one of his girlfriends, Haruko-senpai. I tried exaggerating her reach in my mind but in the end, my imagination is limited.”

“Honestly, if not for him, I won’t be here. I have changed a lot ever since I first met him close to two years ago. Ruki just has this kind of charisma that kept drawing me to him. Moreover, that particular charisma allowed me to see myself better.”

Is it that exaggerated, I don’t know. But looking at how she moved, it’s all genuine.

And even the other girls hearing Haruko’s statement couldn’t help but be amazed at it. Soon enough, they all looked at me with the same unbending affection.

Itou even drew closer to me as though she was afraid I would be taken by the other girls from her.

That didn’t happen though. And the focus returned to Kanzaki.

“Thank you for listening to me, Haruko-senpai. And Onoda-kun, you can let go now. I’ll be fine.” Kanzaki gratefully bowed to Haruko before looking up at me. She lifted her hand off mine, allowing me to take it back.

“You sure?” I asked. But with how everything progressed, that’s just a kind gesture and also my way to gauge the change in her.

“Yes. I appreciate your concern. Everything up to now, I always relied on you or at the thought that you’re interested in me…”

“I’m still interested in you regardless. That won’t change. You, however…”

“Maybe if I manage to find myself again, I’ll still be as interested in you, Onoda-kun.”

“Alright. Good luck with that.”

Finding herself, huh? Looks like the Book Club will have a new resident in the coming days. The answer to whether her interest would remain or not would have to wait as well.

All in all, I’m satisfied with this result. Bringing her here and letting Haruko handle it was definitely more than a success.

My Haruko would never disappoint. She’s that amazing.

After finishing up our tea and also checking in on everyone, including Aya, I excused myself and left the Book Club.

However, I didn’t leave alone. Next to me, while still holding my hand, Itou followed behind.

“Now then, let me walk you to your club.”

“… I didn’t ask you to.”

“Because you don’t need to. It’s my decision. Unless you don’t want it.”

I turned to the girl who was still trying to act opposite of what she was thinking. She’s covering reddened cheeks. She really couldn’t be too honest.

Well, with or without her approval, I already took the first step, going in the direction of the Game Club.

It’s on the same floor so… it wouldn’t take long. It’s just, if someone saw us like this, it would definitely be a headliner.